UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report: November 15, 2018
Commission file number 1-32479
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
4th Floor, Belvedere Building
69 Pitts Bay Road
Hamilton, HM08 Bermuda
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☑ Form 40- F ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1).
Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7).
Yes ☐ No ☑
Item 1- Information Contained in this Report Form 6-K
Attached as Exhibit I is a copy of the proxy statement of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (the Company), dated November 15, 2018.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. | ||||||
By: | Teekay GP L.L.C., its general partner |
Date: November 15, 2018 | By: | /s/ Edith Robinson |
Edith Robinson | ||||||
Secretary |
Exhibit I
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. | ||
4th Floor, Belvedere Building, | ||
69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM 08 Bermuda |
November 15, 2018
Dear Common Unitholder of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.,
You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of common unitholders of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. (or Teekay LNG Partners, the Partnership, we, us or our). The special meeting will be held:
Date: | December 18, 2018 |
Time: 2:00 p.m. Atlantic Time
Place: 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08 Bermuda
The board of directors (or the Board) of Teekay GP L.L.C. (or our General Partner) has called the special meeting. The Notice of Special Meeting and Proxy Statement describes the business to be transacted at the special meeting and provides other information concerning Teekay LNG Partners. At the special meeting, common unitholders of Teekay LNG Partners entitled to vote will be voting on the following three proposals:
| Proposal No. 1Approval to allow Teekay LNG Partners to elect to be treated as a corporation, instead of a partnership, for U.S. federal income tax purposes (commonly known as a check-the-box election); |
| Proposal No. 2Approval of the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners to give effect to the change in U.S. federal income tax classification from a partnership to a corporation as proposed in Proposal No. 1; and |
| Proposal No. 3Approval to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the foregoing proposals. |
The Board has unanimously determined that the proposals are in the best interests of Teekay LNG Partners and our unitholders, and the Board recommends that common unitholders vote FOR each of the proposals. If the common unitholders adopt the proposals and Teekay LNG Partners makes the check-the-box election:
| United States holders of our common units will begin to receive corporate distributions reported on an IRS Form 1099, to the extent taxable as dividends, rather than a share of net income or net loss reported on an IRS Form 1065 Schedule K-1; |
| Teekay LNG Partners expects to realize approximately $400,000 per year in administrative costs savings as a result of the check-the-box election; and |
| The partnership agreement of Teekay LNG Partners will be amended to effect the above changes. |
On or about November 15, 2018, we will commence the mailing of proxy materials to our common unitholders which contain instructions on how to vote your common units of Teekay LNG Partners for the special meeting. In accordance with the partnership agreement of Teekay LNG Partners, the holders of Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units of Teekay LNG Partners are not entitled to vote on the proposals at the special meeting.
Representation of your units at the meeting is very important. Proxies are solicited so that each common unitholder entitled to vote has an opportunity to vote on all matters that are scheduled to come before the special meeting, even if they are unable to attend the special meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, we hope that you will have your common units represented by voting online, by telephone or by completing and returning a proxy card or voting instruction card, as soon as possible. You may attend the special meeting and vote in person even if you have previously voted online or by telephone, or previously submitted your proxy card or voting instructions. You may be contacted by representatives of Teekay LNG Partners or our proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., who has been retained to assist Teekay LNG Partners in soliciting proxies for the special meeting. If you have any questions or need assistance voting your units, please contact MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at (800) 322-2885 (toll-free in North America) or at +1 (212) 929-5500 or by email at proxy@mackenziepartners.com.
Sincerely,
/s/ Edith Robinson
Edith Robinson
Corporate Secretary of Teekay GP L.L.C., the General Partner of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
SPECIAL MEETING OF COMMON UNITHOLDERS
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT
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TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF COMMON UNITHOLDERS AND PROXY STATEMENT
Date | December 18, 2018 | |
Time | 2:00 p.m. Atlantic Time | |
Place | 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08 Bermuda | |
Items of Business |
(1) To consider a proposal that would allow Teekay LNG Partners to elect to be treated as a corporation, instead of a partnership, for U.S. federal income tax purposes. | |
(2) To consider a proposal to approve and adopt the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners (or the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement) to give effect to the change in U.S. federal income tax classification from a partnership to a corporation as proposed in Proposal No. 1.
(3) To consider a proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the foregoing proposals.
(4) To transact such other business as may properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the meeting. | ||
Adjournments and Postponements | Any action on the items of business described above may be considered at the special meeting at the time and on the date specified above or at any time and date to which the special meeting may be properly adjourned or postponed. | |
Board Recommendation | The board of directors of Teekay GP L.L.C., our General Partner, recommends that you vote FOR each of the above proposals, each as outlined in this proxy statement. | |
Record Date | The record date for the special meeting is November 12, 2018. Only holders of record of common units at the close of business on that date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting. | |
Proxy Availability | On or about November 15, 2018, we will commence the mailing of proxy materials to our common unitholders which contain instructions on how to vote your common units of Teekay LNG Partners at the special meeting. | |
Voting | Your vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, we encourage you to read the proxy statement and vote online or by telephone or submit your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible. For specific instructions on how to vote your common units, please refer to the section entitled Questions and Answers beginning on page 2 of the proxy statement and the instructions on the proxy or voting instruction card. |
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Edith Robinson
Edith Robinson
Corporate Secretary of Teekay GP L.L.C.
November 15, 2018
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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE SPECIAL MEETING
Q: Why am I receiving these materials?
A: | The Board of our General Partner is providing these proxy materials to you in connection with the special meeting of common unitholders of Teekay LNG Partners, which will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. Atlantic Time, at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08 Bermuda. As a holder of common units, you are invited to attend the special meeting and are entitled and requested to vote on the items of business described in this proxy statement. |
Q: What items of business will be voted on at the special meeting?
A: | The items of business scheduled to be voted on at the special meeting are: |
(1) | A proposal to allow Teekay LNG Partners to elect to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes (the Check-the-Box Election) (Proposal No. 1); |
(2) | A proposal to approve and adopt the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement to give effect to the change in U.S. federal income tax classification from a partnership to a corporation as proposed in Proposal No. 1 (the Partnership Agreement Proposal) (Proposal No. 2); |
(3) | A proposal to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the foregoing proposals (the Adjournment Proposal) (Proposal No. 3); and |
(4) | Any other business that properly comes before the special meeting. |
As of the date of this proxy statement, we are not aware of any business to come before the special meeting other than the proposals noted above.
The implementation of Check-the-Box Election (Proposal No. 1) and the Partnership Agreement Proposal (Proposal No. 2) is conditioned on approval of both proposals. Thus, even if Proposal No. 1 is approved by common unitholders, Teekay LNG Partners will not be authorized to elect to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless Proposal No. 2 is also approved by common unitholders. Similarly, even if Proposal No. 2 is approved by common unitholders, the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement will not become effective unless Proposal No. 1 is also approved by common unitholders.
Q: How does the Board recommend that I vote?
A: | The Board of our General Partner has determined that the Check-the-Box Election is in the best interests of the Partnership and its unitholders, and the Board expects that the Check-the-Box Election will (i) significantly expand the potential investor base for our common units, (ii) improve the Partnerships access to the capital markets and (iii) ease the administrative burden on our investors and the Partnership by simplifying tax reporting. For these reasons, the Board recommends that you vote your common units FOR each of the proposals at the special meeting. |
Q: How does Teekay Corporation intend to vote?
A: | Teekay Corporation, a holder of 25,208,274 common units of Teekay LNG Partners and representing approximately 31.6% percent of our outstanding common units, has indicated that it intends to vote its common units in favor of each of the proposals at the special meeting. |
Q: Who is entitled to vote at the special meeting, and how many votes do they have?
A: | Each common unit of Teekay LNG Partners issued and outstanding as of the close of business on November 12, 2018 (or the record date), is entitled to be voted on all items being voted upon at the special meeting. The record date for the special meeting is the date used to determine both the number of common units of Teekay LNG Partners that are entitled to be voted at the special meeting and the identity of the unitholders of record and beneficial owners of those common units who are entitled to vote those common units at the special meeting. On the record date for the special meeting, we had 79,687,499 common units issued and outstanding. Each common unit has one vote. In accordance with the Partnership Agreement, the holders of the Partnerships Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units are not entitled to vote on the proposals at the special meeting. |
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79,687,499 common units issued and outstanding. Each common unit has one vote. In accordance with the Partnership Agreement, the holders of the Partnerships Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units are not entitled to vote on the proposals at the special meeting.
You may vote all common units owned by you as of the record date for the special meeting, including (1) common units held directly in your name as the unitholder of record, and (2) common units held for you as the beneficial owner through a broker, bank, trustee or other nominee.
Q: What is the difference between holding units as a unitholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
A: | Unitholder of Record. If your common units are registered directly in your name with the Partnerships transfer agent, Computershare, you are considered, with respect to those units, the unitholder of record, and these proxy materials are being sent directly to you by Teekay LNG Partners. As the unitholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to Teekay LNG Partners management or to vote in person at the special meeting. |
Beneficial Owner. If your common units are held in a brokerage account, by a trustee or by another nominee, you are considered the beneficial owner of units held in street name and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you together with a voting instruction form. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, trustee or nominee how to vote your common units and are also invited to attend the special meeting. Although brokerage firms have the authority under NYSE rules to vote their clients unvoted units on certain routine matters, your brokerage firm is not permitted to vote your common units on the Check-the-Box Election, the Partnership Agreement Proposal or the Adjournment Proposal, as each of these proposals are non-routine. We urge you to respond to your brokerage firm so that your vote will be cast in accordance with your instructions.
Since a beneficial owner is not the unitholder of record, you may not vote these units in person at the special meeting unless you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, bank, trustee or other nominee that holds your common units, giving you the right to vote the common units at the special meeting. Your broker, bank, trustee or other nominee should have provided a voting instruction form for you to use in directing the broker, bank, trustee or other nominee how to vote your common units.
Q: How can I attend the special meeting?
A: | You are entitled to attend the special meeting only if you were a Teekay LNG Partners common unitholder as of the close of business on the record date, or you hold a valid proxy for the special meeting. You should be prepared to present photo identification for admittance. In addition, if you are a unitholder of record, your name will be verified against the list of unitholders of record on the record date prior to your being admitted to the special meeting. If you are not a common unitholder of record but hold common units through a broker, bank, trustee or other nominee (i.e., in street name), you should provide proof of beneficial ownership on the record date, such as your most recent account statement prior to the record date, a copy of the voting instruction form provided by your broker, bank, trustee or other nominee or other similar evidence of ownership. If you do not provide photo identification or comply with the procedures outlined above upon request, you may not be admitted to the special meeting. |
Q: How can I vote my units in person at the special meeting?
A: | Common units held in your name as the unitholder of record may be voted in person at the special meeting. Common units held beneficially in street name may be voted in person only if you obtain a legal proxy from the broker, bank, trustee or other nominee that holds your common units giving you the right to vote the common units. Even if you plan to attend the special meeting, we recommend that you also submit your proxy or voting instruction form as described below so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the meeting. |
Q: How can I vote my units without attending the special meeting?
A: | Whether you hold common units directly as the unitholder of record or beneficially in street name, you may direct how your common units are voted without attending the special meeting. |
Unitholders of Record. If you are a unitholder of record, you can vote your common units over the internet or by telephone as described on the proxy card, or by mail by marking, signing, dating and mailing your proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. Your designation of a proxy is revocable by following the procedures outlined in this proxy statement. The method by which you vote will not limit your right to vote in person at the special meeting.
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Beneficial Owners of Units Held in Street Name. If you hold your common units through a broker, bank, trust or other nominee (i.e. in street name), you need to submit voting instructions to your broker, bank, trustee or other nominee over the internet or by telephone as described on the voting instruction form, or by mail by marking, signing, dating and mailing your voting instruction form in the postage-paid envelope provided. Your vote is revocable by following the procedures outlined in this proxy statement. However, since you are not a unitholder of record you may not vote your common units in person at the special meeting without obtaining a legal proxy from your broker, bank, trust or other nominee.
Q: Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?
A: | You may change your vote at any time prior to the vote at the special meeting. If you are the unitholder of record, you may change your vote (i) by submitting a new proxy with a later date by mail or transmitted using the telephone or Internet voting procedures described above (which automatically revokes the earlier proxy), (ii) by providing a written notice of revocation to the Partnerships Corporate Secretary by mail received prior to your common units being voted, or (iii) by attending the special meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the special meeting will not cause your previously granted proxy to be revoked unless you specifically so request. For common units you hold beneficially in street name, you may change your vote by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank, trustee or other nominee, or, if you have obtained a legal proxy from your broker, bank, trustee or other nominee giving you the right to vote your common units, by attending the special meeting and voting in person. |
Q: Is my vote confidential?
A: | Proxy instructions, ballots and voting tabulations that identify individual unitholders are handled in a manner that protects your voting privacy. Your vote will not be disclosed either within Teekay LNG Partners or to third parties, except (1) as necessary to meet applicable legal requirements, (2) to allow for the tabulation of votes and certification of the vote and (3) to facilitate a successful proxy solicitation. Occasionally, unitholders provide written comments on their proxy card, which are then forwarded to Teekay LNG Partners management. |
Q: How many common units must be present or represented to conduct business at the special meeting?
A: | The general quorum requirement for holding the special meeting and transacting business at the special meeting is that holders of a majority of the common units of Teekay LNG Partners entitled to vote must be present in person or represented by proxy. Because there were 79,687,499 common units outstanding on the record date, holders of 39,843,750 common units represented in person or by proxy at the special meeting will constitute a quorum. We must have a quorum of common units to conduct the special meeting. |
Q: What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals?
A: | If a quorum of common unitholders is present at the special meeting: |
| Proposal No. 1, the Check-the-Box Election, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of common units present or represented by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal; |
| Proposal No. 2, the Partnership Agreement Proposal, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the common units outstanding; and |
| Proposal No 3, the Adjournment Proposal, requires the affirmative vote of a majority of common units present or represented by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal (even if a quorum is not present). |
Q: How are votes counted?
A: | For any item of business to be conducted at the special meeting, you may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN. If you ABSTAIN, the abstention has the same effect as a vote AGAINST. |
If you provide specific instructions for a given item, your common units will be voted as you instruct on such item. If you sign your proxy card or voting instruction card without giving specific instructions, your common units will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board (i.e., FOR the Check-the-Box Election, the Partnership Agreement Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal, and in the discretion of the proxyholders on any other matters that properly come before the special meeting).
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If you hold common units beneficially in street name and do not provide your broker with voting instructions, your units may constitute broker non-votes. Generally, broker non-votes occur on a matter when a broker is not permitted to vote on that matter without instructions from the beneficial owner and instructions are not given. Brokers are not permitted to vote without the beneficial owner instructions on any of the proposals being voted on at the special meeting. Broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote AGAINST the proposals.
Q: What happens if additional matters are presented at the special meeting?
A: | Other than the three proposals described in this proxy statement, we are not aware of any business to be acted upon at the special meeting. If you grant a proxy, the person named as proxyholder, Edith Robinson, will have the discretion to vote your common units on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the special meeting. |
Q: What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?
A: | You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your units in more than one brokerage account, you may receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold common units. If you are a unitholder of record and your units are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive. |
Q: How may I obtain a separate set of voting materials?
A: | If you share an address with another unitholder and request a printed set of voting materials, you may receive only one set of proxy materials unless you have provided contrary instructions. If you wish to receive a separate set of proxy materials now or in the future, you may contact us to request a separate copy of these materials at: |
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
4th Floor, Belvedere Building,
69 Pitts Bay Road
Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda
Attn: Corporate Secretary
(441) 298-2530
Similarly, if you share an address with another unitholder and have received multiple copies of our proxy materials, you may contact us as indicated above to request delivery of a single copy of these materials in the future.
Q: Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the special meeting?
A: | Teekay LNG Partners is making this solicitation and will pay the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing and distributing proxy materials and soliciting votes. In addition to the mailing of these proxy materials, the solicitation of proxies or votes may be made in person, by telephone or by electronic communication by our directors, officers and employees, who will not receive any additional compensation for such solicitation activities. Teekay LNG Partners has also retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to assist in soliciting proxies from brokers, bank nominees, and other institutional holders for an estimated fee of $10,000, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses. Upon request, we will reimburse brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for forwarding proxy and solicitation materials to unitholders. |
Q: What should I do if I want to make a proposal to be considered at the special meeting?
A: | Your common units do not entitle you to make proposals at the special meeting. Under the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, (or the Partnership Agreement), only our General Partner can make a proposal at the special meeting. The Partnership Agreement establishes a procedure for calling meetings whereby limited partners owning 20% or more of the outstanding units of the class for which a meeting is proposed may call a meeting at which they may make proposals. |
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Q: How may I obtain Teekay LNG Partners Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or the SEC)?
A: | Our 2017 Annual Report on Form 20-F constitutes our annual report to unitholders. Copies of the 2017 Annual Report on Form 20-F are available under Financials & PresentationsSEC Filings in the Investors Teekay LNG Partners L.P. section of our website at www.teekay.com, and at the SECs EDGAR database on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Unitholders may also request a free copy of our 2017 Annual Report on Form 20-F from: |
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
4th Floor, Belvedere Building,
69 Pitts Bay Road
Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda
Attn: Corporate Secretary
(441) 298-2530
Teekay LNG Partners will also furnish any exhibit to the Form 20-F, if specifically requested.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements and information contained in this Proxy Statement may constitute forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) concerning future events and our operations, performance and financial condition, including, in particular, statements regarding:
| the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Teekay LNG Partners or others relating to the actions described in this proxy statement or the actions contemplated thereby; |
| the effect of the announcement of the Check-the-Box Election on the common unitholders of Teekay LNG Partners and the liquidity of the common units; |
| the amount of costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the Check-the-Box Election; |
| our expectations regarding taxes after the Check-the-Box Election; |
| our expectations regarding the effect of the Check-the-Box Election on our administrative and operational costs, the marketability of our common units, and the tax effect on the Partnership and our unitholders; |
| our expectations regarding our operations and sources of income; and |
| our business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations. |
Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words believe, anticipate, expect, estimate, project, will be, will continue, will likely result, plan, intend or words or phrases of similar meanings. These statements involve known and unknown risks and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the factors detailed from time to time in our periodic reports filed with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2017. We do not intend to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
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PROPOSAL NO. 1: APPROVAL OF THE CHECK-THE-BOX TAX ELECTION
The Board has approved and hereby proposes, and recommends, that the common unitholders approve a proposal to authorize Teekay LNG Partners to take the required regulatory steps to allow Teekay LNG Partners to be treated as a corporation, instead of a partnership, for U.S. federal income tax purposes (commonly known as the Check-the-Box Election). If the Check-the-Box Election is approved by the common unitholders, after Teekay LNG Partners makes the Check-the-Box Election, Teekay LNG Partners will cease to be taxed as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and will begin to be taxed as a corporation effective as of the date selected by the Board, which will not be earlier than the date on which Teekay LNG Partners files IRS Form 8832. The Check-the-Box Election is expected to be effective for the tax year beginning January 1, 2019. However, Teekay LNG Partners will remain a limited partnership for state law purposes even if Teekay LNG Partners makes the Check-the-Box Election, and all other provisions of the Partnership Agreement will remain in effect.
The Board of our General Partner has determined that the Check-the-Box Election is in the best interests of the Partnership and its unitholders, and the Board expects that the Check-the-Box Election will (i) significantly expand the potential investor base for our common units, (ii) improve the Partnerships access to the capital markets and (iii) ease the administrative burden on the Partnership and our unitholders by simplifying tax reporting.
In conjunction with Proposal No. 1, the Board also recommends that common unitholders approve and adopt an amendment and restatement of the Partnership Agreement, which would, in part, delete or amend, as applicable, those provisions of the Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement that pertain to Teekay LNG Partners U.S. federal income tax classification as a partnership and allow it to be taxed as a corporation as described in Proposal No. 2 below. The Check-the-Box Election (Proposal No. 1) is conditioned on the amendment and restatement of the Partnership Agreement (Proposal No. 2) being approved by the common unitholders, such that even if common unitholders approve the Check-the-Box Election pursuant to this Proposal No. 1, Teekay LNG Partners cannot consummate the Check-the-Box Election unless common unitholders also approve and adopt the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement pursuant to Proposal No. 2 below. The Board recommends that you vote your common units FOR both the Check-the-Box Election (Proposal No. 1) and the Partnership Agreement Proposal (Proposal No. 2).
Approval of the Check-the-Box Election requires the affirmative vote of a majority of common units present or represented by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT COMMON UNITHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ALLOW TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS TO ELECT TO BE TREATED AS A CORPORATION, INSTEAD OF A PARTNERSHIP, FOR U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX PURPOSES. IF NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN PROXY CARDS, THE PROXY WILL VOTE COMMON UNITS FOR APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL.
