BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENT Dated as of November 21, 2006 among RIATA ENERGY, INC. (d/b/a SandRidge Energy, Inc.) as the Borrower, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent and The Other Lenders Party Hereto BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC CREDIT SUISSE...

Exhibit 10.7

BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENT

Dated as of November 21, 2006

among

RIATA ENERGY, INC.
(d/b/a XxxxXxxxx Energy, Inc.)
as the Borrower,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent

and

The Other Lenders Party Hereto

BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC
CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC
XXXXXXX SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS X.X.
XXXXXX BROTHERS INC.
Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Section	Page

ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS		1
1.01 Defined Terms		1
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions		22
1.03 Accounting Terms		23
1.04 Petroleum Terms		23
1.05 Rounding		24
1.06 Times of Day		24

ARTICLE II. THE COMMITMENTS AND LOANS		24
2.01 Loans		24
2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans		24
2.03 Prepayments		25
2.04 Repayment of Loans		27
2.05 Interest		27
2.06 Fees		28
2.07 Computation of Interest and Fees		28
2.08 Evidence of Debt		28
2.09 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback		28
2.10 Sharing of Payments by Lenders		30

ARTICLE III. TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY		31
3.01 Taxes		31
3.02 Illegality		33
3.03 Inability to Determine Rates		33
3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans		33
3.05 Compensation for Losses		35
3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders		35
3.07 Survival		36

ARTICLE IV. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS		36

ARTICLE V. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES		39
5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power		39
5.02 Authorization; No Contravention		39
5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents		39
5.04 Binding Effect		40
5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect		40
5.06 Litigation		41
5.07 No Default		41
5.08 Ownership of Property; Liens		41
5.09 Environmental Compliance		41
5.10 Insurance		42
5.11 Taxes		42
5.12 ERISA Compliance		42
5.13 Subsidiaries; Equity Interests; Loan Parties		43
5.14 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act		43
5.15 Disclosure		43
5.16 Compliance with Laws		44


Section	Page

5.17 Solvency		44
5.18 Casualty, Etc.		44
5.19 Labor Matters		44

ARTICLE VI. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS		44
6.01 Financial Statements		44
6.02 Certificates; Other Information		45
6.03 Notices		48
6.04 Payment of Obligations		49
6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc.		49
6.06 Maintenance of Properties		49
6.07 Maintenance of Insurance		49
6.08 Compliance with Laws		49
6.09 Books and Records		49
6.10 Inspection Rights		49
6.11 Use of Proceeds		50
6.12 Covenant to Guarantee Obligations		50
6.13 Compliance with Environmental Laws		50
6.14 [Reserved]		51
6.15 Use of Proceeds of the Permanent Securities		51
6.16 Exchange Notes		51
6.17 Change of Control		52
6.18 Registration Rights		53

ARTICLE VII. NEGATIVE COVENANTS		53
7.01 Liens		53
7.02 Investments		55
7.03 Indebtedness		56
7.04 Fundamental Changes		57
7.05 Dispositions		57
7.06 Restricted Payments		58
7.07 Change in Nature of Business		59
7.08 Transactions with Affiliates		59
7.09 Burdensome Agreements		59
7.10 Use of Proceeds		59
7.11 Financial Covenants		60
7.12 Hedge Transactions		60

ARTICLE VIII. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES		60
8.01 Events of Default		60
8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default		62
8.03 Application of Funds		62

ARTICLE IX. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT		63
9.01 Appointment and Authority		63
9.02 Rights as a Lender		63
9.03 Exculpatory Provisions		64
9.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent		64
9.05 Delegation of Duties		65
9.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent		65
9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders		66
9.08 No Other Duties, Etc.		66


Section	Page

9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim		66
9.10 Guaranty Matters		67

ARTICLE X. MISCELLANEOUS		67
10.01 Amendments, Etc.		67
10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication		68
10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies		70
10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver		70
10.05 Payments Set Aside		71
10.06 Successors and Assigns		72
10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality		75
10.08 Right of Setoff		76
10.09 Interest Rate Limitation		76
10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness		77
10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties		77
10.12 Severability		77
10.13 Replacement of Lenders		77
10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.		78
10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial		79
10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility		79
10.17 USA PATRIOT Act Notice		80

iii


SCHEDULES

	2.01	Commitments and Applicable Percentages
	5.03	Governmental Authorizations
	5.05	Supplement to Interim Financial Statements
	5.06	Litigation
	5.09	Environmental Matters
	5.13	Subsidiaries; Other Equity Investments and Loan Parties
	7.01	Existing Liens
	7.03	Existing Indebtedness
	10.02	Administrative Agent’s Office; Certain Addresses for Notices
	10.06	Processing and Recordation Fees

EXHIBITS
		*Form of*

	A	Loan Notice
	B	Note
	C	Compliance Certificate
	D	Assignment and Assumption
	E	Guaranty
	F	Opinion of Counsel to the Loan Parties

BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENT

This BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into as of November 21, 2006 among RIATA ENERGY, INC., a Texas corporation (d/b/a XxxxXxxxx Energy, Inc.) (the “Borrower”), each LENDER from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC, CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC, XXXXXXX XXXXX CREDIT PARTNERS L.P. and XXXXXX BROTHERS INC., as Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners.

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

Capitalized terms used but not defined in these Preliminary Statements shall have respective meanings set forth for such terms in Section 1.01 hereof.

Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement dated November 21, 2006 (the “Acquisition Agreement”) by and among XxxxXxxxx Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Borrower (“Buyer”) , American Real Estate Partners, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, American Real Estate Holdings Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, AREP Oil & Gas Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, AREP O & G Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, the “Seller”) and NEG Oil & Gas LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Target”) , Buyer has agreed to acquire (the “Acquisition”) all of the membership interests of Target for not more than $1,269.0 million in cash, plus additional consideration in the form of common equity of the Borrower.

The Borrower intends to finance the Acquisition, the costs and expenses related to the Transaction, the repayment of certain existing indebtedness of the Borrower and the Target and the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ ongoing working capital and other general corporate purposes after consummation of the Acquisition from the following sources: (a) at least $500.0 million in cash proceeds to be received from the issuance and sale of convertible preferred equity (the “Preferred Stock”), (b) at least $244.0 million of common equity of the Target currently held by the Seller to be rolled over (directly or indirectly) into common equity of the Borrower; (c) up to $150.0 million under a revolving senior secured credit facility (the “Senior Credit Facility”) and (d) up to $850.0 million of senior unsecured loans under the bridge facility provided under this Agreement.

The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide a bridge loan facility, and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms and conditions set forth herein.

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

1.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

“Acquisition” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

“Acquisition Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

“Administrative Agent” means Bank of America in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

“Administrative Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02, or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrower and the Lenders.

“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

“Aggregate Commitments” means the Commitments of all the Initial Lenders.

“Agreement” means this Bridge Loan Agreement.

“Applicable Rate” means (i) with respect to Eurodollar Rate Loans, the sum of 4.50% plus the Incremental Margin, if any, and (ii) with respect to Base Rate Loans, the sum of 3.50% plus the Incremental Margin, if any.

“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

“Arranger” means each of Banc of America Securities LLC, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Xxxxxxx Sachs Credit Partners L.P. and Xxxxxx Brothers Inc. in its capacity as lead arranger and book manager in respect of this Agreement.

“Assignee Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.

“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit D or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

“Attributable Indebtedness” means, on any date, (a) in respect of any capital lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were accounted for as a capital lease.

“Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

“Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

“Base Rate”means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate.” The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

“Base Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

“Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

“Borrower Existing Credit Agreement” means that certain First Amended and Restated Master Credit Agreement dated as of January 12, 2006, among the Borrower (under its former name of Riata Energy, Inc.), Bank of America , N.A. and certain subsidiaries of Borrower from time to time party thereto as guarantors,

“Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Initial Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Initial Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Administrative Agent’s Office is located and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

“Cash Equivalents” means any of the following types of Investments, to the extent owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries:

(a) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than 360 days from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged in support thereof;

(b) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) (A) is a Lender or (B) is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or

is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and is a member of the Federal Reserve System, (ii) issues (or the parent of which issues) commercial paper rated as described in clause (c) of this definition and (iii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000, in each case with maturities of not more than 90 days from the date of acquisition thereof;

(c) commercial paper issued by any Person organized under the laws of any state of the United States of America and rated at least “Prime-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Xxxxx’x or at least “A-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P, in each case with maturities of not more than 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof; and

(d) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which are administered by financial institutions that have the highest rating obtainable from either Xxxxx’x or S&P, and the portfolios of which are limited solely to Investments of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this definition.

“Casualty Event” means any loss, casualty or other insured damage to, or any nationalization, taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any Oil and Gas Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries having a fair market value in excess of $500,000.

“CERCLA” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980.

“CERCLIS” means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Information System maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“CFC” means a Person that is a controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Code.

“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority.

“Change of Control” means an event or series of events by which:

(a) at any time prior to the creation of a Public Market, the Xxxx/Xxxxxxxx Group shall cease to own and control legally and beneficially (free and clear of all Liens), either directly or indirectly, equity securities in the Borrower representing more than 30% of the combined voting power of all of equity securities entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that the Xxxx/Xxxxxxxx Group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right (as defined in clause (b) below)); or

(b) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) other than the Xxxx/Xxxxxxxx Group becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of more than a Control Percentage of the equity securities of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such “person” or “group” has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); for this purpose, “Control Percentage” means (i) prior to the creation of the Public Market, the percentage of which the Xxxx/Xxxxxxxx Group is the beneficial owner (determined as provided above) and (ii) at any time after the creation of a Public Market, the greater of 30% and the percentage in (i); or

(c) during any period of 24 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body (excluding, in the case of both clause (ii) and clause (iii), any individual whose initial nomination for, or assumption of office as, a member of that board or equivalent governing body occurs as a result of an actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents for the election or removal of one or more directors by any person or group other than a solicitation for the election of one or more directors by or on behalf of the board of directors).

“Change of Control Offer” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.17.

“Change of Control Payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.17.

“Change of Control Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.17.

“Closing Date” means the date of the Borrowing hereunder, as specified by the Borrower in its Loan Notice.

“Citi L/Cs” means letters of credit outstanding under the Target Existing Credit Agreements.

“Citi Payoff Documents” means documents executed and delivered in connection with the termination of the Target Existing Credit Agreements which shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

“Commitment” means, as to each Initial Lender, its obligation to make an Initial Loan to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01, in the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01.

“Commitment Letter” means the letter agreement so denominated dated November 20, 2006 among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the other parties thereto.

“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

“Consolidated” refers to the consolidation of any Person, in accordance with GAAP, with its properly consolidated subsidiaries. References herein to a Person’s Consolidated financial statements, financial position, financial condition, liabilities, etc. refer to the consolidated financial statements, financial position, financial condition, liabilities, etc. of such Person and its properly consolidated subsidiaries.

“Consolidated Current Assets” means, for any period, the aggregate amount of all assets of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries which would be properly classified as current assets in accordance with GAAP plus any Available Borrowing Base (as defined in the Senior Credit Facility), but excluding any unrealized assets resulting from compliance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Statement 133 concerning xxxx-to-market requirements on hedging transactions.

“Consolidated Current Liabilities” means, for any period, the aggregate amount of all liabilities of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries which would be properly classified as current liabilities in accordance with GAAP, but excluding current maturities under the Senior Credit Agreement, all amounts outstanding pursuant to this Agreement and any unrealized liabilities resulting from compliance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Statement 133 concerning xxxx-to-market requirements on hedging transactions.

“Consolidated Current Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Current Assets as of such date to (b) Consolidated Current Liabilities as of such date.

“Consolidated EBITDAX” means for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of Borrower for such period; plus each of the following (without duplication) determined for Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for such period: (a) any provision for (or less any benefit from) income or franchise taxes included in determining Consolidated Net Income; (b) any interest expense deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income; (c) any depreciation, depletion, amortization or exploration expense deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income; (d) any non-cash loss on change in fair value of derivative instruments deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income; and (e) any other non-cash charge, expense or loss deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income; and minus each

of the following (without duplication) determined for Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for such period, to the extent included in determining such Consolidated Net Income for such period: (a) any non-cash gain on change in fair value of derivative instruments; (b) any interest income included in determining Consolidated Net Income and (c) any other non-cash income or gains; provided however, that in determining Consolidated Net Income for the purposes of this definition for any period in which Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries has acquired or acquires additional Consolidated Subsidiaries (whether by purchase, merger or otherwise) or has acquired or disposed of or acquires or disposes of producing Oil and Gas Properties, (1) the Consolidated Net Income of such acquired Consolidated Subsidiaries shall be included in such calculation on a pro forma basis as if they had been owned by Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries throughout such period, (2) the revenues attributable to the oil and gas production from such acquired Oil and Gas Properties during such period, less the direct operating expenses and severance and ad valorem taxes incurred with respect to such properties during such period, shall be included in such calculation on a pro forma basis as if they had been owned by Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries throughout such period, and (3) the revenues attributable to the oil and gas production from producing Oil and Gas Properties disposed of during such period, less the direct operating expenses and severance and ad valorem taxes incurred with respect to such properties during such period, shall be deducted in such calculation on a pro forma basis as if they had not been owned by Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries throughout such period. Pro forma adjustments made in connection with Subsidiaries or Oil and Gas Properties acquired or disposed of shall be consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X and certified by the Borrower’s chief financial officer.

“Consolidated Fixed Charges” means, for any period, the sum of (a) Consolidated Interest Charges for such period, (b) the aggregate amount of scheduled principal payments made during such period in respect of Long-Term Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (except payments made by the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary to the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary), and (c) the aggregate amount of principal payments (except scheduled principal payments) made during such period in respect of Long-Term Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (other than the Loans), but in the case of any principal payment other than scheduled principal payments, only to the extent that such payment reduced any scheduled principal payments that would have become due within one year after the date of such payment.

“Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDAX for the period of the four prior fiscal quarters ending on such date to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period.

“Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, for the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of all obligations, whether current or long-term, for borrowed money (including Obligations hereunder) and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments, (b) all purchase money Indebtedness, (c) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business), (d) Attributable Indebtedness in respect of capital leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations, (e) without duplication, all Guarantees with

respect to outstanding Indebtedness of the types specified in clauses (a) through (d) above of Persons other than the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary, and (f) all Indebtedness of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which the Borrower or a Consolidated Subsidiary is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to the Borrower or such Consolidated Subsidiary.

“Consolidated Interest Charges” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, the sum of (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP (but excluding amortization of debt discount and expense in connection with the Transaction), (b) to the extent not reflected in (a), plus the net amount payable under Swap Contracts in respect of interest rates (or minus the net amount receivable under Swap Contracts in respect of interest rates) plus (c) the portion of rent expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with respect to such period under capital leases that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP.

“Consolidated Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDAX for the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently ended.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the net income (or loss) of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that the following shall be excluded in calculating Consolidated Net Income and Consolidated EBITDAX: (i) any extraordinary items of gain or loss, (ii) any gain or loss from the sale of assets other than in the ordinary course of business, (iii) any non-cash income, gains, losses or charges resulting from the requirements of SFAS 133 or 143 and (iv) any professional fees related to the Transaction.

“Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

“Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

“Default Rate” means (a) the Base Rate plus (b) the Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2% per annum; provided, however, that (i) with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum, and (ii) the Default Rate shall in no event be less than the Minimum Rate.

“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith. The issuance of Equity Interests by any Subsidiary to any Person other than the Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary shall be deemed a Disposition by the Borrower of its direct or indirect Equity Interest in such Subsidiary to the extent of the resulting dilution.

“Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.

“Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii)).

“Environmental Laws” means any and all Federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

“Environmental Permit” means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.

“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights

for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

“Equity Issuance” means the issuance of the Preferred Stock.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

“ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

“Eurodollar Rate” means, for any Interest Period with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate (“BBA LIBOR”), as published by Reuters (or other commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period. If such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “Eurodollar Rate” for such Interest Period shall be the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being made, continued or converted by Bank of America and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America’s London Branch to major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.

“Eurodollar Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.

“Exchange Note” means a note of the Borrower issued pursuant to the Exchange Note Indenture.

“Exchange Note Indenture” means the indenture to be entered into to give effect to the exchange right of the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.16, having terms and conditions substantially the same as those applicable to the Extended Loans, except (i) as otherwise contemplated by Section 6.16 (ii) covenants (including mandatory repurchase offers) and events of default will be as proposed by the Arrangers for the Permanent Securities and reasonably acceptable to the Borrower and (iii) as otherwise agreed by the Borrower and the Required Lenders, and such other terms and provisions not materially inconsistent therewith as may be customary for an indenture governing debt securities of such nature.

“Exchange Request” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.16(b)

“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable Lending Office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 10.13), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply with Section 3.01(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 3.01(a).

“Existing Credit Agreements” mean collectively the Borrower Existing Credit Agreement and the Target Existing Credit Agreements.

“Extended Loans” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(b).

“Federal Funds Rate”means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole

multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

“Fee Letter” means the letter agreement so denominated dated November 20, 2006 among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the other parties thereto.

“Final Maturity Date” means the sixth anniversary of the Closing Date.

“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

“FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

“Guarantee” means, as to any Person, any (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person, whether

or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Guarantors” means, collectively, (i) NEG Oil & Gas LLC, ROC Gas Company, National Onshore LP, National Offshore LP, NEG Operating LLC, Lariat Compression Company, Alsate Management and Investment Company, Integra Energy, L.L.C., Petrosource Energy Company, L.P., Petrosource Production Company, L.P. and XxxxXxxxx Holdings, Inc. and (ii) each Person which becomes a Guarantor after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6.12.

“Guaranty” means the Guaranty made by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

“Hedge Transaction” means any commodity, interest rate, currency or other swap, option, collar, futures contract or other contract pursuant to which a Person xxxxxx risks related to commodity prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates, securities prices or financial market conditions. Hedge Transactions expressly include Oil and Gas Hedge Transactions.

“Hydrocarbons” means oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasolines, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, and all other liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons produced or to be produced in conjunction therewith, and all products, by-products and all other substances derived therefrom or the processing thereof, and all other minerals and substances, including, but not limited to, sulphur, lignite, coal, uranium, thorium, iron, geothermal steam, water, carbon dioxide, helium, and any and all other minerals, ores, or substances of value, and the products and proceeds therefrom, including, without limitation, all gas resulting from the insitu combustion of coal or lignite.

“Immaterial Title Deficiencies” has the meaning set forth in the Senior Credit Facility.

“Incremental Margin” means (i) prior to the date that is six months after the Closing Date, 0%, and (ii) on and after such date that is six months after the Closing Date 0.50% plus, for each further period of three months that shall have elapsed subsequent to such six month date, 0.25%.

“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

(b) all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;

(d) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and, in each case, not past due for more than 90 days after the date on which such trade account payable was created);

(e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

(f) capital leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations;

(g) all obligations of such Person to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment in respect of any Equity Interest in such Person or any other Person (other than the Preferred Stock), valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and

(h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. The amount of any capital lease or Synthetic Lease Obligation as of any date shall be deemed to be the amount of Attributable Indebtedness in respect thereof as of such date.

“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

“Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).

“Information” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.

“Initial Lenders” means Banc of America Bridge LLC, Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Credit Partners L.P. and Xxxxxx Commercial Paper Inc.

“Initial Loan” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a).

“Initial Maturity Date” means the first anniversary of the Closing Date.

“Interest Payment Date” means, (a) as to any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Initial Maturity Date or the Final Maturity Date, as applicable; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Initial Maturity Date or the Final Maturity Date, as applicable.

“Interest Period” means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date three months thereafter provided that:

(i) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

(ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

(iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Final Maturity Date.

“Internal Control Event” means a material weakness in, or fraud that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in, the Borrower’s internal controls over financial reporting, in each case as described in the Securities Laws.

“Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of capital stock or other securities of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in, another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor Guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“Lariat” means Lariat Services, Inc., a Texas corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

“Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable

administrative orders, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority.

“Lead Arranger” means Banc of America Securities LLC.

“Lender” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

“Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

“Loan” means an Initial Loan or an Extended Loan.

“Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Fee Letter, the Guaranty, the Exchange Note Indenture and Exchange Notes.

“Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

“Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.

“Long-Term Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness that, in accordance with GAAP, constitutes (or, when incurred, constituted) a long-term liability.

“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of (i) the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document or (ii) the ability of the Loan Parties to perform their obligations under the Loan Documents; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

“Minimum Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the sum of 9.00% plus the Incremental Margin.

“MNPI” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is

obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

“Net Cash Proceeds” means:

(a) with respect to any Disposition by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the excess, if any, of (i) the sum of cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such transaction (including any cash or Cash Equivalents received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) over (ii) the sum of (A) the principal amount of any Indebtedness that is secured by the applicable asset and that is required to be repaid in connection with such transaction (other than Indebtedness under the Loan Documents), (B) the reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection with such transaction and (C) income taxes reasonably estimated to be actually payable within two years of the date of the relevant transaction as a result of any gain recognized in connection therewith and (D) the Swap Termination Value, if any, associated with such transaction; provided that, if the amount of any estimated taxes pursuant to subclause (C) exceeds the amount of taxes actually required to be paid in cash in respect of such Disposition, the aggregate amount of such excess shall constitute Net Cash Proceeds; and

(b) with respect to the sale or issuance of any Equity Interests by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or parent holding company), or the incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, the excess of (i) the sum of the cash and Cash Equivalents received in connection with such transaction over (ii) the underwriting discounts and commissions, and other reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses, incurred by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in connection therewith.

“Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Lender evidencing Loans made by such Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B.

“Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan, whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

“Oil and Gas Business” means the business of acquiring, exploring, or developing and operating Oil and Gas Properties and the production, marketing, processing and transporting of Hydrocarbons therefrom.

“Oil and Gas Hedge Transaction” means a Hedge Transaction pursuant to which any Person xxxxxx the price to be received by it for future production of Hydrocarbons.

“Oil and Gas Properties” means all oil, gas and/or mineral leases, oil, gas or mineral properties, mineral servitudes and/or mineral rights of any kind (including, without limitation,

mineral fee interests, lease interests, farmout interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profits interests, oil payment interests, production payment interests and other types of mineral interests), and all oil and gas gathering, treating, storage, processing and handling assets.

“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

“Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

“PCAOB” means the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

“Pension Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five plan years.

“Permanent Securities” means the senior unsecured notes or any other debt securities or term loans of the Borrower to be issued after the Closing Date for the purpose of refinancing all or a portion of the outstanding Loans.

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

“Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) established by the Borrower or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any ERISA Affiliate.

“Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Preferred Stock” has the meaning set forth in the Preliminary Statements.

“Public Market” shall exist if (a) a Public Offering has been consummated and (b) any Equity Interests of the Borrower have been distributed by means of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933.

“Public Offering” means a public offering of the Equity Interests of the Borrower pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933.

“Public-Side Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Refinancing Fee” means a fee payable to each Lender equal to 2.0% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Initial Loans of such Lender repaid, repurchased, redeemed or otherwise acquired or retired for value, in whole or in part, other than with the proceeds of (i) an issuance of Permanent Securities, (ii) the contemplated initial public offering of equity securities of the Borrower following the consummation of the Acquisition, (iii) an asset sale or (iv) the Senior Credit Facility. The Refinancing Fee shall be payable on the date of each such repayment, repurchase, redemption, acquisition or retirement for value.

“Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).

“Registered Public Accounting Firm” has the meaning specified in the Securities Laws and shall be independent of the Borrower as prescribed by the Securities Laws.

“Related Documents” means the Acquisition Agreement, and the documentation for the Equity Issuance.

“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

“Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30 day notice period has been waived.

“Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders having more than 50% of the Aggregate Commitments or, if the Commitments shall have or shall have been terminated, Lenders holding in the aggregate more than 50% of the outstanding principal amount of the Loans.

“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.

“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest of the

Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to the Borrower’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent Person thereof).

“Rollover Fee” means a fee payable to each Lender equal to 2.0% of the aggregate principal amount of any Extended Loans made by such Lender on the Initial Maturity Date, payable in full on the Initial Maturity Date.

“Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx” means the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

“Securities Laws” means the Securities Act of 1933 and regulations thereunder, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and regulations thereunder, Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx and the applicable accounting and auditing principles, rules, standards and practices promulgated, approved or incorporated by the SEC or the PCAOB.

“Seller” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

“Senior Credit Facility” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

“Solvent” and “Solvency” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital, and (e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

“Super-Majority Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders holding in the aggregate 75% or more of the Total Outstandings.

“Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the xxxx-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

“Syndication Completion Date” means the earlier of (i) the date on which the Bridge Lead Arranger notifies the Lenders that the Bridge Lead Arranger has completed its primary syndication of the Initial Loans to its satisfaction but in any event not later than 60 days after the initial launch of the syndication on IntraLinks or (ii) the 180^th day after the Closing Date.

“Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the insolvency or bankruptcy of such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

“Target” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

“Target Existing Credit Agreements” means (i) that certain Credit Agreement dated as of December 20, 2005, among the Target (under its former name of AREP OIL & GAS LLC), Citicorp USA, Inc., as Administrative Agent, Bear Xxxxxxx Corporate Lending Inc., as the Syndication Agent and certain financial institutions from time to time party thereto as lenders and (ii) that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2005, by and among NEG Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as borrower, NEG

Oil & Gas Sub LLC (as assignee of Target), a Delaware limited liability company, as lender and administrative agent, and Citicorp USA, Inc., as Collateral Agent.

“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

“Threshold Amount” means $2,500,000.

“Transaction”means, collectively, the Acquisition, the Equity Issuance, the entering into and funding of the bridge loan facility under this Agreement, the entering into and funding of the Senior Credit Facility, the refinancing of certain outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Target under the Existing Credit Agreements, and all related transactions and the payment of the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the consummation of the foregoing.

“Type” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

“Unfunded Pension Liability” means the excess of a Pension Plan’s benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA, over the current value of that Pension Plan’s assets, determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding the Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the applicable plan year.

“United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

“Well Participation Program” means that the Well Participation Program effective as of June 8, 2006 by and among the Borrower and certain executive officers of the Borrower, as in effect on the Closing Date.

“Xxxx/Xxxxxxxx Group” means (i) each of Xxx X. Xxxx (“Xxxx”) and N. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx III (“Xxxxxxxx”); (ii) the wife of either of them; (iii) a lineal descendant of either of them; (iv) the estate of either of them; (v) any trust of which at least one of the trustees is Xxxx or Xxxxxxxx, or the principal beneficiaries of which are any one or more of the Persons in (i)-(iv); (vi) any Person which is Controlled by any one or more of the persons in (i)-(v); and (vii) any group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof) of which each of Xxxx and Xxxxxxxx is a member.

1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including any Organization Document)

shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.

(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

1.03 Accounting Terms. (a) Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein.

(b) Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

1.04 Petroleum Terms.

As used herein, the terms “proved reserves,” “proved developed reserves,” “proved developed producing reserves,” “proved developed nonproducing reserves,” and “proved undeveloped reserves” have the meaning given such terms from time to time and at the time in question by the Society of Petroleum Engineers of the American Institute of Mining Engineers.

1.05 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

1.06 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Central time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

ARTICLE II.
THE COMMITMENTS AND LOANS

2.01 Loans. (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Initial Lender severally agrees to make a single term loan (an “Initial Loan”) to the Borrower on the Closing Date in the amount of such Initial Lender’s Commitment. The Commitments are not revolving in nature and shall terminate at the close of business on the Closing Date.

