sv3
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4, 2008
Registration No. 333-
Registration No. 333- -01
Registration No. 333- -02
Registration No. 333- -03
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Legacy Reserves LP
(and the subsidiaries identified in footnote (*) below)
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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1311
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
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161751069
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
303 W. Wall Street, Suite 1400
Midland, Texas 79701
(432) 6895200
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
Steven H. Pruett
President and Chief Financial Officer
Legacy Reserves GP, LLC
303 W. Wall Street, Suite 1400
Midland, Texas 79701
(432) 6895200
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies
to:
Gislar Donnenberg
Andrews Kurth LLP
600 Travis, Suite 4200
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 220-4200
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the
effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are to be offered pursuant to dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous
basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in
connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the
following box.
þ
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b)
under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration
statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act,
check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective
amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule
462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General
Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities
pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer,
a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.
See the definitions of large
accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer o |
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Non-accelerated filer
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(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
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Smaller Reporting Company o |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed |
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Maximum |
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Amount |
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Offering |
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Proposed Maximum |
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Amount of |
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Title of Each Class of |
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to be |
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Price per unit |
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Aggregate |
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Registration |
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Securities to be Registered |
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Registered |
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(1) |
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Offering Price (2) |
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Fee |
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Units
representing limited partner interests (3) |
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Senior debt securities (3) |
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Subordinated debt securities (3) |
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Guarantees of debt securities (4) |
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Total |
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$500,000,000(1)(2) |
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$19,650 |
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(1) |
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We have estimated the proposed maximum aggregate offering price solely to calculate the
registration fee under 457(o). In no event will the aggregate initial offering price of all
securities offered from time to time pursuant to the primary offering prospectus included as
part of this Registration Statement exceed $500,000,000. |
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(2) |
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The proposed maximum offering price per unit will be determined from time to time by the
registrant in connection with, and at the time of, the issuance by the registrant of the
units. |
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(3) |
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An unspecified amount of units and an unspecified principal
amount debt securities as may be sold from time to time by Legacy
Reserves LP is being registered hereunder. |
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If a series of debt securities is guaranteed, such series will be guaranteed by all
subsidiaries other than minor subsidiaries as such term is interpreted in securities
regulations governing financial reporting for guarantors. Pursuant to Rule 457(n), no
separate fee is payable with respect to the guarantees of the debt securities being
registered. |
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(*) |
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Each of the following is a co-registrant that may issue some or all of the guarantees of the
debt securities: |
Legacy Reserves Operating LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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20-4307259
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
Legacy Reserves Operating GP LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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20-4307209
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
Legacy Reserves Services, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Texas
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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20-4442710
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary
to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically
states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with
Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission acting pursuant to said 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus is not an
offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer
or sale is not permitted. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective.
SUBJECT
TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 4, 2008
PROSPECTUS
Legacy Reserves LP
$500,000,000
Units Representing Limited Partner Interests
Debt Securities
Fully and Unconditionally Guaranteed by
Legacy Reserves Operating LP, Legacy Reserves Operating GP LLC and Legacy Reserves Services, Inc.
We may offer, from time to time, in one or more series, the following securities under this
prospectus:
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units representing limited partnership interests in Legacy Reserves LP; and |
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debt securities, which may be secured or unsecured senior debt securities or secured or
unsecured subordinated debt securities. |
All other direct or indirect subsidiaries of Legacy Reserves LP, other than minor
subsidiaries as such item is interpreted in securities regulations governing financial reporting
for guarantors, may guarantee the debt securities.
The securities we may offer:
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will have a maximum aggregate offering price of $500,000,000; |
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will be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be set forth in one or more
accompanying prospectus supplements; and |
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may be offered separately or together, or in separate series. |
Our units are listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market, or NASDAQ, under the symbol LGCY.
We will provide information in the prospectus supplement, for the trading market, if any, for any
debt securities we may offer.
You should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest.
You also should read the documents we have referred you to in the Where You Can Find More
Information section of this prospectus for information on us and our financial statements. This
prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus
supplement.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Limited partnerships are
inherently different from corporations. For a discussion of the factors you should consider before
deciding to purchase our securities, please see Risk Factors beginning on page 4 of this
prospectus, contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by
reference herein and therein.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2008.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus
supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to
provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any
state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in
this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as the information we previously filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission that is incorporated by reference herein, is accurate as of
any date other than its respective date.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a shelf registration process or continuous
offering process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer from time to time up to
$500,000,000 in total aggregate offering price of units or debt securities in one or more
offerings. Each time we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that
will describe, among other things, the specific amounts and prices of the securities being offered
and the terms of the offering, including in the case of debt securities, the specific terms of the
securities. The prospectus supplement may include additional risk factors or other special
considerations applicable to those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update, or
change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the
information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in
the prospectus supplement.
Additional information, including our financial statements and the notes thereto, is
incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our reports filed with the SEC. Please read Where
You Can Find More Information. You are urged to read this prospectus carefully, including our
Risk Factors, and our reports filed with the SEC in their entirety before investing in our units
or debt securities. You should read this prospectus and any attached prospectus supplements
relating to the securities offered to you together with the additional information described under
the heading Where You Can Find More Information.
References in this prospectus to Legacy Reserves, Legacy, we, our, us, or like terms
prior to March 15, 2006 refer to the Moriah Group, Legacy Reserves predecessor, including the oil
and natural gas properties we acquired in exchange for units and cash from the Moriah Group, the
Brothers Group, H2K Holdings, MBN Properties and certain charitable foundations in connection with
our private equity offering on March 15, 2006. Unless the
context otherwise requires, when used for periods from March 15, 2006 forward,
those terms refer to Legacy Reserves LP and its subsidiaries.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These statements may include, but are not
limited to, statements about our:
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our business strategy; |
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the amount of oil and natural gas we produce; |
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the price at which we are able to sell our oil and natural gas production; |
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our ability to acquire additional oil and natural gas properties at economically
attractive prices; |
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our drilling locations and our ability to continue our development activities at
economically attractive prices; |
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the level or our lease operating expenses, general and administrative costs and finding
and development costs, including payments to our general partner; |
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the level of capital expenditures; |
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our future operating results; and |
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our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. |
All of these types of statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this
prospectus, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking
statements by terminology such as may, could, should, expect, plan, project, intend,
anticipate, believe, estimate, predict, potential, pursue, target, continue, the
negative of such terms or other comparable terminology.
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The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are largely based on our
expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and
assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors.
Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain
and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. In addition,
managements assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. All readers are cautioned
that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are not guarantees of future
performance, and we cannot assure any reader that such statements will be realized or the
forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially from
those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements due to factors described in the
Risk Factors section and elsewhere in this prospectus. The forward-looking statements in this
prospectus speak only as of the date of this prospectus; we disclaim any obligation to update these
statements unless required by securities law. These cautionary statements qualify all
forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.
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ABOUT LEGACY RESERVES LP
Legacy Reserves LP is an independent oil and natural gas limited partnership headquartered in
Midland, Texas, focused on the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas properties
primarily located in the Permian Basin and Mid-continent regions. We were formed in
October 2005 to own and operate the oil and natural gas properties that we acquired from our
Founding Investors in connection with the closing of our formation and a private equity offering on
March 15, 2006. On January 18, 2007, we completed our initial public offering.
We have grown primarily through two activities: the acquisition of producing oil and natural
gas properties and the development of proved properties as opposed to higher risk exploration of
unproved properties.
Our reserves are located primarily in the Permian Basin, one of the largest and most prolific
oil and natural gas producing basins in the United States. The Permian Basin is characterized by
oil and natural gas fields with long production histories and multiple producing formations. Our
producing properties are mature fields with established decline curves.
Our general partner, Legacy Reserves GP, LLC, manages our operations and activities and its
board of directors and officers make decisions on our behalf.
Our principal executive offices are located at 303 W. Wall Street, Suite 1400, Midland, Texas
79701 and our telephone number is (432) 689-5200.
Legacy Reserves Operating LP is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy Reserves LP that owns and
operates our oil and natural gas producing assets.
Legacy Reserves Operating GP LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy Reserves LP that is
the general partner of Legacy Reserves Operating LP.
Legacy Reserves Services, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy Reserves LP that employs
our professional and operating personnel and provides administrative services to Legacy Reserves LP
and Legacy Reserves Operating LP.
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RISK FACTORS
Limited partner interests are inherently different from the capital stock of a corporation,
although many of the business risks to which we are subject are similar to those that would be
faced by a corporation engaged in a similar business.
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider
the following risk factors, together with all of the other information included in, or incorporated
by reference into, this prospectus or any prospectus supplement in evaluating an investment in our
securities. If applicable, we will include in any prospectus supplement a description of those
significant factors that could make the offering described in the prospectus supplement speculative
or risky. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of
operations or cash flow could be adversely affected. In that case, our ability to make
distributions to our unitholders or pay interest on, or the principal of, any debt securities may
be reduced, the trading price of our securities could decline and you could lose all or part of
your investment.
Risks Inherent in an Investment in Our Units
We may not have sufficient available cash to pay the full amount of our current quarterly
distribution or any distribution at all following establishment of cash reserves and payment of
fees and expenses, including payments to our general partner.
We may not have sufficient available cash each quarter to pay the full amount of our current
quarterly distribution or any distribution at all. The amount of cash we distribute in any quarter
to our unitholders may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and may be significantly
less than our current quarterly distribution. Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the
amount of cash otherwise available for distribution will be reduced by our operating expenses and
the amount of any cash reserves that our general partner establishes to provide for future
operations, future capital expenditures, future debt service requirements and future cash
distributions to our unitholders. Further, our debt agreements contain restrictions on our ability
to pay distributions. The amount of cash we can distribute on our units principally depends upon
the amount of cash we generate from our operations, which will fluctuate from quarter to quarter
based on, among other things:
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the amount of oil and natural gas we produce; |
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the price at which we are able to sell our oil and natural gas production; |
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whether we are able to acquire additional oil and natural gas properties at economically
attractive prices; |
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whether we are able to continue our development activities at economically attractive
costs; |
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the level of our operating costs, including payments to our general partner; |
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the level of our interest expense, which depends on the amount of our indebtedness and
the interest payable thereon; and |
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the level of our capital expenditures. |
If we are not able to acquire additional oil and natural gas reserves on economically acceptable
terms, our reserves and production will decline, which would adversely affect our business, results
of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our
unitholders.
We will be unable to sustain distributions at the current level without making accretive
acquisitions or substantial capital expenditures that maintain or grow our asset base. Oil and
natural gas reserves are characterized by declining production rates, and our future oil and
natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, our cash flow and our ability to make
distributions are highly dependent on our success in economically finding or acquiring additional
recoverable reserves and efficiently developing and developing our current reserves. Further, the
rate of
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estimated decline of our oil and natural gas reserves may increase if our wells do not produce
as expected. We may not be able to find, acquire or develop additional reserves to replace our
current and future production at acceptable costs, which would adversely affect our business,
results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to
our unitholders.
Because we distribute all of our available cash to our unitholders, our future growth may be
limited.
Since we will distribute all of our available cash as defined in our partnership agreement to
our unitholders, our growth may not be as fast as businesses that reinvest their available cash to
expand ongoing operations. We will depend on financing provided by commercial banks and other
lenders and the issuance of debt and equity securities to finance any significant growth or
acquisitions. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing from these sources, our ability to
grow will be limited.
If commodity prices decline significantly for a prolonged period, we may be forced to reduce our
distribution or not be able to pay distributions at all.
A significant decline in oil and natural gas prices over a prolonged period would have a
significant impact on the value of our reserves and on our cash flow, which would force us to
reduce or suspend our distribution. Prices for oil and natural gas may fluctuate widely in
response to relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, market
uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control, such as:
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the domestic and foreign supply of and demand for oil and natural gas; |
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the price and quantity of imports of crude oil and natural gas; |
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overall domestic and global economic conditions; |
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political and economic conditions in other oil and natural gas producing countries,
including embargoes and continued hostilities in the Middle East and other sustained
military campaigns, and acts of terrorism or sabotage; |
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the ability of members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to agree to
and maintain oil price and production controls; |
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the level of consumer product demand; |
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weather conditions; |
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the impact of the U.S. dollar exchange rates on oil and natural gas prices; and |
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the price and availability of alternative fuels. |
In the past, the prices of oil and natural gas have been extremely volatile, and we expect
this volatility to continue.
If commodity prices decline significantly for a prolonged period, a significant portion of our
development projects may become uneconomic, which may adversely affect our ability to make
distributions to our unitholders.
Lower oil and natural gas prices may not only decrease our revenues, but also reduce the
amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce economically. Furthermore, substantial decreases
in oil and natural gas prices as were experienced as recently as 2002, when prices of less than
$20.00 per Bbl of oil and $2.00 per Mcf of natural gas were received at the wellhead, would render
a significant portion of our development projects uneconomic. This may result in our having to
make substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves. If this occurs, or if our
estimates of development costs increase, production data factors change or drilling results
deteriorate, accounting rules may require us to write down, as a non-cash charge to earnings, the
carrying value of our oil and
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natural gas properties for impairments. We may incur impairment charges in the future, which
could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period taken and our
ability to borrow funds under our credit facility to pay distributions to our unitholders.
Our estimated reserves are based on many assumptions that may prove inaccurate. Any material
inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the
quantities and present value of our reserves.
No one can measure underground accumulations of oil and natural gas in an exact way. Oil and
natural gas reserve engineering requires subjective estimates of underground accumulations of oil
and natural gas and assumptions concerning future oil and natural gas prices, production levels,
and operating and development costs. As a result, estimated quantities of proved reserves and
projections of future production rates and the timing of development expenditures may prove to be
inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will
materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves which could adversely affect our
business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to
our unitholders.
Our credit facility has substantial restrictions and financial covenants, and our borrowing base is
subject to redetermination by our lenders which could adversely affect our business, results of
operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
We will depend on our revolving credit facility for future capital needs. Our revolving
credit facility restricts, among other things, our ability to incur debt and pay distributions, and
requires us to comply with certain financial covenants and ratios. Our ability to comply with
these restrictions and covenants in the future is uncertain and will be affected by the levels of
cash flow from our operations and events or circumstances beyond our control. Our failure to
comply with any of the restrictions and covenants under our revolving credit facility could result
in a default under our revolving credit facility. A default under our revolving credit facility
could cause all of our existing indebtedness to be immediately due and payable. Additionally, our
revolving credit facility limits the amounts we can borrow to a borrowing base amount, determined
by the lenders in their sole discretion.
We are prohibited from borrowing under our revolving credit facility to pay distributions to
unitholders if the amount of borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility reaches or
exceeds 90% of the borrowing base, which is the amount of money available for borrowing, as
determined semi-annually by our lenders in their sole discretion. The lenders will redetermine the
borrowing base based on an engineering report with respect to our oil and natural gas reserves,
which will take into account the prevailing oil and natural gas prices at such time. Any time our
borrowings exceed 90% of the then specified borrowing base, our ability to pay distributions to our
unitholders in any such quarter is solely dependent on our ability to generate sufficient cash from
our operations.
Outstanding borrowings in excess of the borrowing base must be repaid, and, if mortgaged
properties represent less than 80% of total value of oil and gas properties used to determine the
borrowing base, we must pledge other oil and natural gas properties as additional collateral. We
may not have the financial resources in the future to make any mandatory principal prepayments
required under our revolving credit facility.
The occurrence of an event of default or a negative redetermination of our borrowing base
could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to
make distributions to our unitholders.
Our business depends on gathering and transportation facilities owned by others. Any limitation in
the availability of those facilities would interfere with our ability to market the oil and natural
gas we produce.
The marketability of our oil and natural gas production depends in part on the availability,
proximity and capacity of gathering and pipeline systems owned by third parties. The amount of oil
and natural gas that can be produced and sold is subject to curtailment in certain circumstances,
such as pipeline interruptions due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, excessive pressure,
physical damage to the gathering or transportation system, or lack of contracted capacity on such
systems. The curtailments arising from these and similar circumstances may last from a few days to
several months. In many cases, we are provided only with limited, if any, notice as to when
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these circumstances will arise and their duration. Any significant curtailment in gathering
system or pipeline capacity, or significant delay in the construction of necessary gathering and
transportation facilities, could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial
condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
Our
development projects require substantial capital expenditures, which will reduce our cash
available for distribution. We may be unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory
terms, which could lead to a decline in our oil and natural gas reserves.
We make and expect to continue to make substantial capital expenditures in our business for
the development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves. These
expenditures will reduce our cash available for distribution. We intend to finance our future
capital expenditures with cash flow from operations and borrowings under our revolving credit
facility. Our cash flow from operations and access to capital are subject to a number of
variables, including:
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our proved reserves; |
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the level of oil and natural gas we are able to produce from existing wells; |
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the prices at which our oil and natural gas are sold; and |
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our ability to acquire, locate and produce new reserves. |
If our revenues or the borrowing base under our credit facility decrease as a result of lower
oil and/or natural gas prices, operating difficulties, declines in reserves or for any other
reason, we may have limited ability to obtain the capital necessary to sustain our operations at
current levels. Our credit facility restricts our ability to obtain new financing. If additional
capital is needed, we may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing. If cash generated by
operations or available under our revolving credit facility is not sufficient to meet our capital
requirements, the failure to obtain additional financing could result in a curtailment of our
operations relating to development of our prospects, which in turn could lead to a decline in our
oil and natural gas reserves, and could adversely affect our business, results of operations,
financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
We do not control all of our operations and development projects and failure of an operator of
wells in which we own partial interests to adequately perform could adversely affect our business,
results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our
unitholders.
Much of our business activities are conducted through joint operating agreements under which
we own partial interests in oil and natural gas wells.
If we do not operate wells in which we own an interest, we do not have control over normal
operating procedures, expenditures or future development of underlying properties. The success and
timing of our development activities on properties operated by others is outside of our control.
The failure of an operator of wells in which we own partial interests to adequately perform
operations, or an operators breach of the applicable agreements, could reduce our production and
revenues and could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and
our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
Shortages of drilling rigs, equipment and crews could delay our operations, adversely affect our
ability to increase our reserves and production and reduce our cash available for distribution to
our unitholders.
Higher oil and natural gas prices generally increase the demand for drilling rigs, equipment
and crews and can lead to shortages of, and increasing costs for, drilling equipment, services and
personnel. Shortages of, or increasing costs for, experienced drilling crews and oil field
equipment and services could restrict our ability to drill the wells and conduct the operations
which we currently have planned. Any delay in the drilling of new wells or significant
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increase in drilling costs could adversely affect our ability to increase our reserves and
production and reduce our revenues and cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
Increases in the cost of drilling rigs, service rigs, pumping services and other costs in drilling
and completing wells could reduce the viability of certain of our development projects.
The rig count and the cost of rigs and oil field services necessary to implement our
development projects have risen significantly with the increases in oil and natural gas prices.
Increased capital requirements for our projects will result in higher reserve replacement costs
which could reduce cash available for distribution. Higher project costs could cause certain of
our projects to become uneconomic and therefore not to be implemented, reducing our production and
cash available for distribution.
Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are high risk activities with many uncertainties
that could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our
ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
Our drilling activities are subject to many risks, including the risk that we will not
discover commercially productive reservoirs. Drilling for oil and natural gas can be uneconomic,
not only from dry holes, but also from productive wells that do not produce sufficient revenues to
be commercially viable.
In addition, our drilling and producing operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a
result of other factors, including:
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the high cost, shortages or delivery delays of equipment and services; |
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unexpected operational events; |
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adverse weather conditions; |
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facility or equipment malfunctions; |
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title disputes; |
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pipeline ruptures or spills; |
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collapses of wellbore, casing or other tubulars; |
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unusual or unexpected geological formations; |
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loss of drilling fluid circulation; |
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formations with abnormal pressures; |
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fires; |
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blowouts, craterings and explosions; and |
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uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas or well fluids. |
Any of these events can cause substantial losses, including personal injury or loss of life,
damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution, environmental
contamination, loss of wells and regulatory penalties.
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We ordinarily maintain insurance against various losses and liabilities arising from our
operations; however, insurance against all operational risks is not available to us. Additionally,
we may elect not to obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of available insurance is
excessive relative to the perceived risks presented. Losses could therefore occur for uninsurable
or uninsured risks or in amounts in excess of existing insurance coverage. The occurrence of an
event that is not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse impact on our business,
results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our
unitholders.
Increases in interest rates could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows
from operations and financial condition.
Since all of the indebtedness outstanding under our credit facility is at variable interest
rates, we have significant exposure to increases in interest rates. As a result, our business,
results of operations and cash flows may be adversely affected by significant increases in interest
rates.
Further, an increase in interest rates may cause a corresponding decline in demand for equity
investments, in particular for yield-based equity investments such as our units. Any reduction in
demand for our units resulting from other more attractive investment opportunities may cause the
trading price of our units to decline.
We may have assumed unknown liabilities in connection with the formation transactions and our
subsequent acquisitions.