Reasons for the Check-the-Box Election
The Board believes that the Check-the-Box Election is in the best interests of Teekay LNG Partners and our unitholders, and should be approved for the following reasons:
Enhanced Marketability of Common Units
Electing to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes eliminates the requirement to issue Form 1065 Schedule K-1s, which we believe could result in enhanced marketability of our common units and could result in additional investors acquiring our common units who previously may not have invested in Teekay LNG Partners due to it being treated as a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, we believe many investors prefer not to invest in pass-through entities such as Teekay LNG Partners because of the relatively greater administrative burden and potential additional tax costs of receiving a Form 1065 Schedule K-1 reporting their share of net income (which may exceed the amount of cash distributions received during such period) or net loss (which are subject to at risk and passive activity loss deduction limitations), as compared to a Form 1099 reporting distributions to the extent taxable as dividends (which for United States holders of our common units who are individuals, trusts or estates are expected to be treated as qualified dividend income eligible for a preferential U.S. federal income tax rate), in respect of their investment in the pass-through entity.
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Further, after the Check-the-Box Election, based on the existing tax basis in our assets, together with the anticipated basis adjustments from gain recognized by certain United States Holders of our common units as a result of the Check-the-Box Election, and certain assumptions, we estimate that no portion of the total cash distributions made by us during the three year period ending on December 31, 2021, on a cumulative basis, will be treated as a dividend, but instead that 100% of our cash distributions during that period will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the holders tax basis in its common units on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. These estimates are subject to certain uncertainties beyond our control, and based upon current U.S. federal income tax law and tax reporting positions that we will adopt and with which the IRS could disagree. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that these estimates will prove to be correct.
Additionally, after the Check-the-Box Election, Teekay LNG Partners believes that certain tax-exempt investors may be more likely to invest in Teekay LNG Partners because, when treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such investors are not concerned that they will be allocated unrelated business taxable income associated with an investment in partnership units, except to the extent that the tax-exempt entity has units that are considered financed by debt.
Similarly, regulated investment companies (or RICs) cannot hold more than 25% of their investments in publicly traded partnerships (or PTPs) taxed as partnerships and this requirement is often seen as a reason why RICs typically avoid investing in such entities. Accordingly, by no longer being taxed as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, Teekay LNG Partners believes that investor perception of the Partnership will improve and make it more widely appealing to United States investors.
Administrative Cost Savings
As a PTP, Teekay LNG Partners incurs significant external and internal costs to calculate and issue Form 1065 Schedule K-1s to the unitholders annually. We estimate that eliminating Form 1065 Schedule K-1 production by us will reduce our administrative costs by approximately $400,000 annually.
The Partnerships external administrative costs arise from internal and external professionals to prepare the Form 1065 Schedule K-1s. Internally, Teekay LNG Partners is required to allocate resources to maintain a website to permit the unitholders of the Partnership to access their tax information, manage and collect data necessary to prepare the Form 1065 Schedule K-1s, manage the Form 1065 Schedule K-1 filing process, correct Form 1065 Schedule K-1 errors and resolve unitholders questions. Additionally, when a PTP issues or repurchases units or when units are transferred between unitholders, the Partnership incurs additional administrative cost to determine the appropriate basis adjustments. These costs are typical to an entity that is a PTP such as Teekay LNG Partners. After the Check-the-Box Election, the incremental costs related to the tax compliance by the Partnership would be reduced.
Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a discussion of certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Check-the-Box Election that may be relevant to holders of our common units. This discussion is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or the Code), legislative history, applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations (or Treasury Regulations), judicial authority and administrative interpretations, all as in effect on the date of this proxy statement, and which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or are subject to different interpretations. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Holders of our Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units should consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax consequences of the Check-the-Box Election that may be relevant to such holders.
This discussion is limited to holders of common units who hold their common units as capital assets for tax purposes. This discussion does not address all tax considerations that may be important to a particular common unitholder in light of the unitholders circumstances, including common unitholders who hold our Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, or to certain categories of common unitholders that may be subject to special tax rules, such as:
| dealers in securities or currencies; |
| traders in securities that have elected the mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities; |
| persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; |
| persons holding our common units as part of a hedge, straddle, conversion or other synthetic security or integrated transaction; |
| certain U.S. expatriates; |
| financial institutions; |
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| insurance companies; |
| persons subject to the alternative minimum tax; |
| persons that actually or under applicable constructive ownership rules own 10% or more of our common units; and |
| entities that are tax-exempt for U.S. federal income tax purposes. |
If a partnership (including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common units, the tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in partnerships holding our common units should consult their tax advisors to determine the appropriate tax treatment of Check-the-Box Election as a result of the partnerships ownership of our common units.
No ruling has been or will be requested from the Internal Revenue Service (or IRS) regarding any matter affecting us or our common unitholders. Accordingly, the statements made herein may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS.
This discussion does not address any U.S. estate tax considerations or tax considerations arising under the laws of any state, local or non-U.S. jurisdiction. Each common unitholder is urged to consult its tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state, local, non-U.S. and other tax consequences of the of the Check-the-Box Election that may be relevant to such holder.
Election to be Treated as a Corporation for U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes
We will file with the IRS our election to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes on IRS Form 8832. Once we make an election to change our U.S. federal income tax classification, we generally cannot change our classification by election again during the 60 months after the effective date of the Check-the-Box Election. Once the Check-the-Box Election is made, any change to our tax classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes will have tax consequences to both the entity and the common unitholders.
The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Check-the-Box Election to a particular common unitholder will depend on whether such common unitholder is a U.S. Holder or a Non-U.S. Holder (as each is defined below), whether the Control Assumption (as defined below) is correct and, in the case of a U.S. Holder, whether the fair market value of our assets allocable to such U.S. Holder exceeds the tax basis of such assets allocable to such U.S. Holder.
As used herein, the term U.S. Holder means a beneficial owner of our common units that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (a) a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident alien (or a U.S. Individual Holder), (b) a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation that was created or organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (c) an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source, or (d) a trust that either is subject to the supervision of a court within the United States and has one or more U.S. persons with authority to control all of its substantial decisions or has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
A beneficial owner of our common units (other than a partnership, including any entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) that is not a U.S. Holder is a NonU.S. Holder.
United States Federal Income Taxation of the Check-the-Box Election to Teekay LNG Partners
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, an election to be treated as a corporation generally is treated as a deemed transfer of all of our assets to a new entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes in exchange for units in such entity, followed by a distribution of those units to our existing unitholders in complete liquidation of us. Subject to the discussion below under United States Federal Income Taxation of the Check-the-Box Election to U.S. Holders, and assuming the Control Assumption (as defined below) is correct, and provided that our tax basis in the assets deemed transferred to the new entity exceeds the amount of our liabilities deemed assumed by such entity in the deemed transfer, no gain or loss should be recognized by us as a result of the Check-the-Box Election. If the liabilities deemed assumed exceed the tax basis of our assets deemed transferred, we would recognize gain in the amount of such excess, which gain would be allocated to the holders of our units in accordance with their interests in us.
If no gain or loss is recognized by us as a result of the Check-the-Box Election, our assets will retain the same tax basis in our hands as they had prior to the Check-the-Box Election. If gain is recognized by us, or by a Section 367 U.S. Holder as described below, the amount of such gain would be added to the tax basis of the assets in our hands.
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We will have a holding period in the units deemed received that includes the period during which the assets deemed transferred were held by us, provided that such assets were held as capital assets. To the extent that the value of such units deemed received is attributable to certain of our assets (essentially our assets that would generate ordinary income or loss when sold and cash), a unit deemed received will have a holding period that begins on the day following the Check-the-Box Election.
The foregoing conclusions are based on the assumption that our unitholders will own, in the aggregate, at least 80% of our units (by vote and value) outstanding immediately after the Check-the-Box Election, excluding from the numerator any units received in the Check-the-Box Election that are sold after the Check-the-Box Election pursuant to a plan or arrangement established before the Check-the-Box Election (or the Control Assumption). The Control Assumption should be correct unless, contrary to our best knowledge, unitholders holding a significant percentage of our units agree prior to the Check-the-Box Election to sell the units they are deemed to receive as a result of the Check-the-Box Election. If the Control Assumption is not correct, the Check-the-Box Election will be treated as if we (a) sold all of our assets to the new entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes for an amount equal to the value of the units deemed received, plus the our liabilities deemed assumed, and (b) distributed the units deemed received to the unitholders. Accordingly, we would recognize gain (or loss) as a result of the Check-the-Box Election in an amount equal to the amount by which the value of the units deemed received plus the amount of our liabilities deemed assumed exceeds (or is less than) our tax basis in the assets deemed transferred and all such gain or loss would be allocated to the holders of our units in accordance with their interests in us. If the Control Assumption is not correct, the tax basis of the assets in our hands following the Check-the-Box Election would equal the value of the units deemed issued as a result of the Check-the-Box Election plus the amount of our liabilities deemed assumed, and our holding period in the units deemed received would begin the day after the Check-the-Box Election takes effect.
United States Federal Income Taxation of the Check-the-Box Election to U.S. Holders
Section 367 U.S. Holders. Because we are a limited partnership formed under the laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and assuming the Control Assumption is correct, special tax rules promulgated under Section 367 of the Code will apply to U.S. Holders. Under those rules, and solely for purposes of determining whether gain is recognized, a U.S. Holder generally will be treated as separately transferring its proportionate share of our assets, subject to its proportionate share of our liabilities, to the new entity in exchange for its proportionate share of the common units in such entity. As a result, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain, but not loss, as a result of the Check-the-Box Election equal to the amount by which the value of the common units deemed received plus the amount of such U.S. Holders share of our liabilities deemed assumed exceeds such U.S. Holders proportionate share of the tax basis of our assets deemed transferred. Due to the fact that we have a Section 754 election in effect, a U.S. Holders proportionate share of the tax basis of our assets will depend on, among other things, the date or dates on which such U.S. Holder acquired its common units, the price paid for such common units and the amount of depreciation or amortization previously allocated to such U.S. Holder by us. U.S. Holders recognizing gain under Section 367 of the Code are herein referred to as Section 367 U.S. Holders and other U.S. Holders are referred to herein as Non-Section 367 U.S. Holders.
A Section 367 U.S. Holders tax basis in the common units deemed received will equal such Section 367 U.S. Holders tax basis in its common units deemed surrendered (as determined immediately prior to the Check-the-Box Election), decreased by the amount of our liabilities deemed assumed and increased by the amount of gain recognized by such Section 367 U.S. Holder. A Section 367 U.S. Holder generally should have a holding period in the common units deemed received that will include the period during which the transferred assets were held by us, provided that such assets were held as capital assets. To the extent that the value of such common units deemed received is attributable to certain of our assets (essentially our assets that would generate ordinary income or loss when sold and cash), a common unit deemed received will have a holding period that begins on the day following the Check-the-Box Election. Therefore, a Section 367 U.S. Holder may have a split holding period in the common units deemed received. Because a Section 367 U.S. Holder generally will be treated as separately transferring its proportionate share of our assets, subject to its proportionate share of our liabilities, to the new entity in exchange for its proportionate share of the common units in such entity, under the Section 367 rules, the application of the holding period rules to Section 367 U.S. Holders is uncertain. Accordingly, 367 U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the application of the holding period rules to them.
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Non-Section 367 U.S. Holders. Provided that we recognize no gain or loss as a result of the Check-the-Box Election, a Non-Section 367 U.S. Holder should not recognize any gain or loss except to the extent that our liabilities allocated to such Non-Section 367 U.S. Holder for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to the Check-the-Box Election and deemed assumed by the new entity exceed such Non-Section 367 U.S. Holders tax basis in its common units. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a Non-Section 367 U.S. Holders relief from such share of our liabilities is treated as if such Non-Section 367 U.S. Holder received a cash distribution from us in the amount of the liabilities deemed assumed by the new entity.
A Non- Section 367 U.S. Holders tax basis in the common units deemed received will equal such Non-Section 367 U.S. Holders tax basis in its common units deemed surrendered (as determined immediately prior to the Check-the-Box Election), decreased by the amount of our liabilities deemed assumed and increased by the amount of gain recognized by such Non-Section 367 U.S. Holder. A Non-Section 367 U.S. Holder generally will have a holding period in the common units deemed received that will include the period during which the transferred assets were held by us, provided that such assets were held as capital assets. To the extent that the value of such common units deemed received is attributable to certain of our assets (essentially our assets that would generate ordinary income or loss when sold and cash), a common unit deemed received will have a holding period that begins on the day following the Check-the-Box Election. Therefore, a Non-Section 367 U.S. Holder may have a split holding period in the common units deemed received.
Additional United States Federal Income Tax Considerations. Certain Section 367 U.S. Holders may recognize significant gain on this transaction, including in some cases gain that exceeds the fair market value of their common units where their tax basis in their common units and our assets is low. The character of the gain as ordinary or capital depends on the nature of our assets and it is expected that a significant part of the gain will be ordinary income rather than capital gain. In addition, however, where a Section 367 U.S. Holder has a passive activity loss carry-over in respect of its investment, those passive activity losses generally will be triggered by the Check-the-Box Election. Those losses generally will produce tax savings at ordinary income rates to the extent that they can be used to offset other ordinary income of the taxpayer. The application of the passive activity loss carry-over rules to Non-Section 367 U.S. Holders is uncertain. Accordingly, Non-Section 367 U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the application of the passive activity loss carry-over rules to them.
U.S. Holders generally will be required to file IRS Form 926, Return by a U.S. Transferor of Property to a Foreign Corporation, to report the deemed asset transfers resulting from the Check-the-Box Election and any other transfers they make to us while we are treated as a corporation. Substantial penalties may apply for failure to satisfy these reporting requirements, unless the person otherwise required to report shows such failure was due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect.
If the Control Assumption is not correct, we would recognize gain (or loss) as described above under United States Federal Income Taxation of the Check-the-Box Election to Teekay LNG Partners, which would be allocated to the holders of our units in accordance with their interests in us. A unitholders tax basis in the units deemed received would equal such unitholders tax basis in its units deemed surrendered (as determined immediately prior to the Check-the-Box Election), decreased by the amount of our liabilities deemed assumed and the amount of any loss recognized by such unitholder, and increased by the amount of gain recognized by such unitholder. A unitholder generally would have a holding period in the units deemed received that begins on the day following the Check-the-Box Election.
United States Federal Income Taxation of the Check-the-Box Election to Non-U.S. Holders
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain recognized as a result of the Check-the-Box Election unless (a) such gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holders conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment that the Non-U.S. Holder maintains in the United States) or (b) the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year in which such disposition occurs and meets certain other requirements. If a Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States and recognizes gain as a result of the Check-the-Box Election which is deemed to be effectively connected to that trade or business, the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such gain in the same manner as if it were a Non-Section 367 U.S. Holder. Non-U.S. Holder are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences of the Check-the-Box Election to them.
United States Federal Income Taxation of the Partnership Following the Check-the-Box Election
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, a partnership is not a taxable entity, and although it may be subject to withholding taxes on behalf of its partners under certain circumstances, a partnership itself incurs no U.S. federal income tax liability. Instead, each partner of a partnership is required to take into account its share of items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the partnership in computing its U.S. federal income tax liability, regardless of whether cash distributions are made to it by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a partner generally are not taxable unless the amount of cash distributed exceeds the partners adjusted tax basis in its partnership interest.
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Following our election to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit will not pass through to common unitholders. Instead, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax based on the rules applicable to foreign corporations, not partnerships, and such items will be treated as our own. In addition, Section 743(b) adjustments to the tax basis of our assets will no longer be available to purchasers in the marketplace. Unitholders will be subject to tax as described below under United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders Following the Check-the-Box Election and United States Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders Following the Check-the-Box Election.
Taxation of Operating Income
We expect that substantially all of our gross income and the gross income of our corporate subsidiaries will be attributable to the transportation of liquified natural gas (or LNG), liquified petroleum gas (or LPG), ammonia, crude oil and related products. For this purpose, gross income attributable to transportation (or Transportation Income) includes income derived from, or in connection with, the use (or hiring or leasing for use) of a vessel to transport cargo, or the performance of services directly related to the use of any vessel to transport cargo, and thus includes both time-charter and bareboat charter income.
Fifty percent (50%) of Transportation Income that either begins or ends, but that does not both begin and end, in the United States (or U.S. Source International Transportation Income) is considered to be derived from sources within the United States. Transportation Income that both begins and ends in the United States (or U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income) is considered to be 100% derived from sources within the United States. Transportation Income exclusively between non-U.S. destinations is considered to be 100% derived from sources outside the United States. Transportation Income derived from sources outside the United States generally is not subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Based on our current operations and the operations of our subsidiaries, we expect most of our Transportation Income to be from sources outside the United States and not subject to U.S. federal income tax. However, we have earned over $8 million of U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income annually, and we expect that we will continue to earn an increasing amount of such income in future years. Our U.S. Source International Transportation Income or U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation under either the net basis and branch profits taxes or the 4% gross basis tax, each of which is discussed below, unless the exemption from U.S. taxation under Section 883 of the Code (or the Section 883 Exemption) applies.
The Section 883 Exemption
In general, the Section 883 Exemption provides that if a non-U.S. corporation satisfies the requirements of Section 883 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, it will not be subject to the net basis and branch profits taxes or the 4% gross basis tax described below on its U.S. Source International Transportation Income. The Section 883 Exemption does not apply to U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income.
We do not believe that we would be able to qualify for the Section 883 Exemption and therefore our U.S. Source International Transportation Income would not be exempt from U.S. federal income taxation.
Net Basis Tax and Branch Profits Tax
If the Section 883 Exemption does not apply, our U.S. Source International Transportation Income may be treated as effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (or Effectively Connected Income) if we have a fixed place of business in the United States and substantially all of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or, in the case of income derived from bareboat charters, is attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States. Based on our current operations, none of our potential U.S. Source International Transportation Income is attributable to regularly scheduled transportation or is derived from bareboat charters attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States. As a result, we do not anticipate that any of our U.S. Source International Transportation Income would be treated as Effectively Connected Income. However, there is no assurance that we would not earn income pursuant to regularly scheduled transportation or bareboat charters attributable to a fixed place of business in the United States in the future, which would result in such income being treated as Effectively Connected Income. U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income generally would be treated as Effectively Connected Income. However, we do not anticipate that a material amount of our income has been, or will be, U.S. Source Domestic Transportation Income.
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Any income that we earn that is treated as Effectively Connected Income would be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax (the statutory rate for 2018 onwards is 21%) and a 30% branch profits tax imposed under Section 884 of the Code. In addition, a branch interest tax could be imposed on certain interest paid or deemed paid by us.
On the sale of a vessel that has produced Effectively Connected Income, we generally would be subject to the net basis and branch profits taxes with respect to our gain recognized up to the amount of certain prior deductions for depreciation that reduced Effectively Connected Income. Otherwise, we would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to gain realized on sale of a vessel, provided the sale is considered to occur outside of the United States under U.S. federal income tax principles.
The 4% Gross Basis Tax
If the Section 883 Exemption does not apply and we are not subject to the net basis and branch profits taxes described above, we would be subject to a 4% U.S. federal income tax on our U.S. Source International Transportation Income, without benefit of deductions. We estimate that, in this event, we would be subject to less than $900,000 of U.S. federal income tax in 2018 (in addition to any U.S. federal income taxes on our subsidiaries, as described below) based on the amount of U.S. Source International Transportation Income we earned for 2017. We expect the amount of our liability for U.S. federal income tax on our U.S. Source International Transportation Income to increase in subsequent years based on our expected U.S. Source International Transportation Income we expect to earn for 2018 and subsequent years. The amount of such tax for which we would be liable in any year would depend upon the amount of income we earn from voyages into or out of the United States in such year, however, which is not within our complete control.
United States Federal Income Taxation of U.S. Holders Following the Check-the-Box Election
Distributions
Following our election to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, our items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit will not pass through to our common unitholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Rather, a common unitholder will be taxed only on cash dividends and other distributions of property received from us. Subject to the discussion of passive foreign investment companies (or PFICs) below, any distributions made by us with respect to our common units to a U.S. Holder generally will constitute dividends, which may be taxable as ordinary income or qualified dividend income as described in more detail below, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits allocated to the U.S. Holders common units, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holders tax basis in our common units and thereafter as capital gain, which will be either long term or short term capital gain depending upon whether the U.S. Holder has held the common units for more than one year. U.S. Holders that are corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes generally will not be entitled to claim a dividends received deduction with respect to any distributions they receive from us. For purposes of computing allowable foreign tax credits for U.S. federal income tax purposes, dividends received with respect to our common units will be treated as foreign source income and generally will be treated as passive category income.
Based on the existing tax basis in our assets, together with the anticipated basis adjustments from gain recognized by Section 367 U.S. Holders, we estimate that no portion of the total cash distributions made by us during the three year period ending on December 31, 2021, on a cumulative basis, will be treated as a dividend, but instead that 100% of our cash distributions during that period will be treated first as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the holders tax basis in its common units on a dollar-for-dollar basis and thereafter as capital gain. These estimates are subject to, among other things, numerous business, economic, regulatory, competitive and political uncertainties beyond our control. Further, the estimates are based on current U.S. federal income tax law and tax reporting positions that we will adopt and with which the IRS could disagree. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that these estimates will prove to be correct.
Subject to holding period requirements and certain other limitations, dividends received with respect to our common units by a U.S. Holder who is an individual, trust or estate (or a Non-Corporate U.S. Holder) will be treated as qualified dividend income that is taxable to such Non-Corporate U.S. Holder at preferential capital gain tax rates provided that we are not classified as a PFIC for the taxable year during which the dividend is paid or the immediately preceding taxable year (we intend to take the position that we are not now and have never been classified as a PFIC, as discussed below). Any dividends received with respect to our common units not eligible for these preferential rates will be taxed as ordinary income to a Non-Corporate U.S. Holder.