(b) Each Lender severally agrees, if the Initial Loans have not been repaid prior to the Initial Maturity Date, that the then outstanding principal amount of each of its Initial Loans shall be automatically converted into a loan (individually, an “Extended Loan” and collectively, the “Extended Loans”) to the Borrower on the Initial Maturity Date in an aggregate principal amount equal to the then outstanding principal amount of such Initial Loan or Loans upon satisfaction of the following conditions: (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (ii) the Borrower shall have paid, or caused to be paid, in full all fees then due pursuant to Section 2.06; (iii) any Note requested pursuant to Section 2.08 to evidence Extended Loans shall have been duly issued; and (iv) no order, decree or injunction from any Governmental Authority enjoining the conversion of any Initial Loan into an Extended Loan shall be in effect. Upon the conversion of the Initial Loans into Extended Loans, each Lender shall cancel on its records a principal amount of the Initial Loans held by such Lender corresponding to the principal amount of the Extended Loans issued to such Lender, which corresponding principal amount of the Initial Loans shall be satisfied by the conversion of such Initial Loans into Extended Loans in accordance with this Section 2.01(b).

2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.

(a) The Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or of any conversion of Eurodollar Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans, and (ii) on the requested date of

any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. Each telephonic notice by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) must be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a written Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Each conversion or continuation of Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Each Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (i) whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, (ii) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (iii) in the case of a conversion or continuation, the principal amount of Loans to be converted or continued, and (iv) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans.

(b) Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its ratable share of the applicable Loans, and if no timely notice of a conversion or continuation is provided by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the details of any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans described in the preceding subsection. In the case of the Borrowing, each Lender shall make the amount of its Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Closing Date. Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article IV, the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the Borrower.

(c) Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurodollar Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan. During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurodollar Rate Loans without the consent of the Required Lenders.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such interest rate. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any change in Bank of America’s prime rate used in determining the Base Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.

(e) After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than five Interest Periods in effect with respect to Loans.

2.03 Prepayments.

(a) Optional. The Borrower may, upon notice to the Administrative Agent, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty, but subject to the Refinancing Fee, if applicable; provided that (i) such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. three Business Days prior to any date of prepayment and (ii) any partial prepayment shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Each such notice shall specify the date and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if Eurodollar Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. The Administrative Agent will promptly notify each Lender of its receipt of each such notice, and of the amount of such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such prepayment. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05.

(b) Mandatory.

(i) If the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries Disposes of any property (other than any Disposition of any property permitted by Section 7.05(g)) which results in the realization by such Person of Net Cash Proceeds, the Borrower shall, subject to the prior application of such Net Cash Proceeds pursuant to the provisions of the Senior Credit Facility regarding the application of such Net Cash Proceeds, prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds immediately upon receipt thereof by such Person; provided that, the proceeds of any Disposition permitted by Section 7.05(g) shall not constitute Net Cash Proceeds to the extent that (A) such proceeds are reinvested in replacement properties or assets, or other productive properties or assets, acquired by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of a kind then used or usable in the business of the applicable Person within 180 days from the date of receipt thereof or (B) if the applicable Borrower or Subsidiary intends to acquire replacement properties or assets, or other productive properties or assets, with such proceeds as part of a like-kind exchange under Section 1031 of the Code, the potential replacement properties or assets are identified by such Borrower or Subsidiary within 180 days from the date the ownership to the sold assets is transferred to the buyer of such property and the proceeds from such property are reinvested to acquire such replacement properties or assets within 180 days from the date the ownership to the sold assets is transferred to the buyer of such property; provided further that, the proceeds of any Casualty Event shall not constitute Net Cash Proceeds to the extent that such proceeds are reinvested in replacement properties or assets, or other productive properties or assets, acquired by the Borrower or a Guarantor of a kind then used or usable in the business of the applicable Person within 180 days from the date of receipt thereof.; and

(ii) Upon the incurrence or issuance subsequent to the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness expressly permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to Section 7.03 (b)-(k)) or the issuance subsequent to the Closing Date by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (or by any direct or indirect parent holding company of which the Borrower is a wholly-owned Subsidiary) of any Equity Interests (other than any such issuance to the Borrower or a wholly owned Subsidiary), the Borrower shall

prepay an aggregate principal amount of Loans equal to 100% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom immediately upon receipt thereof by the Borrower or such Subsidiary.

2.04 Repayment of Loans.

(a) Subject to Section 2.01(b), the Initial Loans will mature on the Initial Maturity Date and, to the extent then unpaid, will be converted into Extended Loans or become due and payable pursuant to Section 2.01(b).

(b) The Extended Loans will mature on the Final Maturity Date.

2.05 Interest.

(a) Subject to the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) below, (i) each Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate and (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate.

(b) Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) below, the rate of interest applicable to the Loans shall at no time be less than the Minimum Rate or greater than 11.00% per annum.

(c) (i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(ii) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required Lenders, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(iii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any Event of Default exists, the Borrower shall pay interest on the principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(iv) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

(v) Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after

judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

2.06 Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders, as applicable, for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter, including, if applicable, the Rollover Fee and the Refinancing Fee. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

2.07 Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by Bank of America’s “prime rate” shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

2.08 Evidence of Debt.

The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note, which shall evidence such Lender’s Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Note and endorse thereon the date, Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

2.09 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback.

(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the Administrative Agent’s Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will promptly distribute to each Lender its ratable share of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer to such Lender’s Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee

shall continue to accrue. If any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the Closing Date that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of the Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation, plus any administrative, processing or similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in the Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.

(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender, in immediately available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because the conditions to the Initial Loans set forth in Article IV are

not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to such Lender, without interest.

(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders hereunder to make Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 10.04(c) are several and not joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan or to make any payment under Section 10.04(c) on any date required hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to so make its Loan or to make its payment under Section 10.04(c).

(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.

2.10 Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of the Loans made by it resulting in such Lender’s receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of such Loans and accrued interest thereon greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them, provided that:

(i) if any such participations or subparticipations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations or subparticipations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and

(ii) the provisions of this Section shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans

to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section shall apply).

The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

ARTICLE III.
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

3.01 Taxes.

(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, provided that if the Borrower shall be required by applicable law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes (including any Other Taxes) from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent or Lender, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. Without limiting the provisions of subsection (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender, within 10 days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) paid by the Administrative Agent or, such Lender, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) Status of Lenders. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by

applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is resident for tax purposes in the United States, any Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is applicable:

(i) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,

(ii) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,

(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or

(iv) any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If the Administrative Agent or any Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund), provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or any Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.

3.02 Illegality. If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Rate Loans, or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars in the London interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall, upon demand from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if applicable, convert all Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

3.03 Inability to Determine Rates. If the Required Lenders determine that for any reason in connection with any request for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof that (a) Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurodollar Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan, or (c) the Eurodollar Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly so notify the Borrower and each Lender. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent (upon the instruction of the Required Lenders) revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.

3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans.

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e));

(ii) subject any Lender to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement or any Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 3.01 and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of, any Excluded Tax payable by such Lender); or

(iii) impose on any Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or Eurodollar Rate Loans made by such Lender;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Rate Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender, the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or any Lending Office of such Lender or such Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, such Lender, to a level below that which such Lender or such Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a) or (b) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

(e) Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans. The Borrower shall pay to each Lender, as long as such Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by such Lender (as determined by such Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrower shall have received at least 10 days’ prior notice (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) of such

additional interest from such Lender. If a Lender fails to give notice 10 days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable 10 days from receipt of such notice.

3.05 Compensation for Losses. Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or

(c) any assignment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 10.13;

including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

3.06 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.

(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or if any Lender gives a notice pursuant to Section 3.02, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different Lending Office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 3.01 or 3.04, as the case may be, in the future, or eliminate the need for the notice pursuant to Section 3.02, as applicable, and (ii) in each case, would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any

Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section 10.13.

3.07 Survival. All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Aggregate Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

ARTICLE IV.
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO LOANS

The obligation of each Initial Lender to make its Initial Loan hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

(a) The Administrative Agent’s receipt of the following, each of which shall be originals or telecopies (followed promptly by originals) unless otherwise specified, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of the signing Loan Party, each dated the Closing Date (or, in the case of certificates of governmental officials, a recent date before the Closing Date) and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:

(i) executed counterparts of this Agreement and the Guaranty, sufficient in number for distribution to the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Borrower;

(ii) a Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;

(iii) such certificates of resolutions or other action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require evidencing the identity, authority and capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party or is to be a party;

(iv) such documents and certifications as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and is validly existing, in good standing and qualified to engage in business in each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(v) a favorable opinion of Xxxxxx and Xxxxxx LLP, counsel to the Loan Parties, addressed to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, as to the matters set forth in Exhibit F and such other matters concerning the Loan Parties and the Loan Documents as the Required Lenders may reasonably request;

(vi) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party either (A) attaching copies, or an exhibit, of all consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party and the validity against such Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and such

consents, licenses and approvals shall be in full force and effect, or (B) stating that no such consents, licenses or approvals are so required;

(vii) a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying (A) that the conditions specified in paragraphs (xx) and (xxi) below have been satisfied and (B) that there has been no event or circumstance since the date of the Audited Financial Statements that has had or could be reasonably expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect;

(viii) certificates attesting to the Solvency of each Loan Party before and after giving effect to the Transaction and the incurrence of indebtedness related thereto, from its chief financial officer;

(ix) such reports and audits prepared by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates or any advisor engaged by the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the Target and its Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; and

(x) certified copies of each of the Related Documents, duly executed by the parties thereto and in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders, together with all agreements, instruments and other documents delivered in connection therewith as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request;

(xi) the following financial information: (A) audited consolidated financial statements of each of the Borrower and the Target for the three fiscal years ended most recently prior to the Acquisition, unaudited consolidated financial statements of each of the Borrower and the Target for any interim quarterly periods that have ended since the most recent of such audited financial statements, and pro forma financial statements of the Borrower giving effect to the Transaction for the most recently completed fiscal year and the period commencing with the end of the most recently completed fiscal year and ending with the most recently completed quarter, which in each case, (1) shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Lead Arranger and the Lenders, (2) shall not be materially inconsistent with the Information heretofore provided to the Lenders, and (3) shall meet the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all other accounting rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder applicable to a registration statement under such Act on Form S-1; (B) forecasts prepared by management of the Borrower, each in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, of balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements for the first year following the Closing Date and for each year commencing with the first fiscal year following the Closing Date for the term of this Agreement; and (C) evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that (1) Consolidated EBITDAX for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2006 calculated on a pro forma basis giving effect to the Transaction was not less than $290,000,000, (2) the ratio of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness at the Closing Date to Consolidated EBITDAX for the twelve months ended June 30, 2006 (which ratio shall be calculated reflecting the Transaction on a pro forma basis) was not greater than 3.3:1.0 and (3) the pro forma financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (A) above and the forecasts delivered pursuant to clause (B) above were prepared in good faith on the basis of the

assumptions stated therein, which assumptions are fair in light of the then existing conditions, and, in the case of each of (1), (2) and (3) above, and the chief financial officer of the Borrower shall have provided the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a written certification to that effect.

(xii) evidence of (x) the receipt by the Borrower of not less than $500,000,000 cash proceeds from the Preferred Stock and (y) the effectiveness of the Senior Credit Facility;

(xiii) such other certificates, documents, or opinions as the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders reasonably may require;

(xiv) any fees required to be paid on or before the Closing Date shall have been paid;

(xv) unless waived by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall have paid all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent);

(xvi) the Closing Date shall have occurred on or before November 22, 2006;

(xvii) all applicable waiting periods (including, without limitation, the requisite waiting period under the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of 1975) shall have expired or terminated without any action being taken by any authority that could restrain, prevent or impose any material adverse conditions on any of the Borrower, the Target, their respective Subsidiaries or the Transaction or that could seek or threaten any of the foregoing, and no law or regulation shall be applicable that in the judgment of the Lead Arranger could have such effect;

(xviii) the Acquisition shall have been consummated substantially in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition Agreement, without any waiver or amendment not consented to by the Lenders of any material term, provision or condition set forth therein, other than waivers or amendments that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and in compliance with all applicable requirements of Law;

(xix) there shall have been no change, occurrence or development since June 30, 2006 that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(xx) the representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case

they shall be true and correct as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Article IV, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01;

(xxi) no Default shall exist, or would result from the Initial Loans or from the application of the proceeds thereof.

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.04, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Article IV, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its objection thereto.

ARTICLE V.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:

5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power. Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents and (as of the Closing Date only) Related Documents to which it is a party and consummate the Transaction, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (b)(i) or (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.02 Authorization; No Contravention. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document and (as of the Closing Date only) Related Document to which such Person is or is to be a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation that is material to the Loan Parties to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law.

5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents. No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan

Document or Related Document, or for the consummation of the Transaction, except for (i) the authorizations, approvals, actions, notices and filings listed on Schedule 5.03, all of which have been duly obtained, taken, given or made and are in full force and effect, (ii) routine authorizations, approvals, actions, notices and filings in the ordinary course of business (e.g. tax filings, annual reports, environmental filings, etc. ); (iii) any necessary authorizations, approvals, actions, notices and filings (including the filing of a shelf registration statement) necessary in order to comply with Sections 6.16 and 6.18 and (iv) authorizations, approvals and consents necessary in connection with the Borrower’s mineral class leases with the general land office of State of Texas. All applicable waiting periods in connection with the Transaction have expired without any action having been taken by any Governmental Authority restraining, preventing or imposing materially adverse conditions upon the Transaction or the rights of the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries freely to transfer or otherwise dispose of, or to create any Lien on, any properties now owned or hereafter acquired by any of them.

5.04 Binding Effect. This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms.

5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect. (a) The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.

(b) The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries dated September 30, 2006, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the fiscal quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments. Schedule 5.05 sets forth all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the date of such financial statements, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.