As part of the formation transactions and subsequent acquisitions, our properties may be
subject to existing liabilities, some of which may have been unknown at the closing of such
transactions. Unknown liabilities might include liabilities for cleanup or remediation of
undisclosed or unknown environmental conditions, claims of vendors or other persons (that had not
been asserted or threatened prior to the closing of such transactions), tax liabilities and accrued
but unpaid liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business.
Properties that we buy may not produce as projected, and we may be unable to determine reserve
potential, identify liabilities associated with the properties or obtain protection from sellers
against such liabilities.
One of our growth strategies is to acquire additional oil and natural gas reserves. However,
our reviews of acquired properties are inherently incomplete because it generally is not feasible
to review in depth every individual property involved in each acquisition. Even a detailed review
of records and properties may not necessarily reveal existing or potential problems, nor will it
permit a buyer to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully their
deficiencies and potential. Inspections may not always be performed on every well, and
environmental problems, such as ground water contamination, are not necessarily observable even
when an inspection is undertaken. Even when problems are identified, we often assume environmental
and other risks and liabilities in connection with acquired properties.
Our identified drilling location inventories are scheduled out over several years, making them
susceptible to uncertainties that could materially alter the occurrence or timing of their
drilling.
Our management team has specifically identified and scheduled drilling locations as an
estimation of our future multi-year drilling activities on our acreage. These identified drilling
locations represent a significant part of our growth strategy. Our ability to drill and develop
these locations depends on a number of factors, including the availability of capital, seasonal
conditions, regulatory approvals, oil and natural gas prices, costs and drilling results. Our
final determination on whether to drill any of these drilling locations will be dependent upon the
factors described above as well as, to some degree, the results of our drilling activities with
respect to our proved drilling locations. Because of these uncertainties, we do not know if the
numerous drilling locations we have identified will be drilled within our expected timeframe or
will ever be drilled or if we will be able to produce oil or natural gas from these or any other
potential drilling locations. As such, our actual drilling activities may be materially different
from those presently identified, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations,
financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
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Our
commodity derivative activities could result in cash losses, could reduce our cash available for
distributions and may limit potential gains.
We
have entered into, and we may in the future enter into, oil and
natural gas derivative contracts intended to offset the effects of
price volatility related to a
significant portion of our oil and natural gas production. Many derivative instruments that we
employ require us to make cash payments to the extent the applicable index exceeds a predetermined
price, thereby limiting our ability to realize the benefit of increases in oil and natural gas
prices.
If
our actual production and sales for any period are less than our
expected production covered by derivative contracts and
sales for that period (including reductions in production due to operational delays) or if we are
unable to perform our drilling activities as planned, we might be forced to satisfy all or a
portion of our derivative contracts without the benefit of the cash flow from our sale of the
underlying physical commodity, resulting in a substantial diminution of our liquidity. Lastly, an
attendant risk exists in derivative activities that the counterparty in any derivative transaction
cannot or will not perform under the instrument and that we will not realize the benefit of the
derivative. Under our credit facility, we are prohibited from
entering into derivative contracts covering all of our production, and we
therefore retain the risk of a price decrease on our volumes not
subject to derivative contracts.
The inability of one or more of our customers to meet their obligations may adversely affect our
financial condition and results of operations.
Substantially all of our accounts receivable result from oil and natural gas sales or joint
interest billings to third parties in the energy industry. This concentration of customers and
joint interest owners may impact our overall credit risk in that these entities may be similarly
affected by changes in economic and other conditions. In addition, our oil and natural gas hedging
arrangements expose us to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties.
We depend on a limited number of key personnel who would be difficult to replace.
Our operations are dependent on the continued efforts of our executive officers, senior
management and key employees. The loss of any member of our senior management or other key
employees could negatively impact our ability to execute our strategy.
We may be unable to compete effectively with larger companies, which could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash
distributions to our unitholders.
The oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with other companies
that have greater resources than us. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to discover
reserves in the future will be dependent upon our ability to evaluate and select suitable
properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. Many of our larger
competitors not only explore for and produce oil and natural gas, but also carry on refining
operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis.
These companies may be able to pay more for productive natural gas properties and exploratory
prospects or define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects
than our financial or human resources permit. In addition, these companies may have a greater
ability to continue exploration and development activities during periods of low oil and natural
gas market prices and to absorb the burden of present and future federal, state, local and other
laws and regulations. Our inability to compete effectively with larger companies could have a
material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability
to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately
report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential unitholders
could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and the trading
price of our units.
Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with
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generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal
control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any
evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or
procedures may deteriorate. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our
reputation and operating results could be harmed. We cannot be certain that our efforts to develop
and maintain our internal controls will be successful, that we will be able to maintain adequate
controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future or that we will be able to
continue to comply with our obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any
failure to maintain effective internal controls, or difficulties encountered in implementing or
improving our internal controls, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet
certain reporting obligations. Ineffective internal controls could also cause investors to lose
confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading
price of our units.
We are subject to complex federal, state, local and other laws and regulations that could adversely
affect the cost, manner or feasibility of conducting our operations.
Our oil and natural gas exploration and production operations are subject to complex and
stringent laws and regulations. In order to conduct our operations in compliance with these laws
and regulations, we must obtain and maintain numerous permits, approvals and certificates from
various federal, state and local governmental authorities. We may incur substantial costs in order
to maintain compliance with these existing laws and regulations. In addition, our costs of
compliance may increase if existing laws and regulations are revised or reinterpreted, or if new
laws and regulations become applicable to our operations. All such costs may have a negative
effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash
distributions to our unitholders.
Our business is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations as interpreted and
enforced by governmental authorities possessing jurisdiction over various aspects of the
exploration for and the production of, oil and natural gas. Failure to comply with such laws and
regulations, as interpreted and enforced, could have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our
unitholders.
Our operations expose us to significant costs and liabilities with respect to environmental and
operational safety matters.
We may incur significant costs and liabilities as a result of environmental and safety
requirements applicable to our oil and natural gas exploration and production activities. These
costs and liabilities could arise under a wide range of federal, state and local environmental and
safety laws and regulations, including regulations and enforcement policies, which have tended to
become increasingly strict over time. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result
in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, imposition of cleanup and site
restoration costs and liens, and to a lesser extent, issuance of injunctions to limit or cease
operations. In addition, claims for damages to persons or property may result from environmental
and other impacts of our operations.
Strict, joint and several liability may be imposed under certain environmental laws, which
could cause us to become liable for the conduct of others or for consequences of our own actions
that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time those actions were taken. New laws,
regulations or enforcement policies could be more stringent and impose unforeseen liabilities or
significantly increase compliance costs. If we were not able to recover the resulting costs
through insurance or increased revenues, our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders
could be adversely affected.
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Risks Related to Our Limited Partnership Structure
Units eligible for future sale may have adverse effects on our unit price and the liquidity of the
market for our units.
We cannot predict the effect of future sales of our units, or the availability of units for
future sales, on the market price of or the liquidity of the market for our units. Sales of
substantial amounts of units, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect
the prevailing market price of our units. Such sales, or the possibility of such sales, could also
make it difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we
deem appropriate. Factors affecting the likely volume of future sales of our units, and the
possible consequences of such sales, include the following:
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All of our units issued in our private equity offerings are restricted securities
within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act. As more of our units become
eligible for sale under Rule 144, the volume of sales of our units may increase, which
could reduce the market price of our units. |
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The Founding Investors and their affiliates, including members of our management, own
approximately 43% of our outstanding units. We granted the Founding Investors certain
registration rights to have their units registered under the Securities Act. Upon
registration, these units became eligible for sale into the market. Because of the
substantial size of the Founding Investors holdings, the sale of a significant portion of
these units, or a perception in the market that such a sale is likely, could have a
significant impact on the market price of our units. |
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We granted purchasers in our private equity offerings certain registration rights to
have the resale of their units registered under the Securities Act. If purchasers in our
private equity offerings were to resell a substantial portion of their units, it could
reduce the market price of our outstanding units. |
Our Founding Investors, including members of our management, own a 43% limited partner interest in
us and control our general partner, which has sole responsibility for conducting our business and
managing our operations. Our general partner has conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary
duties, which may permit it to favor its own interests to the detriment of our unitholders.
Our Founding Investors, including members of our management, own a 43% limited partner
interest in us and therefore have the ability to effectively control the election of the entire
board of directors of our general partner. Although our general partner has a fiduciary duty to
manage us in a manner beneficial to us and our unitholders, the directors and officers of our
general partner have a fiduciary duty to manage our general partner in a manner beneficial to its
owners, our Founding Investors and their affiliates. Conflicts of interest may arise between our
Founding Investors and their affiliates, including our general partner, on the one hand, and us and
our unitholders, on the other hand. In resolving these conflicts of interest, our general partner
may favor its own interests and the interests of its affiliates over the interests of our
unitholders. These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:
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neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires our Founding
Investors or their affiliates, other than our executive officers, to pursue a business
strategy that favors us; |
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our general partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than
us, such as our Founding Investors, in resolving conflicts of interest, which has the
effect of limiting its fiduciary duty to our unitholders; |
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our Founding Investors and their affiliates (other than our executive officers and their
affiliates) may engage in competition with us; |
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our general partner has limited its liability and reduced its fiduciary duties under our
partnership agreement and has also restricted the remedies available to our unitholders for
actions that, without the limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty. As a
result of purchasing units, unitholders consent to some |
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actions and conflicts of interest that might otherwise constitute a breach of fiduciary or
other duties under applicable state law; |
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our general partner determines the amount and timing of asset purchases and sales,
capital expenditures, borrowings, issuance of additional partnership securities, and
reserves, each of which can affect the amount of cash that is distributed to our
unitholders; |
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our general partner determines the amount and timing of any capital expenditures and
whether a capital expenditure is a maintenance capital expenditure, which reduces operating
surplus, or a growth capital expenditure, which does not. Such determination can affect
the amount of cash that is distributed to our unitholders; |
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our general partner determines which costs incurred by it and its affiliates are
reimbursable by us; |
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our partnership agreement does not restrict our general partner from causing us to pay
it or its affiliates for any services rendered to us or entering into additional
contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf; |
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our general partner intends to limit its liability regarding our contractual and other
obligations; |
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our general partner controls the enforcement of obligations owed to us by it and its
affiliates; and |
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our general partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants, or others
to perform services for us. |
Even if unitholders are dissatisfied they cannot remove our general partner without the consent of
unitholders owning at least
662/3% of our units, including units owned by our general partner and its
affiliates.
Currently, the unitholders are unable to remove our general partner without its consent
because our general partners affiliates own sufficient units to be able to prevent our general
partners removal. The vote of the holders of at least 662/3% of all outstanding units voting
together as a single class is required to remove the general partner. Affiliates of our general
partner, including members of our management, own 43% of our units.
Our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of those unitholders owning 20% or more of
our units.
Unitholders voting rights are further restricted by the partnership agreement provision
providing that any units held by a person that owns 20% or more of any class of units then
outstanding, other than our general partner, its affiliates, their transferees, and persons who
acquired such units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner,
cannot vote on any matter. Our partnership agreement also contains provisions limiting the ability
of unitholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our operations, as well as other
provisions limiting the unitholders ability to influence the manner or direction of management.
Our Founding Investors and their affiliates (other than our executive officers and their
affiliates) may compete directly with us.
Our Founding Investors and their affiliates, other than our general partner and our executive
officers and their affiliates, are not prohibited from owning assets or engaging in businesses that
compete directly or indirectly with us. In addition, our Founding Investors or their affiliates,
other than our general partner and our executive officers and their affiliates, may acquire,
develop and operate oil and natural gas properties or other assets in the future, without any
obligation to offer us the opportunity to acquire, develop or operate those assets.
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Cost reimbursements due our general partner and its affiliates will reduce our cash available for
distribution to our unitholders.
Prior to making any distribution on our outstanding units, we will reimburse our general
partner and its affiliates for all expenses they incur on our behalf. Any such reimbursement will
be determined by our general partner in its sole discretion. These expenses will include all costs
incurred by our general partner and its affiliates in managing and operating us. The reimbursement
of expenses of our general partner and its affiliates could adversely affect our ability to pay
cash distributions to our unitholders.
Our partnership agreement limits our general partners fiduciary duties to our unitholders and
restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken by our general partner that might
otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the standards to which our general
partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty law. For example, our partnership
agreement:
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permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as
opposed to in its capacity as our general partner. This entitles our general partner to
consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and it has no duty or obligation
to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or
any unitholder; |
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provides that our general partner will not have any liability to us or our unitholders
for decisions made in its capacity as a general partner so long as it acted in good faith,
meaning it believed the decision was in the best interests of our partnership; |
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provides that our general partner is entitled to make other decisions in good faith if
it believes that the decision is in our best interest; |
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provides generally that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest
not approved by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner
and not involving a vote of unitholders must be on terms no less favorable to us than those
generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or be fair and
reasonable to us, as determined by our general partner in good faith, and that, in
determining whether a transaction or resolution is fair and reasonable, our general
partner may consider the totality of the relationships between the parties involved,
including other transactions that may be particularly advantageous or beneficial to us; and |
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provides that our general partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for
monetary damages to us, our unitholders or assignees for any acts or omissions unless there
has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction
determining that the general partner or those other persons acted in bad faith or engaged
in fraud or willful misconduct. |
By purchasing a unit, a unitholder will be become bound by the provisions in the partnership
agreement, including the provisions discussed above. Please read Conflicts of Interest and
Fiduciary Duties Fiduciary Duties.
Our partnership agreement permits our general partner to redeem any partnership interests held by a
limited partner who is a non-citizen assignee.
If we are or become subject to federal, state or local laws or regulations that, in the
reasonable determination of our general partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or
forfeiture of any property that we have an interest in because of the nationality, citizenship or
other related status of any limited partner, our general partner may redeem the units held by the
limited partner at their current market price. In order to avoid any cancellation or forfeiture,
our general partner may require each limited partner to furnish information about his nationality,
citizenship or related status. If a limited partner fails to furnish information about his
nationality, citizenship or other related status within 30 days after a request for the information
or our general partner determines after receipt of the information
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that the limited partner is not an eligible citizen, our general partner may elect to treat
the limited partner as a non-citizen assignee. A non-citizen assignee is entitled to an interest
equivalent to that of a limited partner for the right to share in allocations and distributions
from us, including liquidating distributions. A non-citizen assignee does not have the right to
direct the voting of his units and may not receive distributions in kind upon our liquidation.
We may issue an unlimited number of additional units without the approval of our unitholders, which
would dilute their existing ownership interest in us.
Our general partner, without the approval of our unitholders, may cause us to issue an
unlimited number of additional units. The issuance by us of additional units or other equity
securities of equal or senior rank will have the following effects:
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our unitholders proportionate ownership interests in us will decrease; |
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the amount of cash available for distribution on each unit may decrease; |
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the risk that a shortfall in the payment of our current quarterly distribution will
increase; |
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the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding unit may be diminished; and |
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the market price of the units may decline. |
The liability of our unitholders may not be limited if a court finds that unitholder action
constitutes control of our business.
A general partner of a partnership generally has unlimited liability for the obligations of
the partnership, except for those contractual obligations of the partnership that are expressly
made without recourse to the general partner. Our partnership is organized under Delaware law, and
we conduct business in a number of other states. The limitations on the liability of holders of
limited partner interests for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly
established in some of the other states in which we do business. In some states, including
Delaware, a limited partner is only liable if he participates in the control of the business of
the partnership. These statutes generally do not define control, but do permit limited partners to
engage in certain activities, including, among other actions, taking any action with respect to the
dissolution of the partnership, the sale, exchange, lease or mortgage of any asset of the
partnership, the admission or removal of the general partner and the amendment of the partnership
agreement. Our unitholders could, however, be liable for any and all of our obligations as if our
unitholders were a general partner if:
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a court or government agency determined that we were conducting business in a state but
had not complied with that particular states partnership statute; or |
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our unitholders right to act with other unitholders to take other actions under our
partnership agreement that constitute control of our business. |
For a discussion of the implications of the limitations of liability on a unitholder, please
read Material Provisions of our Partnership Agreement Limited Liability.
Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions that were wrongfully distributed to them.
Under certain circumstances, unitholders may have to repay amounts wrongfully returned or
distributed to them. Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act,
we may not make a distribution to our unitholders if the distribution would cause our liabilities
to exceed the fair value of our assets. Delaware law provides that for a period of three years
from the date of the distribution, limited partners who received an impermissible distribution and
who knew at the time of the distribution that it violated Delaware law will be liable to the
limited partnership for the distribution amount. Substituted limited partners are liable for the
obligations of the transferring limited partner to make contributions to the partnership that are
known to such
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substitute limited partner at the time it became a limited partner and for unknown obligations
if the liabilities could be determined from the partnership agreement. Liabilities to partners on
account of their partnership interest and liabilities that are non-recourse to the partnership are
not counted for purposes of determining whether a distribution is permitted.
Tax Risks to Unitholders
In addition to reading the following risk factors, you should read Material Tax
Considerations for a more complete discussion of the expected material federal income tax
consequences of owning and disposing of our securities.
Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, as well
as our not being subject to a material amount of additional entity-level taxation by states and
localities. If the IRS were to treat us as a corporation or if we were to become subject to a
material amount of additional entity-level taxation for state or local tax purposes, then our cash
available for distribution to our unitholders would be substantially reduced.
The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in our units depends largely on
our being treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. We have not requested, and do
not plan to request, a ruling from the IRS on this or any other tax matter affecting us.
If we were treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, we would pay federal
income tax on our taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which currently has a top marginal rate
of 35%, and would likely pay state and local income tax at the corporate tax rate of the various
states and localities imposing a corporate income tax. Distributions to our unitholders would
generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, and no income, gains, losses, deductions or
credits would flow through to our unitholders. Because a tax would be imposed upon us as a
corporation, our cash available to pay distributions to our unitholders would be substantially
reduced. Therefore, treatment of us as a corporation would result in a material reduction in the
anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to our unitholders likely causing a substantial
reduction in the value of our units.
Current law may change, causing us to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax
purposes or otherwise subject us to entity-level taxation. In addition, because of widespread
state budget deficits and other reasons, several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships
to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise and other forms of
taxation. For example, we are subject to a new entity-level state tax on the portion of our income
that is generated in Texas beginning for tax reports due on or after January 1, 2008.
Specifically, the Texas margin tax is imposed at a maximum effective rate of 0.7% of our gross
income that is apportioned to Texas. If any additional states were to impose a tax upon us as an
entity, the cash available for distribution to our unitholders would be reduced.
The tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships or an investment in our units could be subject to
potential legislative, judicial or administrative changes and differing interpretations, possibly
on a retroactive basis.
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us,
or an investment in our units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial
interpretation at any time. Any modification to the U.S. federal income tax laws and
interpretations thereof may or may not be applied retroactively and could make it more difficult or
impossible to meet the exception for us to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax
purposes that is not taxable as a corporation, or Qualifying Income Exception, affect or cause us
to change our business activities, affect the tax considerations of an investment in us, change the
character or treatment of portions of our income and adversely affect an investment in our units.
For example, in response to certain recent developments, members of Congress are considering
substantive changes to the definition of qualifying income under Section 7704(d) of the Internal
Revenue Code. Legislation has been proposed that would eliminate partnership tax treatment for
certain publicly traded partnerships. Although such legislation would not apply to us as currently
proposed, it could be amended prior to enactment in a manner that does apply to us. It is possible
that these legislative efforts could result in changes to the existing U.S. tax laws that affect
publicly traded partnerships, including us. Any modification to the U.S. federal income tax laws
and interpretations thereof may or may not be applied retroactively. We are unable to predict
whether any of these changes, or other proposals, will ultimately be
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enacted. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our units.
For a discussion of the importance of the Qualifying Income Exception and our status as a
partnership for federal income tax purposes, please read Material Tax Considerations Partnership
Status.
Our unitholders may be required to pay taxes on their share of our income even if they do not
receive any cash distributions from us.
Our unitholders are required to pay federal income taxes and, in some cases, state and local
income taxes on their share of our taxable income, whether or not they receive cash distributions
from us. Our unitholders may not receive cash distributions from us equal to their share of our
taxable income or even equal to the actual tax liability that results from their share of our
taxable income.
We prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of our
units each month based upon the ownership of our units on the first day of each month, instead of
on the basis of the date a particular unit is transferred.
We prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees
of our units each month based upon the ownership of our units on the first day of each month,
instead of on the basis of the date a particular unit is transferred. The use of this proration
method may not be permitted under existing Treasury regulations, and, accordingly, our counsel is
unable to opine as to the validity of this method. If the IRS were to challenge this method or new
Treasury regulations were issued, we may be required to change the allocation of items of income,
gain, loss and deduction among our unitholders. Please read Material Tax Considerations
Disposition of Units Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.
A successful IRS contest of the federal income tax positions we take may adversely affect the
market for our units, and the costs of any contest will reduce our cash available for distribution
to our unitholders.