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Special rules may apply to any extraordinary dividend paid by us. Generally, an extraordinary dividend is a dividend with respect to a share of stock if the amount of the dividend is equal to or in excess of 10% of a common stockholders, or 5% of a preferred stockholders, adjusted tax basis (or fair market value in certain circumstances) in such stock. In addition, extraordinary dividends include dividends received within a one-year period that, in the aggregate, equal or exceed 20% of a stockholders adjusted tax basis (or fair market value in certain circumstances). If we pay an extraordinary dividend on our common units that is treated as qualified dividend income, then any loss recognized by a Non-Corporate U.S. Holder from the sale or exchange of such common units will be treated as longterm capital loss to the extent of the amount of such dividend.
Certain Non-Corporate U.S. Holders are subject to a 3.8% tax on certain investment income, including dividends. Non-Corporate U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their ownership of our common units.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Units
Subject to the discussion of PFICs below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss upon a sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units in an amount equal to the difference between the amount realized by the U.S. Holder from such sale, exchange or other disposition and the U.S. Holders tax basis in such common units. Subject to the discussion of extraordinary dividends above, such gain or loss generally will be treated as (a) longterm capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holders holding period is greater than one year at the time of the sale, exchange or other disposition, or short term capital gain or loss otherwise and (b) U.S. source gain or loss, as applicable, for foreign tax credit purposes. Non-Corporate U.S. Holders may be eligible for preferential rates of U.S. federal income tax in respect of long-term capital gains. A U.S. Holders ability to deduct capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
Certain Non-Corporate U.S. Holders are subject to a 3.8% tax on certain investment income, including capital gains from the sale or other disposition of common units. Non-Corporate U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect, if any, of this tax on their disposition of our common units.
Consequences of Possible PFIC Classification
A nonU.S. entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be treated as a PFIC in any taxable year in which, after taking into account the income and assets of the corporation and certain subsidiaries pursuant to a look through rule, either: (a) at least 75% of its gross income is passive income; or (b) at least 50% of the average value of its assets is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income. For purposes of these tests, passive income includes dividends, interest, gains from the sale or exchange of investment property and rents and royalties (other than rents and royalties that are received from unrelated parties in connection with the active conduct of a trade or business). By contrast, income derived from the performance of services does not constitute passive income.
There are legal uncertainties involved in determining whether the income derived from our time-chartering activities constitutes rental income or income derived from the performance of services, including legal uncertainties arising from the decision in Tidewater Inc. v. United States, 565 F.3d 299 (5th Cir. 2009), which held that income derived from certain time-chartering activities should be treated as rental income rather than services income for purposes of a foreign sales corporation provision of the Code. However, the IRS stated in an Action on Decision (AOD 2010-01) that it disagrees with, and will not acquiesce to, the way that the rental versus services framework was applied to the facts in the Tidewater decision, and in its discussion stated that the time charters at issue in Tidewater would be treated as producing services income for PFIC purposes. The IRSs statement with respect to Tidewater cannot be relied upon or otherwise cited as precedent by taxpayers. Consequently, in the absence of any binding legal authority specifically relating to the statutory provisions governing PFICs, there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court would not follow the Tidewater decision in interpreting the PFIC provisions of the Code. Moreover, the market value of our common units may be treated as reflecting the value of our assets at any given time. Therefore, a decline in the market value of our common units, which is not within our control, may impact the determination of whether we are a PFIC. Nevertheless, based on our and our subsidiaries current assets and operations, we intend to take the position that we are not now and have never been a PFIC.
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No assurance can be given, however, that the IRS, or a court of law, with accept our position or that we would not constitute a PFIC for any future taxable year if there were to be changes in our or our subsidiaries assets, income or operations.
As discussed more fully below, if we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder generally would be subject to different taxation rules depending on whether the U.S. Holder makes a timely and effective election to treat us as a Qualified Electing Fund (or a QEF election). As an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder should be able to make a marktomarket election with respect to our common units, as discussed below.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Timely QEF Election
A U.S. Holder who makes a timely QEF election (or an Electing Holder) must report the Electing Holders pro rata share of our ordinary earnings and net capital gain, if any, for each taxable year for which we are a PFIC that ends with or within the Electing Holders taxable year, regardless of whether or not the Electing Holder received distributions from us in that year. Such income inclusions would not be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income. The Electing Holders adjusted tax basis in our common units will be increased to reflect taxed but undistributed earnings and profits. Distributions of earnings and profits that were previously taxed will result in a corresponding reduction in the Electing Holders adjusted tax basis in our common units and will not be taxed again once distributed. An Electing Holder generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units. A U.S. Holder makes a QEF election with respect to any year that we are a PFIC by filing IRS Form 8621 with the U.S. Holders timely filed U.S. federal income tax return (including extensions).
If a U.S. Holder has not made a timely QEF election with respect to the first year in the U.S. Holders holding period of our common units during which we qualified as a PFIC, the U.S. Holder may be treated as having made a timely QEF election by filing a QEF election with the U.S. Holders timely filed U.S. federal income tax return (including extensions) and, under the rules of Section 1291 of the Code, a deemed sale election to include in income as an excess distribution (described below) the amount of any gain that the U.S. Holder would otherwise recognize if the U.S. Holder sold the U.S. Holders common units on the qualification date. The qualification date is the first day of our taxable year in which we qualified as a qualified electing fund with respect to such U.S. Holder. In addition to the above rules, under very limited circumstances, a U.S. Holder may make a retroactive QEF election if the U.S. Holder failed to file the QEF election documents in a timely manner. If a U.S. Holder makes a timely QEF election for one of our taxable years, but did not make such election with respect to the first year in the U.S. Holders holding period of our common units during which we qualified as a PFIC and the U.S. Holder did not make the deemed sale election described above, the U.S. Holder also will be subject to the more adverse rules described below.
A U.S. Holders QEF election will not be effective unless we annually provide the U.S. Holder with certain information concerning our income and gain, calculated in accordance with the Code, to be included with the U.S. Holders U.S. federal income tax return. We do not intend to provide such information in the current taxable year. Accordingly, U.S. Holders will not be able to make an effective QEF election at this time. If, contrary to our expectations, we determine that we are or will be a PFIC for any taxable year, we will provide U.S. Holders with the information necessary to make an effective QEF election with respect to our common units.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Making a Mark-to-Market Election
If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year and, as we anticipate, our common units were treated as marketable stock, then, as an alternative to making a QEF election, a U.S. Holder would be allowed to make a marktomarket election with respect to our common units, provided the U.S. Holder completes and files IRS Form 8621 in accordance with the relevant instructions and related Treasury Regulations. If that election is made for the first year a U.S. Holder holds or is deemed to hold our common units and for which we are a PFIC, the U.S. Holder generally would include as ordinary income in each taxable year that we are a PFIC the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the U.S. Holders common units at the end of the taxable year over the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the common units. The U.S. Holder also would be permitted an ordinary loss in respect of the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the common units over the fair market value thereof at the end of the taxable year that we are a PFIC, but only to the extent of the net amount previously included in income as a result of the marktomarket election. A U.S. Holders tax basis in our common units would be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss recognized. Gain recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units in taxable years that we are a PFIC would be treated as ordinary income, and any loss recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units in taxable years that we are a PFIC would be treated as ordinary loss to the extent that such loss does not exceed the net marktomarket gains previously included in income by the U.S. Holder. Because the marktomarket election only applies to marketable stock, however, it would not apply to a U.S. Holders indirect interest in any of our subsidiaries that were also determined to be PFICs.
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If a U.S. Holder makes a mark-to-market election for one of our taxable years and we were a PFIC for a prior taxable year during which such U.S. Holder held our common units and for which (a) we were not a QEF with respect to such U.S. Holder and (b) such U.S. Holder did not make a timely mark-to-market election, such U.S. Holder would also be subject to the more adverse rules described below in the first taxable year for which the mark-to-market election is in effect and also to the extent the fair market value of the U.S. Holders common units exceeds the U.S. Holders adjusted tax basis in the common units at the end of the first taxable year for which the mark-to-market election is in effect.
Taxation of U.S. Holders Not Making a Timely QEF or Mark-to-Market Election
If we were to be treated as a PFIC for any taxable year, a U.S. Holder who does not make either a QEF election or a marktomarket election for that year (a NonElecting Holder ) would be subject to special rules resulting in increased tax liability with respect to (a) any excess distribution (i.e., the portion of any distributions received by the Non Electing Holder on our common units in a taxable year in excess of 125% of the average annual distributions received by the NonElecting Holder in the three preceding taxable years, or, if shorter, the NonElecting Holders holding period for our common units), and (b) any gain realized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of our common units. Under these special rules:
| the excess distribution or gain would be allocated ratably over the Non-Electing Holders aggregate holding period for our common units; |
| the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year prior to the taxable year we were first treated as a PFIC with respect to the Non-Electing Holder would be taxed as ordinary income in the current taxable year; |
| the amount allocated to each of the other taxable years would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that year; and |
| an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit would be imposed with respect to the resulting tax attributable to each such other taxable year. |
Additionally, for each year during which a U.S. Holder holds our common units, we are a PFIC, and the total value of all PFIC units that such U.S. Holder directly or indirectly holds exceeds certain thresholds, such U.S. Holder will be required to file IRS Form 8621 with its annual U.S. federal income tax return to report its ownership of our common units. In addition, if a NonElecting Holder, who is an individual, dies while owning our common units, such Non-Electing Holders successor generally would not receive a stepup in tax basis with respect to such common units.
U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the PFIC rules, including the PFIC annual reporting requirements, as well as the applicability, availability and advisability of, and procedure for, making QEF, Mark-to-Market and other available elections with respect to us, and the U.S. federal income tax consequences of making such elections.
U.S. Return Disclosure Requirements for U.S. Individual Holders
U.S. Individual Holders who hold certain specified foreign financial assets, including common units in a foreign corporation that is not held in an account maintained by a financial institution, with an aggregate value in excess of $50,000 on the last day of a taxable year, or $75,000 at any time during that taxable year, may be required to report such assets on IRS Form 8938 with their U.S. federal income tax return for that taxable year. This reporting requirement does not apply to U.S. Individual Holders who report their ownership of our common units under the PFIC annual reporting rules described above. Penalties apply for failure to properly complete and file IRS Form 8938. U.S. Individual Holders are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible application of this disclosure requirement to their investment in our common units.
United States Federal Income Taxation of Non-U.S. Holders Following the Check-the-Box Election
Distributions
After the Check-the-Box Election, the income and deductions attributable to the assets and liabilities of the new entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes will not be allocated to our common unitholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Rather, a common unitholder will be taxed only on cash distributions and other distributions of property received from us. In general, a NonU.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on distributions received from
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us with respect to our common units unless the distributions are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holders conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment that the Non-U.S. Holder maintains in the United States). If a NonU.S. Holder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States and the distributions are deemed to be effectively connected to that trade or business, the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on those distributions in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder.
Sale, Exchange or Other Disposition of Common Units
In general, a Non-U.S. Holder is not subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain resulting from the disposition of our common units unless (a) such gain is effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holders conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment that the Non-U.S. Holder maintains in the United States) or (b) the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year in which such disposition occurs and meets certain other requirements. If a Non-U.S. Holder is engaged in a trade or business within the United States and the disposition of our common units is deemed to be effectively connected to that trade or business, the Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the resulting gain in the same manner as if it were a U.S. Holder.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
In general, payments of distributions with respect to, or the proceeds of a disposition of, our common units to a NonCorporate U.S. Holder will be subject to information reporting requirements. These payments to a NonCorporate U.S. Holder also may be subject to backup withholding if the NonCorporate U.S. Holder:
| fails to timely provide an accurate taxpayer identification number; |
| is notified by the IRS that it has failed to report all interest or distributions required to be shown on its U.S. federal income tax returns; or |
| in certain circumstances, fails to comply with applicable certification requirements. |
NonU.S. Holders may be required to establish their exemption from information reporting and backup withholding on payments made to them within the United States, or through a U.S. payor, by certifying their status on IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, W-8ECI, W-8EXP or W-8IMY, as applicable.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, a common unitholder generally may obtain a credit for any amount withheld against its liability for U.S. federal income tax (and obtain a refund of any amounts withheld in excess of such liability) by accurately completing and timely filing a U.S. federal income tax return with the IRS.
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Material Non-U.S. Tax Considerations
Marshall Islands Tax Considerations
The following discussion is based upon the current laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and is applicable only to persons who are not citizens of, and do not reside in, maintain offices in or engage in business, transactions or operations in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
Because we and our subsidiaries do not, and we do not expect that we or any of our subsidiaries will, conduct business, transactions or operations in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and because all documentation related to the Check-the-Box Election will be executed outside of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, under current Marshall Islands law holders of our common units will not be subject to Marshall Islands taxation or withholding on distributions, including upon a return of capital, we make to our unitholders. In addition, our unitholders will not be subject to Marshall Islands stamp, capital gains or other taxes on the purchase, ownership or disposition of common units, and they will not be required by the Republic of the Marshall Islands to file a tax return relating to the common units.
It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent jurisdictions, including the Marshall Islands, of his investment in us. Accordingly, each unitholder is urged to consult its tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local and non-U.S., as well as U.S. federal tax returns that may be required of such unitholder.
Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following discussion is a summary of the material Canadian federal income tax considerations under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (or the Canada Tax Act) that we believe are relevant to holders of units who, for the purposes of the Canada Tax Act and the Canada-United States Tax Convention 1980 (or the Canada-U.S. Treaty), are at all relevant times resident in the United States and entitled to all of the benefits of the Canada-U.S. Treaty and who deal at arms length with us and Teekay Corporation (or U.S. Resident Holders). This discussion takes into account all proposed amendments to the Canada Tax Act and the regulations thereunder that have been publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof and assumes that such proposed amendments will be enacted substantially as proposed. However, no assurance can be given that such proposed amendments will be enacted in the form proposed or at all.
A partnership that elects to be treated as a corporation for U.S. tax purposes will still be considered to be a partnership for Canadian tax purposes. As a result, following a Check-the-Box Election, Teekay LNG Partners L.P. will still be considered to be a partnership under Canadian federal income tax law and therefore not a taxable entity for Canadian income tax purposes. A U.S. Resident Holder will not be liable to tax under the Canada Tax Act on any income or gains allocated by Teekay LNG Partners L.P. to the U.S. Resident Holder in respect of such U.S. Resident Holders units, provided that (a) Teekay LNG Partners L.P. does not carry on business in Canada for purposes of the Canada Tax Act and (b) such U.S. Resident Holder does not hold such units in connection with a business carried on by such U.S. Resident Holder through a permanent establishment in Canada for purposes of the Canada-U.S. Treaty.
A U.S. Resident Holder will not be liable to tax under the Canada Tax Act on any income or gain from the sale, redemption or other disposition of such U.S. Resident Holders units, provided that, for purposes of the Canada-U.S. Treaty, such units do not, and did not at any time in the twelve-month period preceding the date of disposition, form part of the business property of a permanent establishment in Canada of such U.S. Resident Holder.
We believe that the activities and affairs of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. are conducted in such a manner that Teekay LNG Partners L.P. is not carrying on business in Canada and that U.S. Resident Holders should not be considered to be carrying on business in Canada for purposes of the Canada Tax Act or the Canada-U.S. Treaty solely by reason of the acquisition, holding, disposition or redemption of our units. We intend that this is and continues to be the case, notwithstanding that Teekay Shipping Limited (a subsidiary of Teekay Corporation that is a non-resident of Canada) and Teekay Gas Group Ltd. (an indirect subsidiary of Teekay LNG Partners L.P. that is a non-resident of Canada) provide certain services to Teekay LNG Partners L.P. and obtain some or all such services under subcontracts with Canadian service providers. If the arrangements we have entered into result in Teekay LNG Partners L.P. being considered to carry on business in Canada for purposes of the Canada Tax Act, U.S. Resident Holders would be considered to be carrying on business in Canada and may be required to file Canadian tax returns and, subject to any relief provided under the Canada-U.S. Treaty, would be subject to taxation in Canada on any income that is considered to be attributable to the business carried on by Teekay LNG Partners L.P. in Canada. The Canada-U.S. Treaty contains a treaty benefit denial rule which may have the effect of denying relief thereunder from Canadian taxation to U.S. Resident Holders in respect of any income attributable to a business carried on by us in Canada.
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Although we do not intend to do so, there can be no assurance that the manner in which we carry on our activities will not change from time to time as circumstances dictate or warrant in a manner that may cause U.S. Resident Holders to be carrying on business in Canada for purposes of the Canada Tax Act. Further, the relevant Canadian federal income tax law may change by legislation or judicial interpretation and the Canadian taxing authorities may take a different view than we have of the current law.
It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent jurisdictions, including Canada, of an investment in us. Accordingly, each unitholder is urged to consult, and depend upon, such unitholders tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local and non-U.S., as well as U.S. federal tax returns, that may be required of such unitholder.
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PROPOSAL NO. 2: APPROVAL OF THE FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
General
The Board has approved and declared advisable and hereby proposes, and recommends, that the common unitholders approve and adopt the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement. The Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement has been prepared in connection with and, if approved by the common unitholders, will become effective upon the effectiveness of Teekay LNG Partners being treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as described in Proposal No. 1 above. This Proposal No. 2 is conditioned on Proposal No. 1 being approved by the common unitholders. As a result, even if common unitholders approve this Proposal No. 2, the adoption of the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement by Teekay LNG Partners cannot become effective unless common unitholders also approve Proposal No. 1 above.
Subject to certain exceptions, the Partnership Agreement requires that (i) any amendments to the Partnership Agreement be proposed by our General Partner, (ii) any amendments to the Partnership Agreement be approved by an affirmative FOR vote of the holders of a majority of the common units outstanding, and (iii) Teekay LNG Partners obtains a written opinion of counsel to the effect that such amendments to the Partnership Agreement set forth in Proposal No. 2 will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) under applicable law. The Board recommends that you vote your common units FOR both the Check-the-Box Election (Proposal No. 1) and the Partnership Agreement Proposal (Proposal No. 2).
Approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the common units outstanding. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT UNITHOLDERS VOTE FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF THE FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT. IF NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN PROXY CARDS, THE PROXY WILL VOTE COMMON UNITS FOR APPROVAL OF THIS PROPOSAL.
Description of the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement
The Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement has been prepared in connection with the proposal to authorize Teekay LNG Partners to elect to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as described in Proposal No. 1 above. The primary purpose of amending and restating the Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement is to delete or amend those provisions of the Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement that pertain to Teekay LNG Partners U.S. federal income tax classification as a partnership (or the Tax Amendments) and to effect the Check-the-Box Election contemplated by Proposal No. 1. The Tax Amendments will not alter the rights of the holders of our common units or our General Partner to the distributions described in the Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement. The Tax Amendments will not have a materially adverse effect on the existing terms of the Series A Preferred Units or the Series B Preferred Units. Under the terms of the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, Teekay LNG Partners will remain a partnership for state law purposes.
The following is a brief summary of the foregoing amendments included in the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement (capitalized terms used not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement). In addition to the material amendments described below, the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement also contains certain non-substantive amendments, including, but not limited to, updating section references and making other clerical changes. The following is not a complete list of the amendments and deletions included in the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement. To view a complete marked copy of the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, which reflects all amendments to the Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, please see Appendix A hereto.