(c) Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) The consolidated pro forma balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at June 30, 2006, and the related consolidated pro forma statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the twelve months then ended, certified by the chief

financial officer or treasurer of the Borrower, copies of which have been furnished to each Lender, fairly present the consolidated pro forma financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at such date and the consolidated pro forma results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period ended on such date, in each case giving effect to the Transaction, all in accordance with GAAP (except for the absence of footnotes and subject to year-end audit adjustments).

(e) The consolidated forecasted balance sheets, statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Article IV or Section 6.01(c) were prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were reasonable in light of the conditions existing at the time of delivery of such forecasts, and represented, at the time of delivery, the Borrower’s reasonable estimate of its future financial condition and performance.

5.06 Litigation. There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower after due and diligent investigation, threatened, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any Related Document or the consummation of the Transaction, or (b) except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.06 (the “Disclosed Litigation”), either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and there has been no change in the status, or financial effect on any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, of the matters described in Schedule 5.06 that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.07 No Default. Neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is in default under or with respect to, or a party to, any Contractual Obligation that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

5.08 Ownership of Property; Liens. (a) Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) The property of each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than Liens permitted by Section 7.01.

5.09 Environmental Compliance. (a) The Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries conduct in the ordinary course of business a review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties, and as a result thereof the Borrower has reasonably concluded that, except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 5.09, such Environmental Laws and claims could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) As of the Closing Date and except (i) as otherwise set forth in Schedule 5.09 or (ii) to the extent the same could not, individually or in the aggregate,

reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, none of the properties currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List under 42 USC § 9605(a)(8)(B) or on the CERCLIS or any analogous foreign, state or local list or is adjacent to any such property; there is no asbestos or asbestos-containing material on any property currently owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries; and Hazardous Materials have not been released, discharged or disposed of on any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries in quantities or in a manner as to create Environmental Liability.

(c) As of the Closing Date and except (i) as otherwise set forth in Schedule 5.09 or (ii) to the extent the same could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is undertaking, and has not completed, either individually or together with other potentially responsible parties, any investigation or assessment or remedial or response action relating to any actual or threatened release, discharge or disposal of Hazardous Materials at any site, location or operation, either voluntarily or pursuant to the order of any Governmental Authority or the requirements of any Environmental Law that is reasonably expected to result in material Environmental Liability to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries; and all Hazardous Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored at, or transported to or from, any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries have been disposed of in a manner not reasonably expected to result in material Environmental Liability to any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries.

5.10 Insurance. The properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary operates.

5.11 Taxes. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all Federal, state and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all Federal, state and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against the Borrower or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.12 ERISA Compliance. (a) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other Federal or state Laws except for such events of noncompliance which could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) Except to the extent the same could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (i) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (ii) no Pension Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability; (iii) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA); (iv) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA, would result in such liability) under Section 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with respect to a Multiemployer Plan; and (v) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA.

5.13 Subsidiaries; Equity Interests; Loan Parties. As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party has any Subsidiaries other than those specifically disclosed in Part (a) of Schedule 5.13, and all of the outstanding Equity Interests in such Subsidiaries have been validly issued, are (in the case of corporate securities) fully paid and non-assessable and are owned by a Loan Party in the amounts specified on Part (a) of Schedule 5.13 free and clear of all Liens except those permitted under the Loan Documents or permitted by Section 7.01. As of the Closing Date, no Loan Party has any equity investments in any other corporation or entity other than those specifically disclosed in Part (b) of Schedule 5.13. Set forth on Part (c) of Schedule 5.13 is a complete and accurate list of all Loan Parties, showing as of the Closing Date (as to each Loan Party) the jurisdiction of its incorporation, the address of its principal place of business and its U.S. taxpayer identification number or, in the case of any non-U.S. Loan Party that does not have a U.S. taxpayer identification number, its unique identification number issued to it by the jurisdiction of its incorporation. As of the Closing Date, the copy of the charter of each Loan Party and each amendment thereto provided pursuant to Article IV(iv) is a true and correct copy of each such document, each of which is valid and in full force and effect.

5.14 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act. (a) The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.

(b) None of the Borrower, any Person Controlling the Borrower, or any Subsidiary is or is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

5.15 Disclosure. The Borrower has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished in writing by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains as of the date so furnished any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial

information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.

5.16 Compliance with Laws. Each Loan Party and each Subsidiary thereof is in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure to comply therewith, either individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.17 Solvency. Each Loan Party is, individually and together with its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, Solvent.

5.18 Casualty, Etc. Neither the businesses nor the properties of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty (whether or not covered by insurance) that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.19 Labor Matters.

There are no collective bargaining agreements or Multiemployer Plans covering the employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has suffered any strikes, walkouts, work stoppages or other material labor difficulty within the last five years that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

ARTICLE VI.

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder or any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, the Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01, 6.02, and 6.03) cause each Subsidiary to:

6.01 Financial Statements. Deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as contemplated by the penultimate paragraph of Section 6.02:

(a) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of a Registered Public Accounting Firm of nationally recognized standing, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and applicable Securities Laws and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like

qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit or with respect to the absence of any material misstatement and (ii) commencing at such time as the Borrower is required to prepare the same for SEC reporting purposes, an opinion of such Registered Public Accounting Firm independently assessing the Borrower’s internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Item 308 of the SEC Regulation S-K, PCAOB Auditing Standard Xx. 0, xxx Xxxxxxx 000 xx Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx expressing a conclusion that contains no statement that there is a material weakness in such internal controls, except for such material weaknesses as to which the Required Lenders do not object, and such consolidating statements to be certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower to the effect that such statements are fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

(b) as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes; and

(c) as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year (commencing April 1, 2007) of the Borrower, an annual business plan and budget of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, including forecasts prepared by management of the Borrower, in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders, of consolidated balance sheets and statements of income or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a monthly basis for the immediately following fiscal year.

As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(d), the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under clause (a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in clauses (a) and (b) above at the times specified therein.

6.02 Certificates; Other Information. Deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as contemplated by the penultimate paragraph of this Section 6.02:

(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and (b) (commencing with the delivery of the financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2006), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower;

(b) promptly after any request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of

directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of the Borrower by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any audit of any of them;

(c) promptly after the same are available, copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports, registration statements and proxy statements which the Borrower may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or with any national securities exchange, and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto;

(d) promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report furnished to any holder of debt securities of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lenders pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section 6.02;

(e) [reserved];

(f) promptly, and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof;

(g) not later than five Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of all notices, requests and other documents (including amendments, waivers and other modifications) so received under or pursuant to any Related Document or instrument, indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement regarding or related to any breach or default by any party thereto or any other event that could materially impair the value of the interests or the rights of any Loan Party or otherwise have a Material Adverse Effect and, from time to time upon request by the Administrative Agent, such information and reports regarding the Related Documents and such instruments, indentures and loan and credit and similar agreements as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

(h) promptly after the assertion or occurrence thereof, notice of any action or proceeding against or of any noncompliance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries with any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(i) [reserved];

(j) as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days after the Closing Date, a duly completed Compliance Certificate (on a pro forma basis) as of the last day of the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ended on September 30, 2006, signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower; and

(k) promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial or corporate affairs of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan

Documents, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02(d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 10.02; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender that requests the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by telecopier or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance the Borrower shall be required to provide paper copies of the Compliance Certificates required by Section 6.02(b) to the Administrative Agent. Except for such Compliance Certificates, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arranger will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) either by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) or by delivery or electronic communication to the applicable Lenders and (b) certain of the Lenders may be “public-side” Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities except as contemplated below) (each, a “Public-Side Lender”). The Borrower hereby agrees that so long as the Borrower is the issuer of any outstanding debt or equity securities that are registered or issued pursuant to a private offering or is actively contemplating issuing any such securities (x) all Borrower Materials that are to be posted on the Platform shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC-SIDE” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the words “PUBLIC-SIDE” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (y) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC-SIDE,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that (A) prior to the creation of a Public Market, Lenders shall treat such Borrower Materials as containing material non-public information with respect to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (“MNPI”), and the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented to the Lenders that it expects such Borrower Materials will cease to be MNPI at the time of creation of a Public Market and (B) to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); and (z) any Borrower Materials that are not marked

“PUBLIC-SIDE” as contemplated above shall be treated as containing MNPI, shall not be posted on the Platform and shall be available to Lenders only upon request therefor (which request may apply generally to all such Borrower Materials). Any such request shall constitute a confirmation from the applicable Lender that it has compliance procedures for dealing with such MNPI, and that it will use and maintain such information only in compliance with those procedures, its contractual obligations and applicable law, including federal and state securities laws.

Each Public-Side Lender shall designate individuals or advisors authorized to act on behalf of the Public-Side Lender to receive Borrower Materials not designated as “PUBLIC-SIDE” pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph, including any notices pursuant to Section 6.03.

6.03 Notices. Promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

(a) of the occurrence of any Default;

(b) of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws;

(d) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by the Borrower or any Subsidiary;

(e) of the determination by the Registered Public Accounting Firm providing the opinion required (but only if required) under Section 6.01(a)(ii) (in connection with its preparation of such opinion) or the Borrower’s determination at any time of the occurrence or existence of any Internal Control Event; and

(f) of the (i) occurrence of any Disposition of property or assets for which the Borrower is required to make a mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.03(b)(i), and (ii) incurrence or issuance of any Indebtedness or Equity Interests for which the Borrower is required to make a mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.03(b)(ii).

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 (other than Section 6.03(f)) shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.

6.04 Payment of Obligations. Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Borrower or such Subsidiary; (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien upon its property, except, in the case of (a) or (b), for such amounts that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc. (a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05; (b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.06 Maintenance of Properties. (a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted; (b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (c) use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities.

6.07 Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain (at its own expense) insurance with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, as well as insurance in such amounts, with such limitations or deductibles, against such risks, and in such form as are customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.

6.08 Compliance with Laws. Comply in all material respects with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

6.09 Books and Records. (a) Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; and (b) maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

6.10 Inspection Rights. Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Administrative Agent and each Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to

discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all at the expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided, however, that when an Event of Default exists the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice.

6.11 Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall apply the proceeds of the Credit Extensions to (i) partially finance the Acquisition, (ii) refinance the Borrower’s existing senior secured revolving credit facility under the Borrower Existing Credit Agreement, (iii) refinance the Target’s existing credit facilities under the Target Existing Credit Agreements, (iv) pay certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Acquisition and entering into this Agreement, (v) provide working capital for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries including the issuance of letters of credit, capital expenditures, and other lawful corporate purposes, and (vi) finance permitted acquisitions by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of oil and gas properties and other assets related to the exploration, production and development of oil and gas properties.

6.12 Covenant to Guarantee Obligations. Upon the formation or acquisition of any new direct or indirect Subsidiary (excluding any CFC or any Subsidiary that is held directly or indirectly by a CFC) by any Loan Party, then the Borrower shall, at the Borrower’s expense:

(i) within 20 days after such formation or acquisition (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may in its discretion approve), cause such Subsidiary, and cause each direct and indirect parent (except, if applicable, Lariat, L.L.C., Cholla Pipeline, L.P. or Sagebrush Pipeline, LLC) of such Subsidiary (if it has not already done so), to duly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a guaranty or guaranty supplement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, guaranteeing the other Loan Parties’ obligations under the Loan Documents, and

(ii) within 60 days after such formation or acquisition (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may in its discretion approve), deliver to the Administrative Agent, upon the request of the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, a signed copy of a favorable opinion, addressed to the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, of counsel for the Loan Parties acceptable to the Administrative Agent as to the matters contained in clause (i) above, and as to such other matters as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

6.13 Compliance with Environmental Laws. Comply, and cause all lessees and other Persons operating or occupying its properties to comply, in all material respects, with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; obtain and renew all material Environmental Permits necessary for its current operations and properties; and conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing, and undertake any cleanup, removal, remedial or other action necessary to remove and clean up all Hazardous Materials from any of its properties, in accordance in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable Environmental Laws; provided, however, that neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to undertake any such cleanup, removal, remedial or other action to the extent that its obligation to do so is not required by applicable Environmental Laws or being contested in good faith and by

proper proceedings and appropriate reserves are being maintained with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP.

6.14 [Reserved]

6.15 Use of Proceeds of the Permanent Securities.

The Borrower will use the net proceeds received from the sale of the Permanent Securities to repay the Loans.

6.16 Exchange Notes.

The Borrower will, as promptly as practicable on or after the Initial Maturity Date, (i) select a bank or trust company reasonably acceptable to the Required Lenders to act as Exchange Note Trustee, (ii) enter into the Exchange Note Indenture, and (iii) cause counsel to the Borrower to deliver to the Administrative Agent an executed legal opinion in form and substance customary for a transaction of that type to be mutually agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (including, without limitation, with respect to due authorization, execution and delivery; validity; and enforceability of the documents referred to in clause (ii) above.

(b) The Borrower will, within 15 Business Days following the written request (the “Exchange Request”) of the holders of any Loans at any time after the Initial Maturity Date (provided that after giving effect thereto, not less than $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes would be outstanding).

(i) execute and deliver, cause each other Loan Party to execute and deliver, and cause the Exchange Note Trustee to execute and deliver, the Exchange Note Indenture if such Exchange Note Indenture has not previously been executed and delivered; and

(ii) execute and deliver to such holder or beneficial owner in accordance with the Exchange Note Indenture an Exchange Note bearing interest as set forth therein (which, at the election of such holder or beneficial owner, may be fixed at a rate not higher than the rate then applicable to such Loan) in exchange for such Loan dated the date of the issuance of such Exchange Note, payable to the order of such holder or owner, as the case may be, in the same principal amount as such Loan (or portion thereof) being exchanged.