We have not requested any ruling from the IRS with respect to our treatment as a partnership
for federal income tax purposes or any other matter affecting us. The IRS may adopt positions that
differ from our counsels conclusions or the positions we take. It may be necessary to resort to
administrative or court proceedings to sustain some or all of our counsels conclusions or the
positions we take. A court may disagree with some or all of our counsels conclusions or the
positions we take. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our
units and the price at which they trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS will
result in a reduction in cash available to pay distributions to our unitholders and thus will be
borne indirectly by our unitholders.
Tax-exempt entities and foreign persons face unique tax issues from owning units that may result in
adverse tax consequences to them.
Investment in our units by tax-exempt entities, including employee benefit plans and
individual retirement accounts (known as IRAs) and non-U.S. persons raises issues unique to them.
For example, virtually all of our income allocated to organizations exempt from federal income tax,
including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, will be unrelated business
taxable income and will be taxable to such a unitholder. Distributions to non-U.S. persons will be
reduced by withholding taxes imposed at the highest effective applicable tax rate, and non-U.S.
persons will be required to file United States federal income tax returns and pay tax on their
share of our taxable income.
Tax gain or loss on the disposition of our units could be more or less than expected because prior
distributions in excess of allocations of income will decrease our unitholders tax basis in their
units.
If our unitholders sell any of their units, they will recognize gain or loss equal to the
difference between the amount realized and their tax basis in those units. Prior distributions to
our unitholders in excess of the total net taxable income they were allocated for a unit, which
decreased their tax basis in that unit, will, in effect, become taxable income to our unitholders
if the unit is sold at a price greater than their tax basis in that unit, even if the price our
unitholders receive is less than their original cost. A substantial portion of the amount
realized, whether or not
17
representing gain, may be ordinary income to our unitholders. In addition, if our unitholders
sell their units, our unitholders may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of cash our
unitholders receive from the sale.
We will treat each purchaser of our units as having the same tax benefits without regard to the
units purchased. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of
the units.
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, we will adopt depletion,
depreciation and amortization positions that may not conform with all aspects of existing Treasury
regulations. Our counsel is unable to opine as to the validity of such filing positions. A
successful IRS challenge to those positions could adversely affect the amount of tax benefits
available to our unitholders. It also could affect the timing of these tax benefits or the amount
of gain on the sale of units and could have a negative impact on the value of our units or result
in audits of and adjustments to our unitholders tax returns.
A unitholder whose units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of units may be
considered as having disposed of those units. If so, the unitholder would no longer be treated for
tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan may recognize
gain or loss from the disposition.
Because a unitholder whose units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of units
may be considered as having disposed of the loaned units, he may no longer be treated for tax
purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan to the short seller
and the unitholder may recognize gain or loss from such disposition. Moreover, during the period
of the loan to the short seller, any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those
units may not be reportable by the unitholder and any cash distributions received by the unitholder
as to those units could be fully taxable as ordinary income. Our counsel has not rendered an
opinion regarding the treatment of a unitholder where our units are loaned to a short seller to
cover a short sale of our units; therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners
and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to modify any
applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing their units.
Our unitholders may be subject to state and local taxes and return filing requirements in states
where they do not live as a result of investing in our units.
In addition to federal income taxes, our unitholders will likely be subject to other taxes,
including state and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance or
intangible taxes that are imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own
property now or in the future, even if they do not reside in any of those jurisdictions. Our
unitholders will likely be required to file state and local income tax returns and pay state and
local income taxes in some or all of these various jurisdictions. Further, our unitholders may be
subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. We currently do business and
own assets in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi, Wyoming, North Dakota, Colorado
and Arkansas. As we make acquisitions or expand our business, we may do business or own assets in
other states in the future. It is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all United States
federal, state and local tax returns that may be required of such unitholder. Our counsel has not
rendered an opinion on the state or local tax consequences of an investment in our units.
We will be considered to have terminated for tax purposes due to a sale or exchange of 50% or more
of our interests within a twelve-month period.
We will be considered to have terminated our partnership for federal income tax purposes if
there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within
a twelve-month period. Our termination would, among other things result in the closing of our
taxable year for all unitholders and could result in a deferral of depreciation deductions
allowable in computing our taxable income.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Unless otherwise indicated to the contrary in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we will
use the net proceeds (after the payment of any offering expenses and underwriting discounts and
commissions) from our sale of securities covered by this prospectus for general partnership
purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness and other capital expenditures or
acquisitions and additions to working capital.
The actual application of proceeds from the sale of any particular offering of securities
using this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such
offering. The precise amount and timing of the application of these proceeds will depend upon our
funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds.
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
The following table presents the ratios of earnings to fixed charges of the Partnership and
its predecessor for the periods indicated. For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to
fixed charges, earnings consist of income from continuing operations before adjustment for equity
income from equity method investees plus fixed charges and distributed income from investees
accounted for under the equity method. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and an estimated
interest component of rent expense.
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Years Ended December 31, |
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2003 |
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2004 |
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2005 |
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2006 |
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Ratio of earnings to fixed charges |
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34.35x |
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38.82x |
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4.94x |
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1.70x |
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(1) |
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Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges, and fixed charges exceeded earnings by
approximately $55.402 million. |
20
DESCRIPTION OF OUR UNITS
The Units
The units represent partnership interests in us. The holders of units are entitled to
participate in distributions and exercise the rights or privileges available to limited partners
under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of
holders of units in and to distributions, please read this section and Cash Distribution Policy.
For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our partnership agreement,
including voting rights, please read Material Provisions of our Partnership Agreement.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Duties
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. serves as registrar and transfer agent for the units. We
pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of units, except the following fees that
will be paid by unitholders:
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surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, taxes and other
governmental charges; |
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special charges or services requested by a holder of a unit; and |
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other similar fees or charges. |
There will be no charge to holders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We will
indemnify the transfer agent against all claims and losses that may arise out of all actions of the
transfer agent or its agents or subcontractors for their activities in that capacity, except for
any liability due to any gross negligence or willful misconduct of the transfer agent or
subcontractors.
Resignation or Renewal
The transfer agent may at any time resign, by notice to us, or be removed by us. The
resignation or removal of the transfer agent will become effective upon our appointment of a
successor transfer agent and registrar and its acceptance of the appointment. If no successor has
been appointed and has accepted the appointment within 30 days after notice of its resignation or
removal, our general partner is authorized to act as the transfer agent and registrar until a
successor is appointed.
Transfer of Units
By transfer of units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of units
will be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the units transferred when such transfer and
admission is reflected on our books and records. Additionally, each transferee of units:
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becomes the record holder of the units; |
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represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into our
partnership agreement; |
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automatically agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and is deemed to have
executed, our partnership agreement; and |
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gives the consents, approvals and waivers contained in our partnership agreement, such
as the approval of all transactions and agreements that we are entering into in connection
with our formation. |
A transferee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred
units automatically upon the recording of the transfer on our books and records. Our general
partner will cause any transfers to be recorded on our books and records no less frequently than
quarterly.
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We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of a unit as the absolute owner. In that
case, the beneficial holders rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee
holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.
Units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfers of
securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the
transferee the right to become a limited partner in our partnership for the transferred units.
Until a unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent, notwithstanding any
notice to the contrary, may treat the record holder of the unit as the absolute owner for all
purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.
Non-Citizen Assignees; Redemption
For a discussion of our general partners ability to redeem the units held by persons other
than U.S. citizens, please read Material Provisions of our Partnership Agreement Non-Citizen
Assignees; Redemption.
22
CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY
Set forth below is a summary of our cash distribution policy, including a description of the
significant provisions of our partnership agreement that relate to cash distributions as well as a
description of restrictions on our ability to make cash distributions.
General
Rationale for Our Cash Distribution Policy
Our cash distribution policy reflects a basic judgment that our unitholders will be better
served by distributing our available cash rather than retaining it. The amount of available cash
will be determined by our general partner for each fiscal quarter. Our cash distribution policy is
consistent with the terms of our partnership agreement, which requires that we distribute all of
our available cash on a quarterly basis. Under our partnership agreement, available cash is
defined generally to mean, cash on hand at the end of each quarter, plus working capital borrowings
made after the end of the quarter, less cash reserves determined by our general partner, in its
sole discretion, to be necessary and appropriate to provide for the conduct of our business
(including reserves for future capital expenditures, future debt service requirements, and our
anticipated capital needs), comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other
agreements or provide for future distributions to our unitholders for any one of the upcoming four
quarters. Because we are not subject to an entity-level federal income tax, we have more cash to
distribute to our unitholders than would be the case if we were subject to such tax.
Limitations on our Ability to Make Quarterly Distributions
There is no guarantee that unitholders will receive quarterly distributions from us. Our cash
distribution policy is subject to limitations and restrictions, including the following:
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Our general partner has broad discretion to establish reserves for the prudent conduct
of our business. The establishment of those reserves could result in a reduction in the
amount of cash available to pay distributions. |
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Our ability to make distributions of available cash will depend primarily on our cash
flow from operations. Although our partnership agreement provides for quarterly
distributions of available cash, we may be unable to make distributions to our unitholders. |
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If we fail to make acquisitions on economically attractive terms, we will not be able to
replace our declining oil and natural gas reserves at a level that allows us to maintain
our current quarterly distribution. |
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We will be prohibited from borrowing under our revolving credit facility to make
distributions to unitholders if the amount of borrowing outstanding under our revolving
credit facility reaches or exceeds 90% of our borrowing base. Further, we may enter into
future debt arrangements that could subject our ability to pay distributions to compliance
with certain tests or ratios or otherwise restrict our ability to pay distributions. |
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Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, we may not
make a distribution to you if the distribution could cause our liabilities to exceed the
fair value of our assets. |
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Although our partnership agreement requires us to distribute our available cash, our
partnership agreement, including the provisions requiring us to make cash distributions
contained therein, may be amended. Our partnership agreement can be amended with the
approval of a majority of the outstanding units. Our Founding Investors, including members
of our management, own an aggregate of 43% of the outstanding units, and acting jointly
have the ability to amend our partnership agreement. |
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Our Cash Distribution Policy May Limit Our Ability to Grow
Because we distribute all of our available cash, our growth may not be as fast as that of
businesses that reinvest most or all of their available cash to expand ongoing operations. We
generally intend to rely upon external financing sources, including borrowings under our revolving
credit facility and issuances of debt and equity securities, to fund a substantial portion of our
acquisition expenditures and a portion of our development project capital expenditures. However,
to the extent we are unable to finance growth externally, our cash distribution policy will
significantly impair our ability to grow.
Our Cash Distribution Policy
Our partnership agreement provides for the distribution of available cash on a quarterly
basis. Available cash for any quarter consists of cash on hand at the end of that quarter, plus
working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter, less cash reserves determined by our
general partner in its sole discretion, to be necessary and appropriate to provide for the conduct
of our business (including reserves for future capital expenditures, future debt service
requirements, and our anticipated capital needs), comply with applicable law, any of our debt
instruments or other agreements or provide for future cash distributions to our unitholders for any
one of the upcoming four quarters. The amount of available cash will be determined by our general
partner for each calendar quarter of our operations.
Definition of Available Cash
Available cash is defined in our partnership agreement and generally means, for each fiscal
quarter, all cash on hand at the end of the quarter:
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less the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner, in its sole
discretion, to: |
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provide for the proper conduct of our business (including reserves for future
capital expenditures, future debt service requirements, and for our anticipated credit
needs); |
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comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other agreements; or |
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provide funds for distribution to our unitholders for any one or more of the next four quarters; |
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plus all cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter
resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter for which the
determination is being made. Working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that will
be made under our revolving credit facility and in all cases are used solely for working
capital purposes or to pay distributions to unitholders. |
Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation
If we dissolve in accordance with our partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose
of our assets in a process called liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to
the payment of our creditors. We will distribute any remaining proceeds to the unitholders and our
general partner, in accordance with their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain
or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation.
Adjustments to Capital Accounts
We will make adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units. In doing
so, we will allocate any unrealized and, for tax purposes, unrecognized gain or loss resulting from
the adjustments to the unitholders and our general partner in the same manner as we allocate gain
or loss upon liquidation.
24
MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement.
We summarize the following provisions of our partnership agreement elsewhere in this
prospectus:
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with regard to distributions of available cash, please read Cash Distribution Policy; |
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with regard to the fiduciary duties of our general partner, please read Conflicts of
Interest and Fiduciary Duties; |
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with regard to the transfer of units, please read Description of Our Units Transfer
of Units; and |
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with regard to allocations of taxable income and taxable loss, please read Material Tax
Considerations. |
Organization and Duration
We were organized in October 2005 and will have a perpetual existence.
Purpose
Our purpose under the partnership agreement is to engage in any business activities that are
approved by our general partner. Our general partner, however, may not cause us to engage in any
business activities that it determines would cause us to be treated as a corporation for federal
income tax purposes. Our general partner is authorized in general to perform all acts it
determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out our purposes and to conduct our business.
Power of Attorney
Each limited partner, and each person who acquires a unit from a unitholder, by accepting the
unit, automatically grants to our general partner and, if appointed, a liquidator, a power of
attorney, among other things, to execute and file documents required for our qualification,
continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants our general partner the authority to
amend, and to grant consents and waivers on behalf of the limited partners under, our partnership
agreement. Please read Amendment of the Partnership Agreement below.
Capital Contributions
Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described
below under Limited Liability.
Voting Rights
The following is a summary of the unitholder vote required for the matters specified below.
Matters requiring the approval of a unit majority require the approval of a majority of the
units.
In voting their units, our general partner and its affiliates will have no fiduciary duty or
obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in
the best interests of us or the limited partners.
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Issuance of additional units
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No approval right. |
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Amendment of the partnership agreement
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Certain amendments may
be made by our general
partner without the
approval of our
unitholders. Other
amendments generally
require the approval
of a unit majority.
Please read
Amendment of the
Partnership
Agreement. |
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Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or
substantially all of our assets
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Unit majority in
certain circumstances.
Please read
Merger, Sale or Other
Disposition of
Assets. |
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Amendment of the limited partnership agreement of
our operating partnership and other action taken
by us as the sole member of its general partner
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Unit majority if such
amendment or other
action would adversely
affect our limited
partners in any
material respect.
Please read
Amendment of the
Partnership Agreement
Action Relating to
the Operating
Partnership and its
General Partner. |
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Dissolution of our partnership
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Unit majority. Please
read Termination
and Dissolution. |
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Continuation of our partnership upon dissolution
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Unit majority. Please
read Termination
and Dissolution. |
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Withdrawal of our general partner
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Under most
circumstances, the
approval of a unit
majority, excluding
units held by our
general partner and
its affiliates, is
required for the
withdrawal of our
general partner prior
to March 31, 2016 in a
manner that would
cause a dissolution of
our partnership.
Please read
Withdrawal or Removal
of the General
Partner. |
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Removal of the general partner
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Not less than 662/3% of
our outstanding units,
including units held
by our general partner
and its affiliates.
Please read
Withdrawal or Removal
of the General
Partner. |
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Transfer of the general partner interest
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Our general partner
may transfer all, but
not less than all, of
its general partner
interest in us without
a vote of our
unitholders to an
affiliate or another
person in connection
with its merger or
consolidation with or
into, or sale of all
or substantially all
of its assets, to such
person. The approval
of a majority of the
units, excluding units
held by the general
partner and its
affiliates, is
required in other
circumstances for a
transfer of the
general partner
interest to a third
party prior to
March 31, 2016.
Please read
Transfer of General
Partner Interest. |
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Transfer of ownership interests in our general
partner
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No approval required
at any time. Please
read Transfer of
Ownership Interests in
the General Partner. |
Limited Liability
Participation in the Control of Our Partnership
Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the
meaning of the Delaware Act and that he otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of the
partnership agreement, his liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to possible
exceptions, to the amount of capital he is obligated to contribute to us for his units plus his
share of any undistributed profits and assets. If it were determined, however, that the right, or
exercise of the right, by the limited partners as a group:
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to remove or replace the general partner; |
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to approve some amendments to the partnership agreement; or |
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to take other action under the partnership agreement; |
constituted participation in the control of our business for the purposes of the Delaware Act,
then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of
Delaware, to the same extent as the general partner. This liability would extend to persons who
transact business with us who reasonably believe that the limited partner is a general partner.
Neither the partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse
against the general partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault
of the general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal
recourse, we know of no precedent for this type of a claim in Delaware case law.
Unlawful Partnership Distribution
Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner if,
after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to
partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of
creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, would exceed the fair value of the
assets of the limited partnership. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the assets of
a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of property subject to
liability for which recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited
partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse
liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew
at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act shall be
liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years. Under the
Delaware Act, a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations
of the transferring limited partner to make contributions to the partnership, except that such
person is not obligated for liabilities unknown to him at the time he became a limited partner and
that could not be ascertained from the partnership agreement.
Failure to Comply with the Limited Liability Provisions of Jurisdictions in Which We Do Business
Our subsidiaries may be deemed to conduct business in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Alabama,
Mississippi, Wyoming, North Dakota, Colorado and Arkansas. Our subsidiaries may conduct business
in other states in the future. Maintenance of our limited liability as a limited partner of our
operating partnership may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which
the operating partnership conducts business, including qualifying our subsidiaries to do business
there.
Limitations on the liability of limited partners for the obligations of a limited partner have
not been clearly established in many jurisdictions. If, by virtue of our limited partner interest
in the operating partnership or otherwise, it were determined that we were conducting business in
any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership or limited liability company
statute, or that the right or exercise of the right by the limited partners as a group to remove or
replace the general partner, to approve some amendments to the partnership agreement, or to take
other action under the partnership agreement constituted participation in the control of our
business for purposes of the statutes of any relevant jurisdiction, then the limited partners could
be held personally liable for our obligations under the law of that jurisdiction to the same extent
as the general partner under the circumstances. We will operate in a manner that the general
partner considers reasonable and necessary or appropriate to preserve the limited liability of the
limited partners.
Issuance of Additional Securities
Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership
securities for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our general partner
without the approval of the unitholders.
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It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional units or
other partnership securities. Holders of any additional units we issue will be entitled to share
equally with the then-existing holders of units in our distributions of available cash. In
addition, the issuance of additional units or other partnership securities may dilute the value of
the interests of the then-existing unitholders in our net assets.
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also
issue additional partnership securities that, as determined by our general partner, may have
special voting rights to which the units are not entitled. In addition, our partnership agreement
does not prohibit the issuance by our subsidiaries of equity securities that may effectively rank
senior to the units.
Upon issuance of additional partnership securities, our general partner will be entitled, but
not required, to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its
initial 0.1% general partner interest in us. Since our March 2006 private equity offering and the
related formation transactions our general partner has not elected to make additional capital
contributions to maintain its initial 0.1% general partner interest in us. Our general partners
initial 0.1% interest in us has been, and will continue to be reduced, if we issue additional units
in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us
to maintain its general partner interest. Moreover, our general partner will have the right, which
it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase units or
other partnership securities whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to
persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the
percentage interest of the general partner, including such interest represented by units that
existed immediately prior to each issuance. Unitholders will not have preemptive rights to acquire
additional units or other partnership securities.
Amendment of the Partnership Agreement
General
Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by or with the consent of our
general partner. Our general partner, however, will have no duty or obligation to propose any
amendment and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the
limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the
limited partners. In order to adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed
below, our general partner must seek written approval of the holders of the number of units
required to approve the amendment or call a meeting of the limited partners to consider and vote
upon the proposed amendment. Except as described below, an amendment must be approved by a unit
majority.
Prohibited Amendments
No amendment may be made that would:
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enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless approved by
at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests so affected; or |
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enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in
any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable by us to our general
partner or any of its affiliates without the consent of our general partner, which consent
may be given or withheld at its option. |
The provision of our partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects
described in any of the clauses above can only be amended upon the approval of the holders of at
least 90% of the outstanding units voting together at a single class (including units owned by our
general partner and its affiliates). Affiliates of our general partner, including members of our
management, own an aggregate of 43% of our outstanding units.
No Unitholder Approval
Our general partner may generally make amendments to our partnership agreement without the
approval of any limited partner or assignee to reflect:
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change in our name, the location of our principal place of business, our registered
agent or our registered office; |
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the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of partners in accordance with our
partnership agreement; |
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a change that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify
or continue our qualification as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the
limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that
neither we nor the operating partnership nor any of its subsidiaries will be treated as an
association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax
purposes; |
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an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of our counsel, to prevent us or our
general partner or its directors, officers, agents or trustees from in any manner being
subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors
Act of 1940, or plan asset regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, whether or not substantially similar to plan asset
regulations currently applied or proposed; |
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an amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the
authorization of additional partnership securities or rights to acquire partnership
securities; |
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any amendment expressly permitted in our partnership agreement to be made by our general
partner acting alone; |
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an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a merger agreement that has been
approved under the terms of our partnership agreement; |
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any amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the
formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership or other entity, as
otherwise permitted by our partnership agreement; |
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a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and related changes; |
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certain mergers or conveyances as set forth in our partnership agreement; or |
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any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described in the
clauses above. |
In addition, our general partner may make amendments to our partnership agreement without the
approval of any limited partner or transferee in connection with a merger or consolidation approved
in connection with our partnership agreement, or if our general partner determines that those
amendments:
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do not adversely affect the limited partners (or any particular class of limited
partners) in any material respect; |
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are necessary or appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines
contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state
agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute; |
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are necessary or appropriate to facilitate the trading of limited partner interests or
to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any securities exchange on
which the limited partner interests are or will be listed for trading; |
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are necessary or appropriate for any action taken by our general partner relating to
splits or combinations of units under the provisions of our partnership agreement; or |
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are required to effect the intent expressed in this prospectus or the intent of the
provisions of our partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by our partnership
agreement. |
Opinion of Counsel and Unitholder Approval
Our general partner will not be required to obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment
will not result in a loss of limited liability to the limited partners or result in our being
treated as an entity for federal income tax purposes in connection with any of the amendments
described under No Unitholder Approval. No other amendments to our partnership agreement will
become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting as
a single class unless we first obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will
not affect the limited liability under applicable law of any of our limited partners.