Summary of Amendments to Partnership Agreement
The amendments to the Partnership Agreement relating to the Partnerships election to be classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes primarily include the following:
| Restriction on Business Activities. This section is amended to remove the restriction on business activities that would cause the Partnership to be taxable as a corporation or otherwise as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. (Section 2.4) |
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| Transfer of the General Partner Interest and Restrictions on Transfers. These sections are amended to remove the restriction on a transfer of the General Partner Interests (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) or Partnership Interest (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) that would have prevented the Partnership from being taxable as a corporation or otherwise as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. (Section 4.6 and Section 4.8) |
| Capital Account. This section is deleted to remove the requirement of maintaining a capital account for each Partner. (Section 5.5) |
| Allocations for Capital Account Purposes. This section is amended to (a) remove the provision of book allocations of the Partnerships income, gain, loss and deductions among the Partners and nominees for U.S. federal income tax capital account maintenance purposes, and (b) replace it with a provision allocating the Partnerships profits and losses among the Partners in accordance with their economic interests in the Partnership as determined by the General Partner in good faith for purposes of Marshall Islands law. (Section 6.1) |
| Allocations for Tax Purposes and Partnership Taxes. These sections are amended to remove the provision of U.S. federal income tax allocations of the Partnerships income, gain, loss and deductions among the Partners and to remove provisions related to payment of taxes on a Partners behalf by the Partnership. (Section 6.2 and Section 6.3(c)) |
| Estimated Taxes and Entity-Level Tax Adjustments to Minimum Quarterly and Incentive Distribution Amounts. This section is amended to remove the contingency that it applies if legislative changes or interpretations result in the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As amended, the section provides for (a) the General Partner making quarterly estimates of the aggregate corporate tax liability of the Partnership and the group members and (b) proportionate adjustments to each of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution levels applicable to cash distributions. The amounts of the adjustments are based on the level of entity-level corporate taxes relative to the amount of Available Cash (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) for the applicable quarter. (Section 6.8) |
| Tax Matters. These sections are amended to (i) add a provision authorizing the General Partner to make the Check-the-Box Election, and (ii) clarify that the General Partner is designated as the tax matters partner for taxable years that end on or prior to date immediately prior to the Effective Date (as defined in the Partnership Agreement). (Section 9.1, Section 9.2 and Section 9.3) |
| Removal of General Partner. This section is amended to remove the requirement of an opinion of counsel that the removal of the General Partner would not result in any group member becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. (Section 11.2) |
| Dissolution and Liquidation. These sections are amended to (i) remove the requirement, relating to continuation of the Partnership following dissolution, that the Partnership must receive an opinion of counsel that the continuation of the business of the Partnership would not result in the Partnership or any group member becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and (ii) provide that all property and cash distributed to the Partners upon liquidation of the Partnership shall be made (a) first to the holders of Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units in an amount equal to their respective liquidation preferences, and (b) thereafter to the holders of common units and to the General Partner in accordance with the distribution entitlements contemplated by the provisions for making book allocations of the Partnerships income, gain, loss and deductions for U.S. federal income tax capital account maintenance purposes in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership in effect prior to amendment and removal of those provisions. (Section 6.1(c), Section 12.2 and Section 12.4(c)) |
| Capital Account Restoration. This section is deleted to remove the provision that no Partners shall have any obligation to restore any negative capital account balance upon liquidation. (Section 12.8) |
| Amendments Affecting Tax Treatment. This section is amended to remove the provisions related to amendments that would result in the Partnership or any group member becoming taxable as a corporation other than for Marshall Islands income tax purposes. (Section 13.1(c)) |
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| Mergers or Consolidations. This section is amended to remove the restrictions related to mergers or consolidations that would cause the Partnership to be taxable as a corporation or otherwise as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. (Section 14.3) |
| Distributions with respect to Preferred Units. This section is amended to remove the requirement to treat certain distributions to Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units as guaranteed payments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. (Section 16.3) |
In addition, any definitions or references related to the provisions described above are added, deleted or amended.
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PROPOSAL NO. 3: ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING, IF NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE, TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES
General
The Board has approved and declared advisable and hereby proposes, and recommends, that the common unitholders approve Proposal No. 3 to give the Teekay LNG Partners the authority, if necessary or appropriate, to adjourn the special meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the special meeting to approve the Check-the-Box Election (Proposal No. 1) and the Partnership Agreement Proposal (Proposal No. 2).
If the Adjournment Proposal (Proposal No. 3) is approved, Teekay LNG Partners may adjourn the special meeting to solicit additional proxies (even if a quorum is not present at the special meeting). Teekay LNG Partners does not anticipate that it will adjourn or postpone the special meeting except for this purpose, or if it is advised by counsel that such adjournment or postponement is necessary under applicable law. Any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies will allow Teekay LNG Partners common unitholders who have already submitted their proxies to revoke them prior to the special meeting, as adjourned or postponed.
Approval of the Adjournment Proposal (Proposal No. 3) requires the affirmative vote of a majority of common units present or represented by proxy at the special meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal (even if a quorum is not present). Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT COMMON UNITHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING, IF NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE, TO SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROXIES IF THERE ARE INSUFFICIENT VOTES AT THE TIME OF THE SPECIAL MEETING TO APPROVE THE CHECK-THE-BOX ELECTION AND THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT PROPOSAL.
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COMMON UNIT OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Major Common Unitholders
The following table sets forth information regarding beneficial ownership, as of November 12, 2018, of our common units by each person we know to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding common units. The number of common units beneficially owned by each person is determined under SEC rules and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Under SEC rules a person beneficially owns any units as to which the person has or shares voting or investment power. In addition, a person beneficially owns any common units that the person or entity has the right to acquire as of January 13, 2019 (60 days after November 12, 2018) through the exercise of any unit option or other right. Unless otherwise indicated, each unitholder listed below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the common units set forth in the following table.
Identity of Person or Group | Common Units Owned |
Percentage of Common Units Owned(1) |
||||||
Teekay Corporation(1) |
25,208,274 | 31.6 | % | |||||
FMR LLC(2) |
7,962,681 | 10.0 | % | |||||
Cobas Asset Management, SGIIC, SA(3) |
6,420,580 | 8.1 | % | |||||
OppenheimerFunds, Inc.(4) |
5,014,317 | 6.3 | % |
(1) | Based on 79,687,499 of common units outstanding as of November 12, 2018. Excludes the 2% general partner interest held by our General Partner, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Teekay Corporation. |
(2) | FMR LLC has the sole dispositive power and has voting power as to 10,900 of these common units. This information is based on the Schedule 13G filed by this group with the SEC on February 13, 2018. |
(3) | Cobas Asset Management, SGIIC, SA (or Cobas) has sole and shared voting power as to 4,020,774 common units. This information is based on the Schedule 13G filed by this group with the SEC on June 23, 2017 and information disclosed to us by Cobas. |
(4) | OppenheimerFunds, Inc., an investment advisor, has shared voting power and shared dispositive power as to 5,014,317 common units. This information is based on the Schedule 13G/A filed by this group with the SEC on February 7, 2018. |
As of November 12, 2018, we had 13 common unitholders of record located in the United States, one of which is Cede & Co., a nominee of The Depository Trust Company, which held an aggregate of 79,614,891 of our common units, representing approximately 99.9% of our outstanding common units. We believe that the common units held by Cede & Co. include units beneficially owned by both holders in the United States and outside the United States.
Teekay Corporation has the same voting rights with respect to common units it owns as our other common unitholders. We are controlled by Teekay Corporation as a result of its ownership of the General Partner. We are not aware of any arrangements, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of us.
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INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON
Our General Partner is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Teekay Corporation. Teekay Corporation also owns 25,208,274 common units, representing approximately 31.6% of our outstanding common units, and our General Partner owns approximately 2% of our common units. As a result of its ownership interest in the General Partner, Teekay Corporation controls the General Partner and has the ability to appoint all of the members of the Board. Three members of the Board are also directors or officers of Teekay Corporation. Conflicts of interest exist and may arise as a result of the relationships between the General Partner and its affiliates, including without limitation, Teekay Corporation, on the one hand, and the Partnership and its limited partners, on the other hand. Although our General Partner has a duty to manage the Partnership in a manner beneficial to the Partnership and its limited partners, the General Partners directors and officers have fiduciary duties to manage the General Partner in a manner beneficial to its owner, Teekay Corporation.
Other than as described above, except in their capacity as unitholders (which interest does not differ from that of the other holders of our common units), none of our officers, directors, or any of their respective affiliates has any interest in the Check-the-Box Election or the Fourth Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement.
Common unitholders who share a single address will receive only one proxy statement at that address unless we have received instructions to the contrary from any common unitholder at that address. This practice, known as householding, is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. However, if a common unitholder of record residing at such an address wishes to receive a separate copy of this proxy statement or of future proxy statements (as applicable), he or she may contact our Corporate Secretary at (441) 298-2530 or via mail at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda, Attn: Corporate Secretary. We will promptly deliver separate copies of this proxy statement promptly upon written or oral request. If you are a common unitholder of record receiving multiple copies of our proxy statement, you can request householding by contacting us in the same manner. If you own your common units through a broker, bank, trustee or other nominee, you can request additional copies of this proxy statement or request householding by contacting the unitholder of record.
If other matters are properly presented at the special meeting for consideration, the persons named in the proxy will have the discretion to vote on those matters for you. At the date this proxy statement went to press, we did not know of any other matters to be raised at the special meeting.
26
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
Construction | 18 | ||||
ARTICLE II | ||||||
ORGANIZATION | ||||||
Section 2.1 |
Formation | 19 | ||||
Section 2.2 |
Name | 19 | ||||
Section 2.3 |
Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices | 19 | ||||
Section 2.4 |
Purpose and Business | 19 | ||||
Section 2.5 |
Powers | 20 | ||||
Section 2.6 |
Power of Attorney | 20 | ||||
Section 2.7 |
Term | 21 | ||||
Section 2.8 |
Title to Partnership Assets | 21 | ||||
ARTICLE III | ||||||
RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS | ||||||
Section 3.1 |
Limitation of Liability | 22 | ||||
Section 3.2 |
Management of Business | 22 | ||||
Section 3.3 |
Outside Activities of the Limited Partners | 22 | ||||
Section 3.4 |
Rights of Limited Partners | 23 | ||||
ARTICLE IV | ||||||
CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS |
||||||
Section 4.1 |
Certificates | 24 | ||||
Section 4.2 |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates | 24 | ||||
Section 4.3 |
Record Holders | 25 | ||||
Section 4.4 |
Transfer Generally | 25 | ||||
Section 4.5 |
Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests | 25 | ||||
Section 4.6 |
Transfer of the General Partners General Partner Interest | 26 | ||||
Section 4.7 |
Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights | 26 | ||||
Section 4.8 |
Restrictions on Transfers | 27 |
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ARTICLE V | ||||||
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS |
||||||
Section 5.1 |
Organizational Contributions | 27 | ||||
Section 5.2 |
Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates | 28 | ||||
Section 5.3 |
Contributions by Initial Limited Partners and Distributions to the General Partner and its Affiliates | 28 | ||||
Section 5.4 |
Interest and Withdrawal | 29 | ||||
Section 5.5 |
[Reserved] | 29 | ||||
Section 5.6 |
Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities | 29 | ||||
Section 5.7 |
Limitations on Issuance of Additional Partnership Securities | 30 | ||||
Section 5.8 |
Limited Preemptive Right | 30 | ||||
Section 5.9 |
Splits and Combinations | 30 | ||||
Section 5.10 |
Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests | 31 | ||||
ARTICLE VI | ||||||
DISTRIBUTIONS | ||||||
Section 6.1 |
Allocations | 31 | ||||
Section 6.2 |
[Reserved] | 31 | ||||
Section 6.3 |
Distributions to Record Holders | 31 | ||||
Section 6.4 |
Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus | 32 | ||||
Section 6.5 |
Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus | 33 | ||||
Section 6.6 |
Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels | 33 | ||||
Section 6.7 |
Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights | 33 | ||||
Section 6.8 |
Entity-Level Taxation | 34 | ||||
ARTICLE VII | ||||||
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS | ||||||
Section 7.1 |
Management | 34 | ||||
Section 7.2 |
Certificate of Limited Partnership | 36 | ||||
Section 7.3 |
Restrictions on the General Partners Authority | 37 | ||||
Section 7.4 |
Reimbursement of the General Partner | 37 | ||||
Section 7.5 |
Outside Activities | 38 | ||||
Section 7.6 |
Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members | 39 | ||||
Section 7.7 |
Indemnification | 40 | ||||
Section 7.8 |
Liability of Indemnitees | 42 | ||||
Section 7.9 |
Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties | 42 |
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ii
Section 7.10 |
Other Matters Concerning the General Partner | 44 | ||||
Section 7.11 |
Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities | 44 | ||||
Section 7.12 |
Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates | 45 | ||||
Section 7.13 |
Reliance by Third Parties | 47 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII | ||||||
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS | ||||||
Section 8.1 |
Records and Accounting | 47 | ||||
Section 8.2 |
Fiscal Year | 48 | ||||
Section 8.3 |
Reports | 48 | ||||
ARTICLE IX | ||||||
TAX MATTERS | ||||||
Section 9.1 |
Tax Returns and Information | 48 | ||||
Section 9.2 |
Tax Elections | 48 | ||||
Section 9.3 |
Tax Controversies | 48 | ||||
Section 9.4 |
Withholding | 49 | ||||
Section 9.5 |
Conduct of Operations | 49 | ||||
ARTICLE X | ||||||
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS | ||||||
Section 10.1 |
Admission of Initial Limited Partners | 49 | ||||
Section 10.2 |
Admission of Additional Limited Partners | 50 | ||||
Section 10.3 |
Admission of Successor General Partner | 50 | ||||
Section 10.4 |
Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership | 51 | ||||
ARTICLE XI | ||||||
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS | ||||||
Section 11.1 |
Withdrawal of the General Partner | 51 | ||||
Section 11.2 |
Removal of the General Partner | 52 | ||||
Section 11.3 |
Interest of Departing Partner and Successor General Partner | 53 | ||||
Section 11.4 |
Withdrawal of Limited Partners | 54 | ||||
ARTICLE XII | ||||||
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION | ||||||
Section 12.1 |
Dissolution | 54 | ||||
Section 12.2 |
Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution | 55 | ||||
Section 12.3 |
Liquidator | 55 |
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
iii
Section 12.4 |
Liquidation | 56 | ||||
Section 12.5 |
Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership | 57 | ||||
Section 12.6 |
Return of Contributions | 57 | ||||
Section 12.7 |
Waiver of Partition | 58 | ||||
ARTICLE XIII | ||||||
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE |
||||||
Section 13.1 |
Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner | 58 | ||||
Section 13.2 |
Amendment Procedures | 59 | ||||
Section 13.3 |
Amendment Requirements | 59 | ||||
Section 13.4 |
Special Meetings | 60 | ||||
Section 13.5 |
Notice of a Meeting | 61 | ||||
Section 13.6 |
Record Date | 61 | ||||
Section 13.7 |
Adjournment | 61 | ||||
Section 13.8 |
Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes | 61 | ||||
Section 13.9 |
Quorum and Voting | 62 | ||||
Section 13.10 |
Conduct of a Meeting | 62 | ||||
Section 13.11 |
Action Without a Meeting | 62 | ||||
Section 13.12 |
Right to Vote and Related Matters | 63 | ||||
ARTICLE XIV | ||||||
MERGER | ||||||
Section 14.1 |
Authority | 63 | ||||
Section 14.2 |
Procedure for Merger or Consolidation | 64 | ||||
Section 14.3 |
Approval by Limited Partners of Merger or Consolidation | 65 | ||||
Section 14.4 |
Certificate of Merger | 66 | ||||
Section 14.5 |
Amendment of Partnership Agreement | 66 | ||||
Section 14.6 |
Effect of Merger | 66 | ||||
ARTICLE XV | ||||||
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS | ||||||
Section 15.1 |
Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests | 67 | ||||
ARTICLE XVI | ||||||
PREFERRED UNITS | ||||||
Section 16.1 |
Designation | 68 | ||||
Section 16.2 |
Units | 69 | ||||
Section 16.3 |
Distributions | 69 | ||||
Section 16.4 |
[Reserved] | 71 | ||||
Section 16.5 |
Voting Rights | 71 |
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
iv
Section 16.6 |
Optional Redemption | 72 | ||||
Section 16.7 |
Rank | 75 | ||||
Section 16.8 |
No Sinking Fund | 75 | ||||
Section 16.9 |
Record Holders | 75 | ||||
Section 16.10 |
Notices | 76 | ||||
Section 16.11 |
Other Rights; Fiduciary Duties | 76 | ||||
ARTICLE XVII | ||||||
GENERAL PROVISIONS | ||||||
Section 17.1 |
Addresses and Notices | 76 | ||||
Section 17.2 |
Further Action | 77 | ||||
Section 17.3 |
Binding Effect | 77 | ||||
Section 17.4 |
Integration | 77 | ||||
Section 17.5 |
Creditors | 77 | ||||
Section 17.6 |
Waiver | 77 | ||||
Section 17.7 |
Counterparts | 77 | ||||
Section 17.8 |
Applicable Law | 77 | ||||
Section 17.9 |
Invalidity of Provisions | 78 | ||||
Section 17.10 |
Consent of Partners | 78 | ||||
Section 17.11 |
Facsimile Signatures | 78 |
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
v
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP OF TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
THIS FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. dated as of January 1, 2019 (the Effective Date), is entered into by Teekay GP L.L.C., a Marshall Islands limited liability company, as the General Partner, and, solely with respect to Section 16.5(b), Teekay Holdings Limited, a Bermuda company, together with any other Persons who become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein. In consideration of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions.
The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.
Acquisition means any transaction in which any Group Member acquires (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) control over all or a portion of the assets, properties or business of another Person for the purpose of increasing the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such transaction.
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Agreed Value of any Contributed Property or distributed property means the fair market value of such property or other consideration at the time of contribution or distribution as determined by the General Partner. The General Partner shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of Contributed Properties contributed to or distributed by the Partnership in a single or integrated transaction among each separate property on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each Contributed Property or distributed property.
Agreement means this Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
arrears means, with respect to Preferred Unit Distributions for a particular series of Preferred Units for any applicable Preferred Unit Distribution Period, that the full cumulative Preferred Unit Distributions for such series to and including the last day of the most recently completed Preferred Unit Distribution Period of such series through the most recent Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date for such series have not been paid on all Outstanding Preferred Units of such series.
Associate means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest; (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.
Available Cash means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date:
(a) the sum of (i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Quarter, and (ii) all additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter resulting from Working Capital Borrowings made subsequent to the end of such Quarter, less
(b) the amount of any cash reserves (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) established by the General Partner to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for anticipated future credit needs of the Partnership Group) subsequent to such Quarter, (ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject, (iii) provide funds for Preferred Unit Payments or (iv) provide funds for distributions under Section 6.4 or 6.5 in respect of any one or more of the next four Quarters; provided, however, that the General Partner may not establish cash reserves pursuant to (iv) above if the effect of establishing such reserves would be that the Partnership is unable to distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Common Units with respect to such Quarter; and, provided further, that disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.
Board of Directors means the board of directors or managers of a corporation or limited liability company, as applicable, or if a limited partnership, the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of such limited partnership.
Business Day means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of New York shall not be regarded as a Business Day.
Calculation Agent means a calculation agent appointed by the General Partner prior to the commencement of the Series B Floating Rate Period. If the General Partner is unable to obtain a third-party to serve as calculation agent, the calculation agent may be the General Partner or an Affiliate of the General Partner.
2
Capital Contribution means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership.
Capital Improvement means any (a) addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any Group Member or (b) acquisition of existing, or the construction of new, capital assets (including, without limitation, liquefied natural gas carriers, crude oil tankers and related assets), in each case if such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction is made to increase the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction.
Capital Surplus has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.3(a).
Cause means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner liable for actual fraud, gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.
Certificate means a certificate (i) substantially in the form of Exhibit A with respect to Common Units, Exhibit B with respect to Series A Preferred Units or Exhibit C with respect to Series B Preferred Units, to this Agreement, (ii) issued in global or book entry form in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Depository or (iii) in such other form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Common Units or Preferred Units, or a certificate, in such form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more other Partnership Securities.
Certificate of Limited Partnership means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Registrar of Corporations of the Marshall Islands as referenced in Section 7.2 as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Claim (as used in Section 7.12(c)) has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(c).
Closing Date means the first date on which Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.
Closing Price has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).
Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.
Combined Interest has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.3(a).
3
Commences Commercial Service and Commenced Commercial Service shall mean the date a Capital Improvement is first put into service following completion of construction and testing.
Commission means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Unit means a Partnership Security having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement.
Conflicts Committee means a committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner composed entirely of two or more directors who are not (a) security holders, officers or employees of the General Partner, (b) officers, directors or employees of any Affiliate of the General Partner or (c) holders of any ownership interest in the Partnership Group other than Common Units and who also meet the independence standards required of directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed.
Contributed Property means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Marshall Islands Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership.
Contribution Agreement means that certain Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company, Teekay Corporation and the other parties named therein, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder.
Current Market Price has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).
Departing Partner means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2.
Depository means, with respect to any Partnership Securities issued in global form, The Depository Trust Company and its successors and permitted assigns.
Effective Date has the meaning assigned to such term in the preamble.
Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.8.
Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures means an estimate made in good faith by the Board of Directors of the General Partner (with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee) of the average quarterly Maintenance Capital Expenditures that the Partnership will incur over the long term. The Board of Directors of the General Partner (with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee) will be permitted to make such estimate in any manner it determines reasonable. The estimate will be made at least annually and whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of Maintenance Capital Expenditures on a long-term basis. The Partnership shall disclose to its Partners any change in the amount of Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures in its reports made in accordance with Section 8.3 to the extent not previously disclosed. Any adjustments to Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall be prospective only.
4
Expansion Capital Expenditures means cash expenditures for Acquisitions or Capital Improvements. Expansion Capital Expenditures shall not include Maintenance Capital Expenditures. Expansion Capital Expenditures shall include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity incurred, in each case, to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement and paid during the period beginning on the date that the Partnership enters into a Capital Improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such Capital Improvement Commences Commercial Service or the date that such Capital Improvement is abandoned or disposed of. Debt incurred or equity issued to fund such construction period interest payments, or such construction period distributions on equity paid during such period shall also be deemed to be debt or equity, as the case may be, incurred to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement.
Event of Withdrawal has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(a).
First Liquidation Target Amount has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.4(c)(ii)(B).
First Target Distribution means $0.4625 per Common Unit per Quarter, subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 6.6 and 6.8.
General Partner means Teekay GP L.L.C., a Marshall Islands limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns as general partner of the Partnership.
General Partner Interest means the ownership interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it) which may be evidenced by Partnership Securities or a combination thereof or interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
Group means a Person that with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons) or disposing of any Partnership Securities with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Securities.
Group Member means a member of the Partnership Group.
Group Member Agreement means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, in each case as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
5
Holder as used in Section 7.12, has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(a).
