SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
----------
FORM 8 - K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 1, 2002
-----------------------
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
South Dakota 1-31303 46-0458824
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
625 Ninth Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57701
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(605) 721-1700
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT
Item 5. Other Events.
Black Hills Corporation ("Black Hills") and Mallon Resources
Corporation ("Mallon") entered into a definitive merger agreement (the "Merger
Agreement"), dated as of October 1, 2002, for the acquisition of Mallon in a
stock-for-stock transaction (the "Merger"). The Merger Agreement provides for
Mallon shareholders to receive .044 shares of Black Hills common stock for each
common share of Mallon. The Merger is subject to customary conditions, including
approval by holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Mallon.
Mallon has agreed to pay Black Hills a termination fee of $1.5 million
in the event the Merger Agreement is terminated under certain conditions. The
Merger is anticipated to close in the first quarter of 2003, subject to the
approval of Mallon's shareholders and customary conditions.
On October 1, 2002, Black Hills also acquired the outstanding debt of
Mallon to Aquila Energy Capital Corporation for approximately $30,500,000,
including amounts paid to settle certain gas hedging arrangements. Black Hills
and Mallon have amended the credit agreement for such debt. Black Hills has
agreed to loan Mallon an additional $2,500,000 to pay certain obligations owed
by Mallon and the costs of drilling certain wells. Mallon is obligated to pay to
Black Hills the entire outstanding principal balance, together with accrued
interest, plus the sum of $2,898,000 if Mallon enters into any agreement for a
change in control of Mallon. The $2,898,000 is also payable by Mallon if it
enters into an agreement for a change in control of Mallon within 105 days after
prepayment of the debt.
The press release jointly issued by Black Hills and Mallon announcing
the Merger is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report and is incorporated into
this Item 5 by reference.
All shareholders should read the joint proxy statement/prospectus
concerning the Merger that will be filed with the SEC and mailed to
shareholders. The joint proxy statement/prospectus will contain important
information that shareholders should consider before making any decision
regarding the Merger. Shareholders will be able to obtain the joint proxy
statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about
Black Hills and Mallon, without charge, at the SEC's Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the joint proxy statement/prospectus and the SEC
filings that will be incorporated by reference in the joint proxy
statement/prospectus will also be available, without charge, by contacting the
Secretary of the appropriate company.
1
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Statements, and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 Press Release dated as of October 1, 2002, jointly issued by Black Hills
Corporation and Mallon Resources Corporation
99.2 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement Between Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company and Black Hills Corporation Dated as of October 1,
2002
99.3 Amended and Restated Advancing Note Between Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company (Borrower) and Black Hills Corporation (Lender)
Dated October 1, 2002
99.4 Assignment of Credit Agreement, Note, Liens, and Security Documents dated
as of October 1, 2002 among Aquilla Energy Capital Corporation (Assignor),
Black Hills Corporation (Assignee), Mallon Resources Corporation and Mallon
Oil Company
99.5 Termination of Swap Agreement and Mutual Release dated October 1, 2002
Between Aquila Merchant Services, Inc. and Mallon Resources Corporation
99.6 Termination of Swap Agreement and Mutual Release dated October 1, 2002
Between Aquila Merchant Services, Inc. and Mallon Oil Company
99.7 Termination of Base Agreement and Mutual Release dated October 1, 2002
Between Aquila Energy Marketing Corporation and Mallon Oil Company
S I G N A T U R E
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
-----------------------
(Registrant)
October 10, 2002 By:/s/ Mark T. Thies
- --------------------------- ------------------
Date Chief Financial Officer
2
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Description
99.1 Press Release dated as of October 1, 2002, jointly issued by Black Hills
Corporation and Mallon Resources Corporation
99.2 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement Between Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company and Black Hills Corporation Dated as of October 1,
2002
99.3 Amended and Restated Advancing Note Between Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company (Borrower) and Black Hills Corporation (Lender)
Dated October 1, 2002
99.4 Assignment of Credit Agreement, Note, Liens, and Security Documents dated
as of October 1, 2002 among Aquilla Energy Capital Corporation (Assignor),
Black Hills Corporation (Assignee), Mallon Resources Corporation and Mallon
Oil Company
99.5 Termination of Swap Agreement and Mutual Release dated October 1, 2002
Between Aquila Merchant Services, Inc. and Mallon Resources Corporation
99.6 Termination of Swap Agreement and Mutual Release dated October 1, 2002
Between Aquila Merchant Services, Inc. and Mallon Oil Company
99.7 Termination of Base Agreement and Mutual Release dated October 1, 2002
Between Aquila Energy Marketing Corporation and Mallon Oil Company
3
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Black Hills Corporation and Mallon Resources Corporation
Announce Merger Agreement
* Merger to significantly increase Black Hills' gas reserves
RAPID CITY, SD--October 1, 2002-- Black Hills Corporation (NYSE: BKH) today
announced it has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire
Denver-based Mallon Resources Corporation (OTCBB: MLRC). The total cost of the
transaction is estimated at $52 million, which includes the acquisition today by
Black Hills of Mallon's debt to Aquila Energy Capital Corporation and the
settlement of outstanding hedges, amounting to $30.5 million. The merger
agreement, which has been approved by both companies' Boards of Directors,
provides that Mallon shareholders will receive 0.044 of a share of Black Hills
for each share of Mallon. Completion of the acquisition which is subject to
customary conditions, including approval by the shareholders of Mallon, is
expected in the first quarter of 2003.
Mallon Resources' proved reserves, as reported at December 31, 2001,
were 53.3 billion cubic feet of gas equivalent (BCFE). Black Hills believes that
Mallon's current proved reserves could be substantially higher based on its
review of the reserves and current oil and gas prices. The reserves are located
primarily on the Jicarilla Apache Nation in the San Juan Basin of New Mexico and
are comprised almost entirely of natural gas in shallow sand formations. The oil
and gas leases of the acquisition total more than 66,500 gross acres (56,000
net), most of which is contained in a contiguous block that is in the early
stages of development. Black Hills also believes it could recover additional gas
reserves from the shallow sands. Further, more gas could be recoverable from
deeper horizons that have yet to be explored but are productive elsewhere in the
San Juan Basin.
Daniel P. Landguth, Chairman and CEO of Black Hills Corporation, said
"This acquisition is an outstanding strategic fit for us. In one transaction, we
have advanced several of our long-term objectives by dramatically increasing our
natural gas reserves and production. We believe that natural gas is the fuel of
choice and that U.S. gas demand will remain strong. Our integrated energy
strategy seeks balance and integration among our business lines."
Current daily net production of the Mallon properties is nearly 13
million cubic feet of gas equivalent (MMCFE). Mallon operates 149 of 171 total
gas and oil wells, with working interests averaging 90 to 100 percent in most of
the wells and undeveloped acreage. Landguth added, "These operated properties
provide us with control over the exploration and development program, allowing
flexible capital deployment as market conditions dictate. Moreover, our Denver
marketing subsidiary, Enserco Energy, can add gas marketing and transportation
expertise. We also look forward to working in partnership with the Jicarilla
Apache Nation to responsibly develop the portion of their gas resources
contained beneath these leases."
Landguth continued, "This deal demonstrates our commitment to long-term
earnings growth. Upon closing, the acquisition is expected to increase gas and
oil production immediately by approximately 60 percent and more than double our
proven oil and gas reserves at a very attractive acquisition cost. Combined with
our other integrated energy activities, this acquisition will solidify our
presence in Western markets."
George O. Mallon, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Mallon Resources
Corporation, stated, "We feel that this transaction is both prudent and exciting
for our shareholders. After pursuing several corporate strategies, we concluded
that this merger with Black Hills Corporation was the most attractive for our
shareholders. With Mallon's unique fit into the Black Hills strategy, this
combination will give all shareholders the opportunity to grow with a solid,
well run energy company that has the desire, knowledge and financial capability
to develop our significant undeveloped gas reserves in the San Juan Basin."
After the acquisition is closed, Black Hills plans to initiate an
expanded development and exploratory drilling program on the properties. As a
result, Black Hills expects to increase gas production, reserves and cash flow
from fuel operations in late 2003 and beyond. Black Hills expects the
acquisition to have a nominal earnings-per-share impact until production levels
can be increased.
Black Hills Corporation (www.blackhillscorp.com) is a diverse energy
and communications company. Oil and gas operations, conducted in nine states
with a concentration of resources in the Rocky Mountain region, are part of the
Black Hills Energy, the integrated energy business unit which generates
electricity and produces and markets natural gas, oil and coal; Black Hills
Power, an electric utility serving western South Dakota, northeastern Wyoming
and southeastern Montana; and Black Hills FiberCom, a broadband communications
company offering bundled telephone, high speed Internet and cable entertainment
services. Mallon Resources Corporation is a Denver, Colorado, based oil and gas
exploration and production company operating primarily in the San Juan Basin of
New Mexico.
Investor Notices
Investors and security holders are advised to read the joint proxy
statement/prospectus that will be included in the Registration Statement on Form
S-4 expected to be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed merger.
Black Hills and Mallon will file the joint proxy statement/prospectus with the
SEC. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the joint proxy
statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed by Black Hills
and Mallon with the SEC at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. The joint proxy
statement/prospectus and such other documents (relating to Black Hills) may also
be obtained for free from Black Hills by directing such request to: Black Hills
Corporation, P.O. Box 1400, 625 Ninth Street, Rapid City, South Dakota 57709,
Attention: Steven J. Helmers, General Counsel; telephone: 605-721-2300; email:
shelmers@bh-corp.com. The joint proxy statement/prospectus and such other
documents (relating to Mallon) may also be obtained for free from Mallon by
directing such request to: Mallon Resources Corporation, 999 18th Street, Suite
1700, Denver, Colorado 80202, Attn: Peter H. Blum, Executive Vice President;
telephone: 303-293-2333.
Mallon, its directors, executive officers and certain members of
management and employees may be considered "participants in the solicitation" of
proxies from Mallon's shareholders in connection with the merger. Information
regarding such persons and a description of their interests in the merger and
related transactions will be contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-4
when it is filed.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this release include "forward-looking
statements" as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. Black
Hills Corporation makes these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe
harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in
this release that address activities, events or developments that Black Hills
expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on
assumptions, which Black Hills believes are reasonable based on current
expectations and projections about future events and industry conditions and
trends affecting Black Hills' business. However, whether actual results and
developments will conform to Black Hills' expectations and predictions is
subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements,
including, among other things: (1) unanticipated developments in the western
power markets, including unanticipated governmental intervention, deterioration
in the financial condition of counterparties, default on amounts due from
counterparties, adverse changes in current or future litigation, adverse changes
in the tariffs of the California Independent System Operator, market disruption
and adverse changes in energy and commodity supply, volume and pricing and
interest rates; (2) prevailing governmental policies and regulatory actions with
respect to allowed rates of return, industry and rate structure, acquisition and
disposal of assets and facilities, operation and construction of plant
facilities, recovery of purchased power and other capital investments, and
present or prospective wholesale and retail competition; (3) the State of
California's efforts to reform its long-term power purchase contracts; (4)
impact of environmental and safety laws; (5) weather conditions; (6)
competition; (7) pricing and transportation of commodities; (8) market demand,
including structural market changes; (9) unanticipated changes in operating
expenses or capital expenditures; (10) capital market conditions; (11) legal and
administrative proceedings that influence Black Hills' business and
profitability; (12) the effects on Black Hills' business of terrorist actions or
responses to such actions; (13) the effects on Black Hills' business resulting
from the financial difficulties of Enron and other energy companies, including
their effects on liquidity in the trading and power industry, and Black Hills'
ability to access the capital markets on the same favorable terms as in the
past; (14) the effects on Black Hills' business in connection with a lowering of
Black Hills' credit rating (or actions Black Hills may take in response to
changing credit ratings criteria), including, increased collateral requirements
to execute Black Hills' business plan, demands for increased collateral by Black
Hills' current counter-parties, refusal by Black Hills' current or potential
counterparties or customers to enter into transactions with Black Hills and
Black Hills' inability to obtain credit or capital in amounts or on terms
favorable to Black Hills; and (15) other factors discussed from time to time in
Black Hills' filings with the SEC.
This information contains forward-looking statements and forecasts, the
realization of which cannot be assured by Mallon Resources Corporation. Actual
results may differ significantly from those forecast. Inaccurate geologic and
engineering interpretations, the volatility of commodity prices, unbudgeted cost
increases, unforeseen delays in operations, and operations that prove less
successful than anticipated are risks that can significantly affect Mallon's
operations. These and other risk factors that affect Mallon's business are
discussed in Mallon's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
# # #
EXHIBIT 99.2
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
MALLON RESOURCES CORPORATION
a Colorado corporation
and
MALLON OIL COMPANY,
a Colorado corporation
(collectively, "Borrower")
AND
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION,
a South Dakota corporation
("Lender")
---------------------------------
Dated as of October 1, 2002
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Article 1. Definitions and References.............................................................................1
Section 1.1 Defined Terms..................................................................................1
Section 1.2 Exhibits and Schedules.........................................................................8
Section 1.3 Amendment of Defined Instruments...............................................................8
Section 1.4 References and Titles..........................................................................8
Section 1.5 Calculations and Determinations................................................................8
Article 2. The Loans..............................................................................................9
Section 2.1 The Loans......................................................................................9
Section 2.2 Use of Proceeds................................................................................9
Section 2.3 Repayment of the Loans.........................................................................9
Section 2.4 Prepayment of the Loans........................................................................9
Section 2.5 Interest......................................................................................10
Section 2.6 Mandatory Prepayment of the Loans.............................................................10
Article 3. Security..............................................................................................10
Section 3.1 Security......................................................................................10
Section 3.2 Perfection and Protection of Security Interests and Liens.....................................10
Section 3.3 Release of Collateral.........................................................................10
Article 4. Representations and Warranties........................................................................11
Section 4.1 Representations and Warranties of Borrower....................................................11
Section 4.2 Employees.....................................................................................13
Article 5. Notice of Certain Events..............................................................................13
Section 5.1 Notice of Unmatured Event of Default, Event of Default, and Other Matters.....................13
Section 5.2 Other Information.............................................................................14
Article 6. Special Provisions Relating to Equipment..............................................................14
Section 6.1 Location: Records............................................................................14
Section 6.2 Maintenance...................................................................................15
i
Section 6.3 Dispositions..................................................................................15
Article 7. Covenants of Borrower.................................................................................15
Section 7.1 Affirmative Covenants.........................................................................15
Section 7.2 Negative Covenants............................................................................19
Article 8. Further Rights of Lender/Limited Waiver...............................................................21
Section 8.1 Limited Waiver of Representations and Warranties..............................................21
Section 8.2 Limited Waiver of Covenants...................................................................21
Section 8.3 Maintenance of Security Interests.............................................................21
Section 8.4 Performance of Obligations....................................................................22
Section 8.5 Access to Collateral..........................................................................22
Section 8.6 Repayment Upon Change of Control Agreement....................................................22
Section 8.7 Removal and Appointment of Operator...........................................................22
Section 8.8 Set-Off Rights................................................................................22
Section 8.9 Joint and Several Liability of Borrowers......................................................22
Article 9. Conditions to Effectiveness of Agreement..............................................................23
Section 9.1 Conditions....................................................................................23
Section 9.2 Conditions Precedent to Funding of Loans......................................................23
Article 10. Events of Default and Remedies.......................................................................24
Section 10.1 Events of Default........................................................................24
Section 10.2 Acceleration.............................................................................25
Section 10.3 Remedies.................................................................................26
Section 10.4 Indemnity................................................................................26
Section 10.5 Forbearance..............................................................................27
Article 11. Miscellaneous........................................................................................27
Section 11.1 Waivers and Amendments; Acknowledgments and Admissions...................................27
Section 11.2 Survival of Agreements: Cumulative Nature...............................................28
Section 11.3 Notices..................................................................................28
Section 11.4 Parties in Interest; Transfers...........................................................29
Section 11.5 Governing Law; Submission to Process.....................................................29
ii
Section 11.6 Limitation on Interest...................................................................29
Section 11.7 Termination; Limited Survival............................................................30
Section 11.8 Severability.............................................................................30
Section 11.9 Counterparts.............................................................................30
Section 11.10 Further Assurances.......................................................................30
Section 11.11 Waiver of Jury Trial, Punitive Damages, Etc..............................................30
Section 11.12 Controlling Provision Upon Conflict......................................................31
Section 11.13 Effect of Amended and Restated Credit Agreement..........................................31
iii
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A Hydrocarbon Producing Property Descriptions and Related
Assets of Borrower
Exhibit B Property Operating Statement
SCHEDULES
Schedule 1.1(a) Gas Plant Assets
Schedule 1.1(b) Wells
Schedule 2.1 Scheduled Matters
Schedule 4.1(c) Shareholder obligations
Schedule 4.1(g) Parent Borrower's Financial Statements
Schedule 4.1(h) Other Obligations and Restrictions
Schedule 4.1(j) Claims and Litigation
Schedule 4.1(l) Borrower's Places of Business
Schedule 4.1(m) Unpaid Bills
Schedule 4.1(n) Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances
Schedule 4.1(o) Purchasers of Hydrocarbons
Schedule 4.1(p) Existing Hydrocarbon Sales Agreements
Schedule 4.1(u) Compliance with Environmental and Other Laws
Schedule 6.1 Equipment descriptions
iv
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made and
entered into this 1st day of October, 2002, by and among MALLON RESOURCES
CORPORATION, a Colorado corporation, and MALLON OIL COMPANY, a Colorado
corporation (collectively, the "Borrower"), and BLACK HILLS CORPORATION, a South
Dakota corporation (the "Lender").
RECITALS
A. Borrower and Aquila Energy Capital Corporation ("Aquila") entered into that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of September 9, 1999, as amended by that
certain First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated November 21, 2000 and by that
certain Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated February 8, 2002 (as amended,
the "Original Credit Agreement").
B. By that certain Assignment of Credit Agreement, Note, Liens, and Security
Documents dated as of October 1, 2002, Aquila assigned to Lender all
indebtedness owing by Borrower under the Original Credit Agreement, all liens,
interests and security interests of Aquila securing such indebtedness, and all
other rights, benefits, remedies and privileges of Aquila under or pursuant to
the Original Credit Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents.
C. Borrower and Lender desire to make certain amendments to, but not to
discharge any indebtedness or other obligations owing under, the Original Credit
Agreement, as set forth and incorporated in this Amended and Restated Credit
Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto in consideration of the foregoing
and the terms, covenants, provisions and conditions hereinafter set forth hereby
agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS AND REFERENCES
Section 1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, each of the following
terms has the meaning given it in this Section 1.1 or in the Sections and
subsections referred to below
"Advancing Note" means the Amended and Restated Note evidencing the
Loans, which was issued to Lender by Borrower in connection with the Original
Credit Agreement.
"AFE" has the meaning given to such term in Section 7.1(c)(v).
"Affiliate(s)" means, as to any Person (as hereinafter defined), any
other Person who directly or indirectly controls, is under common control with,
or is controlled by such Person. As used in this definition, "control"
(including, with its correlative meanings, "controlled by" and "under common
control with") means possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or
cause the direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of
securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract or
otherwise), provided that, in any event (i) any Person who owns directly or
indirectly 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the
election of directors or other governing body of a business entity or 10% or
more of the partnership or other ownership interests of any other Person will be
deemed to control such other Person, (ii) any subsidiary of Borrower shall be
deemed to be an Affiliate of Borrower, and (iii) the parent and any sister
entity of Borrower shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of Borrower.
"Agreement" means this Credit Agreement, as the same may be amended,
supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time in compliance
with applicable provisions hereof.
"AMS" has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.1(a).
"Borrower" has the meaning given to such term in the preamble of this
Agreement.
"Borrower's Public Reports" shall mean the annual, quarterly and
special reports most recently filed by Parent Borrower prior to the date hereof
with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including Parent Borrower's proxy
materials.
"Business Day" means a day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which
commercial banks are open for business with the public in Denver, Colorado.
"Change of Control" means any of the following events or circumstances
other than in connection with the Merger: (a) any "person" or "group" (within
the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) has become, directly or indirectly, the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act,
except that a person shall be deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of all such
shares that any such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is
exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), by way of merger,
consolidation or otherwise, of a majority or more of the common stock of either
Parent Borrower or Subsidiary Borrower on a fully-diluted basis, after giving
effect to the conversion and exercise of all outstanding warrants, options and
other securities of either Parent Borrower or Subsidiary Borrower (whether or
not such securities are then currently convertible or exercisable); (b) as of
the end of any calendar month, individuals who at the beginning of such calendar
month constituted the board of directors of either Parent Borrower or Subsidiary
Borrower have ceased for any reason to constitute a majority of the directors of
Parent Borrower or Subsidiary Borrower then in office unless (i) such new
directors were elected by a majority of the directors of either Parent Borrower
or Subsidiary Borrower who constituted the board of directors of either Parent
Borrower or Subsidiary Borrower at the beginning of such month (or by directors
so elected) or (ii) the reason for such directors failing to constitute a
majority is a result of retirement by directors due to age, death or disability;
or (c) the Persons who were shareholders of either Parent Borrower or Subsidiary
Borrower as of the date of this Agreement cannot alone elect at least two-thirds
(2/3rds) of the board of directors of Borrower.
"Change of Control Agreement" means any agreement that contemplates a
Change of Control or a Mallon Sale.
"COC Agreement Date" means the date on which (a) Borrower or any
affiliate thereof enters into a Change of Control Agreement or (b) the
shareholders of Parent Borrower enter into a Change of Control Agreement.
"Collateral" means all property of any kind which, pursuant to any Loan
Document, is subject to a Lien in favor of Lender or is purported or intended to
be subject to such a Lien, including without limitation, the Equipment
(including Fixtures), the Properties and the Hydrocarbons produced therefrom or
attributable thereto, but excluding the Gas Plant Assets to the extent they are
encumbered by Universal Compression in connection with the Master Rental
Contract.
"Debt" means, as to the Borrower, all indebtedness, liabilities and
obligations of Borrower, whether matured or unmatured, liquidated or
unliquidated, primary or secondary, direct or indirect, absolute, fixed or
contingent, and whether or not required to be considered debt pursuant to GAAP,
excluding, however, trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary
course of business so long as the same are being paid prior to becoming
delinquent or are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, and further excluding Borrower's deferred revenue and revenue
received and held by Borrower on behalf of third parties.
"Defensible Title" means (i) with respect to the Properties, such title
that: (a) with respect to each well or Unit located on the Leases entitles
Subsidiary Borrower to receive, free and clear of all royalties, overriding
royalties and net profits interests, or other burdens on or measured by
production of Hydrocarbons, not less than the Net Revenue Interests of
Subsidiary Borrower reflected in Exhibit A for such wells or Units for the
productive life of such well or Unit (subject only to the Permitted
Encumbrances); and (b) with respect to each well or Unit located on the Leases
obligates Subsidiary Borrower to bear costs and expenses relating to the
maintenance, development and operation of such well or Unit in an amount not
greater than the Working Interests of Subsidiary Borrower reflected in Exhibit A
for the productive life of such well or Unit (subject only to the Permitted
Encumbrances), free and clear of any security interest, lien, encumbrance,
mortgage, claim, security agreement or other charge, other than
2
the Permitted Encumbrances and any liens, mortgages, and security interests in
favor of Lender and its Affiliates or which are permitted hereunder.
"Direct Taxes" means (a) Property Taxes, (b) Severance Taxes, (c) ad
valorem taxes, (d) conservation taxes, and (e) any other taxes of any kind,
excluding only income taxes and franchise taxes, imposed on Borrower or any
producer in connection with or as a result of its ownership of interests in the
Properties, including, without limitation, any taxes imposed by the Nation.
"Drilling Advance" has the meaning given such term in Section 2.1(c).
"Engineers" means such independent petroleum engineering firm as is
mutually agreed upon by Borrower and Lender.