The Exchange Request shall specify the principal amount of the Loans to be exchanged pursuant to this Section which shall be at least $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof or the entire remaining aggregate principal amount of the Loans of such Lender. Such Lender may elect in its Exchange Request that the rate of interest applicable to the Exchange Notes to be issued to it be fixed at the rate applicable to the Extended Loans at the time of issuance of such Exchange Notes, in which event such Exchange Notes shall bear interest at such fixed rate and, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2.03(a), such Exchange Notes will not be subject to optional redemption or prepayment until the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date and will thereafter be optionally redeemable at par plus accrued interest plus a premium equal to one half of the fixed interest rate applicable thereto, declining ratably to par on the date that is one year prior to the Final Maturity Date. Loans delivered to the Borrower under this Section in exchange for Exchange Notes shall be canceled by the Borrower, and the

corresponding amount of the Loan deemed repaid and the Exchange Notes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Note Indenture.

The Exchange Note Trustee shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or the State of New York, in good standing and having its principal offices in the Borough of Manhattan, in The City of New York, which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority and which has a combined capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000.

6.17 Change of Control.

If a Change of Control occurs, each Lender will have the right to require the Borrower to prepay all of such Lender’s Loans at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of such Lender’s Loans, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of prepayment.

No later than the date that is 60 days after any Change of Control, the Borrower will mail a notice (the “Change of Control Offer”) to each Lender, with a copy to the Administrative Agent:

(1) stating that a Change of Control has occurred or may occur and that such Lender has the right to require the Borrower to prepay such Lender’s Loans at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of prepayment (subject to the right of Lenders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date) (the “Change of Control Payment”);

(2) stating the prepayment date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

(3) describing the circumstances and relevant facts regarding the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control;

(4) describing the procedures determined by the Borrower, consistent with this Agreement, that a Lender must follow in order to have its Loans prepaid; and

(5) if such notice is mailed prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control.

On the Change of Control Payment Date, if the Change of Control shall have occurred, the Borrower will, to the extent lawful pay to the Administrative Agent for application to the repayment of all Loans properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Loans so tendered.

The Borrower will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth herein applicable to a Change of

Control Offer made by the Borrower and purchases all Loans validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

6.18 Registration Rights.

Within 365 days after the Closing Date the Borrower shall file a shelf registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Borrower shall use its best efforts to cause such shelf registration statement to be declared effective by the Initial Maturity Date and keep such shelf registration statement effective, with respect to resales of the Exchange Notes, for as long as it is required by the holders to resell the Exchange Notes. Upon failure to comply with the foregoing requirements (a “Registration Default”), the Borrower shall pay liquidated damages to each holder of Exchange Notes with respect to the first 90-day period immediately following the occurrence of the first Registration Default in an amount equal to one-half of one percent (0.50%) per annum on the principal amount of Exchange Notes held by such holder. The amount of the liquidated damages will increase by an additional one-half of one percent (0.50%) per annum on the principal amount of Exchange Notes with respect to each subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to a maximum amount of liquidated damages for all Registration Defaults of 1.5% per annum.

ARTICLE VII.

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder or any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, the Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

7.01 Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or sign or file or suffer to exist under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction a financing statement that names the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as debtor, or assign any accounts or other right to receive income, other than the following:

(a) Liens pursuant to the Senior Credit Facility and any refinancing thereof permitted by Section 7.03(b);

(b) Liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.01 and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that (i) the property covered thereby is not changed, (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased except as contemplated by Section 7.03(c), (iii) the direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed, and (iv) any renewal or extension of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section 7.03(c);

(c) Liens for taxes not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

(d) operators’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which are not overdue for a period of

more than 90 days or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person;

(e) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;

(f) Liens to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(g) (i) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person and (ii) Immaterial Title Deficiencies;

(h) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h);

(i) Liens on pipelines and pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law or other like Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business and incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties each of which is in respect of obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness and that are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP;

(j) customary contractual Liens under operating lease agreements or which arise in the ordinary course of business under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, oil and gas partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out and farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, overriding royalty agreements, marketing agreements, processing agreements, net profits agreements, development agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or other geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and are for obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness and that are not delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP, provided that any such Lien referred to in this clause does not materially impair the use of the property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such property is held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or materially impair the value of such property subject thereto;

(k) Permitted Encumbrances (as defined in the Senior Credit Facility);

(l) Liens existing on assets at the time of acquisition thereof, or Liens existing on assets of an Person at the time such Person became a Subsidiary, which in each case were not created in contemplation thereof;

(m) UCC financing statements filed in connection with an operating lease under which the Borrower or a Subsidiary is the lessee;

(n) Liens on assets of Lariat securing obligations of Lariat;

(o) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(f); provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness and (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on the date of acquisition; and

(p) Liens created by the Citi Payoff Documents securing reimbursement obligations in respect of the Citi L/Cs; provided that the aggregate amount of cash collateral pledged thereunder shall not exceed $20,000,000.

7.02 Investments. Make any Investments, except:

(a) Investments held by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the form of Cash Equivalents;

(b) advances to officers, directors and employees of the Borrower and Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 at any time outstanding, for travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes;

(c) Investments of the Borrower in any now existing or hereafter acquired wholly-owned Subsidiary and Investments of any Subsidiary in the Borrower or in another now existing or hereafter acquired wholly-owned Subsidiary; provided, however, that (i) in the case of any Investments in Lariat, the aggregate amount of such Investment shall not exceed (x) $1,000,000 less (y) the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments made to Lariat pursuant to Section 7.06(a) and (ii) in the case of an Investment constituting the acquisition from a third party of a Person which thereby becomes a wholly-owned Subsidiary, such Investment is permitted pursuant to another clause of this Section 7.02;

(d) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;

(e) Investments in Oil and Gas Properties (or in Persons substantially all of whose assets consist of Oil and Gas Properties and which become wholly-owned Subsidiaries pursuant to such Investment);

(f) Guarantees permitted by Section 7.03;

(g) Investments received in connection with bankruptcy or reorganization of, or settlement of delinquent accounts and disputes with, customers and suppliers, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(h) Investments (including, without limitation, capital contributions) in general or limited partnerships or other types of entities (each a “venture”) entered into by the Borrower or a Subsidiary with others in the ordinary course of business; provided that (i) any such venture is engaged exclusively in oil and gas exploration, development, production, processing and related activities, including transportation, (ii) the interest in such venture is acquired in the ordinary course of business and on fair and reasonable terms and (iii) the aggregate net amount of such Investments after the date hereof does not exceed $15,000,000;

(i) Investments in SageBrush Pipeline LLC in an aggregate amount not exceeding $7,500,000; and

(j) other Investments not exceeding $6,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year of the Borrower.

7.03 Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents, and any refinancing thereof, provided that such refinancing is (i) unsecured, (ii) requires no scheduled amortization prior to the 6^th anniversary of the Closing Date and (iii) is otherwise on market terms and conditions;

(b) Indebtedness under the Senior Credit Facility, and any refinancing thereof, provided that the aggregate principal amount thereof may at no time exceed the lesser of (i) $750,000,000 and (ii) the amount of the Borrowing Base as determined in accordance with the provisions of the Senior Credit Facility;

(c) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof and listed on Schedule 7.03 and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (i) the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder and the direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is not changed, as a result of or in connection with such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and (ii) the terms relating to principal amount, amortization, maturity, collateral (if any) and subordination (if any), and other material terms taken as a whole, of any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Indebtedness, and of any agreement entered into and of any instrument issued in connection therewith, are no less favorable in any material respect to the Loan Parties or the Lenders than the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and the interest rate applicable to any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Indebtedness does not exceed the then applicable market interest rate;

(d) Guarantees of the Borrower or any Guarantor in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of the Borrower or any Guarantor;

(e) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, or property held or reasonably

anticipated by such Person, or changes in the value of securities issued by such Person, and not for purposes of speculation or taking a “market view;” and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party (other than customary netting arrangements);

(f) Indebtedness in respect of capital leases, Synthetic Lease Obligations and purchase money obligations for fixed or capital assets within the limitations set forth in Section 7.01(o); provided, however, that the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness at any one time outstanding shall not exceed 17,500,000;

(g) Indebtedness of the Borrower or a Subsidiary owing to the Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary (other than Lariat);

(h) Indebtedness incurred by Lariat;

(i) Indebtedness in respect of the Citi L/Cs in an aggregate amount not exceeding $20,000,000;

(j) other unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $12,000,000 at any time outstanding; and

(k) Indebtedness in respect of surety bonds obtained by the Borrower or a Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and supporting other obligations undertaken by the Borrower or a Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business which other obligations do not constitute Indebtedness.

7.04 Fundamental Changes. Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that, so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom:

(a) any Subsidiary may merge with (i) the Borrower, provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries, provided that when any wholly-owned Subsidiary is merging with another Subsidiary, the wholly-owned Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving Person;

(b) any Subsidiary may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or to another Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor in such a transaction is a wholly-owned Subsidiary, then the transferee must either be the Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary;

(d) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may consummate the Acquisition.

7.05 Dispositions. Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition, except:

(a) Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business;

(b) Dispositions of inventory (including Hydrocarbons sold after severance) in the ordinary course of business;

(c) Dispositions of equipment or real property or other asset (other than (x) Oil and Gas Properties or (y) Investments in Subsidiaries) to the extent that (i) such equipment, property or other asset is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement equipment, property or other asset or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are reasonably promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement equipment, property, or other asset;

(d) Dispositions of property or assets by any Subsidiary to the Borrower or to a wholly-owned Subsidiary or by the Borrower to any wholly-owned Subsidiary; provided that if the transferor of such property or assets is a Guarantor, the transferee thereof must either be the Borrower or a Guarantor;

(e) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.04(a), (b) or (d);

(f) a Disposition for fair value of Oil and Gas Properties in the Piceance Basin;

(g) Dispositions (including Casualty Events) of Oil and Gas Properties which are sold or otherwise transferred for fair consideration to Persons who are not Affiliates of Borrower and (2) farmouts of undeveloped acreage and assignments in connection with such farmouts or the abandonment, farm-out, the exchange, provided that no Event of Default exists at the time of any such sale (other than Defaults that will be cured upon the application of the proceeds of such sale or other transfer); and

(h) Dispositions of interest in Oil and Gas Properties in respect of Immaterial Title Deficiencies in order to discharge such Immaterial Title Deficiencies or an obligation giving rise thereto.

7.06 Restricted Payments. Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that, so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of any action described below or would result therefrom:

(a) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to the Borrower, the Guarantors and any other Person that owns an Equity Interest in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made; provided, however, that in the case of any Restricted Payments to Lariat Services, Inc., the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments shall not exceed (i) $1,000,000 less (ii) the aggregate amount of Investment in Lariat made pursuant to Section 7.02(c);

(b) the Borrower and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the common stock or other common Equity Interests of such Person;

(c) the Borrower and each Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Equity Interests issued by it with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issue of new shares of its common stock or other common Equity Interests;

(d) (i) so long as no Event of Default exists, the Borrower may pay regular cash dividends on the Preferred Stock and make cash payments pursuant to Section 6(f) of the Certificate of Designations for the Preferred Stock; (ii) so long as no Default exists, the Borrower may make cash payments pursuant to Section 7(a) or 9(e) of the Certificate of Designations for the Preferred Stock; and (iii) the Borrower may make payment-in-kind dividends on the Preferred Stock and issue its common stock upon conversion of the Preferred Stock; and

(e) the Borrower and each Subsidiary may repurchase Equity Interests held by an employee upon termination of employment; provided that the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payments shall not exceed $ 500,000.

7.07 Change in Nature of Business. Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the date hereof or any business substantially related or incidental thereto.

7.08 Transactions with Affiliates. Enter into any transaction of any kind with any Affiliate of the Borrower, whether or not in the ordinary course of business, other than on fair and reasonable terms substantially as favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary as would be obtainable by the Borrower or such Subsidiary at the time in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (i) transactions between or among the Borrower and any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or between and among any wholly-owned Subsidiaries or (ii) payment of customary cash and non-cash compensation, including stock option and similar employee benefit plans, to directors and officers on an arm’s length basis.

7.09 Burdensome Agreements. After the date of this Agreement, enter into any Contractual Obligation (other than (x) this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (y) the Senior Credit Facility and (z) the documentation governing any permitted refinancing hereof and thereof) that (a) limits the ability (i) of any Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments to the Borrower or any Guarantor or to otherwise transfer property to the Borrower or any Guarantor, (ii) of any Subsidiary to Guarantee the Indebtedness of the Borrower or (iii) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person to secure any of the Loan Documents; provided, however, that this clause (iii) shall not prohibit any negative pledge incurred or provided in favor of any holder of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(f) solely to the extent any such negative pledge relates to the property financed by or the subject of such Indebtedness or property subject to a Lien permitted hereunder which secures such Indebtedness; or (b) requires the grant of a Lien to secure an obligation of such Person if a Lien is granted to secure another obligation of such Person; or amend any Contractual Obligation existing on the date of this Agreement so as to impose or make more restrictive such a limitation.

7.10 Use of Proceeds. Use the proceeds of any Loan, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within

the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.

7.11 Financial Covenants.

(a) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to be less than 2.0:1.0.

(b) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio at any time to be greater than 4.5:1.0.

7.12 Hedge Transactions.

Enter into any Oil and Gas Hedge Transactions which would cause the notional volume of Hydrocarbons for each of crude oil and natural gas, calculated separately, with respect to which a settlement payment is calculated under such Oil and Gas Hedge Transactions (other than basis swaps, floors and puts on volumes hedged pursuant to Swap Contracts) to exceed eighty five percent (85%) of Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s reasonably anticipated production from Proved Reserves during the period from the immediately preceding settlement date (or the commencement of such Hedge Transaction if there is no prior settlement date) to such settlement date.