In addition to the above restrictions, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect
on the rights or preferences of any type or class of outstanding units in relation to other classes
of units will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of units so
affected. Any amendment that reduces the voting percentage required to take any action is required
to be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units
constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.
Action Relating to the Operating Partnership and its General Partner
Without the approval of the holders of units representing a unit majority, our general partner
is prohibited from consenting on our behalf, as the sole limited partner of the operating
partnership, and the sole member of its general partner, to any amendment to the limited
partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement of either such entities or taking any
action on our behalf permitted to be taken by a limited partner of the operating partnership or a
member of its general partner, in each case, that would adversely effect our limited partners (or
any particular class of limited partners) in any material respect.
Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets
A merger or consolidation of us requires the prior consent of our general partner. Our
general partner, however, will have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger or consolidation
and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited
partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interest of us or the limited
partners. In addition, the partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner without
the prior approval of the holders of a unit majority, from causing us, among other things, to sell,
exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets in a single transaction or
a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation or other combination,
or approving on our behalf the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of
the assets of our subsidiaries. Our general partner may, however, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or
grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without that approval. Our
general partner may also sell all or substantially all of our assets under a foreclosure or other
realization upon those encumbrances without that approval. Finally, our general partner may
consummate any merger without the prior approval of our unitholders if we are the surviving entity
in the transaction, the transaction would not result in an amendment to our partnership agreement
that could not otherwise be adopted solely by our general partner, each of our units will be an
identical unit of our partnership following the transaction, and the units to be issued do not
exceed 20% of our outstanding units immediately prior to the transaction.
If the conditions specified in the partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner
may convert us or any of our subsidiaries into a new limited liability entity or merge us or any of
our subsidiaries into, or convey all of our assets to, a newly formed entity if the sole purpose of
that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in our legal form into another limited
liability entity. The unitholders are not entitled to dissenters rights of appraisal under the
partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a conversion, merger or
consolidation, a sale of substantially all of our assets or any other transaction or event.
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Termination and Dissolution
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We will continue as a limited partnership until terminated under our partnership agreement.
We will dissolve upon: |
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the election of our general partner to dissolve us, if approved by the holders of units
representing a unit majority; |
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there being no limited partners, unless we are continued without dissolution in
accordance with applicable Delaware law; |
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the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of our partnership; or |
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the withdrawal or removal of our general partner or any other event that results in its
ceasing to be our general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general partner
interest in accordance with our partnership agreement or withdrawal or removal following
approval and admission of a successor. |
Upon a dissolution under the last bullet point above, the holders of a unit majority may also
elect, within specific time limitations, to continue our business on the same terms and conditions
described in our partnership agreement by appointing as a successor general partner an entity
approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion
of counsel to the effect that:
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the action would not result in the loss of limited liability of any limited partner; and |
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none of us, our operating partnership or any of our other subsidiaries, would be treated
as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal
income tax purposes upon the exercise of that right to continue. |
Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds
Upon our dissolution, unless we are reconstituted and continued as a new limited partnership,
the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general
partner that are necessary or appropriate to liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the
liquidation as provided in How We Make Cash Distributions Distributions of Cash upon
Liquidation. The liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable
period of time or distribute assets to partners in kind if it determines that a sale would be
impractical or would cause undue loss to our partners.
Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner
Except as described below, our general partner has agreed not to withdraw voluntarily as our
general partner prior to March 31, 2016 without obtaining the approval of the holders of at least a
majority of the outstanding units, excluding units held by the general partner and its affiliates,
and furnishing an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. On or after
March 31, 2016, our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining
approval of any unitholder by giving 90 days written notice, and that withdrawal will not
constitute a violation of our partnership agreement. Notwithstanding the information above, our
general partner may withdraw without unitholder approval upon 90 days notice to the limited
partners if at least 50% of the outstanding units are held or controlled by one person and its
affiliates other than the general partner and its affiliates. In addition, the partnership
agreement permits our general partner in some instances to sell or otherwise transfer all of its
general partner interest in us without the approval of the unitholders. Please read Transfer of
General Partner Interest.
Upon withdrawal of our general partner under any circumstances, other than as a result of a
transfer by our general partner of all or a part of its general partner interest in us, the holders
of a unit majority may select a successor to that withdrawing general partner. If a successor is
not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters
cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless
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within a specified period after that withdrawal, the holders of a unit majority agree in
writing to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner. Please read
Termination and Dissolution.
Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the
holders of not less than 662/3% of the outstanding units, voting together as a single class,
including units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and we receive an opinion of
counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. Any removal of our general partner is also
subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of
the outstanding units. The ownership of more than
331/3% of the outstanding units by our general
partner and its affiliates would give them the practical ability to prevent our general partners
removal. Affiliates of our general partner, including members of our management, own an aggregate
of 43% of our outstanding units.
Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed as our general
partner under circumstances where cause does not exist or our general partner withdraws where that
withdrawal does not violate our partnership agreement, our general partner will have the right to
convert its general partner interest into units or to receive cash in exchange for such interest
based on the fair market value of its interest at that time.
In the event of removal of such a general partner under circumstances where cause exists or
withdrawal of a general partner where that withdrawal violates our partnership agreement, a
successor general partner will have the option to purchase the general partner interest for a cash
payment equal to the fair market value of such interest. Under all other circumstances where a
general partner withdraws or is removed by the limited partners, the departing general partner will
have the option to require the successor general partner to purchase the general partner interest
of the departing general partner for fair market value. In each case, this fair market value will
be determined by agreement between the departing general partner and the successor general partner.
If no agreement is reached, an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert
selected by the departing general partner and the successor general partner will determine the fair
market value. Or, if the departing general partner and the successor general partner cannot agree
upon an expert, then an expert chosen by agreement of the experts selected by each of them will
determine the fair market value.
If the option described above is not exercised by either the departing general partner or the
successor general partner, the departing general partners general partner interest will
automatically convert into units equal to the fair market value of those interests as determined by
an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected in the manner described in the
preceding paragraph.
In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts
due the departing general partner, including, without limitation, all employee-related liabilities,
including severance liabilities, incurred for the termination of any employees employed by the
departing general partner or its affiliates for our benefit.
Transfer of General Partner Interest
Except for transfer by our general partner of all, but not less than all, of its general
partner interest in us to:
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an affiliate of our general partner (other than an individual); or |
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another entity as part of the merger or consolidation of our general partner with or
into another entity or the transfer by our general partner of all or substantially all of
its assets to another entity, |
our general partner may not transfer all or any part of its general partner interest in our
partnership to another person prior to March 31, 2016 without the approval of the holders of at
least a majority of the outstanding units, excluding units held by our general partner and its
affiliates. As a condition of this transfer, the transferee must assume, among other things, the
rights and duties of our general partner, agree to be bound by the provisions of our partnership
agreement, and furnish an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters.
Our general partner and its affiliates may at any time transfer units to one or more persons
without unitholder approval.
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Transfer of Ownership Interests in the General Partner
At any time, the members of our general partner may sell or transfer all or part of their
membership interest in our general partner to an affiliate or third party without the approval of
our unitholders.
Change of Management Provisions
Our partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a
person or group from attempting to remove our general partner or otherwise change our management.
If any person or group other than our general partner and its affiliates acquires beneficial
ownership of 20% or more of any class of units, that person or group loses voting rights on all of
its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply to any person or group that acquires the
units from our general partner or its affiliates and any transferees of that person or group
approved by our general partner or to any person or group who acquires the units with the prior
approval of the board of directors of our general partner.
Limited Call Right
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 85% of the then-issued and
outstanding limited partner interests of any class, our general partner will have the right, which
it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less
than all, of the remaining partnership securities of the class held by unaffiliated persons as of a
record date to be selected by our general partner, on at least 10 but not more than 60 days
notice. The purchase price in the event of this purchase is the greater of:
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the highest cash price paid by either of our general partner or any of its affiliates
for any partnership securities of the class purchased within the 90 days preceding the date
on which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase those limited
partner interests; and |
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the current market price as of the date three days before the date the notice is mailed. |
As a result of our general partners right to purchase outstanding partnership securities, a
holder of partnership securities may have his partnership securities purchased at an undesirable
time or price. Our partnership agreement provides that the resolution of any conflict of interest
that is fair and reasonable will not be a breach of the partnership agreement. Our general partner
may, but is not obligated to, submit the conflict of interest represented by the exercise of the
limited call right to the conflicts committee for approval or seek a fairness opinion from an
investment banker. If our general partner exercises its limited call right, it will make a
determination at the time, based on the facts and circumstances, and upon the advice of counsel, as
to the appropriate method of determining the fairness and reasonableness of the transaction. Our
general partner is not obligated to obtain a fairness opinion regarding the value of the units to
be repurchased by it upon exercise of the limited call right.
There is no restriction in our partnership agreement that prevents our general partner from
issuing additional units and exercising its call right. If our general partner exercised its
limited call right, the effect would be to take us private and, if the units were subsequently
deregistered, we would no longer be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale
by that unitholder of his units in the market. Please read Material Tax Considerations
Disposition of Units.
Meetings; Voting
Except as described below regarding a person or group owning 20% or more of any class of units
then outstanding, unitholders or transferees who are record holders of units on the record date
will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners and to act upon
matters for which approvals may be solicited. Units that are owned by an assignee who is a record
holder, but who has not yet been admitted as a limited partner, will be voted by our general
partner at the written direction of the record holder. Absent direction of this kind, the units
will not be voted, except that, in the case of units held by our general partner on behalf of
non-citizen assignees, our
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general partner will distribute the votes on those units in the same ratios as the votes of
limited partners on other units are cast.
Our unitholders, including the general partner and its affiliates, are entitled to elect all
of the directors of our general partner. The limited liability company agreement of our general
partner provides for a seven member board of directors. Our partnership agreement provides that
the annual meeting of limited partners for the directors of the board of our general partner shall
be held on the second Wednesday of May or at such other date and time as may be fixed by our
general partner.
Additionally, any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders may be
taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or without a meeting if consents in writing describing
the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of units necessary to authorize or take
that action at a meeting. Meetings of the unitholders may be called by our general partner or by
unitholders owning at least 20% of the outstanding units of the class for which a meeting is
proposed. Unitholders may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a
majority of the outstanding units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called
represented in person or by proxy will constitute a quorum unless any action by the unitholders
requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum will be
the greater percentage.
Each record holder of a unit has a vote according to his percentage interest in us, although
additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. Please read
Issuance of Additional Securities. However, if at any time any person or group, other than our
general partner and its affiliates, or a direct or subsequently approved transferee of our general
partner or its affiliates, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any
class of units then outstanding, that person or group will lose voting rights on all of its units
and the units may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when
sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, determining the presence
of a quorum or for other similar purposes. Units held in nominee or street name account will be
voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner
unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and his nominee provides otherwise.
Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy material required or permitted to be given or
made to record holders of units under our partnership agreement will be delivered to the record
holder by us or by the transfer agent.
Status as Limited Partner
By transfer of units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of units
shall be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the units transferred when such transfer and
admission is reflected in our books and records. Except as described under Limited Liability,
the units will be fully paid, and unitholders will not be required to make additional
contributions.
Non-Citizen Assignees; Redemption
If we are or become subject to federal, state or local laws or regulations that, in the
reasonable determination of our general partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or
forfeiture of any property that we have an interest in because of the nationality, citizenship or
other related status of any limited partner, our general partner may redeem the units held by the
limited partner at their current market price. In order to avoid any cancellation or forfeiture,
our general partner may require each limited partner to furnish information about his nationality,
citizenship or related status. If a limited partner fails to furnish information about his
nationality, citizenship or other related status within 30 days after a request for the information
or our general partner determines after receipt of the information that the limited partner is not
an eligible citizen, our general partner may elect to treat the limited partner as a non-citizen
assignee. A non-citizen assignee is entitled to an interest equivalent to that of a limited
partner for the right to share in allocations and distributions from us, including liquidating
distributions. A non-citizen assignee does not have the right to direct the voting of his units
and may not receive distributions in kind upon our liquidation.
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Indemnification
Under our partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following
persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or
similar events:
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our general partner; |
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any departing general partner; |
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any person who is or was an affiliate of a general partner or any departing general
partner; |
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any person who is or was a director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of
any entity set forth in the preceding three bullet points; |
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any person who is or was serving as director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or
trustee of another person at the request of our general partner or any departing general
partner; and |
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any person designated by our general partner. |
Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless it
otherwise agrees, our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to
contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification. We may
purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our
activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against
liabilities under our partnership agreement.
Reimbursement of Expenses
Our partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our general partner for all direct and
indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf and all other expenses allocable to
us or otherwise incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. These
expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who
perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our general partner by its
affiliates. The general partner is entitled to determine in good faith the expenses that are
allocable to us.
Books and Reports
Our general partner is required to keep appropriate books of our business at our principal
offices. The books will be maintained for both tax and financial reporting purposes on an accrual
basis. For tax and financial reporting purposes, our fiscal year is the calendar year.
We will furnish or make available to record holders of units, within 120 days after the close
of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements and a report on those
financial statements by our independent public accountants. Except for our fourth quarter, we will
also furnish summary financial information within 90 days after the close of each quarter.
We will furnish each record holder of a unit with information reasonably required for tax
reporting purposes within 90 days after the close of each calendar year. This information is
expected to be furnished in summary form so that some complex calculations normally required of
partners can be avoided. Our ability to furnish this summary information to unitholders will
depend on the cooperation of unitholders in supplying us with specific information. Every
unitholder will receive information to assist him in determining his federal and state tax
liability and filing his federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether he supplies us
with information.
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Right to Inspect Our Books and Records
Our partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably
related to his interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable demand and at his own expense, have
furnished to him:
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a current list of the name and last known address of each partner; |
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a copy of our tax returns; |
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information as to the amount of cash, and a description and statement of the agreed
value of any other property or services, contributed or to be contributed by each partner
and the date on which each partner became a partner; |
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copies of our partnership agreement, our certificate of limited partnership, related
amendments and powers of attorney under which they have been executed; |
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information regarding the status of our business and financial condition; and |
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any other information regarding our affairs as is just and reasonable. |
Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade
secrets or other information the disclosure of which our general partner believes in good faith is
not in our best interests or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to
keep confidential.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
Any debt securities that we offer under a prospectus supplement will be direct, unsecured
general obligations. The debt securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated
debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures between
us and a banking or financial institution, as trustee. Senior debt securities will be issued under
a senior indenture, and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture.
Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are called the indentures. The
indentures will be supplemented by supplemental indentures, the material provisions of which will
be described in a prospectus supplement.
As used in this description, the words Legacy, we, us and our refer to Legacy
Reserves
LP, and not to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
We have summarized some of the material provisions of the indentures below. This summary does
not restate those agreements in their entirety. A form of senior indenture and a form of
subordinated indenture have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this
prospectus is a part. We urge you to read each of the indentures because each one, and not this
description, defines the rights of holders of debt securities.
Capitalized terms defined in the indentures have the same meanings when used in this
prospectus.
General
The debt securities issued under the indentures will be our direct, unsecured general
obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior and
unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will have a junior position to all of our
senior debt.
All of our assets are held by our operating subsidiaries. With respect to these assets,
holders of senior debt securities that are not guaranteed by our operating subsidiaries and holders
of subordinated debt securities will have a position junior to the prior claims of creditors of
these subsidiaries, including trade creditors, debtholders, secured creditors, taxing authorities
and guarantee holders, and any preferred unitholders, except to the extent that we may ourselves be
a creditor with recognized claims against any subsidiary. Our ability to pay the principal,
premium, if any, and interest on any debt securities is, to a large extent, dependent upon the
payment to us by our subsidiaries of dividends, debt principal and interest or other charges.
The following description sets forth the general terms and provisions that could apply to debt
securities that we may offer to sell. A prospectus supplement and a supplemental indenture
relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the
offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:
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the title and type of the debt securities; |
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the total principal amount of the debt securities; |
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the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued and
any payments due if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated; |
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the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable; |
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the interest rate which the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for
the debt securities; |
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any conversion or exchange features; |
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any optional redemption periods; |
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any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise
redeem some or all of the debt securities; |
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any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified event occurs; |
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any changes to or additional events of default or covenants; |
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any special tax implications of the debt securities, including provisions for original
issue discount securities, if offered; and |
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any other terms of the debt securities. |
Neither of the indentures will limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued. Each
indenture will allow debt securities to be issued up to the principal amount that may be authorized
by us and may be in any currency or currency unit designated by us.
Debt securities of a series may be issued in registered, coupon or global form.
Subsidiary Guarantees
If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of our senior debt securities
provides that those senior debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by any or all of
our operating subsidiaries, payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on those senior
debt securities will be unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured, unsubordinated basis by such
subsidiary or subsidiaries, and such guarantees will be
joint and several. The guarantee of senior debt securities will rank equally in right of
payment with all of the unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of such subsidiary or
subsidiaries.
If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of our subordinated debt
securities provides that those subordinated debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by
any or all of our operating subsidiaries, payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest
on those subordinated debt securities will be unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured,
subordinated basis by such subsidiary or subsidiaries, and such guarantees will be
joint and several. The guarantee of the subordinated debt
securities will be subordinated in right of payment to all of such subsidiarys or subsidiaries
existing and future senior indebtedness (as defined in the related prospectus supplement),
including any guarantee of the senior debt securities, to the same extent and in the same manner as
the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to our senior indebtedness (as defined in the
related prospectus supplement). See Subordination below.
The obligations of our operating subsidiaries under any such guarantee will be limited as
necessary to prevent the guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer
under applicable law.
Covenants
Under the indentures, we:
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will pay the principal of, interest and any premium on, the debt securities when due; |
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will maintain a place of payment; |
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will deliver a certificate to the trustee at the end of each fiscal year reviewing our
obligations under the indentures; |
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will preserve our existence; and |
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will deposit sufficient funds with any paying agent on or before the due date for any
principal, interest or premium. |
Mergers and Sale of Assets
Each of the indentures will provide that we may not consolidate with or merge into any other
Person or sell, convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets (on
a consolidated basis) to another Person, unless:
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either: (a) Legacy is the surviving Person; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any
such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than
Legacy) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has
been made is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized or
existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the
District of Columbia; |
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the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or
merger (if other than Legacy) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer,
conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all of the obligations of Legacy
under such indenture and the debt securities governed thereby pursuant to agreements
reasonably satisfactory to the trustee; |
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we or the successor will not immediately be in default under such indenture; and |
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we deliver an officers certificate and opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that
such consolidation or merger complies with such indenture and that all conditions precedent
set forth in such indenture have been complied with. |
Upon the assumption of our obligations under each indenture by a successor, we will be
discharged from all obligations under such indenture.
As used in the indenture and in this description, the word Person means any individual,
corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, other entity, unincorporated organization or government or
any agency or political subdivision thereof.
Events of Default
Event of default, when used in the indentures, with respect to debt securities of any
series, will mean any of the following:
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it
becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any debt security
of that series at its maturity;
(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten of the
applicable indenture (other than a covenant a default in whose performance or whose breach is
elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has expressly been included in
such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that
series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been
given, by registered or certified mail, to Legacy by the trustee or to Legacy and the trustee by
the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that
series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and
stating that such notice is a Notice of Default thereunder;
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(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in the applicable indenture
(other than a covenant set forth in Article Ten of such indenture or any other covenant a
default in whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of
default or which has expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or
more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or
breach for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to
Legacy by the trustee or to Legacy and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal
amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such
default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a Notice of
Default thereunder;
(5) Legacy, pursuant to or within the meaning of any bankruptcy law, (i) commences a
voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of any order for relief against it in an involuntary
case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of
its property, or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any bankruptcy law
that (i) is for relief against Legacy in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a custodian of
Legacy or for all or substantially all of its property, or (iii) orders the liquidation of
Legacy ; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;
(7) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or
(8) any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series in
accordance with provisions of the indenture related to the issuance of such debt securities.
An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute
an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture. The trustee
may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except in the payment of
principal, interest or any premium) if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the
interests of the holders.