"Environmental Laws" means any and all federal, state, local or tribal
statutes, laws (including common law), regulations, ordinances, rules,
judgments, orders, decrees, permits, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or
other governmental restrictions relating to the environment or to emissions,
discharges, releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants,
chemicals or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the
environment including ambient air, surface water, ground water, or land, or
otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment,
storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals
or industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes. For purposes of this
definition, "chemicals" includes all substances referred to in the second
sentence of the definition herein of "Hazardous Materials."
"Equipment" means all equipment of Borrower of every kind and nature
used for or in the operation of the Properties, whether located on the
Properties or located elsewhere, including but not limited to, pipelines, well
and lease equipment and surface equipment, casing, tubing, connections, rods,
pipe, machines, compressors, gathering systems, meters, motors, pumps, tankage,
fixtures, storage and handling equipment and all other equipment or movable
property of any kind and nature and wherever situated now or hereafter owned by
Borrower or in which Borrower may now or hereafter have any interest (to the
extent of such interest), together with all additions and accessions thereto,
all replacements and all accessories and parts therefor, all logs and records in
connection therewith, all rights against suppliers, warrantors, manufacturers,
sellers or others in connection therewith, and together with all substitutes for
any of the foregoing, specifically including, but not limited to, the Equipment
described on Schedule 6.1, but specifically excluding the Gas Plant Assets to
the extent encumbered in connection with the Master Rental Contract.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, together with all rules and regulations promulgated
with respect thereto.
"ERISA Plan" means any employee pension benefit plan which is
maintained by any Person subject to Title IV of ERISA.
"Event of Default" has the meaning given such term in Section 10.1.
"Financial Statements" has the meaning given such term in Section
4.l(g).
"Fiscal Quarter" means a three-month period ending on March 31, June
30, September 30 or December 31 of any year.
"Fiscal Year" means a twelve-month period ending on December 31 of any
year.
"GAAP" means those generally accepted accounting principles and
practices which are recognized as such by the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (or any generally recognized successor).
"Gas Plant Assets" means the East Blanco Gas Plant in Rio Arriba
County, New Mexico and the assets associated therewith, as more fully described
on Schedule 1.1(a).
3
"Gas Transportation Fees" means natural gas gathering and
transportation fees incurred by Subsidiary Borrower upstream of the point of
sale of Subsidiary Borrower's share of gas produced from the Leases, but only to
the extent that such fees are not first deducted in order to determine the price
payable to Subsidiary Borrower for the sale of such gas and excluding any such
fees that are otherwise included in Operating Expenses.
"Gross Receipts" means, in connection with the Loans or Advancing Note
for any Interest Period, Borrower's share (inclusive of royalty and overriding
royalty interests attributable thereto) of all sums received by Borrower during
such Interest Period in connection with the Properties, including, but not
limited to, Swap Settlement Proceeds and proceeds under gas purchase agreements,
oil purchase agreements, natural gas liquids purchase agreements, operating
agreements, and any other receipts relating to or arising from the Properties.
"Hazardous Materials" means any substances regulated under any
Environmental Law, whether as pollutants, contaminants or chemicals, or as
industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes, or otherwise. "Hazardous
Materials" also includes (a) any petroleum, any fraction of petroleum, natural
gas, natural gas liquids, liquefied natural gas and synthetic gas usable for
fuel (including any mixtures of the foregoing) that has been or may be emitted,
discharged or released into the environment, and (b) any drilling fluids,
produced waters and other wastes associated with the exploration, development or
production of crude oil, natural gas or geothermal reserves.
"Hydrocarbons" means crude oil, condensate, natural gas, natural gas
liquids and other hydrocarbons.
"Indebtedness" means and includes (i) all obligations for borrowed
money of any kind or nature, including funded and unfunded debt or guarantees
thereof and contingent obligations in respect of any of the foregoing including,
without limitation, reimbursement obligations in respect of letters of credit,
and (ii) all obligations for the acquisition or use of any fixed asset or
improvements thereto, including capitalized leases but excluding operating
leases, which are payable over a period longer than one year or guarantees
thereof, regardless of the term thereof or the Person or Persons (each as
hereinafter defined) to whom the same is payable; provided, however, that
Indebtedness shall not include trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in
the ordinary course of business so long as the same are being paid prior to
becoming delinquent or being diligently contested in good faith.
"Index Rate" means, at any time, the prime rate published in The Wall
Street Journal's "Money Rates" or similar table; provided that if multiple prime
rates are quoted in such table, then the highest such prime rate will be the
Index Rate and, in the event that the prime rate is no longer published by The
Wall Street Journal's "Money Rates" or similar table, then Lender may select an
alternative published index based upon comparable information as a substitute
Index Rate and upon the selection of such a substitute Index Rate, the
applicable interest rate shall thereafter vary in relation to the substitute
index; provided further that such substitute Index Rate shall be the same index
Rate that is generally used as a substitute by Lender on all loans made by
Lender and bearing interest on the basis of an Index Rate
"Interest Period" means each monthly period beginning on (and
including) the Repayment Date in one calendar month and ending on (but not
including) the Repayment Date in the next following calendar month.
"Interest Rate" means an annual rate of the Index Rate plus four
percent (4.0%), determined on the first Business Day of such calendar month,
such foregoing definition to be applicable notwithstanding any lower interest
rate specified in the Advancing Note.
"Investment" in any Person means the amount paid or committed to be
paid or the value of property or wages contributed or committed to be
contributed by the Person making the Investment on its account for or in
connection with its acquisition of any stock, bonds, notes, debentures,
partnership or other ownership interest or any other security of the Person in
whom such Investment is made or any evidence of Indebtedness of such Person in
whom the Investment is made.
"Jicarilla Dispute" has the meaning given such term in Section 2.1(b).
4
"Jicarilla Dispute Advance" has the meaning given such term in Section
2.1(b).
"Lease" or "Leases" means, whether one or more, (i) those certain oil
and gas leases set forth in the description of the Property attached hereto as
Exhibit A, and any other interests in the Leases, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired by Borrower, and any extension, renewals, corrections, modifications,
elections or amendments (such as those relating to unitization) of any such
Lease or Leases, or (ii) other oil, gas and/or mineral leases or other interests
pertaining to the Properties which may now and hereafter be made subject to the
lien of any of the Security Documents and any extension, renewals, corrections,
modifications, elections or amendments (such as those relating to unitization)
of any such lease or leases.
"Lender" has the meaning assigned to such term in the first paragraph
of this Agreement, and its predecessor, successors and assigns as holders of the
Advancing Note.
"Lien" means, with respect to any property or assets, any right or
interest therein of a creditor to secure Debt owed to it or any other
arrangement with such creditor which provides for the payment of such Debt out
of such property or assets or which allows it to have such Debt satisfied out of
such property or assets prior to the satisfaction of general creditors of the
owner of such property or assets, including any lien, mortgage, security
interest, pledge, deposit, production payment, rights of a vendor under any
title retention or conditional sale agreement or lease substantially equivalent
thereto, tax lien, mechanic's or materialman's lien, or any other charge or
encumbrance for security purposes, whether arising by law or agreement or
otherwise, but excluding any right of offset which arises without agreement in
the ordinary course of business. "Lien" also means any filed financing
statement, any registration of a pledge (such as with an issuer of unregistered
securities), or any other arrangement or action which would serve to perfect a
Lien described in the preceding sentence, regardless of whether such financing
statement is filed, such registration is made, or such arrangement or action is
undertaken before or after such Lien exists.
"Loans" means, collectively, the outstanding loans as of the date of
this Agreement, as described in Section 2.1, and any loans which Lender makes to
Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1, and "Loan" means, individually, any of such
Loans.
"Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Advancing Note, the
Mortgage, the Security Agreement, and all other security agreements, deeds of
trust, mortgages, chattel mortgages, pledges, guaranties, financing statements,
continuation statements, extension agreements and other agreements or
instruments now, heretofore or hereafter delivered by Borrower to Lender in
connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby to secure
or guarantee the payment of any part of the Obligations.
"Loan Termination Date" means the earlier of (a) 60 days after the
Merger Termination Date, but in any case no later than June 30, 2003, (b) the
date of payment and performance in full of all the Obligations of Borrower under
the Loan Documents, (c) the COC Agreement Date, and (d) the date on which Lender
notifies Borrower of the acceleration of payment of all Obligations because of
the occurrence of an Event of Default.
"Mallon Sale" means the sale in any transaction or series of
transactions by the Persons who were shareholders of the Parent Borrower as of
the date of this Agreement of issued and outstanding shares of Borrower Stock
resulting in a Change of Control, other than the consummation of the Merger.
"Master Rental Contract" means that certain Master Rental Contract
dated as of September 9, 1999 between Universal Compression and Borrower.
"Material Adverse Effect" means (a) during the period from the date
hereof through the Merger Termination Date, any change, effect, event,
occurrence or state of facts that is or would reasonably be expected to be
materially adverse to the business, properties, prospects, results of operations
or condition (financial or otherwise) of Borrower or that would reasonably be
expected to materially impair the ability of Borrower to perform its obligations
under the Merger Agreement or to consummate the Merger, other than: (i) any
change or effect resulting from changes in general economic, securities markets,
or regulatory or political conditions in the United States or worldwide or any
outbreak of hostilities, terrorist activities or war, (ii) any change or effect
resulting from changes in commodity prices for oil or natural
5
gas, including any impairment write-downs resulting therefrom, (iii) any other
changes that affect generally the oil and gas industry, (iv) any change or
effect resulting from the announcement or pendency of the Merger or (v) any
change or effect resulting from the transactions contemplated by the Merger
Agreement and (b) during the period beginning on the Merger Termination Date
and ending when all Obligations of Borrower have been performed and paid in
full, any change, effect, event, occurrence or state of facts that is or would
reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the business, properties,
prospects, results of operations or condition of Borrower or that would
reasonably be expected to materially impair the ability of Borrower to perform
its obligations under this Agreement.
"Maximum Rate" means the maximum non-usurious rate of interest that
Lender is permitted under applicable law to contract for, take, charge, or
receive from Borrower.
"Merger" means the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the
Merger Agreement.
"Merger Agreement" means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger
dated as of October 1, 2002 among Black Hills Corporation, Black Hills
Acquisition Corp. and Mallon Resources Corporation.
"Merger Termination Date" means the date on which the Merger Agreement
is terminated, by any party, for any reason.
"Mortgage" has the meaning given such term in Section 3.1.
"Nation" has the meaning given such term in Section 2.1(b).
"Net Revenue Interest" or "NRI" have the meaning given such terms in
the Mortgage.
"Obligations" means all Debt and performance obligations from time to
time owing from Borrower to Lender or any of Lender's Affiliates under or
pursuant to any of the Loan Documents in connection with this Agreement or any
transaction contemplated hereby, including without limitation, all principal,
interest, fees, expenses, costs, covenants, indemnities and the payment
described in Section 8.6.
"Operating Agreements" means operating agreements relating to the
Properties, including, without limitation, all those certain operating
agreements which relate to or arise from the Properties, pursuant to which
Borrower is or hereafter becomes the operator.
"Operating Expenses" means (a) direct lease operating expenses and well
maintenance expenses (such well maintenance expenses shall be limited to those
expenditures authorized to be made without additional approval under the
applicable operating agreements, not to exceed $350,000.00 in the aggregate net
to Subsidiary Borrower's interest, during any rolling twelve-month period),
which arise from Subsidiary Borrower's Working Interests in the wells that are
subject to the Mortgage, that are billed to Subsidiary Borrower by the Operator
or incurred by the Subsidiary Borrower, as Operator, of the Properties, and (b)
Subsidiary Borrower's Working Interest share of expenses incurred in the repair,
maintenance and replacement of damaged or obsolete Equipment.
"Operator" means any operators, including contract operators, of the
Properties (as such terms are generally understood in the oil and gas industry)
and as approved by Lender pursuant to Section 8.7 hereof.
"Parent Borrower" means Mallon Resources Corporation, a Colorado
corporation.
"Permitted Encumbrances" has the meaning given such term in the
Mortgage.
"Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership, association,
joint stock company, trust or trustee thereof, estate or executor thereof,
unincorporated organization or joint venture, court or governmental unit or any
agency or subdivision thereof, or any other legally recognizable entity.
"Properties" means those certain properties described in Exhibit A
attached hereto.
6
"Property Operating Statement" means the monthly statement, in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit B, to be prepared and delivered by Borrower to
Lender, pursuant to Section 7.1(f) hereof.
"Property Taxes" means taxes imposed annually on Borrower which are
based on or measured by the estimated value (at the time such taxes are
assessed) of any oil and gas situated within the Properties.
"Proved Developed Producing Reserves" means Proved Reserves that are
estimated to be recoverable by existing wells that are then capable of producing
such reserves.
"Proved Reserves" means the current estimated quantity of Hydrocarbons
which analysis of geologic and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable
certainty to be recoverable in the future from known oil and gas reservoirs
under existing economic and operating conditions based on either actual
production or conclusive formation tests.
"Purchasers of Hydrocarbons" means the Persons listed on Schedule
4.1(o) attached hereto, and all other Persons who, now or may in the future,
purchase Hydrocarbons attributable or allocable to Subsidiary Borrower's Working
Interest in the Properties.
"Repayment Date" means, prior to the satisfaction of all Obligations,
the thirtieth (30th) day of each month (except that February shall be on the
28th day), commencing November 2002.
"Reserve Report" means, unless specifically denoted otherwise, the
petroleum engineering report defined in Section 7.1(e) hereof.
"Scheduled Matters" has the meaning given that term in Section 2.1.
"Security Agreement" means a security agreement (Accounts, Equipment,
General Intangibles and Inventory) executed by Borrower as debtor in favor of
Lender as secured party dated as of the date hereof, in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender, as the same may be modified, amended or supplemented
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
"Security Documents" means the Mortgage and all other security
agreements, deeds of trust, mortgages, chattel mortgages, pledges, guaranties,
financing statements, continuation statements, extension agreements and other
agreements or instruments now, heretofore, or hereafter delivered by Borrower to
Lender in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby
to secure or guarantee the payment of any part of the Obligations.
"Severance Taxes" means taxes imposed on Hydrocarbons produced from a
well that are based on or measured by the amount or value of such production..
"Subsidiary" means for any Person any corporation of which more than
fifty percent (50%) of the issued and outstanding securities having ordinary
voting power for the election of directors is owned directly or indirectly, by
such Person and/or one or more of its subsidiaries.
"Subsidiary Borrower" means Mallon Oil Company, a Colorado corporation,
the wholly owned subsidiary of Parent Borrower.
"Swap Agreement" means: (a) any (i) interest rate or currency swap,
rate cap, rate collar, forward agreement and other exchange or rate protection
agreements or any option with respect to any such transaction and (ii) any swap
agreement, cap, collar, floor, exchange transaction, forward agreement or
exchange or protection agreement related to Hydrocarbons or any option with
respect to such transaction, as more specifically provided in those certain
master swap agreements on International Swap Dealers Association forms and the
schedules thereto and any confirmations thereunder which Borrower enters into
with or through Lender of even date herewith and any other confirmations which
Borrower may hereafter enter into with or through Lender.
"Swap Settlement Payables" means any settlement amounts payable by
Borrower under the terms of any executed Swap Agreement.
7
"Swap Settlement Proceeds" means any settlement amounts paid to
Borrower under the terms of any executed Swap Agreement.
"Tax Claim" means any claim by a taxing authority that Borrower owes
any amount of taxes of any kind other than claims for Severance Taxes and
Property Taxes.
"Title Opinions" means those certain title opinions addressed and
delivered to Borrower and Lender on or prior to the date of the Original Credit
Agreement, as the same may be or are required to be updated under this
Agreement, covering all of the Properties from inception.
"Unit" means a pooled unit or proration unit as designated by an
effective designation of unit, proration unit plan, or other instrument of
similar impact properly filed with the appropriate governmental authority.
"Universal Compression" means Universal Compression, Inc.
"Unmatured Event of Default" means any event or condition which would,
with the giving of any requisite notices and/or the passage of any requisite
periods of time, constitute an Event of Default, except to the extent waived by
Lender pursuant to Section 8.1 or 8.2.
"Wells" means those four wells to be spudded by September 30, 2002 and
drilled by Borrower between the date hereof and December 31, 2002, which are
further described on Schedule 1.1(b) hereto, or such other wells as agreed to by
Lender in its reasonable discretion.
"Working Interest" or "WI" have the meaning given such terms in the
Mortgage.
Section 1.2 Exhibits and Schedules. All exhibits and schedules attached to
this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof for
all purposes.
Section 1.3 Amendment of Defined Instruments. Unless the context otherwise
requires or unless otherwise provided herein, the terms defined in this
Agreement which refer to a particular agreement, instrument or document also
refer to and include all renewals, extensions, modifications, amendments and
restatements of such agreement, instrument or document; provided, that nothing
contained in this Section shall be construed to authorize any such renewal,
extension, modification, amendment or restatement.
Section 1.4 References and Titles. All references in this Agreement to
exhibits, schedules, articles, sections, subsections and other subdivisions
refer to the exhibits, schedules, articles, sections, subsections and other
subdivisions of this Agreement unless otherwise expressly provided. Section and
subdivision headings are for convenience only, do not constitute any part of
such Sections or subdivisions and shall be disregarded in construing the
language contained in such Sections or subdivisions. The words "this Agreement,"
"this instrument," "herein," "hereof," "hereby," "hereunder" and words of
similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
Sections or subdivisions unless expressly so limited. The phrases "this section"
and "this subsection" and similar phrases refer only to the Sections or
subsections hereof in which such phrases occur. The word "or" is not exclusive,
and the word "including" (in its various forms) means "including without
limitation." Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall be
construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall be
construed to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise
requires.
Section 1.5 Calculations and Determinations. All calculations pursuant to
the Loan Documents of fees and of interest shall be made on the basis of actual
days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last) and a year of 365
days. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein or Lender otherwise consents in
writing, all financial statements and reports to be furnished to Lender under
the Loan Documents shall be prepared and all financial computations and
determinations made pursuant to the Loan Documents, and with respect to the
financial statements, shall be made in accordance with GAAP.
8
ARTICLE II.
THE LOANS
Section 2.1 The Loans. As of the date of this Agreement, Lender has loaned
to Borrower the principal amount of $29,304,338 pursuant to the terms and
conditions of the Original Credit Agreement, which Loans remain outstanding, and
are subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Agreement, so long as no Unmatured Event of
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, other than
those disclosed on Schedule 2.1 attached hereto (the "Scheduled Matters"),
Lender shall:
(a) disburse to Aquila Merchant Services, Inc. ("AMS") on behalf of Borrower an
amount equal to $1,223,727 as consideration to AMS for the termination of the
ISDA Master Agreement dated September 9, 1999 between Parent Borrower and AMS
and the hedge agreements related thereto, and the ISDA Master Agreement dated
September 9, 1999 between Subsidiary Borrower and AMS and the hedge agreements
related thereto
(b) if Lender determines that Borrower should settle Borrower's current tax
dispute (the "Jicarilla Dispute") with the Jicarilla Apache Nation (the
"Nation"), advance to Borrower, or disburse to the Nation, $1,563,473.35, plus
accrued interest and penalties incurred subsequent to July 16, 2002 to settle
such Dispute (the "Jicarilla Dispute Advance"); and
(c) at the request of Borrower, after Lender has received an applicable AFE
acceptable to Lender in its reasonable discretion, advance to Borrower amounts
to cover costs incurred by Borrower in drilling the Wells (the "Drilling
Advance"). Lender shall make such advances to Borrower as such costs are
incurred by Borrower and documented to Lender. In no event shall the Drilling
Advance exceed the difference between $2,500,000 and the Jicarilla Dispute
Advance.
All disbursements to AMS, the Jicarilla Advance and the Drilling
Advance shall be deemed Loans to Borrower for purposes of this Agreement, and
shall be evidenced by the Advancing Note. The Interest Rate on the Advancing
Note shall be the Interest Rate defined herein and the final maturity date of
such Advancing Note shall be the Loan Termination Date. Other than its
obligations to make the advances and disbursements described in this Section
2.1, Lender shall have no obligation to make any other Loans or advances to
Borrower. All advances of Loans made by Lender to Borrower may be made to the
account of Parent Borrower or to such other account designated by Parent
Borrower on which Lender may agree, and each such Loan shall conclusively be
deemed to have been advanced jointly to Parent Borrower and Subsidiary Borrower.
Section 2.2 Use of Proceeds.
(a) Advances. Proceeds from the Jicarilla Dispute Advance shall be used by
Borrower only to pay the Nation to settle the Jicarilla Dispute. Proceeds from
the Drilling Advance shall be used by Borrower only to pay the costs and
expenses incurred by Borrower drilling the Wells between the date hereof and
December 31, 2002.
(b) Prohibited Uses. In no event shall funds from the Loans be used directly or
indirectly by Borrower, for any purpose not expressly permitted by the terms of
this Agreement, including, but not limited to, for personal, family, household
or agricultural purposes, or any other purpose not specifically described in
this Section 2.2.
Section 2.3 Repayment of the Loans. Borrower shall repay the Loans plus all
interest accrued thereon on or before the Loan Termination Date. If Borrower or
the shareholders of Parent Borrower enter into a Change of Control Agreement,
then on the COC Agreement Date, Borrower shall repay the entire outstanding
balance of the Advancing Note, all accrued, unpaid interest thereon and the
payment described in Section 8.6, and perform in full any Obligations
outstanding on such date
Section 2.4 Prepayment of the Loans. Borrower may prepay the Advancing Note
in whole or in part at any time, without premium or penalty, other than as
provided below. Any principal prepaid pursuant to this Section shall be in
addition to, and not in lieu of, all payments otherwise required to be
9
paid under the Loan Documents at the time of such prepayment. If Borrower
prepays the Advancing Note in its entirety and at the time of such prepayment,
Borrower or the Shareholders of Parent Borrower are not parties to a Change of
Control Agreement, and Borrower or the Shareholders of Parent Borrower do not
enter into a Change of Control Agreement within 105 days after such prepayment,
then Borrower shall not be obligated to make the payment to Lender described in
Section 8.6. If Borrower or the Shareholders of Parent Borrower enter into a
Change of Control Agreement within 105 days after Borrower has prepaid the
Advancing Note, and Borrower has not otherwise made the payment to Lender
described in Section 8.6, then Borrower shall make the payment described in
Section 8.6 on the COC Agreement Date.
Section 2.5 Interest. Between the date hereof and the Loan Termination
Date, interest shall accrue on the Loan at the Interest Rate, and shall be paid
by Borrower to Lender on the Loan Termination Date. Any principal, interest or
other amounts owed by Borrower to Lender pursuant to this Credit Agreement which
remain unpaid on the Loan Termination Date shall accrue interest at the Interest
Rate until paid in full.
Section 2.6 Mandatory Prepayment of the Loans. Borrower shall promptly pay
to Lender 100% of all proceeds from the sale of any assets of Borrower that
comprise any part of the Collateral (provided, however, that this provision is
subject to Section 7.2(a) and shall not be deemed to be a consent by Lender to
any such sale); except that Borrower shall not be obligated to pay to Lender any
such proceeds from Hydrocarbons sold by Borrower in the ordinary course of
business, or proceeds that are expended, within one hundred twenty (120) days
after the sale from which the proceeds arose, to acquire additional assets
acceptable to Lender that are added to the Collateral if the discounted present
value of the Proved Reserves attributable to such assets, determined in
accordance with Section 7.1(e), is at least equal to the proceeds paid to
acquire such assets. All proceeds of any such sale, less those excepted pursuant
to the preceding sentence, shall be immediately applied to repayment of the
Loans and accrued interest thereon.
ARTICLE III.
SECURITY
Section 3.1 Security. The Obligations are secured by the Collateral as set
forth in the various Security Documents concurrently or hereafter delivered by
Borrower, including a separate Deed of Trust, Mortgage, Security Agreement,
Financing Statement and Assignment of Production (the "Mortgage") executed by
Borrower in favor of Lender for each Property. Pursuant to the Loan Documents,
Borrower has granted to Lender a first mortgage lien on and a first priority
security interest in the Collateral, subject to Permitted Encumbrances.
Section 3.2 Perfection and Protection of Security Interests and Liens.