Incentive Distribution Right means a non-voting Limited Partner Interest issued to the General Partner, which Partnership Interest will confer upon the holder thereof only the rights and obligations specifically provided in this Agreement with respect to Incentive Distribution Rights (and no other rights otherwise available to or other obligations of a holder of a Partnership Interest). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the holder of an Incentive Distribution Right shall not be entitled to vote such Incentive Distribution Right on any Partnership matter except as may otherwise be required by law.
Incentive Distributions means any amount of cash distributed to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to Sections 6.4(c), (d) and (e).
Indemnified Persons has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(c).
Indemnitee means (a) the General Partner, (b) any Departing Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a member, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of any Person which any of the preceding clauses of this definition describes, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the General Partner or any Departing Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing Partner as an officer, director, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another Person, provided that that Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, and (f) any Person the General Partner designates as an Indemnitee for purposes of this Agreement.
Initial Common Units means the Common Units sold in the Initial Offering.
Initial Limited Partners means Teekay Corporation and the General Partner (with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights received by it pursuant to Section 5.2), and the Underwriters, in each case upon being admitted to the Partnership in accordance with Section 10.1.
Initial Offering means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as described in the Registration Statement.
Initial Unit Price means (a) with respect to the Common Units, the initial public offering price per Common Unit at which the Underwriters offered the Common Units to the public for sale as set forth on the cover page of the prospectus included as part of the Registration Statement and first issued at or after the time the Registration Statement first became effective or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner, in each case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.
6
Interim Capital Transactions means the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date: (a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than Working Capital Borrowings and other than for items purchased on open account in the ordinary course of business) by any Group Member and sales of debt securities of any Group Member; (b) sales of equity interests of any Group Member (including the Common Units sold to the Underwriters pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option; (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements; (d) the termination of interest rate swap agreements; (e) capital contributions; and (f) corporate reorganizations or restructurings.
Issue Price means the price at which a Unit is purchased from the Partnership, after reflecting any sales commission or underwriting discount charged to the Partnership.
Junior Securities has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.7.
Limited Partner means, unless the context otherwise requires, the Organizational Limited Partner prior to its withdrawal from the Partnership, each Initial Limited Partner, each additional Person that becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and any Departing Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.3; provided, however, that when the term Limited Partner is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including without limitation Article XIII, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any holder of an Incentive Distribution Right (solely with respect to its Incentive Distribution Rights and not with respect to any other Limited Partner Interest held by such person) except as may otherwise be required by law. Limited Partners may include custodians, nominees or any other individual entity in its own or any representative capacity.
Limited Partner Interest means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units, Preferred Units, Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Securities or a combination thereof or interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that when the term Limited Partner Interest is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including without limitation Article XIII, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any Incentive Distribution Right except as may otherwise be required by law.
Liquidation Date means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section 12.2, the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Common Units have the right to elect to continue the business of the Partnership has expired without such an election being made, and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.
Liquidator means one or more Persons selected by the General Partner to perform the functions described in Section 12.4.
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London Business Day means any day on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.
Maintenance Capital Expenditures means cash expenditures (including expenditures for the addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any Group Member or for the acquisition of existing, or the construction of new, capital assets) if such expenditure is made to maintain, including over the long term, the operating capacity of the capital assets of the Partnership Group, as such assets existed at the time of the expenditure. Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall not include Expansion Capital Expenditures. Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity incurred, in each case, to finance the construction of a replacement asset and paid during the period beginning on the date that the Partnership enters into a binding obligation to commence constructing a replacement asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such replacement asset Commences Commercial Service or the date that such replacement asset is abandoned or disposed of. Debt incurred to pay or equity issued to fund the construction period interest payments, or such construction period distributions on equity shall also be deemed to be debt or equity, as the case may be, incurred to finance the construction of a replacement asset.
Marshall Islands Act means the Limited Partnership Act of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.
Merger Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.1.
Minimum Quarterly Distribution means $0.4125 per Common Unit per Quarter, subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 6.6 and 6.8.
National Securities Exchange means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute
Net Agreed Value means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced by any liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property is subject when contributed, and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the Partnerships Agreed Value of such property at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any indebtedness either assumed by such Partner upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution.
Notice of Election to Purchase has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(b).
Omnibus Agreement means that Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2006, among Teekay Corporation, the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company, Teekay Offshore GP, L.L.C., Teekay Offshore Partners L.P., and Teekay Offshore Operating L.P.
Operating Company means Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C., a Marshall Islands limited liability company, and any successors thereto.
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Operating Company Agreement means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Operating Company, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Operating Expenditures means all Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of expenditures in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) cash expenditures, including, but not limited to, taxes, reimbursements of the General Partner, repayment of Working Capital Borrowings, debt service payments, capital expenditures and Preferred Unit Distributions, subject to the following:
(a) Payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than Working Capital Borrowings shall not constitute Operating Expenditures; and
(b) Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) Expansion Capital Expenditures or actual Maintenance Capital Expenditures, but shall include Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures, (ii) payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to Interim Capital Transactions, (iii) Preferred Unit Redemption Payments, (iv) payments made to Preferred Unit Holders to purchase or otherwise acquire Preferred Units in accordance with Section 7.1(a)(xiii) or (v) distributions to Partners, other than Preferred Unit Distributions.
Where capital expenditures consist of both Maintenance Capital Expenditures and Expansion Capital Expenditures, the General Partner, with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee, shall determine the allocation between the portion consisting of Maintenance Capital Expenditures and the portion consisting of Expansion Capital Expenditures, and the period over which the Maintenance Capital Expenditures will be deducted as an Operating Expenditure in calculating Operating Surplus.
Operating Surplus means, with respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative basis and without duplication,
(a) the sum of (i) $10 million, (ii) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand as of the close of business on the Closing Date, other than cash reserved to terminate interest rate swap agreements, (iii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, other than cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions (except to the extent specified in Section 6.5), (iv) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Operating Surplus with respect to such period resulting from Working Capital Borrowings and (v) the amount of distributions paid on equity issued in connection with the construction of a Capital Improvement or replacement asset and paid during the period beginning on the date that the Partnership enters into a binding obligation to commence construction of such Capital Improvement or replacement asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such Capital Improvement or replacement asset Commences Commercial Service or the date that it is abandoned or disposed of (equity issued
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to fund the construction period interest payments on debt incurred (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements), or construction period distributions on equity issued, to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement or replacement asset shall also be deemed to be equity issued to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement or replacement asset for purposes of this clause (v)), less
(b) the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period and (ii) the amount of cash reserves (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) established by the General Partner to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures; provided, however, that disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Operating Surplus with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.
Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner.
Option Closing Date means the date or dates on which any Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.
Organizational Limited Partner means Teekay Corporation in its capacity as the organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.
Original Agreement means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership dated as of May 10, 2005, and amended as of May 31, 2006 and January 1, 2007.
Outstanding means, with respect to Partnership Securities, all Partnership Securities that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnerships books and records as of the date of determination; provided, however, that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class or series then Outstanding, all Partnership Securities owned by such Person or Group shall not be voted on any matter and shall not be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement; provided, further, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply (i) to any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class or series then Outstanding directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates, (ii) to any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class or series then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in clause (i) provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply, (iii) to any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership with the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the General Partner or (iv) with respect to any voting rights thereof, Preferred Units.
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Over-Allotment Option means the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.
Parity Securities has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.7(b).
Partners means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.
Partnership means Teekay LNG Partners L.P., a Marshall Islands limited partnership, and any successors thereto.
Partnership Group means the Partnership and its Subsidiaries treated as a single consolidated entity.
Partnership Interest means an interest in the Partnership, which shall include the General Partner Interest and Limited Partner Interests.
Partnership Representative has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.3.
Partnership Security means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership (but excluding any options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the Partnership), including without limitation, Common Units, Preferred Units and Incentive Distribution Rights.
Paying Agent means Computershare, acting in its capacity as paying agent for the particular series of Preferred Units, and its respective successors and assigns or any other payment agent appointed by the General Partner; provided, however, that if no paying agent is specifically designated for the particular series of Preferred Units, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.
Percentage Interest means as of any date of determination (a) as to the General Partner (in its capacity as General Partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interests held by it), 2.0%, (b) as to any Unitholder holding Units (other than Preferred Units), the product obtained by multiplying (i) 98% less the percentage applicable to paragraph (c) by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of Units (other than Preferred Units) held by such Unitholder by (B) the total number of all Outstanding Units (other than Preferred Units), and (c) as to the holders of additional Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.6, the percentage established as a part of such issuance. The Percentage Interest with respect to an Incentive Distribution Right and to a Preferred Unit shall at all times be zero.
Person means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, governmental agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
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Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date means the Series A Distribution Payment Date or Series B Distribution Payment Date, as applicable.
Preferred Unit Distributions means Series A Distributions and/or Series B Distributions, as applicable.
Preferred Unit Distribution Period means the Series A Distribution Period and/or the Series B Distribution Period, as applicable.
Preferred Unit Holders means Series A Holders and/or Series B Holders, as applicable.
Preferred Unit Liquidation Preference means the Series A Liquidation Preference or the Series B Liquidation Preference, as applicable.
Preferred Unit Payments means Series A Payments and/or Series B Payments, as applicable.
Preferred Unit Redemption Payments means Series A Redemption Payments and/or Series B Redemption Payments, as applicable.
Preferred Units means a Partnership Security, designated as a Preferred Unit, which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to distributions over Common Units, including the Series A Preferred Units and the Series B Preferred Units.
Prior Agreement means the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership dated as of October 23, 2017.
Pro Rata means (a) when modifying Units (other than Preferred Units) or any class or series thereof, apportioned equally among all designated Units (other than Preferred Units) in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (b) when modifying Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests and (c) when modifying holders of Incentive Distribution Rights or Preferred Units (or a particular series thereof), apportioned equally among all holders of Incentive Distribution Rights or Preferred Units (or such series thereof) in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Incentive Distribution Rights or Preferred Units (or such series thereof), as applicable, held by each such holder.
Purchase Date means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of a certain class or series (other than Limited Partner Interests owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV.
Quarter means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter, or, with respect to the first fiscal quarter after the Closing Date, the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date, of the Partnership.
Record Date means the date established by the General Partner for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer.
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Record Holder means (a) the Person in whose name a Common Unit is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of the opening of business on a particular Business Day, (b) the Person in whose name a Preferred Unit is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of, unless otherwise set forth in Article XVI, the opening of business on a particular Business Day, or (c) with respect to other Partnership Securities, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Security is registered on the books that the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the opening of business on such Business Day.
Registrar means the Registrar of Corporations as defined in Section 4 of the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act.
Registration Statement means the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-120727) as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Offering.
Reuters Page LIBOR01 means the display so designated on the Reuters 3000 Xtra (or such other page as may succeed or replace the LIBOR01 page on that service).
Second Liquidation Target Amount has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.4(c)(ii)(C).
Second Target Distribution means $0.5375 per Common Unit per Quarter, subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 6.6 and 6.8.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.
Senior Securities has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.7(c).
Series A Distribution Payment Date means each January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, commencing January 15, 2017; provided, however, that if any Series A Distribution Payment Date would otherwise occur on a day that is not a Business Day, such Series A Distribution Payment Date shall instead be on the immediately succeeding Business Day.
Series A Distribution Period means (i) the period commencing on (and including) the Series A Original Issue Date and ending on (and including) December 31, 2016, and (ii) any subsequent three-month period commencing on (and including) any January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1 and ending on (and including) the last day in March, June, September and December, respectively.
Series A Distribution Rate means a rate equal to 9.00% per annum of the Stated Series A Liquidation Preference per Series A Preferred Unit.
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Series A Distribution Record Date has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.3(b).
Series A Distributions means distributions with respect to Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 16.3.
Series A Holder means a Record Holder of the Series A Preferred Units.
Series A Liquidation Preference means an amount for each Series A Preferred Unit initially equal to $25.00 per share, which amount shall be subject to increase by the per Series A Preferred Unit amount of any accumulated and unpaid distributions (whether or not such distributions shall have been declared).
Series A Original Issue Date means October 5, 2016.
Series A Payments means, collectively, Series A Distributions and Series A Redemption Payments.
Series A Preferred Unit means a Preferred Unit having the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties set forth in Article XVI.
Series A Redemption Date has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.6.
Series A Redemption Notice has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.6(c).
Series A Redemption Payments means payments to be made to the holders of Series A Preferred Units to redeem Series A Preferred Units in accordance with Section 16.6.
Series A Redemption Price has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.6(a).
Series B Distribution Payment Date means each January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, commencing January 15, 2018; provided, however, that if any Series B Distribution Payment Date during the Series B Fixed Rate Period would otherwise occur on a day that is not a Business Day, such Series B Distribution Payment Date shall instead be on the immediately succeeding Business Day.
Series B Distribution Period means (i) the period commencing on (and including) the Series B Original Issue Date and ending on (and including) December 31, 2017, and (ii) any subsequent three-month period commencing on (and including) any January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1 and ending on (and including) the last day in March, June, September and December, respectively.
Series B Distribution Rate means a rate equal to (a) during the Series B Fixed Rate Period, 8.50% per annum of the Series B Stated Liquidation Preference per Series B Preferred Unit and (b) during the Series B Floating Rate Period, a percentage per annum of the Series B Stated Liquidation Preference per Series B Preferred Unit equal to the sum of (i) Series B Three-Month LIBOR, as calculated on each applicable Series B LIBOR Determination Date, and (ii) 6.241%.
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Series B Distribution Record Date has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.3(b).
Series B Distributions means distributions with respect to Series B Preferred Units pursuant to Section 16.3.
Series B Fixed Rate Period means the period from and including the Series B Original Issue Date to, but not including, October 15, 2027.
Series B Floating Rate Period means the period from and including October 15, 2027 to, but not including, the date that all of the Series B Preferred Units are redeemed in full in accordance with Section 16.6 below.
Series B Holder means a Record Holder of the Series B Preferred Units.
Series B LIBOR Determination Date means the London Business Day immediately preceding the first date of the applicable Series B Distribution Period during the Series B Floating Rate Period (or for the period from and including October 15, 2027 and ending on and including December 31, 2027, the London Business Day immediately preceding October 15, 2027).
Series B Liquidation Preference means an amount for each Series B Preferred Unit initially equal to $25.00 per share, which amount shall be subject to increase by the per Series B Preferred Unit amount of any accumulated and unpaid distributions (whether or not such distributions shall have been declared).
Series B Original Issue Date means October 23, 2017.
Series B Payments means, collectively, Series B Distributions and Series B Redemption Payments.
Series B Preferred Unit means a Preferred Unit having the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties set forth in Article XVI.
Series B Redemption Date has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.6.
Series B Redemption Notice has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.6(c).
Series B Redemption Payments means payments to be made to the holders of Series B Preferred Units to redeem Series B Preferred Units in accordance with Section 16.6.
Series B Redemption Price has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.6(a).
Series B Three-Month LIBOR means, in respect of each Series B Distribution Period during the Series B Floating Rate Period (or, for the period from and including October 15, 2027 and ending on and including December 31, 2027), the following rate determined by the Calculation Agent, as of the applicable Series B LIBOR Determination Date in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) the rate (expressed as a percentage per year) for deposits in U.S. dollars for a three-month period commencing on the first day of such period that appears on Reuters Page LIBOR01 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the applicable Series B LIBOR Determination Date; or
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(b) If the Calculation Agent determines that three-month LIBOR (as contemplated by the immediately preceding clause (a)) has been discontinued, then it will determine whether to use a substitute or successor base rate that it has determined in its sole discretion is most comparable to three-month LIBOR, provided that if the Calculation Agent determines there is an industry accepted successor base rate, the Calculation Agent shall use such successor base rate. If the Calculation Agent has determined a substitute or successor base rate in accordance with the foregoing, the Calculation Agent in its sole discretion may also implement changes to the business day convention, the definition of business day, the Series B LIBOR Determination Date and any method for obtaining the substitute or successor base rate if such rate is unavailable on the relevant business day, in a manner that is consistent with industry accepted practices for such substitute or successor base rate. Unless the Calculation Agent determines to use a substitute or successor base rate as so provided, the following will apply: if the rate described in the immediately preceding clause (a) is not so published, the Calculation Agent shall select four major banks in the London interbank market and request that the principal London offices of those four selected banks provide their offered quotations for deposits in U.S. dollars for a period of three months, commencing on the first day of the applicable period, to prime banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the Series B LIBOR Determination Date for such period. Offered quotations must be based on a principal amount equal to an amount that, in the Calculation Agents judgment, is representative of a single transaction in U.S. dollars in the London interbank market at the time. If two or more quotations are provided, Series B Three-Month LIBOR for such period will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, Series B Three-Month LIBOR for such period will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted on the Series B LIBOR Determination Date for such period by three major banks in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent, for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a three-month period commencing on the first day of such period. The rates quoted must be based on an amount that, in the Calculation Agents judgment, is representative of a single transaction in U.S. dollars in that market at the time. If fewer than three New York City banks selected by the Calculation Agent are quoting rates in the manner described above, Series B Three-Month LIBOR for the applicable period will be the same as for the immediately preceding period or, if the immediately preceding period was within the Series B Fixed Rate Period, the same as for the most recent quarter for which Series B Three-Month LIBOR can be determined.
All percentages resulting from any of the calculations described in the immediately preceding clauses (a) and (b) will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point (with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards) and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upwards).
Special Approval means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.
Stated Preferred Unit Liquidation Preference means the Stated Series A Liquidation Preference or the Stated Series B Liquidation Preference, as applicable.
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Stated Series A Liquidation Preference means an amount equal to $25.00 per Series A Preferred Unit.
Stated Series B Liquidation Preference means an amount equal to $25.00 per Series B Preferred Unit.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries (as defined, but excluding subsection (d) of the definition) of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary (as defined, but excluding subsection (d) of the definition) of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of the partnership as a single class) is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries (as defined, but excluding subsection (d) of the definition) of such Person, or a combination thereof, or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person, or (d) any other Person in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries (as defined, but excluding subsection (d) of the definition) of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) less than a majority ownership interest or (ii) less than the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person, provided that (A) such Person, one or more Subsidiaries (as defined, but excluding subsection (d) of the definition) of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of the determination, has at least a 20% ownership interest in such other Person, (B) such Person accounts for such other Person (under U.S. GAAP, as in effect on the later of the date of investment in such other Person or material expansion of the operations of such other Person) on a consolidated or equity accounting basis, (C) such Person has directly or indirectly material negative control rights regarding such other Person including over such other Persons ability to materially expand its operations beyond that contemplated at the date of investment in such other Person, and (D) such other Person is (i) formed and maintained for the sole purpose of owning or leasing, operating and chartering no more than 10 vessels for a period of no more than 40 years, and (ii) obligated under its constituent documents, or as a result of a unanimous agreement of its owners, to distribute to its owners all of its income on at least an annual basis (less any cash reserves that are approved by such Person).
Surviving Business Entity has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.2(b).
Tax Election has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.2(a).
Tax Matters Partner has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.3.
Third Target Distribution means $0.65 per Common Unit per Quarter, subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 6.6 and 6.8.
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Trading Day has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).
Transfer has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.4(a).
Transfer Agent means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as shall be appointed from time to time by the Partnership to act as registrar and transfer agent for the Common Units and the Preferred Units; provided, that if no transfer agent is specifically designated for any other Partnership Securities, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.
Underwriter means each Person named as an underwriter in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.
Underwriting Agreement means the Underwriting Agreement dated May 4, 2005 among the Underwriters, the Partnership, the General Partner, the Operating Company, and Teekay Corporation, providing for the purchase of Common Units by such Underwriters.
Unit means a Partnership Security that is designated as a Unit and shall include Common Units and Preferred Units, but shall not include (i) a General Partner Interest or (ii) Incentive Distribution Rights.
Unitholders means the holders of Units.
Unit Majority means a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, voting as a class.
Unpaid MQD has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.4(c)(ii)(A).
Unrecovered Capital means at any time, with respect to a Common Unit, the Initial Unit Price less the sum of all distributions constituting Capital Surplus theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit and any distributions of cash (or the Net Agreed Value of any distributions in kind) in connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit, adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of such Units.
U.S. GAAP means United States generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
Working Capital Borrowings means borrowings used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to Partners made pursuant to a credit facility or other arrangement to the extent such borrowings are required to be reduced to a relatively small amount each year (or for the year in which the Initial Offering is consummated, the 12-month period beginning on the Closing Date) for an economically meaningful period of time.
Section 1.2 Construction.
Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; and (c) the term include or includes means includes, without limitation, and including means including, without limitation.
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ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
Section 2.1 Formation.
The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner have previously formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Marshall Islands Act and hereby amend and restate the Prior Agreement in its entirety. This amendment and restatement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties (including fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Marshall Islands Act. All Partnership Interests shall constitute personal property of the owner thereof for all purposes and a Partner has no interest in specific Partnership property.
Section 2.2 Name.
The name of the Partnership shall be Teekay LNG Partners L.P. The Partnerships business may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words Limited Partnership or the letters L.P. or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnerships name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.
Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices
Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the Marshall Islands shall be located at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Island, Ajeltake Road, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the Marshall Islands at such registered office shall be The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the Marshall Islands as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. The address of the General Partner shall be 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.
Section 2.4 Purpose and Business.