If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or
the holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the
series may declare the entire principal of all of the debt securities of that series to be due and
payable immediately. If this happens, subject to certain conditions, the holders of a specified
percentage of the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series can void the
declaration.
Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its
rights or powers under any indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the
holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity. If they provide this reasonable indemnification,
the holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of any series of debt securities may
direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the
trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of debt securities.
Amendments and Waivers
Subject to certain exceptions, the indentures, the debt securities issued thereunder or the
subsidiary guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of each series affected by
such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class
(including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer
or exchange offer for, debt securities) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or
compliance with any provisions may be waived with respect to each series of debt securities with
the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt
securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection
with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities).
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Without the consent of each holder of the outstanding debt securities affected, an amendment
or waiver may not, among other things:
(1) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or
interest on, any debt security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest
thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the
principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the applicable indenture, or
change any place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any debt security or any
premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after the stated maturity thereof (or, in the case of
redemption, on or after the redemption date therefor);
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of
any series, the consent of whose holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the
consent of whose holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of
the applicable indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences) provided for in
the applicable indenture;
(3) modify any of the provisions set forth in (i) the sections related to matters addressed
in items (1) through (15) of this
caption, Amendments and Waivers, immediately below, (ii)
the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the holders unconditional right to
receive principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities or (iii) the provisions
of the applicable indenture related to the waiver of past defaults under such indenture except
to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other provisions of such indenture
cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each then-outstanding debt
security affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require
the consent of any holder with respect to changes in the references to the trustee and
concomitant changes in this section of such indenture, or the deletion of this proviso in such
indenture, in accordance with the requirements of such indenture;
(4) waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security; provided, however, that
any purchase or repurchase of debt securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the debt
securities;
(5) release any guarantor from any of its obligations under its guarantee or the applicable
indenture, except in accordance with the terms of such indenture (as supplemented by any
supplemental indenture); or
(6) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, Legacy,
the guarantors and the trustee may amend each of the indentures or the debt securities issued
thereunder to:
(1) cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision therein that may be
inconsistent with any other provision therein;
(2) evidence the succession of another Person to Legacy and the assumption by any such
successor of the covenants of Legacy therein and, to the extent applicable, to the debt
securities;
(3) provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated
debt securities; provided that the uncertificated debt securities are issued in registered form
for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), or
in the manner such that the uncertificated debt securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B)
of the Code;
(4) add a guarantee and cause any Person to become a guarantor, and/or to evidence the
succession of another Person to a guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the
guarantee of such guarantor therein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any debt
securities of any series;
(5) secure the debt securities of any series;
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(6) add to the covenants of Legacy such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or
provisions as Legacy shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the holders of all or
any series of debt securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are
to be for the benefit of less than all series of debt securities, stating that such covenants
are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or
power therein conferred upon Legacy and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and
continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or
provisions an event of default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies
provided in the applicable indenture as set forth therein; provided, that in respect of any such
additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such supplemental indenture may
provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer
than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement
upon such an event of default or may limit the remedies available to the trustee upon such an
event of default or may limit the right of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the debt securities of such series to waive such an event of default;
(7) make any change to any provision of the applicable indenture that does not adversely
affect the rights or interests of any holder of debt securities issued thereunder;
(8) provide for the issuance of additional debt securities in accordance with the
provisions set forth in the applicable indenture on the date of such indenture;
(9) add any additional defaults or events of default in respect of all or any series of
debt securities;
(10) add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture to such
extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer
form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;
(11) change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture; provided that
any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no debt security
outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture that is
entitled to the benefit of such provision;
(12) establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted thereunder,
including to reopen any series of any debt securities as permitted thereunder;
(13) evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment thereunder by a successor
trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of
the provisions of the applicable indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the
requirements of such indenture;
(14) conform the text of the applicable indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or
any debt securities issued thereunder to any provision of a description of such debt securities
appearing in a prospectus or prospectus supplement or an offering memorandum or offering
circular to the extent that such provision was intended to be a verbatim recreation of a
provision of such indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued
thereunder; or
(15) modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent
as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of such indenture under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended (the Trust Indenture Act), or under any similar federal statute
subsequently enacted, and to add to such indenture such other provisions as may be expressly
required under the Trust Indenture Act.
The consent of the holders is not necessary under either indenture to approve the particular
form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the
proposed amendment. After an amendment under an indenture becomes effective, Legacy is required to
mail to the holders of debt securities thereunder a notice briefly describing such amendment.
However, the failure to give such notice to all such holders, or any defect therein, will not
impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
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Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
Each indenture provides that Legacy may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of
its obligations discharged with respect to the debt securities outstanding thereunder and all
obligations of any guarantors of such debt securities discharged with respect to their guarantees
(Legal Defeasance), except for:
(1) the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities to receive payments in respect of
the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such debt securities when such payments are
due from the trust referred to below;
(2) Legacy obligations with respect to the debt securities concerning issuing temporary
debt securities, registration of debt securities, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt
securities and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security
payments held in trust;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee, and Legacy and each
guarantors obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance (as defined below) provisions of the
applicable indenture.
In addition, Legacy may, at its option and at any time, elect to have the obligations of
Legacy released with respect to certain provisions of each indenture, including certain provisions
set forth in any supplemental indenture thereto (such release and termination being referred to as
Covenant Defeasance), and thereafter any omission to comply with such obligations or provisions
will not constitute a default or event of default. In the event Covenant Defeasance occurs in
accordance with the applicable indenture, the events of default described under clauses (3) and (4)
under the caption Events of Default, in each case, will no longer constitute an event of
default thereunder.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(1) Legacy must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the
holders of the debt securities, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a
combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. government securities, in amounts as
will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or
firm of independent public accountants to pay the principal of, or interest and premium, if any,
on the outstanding debt securities on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable
redemption date, as the case may be, and Legacy must specify whether the debt securities are
being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, Legacy has delivered to the trustee an opinion of
counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that (a) Legacy has received from, or
there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the issue date
of the debt securities, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in
either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the
holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal
income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income
tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if
such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, Legacy has delivered to the trustee an opinion of
counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding debt
securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result
of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in
the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance
had not occurred;
(4) no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such
deposit (other than a default or event of default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be
applied to such deposit);
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(5) the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under,
any other instrument to which Legacy or any guarantor is a party or by which Legacy or any
guarantor is bound;
(6) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation
of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the
applicable indenture) to which Legacy or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which Legacy
or any of its subsidiaries is bound;
(7) Legacy must deliver to the trustee an officers certificate stating that the deposit
was not made by Legacy with the intent of preferring the holders of debt securities over the
other creditors of Legacy with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding
creditors of Legacy or others;
(8) Legacy must deliver to the trustee an officers certificate, stating that all
conditions precedent set forth in clauses (1) through (7) of this paragraph have been complied
with; and
(9) Legacy must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel (which opinion of counsel may
be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications, and exclusions), stating that all
conditions precedent set forth in clauses (2), (3) and (5) of this paragraph have been complied
with; provided that the opinion of counsel with respect to clause (5) of this paragraph may be
to the knowledge of such counsel.
Satisfaction and Discharge
Each of the indentures will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to
surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities, as expressly provided
for in such indenture) as to all outstanding debt securities issued thereunder and the guarantees
issued thereunder when:
(1) either (a) all of the debt securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under
such indenture (except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid
and debt securities for whose payment money or certain United States governmental obligations
have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by Legacy and
thereafter repaid to Legacy or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the trustee
for cancellation or (b) all debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for
cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity
within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements
satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in the name,
and at the expense, of Legacy, and Legacy or the guarantors have irrevocably deposited or caused
to be deposited with the trustee funds or U.S. government obligations, or a combination thereof,
in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities not
theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for principal of and premium, if any, on
and interest on the debt securities to the date of deposit (in the case of debt securities that
have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be,
together with instructions from Legacy irrevocably directing the trustee to apply such funds to
the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(2) Legacy or the guarantors have paid all other sums then due and payable under such
indenture by Legacy; and
(3) Legacy has delivered to the trustee an officers certificate and an opinion of counsel,
which, taken together, state that all conditions precedent under such indenture relating to the
satisfaction and discharge of such indenture have been complied with.
No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees, Partners, Members and
Unitholders
No director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, partner, member, unitholder or
stockholder of Legacy or any guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of
Legacy or the guarantors under the debt securities, the indentures, the guarantees or for any claim
based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt
securities, upon Legacys issuance of the debt securities and execution of the indentures, waives
and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
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consideration for issuance of the debt securities. Such waiver may not be effective to waive
liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is
against public policy.
Denominations
Unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement for each issuance of debt securities, the
debt securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 each or integral multiples of $1,000.
Paying Agent and Registrar
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities. Legacy
may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the debt
securities, and Legacy may act as paying agent or registrar.
Transfer and Exchange
A holder may transfer or exchange debt securities in accordance with the applicable indenture.
The registrar and the trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents, and Legacy may require a holder to pay any taxes and fees
required by law or permitted by the applicable indenture. Legacy is not required to transfer or
exchange any debt security selected for redemption. In addition, Legacy is not required to
transfer or exchange any debt security for a period of 15 days before a selection of debt
securities to be redeemed.
Subordination
The payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, subordinated debt
securities and any other payment obligations of Legacy in respect of subordinated debt securities
(including any obligation to repurchase subordinated debt securities) is subordinated in certain
circumstances in right of payment, as set forth in the subordinated indenture, to the prior payment
in full in cash of all senior debt.
Legacy also may not make any payment, whether by redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance
or otherwise, upon or in respect of subordinated debt securities, except from the trust described
under Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance, if
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a default in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any senior
debt (payment default) occurs, or |
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any other default occurs and is continuing with respect to designated senior
debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated (non-payment
default) and, solely with respect to this clause, the trustee for the subordinated
debt securities receives a notice of the default (a Payment Blockage Notice) from
the trustee or other representative for the holders of such designated senior debt. |
Cash payments on subordinated debt securities will be resumed (a) in the case of a payment
default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived and (b) in case of a nonpayment
default, the earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived or 179 days
after the date on which the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received, unless the maturity of
any designated senior debt has been accelerated or a bankruptcy event of default has occurred and
is continuing. No new period of payment blockage may be commenced unless and until 360 days have
elapsed since the date of commencement of the payment blockage period resulting from the
immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice. No nonpayment default in respect of designated senior
debt that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the
trustee for the subordinated debt securities will be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent
Payment Blockage Notice unless such default shall have been cured or waived for a period of no less
than 90 consecutive days.
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The subordinated indenture also requires that we promptly notify holders of senior debt if
payment of subordinated debt securities is accelerated because of an event of default.
Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of Legacy, in connection with any
dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of Legacy, whether
voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings or other
marshalling of assets for the benefit of creditors, all amounts due or to become due upon all
senior debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the holders of the
subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any
payment by Legacy on account of the subordinated debt securities, or any payment to acquire any of
the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect
to the subordinated debt securities of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be
made by, or on behalf of, Legacy on any subordinated debt security (other than with the money,
securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the
subordinated indenture), in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or
reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets or securities for Legacy, to which the
holders of subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf would be entitled shall be
made by Legacy or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other
similar Person making such payment or distribution or by the holders or the trustee if received by
them or it, directly to the holders of senior debt or their representatives or to any trustee or
trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such senior debt may have been issued, as their
respective interests appear, to the extent necessary to pay all such senior debt in full, in cash
or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision
therefor to or for the holders of such senior debt.
As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of the liquidation, bankruptcy,
reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding or an assignment for the benefit of
the creditors of Legacy or a marshalling of assets or liabilities of Legacy, holders of
subordinated debt securities may receive ratably less than other creditors.
Payment and Transfer
Principal, interest and any premium on fully registered debt securities will be paid at
designated places. Payment will be made by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt
securities are registered on days specified in the indentures or any prospectus supplement. Debt
securities payments in other forms will be paid at a place designated by us and specified in a
prospectus supplement.
Fully registered debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the corporation trust
office of the trustee or at any other office or agency maintained by us for such purposes, without
the payment of any service charge except for any tax or governmental charge.
Global Securities
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more
global certificates that we will deposit with a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus
supplement. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt
securities that it represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole:
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by the applicable depositary to a nominee of the depositary; |
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by any nominee to the depositary itself or another nominee; or |
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by the depositary or any nominee to a successor depositary or any nominee of the
successor. |
We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of
debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that the following
provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements.
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When we issue a global security in registered form, the depositary for the global security or
its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective
principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by that global security to the
accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary (participants). Those accounts will
be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents with respect to the underlying debt securities
or by us if those debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial
interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests
through participants. For interests of participants, ownership of beneficial interests in the
global security will be shown on records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee.
For interests of persons other than participants, that ownership information will be shown on the
records of participants. Transfer of that ownership will be effected only through those records.
The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of
securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair our ability to transfer beneficial
interests in a global security.
As long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of
that global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the
debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture.
Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:
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will not be entitled to have any of the underlying debt securities registered in their
names; |
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will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any of the underlying
debt securities in definitive form; and |
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will not be considered the owners or holders under the indenture relating to those debt
securities. |
Payments of the principal of, any premium on and any interest on individual debt securities
represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made
to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner of the global security representing such
debt securities. Neither we, the trustee for the debt securities, any paying agent nor the
registrar for the debt securities will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made by the depositary or any participants on account of beneficial interests in the
global security.
We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, any
premium or interest relating to a global security representing any series of debt securities,
immediately will credit participants accounts with the payments. Those payments will be credited
in amounts proportional to the respective beneficial interests of the participants in the principal
amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also
expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held
through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. This
is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in street name.
Those payments will be the sole responsibility of those participants.
If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or
ineligible to continue as depositary and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days,
we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or
securities representing that series. In addition, we may at any time in our sole discretion
determine not to have any debt securities of a series represented by one or more global securities.
In that event, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global
security or securities. Furthermore, if we specify, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global
security may, on terms acceptable to us, the trustee and the applicable depositary, receive
individual debt securities of that series in exchange for those beneficial interests. The
foregoing is subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In any
such instance, the owner of the beneficial interest will be entitled to physical delivery of
individual debt securities equal in principal amount to the beneficial interest and to have the
debt securities registered in its name. Those individual debt securities will be issued in any
authorized denominations.
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Governing Law
Each indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of New York.
Notices
Notices to holders of debt securities will be given by mail to the addresses of such holders
as they appear in the security register for such debt securities.
Information Concerning the Trustee
A banking or financial institution will be the trustee under the indentures. A successor
trustee may be appointed in accordance with the terms of the indentures.
The indentures and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference
therein, will contain certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor
of us, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in
respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in
other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (within the meaning of the
Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflicting interest or resign.
A single banking or financial institution may act as trustee with respect to both the
subordinated indenture and the senior indenture. If this occurs, and should a default occur with
respect to either the subordinated debt securities or the senior debt securities, such banking or
financial institution would be required to resign as trustee under one of the indentures within 90
days of such default, pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, unless such default were cured, duly
waived or otherwise eliminated.
DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES
Our subsidiaries may issue guarantees of debt securities that we offer in any prospectus
supplement. Each guarantee will be issued under a supplement to an indenture. The prospectus
supplement relating to a particular issue of guarantees will describe the terms of those
guarantees, including the following:
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the series of debt securities to which the guarantees apply; |
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whether the guarantees are secured or unsecured; |
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that the guarantees are unconditional; |
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whether the guarantees are senior or subordinate to other guarantees or debt; |
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the terms under which the guarantees may be amended, modified, waived, released or
otherwise terminated, if different from the provisions applicable to the guaranteed debt
securities; and |
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any additional terms of the guarantees. |
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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND FIDUCIARY DUTIES
Conflicts of Interest
General
Conflicts of interest exist and may arise in the future as a result of the relationships
between our general partner and its affiliates (including our Founding Investors), on the one hand,
and our partnership and our limited partners, on the other hand. The directors and officers of our
general partner have fiduciary duties to manage our general partner in a manner beneficial to its
owners. At the same time, our general partner has a fiduciary duty to manage our partnership in a
manner beneficial to us and our unitholders.
Whenever a conflict arises between our general partner or its affiliates, on the one hand, and
us or any other partner, on the other hand, our general partner will resolve that conflict. Our
partnership agreement contains provisions that modify and limit our general partners fiduciary
duties to the unitholders. Our partnership agreement also restricts the remedies available to
unitholders for actions taken that, without those limitations, might constitute breaches of
fiduciary duty.
Our general partner will not be in breach of its obligations under the partnership agreement
or its duties to us or our unitholders if the resolution of the conflict is:
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approved by the conflicts committee, although our general partner is not obligated to
seek such approval; |
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approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding units, excluding any units owned
by our general partner or any of its affiliates; |
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on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available
from unrelated third parties; or |
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fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships among
the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or
advantageous to us. |
Our general partner may, but is not required to, seek the approval of such resolution from the
conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner. If our general partner does
not seek approval from the conflicts committee and the board of directors of our general partner
determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to the conflict of interest
satisfies either of the standards set forth in the third and fourth bullet points above, then it
will be presumed that, in making its decision, the board of directors acted in good faith, and in
any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership, the person
bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption.
Unless the resolution of a conflict is specifically provided for in our partnership agreement, our
general partner or the conflicts committee may consider any factors it determines in good faith to
consider when resolving a conflict. When our partnership agreement requires that someone act in
good faith, it requires that person to believe he is acting in the best interests of the
partnership. Please read Management Management of Legacy Reserves LP for information about the
conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner.
Conflicts of interest could arise in the situations described below, among others.
Certain of our general partners affiliates may engage in competition with us.
Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner will be restricted from engaging
in any business activities other than those incidental to its ownership of interests in us.
However, affiliates of our general partner, other than our executive officers and their affiliates,
are not prohibited from engaging in other businesses or activities, including those that might be
in direct competition with us. In addition, under our partnership agreement, the doctrine of
corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, will not apply to the general partner and its
affiliates, other than our executive officers and their affiliates. As a result, neither the
general partner nor any of its
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affiliates other than our executive officers and their affiliates, will have any obligation to
present business opportunities to us.
Our general partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, such
as its owners and their affiliates, in resolving conflicts of interest.
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the standards to which our general
partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty law. For example, our partnership
agreement permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as
opposed to its capacity as our general partner. This entitles our general partner to consider only
the interests and factors that it desires, and it has no duty or obligation to give any
consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or any limited partner.
Examples include the exercise of its limited call right, its voting rights with respect to the
units it owns, its registration rights and its determination whether or not to consent to any
merger or consolidation of the partnership.
Our general partner has limited its liability and reduced its fiduciary duties, and has also
restricted the remedies available to our unitholders for actions that, without the limitations,
might constitute breaches of fiduciary duties.
In addition to the provisions described above, our partnership agreement contains provisions
that restrict the remedies available to our unitholders for actions that might otherwise constitute
breaches of fiduciary duty. For example, our partnership agreement:
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provides that the general partner shall not have any liability to us or our unitholders
for decisions made in its capacity as a general partner so long as it acted in good faith,
meaning it believed that the decision was in the best interests of our partnership; |
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generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest
not approved by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner
and not involving a vote of unitholders must be on terms no less favorable to us than those
generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or be fair and
reasonable to us, as determined by the board of directors of our general partner in good
faith, and that, in determining whether a transaction or resolution is fair and
reasonable, our general partner may consider the totality of the relationships between the
parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly advantageous or
beneficial to us; and |
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provides that our general partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for
monetary damages to us, our limited partners or assignees for any acts or omissions unless
there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent
jurisdiction determining that our general partner or those other persons acted in bad faith
or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct. |
Actions taken by our general partner may affect the amount of cash that is distributed to our
unitholders.
The amount of cash that is available for distribution to unitholders is affected by decisions
of our general partner regarding such matters as:
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the amount and timing of asset purchases and sales; |
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cash expenditures; |
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borrowings; |
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the issuance of additional units; and |
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the creation, reduction or increase of reserves in any quarter. |
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Our general partner determines which costs incurred by it are reimbursable by us.
We will reimburse our general partner and its affiliates for costs incurred in managing and
operating us, including costs incurred in rendering support services to us. The partnership
agreement provides that our general partner will determine the expenses that are allocable to us in
good faith.
Our partnership agreement does not restrict our general partner from causing us to pay it or its
affiliates for any services rendered to us or entering into additional contractual arrangements
with any of these entities on our behalf.
Our partnership agreement allows our general partner to determine, in good faith, any amounts
to pay itself or its affiliates for any services rendered to us. Our general partner does not
charge us a management fee. Our general partner may also enter into additional contractual
arrangements with any of its affiliates on our behalf. Neither our partnership agreement nor any
of the other agreements, contracts, and arrangements between us, on the one hand, and our general
partner and its affiliates, on the other hand, are or will be the result of arms-length
negotiations. Our general partner will determine, in good faith, the terms of any of these
transactions entered into.