Borrower will from time to time deliver to Lender any security agreements,
financing statements, continuation statements, extension agreements, amendments,
confirmations and other documents, properly completed and executed (and
acknowledged when required) by Borrower in form and substance satisfactory to
Lender, which Lender requests for the purpose of perfecting, confirming,
protecting or establishing the priority of any Liens or other rights in the
Collateral securing any Obligations.
Section 3.3 Release of Collateral. Upon the payment in full by Borrower of
the entire outstanding principal balance of the Loans and all accrued, unpaid
interest due thereon, and the performance by Borrower of all other Obligations
under the Loan Documents that were to have been performed as of the date of such
payment, Lender shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Borrower, at
Borrower's expense, releases and satisfactions of all financing statements,
mortgages and other registrations of security with respect to the Collateral and
Borrower shall deliver to Lender a general release of all of Lender's
liabilities and obligations under the Loan Documents and an acknowledgment that
the same have been terminated.
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ARTICLE IV.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 4.1 Representations and Warranties of Borrower. To confirm Lender's
understanding concerning Borrower and Borrower's businesses, properties and
obligations, and to induce Lender to enter into this Agreement and to make the
Loans, each Borrower represents and warrants to Lender that:
(a) No Default. No event has occurred and is continuing which would constitute
an Event of Default or an Unmatured Event of Default other than, during the
period between the date of this Agreement and the Merger Termination Date, the
Scheduled Matters.
(b) Organization and Good Standing. Each Borrower is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of Colorado,
having all powers necessary to carry on its businesses and to enter into and
consummate the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents. Each Borrower is
duly qualified, in good standing, and authorized to do business in all other
jurisdictions wherein the character of the properties owned or held by it or the
nature of the business transacted by it makes such qualification necessary or
desirable. Subsidiary Borrower is qualified under applicable Bureau of Land
Management and Bureau of Indian Affairs regulations to act as Operator of the
Leases, where required.
(c) Capitalization: Compliance with Security Laws. Except as disclosed on
Schedule 4.1(c) and in Borrower's Public Reports: (i) Borrower is not subject to
any agreement under which there may become outstanding, nor are there currently
outstanding, any rights to purchase, or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for, any stock in Borrower including, but not limited to, options,
warrants or rights; (ii) Borrower is under no obligation (contingent or
otherwise) to purchase or otherwise acquire or retire any of its shares of
stock; and (iii) except as contemplated by this Agreement, there are no
agreements, understandings, plans or arrangements in existence which pertain to
the distribution rights, voting, sale or transfer of any shares of stock of
Borrower.
(d) Authorization. Borrower has taken all actions necessary to authorize the
execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and to authorize the consummation
of the transactions contemplated thereby and the performance of its obligations
thereunder. Borrower is duly authorized to borrow funds hereunder.
(e) No Conflicts or Consents. The execution and delivery by Borrower of the Loan
Documents, the performance of its obligations under the Loan Documents, and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the various Loan Documents does
not and will not (i) conflict with any provision of (a) any domestic or foreign
law, statute, rule or regulation, (b) the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
either Borrower, or (c) any agreement, judgment, license, order or permit
applicable to or binding upon Borrower, (ii) result in the acceleration of any
Debt owed by Borrower, or (iii) result in or require the creation of any Lien
upon any assets or properties of Borrower, except as expressly contemplated in
the Loan Documents. Except as expressly contemplated in the Loan Documents, no
consent, approval, authorization or order of, and no notice to or filing with,
any court or governmental authority or third party is required in connection
with the execution, delivery or performance by Borrower of any Loan Document or
to consummate any transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.
(f) Enforceable Obligations. This Agreement is, and the other Loan Documents
when executed and delivered by each Borrower will be, legal, valid and binding
obligations of such Borrower, enforceable in accordance with their terms except
as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws of
general application relating to the enforcement of creditors' rights or by
principles of equity applicable to the enforcement of creditors' rights
generally.
(g) Financial Statements. Attached hereto as Schedule 4.l(g) are, with respect
to Parent Borrower, Parent Borrower's unaudited financial statements as of June
30, 2002 (the "Financial Statements"). The Financial Statements present fairly
the financial condition of the Borrower as of the dates thereof and the results
of operations for the period then ended, and are in accordance with the books
and records of Borrower. There have been no material transactions other than in
the ordinary course of business since the date of the Financial Statements. As
of the date of the Financial Statements,
11
(i) Borrower has not had any material liabilities of any nature (matured or
unmatured, fixed or contingent) required to be provided for therein or described
in the notes thereto which were not provided for therein or described in the
notes thereto, (ii) all reserves established by Borrower and set forth therein
are adequate for the purposes for which they were established, and (iii) there
is no Indebtedness of Borrower to any shareholders or Affiliates of Borrower.
(h) Other Obligations and Restrictions. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.1(h),
Borrower has no outstanding Debt of any kind (including contingent obligations,
tax assessments, and forward or long-term commitments), other than Debt under
the Loan Documents, which is material to such Borrower and not disclosed in the
Financial Statements. No Tax Claim (other than the Jicarilla Dispute) or other
claim for past due Property Taxes or Severance Taxes exists. Borrower is not
subject to or restricted by any franchise, contract, deed, charter restriction
or other instrument or restriction which could have a Material Adverse Effect.
(i) Full Disclosure. No certificate, statement or other information delivered
herewith or heretofore by Borrower to Lender in connection with the negotiation
of this Agreement or in connection with any transaction contemplated hereby
contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material
fact known to Borrower necessary to make the statements contained herein or
therein not misleading as of the date made or deemed made. No facts are known to
Borrower that have not been disclosed to Lender in writing which could have a
Material Adverse Effect.
(j) Litigation. Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.1(j), there are no actions,
suits or legal, equitable, arbitrative or administrative proceedings pending, or
to the knowledge of Borrower threatened, against Borrower before any federal,
state, municipal or other court, department, commission, body, board, bureau,
agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, and there are no outstanding
judgments, injunctions, writs, rulings or orders by any such governmental entity
against Borrower.
(k) ERISA Liabilities. There are no ERISA Plans with respect to which Borrower
has any fixed or contingent liability, and Borrower is in compliance with ERISA
in all material respects.
(l) Names and Places of Business. Borrower has not during the preceding three
(3) years had, been known by or used any other company, trade or fictitious
name. The principal office and principal place of business of Borrower is set
forth in Section 11.3 hereof. Borrower does not now have and has not previously
had any other office or place of business, except as listed on Schedule 4.1(l).
Borrower is not and has not engaged in any business or activity other than the
acquisition, ownership, operation and development of the Properties, except that
until 1997, Borrower owned a majority of the stock of Laguna Gold Company, and
Borrower continues to own a substantial percentage of that company's stock.
(m) Unpaid Bills. Except as disclosed to Lender in Schedule 4.1(m) and except as
incurred in the ordinary course of business and which are not yet due, Borrower
has no knowledge of any unpaid bills with respect to improvements to any of the
Collateral which may give rise to mechanic's, materialman's or other similar
liens arising by operation of applicable law should such bills remain unpaid.
(n) Title. Subject to Permitted Encumbrances, (i) except as set forth in the
Title Opinions delivered by Borrower to Lender in connection with the Original
Credit Agreement, Subsidiary Borrower will have all beneficial rights, title and
interest in and to all production from or allocable to Subsidiary Borrower's
interest in the Properties and have the exclusive right to sell the same subject
to any right in the owners of royalty interest to take their royalty interest in
kind, and (ii) Subsidiary Borrower will have Defensible Title to the Properties,
the Equipment and to its other material properties and assets. The Collateral
will be owned by Subsidiary Borrower free and clear of any and all Liens, other
than Permitted Encumbrances and Liens listed on Schedule 4.1(n).
(o) Purchasers of Hydrocarbons. All of the Persons who purchase Hydrocarbons
produced from or allocated to the Properties, and the most recent address of
each such Persons as shown in Borrower's records, is set forth on Schedule
4.1(o) attached hereto.
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(p) Hydrocarbon Sales and Related Agreements. All existing agreements that are
binding on Borrower or the Properties and that are not terminable upon thirty
(30) days or less notice for the sale, purchase, gathering, transportation,
handling, processing, treating and/or storage of Hydrocarbons are described on
Schedule 4.1(p) attached hereto.
(q) Affiliates. Except for subsidiaries identified in Borrower's Public Reports,
Borrower does not have any other Affiliate or own any stock in any other
corporation or association. Borrower is not a member of any joint venture or
association of any type whatsoever.
(r) Omissions and Misstatements. To Borrower's knowledge after due inquiry, all
written data, reports and information which Borrower has supplied to Lender or
caused to be supplied by a third party on its behalf in connection with the
obtaining of the credit facility provided for in this Agreement or in connection
with the business transactions giving rise to Borrower's seeking such credit
are, taken as a whole, complete and accurate in all material respects and
contain no material omission or misstatement.
(s) Holding Company. The Borrower is not a "holding company" or a "subsidiary
company" of a "holding company" or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or a
"public utility" within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
1935, as amended.
(t) Investment Company. The Borrower is not an "investment company" within
the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
(u) Environmental and Other Laws. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.1(u), (i)
Borrower is conducting its business in material compliance with all applicable
federal, state or local laws, including Environmental Laws, and has been and is
in compliance with any licenses and permits required under any such laws which
affect or relate to the Collateral; (ii) none of the operations or properties of
Borrower is the subject of federal, state or local investigation evaluating
whether any material remedial action is needed to respond to a release of any
Hazardous Materials into the environment or to the improper storage or disposal
(including storage or disposal at offsite locations) of any Hazardous Materials;
(iii) Borrower has not filed or received any notice under any federal, state or
local law indicating that Borrower is or may be responsible for the improper
release into the environment, or the improper storage or disposal, of any
material amount of any Hazardous Materials or that any Hazardous Materials have
been improperly released, or are improperly stored or disposed of, upon the
Properties; and (iv) Borrower is not aware of contingent liability under any
Environmental Laws or in connection with the release into the environment, or
the storage or disposal, of any Hazardous Materials, upon the Properties.
Section 4.2 Employees. Except as disclosed in Borrower's Public Reports,
Borrower is not a party to any existing employment agreements, deferred
compensation, stock option, bonus, consulting or retirement agreements or plans,
or other employee benefit plans of any kind, including without limitation any
pension or welfare benefit plans with any employee of Borrower not terminable
at-will. Except as disclosed in Borrower's Public Reports, Borrower does not
maintain nor has it ever maintained an Employee Pension Benefit Plan as defined
in Section 3(a) of ERISA, or a multi employer plan as defined in Section 3(37)
of ERISA. To Borrower's knowledge, no employees of Borrower are represented by
any labor union or collective bargaining agreement, nor is any union
organization effort pending or threatened against Borrower.
ARTICLE V.
NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS
So long as any Obligations are owing to Lender under this Agreement or
any other Loan Documents, Borrower shall deliver to Lender or notify Lender, as
the case may be, of the following items:
Section 5.1 Notice of Unmatured Event of Default, Event of Default, and
Other Matters. Borrower shall notify Lender within five (5) Business Days after
becoming aware of the existence of any Unmatured Event of Default or Event of
Default under this Agreement which is not a Scheduled Matter or after becoming
aware of any developments or other information which may have a Material Adverse
Effect, including, without limitation, the following:
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(a) any dispute (including tax liability disputes) that may arise between
Borrower and any governmental regulatory body or law enforcement authority;
(b) the commencement of any litigation or proceeding at law or in equity against
Borrower or affecting Borrower (whether by the filing of a complaint, service of
process or by attachment or arrest of any asset), or any investigation or
proceeding before or by any administrative or governmental agency;
(c) any labor dispute or controversy resulting in or threatening to result in a
strike or work stoppage against Borrower;
(d) any proposal by any public authority to acquire any assets or business of
Borrower;
(e) the location of any Collateral other than at the places indicated in or as
permitted under the Loan Documents;
(f) any proposed or actual change of the name, identity or structure of
Borrower;
(g) any material loss or damage to any of Borrower's property, business or
operations;
(h) any environmental situation, circumstance or condition that causes or may
cause Section 4.1(u) to be false; or
(i) any other matter which has resulted or may result in a material adverse
change in the financial condition, operations or assets of Borrower.
Borrower shall provide Lender with telephonic and written notice
specifying and describing the nature of such Unmatured Event of Default, Event
of Default, development or information, and anticipated effect thereof, which
notice shall be given as soon as reasonably possible.
Section 5.2 Other Information. Borrower shall provide such other
information respecting the respective financial condition of Borrower or any
property of Borrower as Lender reasonably may request from time to time.
ARTICLE VI.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO EQUIPMENT
Section 6.1 Location: Records. Except in the ordinary course of business,
all Equipment owned by or on behalf of Borrower will be kept at its current
location, except as permitted by this Agreement or by the prior written consent
of Lender, and except that, so long as no Unmatured Event of Default or Event or
Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrower may dispose of Equipment
in accordance with the terms of the applicable operating agreements and may
dispose of obsolete, broken or worn Equipment, in either case without Lender's
consent, but upon prior written notice to Lender with respect to any such
disposition in a single transaction or series of related transactions that
involves Equipment that has a value in excess of $25,000.00; provided that the
proceeds of any such disposition shall either (i) be used to purchase
substantially similar Equipment to be used on the same Lease(s) from which the
sold Equipment was removed, or (ii) be delivered to Lender to be applied to the
Obligations in accordance with Section 2.5 on the next Repayment Date. Borrower
will at all times hereafter keep correct and accurate records itemizing and
describing the location, kind, type and condition of each item of Equipment that
has a book value of $10,000.00 or more and is currently owned or hereafter
acquired by Borrower, all of which records shall be available during Borrower's
usual business hours upon demand of any officer, employee, agent or
representative of Lender. To the best of Borrower's knowledge, Schedule 6.1
attached hereto sets forth true and correct information described in the
preceding sentence for all Equipment owned by Borrower as of the date hereof or
to be acquired by Borrower using proceeds of the Drilling Advance; provided,
however, that no later than October 31, 2002, Borrower shall deliver to Lender
an updated Schedule 6.1 which shall be true and correct and shall be certified
as such by the president, chief executive officer or vice president of each
Borrower. Any failure by Borrower to deliver
14
such Schedule shall constitute a representation, warranty and certification of
Borrower that Schedule 6.1 attached hereto as of the date hereof is true and
correct. Borrower shall not be required on the date of this Agreement to certify
pursuant to Section 9.1(e) the truth and correctness of Schedule 6.1 attached
hereto on this date.
Section 6.2 Maintenance. Borrower will keep all of its Equipment in a good
state of repair and good operating condition, will make all repairs and
replacements when and where necessary, will not waste or destroy it or any part
thereof, and will not be negligent in the care or use thereof. Borrower shall
repair and maintain all of its Equipment in a manner sufficient to continue the
operation of Borrower's business. Borrower shall use its Equipment in accordance
with law and the manufacturer's instructions.
Section 6.3 Dispositions. Where Borrower is permitted to dispose of any
Equipment under this Agreement or by consent thereto hereafter given by Lender,
Borrower shall do so in an arm's length transaction, in good faith and by
obtaining the maximum amount of recovery practicable therefor and without
impairing the operating integrity of its remaining Equipment or the Properties.
ARTICLE VII.
COVENANTS OF BORROWER
Section 7.1 Affirmative Covenants. Borrower warrants, covenants and agrees
that until full and final repayment of the Obligations and the termination of
each of the Loan Documents, it will comply with the following covenants:
(a) Payment and Performance. Borrower will pay all amounts due to Lender under
the Loan Documents in accordance with the terms thereof and, except to the
extent waived by Lender pursuant to Sections 8.1 and 8.2, will observe, perform
and comply with every covenant, term and condition expressed or implied in the
Loan Documents.
(b) Compliance with Tax Laws. Borrower shall comply with all federal, state or
local laws and regulations regarding the collection, payment and deposit of
employee' income, employment, and social security and sales and use taxes and
taxes related to royalty payments.
(c) Books, Financial Statements and Reports. Borrower will at all times maintain
full and accurate books of account and records and a standard system of
accounting and will furnish the following statements and reports to Lender at
Borrower's expense:
(i) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event
within one hundred (100) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, complete
audited financial statements of Parent Borrower, prepared in reasonable detail
in accordance with GAAP. These financial statements shall contain a balance
sheet as of the end of such Fiscal Year and statements of operations, of cash
flows, and of changes in shareholders' equity for such Fiscal Year, each setting
forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal
Year.
(ii) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, and in any event
within sixty (60) days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter, Parent Borrower's
balance sheet as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and statements of Parent
Borrower's operations and cash flows for the period from the beginning of the
then current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter, all in reasonable
detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject to changes resulting from
normal year-end adjustments.
(iii) Third Party Reports. As and when furnished, copies of all reports and
other information provided by any other Person to Borrower in connection with
the Loan Documents. Borrower may arrange for such reports and information to be
provided directly to Lender by the Person providing the same to Borrower.
(iv) Daily Field Activity Reports. Borrower shall provide Lender by
telecopy or e-mail, a daily report detailing all drilling, completions and
workovers from the preceding day with respect to the Properties in form and
substance satisfactory to Lender.
15
(v) AFE's. Borrower shall provide Lender with authorizations for all
material expenditures, representing an estimate of work to be done, each of
which, at Lender's request, shall be supported by appropriate invoices, bids,
estimates, contracts or other support (such authorization, together with such
support, an "AFE"), prior to commencing the activity contemplated by such AFE.
(d) Other Information and Inspections. Borrower will furnish to Lender any
information which Lender may from time to time request concerning any covenant,
provision or condition of the Loan Documents or any matter in connection with
the Borrower's assets, business and/or operations. Borrower will permit
representatives appointed by Lender (including independent accountants, agents,
attorneys, appraisers and any other Persons) to visit and inspect, during
reasonable business hours and upon prior written notice, any of Borrower's
property, including its books of account, other books and records, and any
facilities or other business assets, and to make extra copies therefrom and
photocopies and photographs thereof, and to write down and record any
information such representatives obtain, and Borrower shall permit Lender or its
representatives to investigate and verify the accuracy of the information
furnished to Lender in connection with the Loan Documents and to discuss all
such matters with its officers, employees and representatives. In addition,
Borrower will permit any such representatives appointed by Lender, at the risk
and expense of Lender or such representatives, to visit and inspect, during
reasonable hours and upon advance written notice, the Properties and other
Collateral. Lender agrees that it shall keep confidential any proprietary
information given to it by Borrower; provided, however, that this restriction
shall not apply to information which (i) is at the time in question publicly
available, (ii) is required to be disclosed by law or by any order, rule or
regulation (whether valid or invalid) of any court or governmental agency, or
authority, (iii) is disclosed to Lender's Affiliates, auditors, attorneys,
lenders or agents, or (iv) is disclosed in the course of the defense or
enforcement of the Loan Documents or the defense or enforcement of Lender's
exercise of its rights thereunder, provided that with respect to information
furnished to Persons identified in clause (iii) (except when furnished pursuant
to clause (iv)) such Person shall be subject to the foregoing confidentiality
obligations applicable to Lender; and provided, further, that with respect to
any such information of which a third party seeks disclosure pursuant to clause
(ii), Lender shall give Borrower written notice of such third party attempt to
require disclosure in order to afford Borrower the opportunity to pursue any
remedies that it may have to prevent or limit such disclosure.
(e) Reserve Reports. At the request of Lender, on or before each April 1 after
the date of this Agreement until the Loan Termination Date, Borrower shall cause
the preparation and delivery to Lender of petroleum engineering reports relating
to the Properties in a form satisfactory to Lender, and effective as of the
preceding December 31 (collectively, the "Reserve Reports" and individually, a
"Reserve Report"). Each Reserve Report required hereby shall be prepared by
mutually agreeable third-party engineers and shall be prepared at Borrower's
sole expense. Each Reserve Report shall set forth updated estimates of proved
developed producing reserves, proved developed non-producing reserves, proved
undeveloped reserves, projected production profiles and overall economics of the
Properties. The following shall apply to the Reserve Reports:
(i) The oil and gas price and discount rate assumptions shall comply with
the then-current applicable rules, regulations and guidelines of the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or any successor agency; and
(ii) Average lease operating expenses and production taxes shall be based
upon the Operator's best estimate and historical operating expenses, subject to
Lender's approval and the then-current applicable rules, regulations and
guidelines of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor agency.
Within 15 days after any request by Lender therefor, Borrower shall provide
to Lender an additional Reserve Report in which the oil and gas price
assumptions utilized in the preparation of such Reserve Report shall be the New
York Mercantile Exchange futures contract market prices (until the last month
for which there exists a futures contract and held flat thereafter at the price
for the last such month) at the effective date of the Reserve Report, adjusted
for (a) the then current (as of the effective date of the Reserve Report) basis
differential (between delivery point for the futures contract and the point of
sales delivery for the Property location) generally employed by Lender and
independent third parties making over-the-counter markets for oil and gas
commodities financial derivatives, (b) gathering, transportation
16
and processing fees applicable to the Hydrocarbons production (to the extent not
included as deductions in the Reserve Report for purposes of calculating net
operating revenues), and (c) MMBTU adjustments or other quality adjustments to
account for differences in the specifications for the futures contracts and the
quality of actual production from the Properties.
(f) Reports. Borrower shall prepare and deliver the Property Operating Statement
to Lender no later than the 20th day of each month. Such Property Operating
Statement shall detail Borrower's Gross Receipts, Operating Expenses, Direct
Taxes, royalties and overriding royalty interests with respect to each Property
relating to production and operations for the month prior to the immediately
preceding month, and shall include a detail of Borrower's general and
administrative costs and expenses for such immediately preceding month. The
first Property Operating Statement shall be delivered on October 20, 2002, which
will detail Gross Receipts and Expenses for the month of August 2002.
(g) Notice of Damage to Collateral. Borrower shall give Lender prompt written
notice of any destruction or substantial damage to any of the Collateral and of
the occurrence of any condition or event which has caused, or may cause,
material loss or depreciation in the value of any property subject to Lender's
Liens or the Mortgage.
(h) Maintenance of Licenses. Borrower shall maintain all licenses, permits,
charters and registrations which are required for the conduct of its business,
other than, during the period beginning on the date hereof and ending on the
Merger Termination Date, those licenses, permits, charters and registrations,
the failure to maintain of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(i) Maintenance of Rights. Borrower shall use its best efforts to perform, or
cause to be performed, all of the terms, conditions and covenants of the lessee
in the Leases comprising the Properties. Borrower will maintain, preserve,
protect and keep all of its contractual and property rights, and will not waive,
amend or release any such rights, other than as expressly permitted by the Loan
Documents, other than, during the period beginning on the date hereof and ending
on the Merger Termination Date, any of such acts as could not be reasonably
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(j) Maintenance of Existence and Qualifications. Borrower will maintain and
preserve its corporate existence and its rights and franchises in full force and
effect and will qualify and/or remain qualified to do business as a foreign
corporation in all states or jurisdictions where required by applicable law.
(k) Payment of Trade Debt. Borrower will (i) timely pay all taxes, assessments
and other governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income,
profits or property; (ii) in the ordinary course of business, and in any event
within not more than ninety (90) days after the same becomes due, pay all Debt
(other than the Obligations) owed by it; (iii) within thirty (30) days after the
date of this Agreement pay all trade debt listed on Schedule 4.1(m) that is more
than ninety (90) days overdue as of the date of this Agreement, and provide to
Lender within thirty-five (35) days after the date of this Agreement a
certificate of the President or Chief Financial Officer of Parent Borrower
listing all trade debt that was paid by Borrower during the thirty (30) day
period following the date of this Agreement; and (iv) maintain appropriate
accruals and reserves for all of the foregoing Debt in accordance with GAAP.
(l) Creditors. On or before the twentieth (20th) day of each month, along with
the delivery of the Property Operating Statement due on such day, Borrower shall
provide Lender with a statement showing the identity of Borrower's creditors,
the amount due to each and the date each payment is due thereunder. Borrower
shall notify Lender immediately if Borrower fails to make any payment to
lessors, suppliers, vendors, owners of royalty interest, tax authorities or
other Persons, where such nonpayment could result in any Lien against any item
of Collateral or otherwise interfere with or jeopardize performance by Borrower
of its obligations under the Loan Documents.