ARTICLE VIII.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

8.01 Events of Default. Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:

(a) Non-Payment. The Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal of any Loan, or (ii) within three days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) within five days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

(b) Specific Covenants. The Borrower fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 6.03(a), 6.05(a), 6.11 or 6.12 or Article VII; or

(c) Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection (a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for 30 days; or

(d) Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, or certification made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party herein, in any

other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

(e) Cross-Default. (i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness or Guarantee (other than Indebtedness hereunder and Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount (including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than the Threshold Amount, or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or Guarantee or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) and the Swap Termination Value owed by the Borrower or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than the Threshold Amount; or

(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for 60 calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for 60 calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within 30 days after its issue or levy; or

(h) Judgments. There is entered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments or orders) exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are

commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

(i) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or

(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any material provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all the Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any material provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it has any material or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any material provision of any Loan Document.

8.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default. If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall, at the request of Required Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:

(a) declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; and

(d) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans shall automatically terminate and the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

8.03 Application of Funds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02), any amounts received on account of the Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:

First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders (including fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of any Lender) and amounts payable under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and other Obligations, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and

Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law.

ARTICLE IX.
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

9.01Appointment and Authority.

Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except to the extent Sections 9.01(b) and 9.06 expressly contemplate rights of others, the provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.

9.02 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

9.03 Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:

(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law; and

(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 8.02) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender.

The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

9.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent.

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise

authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender, unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

9.05 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities as Administrative Agent.

9.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.04 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

9.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

9.08 No Other Duties, Etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Arrangers shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except (i) in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder or (ii) as expressly provided herein or therein.

9.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans and all other Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.06 and 10.04) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.06 and 10.04.

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.

9.10 Guaranty Matters. The Lenders irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder.

Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty pursuant to this Section 9.10. In each case as specified in this Section 9.10, the Administrative Agent will, at the Borrower’s expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 9.10.

ARTICLE X.
MISCELLANEOUS

10.01 Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Required Lenders and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and acknowledged by the Administrative Agent, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, that no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:

(a) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender (or reinstate any Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 8.02) without the written consent of such Lender;

(b) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them) hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;

(c) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section 10.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby; provided, however, that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary to amend the definition of “Default Rate” or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the Default Rate;

(d) change Section 2.10 or Section 8.03 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender;

(e) change any provision of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder without the written consent of each Lender; or

(f) release all or substantially all of the value of the Guaranty without the written consent of each Lender.

and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (ii) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto.

10.02 Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communication.

(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:

(i) if to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person on Schedule 10.02; and

(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such

notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

(c) The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE.” THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, or any other Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet, except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages).

(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address, telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the Borrower, and the Administrative Agent. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender.

(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including telephonic Loan Notices) purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

10.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.

No failure by any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

10.04 Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), and (ii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent or any Lender), and shall pay all fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with the Loans made hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans.

(b) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and each Lender and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or, in the case of the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof) and its Related Parties only, the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) any Loan or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom, (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, in all cases, whether or not caused by or arising, in whole or in part, out of the comparative, contributory or sole negligence of the Indemnitee; provided that

such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender’s ratable share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the Lenders under this subsection (c) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.09(d).

(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten Business Days after demand therefor.

(f) Survival. The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the Administrative Agent, the replacement of any Lender, the termination of the Aggregate Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Obligations.

10.05 Payments Set Aside. To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent or any Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required

(including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then (a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred, and (b) each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its applicable share (without duplication) of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations of the Lenders under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

10.06 Successors and Assigns.

(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this Section or, (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts.

(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with

respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless the Administrativ Agent otherwise consents (each such consent not to be) unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from members of an Assignee Group to a single assignee (or to an assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such minimum amount has been met..

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loans or the Commitment assigned;

(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except (x) to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of this Section and (y) subsequent to the Syndication Completion Date, the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender.

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee in the amount, if any, required as set forth in Schedule 10.06; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

(v) No Assignment to Borrower. No such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries.

(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.

(vii) No Assignment During Syndication. Except pursuant to transactions arranged by the Bridge Lead Arranger, no Lender may sell or assign (other than to an Affiliate) any portion of its interest in the Initial Loans until the Syndication Completion Date

Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning

Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05, and 10.04 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with subsection (d) of this Section.

(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent’s Office a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (except as set forth below), sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement and (iv) prior to the Syndication Completion Date, no such participation may be granted by any Lender except to an Affiliate of such Lender.

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification described in the first proviso to Section 10.01 that affects such Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 10.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.03 as though it were a Lender.

(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.04 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the

participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 3.01(e) as though it were a Lender.

(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement (including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

(g) Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

(h) Notice to Lead Arranger. The Lead Arranger shall be notified of any assignment or participation (except to an Affiliate of the transferor Lender) until the 180^th day after the Closing Date.

10.07 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates’ respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (h) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower.

For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as nonpublic and confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to confidential information of a similar nature.

Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acknowledges that (a) the Information may include material non-public information concerning the Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (b) it has developed compliance procedures regarding the use of material non-public information and (c) it will handle such material non-public information in accordance with applicable Law, including Federal and state securities Laws.

10.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of such Lender different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of each Lender and its Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender or its Affiliates may have. Each Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

10.09 Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

10.10 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Commitment Letter, supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Article IV, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

10.11 Survival of Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Loans, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied.

10.12 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

10.13 Replacement of Lenders. If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04 or (ii) the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01, or (iii) any Lender is unwilling to approve an amendment hereto which has been approved by Super Majority Lenders but requires approval of such Lender to be effective, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 10.06), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:

(a) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 10.06(b);

(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

(d) in the case of an assignment resulting from clause (iv) above, such assignment will result in effectiveness of such increase or amendment; and

(e) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws.

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

10.14 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS, FOR ITSELF AND ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO

THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

10.15 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

10.16 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby, the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that: (i) the credit facility provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers, on the other hand, and the Borrower is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof); (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, each of the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other Person; (iii) neither the Administrative Agent nor any Arranger has assumed or will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Borrower with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document (irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent or any Arranger has advised or is currently advising the Borrower or any of its Affiliates on other matters) and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Arranger has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the

transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; (iv) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers and their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor any Arranger has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship; and (v) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers have not provided and will not provide any legal, accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) and the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate. The Borrower hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and any Arranger with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty.

10.17 USA PATRIOT Act Notice. Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.


		RIATA ENERGY, INC.
		(d/b/a XxxxXxxxx Energy, Inc.)

		By:		/s/ Xxxxxxx XxXxxx

		Name:		Xxxxxxx XxXxxx
		Title:		Vice President, Legal


		BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as
		Administrative Agent

		By:		/s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxx

		Name:		Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxx
		Title:		Principal

		BANC OF AMERICA BRIDGE LLC, as a
		Lender

		By:		/s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxx

		Name:		Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxx
		Title:		Principal

		BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC, as
		Lead Arranger and Bookrunner

		By:		/s/ Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxx

		Name:		Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxx
		Title:		Principal


		CREDIT SUISSE SECURITIES (USA) LLC, as
		Lead Arranger and Bookrunner

		By:		/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx

		Name:		Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
		Title:		Managing Director

		CREDIT SUISSE, CAYMAN ISLANDS
		BRANCH, as a Lender

		By:		/s/ SoVonna Day Xxxxx

		Name:		SoVonna Day Xxxxx
		Title:		Director

		By:		/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx

		Name:		Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxxx
		Title:		Vice President


		XXXXXXX SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.,
		as Lead Arranger, Bookrunner and a Lender

		By:		/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx

		Name:		Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxxx
		Title:		Authorized Signatory


		XXXXXX BROTHERS INC., as Lead Arranger
		and Bookrunner

		By:		/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx

		Name:		Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
		Title:		Vice President

		XXXXXX COMMERCIAL PAPER INC., as a Lender

		By:		/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx

		Name:		Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx
		Title:		Vice President

SCHEDULE 2.01
COMMITMENTS


Lender	Commitment

Banc of America Bridge LLC	$	212,500,000
Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch	$	212,500,000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Credit Partners L.P.	$	212,500,000
Xxxxxx Commercial Paper Inc.	$	212,500,000

Total	$	850,000,000

SCHEDULE 5.03

GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATIONS

None.

SCHEDULE 5.05

SUPPLEMENT TO INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Continued on next page)

Supplement to Interim Financial Statements: Existing Indebtedness


	6/30/2006		9/30/2006		11/13/2006		Collateral
SYMBOL ENERGY
LARCO		2,287,129.15		2,287,129.15		2,287,129.15	NA

SAGEBRUSH
BANK OF AMERICA		4,000,000.00		4,000,000.00		4,000,000.00	All Bank of America cash accounts
ROC		700,000.00		1,325,000.00		1,325,000.00	NA
PREMIUM ASSIGNMENT		10,359.97		—			NA

		4,710,359.97		5,325,000.00		5,325,000.00

ALSATE
N/P REI		7,970,907.91		7,970,907.91		7,970,907.91	NA
PREMIUM ASSIGNMENT		322,860.95		304,162.45		229,672.13	Unsecured

		8,293,768.86		8,275,070.36		8,200,580.04

HONDO HEAVY HAUL
N/P XXXX DEERE		—		—		168,012.51	Xxxx Deere 724J Loader with 9' Forks
N/P PACCAR FINANCIAL		384,994.98		358,536.00		351,780.61	Quantity of 6 2003 Peterbilt 379-127 Vehicles

		384,994.98		358,536.00		519,793.12

LARIAT
XXXXXXX XXXXX #1		15,672,564.49		14,778,781.18		14,473,910.39	Rig #1 - Rig #7 and Ancillary Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #2		2,002,641.96		1,856,607.25		1,818,373.93	Rig #13 and All Associated Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #3		4,105,940.24		3,890,110.21		3,815,375.61	Rig #12 and All Associated Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #4		2,109,383.64		2,000,975.86		1,963,550.55	Rig #14 and All Associated Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #5		914,242.41		869,762.16		854,396.64	Service/Workover Rigs
XXXXXXX XXXXX #6		1,589,597.17		1,512,265.89		1,485,551.88	Rig #15 and All Associated Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #7		1,837,650.55		1,749,080.20		1,718,787.04	Rig #16 and All Associated Equipment


	6/30/2006		9/30/2006		11/13/2006		Collateral
XXXXXXX XXXXX #8		2,318,074.35		2,207,733.29		2,169,571.35	Rig #19 and All Associated Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #9		812,153.10		774,503.80		761,471.46	Misc Trucks & Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #10		8,134,304.10		5,766,007.12		5,766,007.12	Rig #22 and 3 Pulling Xxxxx
XXXXXXX XXXXX #00		5,924,100.00		7,918,474.04		7,807,394.01	Rig #24 and All Associated Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #12		—		7,997,535.00		7,916,205.44	Rig #26
XXXXXXX XXXXX #13		—		888,615.00		888,615.00	Pulling Xxxxx 00, 00, 00, & 00
XXXXXXX XXXXX #14		—		—		6,220,305.00	Rig #28
PREMIUM ASSIGNMENT		441,536.00		254,692.21		128,148.37	Unsecured
DAIMLER CHRYSLER #7493		1,288.60		—		0.00	NA
DAIMLER CHRYSLER #11970		26,034.00		22,765.18		20,565.14	2005 Sterling Acterra Tractor
DAIMLER CHRYSLER #11974		26,034.00		22,765.18		20,565.14	2005 Sterling Acterra Tractor
N/P DIAMLER CHRYSLER #83592		88,728.22		81,834.37		77,168.77	2007 Western Star 4900 Tractor
N/P DIAMLER CHRYSLER #83593		88,728.22		81,834.37		77,168.77	2007 Western Star 4900 Tractor
N/P DIAMLER CHRYSLER #81856		38,941.00		35,915.54		33,867.81	2007 Sterling Acterra Tractor
N/P DIAMLER CHRYSLER #66004		83,400.00		77,119.75		72,869.43	2007 Western Star 0000 Xxxxxxx
X/X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX #00000		40,320.19		37,294.73		35,246.11	2007 Sterling Acterra Tractor
N/P DIAMLERCHRYSLER #81859				38,521.62		36,474.56	2007 Sterling Acterra Tractor
N/P DIAMLERCHRYSLER #81860				38,521.62		36,474.46	2007 Sterling Acterra Tractor
N/P DIAMLERCHRYSLER #81861				39,535.67		37,501.23	2007 Sterling Acterra Tractor
N/P XXXX DEERE #2582		95,019.00		77,576.97		65,853.97	2005 330CLC Excavator
N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #9496		42,503.97		39,359.77		37,226.34	850C Long Track Crawler Dozer
N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #6211		76,246.09		70,605.85		66,778.80	1050C Crawler Dozer
N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #2526		39,847.85		36,900.15		34,900.04	850C Long Track Crawler Dozer
N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #6277		70,985.96		65,734.84		62,171.82	1050C Crawler Dozer
N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #64644				61,286.53		57,754.11	544H Loader
N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #79513		78,447.04		72,458.80		68,395.35	544H Loader


	6/30/2006		9/30/2006		11/13/2006		Collateral
N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #79321		58,765.00		54,417.91		51,468.28	544H Loader
N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #87862						72,076.66	544H Loader
XXXX DEERE CREDIT #6762		17,207.00		14,048.33		11,925.55	2005 310SG Wheel Loader Backhoe
N/P JDC #3291		6,357.00		1,600.45		0.00	NA
N/P JDC #3935		118,732.00		102,352.48		91,272.96	724J Loader
CIT GROUP		5,504.00
PACCAR #24856 & #24870				155,126.70		149,818.25	Quantity of 2 2004 Peterbilts
PACCAR		147,882.47		114,592.70		92,124.20	Kenworths
PACCAR #5780267						296,538.19	Quantity of 2 2007 Peterbilts and Quantity of 2 2004 Peterbilts
PACCAR #5783865						152,716.41	Quantity of 2 2004 Peterbilts
GMAC #9231		3,393.16		846.15
GMAC #9210		1,942.00		—			NA