Our general partner and its affiliates will have no obligation to permit us to use any
facilities or assets of our general partner and its affiliates, except as may be provided in
contracts entered into specifically dealing with that use. There is no obligation of our general
partner and its affiliates to enter into any contracts of this kind.
Our general partner intends to limit its liability regarding our obligations.
Our general partner intends to limit its liability under contractual arrangements so that the
other party has recourse only to our assets, and not against our general partner or its assets.
The partnership agreement provides that any action taken by our general partner to limit its
liability or our liability is not a breach of our general partners fiduciary duties, even if we
could have obtained more favorable terms without the limitation on liability.
Unitholders will have no right to enforce obligations of our general partner and its affiliates
under agreements with us.
Any agreements between us on the one hand, and our general partner and its affiliates, on the
other, will not grant to the unitholders, separate and apart from us, the right to enforce the
obligations of our general partner and its affiliates in our favor.
Our general partner may exercise its right to call and purchase units if it and its affiliates own
more than 80% of the units.
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80% of our units, our
general partner may exercise its right to call and purchase units as provided in the partnership
agreement or assign this right to one of its affiliates or to us. Our general partner is not bound
by fiduciary duty restrictions in determining whether to exercise this right. As a result, a
unitholder may have his units purchased from him at an undesirable time or price. Our general
partner and its affiliates, including members of our management, own an aggregate of 43% of our
outstanding units. Please read Material Provisions of our Partnership Agreement Limited Call
Right.
Our general partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants or others to perform
services for us.
The attorneys, independent accountants and others who have performed services for us regarding
our formation have been retained by our general partner, its affiliates and us and may continue to
be retained by our general partner, its affiliates and us. Attorneys, independent accountants and
others who will perform services for us are selected by our general partner or the conflicts
committee and may perform services for our general partner and its affiliates. We may retain
separate counsel for ourselves or the holders of units in the event of a conflict of interest
between our general partner and its affiliates, on the one hand, and us or the holders of units, on
the other, depending on the nature of the conflict. We do not intend to do so in most cases.
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Except in limited circumstances our general partner has the power and authority to conduct our
business without unitholder approval.
Under our partnership agreement, our general partner has full power and authority to do all
things, other than those items that require unitholder approval or with respect to which our
general partner has sought conflicts committee approval, on such terms as it determines to be
necessary or appropriate to conduct our business including, but not limited to, the following:
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the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or
guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of
evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into securities of
the partnership, and the incurring of any other obligations; |
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the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other
reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over our business or assets; |
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the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange
of any or all of our assets or the merger or other combination of us with or into another
person; |
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the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other
instruments; |
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the distribution of partnership cash; |
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the selection and dismissal of employees and agents, outside attorneys, accountants,
consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of
employment or hiring; |
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the maintenance of insurance for our benefit and the benefit of our partners; |
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the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and
the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures,
corporations, limited liability companies or other relationships; |
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the control of any matters affecting our rights and obligations, including the bringing
and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of
litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement
of claims and litigation; |
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the indemnification of any person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent
permitted by law; |
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the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of our securities, or the
issuance of additional options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to our
securities; and |
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the entering into of agreements with any of its affiliates to render services to us or
to itself in the discharge of its duties as our general partner. |
Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner must act in good faith when
making decisions on our behalf, and our partnership agreement further provides that in order for a
determination by our general partner to be made in good faith, our general partner must believe
that the determination is in our best interests. Please read Material Provisions of our
Partnership Agreement Voting Rights for information regarding matters that require unitholder
approval.
Fiduciary Duties
Our general partner is accountable to us and our unitholders as a fiduciary. Fiduciary duties
owed to unitholders by our general partner are prescribed by law and the partnership agreement.
The Delaware Revised
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Uniform Limited Partnership Act, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Delaware Act,
provides that Delaware limited partnerships may, in their partnership agreements, modify, restrict
or expand the fiduciary duties otherwise owed by a general partner to limited partners and the
partnership.
Our partnership agreement contains various provisions modifying and restricting the fiduciary
duties that might otherwise be owed by our general partner. We have adopted these restrictions to
allow our general partner or its affiliates to engage in transactions with us that would otherwise
be prohibited by state-law fiduciary duty standards and to take into account the interests of other
parties in addition to our interests when resolving conflicts of interest. We believe this is
appropriate and necessary because our general partners board of directors has fiduciary duties to
manage our general partner in a manner beneficial to its owners, as well as to you. Without these
modifications, the general partners ability to make decisions involving conflicts of interest
would be restricted. The modifications to the fiduciary standards enable the general partner to
take into consideration all parties involved in the proposed action, so long as the resolution is
fair and reasonable to us. These modifications also enable our general partner to attract and
retain experienced and capable directors. These modifications are detrimental to the unitholders
because they restrict the remedies available to unitholders for actions that, without those
limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty, as described below, and permit our
general partner to take into account the interests of third parties in addition to our interests
when resolving conflicts of interest. The following is a summary of the material restrictions of
the fiduciary duties owed by our general partner to the limited partners:
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State law fiduciary duty standards
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Fiduciary duties are generally
considered to include an
obligation to act in good faith
and with due care and loyalty.
The duty of care, in the absence
of a provision in a partnership
agreement providing otherwise,
would generally require a general
partner to act for the
partnership in the same manner as
a prudent person would act on his
own behalf. The duty of loyalty,
in the absence of a provision in
a partnership agreement providing
otherwise, would generally
prohibit a general partner of a
Delaware limited partnership from
taking any action or engaging in
any transaction where a conflict
of interest is present. |
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Partnership agreement modified standards
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Our partnership agreement
contains provisions pursuant to
which limited partners waive or
consent to conduct by our general
partner and its affiliates that
might otherwise raise issues
about compliance with fiduciary
duties or applicable law. For
example, our partnership
agreement provides that when our
general partner is acting in its
capacity as our general partner,
as opposed to in its individual
capacity, it must act in good
faith and will not be subject to
any other standard under
applicable law. In addition,
when our general partner is
acting in its individual
capacity, as opposed to its
capacity as our general partner,
it may act without any fiduciary
obligation to us or the
unitholders whatsoever. These
standards reduce the obligations
to which our general partner
would otherwise be held. |
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Our partnership agreement
generally provides that
affiliated transactions and
resolutions of conflicts of
interest not involving a vote of
unitholders and that are not
approved by the conflicts
committee of the board of
directors of our general partner
must be: |
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on terms no less
favorable to us than those
generally being provided to or
available from unrelated third
parties; or |
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fair and reasonable to
us, which may take into account
the totality of the relationships
between the parties involved
(including other transactions
that may be particularly
favorable or advantageous, or
unfavorable or disadvantageous,
to us). |
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If our general partner does not
seek approval from the conflicts
committee and its board of
directors determines that the
resolution or course of action
taken with respect to the
conflict of interest satisfies
either of the standards set forth
in the bullet points above, then
it will be presumed that, in
making its decision, the board of
directors, which may include
board members affected by the
conflict of interest, acted in
good faith and in any proceeding
brought by or on behalf of any
limited partner or the
partnership, the person bringing
or prosecuting such proceeding
will have the burden of
overcoming such presumption.
These standards reduce the
obligations to which our general
partner would otherwise be held. |
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In addition to the other more
specific provisions limiting the
obligations of our general
partner, our partnership
agreement further provides that
our general partner, its
affiliates and their officers and
directors will not be liable for
monetary damages to us, our
limited partners or assignees for
errors of judgment or for any
acts or omissions unless there
has been a final and
non-appealable judgment by a
court of competent jurisdiction
determining that our general
partner or its officers and
directors acted in bad faith or
engaged in fraud or willful
misconduct. |
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Rights and remedies of unitholders
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The Delaware Act generally
provides that a limited partner
may institute legal action on
behalf of the partnership to
recover damages from a third
party where a general partner has
refused to institute the action
or where an effort to cause a
general partner to do so is not
likely to succeed. These actions
include actions against a general
partner for breach of its
fiduciary duties or of the
partnership agreement. In
addition, the statutory or case
law of some jurisdictions may
permit a limited partner to
institute legal action on behalf
of himself and all other
similarly situated limited
partners to recover damages from
a general partner for violations
of its fiduciary duties to the
limited partners. |
By purchasing our units, each unitholder automatically agrees to be bound by the provisions in
the partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above. This is in accordance with
the policy of the Delaware Act favoring the principle of freedom of contract and the enforceability
of partnership agreements. The failure of a limited partner or assignee to sign a partnership
agreement does not render the partnership agreement unenforceable against that person.
We must indemnify our general partner and its officers, directors, managers and certain other
specified persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, against liabilities, costs and expenses
incurred by our general partner or these other persons. We must provide this indemnification
unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction
determining that these persons acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct. We
must also provide this indemnification for criminal proceedings unless our general partner or these
other persons acted with knowledge that their conduct was unlawful. Thus, our general partner
could be
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indemnified for its negligent acts if it meets the requirements set forth above. To the
extent these provisions purport to include indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is contrary to public policy and,
therefore, unenforceable. Please read Material Provisions of our Partnership Agreement
Indemnification.
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MATERIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
This section is a discussion of the material United States federal income tax considerations
that may be relevant to prospective unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the
United States and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Andrews
Kurth LLP, counsel to us, insofar as it relates to matters of United States federal income tax law
and legal conclusions with respect to these matters. This section is based on current provisions
of the Internal Revenue Code, existing and proposed regulations and current administrative rulings
and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Later changes in these authorities may
cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the
context otherwise requires, references in this section to us or we are references to Legacy
Reserves LP and our operating subsidiaries.
This section does not address all federal income tax matters that affect us or the
unitholders. Furthermore, this section focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or
residents of the United States and has only limited application to corporations, estates, trusts,
non-resident aliens or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as tax-exempt
institutions, foreign persons, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), employee benefit plans, real
estate investment trusts (REITs) or mutual funds. Accordingly, we urge each prospective unitholder
to consult, and depend on, his own tax advisor in analyzing the federal, state, local and foreign
tax consequences particular to him of the ownership or disposition of our units.
No ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS regarding any matter that affects us or
prospective unitholders. Instead, we will rely on opinions and advice of Andrews Kurth LLP.
Unlike a ruling, an opinion of counsel represents only that counsels best legal judgment and does
not bind the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made in this discussion
may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may
materially and adversely impact the market for our units and the prices at which our units trade.
In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS, principally legal, accounting and related fees,
will result in a reduction in cash available for distribution to our unitholders and thus will be
borne directly by our unitholders. Furthermore, the tax treatment of us, or of an investment in
us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court
decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively applied.
For the reasons described below, Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to
the following specific federal income tax issues:
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the treatment of a unitholder whose units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short
sale of units (please read Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership Treatment of Short
Sales); |
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whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by
existing Treasury regulations (please read Disposition of Units Allocations Between
Transferors and Transferees); and |
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whether our method for depreciating Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain
cases (please read Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership Section 754 Election and
Uniformity of Units). |
Partnership Status
A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead,
each partner is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain, loss and
deduction of the partnership in computing his federal income tax liability, even if no cash
distributions are made to him. Distributions by a partnership to a partner are generally not
taxable to the partner unless the amount of cash distributed to him is in excess of his adjusted
basis in his partnership interest.
Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly traded partnerships will, as
a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to in this discussion as
the Qualifying Income Exception, exists with respect to publicly traded partnerships 90% or more
of the gross income of which for every taxable year consists of qualifying income. Qualifying
income includes income and gains derived from the exploration,
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development, mining or production, processing, transportation and marketing of natural
resources, including oil, natural gas, and products thereof. Other types of qualifying income
include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real
property and gains from the sale or other disposition of assets held for the production of income
that otherwise constitutes qualifying income. We estimate that less
than 3% of our current gross income
does not constitute qualifying income; however, this estimate could change from time to time.
Based on and subject to this estimate, the factual representations made by us, and a review of the
applicable legal authorities, Andrews Kurth LLP is of the opinion that more than 90% of our current
gross income constitutes qualifying income. The portion of our income that is qualifying income
can change from time to time.
No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS, and the IRS has made no determination as to
our status or the status of our operating subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes or whether
our operations generate qualifying income under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Instead, we will rely on the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP. Andrews Kurth LLP is of the opinion,
based upon the Internal Revenue Code, its regulations, published revenue rulings, court decisions
and the representations described below, that we are and will
continue to be classified as a partnership, and each of
our operating subsidiaries (other than the entity employing our employees) will be disregarded as
an entity separate from us, for federal income tax purposes.
In rendering its opinion, Andrews Kurth LLP has relied on factual representations made by us.
The representations made by us upon which Andrews Kurth LLP has relied include:
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Neither we, nor any of our partnership or limited liability company subsidiaries, have
elected nor will we elect to be treated as a corporation; and |
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For each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income
that Andrews Kurth LLP has opined or will opine is qualifying income within the meaning
of Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. |
If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by
the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery, we will be
treated as if we had transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed
corporation, on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception,
in return for stock in that corporation and then distributed that stock to the unitholders in
liquidation of their interests in us. This deemed contribution and liquidation would be tax-free
to unitholders and us so long as we, at that time, do not have liabilities in excess of the tax
basis of our assets. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax
purposes.
If we were taxable as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to
meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction
would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to the unitholders, and
our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made to a
unitholder would be treated as taxable dividend income to the extent of our current or accumulated
earnings and profits, or, in the absence of earnings and profits, a nontaxable return of capital to
the extent of the unitholders tax basis in his units, or taxable capital gain, after the
unitholders tax basis in his units is reduced to zero. Accordingly, taxation as a corporation
would result in a material reduction in a unitholders cash flow and after-tax return and thus
would likely result in a substantial reduction of the value of the units.
The remainder of this section is based on Andrews Kurth LLPs opinion that we are and will be
classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
Unitholder Status
Unitholders who become partners of Legacy Reserves LP will be treated as partners of Legacy
Reserves LP for federal income tax purposes. Also, unitholders whose units are held in street name
or by a nominee and who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive
rights attendant to the ownership of their units will be treated as partners of Legacy Reserves LP
for federal income tax purposes.
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A beneficial owner of units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a
short sale would appear to lose his status as a partner with respect to those units for federal
income tax purposes. Please read Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership Treatment of Short
Sales.
Items of our income, gain, loss, or deduction are not reportable by a unitholder who is not a
partner for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder who is
not a partner for federal income tax purposes would therefore be fully taxable as ordinary income.
These unitholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to their status as
partners in us for federal income tax purposes. The reference to unitholder in the discussion
that follows are to persons who are treated as partners in Legacy Reserves LP for federal income
tax purposes.
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership
Flow-Through of Taxable Income
We
do not pay any federal income tax. Instead, each unitholder is required to report
on his income tax return his share of our income, gains, losses and deductions without regard to
whether corresponding cash distributions are received by him. Consequently, we may allocate income
to a unitholder even if he has not received a cash distribution. Each unitholder will be required
to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year or
years ending with or within his taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.
Treatment of Distributions
Distributions made by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to him for federal
income tax purposes to the extent of his tax basis in his units immediately before the
distribution. Cash distributions made by us to a unitholder in an amount in excess of his tax
basis in his units generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of those
units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under Disposition of Units below. To the
extent that cash distributions made by us cause a unitholders at risk amount to be less than
zero at the end of any taxable year, he must recapture any losses deducted in previous years.
Please read Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.
Any reduction in a unitholders share of our liabilities for which no partner bears the
economic risk of loss, known as non-recourse liabilities, will be treated as a distribution of
cash to that unitholder. A decrease in a unitholders percentage interest in us because of our
issuance of additional units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and thus will
result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash, which may constitute a non-pro rata
distribution. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a
unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his units, if the distribution reduces the unitholders
share of our unrealized receivables, including recapture of intangible drilling costs, depletion
and depreciation recapture, and/or substantially appreciated inventory items, both as defined in
Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code, and collectively, Section 751 Assets. To that extent,
he will be treated as having received his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and having
exchanged those assets with us in return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution
made to him. This latter deemed exchange will generally result in the unitholders realization of
ordinary income. That income will equal the excess of (i) the non-pro rata portion of that
distribution over (ii) the unitholders tax basis for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed
relinquished in the exchange.
Basis of Units
A unitholders initial tax basis for his units will be the amount he paid for the units plus
his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be increased by his share of our income
and by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis generally will be
decreased, but not below zero, by distributions to him from us, by his share of our losses, by
depletion deductions taken by him to the extent such deductions do not exceed his proportionate
share of the adjusted tax basis of the underlying producing properties, by any decreases in his
share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by his share of our expenditures that are not deductible
in computing taxable income
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and are not required to be capitalized. A unitholders share of our nonrecourse liabilities
will generally be based on his share of our profits. Please read Disposition of Units
Recognition of Gain or Loss.
Limitations on Deductibility of Losses
The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our losses will be limited to his tax basis in
his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder or a corporate unitholder, if more than 50%
of the value of its stock is owned directly or indirectly by or for five or fewer individuals or
some tax-exempt organizations, to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be at risk
with respect to our activities, if that amount is less than his tax basis. A unitholder must
recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause his at-risk
amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or
recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable as a deduction
in a later year to the extent that his tax basis or at-risk amount, whichever is the limiting
factor, is subsequently increased. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain recognized by
a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at-risk limitation but
may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any excess loss above that gain
previously suspended by the at risk or basis limitations is no longer utilizable.
In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of his tax basis in his units,
excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities,
reduced by any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those
borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to a partner other
than the unitholder or can look only to the units
for repayment. A unitholders at-risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the
unitholders units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or decreases attributable
to increases or decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Moreover, a unitholders at
risk amount will decrease by the amount of the unitholders depletion deductions and will increase
to the extent of the amount by which the unitholders percentage depletion deductions with respect
to our property exceed the unitholders share of the basis of that property.
The at risk limitation applies on an activity-by-activity basis, and in the case of oil and
natural gas properties, each property is treated as a separate activity. Thus, a taxpayers
interest in each oil or natural gas property is generally required to be treated separately so that
a loss from any one property would be limited to the at risk amount for that property and not the
at risk amount for all the taxpayers oil and natural gas properties. It is uncertain how this
rule is implemented in the case of multiple oil and natural gas properties owned by a single entity
treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. However, for taxable years ending on or
before the date on which further guidance is published, the IRS will permit aggregation of oil or
natural gas properties we own in computing a unitholders at risk limitation with respect to us.
If a unitholder must compute his at risk amount separately with respect to each oil or natural gas
property we own, he may not be allowed to utilize his share of losses or deductions attributable to
a particular property even though he has a positive at risk amount with respect to his units as a
whole.
The passive loss limitation generally provides that individuals, estates, trusts and some
closely held corporations and personal service corporations are permitted to deduct losses from
passive activities, which are generally defined as trade or business activities in which the
taxpayer does not materially participate, only to the extent of the taxpayers income from those
passive activities. The passive loss limitation is applied separately with respect to each
publicly traded partnership. Consequently, any losses we generate will only be available to offset
our passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset income from other
passive activities or investments, including our investments or investments in other publicly
traded partnerships, or a unitholders salary or active business income. If we dispose of only
part of our interest in a property, unitholders will be able to offset only their suspended passive
activity losses attributable to that property against the gain on the disposition. Any remaining
suspected passive activity losses will remain suspended. Notwithstanding whether a oil and natural
gas property is a separate activity, passive losses that are not deductible because they exceed a
unitholders share of income we generate may be deducted in full when he disposes of his entire
investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive activity loss
rules are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at-risk rules and
the basis limitation.
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A unitholders share of our net income may be offset by any of our suspended passive losses,
but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities,
including those attributable to other publicly traded partnerships.
Limitation on Interest Deductions
The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayers investment interest expense is generally
limited to the amount of that taxpayers net investment income. Investment interest expense
includes:
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interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment; |
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our interest expense attributable to portfolio income; and |
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the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive
activity to the extent attributable to portfolio income. |
The computation of a unitholders investment interest expense will take into account interest
on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit.
Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts
treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than
interest, directly connected with the production of investment income, but generally does not
include gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment. The IRS has
indicated that net passive income earned by a publicly traded partnership will be treated as
investment income to its unitholders. In addition, the unitholders share of our portfolio income
will be treated as investment income.
Entity-Level Collections
If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state or local income tax
on behalf of any unitholder or any former unitholder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our
funds. That payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the unitholder on whose
behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a unitholder whose identity
cannot be determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current
unitholders. We are authorized to amend our partnership agreement in the manner necessary to
maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so
that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions
otherwise applicable under our partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable.
Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of a
unitholder in which event the unitholder would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a
credit or refund.
Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction
In general, if we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be
allocated among the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. If we have a
net loss for an entire year, the loss will be allocated to our unitholders according to their
percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital account balances.
Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated under Section 704(c)
of the Internal Revenue Code to account for the difference between the tax basis and fair market
value of our assets at the time we issue units in an offering, which assets are referred to in this
discussion as Contributed Property. These allocations are required to eliminate the difference
between a partners book capital account, credited with the fair market value of Contributed
Property, and the tax capital account, credited with the tax basis of Contributed Property,
referred to in this discussion as the book-tax disparity. The effect of these allocations
to a unitholder who purchases units in this offering will be
essentially the same as if the tax basis of our assets were equal to their fair market value at the
time of the offering. In the event we issue additional units or engage in certain other
transactions in the future, Section 704(c) allocations will be made to all holders of
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partnership interests, including purchasers of units in this offering, to account for the
difference between the book basis for purposes of maintaining capital accounts and the fair
market value of all property held by us at the time of the future transaction. In addition, items
of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the unitholder who was allocated
the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as recapture income in order to minimize
the recognition of ordinary income by other unitholders. Finally, although we do not expect that
our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital
accounts nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in an amount and
manner sufficient to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.
An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation
required by Section 704(c), will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in
determining a unitholders share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the
allocation has substantial economic effect. In any other case, a unitholders share of an item
will be determined on the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into
account all the facts and circumstances, including:
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his relative contributions to us; |
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the interests of all the unitholders in profits and losses; |
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the interest of all the unitholders in cash flow; and |
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the rights of all the unitholders to distributions of capital upon liquidation. |
Andrews Kurth LLP is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in Tax
Consequences of Unit Ownership Section 754 Election, Uniformity of Units and Disposition
of Units Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees, allocations under our partnership
agreement will be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a unitholders share
of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction.
Treatment of Short Sales
A unitholder whose units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of units may be
considered as having disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer be a partner for tax
purposes with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss
from the disposition. As a result, during this period:
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none of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those units would be
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any cash distributions received by the unitholder with respect to those units would be
fully taxable; and |
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all of these distributions would appear to be ordinary income. |
Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion regarding the treatment of a unitholder whose
units are loaned to a short seller. Therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as
partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition are urged to modify any applicable brokerage
account agreements to prohibit their brokers from loaning their units. The IRS has announced that
it is studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership interests.
Please also read Disposition of Units Recognition of Gain or Loss.
Alternative Minimum Tax
Each unitholder will be required to take into account his distributive share of any items of
our income, gain, loss or deduction for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. The current
minimum tax rate for non-corporate taxpayers is 26% on the first $175,000 of alternative minimum
taxable income in excess of the exemption amount and 28% on any additional alternative minimum
taxable income. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult their tax advisors with respect to
the impact of an investment in our units on their liability for the alternative minimum tax.
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Tax Rates
In general, the highest effective federal income tax rate for individuals currently is 35% and
the maximum federal income tax rate for net capital gains of an individual currently is 15% if the
asset disposed of was held for more than twelve months at the time of disposition.
Section 754 Election
We
have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code. That
election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. That election will generally permit us to
adjust a unit purchasers tax basis in our assets (inside basis) under Section 743(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code to reflect his purchase price. The Section 743(b) adjustment does not apply
to a person who purchases units directly from us, and it belongs only to the purchaser and not to
other unitholders. Please also read, however, Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction
above. For purposes of this discussion, a unitholders inside basis in our assets has two
components: (1) his share of our tax basis in our assets (common basis) and (2) his Section
743(b) adjustment to that basis.
Treasury regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code require, if the remedial
allocation method is adopted (which we have adopted), a portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment
attributable to recovery property to be depreciated over the remaining cost recovery period for the
Section 704(c) built-in gain. Under Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6), a Section 743(b)
adjustment attributable to property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal
Revenue Code rather than cost recovery deductions under Section 168 is generally required to be
depreciated using either the straight-line method or the 150% declining balance method. Under our
partnership agreement, we are authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units
even if that position is not consistent with these Treasury regulations. Please read Tax
Treatment of Operations Uniformity of Units.
Although Andrews Kurth LLP is unable to opine on the validity of this approach because there
is no clear authority on this issue, we intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b)
adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the
extent of any unamortized book-tax disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived
from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied
to the unamortized book-tax disparity of the
property, or treat that portion as non-amortizable to the extent attributable to property which is not amortizable. This method is consistent with the regulations under
Section 743 but is arguably inconsistent with Treasury regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which
is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. To the extent a Section
743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized book-tax
disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury regulations and legislative history.
If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a depreciation or
amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive
depreciation or amortization, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment,
based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. This
kind of aggregate approach may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than
would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders. Please read Tax Treatment of Operations
Uniformity of Units.
A Section 754 election is advantageous if the transferees tax basis in his units is higher
than the units share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer.
In that case, as a result of the election, the transferee would have, among other items, a greater
amount of depletion and depreciation deductions and his share of any gain on a sale of our assets
would be less. Conversely, a Section 754 election is disadvantageous if the transferees tax basis
in his units is lower than those units share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately
prior to the transfer. Thus, the fair market value of the units may be affected either favorably
or unfavorably by the election. A basis adjustment is required regardless of whether a Section 754
election is made in the case of a transfer of an interest in us if we have a substantial built-in
loss immediately after the transfer, or if we distribute property and have a substantial basis
reduction. Generally a built-in loss or a basis reduction is substantial if it exceeds $250,000.
The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made on the
basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. For example, the allocation
of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our assets must be made in accordance with the Internal
Revenue Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment we
allocated to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, an intangible
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asset, is generally either nonamortizable or amortizable over a longer period of time or under
a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. We cannot assure you that the determinations
we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS or that the resulting deductions will not be
reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made,
and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may
seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission is granted, a
subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than he would have been allocated had
the election not been revoked.
Tax Treatment of Operations
Accounting Method and Taxable Year
We
use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of
accounting for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income
his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending within or with his
taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than
December 31 and who disposes of all of his units following the close of our taxable year but before
the close of his taxable year must include his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in
income for his taxable year, with the result that he will be required to include in income for his
taxable year his share of more than twelve months of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please
read Disposition of Units Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.
Depletion Deductions
Subject to the limitations on deductibility of losses discussed above, unitholders will be
entitled to deductions for the greater of either cost depletion or (if otherwise allowable)
percentage depletion with respect to our oil and natural gas interests. Although the Internal
Revenue Code requires each unitholder to compute his own depletion allowance and maintain records
of his share of the adjusted tax basis of the underlying property for depletion and other purposes,
we intend to furnish each of our unitholders with information relating to this computation for
federal income tax purposes.
Percentage depletion is generally available with respect to unitholders who qualify under the
independent producer exemption contained in Section 613A(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. For this
purpose, an independent producer is a person not directly or indirectly involved in the retail sale
of oil, natural gas, or derivative products or the operation of a major refinery. Percentage
depletion is calculated as an amount generally equal to 15% (and, in the case of marginal
production, potentially a higher percentage) of the unitholders gross income from the depletable
property for the taxable year. The percentage depletion deduction with respect to any property is
limited to 100% of the taxable income of the unitholder from the property for each taxable year,
computed without the depletion allowance. A unitholder that qualifies as an independent producer
may deduct percentage depletion only to the extent the unitholders daily production of domestic
crude oil, or the natural gas equivalent, does not exceed 1,000 Bbls. This depletable amount may
be allocated between oil and natural gas production, with six Mcf of domestic natural gas
production regarded as equivalent to one Bbl of crude oil. The 1,000 Bbl limitation must be
allocated among the independent producer and controlled or related persons and family members in
proportion to the respective production by such persons during the period in question.
In addition to the foregoing limitations, the percentage depletion deduction otherwise
available is limited to 65% of a unitholders total taxable income from all sources for the year,
computed without the depletion allowance, net operating loss carrybacks, or capital loss
carrybacks. Any percentage depletion deduction disallowed because of the 65% limitation may be
deducted in the following taxable year if the percentage depletion deduction for such year plus the
deduction carryover does not exceed 65% of the unitholders total taxable income for that year.
The carryover period resulting from the 65% net income limitation is indefinite.
Unitholders that do not qualify under the independent producer exemption are generally
restricted to depletion deductions based on cost depletion. Cost depletion deductions are
calculated by (i) dividing the unitholders share of the adjusted tax basis in the underlying
mineral property by the number of mineral units (Bbls of oil and thousand cubic feet, or Mcf, of
natural gas) remaining as of the beginning of the taxable year and (ii) multiplying the result by
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the number of mineral units sold within the taxable year. The total amount of deductions
based on cost depletion cannot exceed the unitholders share of the total adjusted tax basis in the
property.
All or a portion of any gain recognized by a unitholder as a result of either the disposition
by us of some or all of our oil and natural gas interests or the disposition by the unitholder of
some or all of his units may be taxed as ordinary income to the extent of recapture of depletion
deductions, except for percentage depletion deductions in excess of the basis of the property. The
amount of the recapture is generally limited to the amount of gain recognized on the disposition.
The foregoing discussion of depletion deductions does not purport to be a complete analysis of
the complex legislation and Treasury regulations relating to the availability and calculation of
depletion deductions by the unitholders. We encourage each prospective unitholder to consult his
tax advisor to determine whether percentage depletion would be available to him.
Deductions for Intangible Drilling and Development Costs
We
elect to currently deduct intangible drilling and development costs (IDCs). IDCs
generally include our expenses for wages, fuel, repairs, hauling, supplies and other items that are
incidental to, and necessary for, the drilling and preparation of wells for the production of oil,
natural gas, or geothermal energy. The option to currently deduct IDCs applies only to those items
that do not have a salvage value.
Although we
elect to currently deduct IDCs, each unitholder will have the option of
either currently deducting IDCs or capitalizing all or part of the IDCs and amortizing them on a
straight-line basis over a 60-month period, beginning with the taxable month in which the
expenditure is made. If a unitholder makes the election to amortize the IDCs over a 60-month
period, no IDC preference amount will result for alternative minimum tax purposes.
Integrated oil companies must capitalize 30% of all their IDCs (other than IDCs paid or
incurred with respect to oil and natural gas wells located outside of the United States) and
amortize these IDCs over 60 months beginning in the month in which those costs are paid or
incurred. If the taxpayer ceases to be an integrated oil company, it must continue to amortize
those costs as long as it continues to own the property to which the IDCs relate. An integrated
oil company is a taxpayer that has economic interests in crude oil deposits and also carries on
substantial retailing or refining operations. An oil or natural gas producer is deemed to be a
substantial retailer or refiner if it is subject to the rules disqualifying retailers and refiners
from taking percentage depletion. In order to qualify as an independent producer that is not
subject to these IDC deduction limits, a unitholder, either directly or indirectly through certain
related parties, may not be involved in the refining of more than 75,000 Bbls of oil (or the
equivalent amount of natural gas) on average for any day during the taxable year or in the retail
marketing of oil and natural gas products exceeding $5 million per year in the aggregate.
IDCs previously deducted that are allocable to property (directly or through ownership of an
interest in a partnership) and that would have been included in the adjusted basis of the property
had the IDC deduction not been taken are recaptured to the extent of any gain realized upon the
disposition of the property or upon the disposition by a unitholder of interests in us. Recapture
is generally determined at the unitholder level. Where only a portion of the recapture property is
sold, any IDCs related to the entire property are recaptured to the extent of the gain realized on
the portion of the property sold. In the case of a disposition of an undivided interest in a
property, a proportionate amount of the IDCs with respect to the property is treated as allocable
to the transferred undivided interest to the extent of any unrealized gain. Please read
Disposition of Units Recognition of Gain or Loss.
Deduction for United States Production Activities
Subject to the limitations on the deductibility of losses discussed above and the limitation
discussed below, unitholders will be entitled to a deduction, herein referred to as the Section 199
deduction, equal to a specified percentage of our qualified production activities income that is
allocated to such unitholder. The percentages are 6% for qualified production activities income
generated for the years 2008 and 2009 and 9% thereafter.
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Qualified production activities income is generally equal to gross receipts from domestic
production activities reduced by cost of goods sold allocable to those receipts, other expenses
directly associated with those receipts, and a share of other deductions, expenses and losses that
are not directly allocable to those receipts or another class of income. The products produced
must be manufactured, produced, grown or extracted in whole or in significant part by the taxpayer
in the United States.
For a partnership, the Section 199 deduction is determined at the partner level. To determine
his Section 199 deduction, each unitholder will aggregate his share of the qualified production
activities income allocated to him from us with the unitholders qualified production activities
income from other sources. Each unitholder must take into account his distributive share of the
expenses allocated to him from our qualified production activities regardless of whether we
otherwise have taxable income. However, our expenses that otherwise would be taken into account
for purposes of computing the Section 199 deduction are only taken into account if and to the
extent the unitholders share of losses and deductions from all of our activities is not disallowed
by the basis rules, the at-risk rules or the passive activity loss rules. Please read Tax
Consequences of Unit Ownership Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.
The amount of a unitholders Section 199 deduction for each year is limited to 50% of the IRS
Form W-2 wages paid by the unitholder during the calendar year and properly allocable to gross
receipts from domestic production activities. Each unitholder is treated as having been allocated
IRS Form W-2 wages from us equal to the unitholders allocable share of our wages. It is not
anticipated that we or our subsidiaries will pay material wages that will be allocated to our
unitholders.
This discussion of the Section 199 deduction does not purport to be a complete analysis of the
complex legislation and Treasury authority relating to the calculation of domestic production gross
receipts, qualified production activities income, or IRS Form W-2 Wages, or how such items are
allocated by us to unitholders. Each prospective unitholder is encouraged to consult his tax
advisor to determine whether the Section 199 deduction would be available to him.
Lease Acquisition Costs. The cost of acquiring oil and natural gas leaseholder or similar
property interests is a capital expenditure that must be recovered through depletion deductions if
the lease is productive. If a lease is proved worthless and abandoned, the cost of acquisition
less any depletion claimed may be deducted as an ordinary loss in the year the lease becomes
worthless. Please read Tax Treatment of Operations Depletion Deductions.
Geophysical Costs. Geophysical costs paid or incurred in connection with the exploration for,
or development of, oil or gas within the United States are allowed as a deduction ratably over the
24-month period beginning on the date that such expense was paid or incurred.
Operating and Administrative Costs. Amounts paid for operating a producing well are
deductible as ordinary business expenses, as are administrative costs to the extent they constitute
ordinary and necessary business expenses which are reasonable in amount.
Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization
The tax basis of our assets, such as casing, tubing, tanks, pumping units and other similar
property, will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and,
ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. The federal income tax burden
associated with the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis
immediately prior to (i) this offering will be borne by our existing unitholders, and (ii) any
other offering will be borne by our unitholders as of that time. Please read Tax Consequences
of Unit Ownership Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.
To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods that
will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets are placed in
service. Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using accelerated
methods permitted by the Internal Revenue Code.
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If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure, or otherwise, all or a portion of
any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature
of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than
capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with
respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as
ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us. Please read Tax Consequences of Unit
Ownership Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction and Disposition of Units
Recognition of Gain or Loss.
The costs incurred in selling our units (called syndication expenses) must be capitalized
and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. There are uncertainties
regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which we may be able to amortize,
and as syndication expenses, which we may not amortize. The underwriting discounts and commissions
we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.
Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties
The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in
part on our estimates of the relative fair market values and the tax bases of our assets. Although
we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will
make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates and
determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts.
If the estimates of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and
amount of items of income, gain, loss or deduction previously reported by unitholders might change,
and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest
and penalties with respect to those adjustments.
Disposition of Units
Recognition of Gain or Loss
Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the
unitholders amount realized and the unitholders tax basis for the units sold. A unitholders
amount realized will equal the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property he
receives plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a
unitholders share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could
result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.
Prior distributions from us in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a unit that
decreased a unitholders tax basis in that unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the unit
is sold at a price greater than the unitholders tax basis in that unit, even if the price received
is less than his original cost.
Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a dealer in
units, on the sale or exchange of a unit held for more than one year will generally be taxable as
capital gain or loss. A portion of this gain or loss, which may be substantial, however, will be
separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Internal Revenue
Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to unrealized receivables or inventory
items that we own. The term unrealized receivables includes potential recapture items,
including depreciation, depletion, and IDC recapture. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized
receivables and inventory items may exceed net taxable gain realized on the sale of a unit and may
be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a
unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Net capital
loss may offset capital gains and no more than $3,000 of ordinary income, in the case of
individuals, and may only be used to offset capital gain in the case of corporations.
The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate
transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those
interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that
tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an equitable apportionment method.
Treasury regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling unitholder who
can identify units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual
holding period of the units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling, a unitholder will be
unable to select high or low basis
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units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the regulations,
may designate specific units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units
transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of units transferred must
consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of units. A
unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of units purchased in separate
transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and
those Treasury regulations.
Specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code affect the taxation of some financial
products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an
appreciated partnership interest, one in which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned
or terminated at its fair market value, if the taxpayer or related persons enter(s) into:
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a short sale; |
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an offsetting notional principal contract; or |
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a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest or substantially
identical property. |
Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional
principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the
taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then
acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the
Treasury is also authorized to issue regulations that treat a taxpayer who enters into transactions
or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having
constructively sold the financial position.
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees
In general, our taxable income or loss will be determined annually, will be prorated on a
monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the
number of units owned by each of them as of the first business day of the month (or once traded on
an exchange, as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month)
(the Allocation Date). However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our
assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among the unitholders on the
Allocation Date in the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a unitholder
transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of
transfer.
Although simplifying conventions are contemplated by the Code and most publicly traded
partnerships use similar simplifying conventions, the use of this method may not be permitted under
existing Treasury regulations. Accordingly, Andrews Kurth LLP is unable to opine on the validity
of this method of allocating income and deductions between unitholders. If this method is not
allowed under the Treasury regulations, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the
unitholders interest, our taxable income or losses might be reallocated among the unitholders. We
are authorized to revise our method of allocation between unitholders, as well as among unitholders
whose interests vary during a taxable year, to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury
regulations.
A unitholder who owns units at any time during a quarter and who disposes of them prior to the
record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income,
gain, loss and deductions attributable to that quarter but will not be entitled to receive that
cash distribution.
Notification Requirements
A unitholder who sells any of his units, other than through a broker, generally is required to
notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale (or, if earlier, January 15 of the
year following the sale). A person who purchases units is required to notify us in writing of that
purchase within 30 days after the purchase, unless a broker or nominee will satisfy such
requirement. We are required to notify the IRS of any such transfers of units and to furnish
specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a transfer of
units may lead to the imposition of substantial penalties.
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Constructive Termination
We will be considered to have terminated our partnership for federal income tax purposes if
there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within
a twelve-month period. Our termination would, among other things, result in the closing of our
taxable year for all unitholders and could result in a deferral of depreciation deductions
allowable in computing our taxable income. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year
other than a fiscal year ending December 31, the closing of our taxable year may result in more
than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the
year of termination. A constructive termination occurring on a date other than December 31 will
result in us filing two tax returns (and unitholders receiving two Schedule K-1s) for one fiscal
year and the cost of the preparation of these returns will be borne by all unitholders. We would
be required to make new tax elections after a termination, including a new election under Section
754 of the Internal Revenue Code. A termination could also result in penalties if we were unable
to determine that the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination might either accelerate
the application of, or subject us to, any tax legislation enacted before the termination.
Uniformity of Units
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, we must maintain uniformity of
the economic and tax characteristics of the units to a purchaser of these units. In the absence of
uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements,
both statutory and regulatory. A lack of uniformity can result from a literal application of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6). Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on
the value of the units. Please read Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership Section 754 Election.
We intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized
appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized book-tax
disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or
amortization method and useful life applied to the unamortized book-tax disparity of that property,
or treat that portion as nonamortizable, to the extent attributable to property which is not
amortizable, consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code. This
method is consistent with the Treasury regulations applicable to property depreciable under the
accelerated cost recovery system or the modified accelerated cost recovery system, which we expect
will apply to substantially all, if not all, of our depreciable property. We also intend to use
this method with respect to property that we own, if any, depreciable under Section 167 of the
Internal Revenue Code, even though that position may be inconsistent with Treasury Regulation
Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6). We do not expect Section 167 to apply to a material portion, if any, of
our assets. Please read Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership Section 754 Election. To the
extent that the Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the
unamortized book-tax disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury regulations and
legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may adopt a
depreciation and amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month
would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, whether attributable to a common basis or
Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct
interest in our property. If we adopt this position, it may result in lower annual deductions than
would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders and risk the loss of depreciation and amortization
deductions not taken in the year that these deductions are otherwise allowable. We will not adopt
this position if we determine that the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions will have a
material adverse effect on the unitholders. If we choose not to utilize this aggregate method, we
may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization method to preserve the uniformity of the
intrinsic tax characteristics of any units that would not have a material adverse effect on the
unitholders. Our counsel, Andrews Kurth LLP, is unable to opine on the validity of any of these
positions. The IRS may challenge any method of depreciating the Section 743(b) adjustment
described in this paragraph. If this challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be
affected, and the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional
deductions. Please read Disposition of Units Recognition of Gain or Loss.
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Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors
Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident
aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign persons raises issues unique to those investors and,
as described below, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them.
Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax, including
individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on
unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to a unitholder that is a
tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to them.
Non-resident aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates that own units will be
considered to be engaged in business in the United States because of the ownership of units. As a
consequence they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our income,
gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our net
income or gain. Under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, we will withhold tax, at
the highest effective applicable rate, from cash distributions made quarterly to foreign
unitholders. Each foreign unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and
submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN or applicable substitute form in order to
obtain credit for these withholding taxes. A change in applicable law may require us to change
these procedures.