(m) Interest. Borrower hereby promises to pay interest to Lender pursuant to the
terms and at the rate stated in the Advancing Note on all Obligations (including
Obligations to pay fees or to
17
reimburse or indemnify Lender) after such Obligations become due. Borrower
further agrees that any interest which has accrued and is not paid when due
shall be added to and become part of the Loans.
(n) Compliance with Agreements and Law. Borrower will perform all material
obligations it is required to perform under the terms of the Loan Documents.
Borrower will conduct its business and affairs in compliance with all laws,
regulations and orders applicable thereto, including Environmental Laws.
(o) Insurance. Borrower shall keep or cause to be kept all of the Mortgaged
Properties (as that term is defined in the Mortgage) that are fixtures or
personal property insured for their replacement value by insurance companies
licensed to do business in the States in which the Mortgaged Properties are
located against loss or damage by fire or other risk usually insured against by
owners or users of similar properties in similar businesses under extended
coverage endorsement and against theft, burglary and pilferage, together with
other insurance covering such other hazards as Lender may from time to time
reasonably request, in amounts in accordance with industry standards and from
companies satisfactory to Lender. Borrower shall deliver the policy or policies
of such insurance or certificates of insurance to Lender on the date of this
Agreement, and such policies and all proceeds thereof shall be security for all
Obligations. All such insurance shall contain endorsements in form satisfactory
to Lender showing Lender as a loss payee and additional party insured as its
interest may appear; provided that Lender shall not be named as an additional
insured on the policies described in subpart (v) of this Section to the extent
such policies apply to vehicles. The following types of insurance covering the
Collateral and the interest and liabilities incident to the ownership,
possession and operation thereof shall be secured by Borrower:
(i) Worker's compensation insurance and employer's liability insurance
covering the employees of Borrower engaged in operations contemplated hereunder
in compliance with all applicable state and federal law and endorsed to provide
all states coverage and occupational disease coverage, as follows:
Workers Compensation Statutory
Employers Liability $500,000 Each Accident
$500,000 Disease Each Employee
(ii) Comprehensive general liability insurance with combined single limit
of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and endorsed to provide coverage for
explosion, collapse and underground damage hazards to property of others,
contractual liability, products and completed operations, and for damage to
underground resources, and accidental pollution, bodily injury and property
damage coverage in sufficient amounts to meet umbrella underlying requirements;
(iii) Comprehensive automobile liability insurance covering all owned,
hired or non-owned vehicles with a combined single limit of not less than
$500,000 per occurrence;
(iv) Excess umbrella liability insurance with a combined single limit of
not less than $20,000,000 per occurrence and policy aggregate; and
(v) Property insurance on a replacement value basis fully covering the
personal property and fixtures constituting the Gas Plant Assets.
During the period of the drilling of wells and the construction of any
other improvements comprising a part of the Collateral (as defined in the
Security Agreement), Borrower shall cause its contractors or subcontractors to
obtain and maintain worker's compensation insurance covering all persons
employed by Borrower's agents or subcontractors of any tier in connection with
any construction affecting the Collateral, including, without limitation, all
agents and employees of Borrower's subcontractors with respect to whom death or
bodily injury claims could be asserted against Borrower.
18
(p) Policy Counterparts or Certificates of Insurance. Borrower shall deliver to
Lender valid counterparts of all insurance policies and all endorsements thereto
(or, at its option, valid certificates of such insurance) which are required
hereunder to be obtained and maintained by Borrower.
(q) Prudent Operations. Borrower shall prudently develop, and cause the
Properties to be continuously operated and maintained to produce the output from
or allocable to such property in a good and workmanlike manner consistent with
prudent operator practices to maximize production from or allocable over the
productive life thereof.
(r) Hydrocarbon Production Swap Agreements. Borrower will from time to time,
upon thirty (30) days' notice by Lender, enter into one or more Hydrocarbon
price swaps pursuant to an approved Swap Agreement in form and substance
mutually satisfactory to Borrowers and Lender, such that up to 65% of the volume
of Proved Developed Producing Reserves scheduled to be produced during the
remaining term of the Loans (based upon the most recent Reserve Report) are
dedicated to the Swap Agreements or such other price risk management program as
approved by Lender. Borrower and Lender shall endeavor to agree upon a swap
strategy that will most accurately reflect the make-up and pricing of the
Hydrocarbons produced and sold by Borrower. The price component of any such
price swaps shall be determined following discussions between Borrower and
Lender regarding the appropriate index and basis differential for each point of
delivery, and following such discussions, Lender and Borrower shall implement
the price swaps(s) required by this Section on terms determined by Lender in a
commercially reasonable manner.
(s) Legal Fees. If the Merger is not consummated, Borrower will pay to Lender,
upon receipt of an invoice therefor, all reasonable legal fees and expenses
incurred by Lender in connection with this Agreement and the Loan Documents.
Borrower shall reimburse Lender for all recording fees in connection with the
Loan Documents, and for all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred in
connection with any subsequent amendment, mortgage, extension or renewal of any
Loan Document and all reasonable legal fees and expenses attributable to the
enforcement and administration of this Agreement and any of the Loan Documents.
(t) Changes to Purchasers of Hydrocarbons. Borrower shall deliver to Seller an
updated Schedule 4.1(o) reflecting any change to the information in that
Schedule necessary to make such schedule accurate. Borrower shall deliver such
updated Schedule within 5 Business Days after such change to the information has
occurred.
Section 7.2 Negative Covenants. Borrower warrants, covenants and agrees
that until the full and final repayment of the Obligations and the termination
of each of the Loan Documents:
(a) Limitation on Sales of Collateral. Borrower will not sell, transfer, lease,
exchange, alienate or dispose of any Collateral or any interest therein, except
for the sale of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business and/or other
sales to the extent pursuant to or as expressly allowed under this Agreement and
the Security Documents encumbering such Collateral.
(b) Compensation. The Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, enter into any
employment agreement or other arrangement with or for the benefit of an officer,
director or employee of the Borrower other than for reasonable compensation for
services as an officer, director or employee.
(c) Limitation on Credit Extensions. Borrower will not extend credit, make
advances or make loans to any Person other than in the ordinary course of
business, whether or not as Affiliate of Borrower.
(d) Certain Contracts; Amendments; ERISA Plans. Borrower will not amend or
permit any amendment to any contract or lease which releases, qualifies, limits,
makes contingent or otherwise detrimentally affects the rights and benefits of
Lender under or acquired pursuant to any Loan Documents. Borrower will not incur
any fixed or contingent obligation to contribute to any ERISA Plan.
(e) Indebtedness. Except for Permitted Encumbrances, Borrower shall not create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except Obligations to Lender
hereunder, or sell, discount or
19
factor their accounts, instruments, intangibles, leases or chattel paper;
provided, however, Borrower may incur Debt not to exceed $100,000 per
transaction and an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time
outstanding with regard to direct costs and expenses incurred in the operation
of the Properties.
(f) Liabilities. Except as expressly provided herein, Borrower shall not assume,
guaranty, or endorse or otherwise become directly or contingently liable in
connection with any other liability of any other Person except for the
indemnification contained herein; provided, however, that the foregoing shall
not prohibit the endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection
or incurrence of obligations under operating agreements and similar transactions
in the ordinary course of business. For the purposes hereof, "guaranty" shall
include any agreement, whether such agreement is on a contingency basis or
otherwise, to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire any obligation or
liability of any other Person, or to purchase, sell or lease, as lessee or
lessor, property or services in any such case primarily for the purpose of
enabling another Person to make payment of any such debt or liability, or to
make any payment (whether as a capital contribution, purchase of any equity
interest or otherwise) to assure a minimum equity, asset base, working capital
or other balance sheet or financial condition, in connection with Debt or
liability of another Person, or to supply funds to or in any manner invest in
another Person in connection with such Person's Debt or liability.
(g) Acquisition. Borrower shall not acquire or commit or agree to acquire any of
the stock, securities or other equity ownership of any other Person without
written consent of Lender, provided that such an acquisition may be made without
Lender's consent if such stock, securities and/or other equity ownership becomes
part of the Collateral and contemporaneously with its acquisition it is
subjected to Security Documents acceptable to Lender.
(h) Cancellation of Claims. Without Lender's written consent, Borrower shall not
cancel any claim or debt in excess of a total of fifty thousand dollars
($50,000) during the term of the Loans, except for reasonable consideration and
in the ordinary course of its business.
(i) Defaults. Borrower shall not cause a default under any lease, mortgage, deed
of trust or lien on real estate owned or leased by Borrower including an
Unmatured Event of Default or an Event of Default.
(j) Security Interests and Liens. Subject to Borrower's right to contest in good
faith or cure within 30 days of the filing of any Lien, Borrower shall not
suffer to exist any valid Lien, encumbrance, mortgage or security interest or
consent to the filing of any financing statements on any of its Property other
than the Liens created by the Loan Documents granted herein, Permitted
Encumbrances and, during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and
ending on the Merger Termination Date, Liens which, individually or
collectively, could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
(k) Creation of Subsidiary. Borrower shall not (i) create any direct or indirect
subsidiary, or divest itself of any material assets by transferring them to any
future subsidiary or by entering into a partnership, joint venture or similar
arrangement, or (ii) make any material change in its capital structure.
(l) Certain Changes. Borrower shall not transfer its principal office or its
registered offices outside of the State of Colorado or change its name or keep
Collateral at any location(s) other than those at which the same are presently
kept without written consent of Lender. Borrower shall not change its fiscal
year.
(m) Loan Documents. Borrower shall not alter, amend or cause the alteration or
amendment of any of the Loan Documents without the prior written consent of
Lender.
(n) Amendments to Formation Documents. Borrower shall not adopt any amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision of its Articles of Incorporation or
Bylaws.
(o) Disposition. Borrower shall not dedicate, sell, encumber or dispose of, or
suffer to exist any agreement for the sale, disposition or encumbrance of,
Subsidiary Borrower's Working Interest
20
and/or Net Revenue Interest in the Properties or of any Hydrocarbon production
attributable to Subsidiary Borrower's Working Interest and/or Net Revenue
Interest in the Properties except in the ordinary course of business.
(p) Investments. Without Lender's prior written consent, Borrower will not make,
or suffer to exist, any Investment except Investments in certificates of deposit
or other obligations of a bank or trust company having capital, surplus and
undivided profits of at least $100,000,000, obligations of the United States
government or any agency thereof, or investment grade commercial paper.
(q) Change of Management. No change shall be permitted to occur with regard to
the individuals who currently hold the positions of Chairman and President of
Parent Borrower, being Mr. George Mallon, or Senior Vice President of Subsidiary
Borrower, being Mr. Don Erickson, nor shall the powers or duties of such
officers of Parent Borrower be diminished by any amendment of the Articles or
Bylaws of Parent Borrower.
(r) Approved Overhead. Beginning in the month in which any Merger Termination
Date occurs, Borrower's general and administrative costs and expenses shall not
exceed three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) per month.
ARTICLE VIII.
FURTHER RIGHTS OF LENDER/LIMITED WAIVER
Section 8.1 Limited Waiver of Representations and Warranties . Until the
Merger Termination Date, Lender hereby waives the requirement herein that the
representations and warranties set forth in Sections 4.1(a) through (n), (q),
(r) and (u) and Section 4.2 (the "Waived Representations") be true and correct.
Upon the Merger Termination Date and thereafter, such waiver shall automatically
cease to be in effect, and the Waived Representations, and all other
representations and warranties of Borrower set forth in this Agreement, shall be
true and correct in all respects. On the Merger Termination Date, Borrower shall
deliver to Lender a certificate of the president, chief executive officer or a
vice president of each Borrower dated the Merger Termination Date, certifying
the truth and correctness of the representations and warranties of such Borrower
set forth in this Agreement and such Borrower's performance and compliance with
all agreements and covenants required by this Agreement, including, without
limitation, the Waived Covenants and the Waived Representations
Section 8.2 Limited Waiver of Covenants. Until the Merger Termination Date,
Lender hereby waives compliance by Borrower with the covenants set forth in
Sections 7.1(b), (e), (j), (k), (q), (r), and (s) and Sections 7.2(b) through
(i), (n), (p), (q) and (r) (the "Waived Covenants"). Upon the Merger Termination
Date and thereafter, such waiver shall automatically cease to be in effect, and
Borrower shall comply in all respects with the Waived Covenants, as well as with
each other covenant set forth in this Agreement.
Section 8.3 Maintenance of Security Interests. Until the Obligations are
repaid in full, Borrower, at its own expense, shall do all things and shall
deliver all instruments reasonably requested by Lender to protect or perfect any
security interest, mortgage or lien given hereunder or under any Security
Documents, including, without limitation, financing statements under the Uniform
Commercial Code. Lender may examine, inspect and copy or make extracts from all
books and records of Borrower at any time during regular business hours upon
prior notice to Borrower. Borrower authorizes Lender to execute alone any
financing statement or other documents or instruments that Lender may require to
perfect, protect or establish any lien or security interest hereunder or under
any Security Documents and further authorizes Lender to sign Borrower's name on
the same. Borrower hereby authorizes Lender, during the continuance of any Event
of Default, to appoint such Person or Persons as Lender may designate as its
agent and attorney-in-fact to endorse the name of Borrower on any checks, notes,
drafts or other forms of payment or security that may come into the possession
of either Lender or any Affiliate of Lender, to sign Borrower's name on invoices
or bills of lading, drafts against customers, notices of assignment,
verifications and schedules and, generally, to do all things necessary to carry
out this Agreement and the Security Documents. The powers granted herein, being
coupled with an interest, are irrevocable. Neither Lender nor the agent and
attorney-in-fact shall be liable for any act or omission, error in judgment or
mistake of law in connection with this Agreement or the Loan Documents, so long
as the same is not
21
malicious or grossly negligent; provided, however, that nothing in this
Agreement shall be deemed to limit or affect any liability Lender may have under
any other agreement to which it may be a party with Borrower. Upon payment and
performance of all Obligations of Borrower to Lender, such power of attorney
will become null and void.
Section 8.4 Performance of Obligations. In the event that Borrower fails to
purchase or maintain insurance in accordance with the requirements of this
Agreement, or to pay any tax, assessment, government charge or levy, except as
the same may be otherwise permitted hereunder, or in the event that any lien,
encumbrance or security interest prohibited hereby shall not be paid in full or
discharged, or in the event that Borrower shall fail to perform or comply with
any other covenant, promise or Obligation to Lender hereunder or under any Loan
Document, Lender may, but shall not be required to, perform, pay, satisfy,
discharge or bond the same for the account of Borrower, and all monies so paid
by Lender, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and
disbursements, shall be treated as an additional Obligation of Borrower to
Lender hereunder and under the Loan Documents.
Section 8.5 Access to Collateral. Lender may examine and inspect the
Collateral and may examine, inspect and copy all books and records with respect
thereto or relevant to the Obligations during Borrower's normal business hours
upon prior written notice to Borrower. Upon prior written notice to Borrower,
Lender may discuss with Borrower's officers, independent accountants and other
Persons, and such Persons are hereby authorized to discuss with Lender,
Borrower's business, assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of
operations and business prospects, and Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes
Lender to obtain from such Persons maintaining any such records, any service
records relating to Borrower or any of the Collateral subject to Lender's
security interest or Lien. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, Lender may (i) enter Borrower's premises at any time; and (ii)
until it completes the enforcement of its rights in the Equipment or other
Collateral subject to its security interest or lien hereunder and the sale or
other disposition of any property subject thereto, take possession of such
premises without charge, rent or payment therefor, or place custodians in
control thereof, remain on such premises and use the same and any of Borrower's
Equipment and other Collateral for the purpose of completing any work in
process, preparing any Collateral for disposing of or collecting any Collateral.
Section 8.6 Repayment Upon Change of Control Agreement . If Borrower or
shareholders of Parent Borrower enter into any Change of Control Agreement, then
on the COC Agreement Date, Borrower shall pay to Lender $2,898,000 in addition
to, and contemporaneously with, Borrower's full and final payment and
performance of all of Borrower's Obligations.
Section 8.7 Removal and Appointment of Operator. Lender shall, in its
reasonable discretion, have the right to approve or disapprove any action taken
by Borrower to resign as Operator of any of the Properties, or to appoint,
remove or replace the Operator of any of the Properties.
Section 8.8 Set-Off Rights. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance
of an Event of Default, Lender shall have the right to set-off and apply against
the Obligations in such manner as Lender may determine, at any time to Borrower,
any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final)
or other sums at any time credited by or owing from Lender or any depositary to
Borrower whether or not the Obligations are then due, except for any amounts
owing to third-party Working Interest and Royalty Interest holders of which the
Lender shall have been notified. Lender shall provide notice to Borrower not
later than five (5) days following any application of such funds. As further
security for the Obligations, Borrower hereby grants to Lender a security
interest in all money, instruments, and other property of Borrower now or
hereafter held by Lender, including, without limitation, property held in
safekeeping. In addition to Lender's right of set-off and as further security
for the Obligations, Borrower hereby grants to Lender a security interest and
lien in all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final)
and other accounts of Borrower now or hereafter on deposit with or held by
Lender or any depositary and all other sums at any time credited by or owing
from Lender or any depositary to Borrower. The rights and remedies of Lender
hereunder are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without
limitation, other rights of set-off) which Lender may have.
Section 8.9 Joint and Several Liability of Borrowers. Each Borrower shall
be jointly, severally and primarily liable for the payment and performance of
all Obligations of Borrower hereunder.
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When and if Lender exercises any of its rights or remedies under this Agreement
or any other Loan Document, it may do so against both Borrowers jointly, against
both Borrowers pursuing different rights or remedies with respect to each,
and/or against either Borrower, without pursuing any rights or remedies against
the other. Should either Borrower become insolvent or seek protection under the
federal Bankruptcy Code or other similar law of any jurisdiction or have an
involuntary proceeding filed against it pursuant to the federal Bankruptcy Code
or other similar law of any jurisdiction while the other Borrower is not
insolvent and not subject to any such bankruptcy proceeding, the parties hereby
agree that the pendency of the insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings relating to
one such Borrower shall not stay or otherwise impede the right of Lender to
pursue its rights and remedies against the other Borrower, and should any legal
proceeding involving Lender and both Borrowers be initiated by any such party at
a time when one of the Borrowers, but not the other, is insolvent or subject to
a bankruptcy proceeding, each Borrower hereby stipulates, agrees and hereby
confesses a judgment that Lender shall have the absolute right to have the
action(s) involving Lender and the Borrower that is not insolvent or subject to
a bankruptcy proceeding severed from the action(s) involving Lender and the
Borrower that is insolvent or subject to such bankruptcy proceeding.
ARTICLE IX.
CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF AGREEMENT
Section 9.1 Conditions. As conditions to the effectiveness of this
Agreement, Borrower shall have delivered to Lender the following documents duly
executed and in form and substance satisfactory to Lender:
(a) multiple counterparts of this Agreement;
(b) an Advancing Note executed by Borrower reflecting the terms of this
Agreement, to replace the Advancing Note currently evidencing the Obligations;
(c) a certificate of the secretary or assistant secretary of each Borrower dated
the date of this Agreement, certifying the incumbency of its officers executing
this Agreement and any other documents required hereby and certifying
resolutions adopted by the board of directors of each Borrower authorizing each
Borrower's execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Loan Documents;
(d) a certificate of the president, chief executive officer or a vice president
of each Borrower dated the date of this Agreement, certifying the truth and
correctness of the representations and warranties of such Borrower set forth in
this Agreement (to the extent not waived by Lender pursuant to Section 8.1) and
such Borrower's performance and compliance with all agreements and covenants
required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with (to the extent not
waived by Lender pursuant to Section 8.2);
(e) except as otherwise provided in Section 6.1, a certificate of the president,
chief executive officer or a vice president of each Borrower dated the date of
this Agreement, certifying the truth and correctness of all Schedules attached
to this Agreement;
(f) evidence that Borrower has obtained insurance in accordance with Sections
7.1(o) and (p) hereof; and
(g) such other documents and instruments as Lender may reasonably request.
Section 9.2 Conditions Precedent to Funding of Loans. Lender shall not make
any Loan available unless the following conditions precedent have been
satisfied:
(a) There is no Event of Default, Unmatured Event of Default or Tax Claim under
this Agreement, the Mortgage or any other Loan Document, other than the
Scheduled Matters and the Jicarilla Dispute;
(b) Except to the extent waived by Lender pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof, all of
Borrower's representations and warranties made in any Loan Document shall be
true and correct in all
23
material respects as if made on the date of such loan (except to the extent that
the facts upon which such representation are based have been changed by the
extension of credit hereunder);
(c) Except to the extent waived by Lender pursuant to Section 8.2 hereof,
Borrower shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all
agreements and conditions in the Loan Documents which are required to be
performed or complied with by it on or prior to the date of such Loans;
(d) No law, regulation, order, judgment or decree of any governmental authority
is in effect or pending which shall enjoin, prohibit or restrain such loan or
impose, or result in the imposition of, any adverse condition upon Lender; and
(e) Lender shall have received all documents and instruments which Lender has
then reasonably requested as to, (i) the correctness and validity of or
compliance with all representations, warranties and covenants made by any Person
in any Loan Document, (ii) the satisfaction of all conditions contained herein
or therein, and (iii) all other matters pertaining hereto and thereto. All such
additional documents and instruments shall be satisfactory to Lender (in
reasonable exercise of its discretion) in form, substance, and date.
ARTICLE X.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
Section 10.1 Events of Default. Each of the following events constitutes an
Event of Default under this Agreement:
(a) Borrower fails to pay any Obligation for principal or interest owing under
the Advancing Note when the same is due and payable, whether at a date for the
payment of a fixed installment or as a contingent or other payment becomes due
and payable or as a result of acceleration or otherwise;
(b) Any Loan Document at any time ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable
against Borrower for any reason other than its release or subordination made
with the consent of Lender, and such cessation is not remedied in full within
thirty (30) days after Borrower receives notice thereof;
(c) Except to the extent waived by Lender pursuant to Section 8.2 hereof,
Borrower fails (other than as referred to in subsections (a) or (b) above) to
duly observe, perform or comply with any covenant, agreement, condition or
provision of any Loan Document, and such failure is not remedied within thirty
(30) days after the time at which Borrower receives notice from Lender or
otherwise knows or should have known of such failure;
(d) Except to the extent waived by Lender pursuant to Section 8.1 hereof, any
representation or warranty previously, presently or hereafter made in writing by
or on behalf of Borrower in connection with any Loan Document shall prove to
have been false or incorrect in any material respect on any date on or as of
which made;
(e) Any Lien(s) against the Mortgaged Property resulting from a Tax Claim or any
other Lien against the Mortgaged Property for $500,000 or more, individually or
collectively, are asserted, and such Lien(s) are not withdrawn, stayed, vacated,
bonded, paid or otherwise disposed of within thirty (30) days thereafter;
(f) Subject to Permitted Encumbrances, Lender shall at any time not have a
perfected first priority security interest and/or Lien on all or any part of the
Collateral;
(g) Subsidiary Borrower's Working Interest and/or Net Revenue Interest on the
Properties is decreased from those set forth in Exhibit A to the Mortgage
without the prior written consent of Lender;
24
(h) Borrower:
(A) has entered against it a judgment, decree or order for relief by a
court of competent jurisdiction in an involuntary proceeding commenced under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law of any jurisdiction now
or hereafter in effect, including the federal Bankruptcy Code, as from time to
time amended, or has any such proceeding commenced against it which remains
undismissed for a period of sixty (60) days; or
(B) commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
or similar law now or hereafter in effect, including the federal Bankruptcy
Code, as from time to time amended; or applies for or consents to the entry of
an order for relief in an involuntary case under any such law; or makes a
general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or fails generally to pay (or
admits in writing its inability to pay) debts as such debts become due; or takes
corporate or other action to authorize any of the foregoing; or
(C) suffers the appointment of or taking possession by a receiver,
liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of
all or a substantial part of its assets or of any part of the Collateral in a
proceeding brought against or initiated by it, and such appointment or taking
possession is neither made ineffective nor discharged within sixty (60) days
after the making thereof, or such appointment or taking possession is at any
time consented to, requested by or acquiesced to by it; or
(D) suffers the entry against it of a judgment for the payment of money in
excess of $500,000, unless: (i) the same is discharged within thirty (30) days
after the date of entry thereof, (b) an appeal or appropriate proceeding for
review thereof is taken within such period and a stay of execution pending such
appeal is obtained, or (c) the judgment is covered by insurance and the
insurance company has accepted liability therefor; or
(E) suffers a writ or warrant of attachment or any similar process to be
issued by any court against all or any substantial part of its assets or any
part of the Collateral, and such writ or warrant of attachment or any similar
process is not stayed or released within sixty (60) days after the entry or levy
thereof or after any stay is vacated or set aside; or
(F) fails to pay any Indebtedness in excess of $150,000 (other than
Indebtedness hereunder) or any interest or premium thereon, when due (whether at
scheduled maturity or by acceleration, demand or otherwise) and such failure
shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the
agreement or instrument relating to any such Indebtedness or any other event
shall occur and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any,
specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such default or
event is to accelerate or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such
Indebtedness (in excess of $150,000), or if, as the result of such a default,
any such Indebtedness (in excess of $150,000) shall be declared to be due and
payable, or is required to be prepaid, prior to the stated maturity thereof; or
(G) fails to perform its obligations under any Swap Agreement and such
failure continues beyond any applicable grace period set forth therein.