The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized
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pursuant to the Marshall Islands Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member. The General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve, and may decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in declining to so propose or approve, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Marshall Islands Act or any other law, rule or regulation.
Section 2.5 Powers.
The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary and appropriate for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.
Section 2.6 Power of Attorney.
(a) Each Limited Partner hereby constitutes and appoints the General Partner and, if a Liquidator shall have been selected pursuant to Section 12.3, the Liquidator (and any successor to the Liquidator by merger, transfer, assignment, election or otherwise) and each of their authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact, as the case may be, with full power of substitution, as his true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his name, place and stead, to:
(i) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (A) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments or restatements hereof or thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the Marshall Islands and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property; (B) all certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect, in accordance with its terms, any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement; (C) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including conveyances and a certificate of cancellation) that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (D) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to, or other events described in, Articles IV, X, XI or XII; (E) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges of any class or series of Partnership Securities issued pursuant to Section 5.6; and (F) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including agreements and a certificate of merger) relating to a merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to Article XIV; and
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(ii) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to (A) make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action that is made or given by the Partners hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement or (B) effectuate the terms or intent of this Agreement; provided, that when required by Section 13.3 or any other provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of any class or series required to take any action, the General Partner and the Liquidator may exercise the power of attorney made in this Section 2.6(a)(ii) only after the necessary vote, consent or approval of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of such class or series, as applicable.
Nothing contained in this Section 2.6(a) shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article XIII or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.
(b) The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power coupled with an interest, and it shall survive and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, not be affected by the subsequent death, incompetency, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy or termination of any Limited Partner and the transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partners Partnership Interest and shall extend to such Limited Partners heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner or the Liquidator acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Limited Partner, to the maximum extent permitted by law, hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken in good faith under such power of attorney. Each Limited Partner shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within 15 days after receipt of the request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.
Section 2.7 Term.
The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Marshall Islands Act and shall continue in existence until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII. The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Marshall Islands Act.
Section 2.8 Title to Partnership Assets.
Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any
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Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, further, that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to the General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership assets is held.
ARTICLE III
RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
Section 3.1 Limitation of Liability.
The Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Marshall Islands Act.
Section 3.2 Management of Business.
No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Marshall Islands Act) of the Partnerships business, transact any business in the Partnerships name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. Any action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall not be deemed to be participation in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 30 of the Marshall Islands Act) and shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners under this Agreement.
Section 3.3 Outside Activities of the Limited Partners.
Subject to the provisions of Section 7.5 and the Omnibus Agreement, which shall continue to be applicable to the Persons referred to therein, regardless of whether such Persons shall also be Limited Partners, any Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner.
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Section 3.4 Rights of Limited Partners.
(a) In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by applicable law, and except as limited by Section 3.4(b), each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partners interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand and at such Limited Partners own expense:
(i) for taxable years ending on or prior to date immediately prior to the Effective Date, promptly after becoming available, to obtain a copy of the Partnerships foreign, federal, state and local income tax returns for each year;
(ii) to have furnished to him a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner;
(iii) to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of the Net Agreed Value of any other Capital Contribution by each Partner and which each Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Partner;
(iv) to have furnished to him a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto, together with a copy of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed;
(v) to obtain true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Partnership Group; and
(vi) to obtain such other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as is just and reasonable.
(b) The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section 3.4).
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ARTICLE IV
CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS;
REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
Section 4.1 Certificates.
Upon the Partnerships issuance of Common Units or Preferred Units to any Person and subject to Section 16.2(b) with respect to any series of Preferred Units described therein, the Partnership shall issue, upon the request of such Person, one or more Certificates in the name of such Person evidencing the number of such Units being so issued. In addition, (a) upon the General Partners request, the Partnership shall issue to it one or more Certificates in the name of the General Partner evidencing its interests in the Partnership and (b) upon the request of any Person owning Incentive Distribution Rights or any other Partnership Securities other than Common Units or Preferred Units, the Partnership shall issue to such Person one or more certificates evidencing such Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Securities other than Common Units or Preferred Units. Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chairman of the Board, President or any Executive Vice President or Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the General Partner. No Common Unit Certificate or Preferred Unit Certificate shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent; provided, however, that if the General Partner elects to issue Common Units or Preferred Units in global form, the Common Unit Certificates or the Preferred Unit Certificates shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Common Units or Preferred Units have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership.
Section 4.2 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
(a) If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Securities as the Certificate so surrendered.
(b) The appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign, a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued if the Record Holder of the Certificate:
(i) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;
(ii) requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the General Partner has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;
(iii) if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct to indemnify the Partnership, the Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and
(iv) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner.
If a Limited Partner fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable period of time after he has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, the Limited Partner shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.
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(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.2, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.
Section 4.3 Record Holders.
The Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person, regardless of whether the Partnership shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons on the other, such representative shall be the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest.
Section 4.4 Transfer Generally.
(a) The term transfer, when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns its General Partner Interest to another Person or by which a holder of Incentive Distribution Rights assigns its Incentive Distribution Rights to another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest (other than an Incentive Distribution Right) assigns such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, including any transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.
(b) No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be null and void.
(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a disposition by any stockholder, member, partner or other owner of the General Partner of any or all of the shares of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests in the General Partner.
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Section 4.5 Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests.
(a) The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the Partnership will provide for the registration and transfer of Limited Partner Interests. The Transfer Agent is hereby appointed registrar and transfer agent for the purpose of registering Common Units and Preferred Units and transfers of such Common Units and Preferred Units as herein provided. The Partnership shall not recognize transfers of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests unless such transfers are effected in the manner described in this Section 4.5. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Common Units, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holders instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered.
(b) The General Partner shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer. No charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided, that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.5, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto.
(c) The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer their Common Units or Preferred Units to one or more Persons.
Section 4.6 Transfer of the General Partners General Partner Interest.
(a) [Reserved].
(b) Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, the General Partner may transfer all or any of its General Partner Interest without Unitholder approval.
(c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner or of any limited partner or member of any other Group Member and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest of the General Partner as the general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.6, the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 10.3, be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.
Section 4.7 Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.
The General Partner or any other holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may transfer any or all of its Incentive Distribution Rights without Unitholder approval. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights to another Person shall be permitted unless the transferee agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement.
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Section 4.8 Restrictions on Transfers.
(a) Except as provided in Section 4.8(c) below, but notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws, laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, or (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership or any Group Member under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation.
(b) The General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement; provided, however, that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.
(c) Nothing contained in this Article IV, or elsewhere in this Agreement, shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed for trading.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
Section 5.1 Organizational Contributions.
(a) In connection with the formation of the Partnership under the Marshall Islands Act, the General Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $20.00, for a 2% General Partner Interest in the Partnership and was admitted as the General Partner of the Partnership, and the Organizational Limited Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $980 for a 98% Limited Partner Interest in the Partnership and was admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership. Ninety-eight percent of any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial Capital Contributions shall be allocated and distributed to the Organizational Limited Partner, and the balance thereof shall be allocated and distributed to the General Partner.
(b) Prior to the Closing Date (i) the General Partner contributed all of its ownership interest in the Operating Company to the Partnership in exchange for (A) a continuation of its 2% General Partner Interest and (B) the Incentive Distribution Rights and (ii) Teekay Corporation contributed all of its ownership interest in the Operating Company, in exchange for a continuation of its 98% limited partner interest and a promissory note.
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Section 5.2 Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, Teekay Corporations 98% initial limited partner interest was converted into (A) 8,734,572 Common Units and (B) 14,734,572 Subordinated Units (as defined in the Original Agreement).
(b) Upon the issuance of any additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership (other than the issuance of the Common Units issued in the Initial Offering, the issuance of the Common Units issued pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option and the issuance of the Preferred Units), the General Partner shall be required to make additional Capital Contributions equal to (i) 2/98ths of any amount contributed to the Partnership by the Limited Partners in exchange for the additional Limited Partner Interests issued to such Limited Partners less (ii) 2/98ths of any amount so contributed by such Limited Partners that is used by the Partnership concurrently with such contribution to redeem or repurchase from any Person outstanding Limited Partner Interests of the same class as the Limited Partner Interests issued to such Limited Partners at a price per Limited Partner Interest equal to the net proceeds per Limited Partner Interest, before expenses, that the Partnership receives from such issuances. Except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence and Article XII, the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership. The General Partners Percentage Interest shall not change as a result of the issuance of any Preferred Units.
Section 5.3 Contributions by Initial Limited Partners and Distributions to the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each Underwriter contributed to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit, multiplied by the number of Common Units specified in the Underwriting Agreement to be purchased by such Underwriter at the Closing Date. In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership issued Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such Capital Contribution was made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contribution to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit.
(b) Upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, each Underwriter contributed to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit, multiplied by the number of Common Units to be purchased by such Underwriter at the Option Closing Date. In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership issued Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such Capital Contribution was made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contributions to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit.
(c) No Limited Partner Interests were issued or issuable as of or at the Closing Date other than (i) the Common Units issued pursuant to subparagraph (a) hereof in aggregate number equal to 6,000,000, (ii) the Option Units as such term is used in the Underwriting Agreement in an aggregate number up to 900,000 issued upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option pursuant to subparagraph (c) hereof, (iii) the 14,734,572 Subordinated Units (as defined in the Original Agreement) issued pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, (iv) the 8,734,572 Common Units issued pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, (v) the Incentive Distribution Rights and (vi) 1,000,000 Common Units issuable pursuant to the Partnerships 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
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Section 5.4 Interest and Withdrawal.
No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions. No Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership may be considered and permitted as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have priority over any other Partner either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions.
Section 5.5 [Reserved].
Section 5.6 Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities.
(a) Subject to any approvals required by Preferred Unit Holders pursuant to Section 16.5(c)(ii), the Partnership may issue additional Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the Partnership Securities for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.
(b) Each additional Partnership Security authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Securities), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may redeem the Partnership Security; (v) whether such Partnership Security is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Security will be issued, evidenced by certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Security; and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Security to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Security.
(c) The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 5.6, (ii) the conversion of the General Partner Interest or any Incentive Distribution Rights into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) the admission of additional Limited Partners and (iv) all additional issuances of Partnership Securities. The General Partner shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Securities being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Marshall Islands Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Securities or in connection with the
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conversion of the General Partner Interest or any Incentive Distribution Rights into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Securities are listed.
Section 5.7 Limitations on Issuance of Additional Partnership Securities.
The Partnership may issue an unlimited number of Partnership Securities (or options, warrants or appreciation rights related thereto) pursuant to Section 5.6 without the approval of the Limited Partners; provided, however, that no fractional units shall be issued by the Partnership.
Section 5.8 Limited Preemptive Right.
Except as provided in this Section 5.8 and in Section 5.2(b), no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Security, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created. The General Partner shall have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates, to purchase Partnership Securities from the Partnership whenever, and on the same terms that, the Partnership issues Partnership Securities to Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and its Affiliates equal to that which existed immediately prior to the issuance of such Partnership Securities; provided, however, that the amount of any series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership from time to time that the General Partner shall have a right to purchase pursuant to this Section 5.8 shall equal the product of (a) the aggregate Percentage Interest of the General Partner and its Affiliates multiplied by (b) the number of such series of Preferred Units so issued.
Section 5.9 Splits and Combinations.
(a) Subject to Sections 5.9(d), 6.6 and 6.8 (dealing with adjustments of distribution levels), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Securities (other than Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units) to all Record Holders of the same class or series of Partnership Securities or may effect a subdivision or combination of the same class or series of Partnership Securities so long as, after any such event, each Partner holding such class or series of such Partnership Securities shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis (including those based on the applicable Stated Preferred Unit Liquidation Preference) or stated as a number of Units are proportionately adjusted.
(b) Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice. The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Partnership Securities to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.
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(c) Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates to the Record Holders of Partnership Securities as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Securities held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Securities Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new Certificate, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.
(d) The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions of this Section 5.9(d), each fractional Unit, as applicable, shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (and a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher Unit).
Section 5.10 Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests.
All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Act.
ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 6.1 Allocations.
The profits and losses of the Partnership shall be allocated among the Partners by the General Partner in such manner as the General Partner determines in good faith most accurately reflects the rights of the Partners as set forth elsewhere in this Agreement.
Section 6.2 [Reserved].
Section 6.3 Distributions to Record Holders.
(a) Subject to Section 16.3, within 45 days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending on June 30, 2005, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall, subject to Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Act, be distributed in accordance with this Article VI by the Partnership to the Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner. All amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on any date from any source shall be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of Available Cash theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter. Any remaining amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, be deemed to be Capital Surplus. All distributions required to be made under this Agreement shall be made subject to Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Act. This Section 6.3(a) shall not apply to Preferred Units.
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(b) Notwithstanding Section 6.3(a), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all receipts received during or after the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs, other than from borrowings described in (a)(ii) of the definition of Available Cash, shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.
(c) The General Partner may treat taxes required or elected to be withheld with respect to, all or less than all of the Partners, as a distribution of Available Cash to such Partners.
(d) Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through the Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnerships liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.
Section 6.4 Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus.
Available Cash with respect to any Quarter that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Sections 6.3 or 6.5 shall, subject to Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Act, be distributed as follows (subject to Section 16.3 in respect of any series of Preferred Units described therein and except as otherwise required by Section 5.6(b) in respect of other Partnership Securities issued pursuant thereto):
(a) First, 98% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(b) Second, 98% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(c) Third, 85% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;
(d) Fourth, 75% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and
(e) Thereafter, 50% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner;
provided, however, if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6, the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(e). No distributions shall be made with respect to Preferred Units pursuant to this Section 6.4.
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Section 6.5 Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus.
Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3(a) shall, subject to Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Act and Section 16.3 in respect of any series of Preferred Units described therein, be distributed, unless the provisions of Section 6.3 require otherwise, 98% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until a hypothetical holder of a Common Unit acquired on the Closing Date has received with respect to such Common Unit, during the period since the Closing Date through such date, distributions of Available Cash that are deemed to be Capital Surplus in an aggregate amount equal to the Initial Unit Price. Thereafter, all Available Cash shall be distributed as if it were Operating Surplus and shall be distributed in accordance with Section 6.4.
Section 6.6 Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels.
The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of any distribution, combination or subdivision (whether effected by a distribution payable in Units or otherwise) of Units or other Partnership Securities in accordance with Section 5.9. In the event of a distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall be adjusted proportionately downward to equal the product obtained by multiplying the otherwise applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, as the case may be, by a fraction of which the numerator is the Unrecovered Capital of the Common Units immediately after giving effect to such distribution and of which the denominator is the Unrecovered Capital of the Common Units immediately prior to giving effect to such distribution.
Section 6.7 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights (a) shall possess the rights and obligations provided in this Agreement with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to Articles III and VII and (b) shall not (i) be entitled to vote on any matters requiring the approval or vote of the holders of Outstanding Units, (ii) be entitled to any distributions other than as provided in Section 6.4(c), (d) and (e) , and 12.4 or (iii) be allocated items of income, gain, loss or deduction other than as specified in this Article VI.
(b) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall also be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6.8.
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Section 6.8 Entity-Level Taxation.
The General Partner shall estimate for each Quarter the Partnership Groups aggregate liability (the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount) for all such income taxes that are payable by the Partnership; provided that any difference between such estimate and the actual tax liability for such Quarter that is owed by the Partnership shall be taken into account in determining the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount with respect to each Quarter in which any such difference can be determined. For each such Quarter, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall be the product obtained by multiplying (a) the amounts therefor that are set out herein prior to the application of this Section 6.8 times (b) the quotient obtained by dividing (i) Available Cash with respect to such Quarter by (ii) the sum of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter and the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for such Quarter, as determined by the General Partner. For purposes of the foregoing, Available Cash with respect to a Quarter will be deemed reduced by the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for that Quarter.
ARTICLE VII
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
Section 7.1 Management.
(a) The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.3, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:
(i) 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 Partnership Securities (subject to Section 16.5 with respect to any Senior Securities), and the incurring of any other obligations;
(ii) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;
(iii) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.3 and Article XIV);
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(iv) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership Group; subject to Section 7.6(a), the lending of funds to other Persons (including other Group Members); the repayment or guarantee of obligations of the Partnership Group; and the making of capital contributions to any member of the Partnership Group;
(v) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);
(vi) the distribution of Partnership cash;
(vii) the selection and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer) and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;
(viii) the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group, the Partners and Indemnitees;
(ix) 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 (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, any Group Member from time to time) subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.4;
(x) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, 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;
(xi) the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;
(xii) the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any prior approval that may be required under Section 4.8);
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(xiii) the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Securities (subject to Section 16.6(g)), or the issuance of options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities;
(xiv) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnerships participation in any Group Member; and
(xv) the entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates to render services to a Group Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner of the Partnership.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, the Marshall Islands Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each of the Partners and each other Person who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement, the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, any Group Member Agreement of any other Group Member and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement; (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own or through any officer of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or the other Persons who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XV) shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity.
Section 7.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership.
The General Partner caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Registrar of Corporations of the Marshall Islands as required by the Marshall Islands Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the Marshall Islands or any other jurisdiction in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the Marshall Islands or of any other jurisdiction in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner.
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Section 7.3 Restrictions on the General Partners Authority.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the General Partner may not, without written approval of the specific act by holders of all of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests or by other written instrument executed and delivered by holders of all of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests subsequent to the date of this Agreement, take any action in contravention of this Agreement, including, (i) committing any act that would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of the Partnership; (ii) possessing Partnership property, or assigning any rights in specific Partnership property, for other than a Partnership purpose; (iii) admitting a Person as a Partner; (iv) amending this Agreement in any manner; or (v) transferring its interest as a general partner of the Partnership.
(b) Except as provided in Articles XII and XIV, the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of merger, consolidation, other combination or sale of ownership interests of the Partnerships Subsidiaries) without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partners ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance. Without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority, the General Partner shall not, on behalf of the Partnership, (i) consent to any amendment to the Operating Company Agreement or, except as expressly permitted by Section 7.9(e), take any action permitted to be taken by a member of the Operating Company, in either case, that would adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to any other class of Partnership Interests) in any material respect or (ii) except as permitted under Sections 4.6, 11.1 and 11.2, elect or cause the Partnership to elect a successor general partner of the Partnership.
Section 7.4 Reimbursement of the General Partner.
(a) Except as provided in this Section 7.4 and elsewhere in this Agreement, the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as a general partner or managing member of any Group Member.
(b) The General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person including Affiliates of the General Partner to perform services for the Partnership or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership), and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnerships business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7.
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(c) The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership employee benefit plans, employee programs and employee practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Securities or options to purchase or rights, warrants or appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Securities in connection with, or pursuant to, any employee benefit plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in each case for the benefit of employees of the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate, or any of them, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Securities that the General Partner or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any employees pursuant to any such employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Securities purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates from the Partnership to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.4(b). Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partners General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6.
Section 7.5 Outside Activities.
(a) After the Closing Date, the General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as a general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the Partnership and any other partnership or limited liability company of which the Partnership or the Operating Company is, directly or indirectly, a partner or member and to undertake activities that are ancillary or related thereto (including being a limited partner in the Partnership), (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner or managing member, if any, of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt or equity securities in any Group Member and (iii) except to the extent permitted in the Omnibus Agreement, shall not, and shall cause its controlled Affiliates not to, engage in any Offshore Restricted Business or Crude Oil Restricted Business (as such terms are defined in the Omnibus Agreement).
(b) Teekay Corporation and certain of its Affiliates have entered into the Omnibus Agreement, which agreement sets forth certain restrictions on the ability of Teekay Corporation and its Affiliates to engage in any LNG Restricted Businesses (as such term is defined in the Omnibus Agreement).
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(c) Except as specifically restricted by Section 7.5(a) or the Omnibus Agreement, each Indemnitee (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty expressed or implied by law to any Group Member or any Partner. None of any Group Member, any Limited Partner or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, or the partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any Indemnitee.
(d) Subject to the terms of Section 7.5(a), Section 7.5(b), Section 7.5(c) and the Omnibus Agreement, but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.5 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any fiduciary duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of the General Partner or of any Indemnitee for the Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership and (iii) except as set forth in the Omnibus Agreement, the General Partner and the Indemnitees shall have no obligation hereunder or as a result of any duty expressed or implied by law to present business opportunities to the Partnership.
(e) The General Partner and each of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Securities in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise, at their option, all rights relating to all Units or other Partnership Securities acquired by them.
(f) The term Affiliates when used in Section 7.5(a) and Section 7.5(e) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any provision of this Agreement purports or is interpreted to have the effect of restricting the fiduciary duties that might otherwise, as a result of Marshall Islands law or other applicable law, be owed by the General Partner to the Partnership and its Limited Partners, or to constitute a waiver or consent by the Limited Partners to any such restriction, such provisions shall be inapplicable and have no effect in determining whether the General Partner has complied with its fiduciary duties in connection with determinations made by it under this Section 7.5.
Section 7.6 Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members.
(a) The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may lend to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, funds needed or desired by the Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided, however, that in any such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party
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or impose terms less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed on the borrowing party by unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an arms-length basis (without reference to the lending partys financial abilities or guarantees), all as determined by the General Partner. The borrowing party shall reimburse the lending party for any costs (other than any additional interest costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing of such funds. For purposes of this Section 7.6(a) and Section 7.6(b), the term Group Member shall include any Affiliate of a Group Member that is controlled by the Group Member.