In addition, because a foreign corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a
United States trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the United States branch
profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its share of our income
and gain, as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporations U.S. net equity, that is
effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. That tax may be
reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in which
the foreign corporate unitholder is a qualified resident. In addition, this type of unitholder
is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Internal
Revenue Code.
Under a ruling issued by the IRS, a foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a
unit will be subject to federal income tax on gain realized on the sale or disposition of that unit
to the extent the gain is effectively connected with a United States trade or business of the
foreign unitholder. Apart from the ruling, a foreign unitholder will not be taxed or subject to
withholding upon the sale or disposition of a unit if he has owned less than 5% in value of the
units during the five-year period ending on the date of the disposition and if the units are
regularly traded on an established securities market at the time of the sale or disposition.
Administrative Matters
Information Returns and Audit Procedures
We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year,
specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which describes his share of our income, gain,
loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not
be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have
been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholders share of income, gain, loss and deduction.
We cannot assure you that those positions will yield a result that conforms to the
requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury regulations or administrative interpretations
of the IRS. Neither we nor counsel can assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not
successfully contend in court that those positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS
could negatively affect the value of the units.
The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from an
IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior years tax liability and possibly may
result in an audit of his own return. Any audit of a unitholders return could result in
adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.
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Partnerships generally are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal tax audits,
judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax
treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership
proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Internal Revenue Code
requires that one partner be designated as the Tax Matters Partner for these purposes. The
partnership agreement appoints our general partner as our Tax Matters Partner.
The Tax Matters Partner will make some elections on our behalf and on behalf of unitholders.
In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax
deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a
unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS unless that
unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax
Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the unitholders
are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails
to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1%
interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% interest
in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with
an interest in the outcome may participate.
A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his
federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return.
Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to
substantial penalties.
Nominee Reporting
Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to
us:
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the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the
nominee; |
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a statement regarding whether the beneficial owner is: |
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a person that is not a United States person, |
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a foreign government, an international organization or any wholly owned agency
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a tax-exempt entity; |
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the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial
owner; and |
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specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of
acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of
net proceeds from sales. |
Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including
whether they are United States persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or
transfer for their own account. A penalty of $50 per failure, up to a maximum of $100,000 per
calendar year, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for failure to report that information to
us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information
furnished to us.
Accuracy-related Penalties
An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an underpayment of tax that is
attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or
regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements, is
imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No penalty will be imposed, however, for any portion of an
underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for that portion and that the
taxpayer acted in good faith regarding that portion.
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A substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the
understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the return for the
taxable year or $5,000. The amount of any understatement subject to penalty generally is reduced
if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the return:
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as to which there is a reasonable basis and the relevant facts of that position are
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If any item of income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of
unitholders could result in that kind of an understatement of income for which no substantial
authority exists, we would be required to disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In
addition, we will make a reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to
make adequate disclosure on their returns to avoid liability for this penalty. More stringent
rules would apply to an understatement of tax resulting from ownership of units if we were
classified as a tax shelter. We believe we will not be classified as a tax shelter. For
individuals, a substantial valuation misstatement exists if the value of any property, or the
adjusted basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 150% or more of the amount determined to
be the correct amount of the valuation or adjusted basis. No penalty is imposed unless the portion
of the underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000 ($10,000
for a corporation other than an S Corporation or a personal holding company). If the valuation
claimed on a return is 200% or more than the correct valuation, the penalty imposed increases to
40%.
Reportable Transactions
If we were to engage in a reportable transaction, we (and possibly you and others) would be
required to make a detailed disclosure of the transaction to the IRS. A transaction may be a
reportable transaction based upon any of several factors, including the fact that it is a type of
transaction publicly identified by the IRS as a listed transaction or that it produces certain
kinds of losses in excess of $2 million. Our participation in a reportable transaction could
increase the likelihood that our federal income tax information return (and possibly your tax
return) is audited by the IRS. Please read Information Returns and Audit Procedures above.
Moreover, if we were to participate in a listed transaction or a reportable transaction (other
than a listed transaction) with a significant purpose to avoid or evade tax, you could be subject
to the following provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004:
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accuracy-related penalties with a broader scope, significantly narrower exceptions, and
potentially greater amounts than described above at Accuracy-related Penalties, |
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for those persons otherwise entitled to deduct interest on federal tax deficiencies,
nondeductibility of interest on any resulting tax liability, and |
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in the case of a listed transaction, an extended statute of limitations. |
We do not expect to engage in any reportable transactions.
State, Local and Other Tax Considerations
In addition to federal income taxes, you will be subject to other taxes, including state and
local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that
may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property or in which you
are a resident. We currently do business and own property in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Alabama,
Mississippi, Wyoming, North Dakota, Colorado and Arkansas. We may also own property or do business
in other states in the future. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here,
each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on his investment in us. You
may not be required to file a return and pay taxes in some states because your income from that
state falls below the filing and payment requirement. You will be required, however, to file state
income tax returns and to pay state income taxes in many of the states in which we may do business
or own property, and you
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may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In some states,
tax losses may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred and also may not be available to
offset income in subsequent taxable years. Some of the states may require us, or we may elect, to
withhold a percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a
resident of the state. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular
unitholders income tax liability to the state, generally does not relieve a nonresident unitholder
from the obligation to file an income tax return. Amounts withheld may be treated as if
distributed to unitholders for purposes of determining the amounts distributed by us. Please read
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership Entity-Level Collections. Based on current law and our
estimate of our future operations, we anticipate that any amounts required to be withheld will not
be material.
It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences,
under the laws of pertinent states and localities, of his investment in us. Andrews Kurth LLP has
not rendered an opinion on the state local, or foreign tax consequences of an investment in us. We
strongly recommend that each prospective unitholder consult, and depend on, his own tax counsel or
other advisor with regard to those matters. It is the responsibility of each unitholder to file
all tax returns, that may be required of him.
Tax Consequences of Ownership of Debt Securities
A description of the material federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership
and disposition of debt securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the
offering of debt securities.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Under this prospectus, we intend to offer our securities to the public:
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through one or more broker-dealers; |
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through underwriters; or |
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directly to investors. |
We will fix a price or prices of our securities at:
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market prices prevailing at the time of any sale under this registration statement; |
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prices related to market prices; or |
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negotiated prices. |
We may change the price of the securities offered from time to time.
We will pay or allow distributors or sellers commissions that will not exceed those
customary in the types of transactions involved. Broker-dealers may act as agent or may purchase
securities as principal and thereafter resell the securities from time to time:
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in or through one or more transactions (which may involve crosses and block
transactions) or distributions; |
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on The Nasdaq Global Select Market; |
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in the over-the-counter market; or |
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in private transactions. |
Broker-dealers or underwriters may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts
or commissions and may receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act
as agents. If any broker-dealer purchases the securities as principal, it may effect resales of
the securities from time to time to or through other broker-dealers, and other broker-dealers may
receive compensation in the form of concessions or commissions from the purchasers of securities
for whom they may act as agents.
To the extent required, the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, if
any, as well as other important information, will be set forth in prospectus supplements. In that
event, the discounts and commissions we will allow or pay to the underwriters, if any, and the
discounts and commissions the underwriters may allow or pay to dealers or agents, if any, will be
set forth in, or may be calculated from, the prospectus supplements. Any underwriters, brokers,
dealers and agents who participate in any sale of the securities may also engage in transactions
with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their businesses. We
may indemnify underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents against specific liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to
describe a specific plan of distribution.
In connection with offerings under this shelf registration and in compliance with applicable
law, underwriters, brokers or dealers may engage in transactions that stabilize or maintain the
market price of the securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open
market. Specifically, underwriters, brokers or dealers may over-allot in connection with
offerings, creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. For the
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purpose of covering a syndicate short position or stabilizing the price of the securities, the
underwriters, brokers or dealers may place bids for the securities or effect purchases of the
securities in the open market. Finally, the underwriters may impose a penalty whereby selling
concessions allowed to syndicate members or other brokers or dealers for distribution the
securities in offerings may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the syndicate repurchases previously
distributed securities in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or
otherwise. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the
securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market,
and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Andrews Kurth LLP, Houston, Texas, will pass upon the validity of the securities being offered
in this registration statement.
EXPERTS
The audited financial statements of Legacy Reserves LP, Brothers Group, TSF properties,
Ameristate Properties, Binger Properties, and Raven OBO Properties incorporated by reference in
this prospectus, have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of BDO Seidman, LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the
authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
The audited financial statements of the Selected Interests of Paul T. Horne and Selected
Properties of the Charities Support Foundation Inc. and Affiliates, incorporated by reference in
this prospectus, have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of Johnson Miller & Co.,
CPAs PC, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given
on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
Information incorporated by reference and included in this prospectus regarding our estimated
quantities of oil and natural gas reserves was prepared by LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd.,
independent petroleum engineers, geologists and geophysicists, as stated in their reserve reports
with respect thereto.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act that registers
the securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the exhibits,
contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us
to omit from this prospectus some information included in the registration statement.
We file annual, quarterly, and other reports and other information with the SEC under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). You may read and copy any
materials we file with the SEC at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the
operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains an Internet website at
http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information
regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. General information about
us, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on
Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, is available free of charge through our website at
http://www.legacylp.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with,
or furnish them to, the SEC. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus
or our other securities filings and is not a part of these filings.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference information into this document. This means
that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed
separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of
this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and
supersede the previously filed information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below
and any future filings made by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act, excluding information deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC, until
all the securities are sold:
|
|
|
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed on March 14,
2008; |
|
|
|
|
Current Reports on Form 8-K or 8-K/A filed on June 29, 2007, October 18, 2007,
January 2, 2008, January 25, 2008, February 4, 2008, February 14, 2008, March 13, 2008,
March 14, 2008, March 18, 2008 and April 4, 2008; |
75
|
|
|
The description of our units contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File
No. 001-33249), filed on January 10, 2007; and |
|
|
|
|
The financial statements of Brothers Group, Selected Interests of Paul T. Horne and the
Selected Properties of Charities Support Foundation included in our prospectus filed on
January 12, 2007 pursuant to Rule 424(b) (File No. 333-138637) under the Securities Act. |
All documents filed by us under the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration
statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement shall also be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Each of these documents is available from the SECs website and public reference rooms
described above. Through our website, http://www.legacylp.com, you can access electronic copies of
documents we file with the SEC, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on
Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports. Information on our
website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Access to those electronic filings is
available as soon as practical after filing with the SEC. You may also request a copy of those
filings, excluding exhibits, at no cost by writing or telephoning Investor Relations, Legacy
Reserves LP, at our principal executive office, which is: 303 W. Wall St., Suite 1400, Midland,
Texas 79701; Telephone: (432) 689-5200.
76
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
ITEM 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following sets forth the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the
securities being registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. All amounts
set forth below, other than the SEC registration fee and FINRA filing fee, are estimates.
|
|
|
|
|
SEC Registration Fee |
|
$ |
19,650 |
|
FINRA Filing Fee |
|
|
50,500 |
|
Legal Fees and Expenses |
|
|
75,000 |
* |
Accountants Fees and Expenses |
|
|
75,000 |
* |
Trustees
Fees and Expenses |
|
|
20,000 |
* |
Printing Expenses |
|
|
50,000 |
* |
Listing
Fees |
|
|
|
** |
Miscellaneous |
|
|
9,850 |
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
|
$ |
300,000 |
** |
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Because an indeterminate amount of securities is covered by this
registration statement, the expenses in connection with the issuance
and distribution of the securities are therefore not currently
determinable. The amounts shown are estimates of expenses for the
amount of securities which the registrants are currently authorized to
issue, but do not limit the amount of securities that may be offered. |
|
** |
|
The listing fee is based upon the principal amount of securities
listed, if any, and is therefore not currently determinable. |
ITEM 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
The section of the prospectus entitled Material Provisions of our Partnership Agreement
Indemnification is incorporated herein by this reference. Subject to any terms, conditions or
restrictions set forth in the partnership agreement, Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform
Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any
partner or other person from and against all claims and demands whatsoever.
We have obtained directors and officers insurance to cover our director, officers and some
of our employees for certain liabilities.
To the extent that the indemnification provisions of our partnership agreement purport to
include indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, in the opinion of
the SEC, such indemnification is contrary to public policy and is therefore unenforceable.
ITEM 16. Exhibits.
(a) |
|
See the Exhibit Index on the page immediately preceding the exhibits for a list of exhibits
filed as part of this registration statement on Form S-3, which Exhibit Index is incorporated
herein by reference. |
|
(b) |
|
Financial Statement Schedules |
|
|
|
Not Applicable. |
ITEM 17. Undertakings.
(a) |
|
The undersigned registrants hereby undertakes: |
|
(1) |
|
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this registration statement: |
|
(i) |
|
To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933; |
|
|
(ii) |
|
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the
information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total |
II-1
|
|
|
dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from
the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the
form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the
aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee
table in the effective registration statement; and |
|
|
(iii) |
|
to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such
information in the registration statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a
post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the
Commission by the registrants pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a
form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
|
(2) |
|
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such
post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
|
|
(3) |
|
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
|
|
(4) |
|
That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any
purchaser: |
|
(i) |
|
Each prospectus filed by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be
deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was
deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and |
|
|
(ii) |
|
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or
(b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an
offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing
the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed
to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date
such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first
contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As
provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at
that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the
registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to
which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no
statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the
registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by
reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the
registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to
such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the
registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or
made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date. |
|
(5) |
|
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrants under the Securities
Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned
registrants undertake that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned
registrants pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method
used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such
purchaser by means of any of the following communications, each of the undersigned
registrants will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such
securities to such purchaser: |
|
(i) |
|
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrants
relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; |
II-2
|
(ii) |
|
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf
of the undersigned registrants or used or referred to by such undersigned registrants; |
|
|
(iii) |
|
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering
containing material information about the undersigned registrants or their securities
provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants; and |
|
|
(iv) |
|
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the
undersigned registrants to the purchaser. |
(b) |
|
The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to section
13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plans annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934)
that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
|
(c) |
|
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted
to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing
provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed
in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of
expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrants in
the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,
officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
|
(d) |
|
The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under
subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and
regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act. |
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the following registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, State of Texas, on
April 4, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
LEGACY RESERVES LP
|
|
|
By: |
LEGACY RESERVES GP, LLC,
|
|
|
|
its general partner |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Steven H. Pruett |
|
|
Name: |
Steven H. Pruett |
|
|
|
Title: |
President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
|
|
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cary D. Brown,
Steven H. Pruett, and William M. Morris and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of
the others, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, including any and all post-effective
amendments, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents necessary or
advisable in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any
of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Cary D. Brown
Cary D. Brown
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Steven H. Pruett
Steven H. Pruett
|
|
President, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary
(Principal Financial Officer)
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ William M. Morris
William M. Morris
|
|
Vice President, Chief Accounting
Officer and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Kyle A. McGraw
Kyle A. McGraw
|
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Dale A. Brown
Dale A. Brown
|
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
II-4
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ William R. Granberry
William R. Granberry
|
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ G. Larry Lawrence
G. Larry Lawrence
|
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ William D. Sullivan
William D. Sullivan
|
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Kyle D. Vann
Kyle D. Vann
|
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
II-5
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the following registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, State of Texas, on April 4, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
LEGACY RESERVES OPERATING LP
|
|
|
By: |
LEGACY RESERVES OPERATING GP LLC,
|
|
|
|
its general partner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
LEGACY RESERVES LP,
|
|
|
|
its sole member |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
LEGACY RESERVES GP, LLC,
|
|
|
|
its general partner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Steven H. Pruett
|
|
|
|
Name: |
Steven H. Pruett |
|
|
|
Title: |
President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
|
|
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cary D. Brown,
Steven H. Pruett, and William M. Morris and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of
the others, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, including any and all post-effective
amendments, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents necessary or
advisable in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any
of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Cary D. Brown
Cary D. Brown |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ Steven H. Pruett
Steven H. Pruett |
|
President, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary
(Principal Financial Officer)
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ William M. Morris
William M. Morris |
|
Vice President, Chief Accounting
Officer and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ Kyle A. McGraw
Kyle A. McGraw |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
II-6
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
/s/ Dale A. Brown
Dale A. Brown |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ William R. Granberry
William R. Granberry |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ G. Larry Lawrence
G. Larry Lawrence |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ William D. Sullivan
William D. Sullivan |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ Kyle D. Vann
Kyle D. Vann |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
II-7
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the following registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, State of Texas, on April 4, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
LEGACY RESERVES OPERATING GP LLC
|
|
|
By: |
LEGACY RESERVES LP,
|
|
|
|
its sole member |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
LEGACY RESERVES GP, LLC,
|
|
|
|
its general partner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Steven H. Pruett
|
|
|
|
Name: |
Steven H. Pruett |
|
|
|
Title: |
President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
|
|
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cary D. Brown,
Steven H. Pruett, and William M. Morris and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of
the others, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, including any and all post-effective
amendments, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents necessary or
advisable in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any
of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Cary D. Brown
Cary D. Brown |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ Steven H. Pruett
Steven H. Pruett |
|
President, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary
(Principal Financial Officer)
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ William M. Morris
William M. Morris |
|
Vice President, Chief Accounting
Officer and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ Kyle A. McGraw
Kyle A. McGraw |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
II-8
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
/s/ Dale A. Brown
Dale A. Brown |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ William R. Granberry
William R. Granberry |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ G. Larry Lawrence
G. Larry Lawrence |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ William D. Sullivan
William D. Sullivan |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ Kyle D. Vann
Kyle D. Vann |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
II-9
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the following registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and
has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, State of Texas, on April 4, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
LEGACY SERVICES, INC.
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Steven H. Pruett
|
|
|
|
Name: |
Steven H. Pruett |
|
|
|
Title: |
President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary |
|
|
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cary D. Brown,
Steven H. Pruett, and William M. Morris and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of
the others, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities,
to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, including any and all post-effective
amendments, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents necessary or
advisable in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all
intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all
that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any
of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Cary D. Brown
Cary D. Brown |
|
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ Steven H. Pruett
Steven H. Pruett |
|
President, Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary and Director
(Principal Financial Officer)
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ William M. Morris
William M. Morris |
|
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
/s/ Kyle A. McGraw
Kyle A. McGraw |
|
Director
|
|
April 4, 2008 |
II-10
EXHIBIT LIST
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Previously Filed |
|
|
|
|
|
|
With File Number |
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
(Form) (Period |
|
|
|
|
Number |
|
Ending or Date) |
|
As Exhibit |
|
Exhibit |
1.1**
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Form of Underwriting Agreement. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
333-134056
(S-1) (5/12/06)
|
|
Appendix A
|
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Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of
Legacy Reserves LP effective as of March 15, 2006. |
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4.2
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001-33249
(8-K) (1/2/09)
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3.1 |
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Amendment No. 1, dated December 27, 2007, to the Amended
and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Legacy
Reserves LP. |
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4.3*
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Form of Senior Indenture. |
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4.4*
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Form of Subordinated Indenture. |
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4.5
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333-134056
(S-1) (5/12/06)
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4.1 |
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Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 15, 2006
by and among Legacy Reserves LP, Legacy Reserves GP, LLC
and Friedman, Billings, Ramsey & Co. |
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4.6
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333-134056
(S-1) (9/5/06)
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4.2 |
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Registration Rights Agreement dated June 29, 2006 between
Henry Holdings LP, Legacy Reserves LP and Legacy Reserves GP, LLC. |
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4.7
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333-134056
(S-1) (9/5/06)
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4.3 |
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Founders Registration Rights Agreement dated March 15,
2006 by and among Legacy Reserves LP, Legacy Reserves GP,
LLC and other parties thereto. |
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4.8
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001-33249
(10-Q) (5/14/07)
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4.4 |
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Registration Rights Agreement dated April 16, 2007 by and
among Nielson & Associates, Inc., Legacy Reserves GP, LLC
and Legacy Reserves LP. |
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4.9
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001-33249
(8-K) (11/9/07)
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4.1 |
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Registration Rights Agreement dated November 8, 2007 by
and among Legacy Reserves LP and the Purchasers named
therein. |
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5.1*
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Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP regarding the
legality of the securities being registered. |
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8.1*
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Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP regarding tax matters. |
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12.1*
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Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
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23.1*
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Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP. |
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23.2*
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Consent of Johnson Miller & Co., CPAs PC. |
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23.3*
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Consent of LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd. |
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23.4*
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Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1). |
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23.5*
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Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (contained in Exhibit 8.1). |
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24.1*
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Powers of Attorney (set forth on the signature page
contained in Part II of this Registration Statement). |
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25.1**
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Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification
representing the Senior Indenture. |
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25.1**
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Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification
representing the Subordinated Indenture. |
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* |
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Filed herewith. |
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** |
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To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the
Trust Indenture Act and Rule 5b-3 thereunder. |