Section 10.2 Acceleration.
(a) Automatic Acceleration. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described
in subsection (i)(A), (i)(B) or (i)(C) of Section 10.1, all of the Obligations
shall thereupon be immediately due and payable, without demand, presentment,
notice of demand or of dishonor and nonpayment, protest, notice of protest,
notice of intention to accelerate, declaration or notice of acceleration, or any
other notice or declaration of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived by Borrower and each obligor who at any time ratifies or approves this
Agreement. After any acceleration under this subsection, any obligation of
Lender to make any further Loans or advances of any kind under any Loan Document
shall at the option of Lender be permanently terminated.
(b) Partial Acceleration. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any
Event of Default described in subsection (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) of Section
10.1 with respect to any
25
Obligation owing or Loan Document executed in connection thereto, Lender at any
time and from time to time may, without notice to Borrower, except as may
otherwise be required hereunder, declare any and all such Obligations
immediately due and payable, without demand, presentment, notice of demand or of
dishonor and nonpayment, protest, notice of protest, notice of intention to
accelerate, declaration or notice of acceleration, or any other notice or
declaration of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Borrower;
provided, however, that, notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to
the contrary, during the period from the date of this Agreement through the
Merger Termination Date, Lender shall not accelerate the Obligations if an Event
of Default occurs solely as a result of Borrower's failure to give notices to
Lender required under Section 5.1 or Section 7.1(c), so long as such notice
would not have given Lender information that would have reflected that there had
been or might be a Material Adverse Effect. Nothing herein shall be deemed to
limit or modify any obligations Borrower may have to give notices to Lender
under any other agreement to which Borrower and Lender are a party.
(c) Tax Claims. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default described in subsection (e) of Section 10.1 with respect to any Tax
Claim(s) of $500,000.00 or more, individually or collectively, Lender may at any
time and from time to time and without notice to Borrower, except as may
otherwise be required hereunder, declare any or all of the Obligations
associated with such Tax Claims (or which Lender in its reasonable discretion
believes will be likely to become associated with such Tax Claims or any similar
future Tax Claims) immediately due and payable, and all such Obligations shall
thereupon be immediately due and payable, without demand, presentment, notice of
demand or of dishonor and nonpayment, protest, notice of protest, notice of
intention to accelerate, declaration or notice of acceleration, or any other
notice or declaration of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by
Borrower.
(d) Other Acceleration. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any
Event of Default not described in the preceding subsections (a), (b) or (c) of
this Section 10.2, Lender may at any time and from time to time and without
notice to Borrower, except as may otherwise be required hereunder, declare any
or all of the Obligations immediately due and payable, and all such Obligations
shall thereupon be immediately due and payable, without demand, presentment,
notice of demand or of dishonor and nonpayment, protest, notice of protest,
notice of intention to accelerate, declaration or notice of acceleration, or any
other notice or declaration of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived by Borrower.
Section 10.3 Remedies. If any Event of Default shall occur and be
continuing (other than the Scheduled Matters during the period commencing on the
date hereof and ending on the Merger Termination Date), Lender's obligation to
make any Loan(s) shall be suspended, and Lender may protect and enforce its
rights under the Loan Documents by any appropriate proceedings, including
proceedings for specific performance of any covenant or agreement contained in
any Loan Document, and Lender may enforce the payment of any Obligations due or
enforce any other legal or equitable right. All rights, remedies and powers
conferred upon Lender under the Loan Documents shall be deemed cumulative and
not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or powers available under the Loan
Documents or at law or in equity. If any Unmatured Event of Default shall occur
and be continuing, Lender's obligation to make any Loans shall be suspended,
except as expressly provided to the contrary herein, so long as any such
Unmatured Events of Default or resulting Event of Default is continuing.
Section 10.4 Indemnity. Except to the extent expressly provided otherwise
in another Loan Document, Borrower agrees to indemnify Lender, upon demand, from
and against any and all liabilities, obligations, claims, losses, damages,
penalties, fines, actions, judgments, suits, settlements, costs, expenses or
disbursements (including reasonable fees of attorneys, experts and advisors) of
any kind or nature whatsoever (in this Section collectively called "liabilities
and costs") which to any extent (in whole or in part) may be imposed on,
incurred by or asserted against Lender growing out of, resulting from or in any
other way associated with any of the Collateral, the Loan Documents or the
transactions and events including the enforcement or defense thereof at any time
associated therewith or contemplated therein (including any violation or
noncompliance with any Environmental Laws by any Person or any liabilities or
duties of any Person with respect to Hazardous Materials found in or released
into the environment); provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to
require any indemnification by Borrower of liabilities and costs of Lender in
connection with the Merger or Merger Agreement, which indemnity obligations
shall be governed solely by the Merger Agreement. THE FOREGOING INDEMNIFICATION
26
SHALL APPLY WHETHER OR NOT SUCH LIABILITIES AND COSTS ARE IN ANY WAY OR TO ANY
EXTENT CAUSED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY ANY NEGLIGENT ACT OR OMISSION OF ANY KIND
BY LENDER PROVIDED ONLY THAT NO PERSON SHALL BE ENTITLED UNDER THIS SECTION TO
RECEIVE INDEMNIFICATION FOR THAT PORTION, IF ANY, OF ANY LIABILITIES AND COSTS
WHICH IS CAUSED BY SUCH PERSON'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT. As used
in this Section the term "Lender" shall refer not only to the Person designated
as such in Section 1.1, but also to its lender(s) and members and, with respect
to each of the foregoing, each director, officer, agent, attorney, employee,
representative and Affiliate of such Person.
Section 10.5 Forbearance. So long as no new Event of Default or Unmatured
Event of Default occurs or becomes known to Lender subsequent to the date
hereof, Lender shall forbear through the Loan Termination Date from the exercise
of the remedies otherwise available to it under this Agreement and/or the other
Loan Documents due to any Current Default; provided, however, that Lender is not
hereby waiving any such Current Default. Upon the Merger Termination Date,
Lender shall no longer be obligated to forbear from exercising any remedies it
may have hereunder in connection with any Current Default. Nothing herein shall
be deemed to affect or limit Lender's rights to exercise its remedies at any
time with respect to any Event of Default other than the Scheduled Matters.
ARTICLE XI.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 11.1 Waivers and Amendments; Acknowledgments and Admissions.
(a) Waivers and Amendments. No failure or delay (whether by course of conduct or
otherwise) by Lender in exercising any right, power or remedy which Lender may
have under any of the Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof or of any
other right, power or remedy, nor shall any single or partial exercise by Lender
of any such right, power or remedy preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or of any other right, power or remedy. No waiver of any provision of
any Loan Document and no consent to any departure therefrom shall ever be
effective unless it is in writing and signed by Lender, and then such waiver or
consent shall be effective only in the specific instances and for the purposes
for which given and to the extent specified in such writing. No notice to or
demand on Borrower shall in any case of itself entitle Borrower to any other or
further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. This Agreement and
the other Loan Documents set forth the entire understanding and agreement of the
parties hereto and thereto with respect to the transactions contemplated herein
and therein and supersede all prior discussions and understandings with respect
to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and no modification or amendment of or
supplement to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be valid or
effective unless the same is in writing and signed by the party against whom it
is sought to be enforced.
(b) Acknowledgments and Admissions. Borrower hereby represents, warrants and
acknowledges that (i) it has been advised by counsel in the negotiation,
execution and delivery of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, (ii) it has
made independent decisions to enter into this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents to which it is a party, without reliance on any representation,
warranty, covenant or undertaking by Lender, whether written, oral or implicit,
other than as expressly set out in this Agreement or in another Loan Document
delivered on or after the date hereof, (iii) there are no representations,
warranties, covenants, undertakings or agreements by Lender to Borrower as to
the Loan Documents except as expressly set out in this Agreement or in another
Loan Document delivered on or after the date hereof, (iv) Lender owes no
fiduciary duty to Borrower with respect to any Loan Document or the transactions
contemplated thereby, (v) the relationship pursuant to the Loan Documents
between Borrower, on one hand, and Lender, on the other hand, is and shall be
solely that of debtor and creditor, respectively, (vi) no partnership or joint
venture exists with respect to the Loan Documents between Borrower and Lender,
(vii) should an Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default occur or exist
Lender will determine in its sole discretion and for its own reasons what
remedies and actions it will or will not exercise or take at that time, (viii)
without limiting any of the foregoing, Borrower is not relying upon any
representation or covenant by Lender, or any representative thereof, and no such
representation or covenant has been made, that Lender will, at the time of an
Event of Default or Unmatured Event of Default, or at any other time, waive,
negotiate, discuss or take or refrain from taking any action permitted under the
Loan Documents with respect to any such Event of Default or Unmatured Event of
Default or
27
any other provision of the Loan Documents, and (ix) Lender has relied
upon the truthfulness of the acknowledgments in this Section in deciding to
execute and deliver this Agreement and to make the Loans.
THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR,
CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.
THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
Section 11.2 Survival of Agreements: Cumulative Nature. Lender may assign
and/or transfer its rights and privileges under the Loan Documents at any time
and from time to time, including, but not limited to, any collateral assignment
to secure any Indebtedness of Lender to any other Person. Any assignee of any of
Lender's rights under any of the Loan Documents shall be subrogated to any
related rights and remedies that Lender may exercise against Borrower. All of
the various representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of Borrower in
the Loan Documents shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and the performance hereof and thereof, including
the making or granting of the Loans and the delivery of the Advancing Note and
the other Loan Documents, and shall further survive until all of the Obligations
are paid in full to Lender and all of Lender's obligations to Borrower are
terminated. The representations, warranties and covenants made by Borrower in
the Loan Documents, and the rights, powers and privileges granted to Lender in
the Loan Documents, are cumulative, and, except for expressly specified waivers
and consents, no Loan Document shall be construed in the context of another to
diminish, nullify or otherwise reduce the benefit to Lender of any such
representation, warranty, covenant, right, power or privilege. In particular and
without limitation, no exception set out in this Agreement to any
representation, warranty or covenant herein contained shall apply to any similar
representation, warranty or covenant contained in any other Loan Document, and
each such similar representation, warranty or covenant shall be subject only to
those exceptions which are expressly made applicable to it by the terms of the
various Loan Documents.
Section 11.3 Notices. All notices, requests, consents, demands and other
communications required or permitted under any Loan Document shall be in
writing, unless otherwise specifically provided in such Loan Document, and shall
be deemed sufficiently given or furnished if delivered by personal delivery, by
telecopy, by delivery service with proof of delivery or by registered or
certified United States mail, postage prepaid, (unless changed by similar notice
in writing given by the particular Person whose address is to be changed). Any
such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been given (a) in the case
of personal delivery or delivery service, as of the date of delivery at the
address and in the manner provided herein, (b) in the case of telecopy, upon
receipt, or (c) in the case of registered or certified United States mail three
(3) business days after deposit in the mail.
For delivery to: Mallon Resources Corporation
Attention: Mr. George O. Mallon, Jr.
999 18th Street, Suite 1700
Denver, Colorado 80202
Phone No.: (303) 293-2333
Telecopy No.: (303) 293-3601
with copies to: Holme Roberts & Owen, L.L.P.
Attention: Mr. Thomas A. Richardson
1700 Lincoln Street, Suite 4100
Denver, Colorado 80203-4541
Phone No.: (303) 866-0413
Telecopy No.: (303) 866-0200
For delivery to: Black Hills Corporation
Attention: Mr. David R. Emery
P.O. Box 1400 (57709-1400)
625 Ninth Street
Rapid City, South Dakota 57701
Phone No.: (605) 721-1700
Telecopy No.: (605) 721-2549
28
with copies to: Holland & Hart LLP
Attention: Katherine A. LeVoy
555 Seventeenth St., Suite 3200
Denver, Colorado 80202
Phone No.: (303) 295-8242
Telecopy No.: (303) 295-8261
Black Hills Corporation
Attention: Steven J. Helmers, General Counsel
P.O. Box 1400 (57709-1400)
625 Ninth Street
Rapid City, South Dakota 57701
Phone No: (605) 721-1700
Fax: (605) 721-2550
All notices and other communications from Lender to Borrower hereunder shall be
deemed effectively given or made to each Borrower if given to the Parent
Borrower. All notices and other communications from Borrower to Lender hereunder
shall be give or made by Parent Borrower on behalf of each Borrower, and Lender
shall have no obligation to respond to, or otherwise be bound by any notice or
communication received by it solely from the Subsidiary Borrower.
Section 11.4 Parties in Interest; Transfers. All grants, covenants and
agreements contained in the Loan Documents shall bind and inure to the benefit
of the parties thereto and their respective successors and assigns; provided,
however, that Borrower shall not assign or transfer any of its rights or
delegate any of its duties or obligations under any Loan Document without the
prior written consent of Lender which shall not unreasonably be withheld. Lender
may assign or transfer any of its rights or delegate any of its duties or
obligations under any Loan Document to any third party (including Affiliates of
Lender) that has a credit rating by Standard & Poors that is as good as or
better than Standard & Poors' credit rating of Lender. Nothing expressed or
referred to in this Agreement shall be construed to give any Person other than
the parties to this Agreement any legal or equitable right, remedy, or claim
under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement. This
Agreement and all of its provisions and conditions are for the sole and
exclusive benefit of the parties to this Agreement and their successors and
assigns.
Section 11.5 Governing Law; Submission to Process. Except to the extent
that the law of another jurisdiction is expressly elected in a Loan Document,
the Loan Documents shall be deemed contracts and instruments made under the laws
of the State of Colorado and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with
and governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to principles
of conflicts of law. This Agreement has been entered into in Denver, Colorado
and shall be performable for all purposes in Denver, Colorado. Courts within the
State of Colorado shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any and all disputes
between Borrower and Lender, whether in law or equity, including, but not
limited to, any and all disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement or
any other Loan Document; and venue in any such dispute whether in federal or
state court shall be laid in the City and County of Denver, Colorado.
Section 11.6 Limitation on Interest. Lender, Borrower and any other parties
to any Loan Documents intend to contract in strict compliance with applicable
usury law from time to time in effect. In furtherance thereof, the parties
stipulate and agree that none of the terms and provisions contained in the Loan
Documents shall ever be construed to create a contract to pay, for the use,
forbearance or detention of money, interest in excess of the maximum amount of
interest permitted to be charged by applicable law from time to time in effect.
Neither Borrower nor any present or future guarantors, endorsers or other
Persons hereafter becoming liable for payment of any Obligation shall ever be
liable for unearned interest thereon or shall ever be required to pay interest
thereon in excess of the maximum amount that may be lawfully charged under
applicable law from time to time in effect, and the provisions
29
of this Section shall control over all other provisions of the Loan Documents
which may be in conflict or apparent conflict herewith. Lender expressly
disavows any intention to charge or collect excessive unearned interest or
finance charges in the event the maturity of any Obligation is accelerated. If
(a) the maturity of any Obligation is accelerated for any reason, (b) any
Obligation is prepaid and as a result any amounts held to constitute interest
are determined to be in excess of the legal maximum, or (c) Lender or any other
holder of any or all of the Obligations shall otherwise collect moneys which are
determined to constitute interest which would otherwise increase the interest on
any or all of the Obligations to an amount in excess of that permitted to be
charged by applicable law then in effect, then all such sums determined to
constitute interest in excess of such legal limit shall, without penalty, be
promptly applied to reduce the then outstanding principal of the related
Obligations or, at Lender's or such holder's option, promptly returned to
Borrower or the other payor thereof upon such determination. In determining
whether or not the interest paid or payable under any specific circumstance
exceeds the maximum amount permitted under applicable law, Lender and Borrower
(and any other payors thereof) shall to the greatest extent permitted under
applicable law, (x) characterize any non-principal payment as an expense, fee or
premium rather than as interest, (y) exclude voluntary prepayments and the
effects thereof, and (z) amortize, prorate, allocate and spread the total amount
of interest throughout the entire contemplated term of the instruments
evidencing the Obligations in accordance with the amounts outstanding from time
to time thereunder and the maximum legal rate of interest from time to time in
effect under applicable law in order to lawfully charge the maximum amount of
interest permitted under applicable law.
Section 11.7 Termination; Limited Survival. In their sole and absolute
discretion, Borrower and Lender may each, at any time that no Obligations are
owing, elect in a notice delivered to the other to terminate this Agreement.
Upon receipt of such a notice, if no Obligations are then owing, this Agreement
and all other Loan Documents shall thereupon be terminated and the parties
thereto released from any prospective obligations thereunder. Notwithstanding
the foregoing or anything herein to the contrary, any waivers or admissions made
by Borrower or Lender in any Loan Documents, and any obligations which any
Person may have to indemnify or compensate Lender shall survive any termination
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document. At the request and expense of
Borrower, Lender shall prepare and execute all necessary instruments to reflect
and effect such termination of the Loan Documents.
Section 11.8 Severability. If any term or provision of any Loan Document
shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable, all other terms and
provisions of the Loan Documents shall nevertheless remain effective and shall
be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
Section 11.9 Counterparts. This Agreement may be separately executed in any
number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when so executed shall be deemed to constitute one and the same
Agreement.
Section 11.10 Further Assurances. The parties agree (a) to furnish upon
request to each other such information, (b) to execute and deliver to each other
such documents, and (c) to do such other acts and things, all as the other party
may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out the intent of this
Agreement and the Loan Documents.
Section 11.11 Waiver of Jury Trial, Punitive Damages, Etc. BORROWER AND
LENDER HEREBY (a) KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, INTENTIONALLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE,
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY
JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY AT ANY
TIME ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY
TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED THEREBY OR ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, BEFORE OR AFTER
MATURITY; (b) IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW ANY
RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY SUCH LITIGATION ANY SPECIAL,
EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN
ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES; (c) CERTIFY THAT NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY
REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OR COUNSEL FOR ANY PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED,
EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE OR IMPLIED THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF
LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, AND (d) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT
HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND
30
THEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED
IN THIS SECTION.
Section 11.12 Controlling Provision Upon Conflict. Except as may be
expressly provided otherwise herein, in the event of a conflict between the
provisions of this Agreement and those of any other Loan Document or any other
instrument referred to herein or executed in connection with this Agreement, the
provisions of this Agreement shall control.
Section 11.13 Effect of Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. This
Agreement shall be effective from the date of this Agreement forward, and the
execution of this Agreement shall not relieve Lender of either Borrower from
their respective obligations under the Credit Agreement for the period from
September 9, 1999 through the date of this Agreement, or from any liability for
the failure to perform such obligations or from any liability arising out of
indemnification obligations under the Original Credit Agreement.
31
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed as of the date first written
above.
BORROWER:
MALLON RESOURCES CORPORATION,
a Colorado corporation
By:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Name:
---------------------------------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------------------------------
MALLON OIL COMPANY,
a Colorado corporation
By:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Name:
---------------------------------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------------------------------
LENDER:
BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
By:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Name:
---------------------------------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------------------------------
32
NOTICE TO BORROWER
THIS WRITTEN CREDIT AGREEMENT IS THE FINAL EXPRESSION OF THE CREDIT
AGREEMENT BETWEEN BORROWER AND LENDER. THIS WRITTEN CREDIT AGREEMENT MAY NOT BE
CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF ANY PRIOR ORAL CREDIT AGREEMENT OR IF A
CONTEMPORANEOUS ORAL CREDIT AGREEMENT BETWEEN BORROWER AND LENDER.
Affirmation of No Unwritten Oral Credit Agreements. Borrower and Lender
affirm by the initials below of their authorized officers or representatives
that no unwritten, oral credit agreement exists between them.
---------------- --------------- ----------------
Mallon Resources Mallon Oil Lender's
Corporation's Company's Representative's
Representative's Representative's Initials
Initials Initials
33
Exhibit A
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
HYDROCARBON PRODUCING PROPERTY DESCRIPTIONS
AND RELATED ASSETS OF BORROWER
(A detailed listing may be obtained from the Company upon request.)
34
Exhibit B
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
PROPERTY OPERATING STATEMENT
(Complete statement will be provided by the Company upon request.)
I, ____________________________, the __________________ of Mallon
Resources Corporation and ____________________________, the __________________
of Mallon Oil Company (collectively, the "Company") hereby certify that the
information set forth in all exhibits, attachments and/or schedules attached
hereto, all of which are incorporated herein by reference (collectively referred
to herein as the "Statement") pertains to oil and gas (and to casinghead gas,
condensate, and natural gas liquids produced therewith or extracted therefrom)
produced from the Properties during ___________, ____ (the "Applicable Month"),
which is the second calendar month preceding the month in which this Statement
is executed and delivered by the undersigned.
I further certify that: (a) all of the information set forth in the
Statement is correct and complete to the best of knowledge, and (b) I have made
a diligent effort to ensure that all facts relevant to the matters certified
herein are known to me, by establishing and maintaining relevant records and
procedures within the Company, and by making such inquiries as I have deemed
necessary, each month, of various officers, employees and/or consultants of the
Company.
1. MONTHLY PRODUCTION SUMMARY. The Company's Summary of Operations by
Accounting Date, Including Accruals, Net All Wells, is attached as
Exhibit A to this Statement.
2. SWAP PAYABLES. The Company's total Swap Payables calculated for the
Applicable Month are $__________.
3. SWAP RECEIPTS. The Company's total Swap Receipts due, calculated for
the Applicable Month, are $_________.
Executed this _____ day of _______________, ______.