(b) The Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the Partnership, funds on terms and conditions determined by the General Partner. No Group Member may lend funds to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (other than another Group Member).
(c) No borrowing by any Group Member or the approval thereof by the General Partner shall be deemed to constitute a breach of any duty, expressed or implied, of the General Partner or its Affiliates to the Partnership or the Limited Partners by reason of the fact that the purpose or effect of such borrowing is directly or indirectly to enable distributions to the General Partner or its Affiliates (including in their capacities as Limited Partners) to exceed the General Partners Percentage Interest of the total amount distributed to all partners.
Section 7.7 Indemnification.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee; provided, that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitees conduct was unlawful; provided, further, no indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be available to the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than a Group Member) with respect to its or their obligations incurred pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement or the Contribution Agreement (other than obligations incurred by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership). Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.
(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to a determination that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 7.7.
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(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitees capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity (including any capacity under the Underwriting Agreement), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.
(d) The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its Affiliates and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Partnerships activities or such Persons activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.
(e) For purposes of this Section 7.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute fines within the meaning of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.
(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
(h) The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.
(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
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Section 7.8 Liability of Indemnitees.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners or any other Persons who have acquired interests in the Partnership Securities, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitees conduct was criminal.
(b) Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 7.1(a), the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.
(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to the Partners, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnerships business or affairs shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any Partner for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.
(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
Section 7.9 Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties.
(a) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member or any Partner, on the other, any resolution or course of action by the General Partner or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i) approved by Special Approval, (ii) approved by the vote of a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), (iii) on terms no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iv) fair and
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reasonable to the Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership). The General Partner shall be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval of such resolution, and the General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval. If Special Approval is not sought and the Board of Directors of the General Partner determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Board of Directors of the General Partner acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by any Limited Partner or by or on behalf of such Limited Partner or any other Limited Partner or the Partnership challenging such approval, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming such presumption. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners.
(b) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless another express standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Marshall Islands Act or any other law, rule or regulation. In order for a determination or other action to be in good faith for purposes of this Agreement, the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action must reasonably believe that the determination or other action is in the best interests of the Partnership, unless the context otherwise requires.
(c) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, are entitled to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner, and the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Marshall Islands Act or any other law, rule or regulation. By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrase, at the option of the General Partner, or some variation of that phrase, is used in this Agreement, it indicates that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity.
(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its Affiliates shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose of any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall be at its option.
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(e) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall have any duties or liabilities, including fiduciary duties, to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and the provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or otherwise modify the duties and liabilities, including fiduciary duties, of the General Partner or any other Indemnitee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Partners to replace such other duties and liabilities of the General Partner or such other Indemnitee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, but subject to Section 7.9(c) and without reference to the definition of good faith in Section 7.9(b), neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall owe any fiduciary duties to Preferred Unit Holders other than a contractual duty of good faith and fair dealing.
(f) The Unitholders hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner or member of a Group Member, to approve of actions by the general partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.9.
Section 7.10 Other Matters Concerning the General Partner.
(a) The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
(b) The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Persons professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(c) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of the Partnership.
Section 7.11 Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities.
Subject to Section 16.6(g), the General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Securities. As long as Partnership Securities are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Securities shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Securities for its own account, subject to the provisions of Articles IV and X and Section 16.6(g).
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Section 7.12 Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) If (i) the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner (including for purposes of this Section 7.12, any Person that is an Affiliate of the General Partner at the date hereof notwithstanding that it may later cease to be an Affiliate of the General Partner) or any of their assignees holds Partnership Securities that it desires to sell and (ii) Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available to enable such holder of Partnership Securities (the Holder) to dispose of the number of Partnership Securities it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then at the option and upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use all reasonable efforts to cause to become effective and remain effective for a period of not less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate when all Partnership Securities covered by such registration statement have been sold, a registration statement under the Securities Act registering the offering and sale of the number of Partnership Securities specified by the Holder; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to this Section 7.12(a); and provided further, however, that if the Conflicts Committee determines that a postponement of the requested registration for up to six months would be in the best interests of the Partnership and its Partners due to a pending transaction, investigation or other event, the filing of such registration statement or the effectiveness thereof may be deferred for up to six months, but not thereafter. In connection with any registration pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file (A) such documents as may be necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such registration under the securities laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided, however, that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of such registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list the Partnership Securities subject to such registration on such National Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request, and (ii) do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or appropriate to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership Securities in such states. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
(b) If the Partnership shall at any time propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act for an offering of equity securities of the Partnership for cash (other than an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan), the Partnership shall use all reasonable efforts to include such number or amount of securities held by the Holder in such registration statement as the Holder shall request; provided, that the Partnership is not required to make any effort or take any action to so include the securities of the Holder once the registration statement is declared effective by the Commission, including any registration statement providing for the offering from time to time of securities pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act. If the proposed offering pursuant to this Section 7.12(b) shall be an underwritten offering, then, in the event that the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of such offering advise the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in their opinion the inclusion of all or some of the Holders Partnership Securities would adversely and materially affect the success of the offering, the Partnership shall
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include in such offering only that number or amount, if any, of securities held by the Holder that, in the opinion of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, will not so adversely and materially affect the offering. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
(c) If underwriters are engaged in connection with any registration referred to in this Section 7.12, the Partnership shall provide indemnification, representations, covenants, opinions and other assurance to the underwriters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such underwriters. Further, in addition to and not in limitation of the Partnerships obligation under Section 7.7, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, Indemnified Persons) against any losses, claims, demands, actions, causes of action, assessments, damages, liabilities (joint or several), costs and expenses (including interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements), resulting to, imposed upon, or incurred by the Indemnified Persons, directly or indirectly, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to in this Section 7.12(c) as a claim and in the plural as claims) based upon, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which any Partnership Securities were registered under the Securities Act or any state securities or Blue Sky laws, in any preliminary prospectus (if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement), or in any summary or final prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during the period the Partnership is required to keep the registration statement current), or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, such preliminary, summary or final prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
(d) The provisions of Section 7.12(a) and Section 7.12(b) shall continue to be applicable with respect to the General Partner (and any of the General Partners Affiliates and any of the General Partners or its Affiliates assignees) after it ceases to be a Partner of the Partnership, during a period of two years subsequent to the effective date of such cessation and for so long thereafter as is required for the Holder to sell all of the Partnership Securities with respect to which it has requested during such two-year period inclusion in a registration statement otherwise filed or that a registration statement be filed; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to file successive registration statements covering the same Partnership Securities for which registration was demanded during such two-year period. The provisions of Section 7.12(c) shall continue in effect thereafter.
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(e) Any request to register Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall (i) specify the Partnership Securities intended to be offered and sold by the Person making the request, (ii) express such Persons present intent to offer such Partnership Securities for distribution, (iii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Partnership Securities, and (iv) contain the undertaking of such Person to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements in connection with the registration of such Partnership Securities.
Section 7.13 Reliance by Third Parties.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnerships sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.
ARTICLE VIII
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
Section 8.1 Records and Accounting.
The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnerships business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.4(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders of Units or other Partnership Securities, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided, that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
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Section 8.2 Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December 31.
Section 8.3 Reports.
(a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner.
(b) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each Quarter except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available to each Record Holder of a Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
ARTICLE IX
TAX MATTERS
Section 9.1 Tax Returns and Information.
The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for foreign, federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and a taxable year ending on December 31. The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal and state income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable year shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnerships taxable year ends.
Section 9.2 Tax Elections.
The General Partner is authorized to make the election on Form 8832 for the Partnership to be classified as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-3(c) effective on the Effective Date, and such election has been made (the Tax Election).
Section 9.3 Tax Controversies.
Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the tax matters partner as defined in Section 6231 the Code as in effect prior to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 for taxable years of the Partnership beginning before January 1, 2018 (the Tax Matters Partner). For taxable years of the Partnership beginning after December 31, 2017, and ending on or prior to date immediately prior to the Effective Date, the General Partner shall, in its sole discretion, designate a partnership representative as defined in Section 6223 of the Code (the
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Partnership Representative). The Tax Matters Partner and the Partnership Representative shall exercise any and all authority of a tax matters partner or a partnership representative, respectively, under the Code, including to represent the Partnership (at the Partnerships expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnerships affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, to bind the Partnership and its Partners with respect to any applicable tax matters, to make any available elections and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the Tax Matters Partner and the Partnership Representative and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the Tax Matters Partner and the Partnership Representative to conduct such proceedings.
Section 9.4 Withholding.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner (including, without limitation, by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section 6.3 in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.
Section 9.5 Conduct of Operations.
The General Partner shall use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct the business of the Partnership and its Affiliates in a manner that does not require a holder of Common Units or Preferred Units to file a tax return in any jurisdiction with which the holder has no contact other than through ownership of Common Units or Preferred Units. For greater certainty, the General Partner shall conduct the affairs and governance of the Partnership so that the General Partner and the Partnership are not residents of Canada for purposes of Canadas tax legislation and neither the General Partner nor the Partnership is carrying on business in Canada for purposes of such legislation.
ARTICLE X
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS
Section 10.1 Admission of Initial Limited Partners.
Upon the issuance by the Partnership of Partnership Securities to the General Partner, Teekay Corporation and the Underwriters as described in Sections 5.2 and 5.3 in connection with the Initial Offering, the General Partner admitted such parties to the Partnership as Initial Limited Partners in respect of the Partnership Securities issued to them.
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Section 10.2 Admission of Additional Limited Partners.
(a) By acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance with Article IV or the acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to Article V or pursuant to a merger or consolidation pursuant to Article XIV, each transferee of, or other such Person acquiring, a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or issued to such Person when any such transfer, issuance or admission is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership and such Limited Partner becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred, (ii) shall become bound by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, (iv) grants the powers of attorney set forth in this Agreement and (v) makes the consents and waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Person. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement. A Person may become a Limited Partner or Record Holder of a Limited Partner Interest without the consent or approval of any of the Partners. A Person may not become a Limited Partner until such Person acquires a Limited Partner Interest and such Person is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest.
(b) The name and mailing address of each Limited Partner shall be listed on the books and records of the Partnership maintained for such purpose by the Partnership or the Transfer Agent. The General Partner shall update the books and records of the Partnership from time to time as necessary to reflect accurately the information therein (or shall cause the Transfer Agent to do so, as applicable). A Limited Partner Interest may be represented by a Certificate, as provided in Section 4.1 hereof.
(c) Any transfer of a Limited Partner Interest shall not entitle the transferee to receive distributions or to any other rights to which the transferor was entitled until the transferee becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.1(a).
Section 10.3 Admission of Successor General Partner.
A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner, pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transfer of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6, provided, however, that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.
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Section 10.4 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership.
To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary or appropriate under the Marshall Islands Act to amend the records of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership and the General Partner may for this purpose, among others, exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.6.
ARTICLE XI
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
Section 11.1 Withdrawal of the General Partner.
(a) The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an Event of Withdrawal);
(i) The General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners;
(ii) The General Partner transfers all of its rights as General Partner pursuant to Section 4.6;
(iii) The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;
(iv) The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)-(B) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv); or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;
(v) The General Partner is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or has entered against him or her an order for relief in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding;
(vi) (A) in the case of a general partner that is a corporation, the filing of a certificate of dissolution, or its equivalent, for the corporation or the revocation of its charter and the expiration of ninety (90) days after the date of notice to the corporation of revocation without a reinstatement of its charter; (B) in the event the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) in the event the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) in the event the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency; and (E) otherwise in the event of the termination of the General Partner.
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If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), or Section 11.1(a)(vi)(A), (B), or (D) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.
(b) Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days advance notice to the Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; or (ii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), the holders of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partners withdrawal, a successor is not selected by the Unitholders as provided herein the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.
Section 11.2 Removal of the General Partner.
The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by the Unitholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Units (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates voting as a single class). Any such action by such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders holding a Unit Majority (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 10.3. The removal of the General Partner shall also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If a Person is elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2, such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section 10.3, automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. The right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that such removal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or any Group Member. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.
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Section 11.3 Interest of Departing Partner and Successor General Partner.
(a) In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist, if the successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2, the Departing Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such Departing Partner, to require its successor to purchase its General Partner Interest and its general partner interest (or equivalent interest), if any, in the other Group Members and all of its Incentive Distribution Rights (collectively, the Combined Interest) in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such Combined Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its departure. If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders under circumstances where Cause exists or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement, and if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner), such successor shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such Departing Partner (or, in the event the business of the Partnership is continued, prior to the date the business of the Partnership is continued), to purchase the Combined Interest for such fair market value of such Combined Interest of the Departing Partner. In either event, the Departing Partner shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing Partner pursuant to Section 7.4, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the Departing Partner for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.
For purposes of this Section 11.3(a), the fair market value of the Departing Partners Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing Partners departure, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such departure, then the Departing Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing Partners successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest of the Departing Partner. In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert may consider the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed, the value of the Partnerships assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing Partner and other factors it may deem relevant.
(b) If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section 11.3(a), the Departing Partner (or its transferee) shall become a Limited Partner and its Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a), without reduction in such
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Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing Partner (or its transferee) as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest of the Departing Partner to Common Units will be characterized as if the Departing Partner (or its transferee) contributed its Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.
(c) If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section 11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the Partnership cash in the amount equal to 2/98ths of the Net Agreed Value of the Partnerships assets on such date. In such event, such successor General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to 2% of all Partnership allocations and distributions to which the Departing Partner was entitled. In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partners admission, the successor General Partners interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations shall be 2%.
Section 11.4 Withdrawal of Limited Partners.
No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however, that when a transferee of a Limited Partners Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.
ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
Section 12.1 Dissolution.
The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the removal or withdrawal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Sections 11.1 or 11.2, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 12.2) its affairs shall be wound up, upon:
(a) an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the holders of a Unit Majority;
(b) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets and properties of the Partnership Group;
(c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Marshall Islands Act; or
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(d) an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) (other than Section 11.1(a)(ii)), unless a successor is elected and, if applicable, an Opinion of Counsel is received as provided in Section 11.2 and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.3.
Section 12.2 Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution.
Upon (a) dissolution of the Partnership following an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Sections 11.1(a)(i) or 11.1(a)(iii) and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing Partner pursuant to Sections 11.1 or 11.2, then within 90 days thereafter, or (b) dissolution of the Partnership upon an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Sections 11.1(a)(iv) or 11.1(a)(vi), then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a Unit Majority may elect to continue the business of the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by appointing as a successor General Partner a Person approved by the holders of a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:
(i) the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII;
(ii) if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.3; and
(iii) the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement; provided, that the right of the holders of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to reconstitute and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner.
Section 12.3 Liquidator.
Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2, the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of a Unit Majority. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of a Unit Majority. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of a Unit Majority. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided. Except as
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expressly provided in this Article XII, the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 7.3(b)) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.
Section 12.4 Liquidation.
The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as determined by the Liquidator, subject to Section 60 of the Marshall Islands Act and the following:
(a) The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnerships assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnerships assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnerships assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.
(b) Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section 12.3) and amounts to Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI and XVI, as applicable. With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.
(c) All property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided in Section 12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners as follows:
(i) First, to the Preferred Unit Holders in accordance with their respective Preferred Unit Liquidation Preference until there has been distributed in respect of each Preferred Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the respective Preferred Liquidation Preference; and
(ii) Thereafter,
(A) First, 98% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Capital plus (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a) with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2) is hereinafter defined as the Unpaid MQD);
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(B) Second, 98% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Capital, plus (2) the Unpaid MQD, plus (3) the excess of (aa) the First Target Distribution less the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnerships existence over (bb) the cumulative per Common Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(b) (the sum of (1) plus (2) plus (3) is hereinafter defined as the First Liquidation Target Amount);
(C) Third, 85% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the sum of (1) the First Liquidation Target Amount, plus (2) the excess of (aa) the Second Target Distribution less the First Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnerships existence over (bb) the cumulative per Common Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(c) (the sum of (1) plus (2) is hereinafter defined as the Second Liquidation Target Amount);
(D) Fourth, 75% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the sum of (1) the Second Liquidation Target Amount, plus (2) the excess of (aa) the Third Target Distribution less the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnerships existence over (bb) the cumulative per Common Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(d); and
(E) Finally, any remaining amount 50% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner.
Section 12.5 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership.
Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the Marshall Islands shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.
Section 12.6 Return of Contributions.
The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.
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Section 12.7 Waiver of Partition.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE
Section 13.1 Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner.
Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:
(a) a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;
(b) admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;
(c) a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of the Marshall Islands or to ensure that the Group Members will not be taxed as entities for Marshall Islands income tax purposes;
(d) subject to Section 16.5, to the extent applicable, a change that the General Partner determines, (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class or series of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes or series of Partnership Interests) in any material respect, (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any Marshall Islands authority (including the Marshall Islands Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class, classes or series of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes or series of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.9 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;
(e) a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of Quarter and the dates on which distributions (other than Preferred Unit Distributions) are to be made by the Partnership;
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(f) an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or plan asset regulations adopted under the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;
(g) subject to Section 16.5, an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the authorization of issuance of any class or series of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 5.6;
(h) any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;
(i) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 2.4; or
(j) any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.
Section 13.2 Amendment Procedures.
Except as provided in Sections 13.1 and 13.3, all amendments to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with the following requirements. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner; provided, however, that the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose any amendment to this Agreement and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner and, in declining to propose an amendment, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Marshall Islands Act or any other law, rule or regulation. Subject to Section 16.5, to the extent applicable, a proposed amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and the holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage is required under this Agreement or by the Marshall Islands Act. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any such proposed amendments.
Section 13.3 Amendment Requirements.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 13.1 and 13.2, no provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of reducing such voting percentage unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.
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(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 13.1 and 13.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c), (ii) 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 to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option, (iii) change Section 12.1(a), or (iv) change the term of the Partnership or, except as set forth in Section 12.1(a), give any Person the right to dissolve the Partnership.
(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3 and subject to Section 16.5(c)(i) with respect to the applicable series of Preferred Units described therein, and without limitation of the General Partners authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement without the approval of any Partners as contemplated in Section 13.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class or series of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes or series of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class or series affected.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided in Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable law.
(e) Except as provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.
Section 13.4 Special Meetings.
All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII. Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class, classes or series for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the mailing of notice of the meeting. Limited Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners limited liability under the Marshall Islands Act or the law of any other jurisdiction in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.
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Section 13.5 Notice of a Meeting.
Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class, classes or series of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 17.1. The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.
Section 13.6 Record Date.
For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.11 the General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed for trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such exchange shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals.
Section 13.7 Adjournment.
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.
Section 13.8 Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes.
The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, Limited Partners representing such quorum who were present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, sign a written waiver of notice or an approval of the holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All waivers and approvals shall be filed with the Partnership records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at the meeting.
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Section 13.9 Quorum and Voting.
The holders of a majority of the Units of the class, classes or series for which a meeting has been called (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners of such class, classes or series unless any such action by the Limited Partners requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of such Units, in which case the quorum shall be such greater percentage. At any meeting of the Limited Partners duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent a majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote and be present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners, unless a greater or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent at least such greater or different percentage shall be required. The Limited Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by the required percentage of Outstanding Units specified in this Agreement (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner). In the absence of a quorum any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote at such meeting (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in Section 13.7.
Section 13.10 Conduct of a Meeting.
The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of approvals in writing.
Section 13.11 Action Without a Meeting.
If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and
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voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Units held by the Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner, (b) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date sufficient approvals are deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the applicable statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners.
Section 13.12 Right to Vote and Related Matters.
(a) Only those Record Holders of the Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 13.6 (and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of Outstanding) shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Units.
(b) With respect to Units that are held for a Persons account by another Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.
ARTICLE XIV
MERGER
Section 14.1 Authority.
The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability partnership)), formed under the laws of the Marshall Islands, pursuant to a written agreement of merger or consolidation (Merger Agreement) in accordance with this Article XIV.
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Section 14.2 Procedure for Merger or Consolidation.
Merger or consolidation of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV requires the prior consent of the General Partner, provided, however, that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger or consolidation of the Partnership and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in declining to consent to a merger or consolidation, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Marshall Islands Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:
(a) the names and jurisdictions of formation or organization of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;
(b) the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the Surviving Business Entity);
(c) the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;
(d) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights, and (ii) in the case of securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;
(e) a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;
(f) the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of merger and stated therein); and
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(g) such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
Section 14.3 Approval by Limited Partners of Merger or Consolidation.
(a) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(e), the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement, shall direct that the Merger Agreement be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent.
(b) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(e), the Merger Agreement shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority.
(c) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(e), after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger or consolidation may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement.
(d) Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnerships assets to, another limited liability entity which shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such conversion, merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the conversion, merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner, (ii) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability entity and (iii) the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with the same rights and obligations as are herein contained.
(e) Additionally, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another entity if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner, (ii) the merger or consolidation would not result in an amendment to the Partnership Agreement, other than any amendments that could be adopted pursuant to Section 13.1, (iii) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or consolidation, (iv) each Unit outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation is to be an identical Unit of the Partnership after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, and (v) the number of Partnership Securities to be issued by the Partnership in such merger or consolidation does not exceed 20% of the Partnership Securities Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation.