		47,018,494.77		53,808,158.87		59,546,586.14

REI
BANK OF AMERICA		36,435,900.00		102,403,656.50		117,452,113.25	Oil & Gas Properties

LARCO
RIATA ENERGY		5,635,243.89		5,635,243.89		5,635,243.89	NA

RIAGRA
N/P REI		8,983,980.36		8,983,980.36		8,983,980.36	NA
XXXX DEERE		—		—		0.00	NA

		8,983,980.36		8,983,980.36		8,983,980.36

ROC
N/P REI		62,333.53		62,333.53		62,333.53	NA
PREMIUM ASSIGNMENT		6,108.00		—		0.00	NA

		68,441.53		62,333.53		62,333.53

PSEC
N/P REI		31,813,722.36		31,813,722.36		31,813,722.36	NA


	6/30/2006		9/30/2006		11/13/2006		Collateral
PREMIUM ASSIGNMENT		71,336.64		38,566.48		30,967.38	Unsecured
SUBORDINATED DEBT-REI		6,540,000.00		6,540,000.00		6,540,000.00	NA
SUBORDINATED DEBT-OUTSIDE		—

		38,425,059.00		38,392,288.84		38,384,689.74

PSPC
N/P REI		5,902,097.77		5,902,097.77		5,902,097.77	NA

HONDO
PACCAR		9,640.31		—		0.00	NA


TOTAL		158,155,110.59		231,433,495.27		252,299,546.99

LESS INTER-CO NOTES		69,895,414.97		70,520,414.97		70,520,414.97


TOTAL		88,259,695.62		160,913,080.30		181,779,132.02

SCHEDULE 5.06

LITIGATION

ConocoPhillips Company, (Successor by merger to Conoco, Inc.), Plaintiff, vs. Riata Energy, Inc., Xxx-Xxx Drilling Company, L.P., Manti Resources, Inc., and Manti Xxxxxxxxxx, Ltd., Defendants; No. 9846; In the 000^xx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx in and for Pecos County, Tx

Riata Energy, Inc. and Riata Piceance, LLC, Plaintiffs, V. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Jr., E.R. Family Limited Partnership and Ceres Resource Partners, L.P., Defendants.; No. 04-11461-E; In the 101^st Judicial District Court in and for Dallas County, Tx

Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx Company, Plaintiff, v Riata Energy, Inc. Defendant; No. 10376; In the 000^XX Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx in and for Pecos County, Tx

SCHEDULE 5.09

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

None.

SCHEDULE 5.13

SUBSIDIARIES,
OTHER EQUITY INVESTMENTS
AND LOAN PARTY INFORMATION

(Continued on next page)


Riata Energy, Inc. dba XxxxXxxxx Energy, Inc.		SCHEDULE 5.13

PART A AND PART B — all Subsidiaries and Equity Interests of Loan Parties


Symbol	Company Name	Address	City/State/Zip	FEIN	OWNERSHIP
REI	Riata Energy, Inc.	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000

SUBSIDIARY ENTITIES
	Algerita Energy, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
AEI	Alsate Management and Investment Co	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
	Cup Of The Day #1, LLC	000 X. Xxxxx, Xxx 000	Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%AEI
CSLLC	Chaparral Supply, LLC	P. O. Box 1417	Ft. Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000	00-0000000	100%AEI
IEL	Integra Energy, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	85%AEI
	Cholla Management, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%IEL
CHOLP	Cholla Pipeline, LP	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	36%IEL, 17%ROC
TPL	Transpecos Logging, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%AEI
	Black Bayou Exploration, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
LSI	Lariat Services, Inc.	0000 Xxxx Xxxx	Xxxxxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
LARCO	Lariat Compression Company	0000 X. Xxxxxxx 0000	Xx. Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%LSI
SYMENE	Symbol Energy, Inc.	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%LARCO
HONDO	Hondo Heavy Haul	00000 X. 0-00 Xxxx	Xxxxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%LSI
	Larclay, GP, LLC	000 X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000	Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	50%LSI
	Larclay, L.P.	000 X. Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000	Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	50%LSI
MCRLLC	Midcontinent Resources, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
PSEML	PetroSource Energy Management, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
PSEC	PetroSource Energy Company, LP	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	99%REI, 1% XXXX

XXXX0	XXXX0, LP	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	99%PSEC, 1% PSEML

PSPC	PetroSource Production Company, LP	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	99%PSEC, 1% PSEML
	PSE Holdings, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
PSEM	PSE Management, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
RLC	Riagra Land & Cattle	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
RDI	Riata Drilling Company, Inc.	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
RIAN	Riata Energy Operating, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
REIPIC	Riata Piceance, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
	Riata Wolfcamp Management, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
ROC	ROC Gas Company	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
SBP	Sagebrush Pipeline, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	70%ROC
SMM	Sierra Madera Management, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%REI
XXXX0	Xxxxxx Xxxxxx XX0 Pipeline, Ltd	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	99%REI, 1% SMM


Symbol	Company Name	Address	City/State/Zip	FEIN	OWNERSHIP
XxxxXxxxx Holdings, Inc. Acquisition		0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100% REI


NEG	NEG Oil & Gas, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100% Xxxxxxxxx

SUBSIDIARY ENTITIES
NEGH	NEG Holding, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%NEG
NEGO	NEG Operating, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%NEGH
NGXGP	NGX GP of Delaware LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%NEGO
NGXLP	NGX LP Of Delaware LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%NEGO

NGXELP	NGX Energy Limited Partnership	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	99%NGXLP, 1%NGXGP
XXXXX	Xxxxx National LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%NEGO
MIDR	Mid River, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%NEG
OFFGP	Offshore GP, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%NEG
OFFLP	Offshore LP, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%NEG

NOFFSH	National Offshore LP	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	99%OFFLP, 1%OFFGP
ONGP	Onshore GP, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%NEG
ONLP	Onshore LP, LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%NEG
NONSH	National Onshore LP	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	99%ONLP, 1%ONGP
GBPIPE	Galveston Bay Pipeline Company	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%NONSH
GBPROC	Galveston Bay Processing Company	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	00-0000000	100%NONSH

PART C — LOAN PARTIES INFORMATION


Company Name	Address	City/State/Zip	Jurisdiction	FEIN Number
Alsate Investment and Management Company	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	Texas	00-0000000
Integra Energy, L.L.C.	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	Texas	00-0000000
Lariat Compression Company	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	Texas	00-0000000
NEG Oil & Gas LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	Delaware	00-0000000
NEG Operating LLC	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	Delaware	00-0000000
National Offshore LP	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	Delaware	00-0000000
National Onshore LP	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	Delaware	00-0000000
PetroSource Energy Company, LP	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	Texas	00-0000000
PetroSource Production Company, L.P.	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	Texas	00-0000000
Riata Energy, Inc.	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	Texas	00-0000000
ROC Gas Company	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	Texas	00-0000000
Xxxxxxxxx Holdings, Inc.	0000 XX Xxxxx, 0000	Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000	Delaware	00-0000000

SCHEDULE 7.01

EXISTING LIENS

Liens granted to Bank of America, N.A. on the plant and pipeline owned by SageBrush Pipeline, LLC pursuant to $4,000,000 Note (the “Note”) issued by SageBrush Pipeline, LLC as Borrower to Bank of America, N.A. as lender with a maturity of January 31, 2007.

SCHEDULE 7.03

EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS

(Continued on next page)


	6/30/2006		9/30/2006		11/13/2006		Collateral
SYMBOL ENERGY
LARCO		2,287,129.15		2,287,129.15		2,287,129.15	NA

SAGEBRUSH
BANK OF AMERICA		4,000,000.00		4,000,000.00		4,000,000.00	All Bank of America cash accounts
ROC		700,000.00		1,325,000.00		1,325,000.00	NA
PREMIUM ASSIGNMENT		10,359.97		—			NA

		4,710,359.97		5,325,000.00		5,325,000.00

ALSATE
N/P REI		7,970,907.91		7,970,907.91		7,970,907.91	NA
PREMIUM ASSIGNMENT		322,860.95		304,162.45		229,672.13	Unsecured

		8,293,768.86		8,275,070.36		8,200,580.04

HONDO HEAVY HAUL
N/P XXXX DEERE		—		—		168,012.51	Xxxx Deere 724J Loader with 9’ Forks
N/P PACCAR FINANCIAL		384,994.98		358,536.00		351,780.61	Quantity of 6 2003 Peterbilt 379-127 Vehicles

		384,994.98		358,536.00		519,793.12

LARIAT
XXXXXXX XXXXX #1		15,672,564.49		14,778,781.18		14,473,910.39	Rig #1 - Rig #7 and Ancillary Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #2		2,002,641.96		1,856,607.25		1,818,373.93	Rig #13 and All Associated Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #3		4,105,940.24		3,890,110.21		3,815,375.61	Rig #12 and All Associated Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #4		2,109,383.64		2,000,975.86		1,963,550.55	Rig #14 and All Associated Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #5		914,242.41		869,762.16		854,396.64	Service/Workover Rigs
XXXXXXX XXXXX #6		1,589,597.17		1,512,265.89		1,485,551.88	Rig #15 and All Associated Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #7		1,837,650.55		1,749,080.20		1,718,787.04	Rig #16 and All Associated Equipment
XXXXXXX XXXXX #8		2,318,074.35		2,207,733.29		2,169,571.35	Rig #19 and All Associated Equipment


	6/30/2006		9/30/2006		11/13/2006		Collateral
XXXXXXX XXXXX #9		812,153.10		774,503.80		761,471.46	Misc Trucks & Equipment

XXXXXXX XXXXX #10		8,134,304.10		5,766,007.12		5,766,007.12	Rig #22 and 3 Pulling Xxxxx

XXXXXXX XXXXX #00		5,924,100.00		7,918,474.04		7,807,394.01	Rig #24 and All Associated Equipment

XXXXXXX XXXXX #12		—		7,997,535.00		7,916,205.44	Rig #26

XXXXXXX XXXXX #13		—		888,615.00		888,615.00	Pulling Xxxxx 00, 00, 00, & 00
XXXXXXX XXXXX #14		—		—		6,220,305.00	Rig #28

PREMIUM ASSIGNMENT		441,536.00		254,692.21		128,148.37	Unsecured

DAIMLER CHRYSLER #7493		1,288.60		—		0.00	NA

DAIMLER CHRYSLER #11970		26,034.00		22,765.18		20,565.14	2005 Sterling Acterra Tractor

DAIMLER CHRYSLER #11974		26,034.00		22,765.18		20,565.14	2005 Sterling Acterra Tractor

N/P DIAMLER CHRYSLER #83592		88,728.22		81,834.37		77,168.77	2007 Western Star 4900 Tractor

N/P DIAMLER CHRYSLER #83593		88,728.22		81,834.37		77,168.77	2007 Western Star 4900 Tractor

N/P DIAMLER CHRYSLER #81856		38,941.00		35,915.54		33,867.81	2007 Sterling Acterra Tractor

N/P DIAMLER CHRYSLER #66004		83,400.00		77,119.75		72,869.43	2007 Western Star 0000 Xxxxxxx

X/X XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX #00000		40,320.19		37,294.73		35,246.11	2007 Sterling Acterra Tractor

N/P DIAMLERCHRYSLER #81859				38,521.62		36,474.56	2007 Sterling Acterra Tractor

N/P DIAMLERCHRYSLER #81860				38,521.62		36,474.46	2007 Sterling Acterra Tractor

N/P DIAMLERCHRYSLER #81861				39,535.67		37,501.23	2007 Sterling Acterra Tractor

N/P XXXX DEERE #2582		95,019.00		77,576.97		65,853.97	2005 330CLC Excavator

N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #9496		42,503.97		39,359.77		37,226.34	850C Long Track Crawler Dozer

N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #6211		76,246.09		70,605.85		66,778.80	1050C Crawler Dozer

N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #2526		39,847.85		36,900.15		34,900.04	850C Long Track Crawler Dozer

N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #6277		70,985.96		65,734.84		62,171.82	1050C Crawler Dozer

N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #64644				61,286.53		57,754.11	544H Loader

N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #79513		78,447.04		72,458.80		68,395.35	544H Loader

N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #79321		58,765.00		54,417.91		51,468.28	544H Loader
N/P XXXX DEERE CREDIT #87862						72,076.66	544H Loader


	6/30/2006		9/30/2006		11/13/2006		Collateral
XXXX DEERE CREDIT #6762		17,207.00		14,048.33		11,925.55	2005 310SG Wheel Loader Backhoe

N/P JDC #3291		6,357.00		1,600.45		0.00	NA

N/P JDC #3935		118,732.00		102,352.48		91,272.96	724J Loader

CIT GROUP		5,504.00

PACCAR #24856 & #24870				155,126.70		149,818.25	Quantity of 2 2004 Peterbilts

PACCAR		147,882.47		114,592.70		92,124.20	Kenworths

PACCAR #5780267						296,538.19	Quantity of 2 2007 Peterbilts and Quantity of 2 2004 Peterbilts
PACCAR #5783865						152,716.41	Quantity of 2 2004 Peterbilts

GMAC #9231		3,393.16		846.15

GMAC #9210		1,942.00		—			NA


		47,018,494.77		53,808,158.87		59,546,586.14

REI

BANK OF AMERICA		36,435,900.00		102,403,656.50		117,452,113.25	Oil & Gas Properties

LARCO

RIATA ENERGY		5,635,243.89		5,635,243.89		5,635,243.89	NA

RIAGRA

N/P REI		8,983,980.36		8,983,980.36		8,983,980.36	NA
XXXX DEERE		—		—		0.00	NA


		8,983,980.36		8,983,980.36		8,983,980.36

ROC

N/P REI		62,333.53		62,333.53		62,333.53	NA

PREMIUM ASSIGNMENT		6,108.00		—		0.00	NA


		68,441.53		62,333.53		62,333.53

PSEC

N/P REI		31,813,722.36		31,813,722.36		31,813,722.36	NA

PREMIUM ASSIGNMENT		71,336.64		38,566.48		30,967.38	Unsecured
SUBORDINATED DEBT-REI		6,540,000.00		6,540,000.00		6,540,000.00	NA


	6/30/2006		9/30/2006		11/13/2006		Collateral
SUBORDINATED DEBT-OUTSIDE		—


		38,425,059.00		38,392,288.84		38,384,689.74

PSPC

N/P REI		5,902,097.77		5,902,097.77		5,902,097.77	NA

HONDO

PACCAR		9,640.31		—		0.00	NA


TOTAL		158,155,110.59		231,433,495.27		252,299,546.99

LESS INTER-CO NOTES		69,895,414.97		70,520,414.97		70,520,414.97


TOTAL		88,259,695.62		160,913,080.30		181,779,132.02

SCHEDULE 10.02

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S OFFICE;
CERTAIN ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES

BORROWER:

Riata Energy, Inc. (d/b/a Xxxxxxxxx Energy, Inc.)