MALLON RESOURCES CORPORATION
By:
-----------------------------------------
Name:
---------------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------------
MALLON OIL COMPANY
By:
-----------------------------------------
Name:
---------------------------------------
Title:
--------------------------------------
35
Schedule 1.1(a)
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
GAS PLANT ASSETS
ARTICLE XII. PLANT # 1
1 Perry 10 GPM Amine Treating Plant w/ Contactor
207,500
1 750 PSIG Inlet Separator
6,775
1 Glycol Dehydration Unit 30" X 29' Contactor
44,160
1 Flare Stack w/Monitor
30,840
1 Waulkasha 60 KW Natural gas fired Electric Generator
23,500
Houston Atlas H2S Monitor
6,500
Less lease payments applied
(72,619)
Add sales tax
13,874
Total Plant # 1
260,530
Plant # 2
1 35 GPM Amine Treating Plant w/48" Contactor s/n 1113
368,000
42" X 24" S/S Direct Fired Reboiler s/n 20586 36" X 16' S/S Surge Tank
s/n 3432 24" X 46.6' 18 Tray Stripping Still s/n 3433 24' X 5.3' Reflux
Accumulator s/n 98178
2 750 PSIG Inlet Separators - @ 8,750
17,500
1 Glycol Dehydration Unit s/n 13922 and Contactor
s/n 56776-01-01
68,800
2 Ford 75 KW Natural Gas Fired Electric Generators
s/n 202742 and s/n 218076 @ 24,150
48,300
2 H2S Natural Gas Monitors @ 9,800
19,600
Add lease termination payment
46,400
Total Plant # 2
568,600
Total Plants
829,130
36
Compressors
1 Ajax DPC-280 2 stage integral gas compressor Unit pt
225,000
2858 Engine s/n 71984
1 Ajax DPC-230 2 Stage Integral Gas Compressor
195,000
1 Cat 3516/Ariel JGE4 3 Stage Gas Compressor
582,917
1 Cat 3516/Ariel JGE4 3 Stage Gas Compressor
612,417
Sales tax on above 4 compressors
90,863
Total compressors this lot
1,706,197
1 Cat 3516/Ariel JGE4 3 Stage Gas Compressor with (2)
616,232
17 1/4" (1) 11 1/2" (1) 7 3/8" Cyl engine
1 Cat 3516/Ariel JGE4 2 Stage Gas Compressor with (2)
616,232
11 1/2" (2) 6" Cyl unit
1 Cat 3516/Ariel JGE4 3 Stage Gas Compressor with (2)
617,983
11 1/2" (1) 9 3/4" (1) 6" Cyl unit
1 Cat 3516/Ariel JGE4 3 Stage Gas Compressor with (2)
618,102
17 1/4" (1) 11 1/2" (1) 7 3/8" Cyl engine
Sales tax on above compressors
138,856
Total compressors this lot
2,607,405
1 Ariel Gas Compressor
201,018
Various compressor parts
45,368
Total compressors 4,559,988
Installation of plants and compressors
2,154,149
Buildings
575,253
Storage tanks
61,522
Heaters and separators
79,002
Meters & runs
29,183
Flowlines & fittings
393,946
Total other charges 3,293,055
--------------
Total gas plant costs through 7/31/02 8,682,173
==============
37
Schedule 1.1(b)
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
DESCRIPTION OF WELLS
1. Jicarilla 29-02-28#1 (Exploratory Well) Tract #2
T29N, R2W, Section 28: NWNW
2. Jicarilla 29-02-29#2 (Development Well) Tract #2
T29N, R2W, Section 29: NWNW
3. Jicarilla 29-02-30#1 (Exploratory Well) Tract #1
T29N, R2W, Section 30: NWNE
4. Jicarilla 29-02-16#1 (Exploratory Well) Tract #4
T29N, R2W, Section 16: SESE
38
Schedule 2.1
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
SCHEDULED MATTERS
1. Borrower is not in full compliance with the covenant set forth in Section
7.1(k).
[timely payment of trade creditors]
2. Borrower is not in compliance with requirements set forth in Section 10.1(e).
[Jicarilla P.I.T. lien]
39
Schedule 4.1(c)
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
SHAREHOLDER OBLIGATIONS
Options to purchase an aggregate of 313,847 shares of Borrower's $0.01 par value
per share common stock are issued and outstanding under Borrower's 1997 Equity
Participation Plan.
Warrants to purchase an aggregate of 75,334 shares of Borrower's $0.01 par value
per share common stock are issued and outstanding under various warrant
agreements.
40
Schedule 4.1(g)
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
PARENT BORROWER FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MALLON RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
ASSETS
June 30, December 31,
2002 2001
-------- --------
(Unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents...................................... $ 2,062 $ 1,943
Accounts receivable:
Oil and gas sales......................................... 621 714
Joint interest participants............................... 61 303
Inventories.................................................... 151 151
Derivative asset............................................... -- 229
Prepaid expense and other...................................... 118 38
-------- --------
Total current assets................................................... 3,013 3,378
-------- --------
Property and equipment:
Oil and gas properties, full cost method....................... 94,705 93,933
Natural gas processing plant................................... 8,659 8,648
Other property and equipment .................................. 1,088 1,085
-------- --------
104,452 103,666
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization...... (72,681) (70,414)
-------- --------
31,771 33,252
-------- --------
Debt issuance costs, net............................................... 687 1,041
Other, net............................................................. 347 300
-------- --------
Total Assets .......................................................... $ 35,818 $ 37,971
======== ========
(Continued on next page)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
41
MALLON RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - Continued
(In thousands, except share amounts)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
June 30, December 31,
2002 2001
-------- --------
(Unaudited)
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable......................................... $ 1,846 $ 2,153
Undistributed revenue.......................................... 528 612
Accrued taxes and expenses..................................... 188 42
Derivative liability........................................... 878 --
Current portion of long-term debt, net of unamortized
discount of $1,428 and $0, respectively................... 28,375 517
-------- --------
Total current liabilities............................ 31,815 3,324
-------- --------
Long-term debt, net of unamortized discount of $0 and
$1,899, respectively........................................... 3,872 28,970
Derivative liability................................................... 1,861 1,423
-------- --------
5,733 30,393
-------- --------
Total liabilities ..................................................... 37,548 33,717
-------- --------
Commitments and contingencies
Series B Mandatorily Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value,
500,000 shares authorized, -0- shares
issued and outstanding......................................... -- --
Mandatorily Redeemable Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 490,000 shares authorized,
issued and outstanding, mandatory
redemption of $6,125........................................... 5,187 4,853
Shareholders' equity:
Common Stock, $0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares
authorized; 10,378,827 and 10,252,827 shares issued
and outstanding, respectively............................. 104 103
Additional paid-in capital..................................... 92,673 93,012
Accumulated deficit............................................ (96,955) (92,520)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss........................... (2,739) (1,194)
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity........................... (6,917) (599)
-------- --------
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity............................. $ 35,818 $ 37,971
======== ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
42
MALLON RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months For the Six Months
Ended June 30, Ended June 30,
------------------------ -----------------------
2002 2001 2002 2001
-------- -------- -------- --------
Revenues:
Oil and gas sales................................ $ 2,728 $ 5,283 $ 5,411 $ 12,376
Interest and other............................... 5 120 18 357
------- ------- ------- --------
2,733 5,403 5,429 12,733
------- ------- ------- --------
Costs and expenses:
Oil and gas production........................... 1,788 2,349 3,550 5,071
Depreciation, depletion and amortization......... 1,364 2,125 2,633 4,084
General and administrative, net.................. 1,116 3,627 1,591 4,982
Interest and other............................... 1,128 1,613 2,090 3,401
-------- -------- -------- --------
5,396 9,714 9,864 17,538
-------- -------- -------- --------
Net loss (2,663) (4,311) (4,435) (4,805)
Dividends and accretion on preferred stock............... -- (3) -- (21)
Accretion of mandatorily redeemable common stock......... (170) (148) (334) (292)
------- ------- ------- -------
Net loss attributable to common shareholders............. $(2,833) $(4,462) $(4,769) $(5,118)
======= ======= ======= =======
Basic:
Net loss attributable to common shareholders..... $ (0.26) $ (0.42) $ (0.44) $ (0.48)
======= ======= ======= =======
Weighted average shares outstanding.............. 10,868 10,653 10,840 10,640
======= ======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
43
MALLON RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
------------------------
2002 2001
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss.................................................................. $(4,435) $ (4,805)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization........................ 2,633 4,084
Accrued interest expense added to long-term debt................ -- 1,407
Accrued interest income added to notes receivable from
related party shareholders.................................. -- (87)
Amortization of discount on long-term debt................................ 658 440
Non-cash stock compensation expense....................................... (285) 2,510
Partial forgiveness of notes receivable from related party shareholders... -- 907
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in:
Accounts receivable............................................. 335 1,569
Inventory and other assets...................................... (72) (3,615)
Increase (decrease) in:
Trade accounts payable and undistributed revenue................ (391) 379
Accrued taxes and expenses...................................... 146 554
Drilling advances............................................... -- 41
------- -------
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities............................. (1,411) 3,384
------- -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment....................................... (759) (12,486)
Other -- 7
------- -------
Net cash used in investing activities........................................... (759) (12,479)
------- -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt.............................................. 2,500 858
Payments of long-term debt................................................ (211) (1,679)
Redemption of preferred stock............................................. -- (800)
Proceeds from stock option and warrants exercises......................... -- 1
Payment of preferred dividends............................................ -- (19)
Other -- (2)
------- -------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities............................. 2,289 (1,641)
------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents............................ 119 (10,736)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period.................................. 1,943 14,155
------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period........................................ $ 2,062 $ 3,419
======= =======
(Continued)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
44
MALLON RESOURCES CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
(Continued)
For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
2002 2001
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest.................................................. $1,343 $1,176
====== ======
Non-cash transactions:
Receipt of oil and gas and real property in exchange for
notes receivable from executive officers............................ $ 93 $ --
====== ======
Issuance of common stock in connection with the Aquila Credit
Agreement amendment................................................. $ 187 $ --
====== ======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
financial statements.
45
MALLON RESOURCES CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
-----------
NOTE 1. GENERAL
Mallon Resources Corporation (the "Company") engages in oil and gas
exploration and production through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mallon Oil
Company ("Mallon Oil"), whose oil and gas operations are conducted primarily in
the State of New Mexico. The Company operates its business and reports its
operations as one business segment. All significant inter-company balances and
transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.
These unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial
information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation
S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes
required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial
statements. In the opinion of management, such interim statements reflect all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present
fairly the financial position and the results of operations and cash flows for
the interim periods presented. The results of operations for these interim
periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
full year. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's
2001 Form 10-K.
Certain prior year amounts in the consolidated financial statements have
been reclassified to conform to the presentation used in 2002.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a going
concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction
of liabilities in the normal course of business. As more fully discussed in
Notes 2 and 3, the Company has suffered net losses since 1997 and has
significant borrowings that require, among other things, repayment in 2003 and
compliance with certain restrictive covenants.
NOTE 2. CURRENT OPERATING ISSUES
The Company generated net losses of $4.4 million, $31.4 million, $6.5
million and $2.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2002 and for the
years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The Company's cash
flows from operating activities were $(1.4) million, $1.1 million, $4.0 million
and $2.4 million for the respective periods.
The Company is currently in non-compliance with of a number of
provisions of its credit agreement (the "Aquila Credit Agreement") with Aquila
Energy Capital Corporation ("Aquila"), including provisions requiring the
Company to maintain projected net revenue attributable to its proved reserves in
an amount sufficient to fully amortize the outstanding loan balance by its
maturity date, to satisfy or discharge liens filed against its properties within
30 days of their filing, and to pay its trade debt within 90 days of its due
date. As a result of these events of default, Aquila may, at its election,
declare an acceleration of the debt to be currently due and payable, in full.
The Company has therefore classified all amounts owed under the Aquila Credit
Agreement as current at June 30, 2002 in the accompanying consolidated balance
sheets. The Company is currently in negotiations with Aquila to address this
situation, but is unable to predict the outcome of those discussions. If the
Company's debt is accelerated, the Company may not be able to repay the debt or
borrow sufficient funds to refinance it. Even if new financing is available, it
may not be on terms that are acceptable to the Company. Provided that Aquila
does not seek immediate repayment under the Aquila Credit Agreement, management
believes that cash on hand and cash generated from operating activities, will be
sufficient to meet the Company's cash requirements through December 31, 2002.
46
Responding to its financial challenges and lack of capital, the Company
is actively exploring strategic alternatives including, but not limited to,
potential asset divestitures, joint ventures, mergers, and other arrangements.
No assessment can be made of the likelihood that any transactions of this sort
can be effectively implemented. The Company's ability to operate as a going
concern is dependent on its ability to successfully negotiate an extension of
indebtedness with its lender or a successor lender.
Because the Company's production is predominantly natural gas, the
Company is particularly sensitive to changes in the price of natural gas.
Historically, natural gas prices have experienced significant fluctuations and
have been particularly volatile in recent years. Price fluctuations can result
from variations in weather, levels of regional or national production and
demand, availability of transportation capacity to other regions of the country
and various other factors. Increases or decreases in natural gas prices received
could have a significant impact on the Company's future results. If natural gas
prices decline significantly from those received by the Company at June 30,
2002, or if the Company is unable to maintain production levels at its San Juan
Basin properties, the Company may have to implement additional cost cutting
measures in both its administrative and operating areas.
NOTE 3. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following:
June 30, December 31,
2002 2001
----------- ----------
Note payable to Aquila Energy Capital Corporation, due 2003................. $ 29,211 $ 26,711
Less unamortized discount................................................... (1,428) (1,899)
-------- ---------
27,783 24,812
Lease obligation to Universal Compression, Inc.............................. 4,337 4,567
8.0% unsecured note payable to Bank One, Colorado, N.A., due 2006........... 99 108
Notes payable to officers................................................... 28 --
-------- ---------
32,247 29,487
Less current portion........................................................ (28,375) (517)
-------- ---------
Total.............................................................. $ 3,872 $ 28,970
======== =========
In September 1999, the Company established the Aquila Credit Agreement
with Aquila. In February 2002, the Company notified Aquila that, as of December
31, 2001, it had not been in compliance with the covenant under the Aquila
Credit Agreement that requires the Company to maintain projected net revenue
attributable to its proved reserves in an amount sufficient to fully amortize
the outstanding balance under the Aquila Credit Agreement by its maturity date.
As a result, in February 2002, the Aquila Credit Agreement was amended for a
second time. The second amendment contains the following provisions:
(i) As long as no new event of default occurs subsequent to the date of
the second amendment, Aquila has agreed that through December 31,
2002, it will not exercise any of the remedies available to Aquila
due to any event of default that occurs and is continuing regarding
the amount of projected net revenue required to amortize the
amounts outstanding by September 9, 2003.
(ii) Interest on amounts outstanding accrues at prime plus 3% starting
January 1, 2002, through September 30, 2002, and increases to prime
plus 4% after October 1, 2002. The Company is required to pay
interest only on the outstanding balance through December 31, 2002.
(iii) The amount available under the agreement was increased by $2.5
million.
(iv) A "change of control" provision was added, which calls for the
prepayment of the entire outstanding balance, together with any
accrued and unpaid interest, at the occurrence of a change of
control of the Company.
(v) The Company has the option to purchase from Aquila 490,000 shares
of the Company's common stock previously issued to Aquila for a
price of $2.6 million if a sale of the Company is consummated prior
to September 30, 2002.
47
(vi) Aquila's one-time right to require the Company to purchase shares
of the Company's common stock previously issued to Aquila (the "Put
Option") was amended to provide that Aquila has the option to sell
to the Company up to 490,000 shares of the Company's common stock
at $10.00 per share if a sale of the Company is consummated at any
time after September 30, 2002 and prior to September 9, 2003, or at
$12.50 per share if the outstanding balance under the Aquila Credit
Agreement is paid on the earlier of September 9, 2003 or the date
on which Aquila notifies the Company of the acceleration of payment
of the outstanding balance because of the occurrence of an event of
default.
(vii) The Company issued to Aquila 125,000 shares of the Company's common
stock as a part of the amendment and recorded $187,000 as an
increase to unamortized discount. If a sale of the Company is not
consummated before October 1, 2002, the Company will issue Aquila
an additional 150,000 shares.
(viii) Upon a change of control of the Company occurring on or before
September 30, 2002, the Company will pay Aquila $500,000. If a
change of control of the Company occurs after September 30, 2002,
the Company will pay Aquila $1,250,000.
Through June 30, 2002, the Company had drawn all $2,500,000 under provision
(iii) above.
The Aquila Credit Agreement requires the Company to satisfy or discharge
liens filed against its properties within 30 days of their filing. The failure
to satisfy or discharge a lien claiming in excess of $250,000 within 30 days is
an event of default under the Aquila Credit Agreement. Upon such an event of
default, Aquila may declare any or all obligations under the Aquila Credit
Agreement to be immediately due and payable. As more fully discussed in Note 9,
on July 16, 2002, The Jicarilla Apache Indian Nation filed a lien against the
Company's property located on the Jicarilla Reservation to secure the Company's
payment of approximately $1.56 million of assessed possessory interest tax,
including penalties and interest. As of August 12, 2002, that lien has not been
satisfied or discharged. As more fully discussed in Note 2, the Company has
classified all amounts owed under the Aquila Credit Agreement as current at June
30, 2002 in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Provided that Aquila does not seek immediate repayment under the Aquila
Credit Agreement, principal payments are based on the Company's cash flow from
operations, as defined (the "Defined Cash Flow"), less advances for the
Company's development drilling program. Principal payments have been delayed by
the second amendment and are to resume in January 2003. The Company estimates
that the Defined Cash Flow available for principal payments in the first half of
2003 could range between $0 and $100,000.
NOTE 4. OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES
Under the full cost accounting rules of the Securities and Exchange
Commission, the Company reviews the carrying value of its oil and gas properties
each quarter on a country-by-country basis. Under full cost accounting rules,
net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, less related deferred income
taxes, may not exceed the present value of estimated future net revenues from
proved reserves, discounted at 10%, plus the lower of cost or fair market value
of unproved properties, as adjusted for related tax effects. Application of
these rules generally requires pricing future production at the unescalated oil
and gas prices in effect at the end of each fiscal quarter and requires a
write-down if the "ceiling" is exceeded, unless the prices recover subsequent to
the balance sheet date but before the financial statements for the quarter are
issued. If a smaller write-down is calculated using the subsequent pricing, then
the smaller amount may be recorded. Using natural gas prices on August 13, 2002,
no write-down was required. Had the Company used the prices in effect at June
30, 2002, the write-down would have been $2,050,000.
NOTE 5. PER SHARE DATA
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to
common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding
for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that
could occur if the Company's outstanding stock options and warrants were
exercised (calculated using the treasury stock method). The consolidated
statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001 reflect
only basic earnings per share because the Company was in a loss position for all
periods presented and all common stock equivalents are anti-dilutive.
48
NOTE 6. HEDGING ACTIVITY
Under the Aquila Credit Agreement, the Company may be required to
maintain price hedging arrangements in place with respect to up to 65% of its
oil and gas production. Accordingly, at June 30, 2002, the Company had price
swaps covering 2,542,000 MMBtu of gas related to production for 2002-2004 at
fixed prices ranging between $2.55-$3.28 per MMBtu. In addition, the Company had
outstanding at June 30, 2002 basis swaps to fix the differential between the
NYMEX (Henry Hub) price and the index price at which the hedged gas is to be
sold for 2,542,000 MMBtu for 2002-2004.
The following table indicates the Company's outstanding energy swaps at June 30,
2002:
Annual
Product Production Fixed Price Duration Market Price Reference
------- ---------- ----------- -------- ----------------------
Gas (MMBtu)......... 694,000 $2.55-$3.28 7/02-12/02 NYMEX (Henry Hub)
Gas (MMBtu)......... 996,000 $2.55 1/03-12/03 NYMEX (Henry Hub)
Gas (MMBtu)......... 852,000 $2.55 1/04-12/04 NYMEX (Henry Hub)
At June 30, 2002, the Company had recorded a current derivative
liability of $878,000, a long-term derivative liability of $1,861,000 and an
unrealized loss of $2,739,000 in accumulated other comprehensive loss. No
related income tax effects were recorded because of the Company's net operating
loss carryforward.
During the six months ended June 30, 2002, gains of $217,000 were
transferred from accumulated other comprehensive loss to oil and gas revenues
related to settled positions and an unrealized loss of $1,328,000 was recorded
to other comprehensive income to adjust the fair value of the open positions.
The Company expects to reclassify as decreases to earnings during the next
twelve months approximately $878,000 of unrealized hedging losses in accumulated
other comprehensive loss at June 30, 2002.
For the six months ended June 30, 2002 and 2001, the Company's gains
(losses) under its swap agreements were $217,000 and $(3,875,000), respectively,
and are included in oil and gas sales in the Company's consolidated statements
of operations. At June 30, 2002, the estimated net amount the Company would have
paid to terminate its outstanding energy swaps and basis swaps, described above,
was approximately $2,739,000.
NOTE 7. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The Company follows SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income",
which establishes standards for reporting comprehensive income. In addition to
net income, comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a period,
except those resulting from investments and distributions to the owners of the
Company. The following table illustrates the changes in accumulated other
comprehensive loss for the periods presented (in thousands):
For the Six Months
Ended June 30,
2002 2001
-------- --------
Accumulated other comprehensive loss - beginning of period $(1,194) $ --
Other comprehensive loss:
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle -- (15,171)
Reclassification adjustment for settled hedging contracts (217) 3,875
Changes in fair value of outstanding hedging positions (1,328) 6,912
------- --------
Other comprehensive loss (1,545) (4,384)
------- --------
Accumulated other comprehensive loss - end of period $(2,739) $ (4,384)
======= ========
49
NOTE 8. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Under the Company's "Stock Ownership Encouragement Program," in August
1999, two executive officers of the Company borrowed $1,585,018 and $391,284,
respectively, from the Company that they used to exercise certain options owned
by them. The officers issued promissory notes to the Company in the noted
amounts, which bore interest at the rate of 7% per annum, and were due August
31, 2004. In June 2001, the Company's compensation committee reduced the amounts
due under the notes to $230,548 and $56,914, respectively. For accounting
purposes, the Company treated this transaction as a repurchase of the common
stock underlying the notes receivable, a cancellation of the notes receivable
and the grant of options to purchase 287,462 shares of common stock at $1.00 per
share. In March 2002, one of the executive officers conveyed to the Company his
interest in certain Costa Rica real property in exchange for his promissory
note. In April 2002, the other executive officer conveyed to the Company an
undivided interest in Deep Gas, LLC in exchange for his promissory note. These
transactions were approved by the Company's compensation committee and have been
recorded as $56,914 of other assets, $36,500 of oil and gas properties, and as
$93,414 in additional paid in capital.
NOTE 9. CONTINGENCIES
As of December 31, 2001, the Revenue and Taxation Department of the
Jicarilla Apache Nation (the "Nation") issued to the Company Possessory Interest
Tax assessments for 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 totaling $3.3 million, as
adjusted, including related penalties and interest. The Company paid the
assessments, but filed protests with the Nation taking the position that, among
other things, certain rules and regulations promulgated in December 2000 by the
Nation do not apply to the determination of Possessory Interest Tax for years
prior to 2001. The protests were denied. The Company has filed an appeal, which
is pending. In March 2002, the Company was assessed an additional $1.56 million,
including penalties and interest, for 2002, of which $731,000 has been accrued
and expensed at June 30, 2002. The Company has: 1) requested that the
Legislative Council of the Nation grant the Company relief, and 2) engaged New
Mexico counsel to represent it. During July 2002, the Nation filed a lien
against the Company's oil and gas properties located on the Jicarilla
Reservation to secure the Company's payment of the 2002 assessment and related
penalties and interest. The final outcome of this matter cannot yet be
predicted.
In mid-November 2001, the Minerals Management Service began an audit of
the royalties payable by the Company on production from certain oil and gas
properties in which the Company owns an interest. The audit is expected to
cover, among other things, product valuation issues, including the point of
royalty settlement, transportation and processing allowances, and accounting for
comparison (dual accounting). The final outcome of this matter cannot yet be
predicted.
In June 2001, in connection with staff cuts that were part of general
corporate reductions, the Company terminated an employee. The employee filed a
complaint in which he claims he was wrongfully terminated. The Company believes
the allegations of the suit are wholly without merit, and intends to defend
itself vigorously, but cannot predict the outcome of the case.
In 1992, the Minerals Management Service commenced an audit of royalties
payable on production from certain oil and gas properties in which the Company
owns an interest. The audit was initiated against the predecessor operator of
the properties, but the Company has an interest in the resolution of the matters
that arise out of the audit. In December 2000, administrative decisions were
rendered in the case relating to so-called "dual-accounting" and "major portion"
matters. The administrative rulings have been appealed to the United States
District Court for the District of Columbia. The primary issue in dispute is the
manner in which so-called "major portion" prices are determined for purposes of
the applicable dual accounting requirement. The producers argue that the
regulatory protocol requires evaluation of actual data gleaned from actual
transactions. Such information is not readily available and will require a
concerted effort to accumulate. By contrast, the Minerals Management Service
suggests that, in the absence of a data base, the highest possible price allowed
under the old Natural Gas Pricing Act should be used, even if (as is most
generally the case) no gas was sold for those prices. If the Minerals Management
Service's proposal is upheld, the Company will be liable for additional unpaid
royalties, interest and (perhaps) penalties. If the producer's collection of
actual data results in regulation-compliant numbers or a more reasonable
compromise protocol is established, the Company's exposure for such items should
be immaterial. The final outcome of this matter cannot yet be predicted.
50
NOTE 10. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets". SFAS No. 142 addresses financial accounting and reporting
for goodwill and other intangible assets. The adoption of SFAS No. 144 by the
Company on January 1, 2002, did not have any material impact on its financial
position or results of operations.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations". SFAS No. 143 requires entities to record the fair value
of liabilities for retirement obligations of acquired assets. SFAS No. 143 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The Company will adopt
SFAS No. 143 on January 1, 2003, but has not yet quantified the effects of
adopting SFAS No. 143 on its financial position or results of operations.
In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets". SFAS No. 144 supersedes SFAS No.
121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of".
SFAS No. 144 establishes a single accounting model for long-lived assets to be
disposed of by sale and requires that those long-lived assets be measured at the
lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell, whether reported in
continuing operations or in discontinued operations. The adoption of SFAS No.
144 by the Company on January 1, 2002, did not have any material impact on its
financial position or results of operations.
In April 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 145, "Rescission of FASB
Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical
Corrections". SFAS No. 145 updates, clarifies and simplifies existing accounting
pronouncements. SFAS No. 4 required all gains or losses from extinguishments of
debt to be classified as extraordinary items net of income taxes. SFAS No. 145
requires that gains and losses from extinguishment of debt be evaluated under
the provisions of APB Opinion No. 30, and be classified as ordinary items unless
they are unusual or infrequent or meet the specific criteria for treatment as an
extraordinary item. SFAS No. 145 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
May 15, 2002. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 145 to have a
material impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.
In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs
Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities". SFAS No. 146 requires companies to
recognize costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are
incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan.
The provisions of SFAS No. 146 are to be applied prospectively to exit or
disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002. The Company does not
expect the adoption of SFAS No. 146 to have a material impact on the Company's
financial position or results of operations.
51
Schedule 4.1(h)
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
OTHER OBLIGATIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
Balance Outstanding
September 27, 2002
Principal Accrued Interest
----------------------------------------------
Credit Agreement dated September 9, 1999, as amended, between
Mallon Resources Corporation and Mallon Oil Company ("Borrower"), and Aquila
Energy Capital Corporation
Balance outstanding $29,211,338 $186,072
Master Rental Contract dated September 9, 1999 between Mallon Oil Company and
Universal Compression, Inc..
Balance outstanding $4,281,332 $92,674
Unsecured Promissory Note dated March 3, 1999 between Mallon Oil Company and
Bank One, Colorado, N.A.
Balance outstanding $95,285 $1,862
52
Schedule 4.1(j)
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
CLAIMS AND LITIGATION
1. As of December 31, 2001, the Revenue and Taxation Department of the
Jicarilla Apache Nation (the "Nation") issued to Borrower Possessory
Interest Tax assessments for 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 totaling $3.3
million, as adjusted, including related penalties and interest. Borrower
paid the assessments, but filed protests with the Nation taking the
position that, among other things, certain rules and regulations
promulgated in December 2000 by the Nation do not apply to the
determination of Possessory Interest Tax for years prior to 2001. The
protests were denied. Borrower has filed an appeal, which is pending.
2. In March 2002, Borrower was assessed an additional amount of Possessory
Interest Tax, which Borrower has not paid. During July 2002, the Nation
gave notice of a lien against the Company's oil and gas properties located
on the Jicarilla Reservation to secure Borrower's payment of the 2002
assessment and related penalties and interest.
3. In mid-November 2001, the Minerals Management Service began an audit of the
royalties payable by Borrower on production from certain oil and gas
properties in which Borrower owns an interest. The audit is expected to
cover, among other things, product valuation issues, including the point of
royalty settlement, transportation and processing allowances, and
accounting for comparison (dual accounting). The final outcome of this
matter cannot yet be predicted.
4. In June 2001, in connection with staff cuts that were part of general
corporate reductions, Borrower terminated its employment of James Costalez.
On August 14, 2001, Costalez filed a complaint in the Federal District
Court for the District of New Mexico, in which he claims his employment was
wrongfully terminated. That case, Costalez v. Mallon Oil, CIV-01 929, is
just completing discovery.
5. In 1992, the Minerals Management Service commenced an audit of royalties
payable on production from certain oil and gas properties on and near the
Jicarilla Apache Indian Nation's Reservation. Borrower owns an interest in
some of the properties covered by the audit. The audit was initiated
against Robert Bayless and others. Bayless was the operator of Borrower's
Jicarilla properties prior to 1997, when Borrower bought Bayless' interests
and took over operations. Bayless has continuing interests in properties
covered by the audit in which Borrower has no interest. Although Borrower
is now the operator of roughly half of the properties covered by the audit,
it is not a direct party to the audit proceedings and the litigation that
has grown out of them. In December 2000, administrative decisions were
rendered in the case of Robert L. Bayless, MMS-98-0132-IND, relating to
so-called "dual-accounting" and "major portion" matters. Bayless joined
with one other producer (Merrion Oil & Gas Corporation) to appeal the
administrative rulings by filing Bayless v. United States Department of the
Interior, No. 1:01CV00393, in the United States District Court for the
District of Columbia.
53
Schedule 4.1(l)
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
BORROWER'S PLACES OF BUSINESS
P.O. Box 2797
848 East 2nd Avenue
Durango, CO 81302
408 South Halagueno
Carlsbad, NM 88220
54
Schedule 4.1(m)
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
UNPAID BILLS
(A detailed listing will be furnished by the Company upon request.)
55
Schedule 4.1(n)
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
LIENS OTHER THAN PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES
In March 2002, the Revenue and Taxation Department of the Jicarilla Apache
Nation (the "Nation") issued to Borrower a Possessory Interest Tax assessment
for $1,462,860,11, which Borrower has not paid. At July 16, 2002, the aggregate
amount of this unpaid tax plus accrued interest and penalties was $1,563,473.35.
During July 2002, the Nation gave notice of a lien against Borrower's oil and
gas properties located on the Jicarilla Reservation to secure Borrower's payment
of the assessment and related penalties and interest.
56
Schedule 4.1(o)
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
PURCHASERS OF HYDROCARBONS
(A detailed listing will be provided by the Company upon request.)
57
Schedule 4.1(p)
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
EXISTING HYDROCARBON SALES AGREEMENTS
(A detailed listing will be provided by the Company upon request.)
58
Schedule 4.1(u)
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER LAWS
[none]
59
Schedule 6.1
to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
between Black Hills Corporation
and Mallon Resources Corporation
and Mallon Oil Company
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
(A detailed listing will be provided by the Company upon request.)
60
Exhibit 99.3
AMENDED AND RESTATED ADVANCING NOTE
("Note")
$33,028,065 Denver, Colorado October 1, 2002
On the dates hereinafter prescribed, for value received, MALLON
RESOURCES CORPORATION and MALLON OIL COMPANY, both corporations organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Colorado (collectively, hereinafter
called "Borrower"), unconditionally promise to pay to the order of BLACK HILLS
CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of
South Dakota (hereinafter called "Lender"), as provided for in that certain
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and between Borrower and Lender dated
of even date herewith (as it may be amended, modified, restated, or replaced
from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"): (i) the principal amount of
$33,028,065 or the principal amount advanced pursuant to the terms of the Credit
Agreement (including, but not limited to, amounts advanced under Section 2.1
thereof) and remaining unpaid as of the date of maturity hereof, whether by
acceleration or otherwise, whichever may be the lesser, and (ii) interest on the
principal balance from time to time advanced and remaining unpaid from the date
of the advance until maturity at a rate of interest equal to the lesser of (a)
the Interest Rate (as hereinafter defined), or (b) the Maximum Rate (as
hereinafter defined). Any increase or decrease in interest rate resulting from
change in the Maximum Rate shall be effective immediately when such change
becomes effective, without notice to Borrower, unless Applicable Law (as
hereinafter defined) requires that such increase or decrease not be effective
until a later time, in which event such increase or decrease shall be effective
at the earliest time permitted under the provisions of such law.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if during any period the Interest Rate
exceeds the Maximum Rate, the rate of interest on this Note shall be limited to
the Maximum Rate during each such period, but at all times thereafter the rate
of interest in effect on this Note shall be the Maximum Rate until the total
amount of interest accrued on this Note equals the total amount of interest
which would have accrued hereon if the Interest Rate had at all times been in
effect.
On the Loan Termination Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the
unpaid principal balance of this Note and all interest accrued thereon shall be
due and payable in full. Any principal, interest, or other amounts due from
Borrower to Lender pursuant to the Credit Agreement that remain unpaid on the
Loan Termination Date shall accrue interest at the Interest Rate until paid in
full.
Borrower may prepay all amounts due hereunder, without premium or
penalty, subject to the provisions of the Credit Agreement, including, without
limitation, Section 2.4 thereof.
In no event shall the aggregate of the interest on this Note, plus any
other amounts paid in connection with the loan evidenced by this Note which
would under Applicable Law be deemed "interest," ever exceed the maximum amount
of interest which, under Applicable Law, could be lawfully charged on this Note.
Lender and Borrower specifically intend and agree to limit contractually the
interest payable on this Note to not more than an amount determined at
1
the Maximum Rate. Therefore, none of the terms of this Note or any other
instruments pertaining to or securing this Note shall ever be construed to
create a contract to pay interest at a rate in excess of the Maximum Rate,
and neither Borrower nor any other party liable herefor shall ever be
liable for interest in excess of that determined at the Maximum Rate, and
the provisions of this paragraph shall control over all provisions of this
Note or of any other instruments pertaining to or securing this Note. If
any amount of interest taken or received by Lender shall be in excess of
the maximum amount of interest which, under Applicable Law, could lawfully
have been collected on this Note, then the excess shall be deemed to have
been the result of a mathematical error by the parties hereto and shall be
refunded promptly to Borrower. All amounts paid or agreed to be paid in
connection with the indebtedness evidenced by this Note which would under
Applicable Law be deemed "interest" shall, to the extent permitted by
Applicable law, be amortizing, prorated, allocated and spread throughout
the full term of this Note.
This Note is secured by the Security Documents (as defined in the
Credit Agreement), including those executed simultaneously herewith, those
executed heretofore and those hereafter executed.
This Note is the Advancing Note issued pursuant to the Credit
Agreement. Reference is hereby made to the Credit Agreement for a statement of
the rights and obligations of the holder of this Note and the duties and
obligations of Borrower in relation thereto. Each advance and each payment made
pursuant to this Note shall be reflected by notations made by Lender on its
records and the aggregate unpaid amounts reflected by the notations on the
records of Lender shall be deemed rebuttably presumptive evidence of the
principal amount and accrued, unpaid interest owing under this Note.
In the event of default in the payment when due of any of the principal
of or any interest on this Note, or if any Event of Default occurs under the
Credit Agreement, if any event of default occurs under the terms of any of the
Security Documents, or if any event occurs or condition exists which authorizes
the acceleration of the maturity of this Note under any agreement made by
Borrower, Lender (or other holder of this Note) may, at its option, without
presentment or demand or any notice to Borrower or any other person liable
herefor, declare the unpaid principal balance of and accrued interest on this
Note to be immediately due and payable, except to the extent those rights of
Lender may be limited under Section 10.2(b) of the Credit Agreement during the
period from the date of this Note through the Merger Termination Date (as
defined in the Credit Agreement).
If this Note is collected by suit or through the bankruptcy court, or
any judicial proceeding, or if this Note is not paid at maturity, however such
maturity may be brought about, and is placed in the hands of an attorney for
collection, then Borrower agrees to pay Lender's expenses, including, without
limitation, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs.
Borrower and all sureties, endorsers and guarantors of this Note waive
demand, presentment for payment, notice of nonpayment, protest, notice of
protest, notice of intent to accelerate maturity, notice of acceleration of
maturity, and all other notices, filing of suit and diligence in collecting this
Note or enforcing any of the security herefor, and agree to any substitution,
exchange or release of any such security or the release of any party primarily
or secondarily liable hereon and further agree that it will not be necessary for
Lender, in order to enforce payment of this Note by them, to first institute
suit or exhaust its remedies against any Borrower or others liable herefor, or
to enforce Lender's rights against any security herefor, and consent to any one
or more extensions or postponements of time of payment of this Note
2
on any terms or any other indulgences with respect hereto, without notice
thereof to any of them. Lender may transfer this Note in compliance with
applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement, and the rights and
privileges of Lender under this Note shall, following any such transfer,
inure to the benefit of Lender's successors or assigns.
This Note is being executed to amend and restate in its entirety that
certain Advancing Note dated September 9, 1999 in the face amount of $60,000,000
(the "Amended Note") given by Borrower to Aquila Energy Capital Corporation
("Aquila"), and assigned by Aquila to Lender by that certain Assignment of
Credit Agreement, Note, Liens, and Security Documents of even date herewith.
This Note is issued in substitution and exchange for, and to amend and restate,
but not in payment or novation of, the Amended Note.
For purposes of this Note, each of the following terms shall have the
meaning given to such term below in this paragraph:
"Applicable Law" means that law in effect from time to time and
applicable to this Note which lawfully permits the charging and collection of
the highest permissible lawful, non-usurious rate of interest on this Note.
"Business Day" shall mean a day, other than a Saturday, a Sunday, on
which commercial banks are open for business with the public in Denver,
Colorado.
"Index Rate" means, at any time, the prime rate published in The Wall
Street Journal's "Money Rates" or similar table; provided that if multiple prime
rates are quoted in such table, then the highest such prime rate will be the
Index Rate and, in the event that the prime rate is no longer published by The
Wall Street Journal's "Money Rates" or similar table, then Lender may select an
alternative published index based upon comparable information as a substitute
Index Rate and upon the selection of such a substitute Index Rate, the
applicable interest rate shall thereafter vary in relation to the substitute
index; provided further that such substitute Index Rate shall be the same index
Rate that is generally used as a substitute by Lender on all loans made by
Lender and bearing interest on the basis of an Index Rate.
"Interest Rate" means an annual rate of the Index Rate plus four
percent (4.0%), determined on the first Business Day of such calendar month and
otherwise calculated in accordance with applicable provisions of the Credit
Agreement.
"Maximum Rate" means the maximum rate of non-usurious interest
permitted from day to day by Applicable Law.
Executed and effective as of this 1st day of October, 2002.
MALLON RESOURCES MALLON OIL COMPANY
CORPORATION
By: By:
----------------------------- ------------------------------
Name: Name:
--------------------------- ----------------------------
Title: Title:
-------------------------- ---------------------------
3
Exhibit 99.4
ASSIGNMENT OF CREDIT AGREEMENT, NOTE,
LIENS, AND SECURITY DOCUMENTS
This ASSIGNMENT OF CREDIT AGREEMENT, NOTE, LIENS, AND SECURITY DOCUMENTS
dated as of October 1, 2002 (this Instrument), is made by and among AQUILA
ENERGY CAPITAL CORPORATION (Assignor), BLACK HILLS CORPORATION (Assignee),
MALLON RESOURCES CORPORATION (MRC) and MALLON OIL COMPANY (MOC and, together
with MRC, Borrower).
RECITALS:
WHEREAS, Borrower and Assignor are parties to that certain Credit Agreement
dated September 9, 1999, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Credit
Agreement dated November 21, 2000 and that Second Amendment to Credit Agreement
dated February 8, 2002 (as amended, the Credit Agreement), providing for,
among other things, loans to be made by Assignor to Borrower; and
WHEREAS, the loans made pursuant to the Credit Agreement are evidenced by
that certain Advancing Note dated September 9, 1999 made by Borrower payable to
the order of Assignor in the original principal amount of $60,000,000 (the
Note); and
WHEREAS, the payment of the Note and the performance of all obligations of
Borrower under the Credit Agreement are secured by certain security documents
and financing statements as described therein (as heretofore supplemented or
amended, collectively the Security Documents), including without limitation
the security documents listed on Schedule 1 attached hereto and made a part
hereof; and
WHEREAS, in connection with the Note and the Credit Agreement, Assignor has
received or otherwise benefited by the various other Loan Documents (as defined
in the Credit Agreement); and
WHEREAS, in connection with the requirements of the Credit Agreement,
Borrower has issued to Assignor 615,000 shares of common stock of Borrower (the
Borrower Stock); and
WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that Assignor surrender the Borrower Stock
to Borrower and assign Assigno's rights and interests in, to and under the
Credit Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents, including without
limitation the Security Documents, to Assignee, and Assignee has agreed to
purchase such rights and interests, all on the terms and conditions provided
herein;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
herein contained, the parties hereto hereby act and agree as follows:
1
Article I.
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNED RIGHTS
Section 1.1 Assignment and Assumption of Assigned Rights; Conditions.
(a) Assignor, for and in consideration of the sum of $29,304,338.42 paid by
Assignee to Assignor, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, does hereby sell, transfer,
convey, assign, endorse, set over and deliver unto Assignee all of Assignor's
right, title and interest in the following:
(i) all indebtedness owing to Assignor under or pursuant to the Credit
Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents (collectively the
Assigned Indebtedness);
(ii) all liens, rights, titles, interests, privileges, claims,
demands, equities, charges and security interests of Assignor existing
under or as security for the Assigned Indebtedness, including without
limitation, those existing under or pursuant to the Security Documents and
all other mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements, financing
statements, assignments of proceeds, indentures of trusts, assignments,
pledges and other documents or instruments securing the Assigned
Indebtedness (collectively the Assigned Liens); and
(iii) all other rights, benefits, remedies and privileges of Assignor
under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Note, and the other Loan
Documents, including, without limitation, Assignor's rights under that
certain Intercreditor Agreement dated September 9, 1999 among Assignor,
Universal Compression, Inc., and Borrower;
LESS AND EXCEPT the Reserved Indemnities and the Reserved Interests (as
each such term is hereinafter defined).
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Assigned Indebtedness, the Assigned Liens, and all
such other rights, benefits, remedies and privileges. The Assigned Indebtedness,
the Assigned Liens and all such other rights, benefits, remedies and privileges,
less and except the Reserved Indemnities and the Reserved Interests, are
collectively referred to herein as the Assigned Rights.
(b) Assignee hereby accepts the foregoing assignment and assumes any and
all obligations of Assignor to Assignee to make loans or otherwise extend credit
in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents.
(c) Borrower hereby consents to the foregoing assignment and assumption.
BORROWER HEREBY RATIFIES AND CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNED INDEBTEDNESS, THE ASSIGNED
LIENS, THE OTHER ASSIGNED RIGHTS, AND THE LOAN DOCUMENTS.
Section 1.2 Representations and Warranties of Assignor. Assignor hereby
represents and warrants to Assignee that:
2
(a) Assignor is the owner and holder of the Note and the Assigned
Indebtedness, the Assigned Liens, and the other Assigned Rights and has good
title thereto and full right, power and authority to transfer to Assignee all of
the Assigned Indebtedness, the Assigned Liens and the other Assigned Rights,
free of encumbrances, liens and claims thereto by any person, arising by,
through, or under Assignor, but not otherwise. Assignor has not made or
consented to any agreement that subordinates any of the Assigned Indebtedness to
any loans, notes or other indebtedness owed by Borrower to any other person.
(b) As of the date hereof, the aggregate unpaid principal balance which is
due and owing on the Note is equal to $29,211,338.
(c) The Base Agreement for Natural Gas Purchases dated September 9, 1999
between MOC and Aquila Energy Marketing Corporation (AEMC) is being terminated
contemporaneous with Assignor's receipt of the cash consideration prescribed in
Section 1.1(a) hereof, whereupon neither Borrower nor AEMC will have any
continuing rights or obligations thereunder.
(d) The ISDA Master Swap Agreement dated September 9, 1999 between MRC and
Aquila Merchant Services, Inc., as successor in interest to Aquila Risk
Management Corporation (AMS), and the Transactions entered into thereunder are
being terminated contemporaneous with the later of (i) Assignor's receipt of the
cash consideration prescribed in Section 1.1(a) hereof and (ii) the execution
and delivery of the related Termination of Agreement and Mutual Release between
MRC and AMS and AMS's receipt of the cash consideration prescribed therein,
whereupon neither MRC nor AMS will have any continuing rights or obligations
thereunder.
(e) The ISDA Master Swap Agreement dated September 9, 1999 between MOC and
AMS, and the Transactions entered into thereunder are being terminated
contemporaneous with the later of (i) Assignor's receipt of the cash
consideration prescribed in Section 1.1(a) hereof and (ii) the execution and
delivery of the related Termination of Agreement and Mutual Release between MOC
and AMS and AMS's receipt of the cash consideration prescribed therein,
whereupon neither MOC nor AMS will have any continuing rights or obligations
thereunder.
(f) The Borrower Stock being surrendered to Borrower pursuant to
Section 1.61.7 below is owned solely by Assignor, and is free and clear of all
liens, claims and encumbrances arising by, through, or under Assignor, but not
otherwise.
Section 1.3 Representation and Warranty of Assignee. Assignee hereby
represents and warrants to Assignor that Assignee has made an independent
decision to enter into this Instrument, without reliance on any representation,
warranty, covenant or undertaking by Assignor, whether written, oral or
implicit, other than as expressly set out herein.
Section 1.4 Representations and Warranties of Borrower. Borrower hereby
represents and warrants to Assignor and Assignee that, as of the date hereof:
3
(a) There are no offsets, defenses or counterclaims against the enforcement
of the Assigned Indebtedness, the Assigned Liens or the other Assigned Rights,
whether held by Assignor or Assignee, and the Assigned Indebtedness, the
Assigned Liens and the other Assigned Rights are in full force and effect.
(b) As of the date hereof, the aggregate unpaid principal balance which is
due and owing on the Note is equal to $29,211,338.
(c) No release or subordination relating to the Assigned Liens has been
executed. Borrower has not subordinated (or consented to the subordination of)
the Assigned Indebtedness to any other indebtedness owing to any person.
(d) No Unmatured Event of Default or Event of Default (as defined in the
Credit Agreement) has occurred and is continuing other than the Unmatured Events
of Default and/or the Events of Default disclosed on Schedule 2 attached hereto.
(e) Borrower has not entered into any amendments or modifications to the
Credit Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document prior to the date hereof
other than the First Amendment to Credit Agreement and Second Amendment to
Credit Agreement described above (the Amendments), and Borrower has received
no waivers (other than those which no longer remain in effect or those contained
in any Amendment) with respect to any of the Loan Documents other than the
waivers disclosed on Schedule 3 attached hereto.
(f) The Base Agreement for Natural Gas Purchases dated September 9, 1999
between MOC and AEMC is being terminated contemporaneous with Assignor's receipt
of the cash consideration prescribed in Section 1.1(a) hereof, whereupon neither
Borrower nor AEMC will have any continuing rights or obligations thereunder.
(g) The ISDA Master Swap Agreement dated September 9, 1999 between MRC and
AMS, and the Transactions entered into thereunder are being terminated
contemporaneous with the later of (i) Assignor's receipt of the cash
consideration prescribed in Section 1.1(a) hereof and (ii) the execution and
delivery of the related Termination of Agreement and Mutual Release between MRC
and AMS and AMS's receipt of the cash consideration prescribed therein,
whereupon neither MRC nor AMS will have any continuing rights or obligations
thereunder.
(h) The ISDA Master Swap Agreement dated September 9, 1999 between MOC and
AMS, and the Transactions entered into thereunder are being terminated
contemporaneous with the later of (i) Assignor's receipt of the cash
consideration prescribed in Section 1.1(a) hereof and (ii) the execution and
delivery of the related Termination of Agreement and Mutual Release between MOC
and AMS and AMS's receipt of the cash consideration prescribed therein,
whereupon neither MOC nor AMS will have any continuing rights or obligations
thereunder.