0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000

Xxxxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000

Attention: Xxxx XxXxxx

Telephone: (000) 000-0000

Telecopier: (000) 000-0000

Electronic Mail: xxxxxxx@xxxxx.xxx

Website Address: xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx

U.S. Taxpayer Identification Number: 00-0000000

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

Administrative Agent’s Office
(for payments and Requests for Credit Extensions):
Bank of America, N.A.
One Independence Center
000 Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Mail Code: NC1-001-04-39
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000-000
Attention: Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
Account No.: 1366212250600
Ref: XxxxXxxxx Energy, Inc.
ABA# 000000000

Other Notices as Administrative Agent:
Bank of America, N.A.
Agency Management
000 Xxxxx XxXxxxx Xxxxxx
Mail Code: IL1-231-08-30
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxx
Telephone: (000) 000-0000
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
Electronic Mail: xxxxxxx.x.xxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx

SCHEDULE 10.06

PROCESSING AND RECORDATION FEES

The Administrative Agent will charge a processing and recordation fee (an “Assignment Fee”) in the amount of $2,500 for each assignment; provided, however, that in the event of two or more concurrent assignments to members of the same Assignee Group (which may be effected by a suballocation of an assigned amount among members of such Assignee Group) or two or more concurrent assignments by members of the same Assignee Group to a single Eligible Assignee (or to an Eligible Assignee and members of its Assignee Group), the Assignment Fee will be $2,500 plus the amount set forth below:


Transaction	Assignment Fee

First four concurrent assignments or suballocations to members of an Assignee Group (or from members of an Assignee Group, as applicable)		-0-

Each additional concurrent assignment or suballocation to a member of such Assignee Group (or from a member of such Assignee Group, as applicable)	$	500

EXHIBIT A

FORM OF LOAN NOTICE

Date: ,

To: Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2006 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Riata Energy, Inc. (d/b/a XxxxXxxxx Energy, Inc.), a Texas corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The undersigned hereby requests (select one):

o A Borrowing of Initial Loans o A conversion or continuation of Loans



1.	On		(a Business Day).

2.	In the amount of $.


3.	Comprised of .
		[Type of Loan requested]

4.	For Eurodollar Rate Loans: with an Interest Period of months.

The Borrowing, if any, requested herein complies with the provisos to the first sentence of Section 2.01 of the Agreement.


		RIATA ENERGY, INC.

		(d/b/a XxxxXxxxx Energy, Inc.)

		By:

		Name:

		Title:

Form of Loan Notice

A-1

EXHIBIT B

FORM OF NOTE

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned (the “Borrower”) hereby promises to pay to or registered assigns (the “Lender”), in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement (as hereinafter defined), the principal amount of each Loan owed by the Borrower to the Lender under that certain Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2006 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among the Borrower, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The Borrower promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan from the date of such Loan until such principal amount is paid in full, at such interest rates and at such times as provided in the Agreement. All payments of principal and interest shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lender in Dollars in immediately available funds at the Administrative Agent’s Office. If any amount is not paid in full when due hereunder, such unpaid amount shall bear interest, to be paid upon demand, from the due date thereof until the date of actual payment (and before as well as after judgment) computed at the per annum rate set forth in the Agreement.

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Agreement, is entitled to the benefits thereof and may be prepaid in whole or in part subject to the terms and conditions provided therein. This Note is also entitled to the benefits of the Guaranty. Upon the occurrence and continuation of one or more of the Events of Default specified in the Agreement, all amounts then remaining unpaid on this Note shall become, or may be declared to be, immediately due and payable all as provided in the Agreement. Loans owing to the Lender shall be evidenced by one or more loan accounts or records maintained by the Lender in the ordinary course of business. The Lender may also attach schedules to this Note and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.

The Borrower, for itself, its successors and assigns, hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand, dishonor and non-payment of this Note.

Form of Note

B-1

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.


		RIATA ENERGY, INC.

		(d/b/a XxxxXxxxx Energy, Inc.)

		By:

		Name:

		Title:

Form of Note

B-2

LOANS AND PAYMENTS WITH RESPECT THERETO

Amount of

Principal or

Outstanding

End of

Interest

Principal

Type of

Amount of

Interest

Paid This

Balance

Notation

Date

Loan

Period

Date

This Date

Made By

Form of Note

B-3

EXHIBIT C

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

Financial Statement Date: ,

To: Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2006 (as amended, restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in writing from time to time, the “Agreement;” the terms defined therein being used herein as therein defined), among Riata Energy, Inc. (d/b/a XxxxXxxxx Energy, Inc.), a Texas corporation (the “Borrower”), the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.

The undersigned Responsible Officer hereby certifies as of the date hereof that he/she is the of the Borrower, and that, as such, he/she is authorized to execute and deliver this Certificate to the Administrative Agent on the behalf of the Borrower, and that:

[Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal year-end financial statements]

1. Attached hereto as Schedule 1 are the year-end audited financial statements required by Section 6.01(a) of the Agreement for the fiscal year of the Borrower ended as of the above date, together with the report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant required by such section.

[Use following paragraph 1 for fiscal quarter-end financial statements]

1. Attached hereto as Schedule 1 are the unaudited financial statements required by Section 6.01(b) of the Agreement for the fiscal quarter of the Borrower ended as of the above date. Such financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP as at such date and for such period, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

2. The undersigned has reviewed and is familiar with the terms of the Agreement and has made, or has caused to be made under his/her supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements.

3. A review of the activities of the Borrower during such fiscal period has been made under the supervision of the undersigned with a view to determining whether during such fiscal period the Borrower performed and observed all its Obligations under the Loan Documents, and

[select one:]

Form of Compliance Certificate

C-1

[to the best knowledge of the undersigned during such fiscal period, the Borrower performed and observed each covenant and condition of the Loan Documents applicable to it, and no Default has occurred and is continuing.]

—or—

[the following covenants or conditions have not been performed or observed and the following is a list of each such Default and its nature and status:]

4. The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article V of the Agreement, and any representations and warranties of any Loan Party that are contained in any document furnished at any time under or in connection with the Loan Documents, are true and correct on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct as of such earlier date, and except that for purposes of this Compliance Certificate, the representations and warranties contained in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 5.05 of the Agreement shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to clauses (a) and (b), respectively, of Section 6.01 of the Agreement, including the statements in connection with which this Compliance Certificate is delivered.

5. The financial covenant analyses and information set forth on Schedules 2 and 3 attached hereto are true and accurate on and as of the date of this Certificate.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate as of ,


		RIATA ENERGY, INC.

		(d/b/a XxxxXxxxx Energy, Inc.)

		By:

		Name:

		Title:

Form of Compliance Certificate

C-2

For the Quarter/Year ended (“Statement Date”)

SCHEDULE 2
to the Compliance Certificate
($ in 000’s)


I.	Section 7.11 (a) – Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

	A.	Consolidated EBITDAX for four consecutive fiscal quarters
		ending on above date (“Subject Period”) (from Schedule 3)	$
	B.	Consolidated Fixed Charges for Subject Period:	$
	C.	Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (Line I.A ¸
		Line I.B):			to 1
	D.	Minimum Required Consolidated Fixed Charge
		Coverage Ratio		2.0 to 1

II.	Section 7.11 (b) – Consolidated Leverage Ratio.

	A.	Consolidated Funded Indebtedness at Statement Date:	$
	B.	Consolidated EBITDAX for Subject Period (Line I.A.):	$
	C.	Consolidated Leverage Ratio (Line II.A ¸ Line II.B):			to 1
	D.	Maximum Permitted Consolidated Leverage Ratio		4.5 to 1

III.	Section 7.11 (c) – Consolidated Current Ratio.

	A.	Consolidated Current Assets at Statement Date:	$
	B.	Consolidated Current Liabilities at Statement Date:	$
	C.	Consolidated Current Ratio (Line III.A ¸ Line III.B):			to 1
	D.	Minimum Required Consolidated Current Ratio:		0.9 to 1

Form of Compliance Certificate

C-3

For the Quarter/Year ended (“Statement Date ”)

SCHEDULE 3
to the Compliance Certificate
($ in 000’s)

Consolidated EBITDAX
(in accordance with the definition of Consolidated EBITDAX
as set forth in the Agreement)

Twelve

Consolidated

Quarter

Months

EBITDA

Ended

Consolidated Net Income

+ income or franchise taxes

+ interest expense

+ depreciation expense

+ amortization expense

+ exploration expense

+ non-cash loss on change in fair value of derivative instruments

+ other non-cash expenses

- non-cash gain on change in fair value of derivative instruments

- income tax credits

Form of Compliance Certificate

C-4

Twelve

Consolidated

Quarter

Months

EBITDA

Ended

- interest income

- other non-cash income

= Consolidated EBITDAX

Form of Compliance Certificate

C-4

EXHIBIT D

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (this “Assignment and Assumption ”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the][each]¹ Assignor identified in item 1 below ([the][each, an] “Assignor”) and [the][each]² Assignee identified in item 2 below ([the][each, an] “Assignee”). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of [the Assignors][the Assignees]³ hereunder are several and not joint.]⁴ Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, [the][each] Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the Assignee][the respective Assignees], and [the][each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the Assignor][the respective Assignors], subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of [the Assignor’s][the respective Assignors’] rights and obligations in [its capacity as a Lender][their respective capacities as Lenders] under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of [the Assignor][the respective Assignors] under the respective facilities identified below and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of [the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender)][the respective Assignors (in their respective capacities as Lenders)] against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by [the][any] Assignor to [the][any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as


¹		For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignor(s), if the assignment is from a single Assignor, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is from multiple Assignors, choose the second bracketed language.

²		For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignee(s), if the assignment is to a single Assignee, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is to multiple Assignees, choose the second bracketed language.

³		Select as appropriate.

⁴		Include bracketed language if there are either multiple Assignors or multiple Assignees.

Form of Assignment and Assumption

D-1

[ the][an] “Assigned Interest”).Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to [the][any] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by [the][any] Assignor.


1.		Assignor[s]:




2.		Assignee[s]:




		[for each Assignee, indicate [Affiliate][Approved Fund] of [identify Lender]]

3.		Borrower(s):


4.		Administrative Agent: Bank of America, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit
		Agreement

5.		Credit Agreement: [Bridge Loan Agreement, dated as of [________, ______], among
		[_________________], the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A.,
		as Administrative Agent.

6.		Assigned Interest[s]:⁵

Aggregate

Amount of

Percentage

Amount of

Commitment

Assigned of

Facility

Commitment/Loans

/Loans

Commitment/

CUSIP

Assignor[s]⁶

Assignee[s]⁷

Assigned⁸

for all Lenders⁹

Assigned

Loans¹⁰

Number

[7. Trade Date: __________________]¹¹


⁵		The reference to “Loans” in the table should be used only if the Credit Agreement provides for Term Loans.

⁶		List each Assignor, as appropriate.

⁷		List each Assignee, as appropriate.

⁸		Fill in the appropriate terminology for the types of facilities under the Credit Agreement that are being assigned under this Assignment (e.g. “Revolving Credit Commitment”, “Term Loan Commitment”, etc.).

⁹		Amounts in this column and in the column immediately to the right to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date.

¹⁰		Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

¹¹		To be completed if the Assignor and the Assignee intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.

Form of Assignment and Assumption

D-2

Effective Date: , 20 [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:


	ASSIGNOR [NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
	By:
		Title:


	ASSIGNEE [NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
	By:
		Title:

[Consented to and]¹² Accepted:

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as
Administrative Agent


By:

		Title:

Consented to:¹³

RIATA ENERGY, INC.
(d/b/a XxxxXxxxx Energy, Inc.)


By:

		Title:


¹²		To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

¹³		To be added only if the consent of the Borrower is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

Form of Assignment and Assumption

D-3

ANNEX 1 TO ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION
[ ] ¹⁴

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties.

1.1. Assignor. [The][Each] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the][[the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the][such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee. [The][Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by [the][such] Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire [the][such] Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section ___thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into


¹⁴		Describe Credit Agreement at option of Administrative Agent.

Form of Assignment and Assumption

D-4

this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, and (vii) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached hereto is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the][such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, [the][any] Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the][each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the][the relevant] Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to [the][the relevant] Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York [confirm that choice of law provision parallels the Credit Agreement].

Form of Assignment and Assumption

D-5

EXHIBIT E

FORM OF GUARANTY

SEE TAB 5

Form of Guaranty

E-1

EXHIBIT F

OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE LOAN PARTIES

SEE TAB 12

Appendix V to Form

F-1

Document Metadata

Table of Contents

BRIDGE LOAN AGREEMENT Dated as of November 21, 2006 among RIATA ENERGY, INC. (d/b/a SandRidge Energy, Inc.) as the Borrower, BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent and The Other Lenders Party Hereto BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC CREDIT SUISSE...

Document Metadata