Section 1.5 Representations and Warranties by each Party. Each
party hereto represents and warrants the following to the other parties:
4
(a) Authority; Execution. The party has all requisite power and authority
to execute this Instrument and consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.
The execution, delivery, and performance of this Instrument and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby on the part of the party have been duly
and validly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such party.
(b) No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by the party of
this Instrument does not and will not conflict with or violate any provision of
its respective articles of incorporation, bylaws or other organizational
documents or any other material agreement, contract or instrument to which it is
a party.
Section 1.6 Endorsement of Note. Upon the execution of this Instrument,
Assignor shall deliver the Note to Assignee, which Assignor shall have endorsed
as follows: Pay to the order of Black Hills Corporation, without any warranty,
representation or recourse whatsoever, express or implied, whether statutory or
otherwise, other than as expressly set forth in that certain Assignment of
Credit Agreement, Note, Liens and Security Documents dated as of October 1,
2002, by and among Aquila Energy Capital Corporation, Black Hills Corporation,
Mallon Resources Corporation and Mallon Oil Company.
Section 1.7 Surrender of Stock. Assignor hereby assigns to Mallon the
Borrower Stock. Upon the execution of this Instrument, Assignor shall surrender
to Borrower all shares of Borrower Stock, which Borrower shall cancel. Upon such
surrender by Assignor, Assignor shall have no further rights with respect to the
Borrower Stock, or with respect to any other stock of or interest in Borrower.
Section 1.8 Delivery of Insurance Certificates. Upon the execution of this
Instrument, Borrower shall deliver to Assignee the certificates of insurance
required by Section 7.1(p) of the Credit Agreement, showing Assignee as a loss
payee and an additional party insured as its interest may appear.
Section 1.9 Reserved Indemnities and Reserved Interests. Notwithstanding
any other provision hereof or in any other agreement: (a) Borrower shall remain
fully liable to Assignor and its shareholders, officers, directors, attorneys,
agents and representatives (collectively the ndemnified Assignor Parties)
with respect to all valid and existing obligations and liabilities of Borrower
to provide indemnification to the Indemnified Assignor Parties pursuant to the
Credit Agreement, which obligations and liabilities shall survive the execution
and delivery of this Instrument and any subsequent amendment, restatement or
termination of the Credit Agreement (collectively, the Reserved Indemnities),
and such Reserved Indemnities: (x) shall be and are hereby excepted and reserved
from the Assigned Rights and (y) are not included among any of the liabilities
or obligations released by Assignor pursuant to Section 1.11 hereof; and
(b) Assignor hereby also excepts from the Assigned Rights all of the rights
under the Agency Agreement identified in Section 1.2(c), the Base Agreement for
Natural Gas Purchases identified in Section 1.2(d) and the ISDA Master Swap
Agreements identified in Sections 1.2(e) and (f), all of which are being
terminated as provided herein; as well as the Borrower Stock that is being
surrendered to Borrower pursuant to Section 1.7 hereof (collectively, the
Reserved Interests).
5
Section 1.10 Release by Borrower. To induce Assignor to sell, and Assignee
to purchase the Assigned Rights, and at the special insistence and request of
Assignor and Assignee, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Borrower hereby fully
releases and discharges Assignor and its successors and assigns (including but
not limited to Assignee) and their respective officers, directors, employees,
representatives, agents and affiliates, from all claims, demands, causes of
action, liabilities or other obligations (Claims) of any kind whatsoever
(INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, OFFSETS, REDUCTIONS, REBATEMENTS OR CLAIMS OF
USURY OR CLAIMS WITH RESPECT TO THE NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF ANY
PERSON HEREBY INDEMNIFIED), whether known or unknown and whether now existing or
hereafter asserted, to the extent that any such Claims arise from or are related
to events or circumstances occurring or existing on or before the date hereof
and are in any way related to the Notes, the Credit Agreement, any other Loan
Documents, or any of the transactions provided for thereby. The foregoing
release and discharge shall be deemed to be effective immediately following the
assignment and assumption effected by Article I hereof, subject to the
provisions of Section 2.6, and as part of the foregoing release, Borrower hereby
releases Assignor from any of its obligations and commitments to make loans or
otherwise extend credit under the Credit Agreement, provided that such release
shall not impair the assumption by Assignee contained in Section 1.1(b) hereof.
Section 1.11 Release by Assignor. To induce Assignee to purchase the
Assigned Rights, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Assignor hereby fully releases and
discharges Borrower and Assignee, their respective successors and assigns, and
their respective officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents and
affiliates, from all Claims of any kind whatsoever, whether known or unknown and
whether now existing or hereafter asserted, to the extent that any such Claims
arise from or are related to events or circumstances occurring or existing on or
before the date hereof and are in any way related to the Notes, the Credit
Agreement, any other Loan Documents, or any of the transactions provided for
thereby, subject to the provisions of Section 1.13 below, and except for:
(a) any claims, causes of action and other rights of Assignor against Borrower
reserved by Assignor pursuant to Section 1.9, above, and (b) any obligations of
Assignee to Assignor expressly created pursuant to this Instrument.
Section 1.12 Release by Assignee. To induce Assignor to sell and transfer
the Assigned Rights, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Assignee hereby fully releases
and discharges Assignor, its successors and assigns, and their respective
officers, directors, employees, representatives, agents and affiliates, from all
Claims of any kind whatsoever, whether known or unknown and whether now existing
or hereafter asserted, to the extent that any such Claims arise from or are
related to events or circumstances occurring or existing on or before the date
hereof and are in any way related to the Notes, the Credit Agreement, any other
Loan Documents, or any of the transactions provided for thereby, except for any
Claims arising from or related to any obligations of Assignor to Assignee
expressly created pursuant to this Instrument, including, without limitation,
6
any Claims arising from any breach by Assignor of any of its representations,
warranties, covenants or agreements hereunder.
Section 1.13 Continuing Indebtedness. The Assigned Indebtedness is
continuing indebtedness, and nothing herein contained shall be construed to
cause or deem any of the Assigned Indebtedness to be paid, or to release or
terminate any of the Assigned Liens (or any other lien securing any of the
Assigned Indebtedness).
Section 1.14 Amendment to Mortgage. Borrower and, at Assignor's request,
Assignor, will execute an amendment to the Deed of Trust, Mortgage, Security
Agreement, Financing Statement and Assignment of Production from MOC to Lee-Ken
Choo, Trustee for the benefit if Aquila (the Mortgage) in form and substance
mutually satisfactory, reflecting the assignment of the Mortgage to Assignee
within two business days after Assignee has provided to Borrower (and to
Assignor, if Assignor is to be a party to such amendment) a mutually acceptable
form of such amendment.
Section 1.15 Termination of Agency Agreement. The Agency Agreement dated
September 9, 1999 between Borrower and Assignor is hereby terminated
contemporaneous with Assignor's receipt of the cash consideration prescribed in
Section 1.1(a) hereof, whereupon neither Borrower nor Assignor will have any
continuing rights or obligations thereunder.
Section 1.16 Additional Documents. Assignor will from time to time, at the
reasonable request of Assignee and upon payment of Assignor's expenses, execute
and deliver to Assignee any documents which are necessary or desirable to carry
out more effectively the purposes hereof, including without limitation, any
financing statements or assignments, properly completed (and acknowledged when
required).
Article II.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 2.1 Addresses. For the purposes hereof, the addresses of the
parties shall be as shown beside their signatures hereto.
Section 2.2 Choice of Law. This Instrument shall be governed by the
internal laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to that state's
choice of law rules.
Section 2.3 Counterparts. This Instrument may be executed by the different
parties hereto in separate counterparts. All of such counterparts together
constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 2.4 Successors and Assigns. The terms, provisions, covenants and
conditions hereof shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the
parties hereto, and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns.
Section 2.5 Entire Agreement. THIS WRITTEN INSTRUMENT REPRESENTS THE FINAL
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND MAY
NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY
7
EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES
THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
Section 2.6 Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the
contrary, this instrument shall not become effective unless and until the cash
consideration required to be paid by Assignee to Assignor pursuant to
Section 1.1 (a) hereof has been received by Assignor.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have each executed this Instrument
on the dates set forth in their respective acknowledgments below to be effective
for all purposes as of the date first above written.
Address of Assignor is: AQUILA ENERGY CAPITAL CORPORATION
909 Fannin, Suite 1850
Two Houston Center By:
Houston, Texas 77010 Name:
Mr. Lee-Ken Choo Title:
Address of Assignee is: BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
P.O. Box 1400 (57709-1400)
625 Ninth St.
Rapid City, SD 57701 By:
David R. Emery Name: _
Title:
Address of Borrower is: MALLON RESOURCES CORPORATION
999 18TH Street, Suite 1700 By:
Denver, Colorado 80202 Name:
Mr. George O. Mallon, Jr. Title:
MALLON OIL COMPANY
By:
Name:
Title:
9
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
(Assignor)
STATE OF COLORADO
CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 1st day of
October, 2002, by Kenneth F. Wyatt, Vice President of Aquila Energy Capital
Corporation.
Witness my hand and official seal.
________________________________
Notary Public
Name: Louise A. Canjar
My commission expires: January 20, 2006
(NOTARIAL SEAL)
10
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
(Assignee)
STATE OF COLORADO
CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 1st day of
October, 2002, by David R. Emery, Vice President/Fuel Resources of Black Hills
Corporation
Witness my hand and official seal.
_________________________________
Notary Public
Name: Louise A. Canjar
My commission expires: January 20, 2006
(NOTARIAL SEAL)
11
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
(Borrower)
STATE OF COLORADO
CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 1st day of
October, 2002, by Roy K. Ross, Executive Vice President of Mallon Resources
Corporation.
Witness my hand and official seal.
_________________________________
Notary Public
Name: Louise A. Canjar
My commission expires: January 20, 2006
(NOTARIAL SEAL)
STATE OF COLORADO
CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 1st day of
October, 2002, by Roy K. Ross, Executive Vice President Mallon Oil Company.
Witness my hand and official seal.
_______________________________
Notary Public
Name: Louise A. Canjar
My commission expires: January 20, 2006
(NOTARIAL SEAL)
12
SCHEDULE 1
To Assignment of Credit Agreement, Note, Liens and Security Documents
SECURITY DOCUMENTS
[See attached]
13
SCHEDULE 2
To Assignment of Credit Agreement, Note, Liens and Security Documents
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND UNMATURED EVENTS OF DEFAULT
1. Borrower is not in full compliance with the covenant set forth in Section
7.1(k) [timely payment of trade creditors].
2. Borrower is not in compliance with requirements set forth in Section
10.1(b) [projected net revenues].
3. Borrower is not in compliance with requirements set forth in Section
10.1(g) [P.I.T. lien].
14
SCHEDULE 3
To Assignment of Credit Agreement, Note, Liens and Security Documents
WAIVERS
Assignor has heretofore waived Borrower's deficiencies set forth in
Schedule 2, or agreed to refrain from taking action with respect thereto for a
period of time.
15
EXHIBIT 99.5
TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE
DATE: The date of this Agreement is October 1, 2002.
PARTIES: Aquila Merchant Services, Inc.
909 Fannin, Suite 1850
Houston, Texas 77010
Fax No: (713) 336.7494
("Aquila")
Mallon Resources Corporation
999 18th Street, Suite 1700
Denver, Colorado 80202
Fax No. (303) 293-3601
("Mallon")
RECITALS:
A. Aquila, as successor in interest to Aquila Risk Management Corporation,
and Mallon are parties to that certain ISDA Master Agreement dated September 9,
1999 (the "Swap Agreement").
B. Aquila and Mallon are not parties to any current underlying transactions
to the Swap Agreement, and now desire to terminate the Swap Agreement pursuant
to the terms and conditions stated herein.
AGREEMENT:
In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Termination of Swap Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision in the Swap
Agreement to the contrary, the Swap Agreement is hereby cancelled and terminated
by the parties, and neither party shall have any right or obligation with
respect to the Swap Agreement except as provided herein.
2. Release of Obligations. Effective from and after the execution of this
Agreement, and excepting only such claims, demands, and causes of action which
1
Aquila or Mallon may assert against one another for purposes of enforcing this
Agreement, or for purposes of claiming a breach of this Agreement, Aquila and
Mallon, for themselves, their successors and assigns, do hereby release and
forever discharge each other and the successors and assigns of each other from
all liability, known or unknown, contingent or direct, liquidated or
unliquidated, for any claims, demands, actions, or suits of any kind which they
have had, now have, or may in the future have, against one another arising out
of or pursuant to the Swap Agreement. Each party acknowledges the possibility
that the other party may have unknown claims against such party, and that by
signing this Agreement, each party expressly waives such claims, if any. The
parties further acknowledge that the consideration for this mutual release takes
into account the possibility of such future claims.
3. Representations and Warranties. Each party hereto represents and
warrants the following to the other party:
A. Authority; Execution. The party has all requisite power and
authority to execute this Agreement and consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery, and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby on
the part of the party have been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary action on the part of such party.
B. No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by the party
of this Agreement does not and will not conflict with or violate any
provision of its respective Articles of Incorporation, bylaws or other
organizational documents or any other material agreement, contract or
instrument to which it is a party.
4. General Covenants.
A. Voluntary Agreement. The parties have read this Agreement and the
mutual release contained herein, and have freely and voluntarily entered
into this Agreement. Each party is fully aware of the contents of this
Agreement and its legal effects. Each party confirms that it has executed
this Agreement free from duress, undue influence, or promise not set forth
in this Agreement.
B. Further Assurances. Each party shall take such actions and execute
such further documents as may be reasonably requested by the other party to
effectuate the purposes of this Agreement, provided, that Aquila shall not
be required to incur any expense in connection therewith.
C. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement represents the entire
agreement of the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements or
understandings with respect to the foregoing matters. This Agreement may be
amended only pursuant to a written document executed by both parties
hereto.
D. Counterparts/Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed
in counterparts, all of which together shall be deemed an original
Agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by
facsimile transmission shall constitute effective and binding execution and
delivery of this Agreement.
2
E. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the state of Texas without giving
effect to its conflict of laws decisions.
F. Individual Authorization. The individuals executing this Agreement
represent and warrant that they have been authorized to execute this
Agreement by the parties on whose behalf they are executing the Agreement,
and shall be personally liable to the other parties for any breach of this
representation and warranty.
G. Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the
contrary, this Agreement shall not become effective unless and until that
certain cash consideration required to be paid by Black Hills Corporation
to Aquila Energy Capital Corporation ("AECC") pursuant to that certain
Assignment of Credit Agreement, Note, Liens, and Security Documents dated
October 1, 2002, among such parties and others has been received by AECC.
[signature page is attached]
3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
Aquila Merchant Services, Inc. Mallon Resources Corporation
By: By:
-------------------------------------- ----------------------------
Name: Name:
------------------------------- -----------------------
Title: Title:
------------------------------ ----------------------
4
EXHIBIT 99.6
TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE
DATE: The date of this Agreement is October 1, 2002.
PARTIES: Aquila Merchant Services, Inc.
909 Fannin, Suite 1850
Houston, Texas 77010
Fax No: (713) 336-7494
("Aquila")
Mallon Oil Company
999 18th Street, Suite 1700
Denver, Colorado 80202
Fax No. (303) 293-3601
("Mallon")
RECITALS:
A. Aquila, as successor in interest to Aquila Risk Management Corporation,
and Mallon are parties to that certain ISDA Master Agreement dated September 9,
1999 (the "Swap Agreement").
B. Aquila and Mallon are parties to certain underlying transactions to the
Swap Agreement including but not limited to the following swap transactions (the
"Underlying Transactions"): (a) transactions [with respect to pricing]
outstanding under that certain Trade Ticket Number 500802, Trade Date
09/09/1999, between Aquila Risk Management Corporation and Mallon Oil Company,
with respect to a Base Quantity of 99,000 MMBTU/Month from 11/01/2002 through
12/31/2002; a Base Quantity of 83,000 MMBTU/Month from 01/01/2003 through
12/31/2003; and a Base Quantity of 71,000 MMBTU/Month from 01/01/2004 through
12/31/2004; and (b) Transactions [with respect to basis differential]
outstanding under that certain Trade Ticket Number 500985, Trade Date
09/10/1999, between Aquila Risk Management Corporation and Mallon Oil Company,
with respect to a Base Quantity of 99,000 MMBTU/Month from 11/01/2002 through
12/31/2002; a Base Quantity of 83,000 MMBTU/Month from 01/01/2003 through
12/31/2003; and a Base Quantity of 71,000 MMBTU/Month from 01/01/2004 through
12/31/2004.
C. The parties now desire to terminate the Swap Agreement and the
Underlying Transactions pursuant to the terms and conditions stated herein.
1
AGREEMENT:
In consideration of the sum of $1,223,727 paid by Mallon to Aquila (the
"Cash Consideration") and the mutual covenants herein contained, and for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby
acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Termination of Swap Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision in the Swap
Agreement or Underlying Transactions to the contrary, the Swap Agreement and the
Underlying Transactions are hereby cancelled and terminated by the parties, and
neither party shall have any right or obligation with respect to the Swap
Agreement or the Underlying Transactions except as provided herein.
2. Release of Obligations. Effective from and after the execution of this
Agreement, and excepting only such claims, demands, and causes of action which
Aquila or Mallon may assert against one another for purposes of enforcing this
Agreement, or for purposes of claiming a breach of this Agreement, Aquila and
Mallon, for themselves, their successors and assigns, do hereby release and
forever discharge each other and the successors and assigns of each other from
all liability, known or unknown, contingent or direct, liquidated or
unliquidated, for any claims, demands, actions, or suits of any kind which they
have had, now have, or may in the future have, against one another arising out
of or pursuant to the Swap Agreement and the Underlying Transactions. Each party
acknowledges the possibility that the other party may have unknown claims
against such party, and that by signing this Agreement, each party expressly
waives such claims, if any. The parties further acknowledge that the
consideration for this mutual release takes into account the possibility of such
future claims.
3. Representations and Warranties. Each party hereto represents and
warrants the following to the other party:
A. Authority; Execution. The party has all requisite power and
authority to execute this Agreement and consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery, and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby on
the part of the party have been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary action on the part of such party.
B. No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by the party
of this Agreement does not and will not conflict with or violate any
provision of its respective Articles of Incorporation, bylaws or other
organizational documents or any other material agreement, contract or
instrument to which it is a party.
4. General Covenants.
A. Voluntary Agreement. The parties have read this Agreement and the
mutual release contained herein, and have freely and voluntarily entered
into this Agreement. Each party is fully aware of the contents of this
Agreement and its legal effects. Each party confirms that it has executed
this Agreement free from duress, undue influence, or promise not set forth
in this Agreement.
2
B. Further Assurances. Each party shall take such actions and execute
such further documents as may be reasonably requested by the other party to
effectuate the purposes of this Agreement, provided, that Aquila shall not
be required to incur any expense in connection therewith.
C. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement represents the entire
agreement of the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements or
understandings with respect to the foregoing matters. This Agreement may be
amended only pursuant to a written document executed by both parties
hereto.
D. Counterparts/Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed
in counterparts, all of which together shall be deemed an original
Agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by
facsimile transmission shall constitute effective and binding execution and
delivery of this Agreement.
E. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the state of Texas without giving
effect to its conflict of laws decisions.
F. Individual Authorization. The individuals executing this Agreement
represent and warrant that they have been authorized to execute this
Agreement by the parties on whose behalf they are executing the Agreement,
and shall be personally liable to the other parties for any breach of this
representation and warranty.
G. Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the
contrary, this Agreement shall not become effective unless and until the
Cash Consideration has been received by Aquila, and until that certain cash
consideration required to be paid by Black Hills Corporation to Aquila
Energy Capital Corporation ("AECC") pursuant to that certain Assignment of
Credit Agreement, Note, Liens, and Security Documents dated October 1,
2002, among such parties and others has been received by AECC.
[signature page is attached]
3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
Aquila Merchant Services, Inc. Mallon Oil Company
By: By:
-------------------------------- --------------------------------
Name: Name:
--------------------------- -------------------------------
Title: Title:
-------------------------- --------------------------
4
EXHIBIT 99.7
TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE
DATE: The date of this Agreement is October 1, 2002.
PARTIES: Aquila Energy Marketing Corporation
909 Fannin, Suite 1850
Houston, Texas 77010
Fax No: (713) 336.7494
("Aquila")
Mallon Oil Company
999 18th Street, Suite 1700
Denver, Colorado 80202
Fax No. (303) 293-3601
("Mallon")
RECITALS:
A. Aquila and Mallon are parties to that certain Base Agreement for Natural
Gas Purchases dated September 9, 1999 (the "Base Agreement").
B. The parties now desire to terminate the Base Agreement pursuant to the
terms and conditions stated herein.
AGREEMENT:
In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and for
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
1. Termination of Base Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision in the Base
Agreement, the Base Agreement is hereby cancelled and terminated by the parties,
and neither party shall have any right or obligation with respect to the Base
Agreement except as provided herein.
2. Release of Obligations. Effective from and after the execution of this
Agreement, and excepting only such claims, demands, and causes of action which
Aquila or Mallon may assert against one another for purposes of enforcing this
Agreement, or for purposes of claiming a breach of this Agreement, Aquila and
Mallon, for
1
themselves, their successors and assigns, do hereby release and
forever discharge each other and the successors and assigns of each other from
all liability, known or unknown, contingent or direct, liquidated or
unliquidated, for any claims, demands, actions, or suits of any kind which they
have had, now have, or may in the future have, against one another arising out
of or pursuant to the Base Agreement. Each party acknowledges the possibility
that the other party may have unknown claims against such party, and that by
signing this Agreement, each party expressly waives such claims, if any. The
parties further acknowledge that the consideration for this mutual release takes
into account the possibility of such future claims.
3. Representations and Warranties. Each party hereto represents and
warrants the following to the other party:
A. Authority; Execution. The party has all requisite power and
authority to execute this Agreement and consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby. The execution, delivery, and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby on
the part of the party have been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary action on the part of such party.
B. No Conflict. The execution, delivery and performance by the party
of this Agreement does not and will not conflict with or violate any
provision of its respective Articles of Incorporation, bylaws or other
organizational documents or any other material agreement, contract or
instrument to which it is a party.
4. General Covenants.
A. Voluntary Agreement. The parties have read this Agreement and the
mutual release contained herein, and have freely and voluntarily entered
into this Agreement. Each party is fully aware of the contents of this
Agreement and its legal effects. Each party confirms that it has executed
this Agreement free from duress, undue influence, or promise not set forth
in this Agreement.
B. Further Assurances. Each party shall take such actions and execute
such further documents as may be reasonably requested by the other party to
effectuate the purposes of this Agreement, provided, that Aquila shall not
be required to incur any expense in connection therewith.
C. Entire Agreement; Amendments. This Agreement represents the entire
agreement of the parties hereto and supersedes all prior agreements or
understandings with respect to the foregoing matters. This Agreement may be
amended only pursuant to a written document executed by both parties
hereto.
D. Counterparts/Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed
in counterparts, all of which together shall be deemed an original
Agreement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by
facsimile transmission shall constitute effective and binding execution and
delivery of this Agreement.
2
E. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal laws of the state of Texas without giving
effect to its conflict of laws decisions.
F. Individual Authorization. The individuals executing this Agreement
represent and warrant that they have been authorized to execute this
Agreement by the parties on whose behalf they are executing the Agreement,
and shall be personally liable to the other parties for any breach of this
representation and warranty.
G. Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything else herein to the
contrary, this Agreement shall not become effective unless and until that
certain cash consideration required to be paid by Black Hills Corporation
to Aquila Energy Capital Corporation ("AECC") pursuant to that certain
Assignment of Credit Agreement, Note, Liens, and Security Documents dated
October 1, 2002, among such parties and others has been received by AECC.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
Aquila Energy Marketing Corporation Mallon Oil Company
By: By:
--------------------------------- --------------------------------
Name: Name:
---------------------------- ---------------------------
Title: Title:
--------------------------- --------------------------
3