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Section 14.4 Certificate of Merger.
Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement, a certificate of merger shall be executed and filed in conformity with the requirements of the Marshall Islands Act.
Section 14.5 Amendment of Partnership Agreement.
Pursuant to Section 20(2) of the Marshall Islands Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with Section 20(2) of the Marshall Islands Act may (a) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (b) effect the adoption of a new partnership agreement for a limited partnership if it is the Surviving Business Entity. Any such amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section 14.5 shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.
Section 14.6 Effect of Merger.
(a) At the effective time of the certificate of merger:
(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;
(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;
(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and
(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.
(b) A merger or consolidation effected pursuant to this Article shall not be deemed to result in a transfer or assignment of assets or liabilities from one entity to another.
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ARTICLE XV
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS
Section 15.1 Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time the General Partner and its Affiliates hold more than 80% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class or series then Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable at its option, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class or series then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class or series purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the repurchase right described in this Article XV shall not apply to Preferred Units. As used in this Agreement, (i) Current Market Price as of any date of any class or series of Limited Partner Interests means the average of the daily Closing Prices (as hereinafter defined) per Limited Partner Interest of such class or series for the 20 consecutive Trading Days (as hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date; (ii) Closing Price for any day means the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq Stock Market) on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or, if such Limited Partner Interests of such class or series are not listed on any National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq Stock Market), the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market or such other system then in use, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class or series are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class or series selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class or series, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner; and (iii) Trading Day means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests of any class or series are listed is open for the transaction of business or, if Limited Partner Interests of a class or series are not listed on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.
(b) If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such election to purchase (the Notice of Election to Purchase) and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class or series (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner) at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be published for a period of at least three consecutive days in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation printed in the English language and published in the Borough of Manhattan, New York. The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are
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listed. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at his address as reflected in the records of the Transfer Agent shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1. If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate shall not have been surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests (including any rights pursuant to Articles IV, V, VI, and XII) shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, on the record books of the Transfer Agent and the Partnership, and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the owner of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the owner of such Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner of such Limited Partner Interests pursuant to Articles IV, V, VI, and XII).
(c) At any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender his Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 15.1(a), without interest thereon.
ARTICLE XVI
PREFERRED UNITS
Section 16.1 Designation.
(a) On October 5, 2016, the General Partner designated and created a series of Preferred Units designated as 9.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, and fixed the preferences, rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Series A Preferred Units as set forth in this Article XVI. Each Series A Preferred Unit shall be identical in all respects to every other Series A Preferred Unit, except as to the respective dates from which the Series A Liquidation Preference shall increase or from which Series A Distributions may begin accruing, to the extent such dates may differ. The Series A Preferred Units represent perpetual equity interests in the Partnership and shall not give rise to a claim by the holder for redemption thereof at a particular date.
(b) The General Partner hereby designates and creates a series of Preferred Units to be designated as 8.50% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, and fixes the preferences, rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Series B Preferred Units as set forth in this Article XVI. Each Series B Preferred Unit shall be identical in all respects to every other Series B Preferred Unit, except as to the respective dates from which the Series B Liquidation Preference shall increase or from which Series B Distributions may begin accruing, to the extent such dates may differ. The Series B Preferred Units represent perpetual equity interests in the Partnership and shall not give rise to a claim by the holder for redemption thereof at a particular date.
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Section 16.2 Units.
(a) The authorized number of Series A Preferred Units and of Series B Preferred Units shall each be unlimited. Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units that are purchased or otherwise acquired by the Partnership shall be cancelled.
(b) The Series A Preferred Units and the Series B Preferred Units shall, as to each such series of Preferred Units, be represented by a single Certificate registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, and no Series A Holder or Series B Holder shall be entitled to receive a Certificate evidencing such Units, unless otherwise required by law or the Depository gives notice of its intention to resign or is no longer eligible to act as such with respect to such series of Preferred Units and the Partnership shall have not selected a substitute Depository within 60 calendar days thereafter. So long as the Depository shall have been appointed and is serving with respect to such series of Preferred Units, payments and communications made by the Partnership to Series A Holders or Series B Holders shall be made by making payments to, and communicating with, the Depository.
Section 16.3 Distributions.
(a) Distributions on each Series A Preferred Unit shall accumulate at the Series A Distribution Rate in each Series A Distribution Period from and including the first day of the Series A Distribution Period (or for any Series A Preferred Units issued after the Series A Original Issue Date, from and including the first day of the Series A Distribution Period immediately preceding the issuance date of such additional Series A Preferred Units) to and including the earlier of (a) the last day of such Series A Distribution Period and (b) the date the Partnership redeems the applicable Series A Preferred Units in full in accordance with Section 16.6 below, whether or not such Series A Distributions shall have been declared. Distributions on each Series B Preferred Unit shall accumulate at the applicable Series B Distribution Rate in each Series B Distribution Period from and including the first day of the Series B Distribution Period (or for any Series B Preferred Units issued after the Series B Original Issue Date, from and including the first day of the Series B Distribution Period immediately preceding the issuance date of such additional Series B Preferred Units) to and including the earlier of (x) the last day of such Series B Distribution Period and (y) the date the Partnership redeems the applicable Series B Preferred Units in full in accordance with Section 16.6 below, whether or not such Series B Distributions shall have been declared. Series A Holders and Series B Holders shall be entitled to receive Series A Distributions or Series B Distributions, as applicable, from time to time out of any assets of the Partnership legally available for the payment of distributions at the Series A Distribution Rate per Series A Preferred Unit or at the applicable Series B Distribution Rate per Series B Preferred Unit, as applicable, in each case when, as, and if declared by the General Partner. Distributions, to the extent declared by the General Partner to be paid by the Partnership in accordance with this Section 16.3, shall be paid for each Series A Distribution Period on each Series A Distribution Payment Date or for each Series B Distribution Period on each Series B Distribution Payment Date. Series
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A Distributions shall be payable based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Series B Distributions for any Series B Distribution Period during the Series B Fixed Rate Period shall be payable based on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and Series B Distributions for any Series B Distribution Period during the Series B Floating Rate Period shall be payable based on a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed during such Series B Distribution Period. All Series A Distributions and Series B Distributions payable by the Partnership pursuant to this Section 16.3 shall be payable without regard to income of the Partnership. The guaranteed payment with respect to any Series A Distribution Period shall be for the account of the Series A Holders as of the close of the last Business Day of such Series A Distribution Period.
(b) Not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Series A Distribution Payment Date and Series B Distribution Payment Date, the Partnership shall pay those Series A Distributions or Series B Distributions, if any, that shall have been declared by the General Partner to Series A Holders or Series B Holders, as applicable, on the Record Date for the applicable Series A Preferred Distribution or Series B Preferred Distribution. The Record Date (the Series A Distribution Record Date) for any Series A Distribution payment shall be as of the close of the National Securities Exchange on which the Series A Preferred Units are listed or admitted to trading on the last Business Day of each Series A Distribution Period immediately preceding the applicable Series A Distribution Payment Date, except that in the case of payments of Series A Distributions in arrears, the Series A Distribution Record Date with respect to a Series A Distribution Payment Date shall be such date as may be designated by the General Partner in accordance with this Article XVI. The Record Date (the Series B Distribution Record Date) for any Series B Distribution payment shall be as of the close of the National Securities Exchange on which the Series B Preferred Units are listed or admitted to trading on the last Business Day of each Series B Distribution Period immediately preceding the applicable Series B Distribution Payment Date, except that in the case of payments of Series B Distributions in arrears, the Series B Distribution Record Date with respect to a Series B Distribution Payment Date shall be such date as may be designated by the General Partner in accordance with this Article XVI. No distribution shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any Junior Securities (other than a distribution payable solely in Junior Securities) unless full cumulative Series A Distributions and Series B Distributions have been or contemporaneously are being paid or provided for on all Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any other Parity Securities through the most recent respective Series A Distribution Payment Dates and Series B Distribution Payment Dates. Accumulated Series A Distributions or accumulated Series B Distributions in arrears for any past Series A Distribution Period or Series B Distribution Period, as applicable, may be declared by the General Partner and paid on any date fixed by the General Partner, whether or not a Series A Distribution Payment Date or a Series B Distribution Payment Date, to Series A Holders or Series B Holders, as applicable, on the record date for such payment, which may not be more than 60 days, nor less than 15 days, before such payment date. Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated Series A Distributions and Series B Distributions in arrears on all Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any other Parity Securities shall not have been declared and paid, or if sufficient funds for the payment thereof shall not have been set apart, payment of accumulated distributions in arrears on the Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any such Parity Securities shall be made in order of their respective distribution payment dates, commencing with the earliest. If less than all distributions payable with respect to all Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any other Parity Securities are paid, any partial
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payment shall be made pro rata with respect to the Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any such other Parity Securities entitled to a distribution payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate distribution amounts remaining due in respect of such Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and such other Parity Securities at such time. Subject to Sections 12.4 and 16.6, neither Series A Holders nor Series B Holders shall be entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative Series A Distributions or Series B Distributions, as applicable. No interest or sum of money in lieu of interest shall be payable in respect of any distribution payment which may be in arrears on the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units. So long as the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, as applicable, are held of record by the nominee of the Depository, declared Series A Distributions or Series B Distributions shall be paid to the Depository in same-day funds on each Series A Distribution Payment Date or Series B Distribution Payment Date, as applicable.
Section 16.4 [Reserved].
Section 16.5 Voting Rights.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither the Series A Preferred Units nor the Series B Preferred Units shall have any voting rights except as set forth in Section 13.3(d), this Section 16.5 or as otherwise provided by the Marshall Islands Act.
(b) In the event that six quarterly Series A Distributions, whether consecutive or not, are in arrears, the Series A Holders shall have the right, voting as a class together with holders of any other Parity Securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, at a meeting of the General Partner called for such purpose within 30 days after receipt by the General Partner of a request by Series A Holders holding a majority of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, to elect one member of the Board of Directors of the General Partner, and the size of the Board of Directors of the General Partner shall be increased as needed to accommodate such change. Such right of such Series A Holders to elect a member of the Board of Directors of the General Partner shall continue until the Partnership pays in full, or declares and sets aside funds for the payment of, all Series A Distributions accumulated and in arrears on the Series A Preferred Units, at which time such right shall terminate, subject to the revesting of such right in the event of each and every subsequent failure to pay six quarterly Series A Distributions as described above in this Section 16.5(b). In the event that six quarterly Series B Distributions, whether consecutive or not, are in arrears, the Series B Holders shall have the right, voting as a class together with holders of any other Parity Securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, at a meeting of the General Partner called for such purpose within 30 days after receipt by the General Partner of a request by Series B Holders holding a majority of the Outstanding Series B Preferred Units, to elect one member of the Board of Directors of the General Partner, and the size of the Board of Directors of the General Partner shall be increased as needed to accommodate such change. Such right of such Series B Holders to elect a member of the Board of Directors of the General Partner shall continue until the Partnership pays in full, or declares and sets aside funds for the payment of, all Series B Distributions accumulated and in arrears on the Series B Preferred Units, at which time such right shall terminate, subject to the revesting of such right in the event of each and every subsequent failure to pay six quarterly Series B Distributions as described above in this Section 16.5(b). Upon any termination of the right of the Series A
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Holders, the Series B Holders and, if applicable, holders of any other Parity Securities to vote as a class for such director, the term of office of the director then in office elected by such Series A Holders, Series B Holders and holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. Any director elected by the Series A Holders, the Series B Holders and, if applicable, holders of any other Parity Securities shall be entitled to one vote on any matter before the Board of Directors of the General Partner.
(c)
(i) Unless the General Partner shall have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, voting as a separate class, the General Partner shall not adopt any amendment to this Agreement that would have a material adverse effect on the existing terms of the Series A Preferred Units. Unless the General Partner shall have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Series B Preferred Units, voting as a separate class, the General Partner shall not adopt any amendment to this Agreement that would have a material adverse effect on the existing terms of the Series B Preferred Units.
(ii) Unless the General Partner shall have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, voting as a class together with holders of any other Parity Securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, the Partnership shall not (x) issue any Parity Securities or Senior Securities if the cumulative dividends payable on Outstanding Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units are in arrears or (y) create or issue any Senior Securities.
(d) For any matter described in this Section 16.5 in which the Series A Holders or Series B Holders are entitled to vote as a class (whether separately or together with the holders of any Parity Securities), such Series A Holders or Series B Holders shall be entitled to one vote per Series A Preferred Unit or Series B Preferred Unit, as applicable. Any Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units held by the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates shall not be entitled to vote.
Section 16.6 Optional Redemption.
(a) The Partnership shall have the right at any time, and from time to time, on or after October 5, 2021 to redeem the Series A Preferred Units, in whole or in part, from any source of funds legally available for such purpose. Any such redemption shall occur on a date set by the General Partner (the Series A Redemption Date). The Partnership shall have the right at any time, and from time to time, on or after October 15, 2027 to redeem the Series B Preferred Units, in whole or in part, from any source of funds legally available for such purpose. Any such redemption shall occur on a date set by the General Partner (the Series B Redemption Date).
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(b) The Partnership shall effect any such redemption by paying cash for each Series A Preferred Unit or Series B Preferred Unit, as applicable, to be redeemed equal to (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference for such Series A Preferred Unit on such Series A Redemption Date (the Series A Redemption Price) or (ii) the Series B Liquidation Preference for such Series B Preferred Unit on such Series B Redemption Date (the Series B Redemption Price), as applicable. So long as the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed are held of record by the nominee of the Depository, the Series A Redemption Price or Series B Redemption Price, as applicable, shall be paid by the Paying Agent to the Depository on the Series A Redemption Date or the Series B Redemption Date, as applicable.
(c) The Partnership shall give notice of any redemption by mail, postage prepaid, not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before the scheduled Series A Redemption Date or Series B Redemption Date, to the Series A Holders or Series B Holders, as applicable (as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Business Day next preceding the day on which notice is given), of any Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed as such Series A Holders or Series B Holders names, as applicable, appear on the books of the Transfer Agent and at the address of such Series A Holders or Series B Holders shown therein. Such notice (the Series A Redemption Notice or the Series B Redemption Notice, as applicable) shall state, as applicable: (1) the Series A Redemption Date or Series B Redemption Date, (2) the number of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed and, if less than all Outstanding Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units are to be redeemed, the number (and the identification) of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed from such Series A Holder or Series B Holder, (3) the Series A Redemption Price or Series B Redemption Price, (4) the place where the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units are to be redeemed and shall be presented and surrendered for payment of the Series A Redemption Price or Series B Redemption Price therefor and (5) that distributions on the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall cease to accumulate from and after such Series A Redemption Date or Series B Redemption Date.
(d) If the Partnership elects to redeem less than all of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, as applicable, the number of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall be determined by the General Partner, and such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units shall be redeemed by such method of selection as the Depository shall determine either Pro Rata or by lot, with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units. The aggregate Series A Redemption Price or Series B Redemption Price for any such partial redemption of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units shall be allocated correspondingly among the redeemed Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, as applicable. The Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units not redeemed shall remain Outstanding and entitled to all the rights and preferences provided in this Article XVI. The Partnership is permitted to redeem all or part of one series of Preferred Units without redeeming all or part of any other series of Preferred Units.
(e) If the Partnership gives or causes to be given a Series A Redemption Notice or Series B Redemption Notice, the Partnership shall deposit with the Paying Agent funds, sufficient to redeem the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, as applicable, as to which such Series A Redemption Notice or Series B Redemption Notice shall have been given, no later than 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Business Day immediately preceding the Series A Redemption Date or Series B Redemption Date, and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Series A Redemption Price to the Series A Holders or the
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Series B Redemption Price to the Series B Holders to be redeemed upon surrender or deemed surrender (which shall occur automatically if the Certificate representing such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Unit, as applicable, is issued in the name of the Depository or its nominee) of the certificates therefor as set forth in the Series A Redemption Notice or Series B Redemption Notice. If the Series A Redemption Notice or Series B Redemption Notice shall have been given, from and after the Series A Redemption Date or Series B Redemption Date, as applicable, unless the Partnership defaults in providing funds sufficient for such redemption at the time and place specified for payment pursuant to the Series A Redemption Notice or Series B Redemption Notice, all Series A Distributions on such Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed or Series B Distributions on such Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall cease to accumulate and all rights of holders of such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units as Limited Partners with respect to such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall cease, except the right to receive the Series A Redemption Price or Series B Redemption Price, as applicable, and such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units shall not thereafter be transferred on the books of the Transfer Agent or be deemed to be Outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. The Partnership shall be entitled to receive from the Paying Agent the interest income, if any, earned on such funds deposited with the Paying Agent (to the extent that such interest income is not required to pay the Series A Redemption Price of the Series A Preferred Units or the Series B Redemption Price of the Series B Preferred Units, as applicable, to be redeemed), and the holders of any Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units so redeemed shall have no claim to any such interest income. Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent hereunder by the Partnership for any reason, including redemption of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, that remain unclaimed or unpaid after two years after the applicable Series A Redemption Date or Series B Redemption Date or other payment date, shall be, to the extent permitted by law, repaid to the Partnership upon its written request, after which repayment the Series A Holders or Series B Holders entitled to such redemption or other payment shall have recourse only to the Partnership. Notwithstanding any Series A Redemption Notice or Series B Redemption Notice, there shall be no redemption of any Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, as applicable, called for redemption until funds sufficient to pay the full Series A Redemption Price of such Series A Preferred Units or the full Series B Redemption Price of such Series B Preferred Units shall have been deposited by the Partnership with the Paying Agent.
(f) Any Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units that are redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership shall be canceled. If only a portion of the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units represented by a Certificate shall have been called for redemption, upon surrender of the Certificate to the Paying Agent (which shall occur automatically if the Certificate representing such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units is registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee), the Paying Agent shall issue to the Series A Holders or Series B Holders, as applicable, a new Certificate (or adjust the applicable book-entry account) representing the number of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units represented by the surrendered Certificate that have not been called for redemption.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article XVI, in the event that full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any other Parity Securities shall not have been paid or declared and set apart for payment, none of the Partnership, the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner shall be permitted to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, in whole or in part, any Series A Preferred Units, Series
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B Preferred Units or other Parity Securities except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all Series A Holders, Series B Holders and holders of any other Parity Securities. None of the Partnership, the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner shall be permitted to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any Common Units or any other Junior Securities unless full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any other Parity Securities for all prior and the then-ending Series A Distribution Periods and Series B Distribution Periods shall have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.
Section 16.7 Rank.
The Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units shall each be deemed to rank:
(a) Senior to (i) the Common Units and (ii) any other class or series of Partnership Securities established after the Series A Original Issue Date by the General Partner, the terms of which class or series do not expressly provide that it is made senior to or on parity with the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units as to current distributions (collectively referred to with the Partnerships Common Units as Junior Securities);
(b) On a parity with each other and with any other class or series of Partnership Securities established after the Series A Original Issue Date by the General Partner, the terms of which class or series are not expressly subordinated or senior to the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units as to current distributions (collectively referred to as Parity Securities); and
(c) Junior to any class or series of Partnership Securities established after the Series A Original Issue Date by the General Partner, the terms of which class or series expressly provide that it ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units as to current distributions (collectively referred to as Senior Securities).
The Partnership may issue Junior Securities and, subject to any approvals required by Series A Holders and Series B Holders pursuant to Section 16.5(c)(ii), Parity Securities from time to time in one or more classes or series without the consent of the Series A Holders or Series B Holders. The General Partner has the authority to determine the preferences, powers, qualifications, limitations, restrictions and special or relative rights or privileges, if any, of any such class or series before the issuance of any Partnership Securities of such class or series.
Section 16.8 No Sinking Fund.
Neither the Series A Preferred Units nor the Series B Preferred Units shall have the benefit of any sinking fund.
Section 16.9 Record Holders.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the General Partner, Partnership, the Registrar, the Transfer Agent and the Paying Agent may deem and treat any Series A Holder and Series B Holder as the true, lawful and absolute owner of the applicable Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, as applicable, for all purposes, and neither the General Partner, the Partnership nor the Registrar, the Transfer Agent or the Paying Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
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Section 16.10 Notices.
All notices or communications in respect of the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units shall be sufficiently given if given in writing and delivered in person or by first class mail, postage prepaid, or if given in such other manner as may be permitted in this Article XVI, this Agreement or by applicable law.
Section 16.11 Other Rights; Fiduciary Duties.
Neither the Series A Preferred Units nor the Series B Preferred Units shall have any voting powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth in this Article XVI or as provided by applicable law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, but subject to Section 7.9(c) and without reference to the definition of good faith in Section 7.9(b), neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall owe any fiduciary duties to Series A Holders or Series B Holders, other than a contractual duty of good faith and fair dealing.
ARTICLE XVII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 17.1 Addresses and Notices.
Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner at the address described below. Any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Securities at his address as shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Securities by reason of any assignment or otherwise. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 17.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report addressed to a Record Holder at the address of such Record Holder appearing on the books and records of the Transfer Agent or the Partnership is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver it, such notice, payment or report and any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) if they are available for the Partner at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to
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the other Partners. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.
Section 17.2 Further Action.
The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
Section 17.3 Binding Effect.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
Section 17.4 Integration.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto, including the Prior Agreement.
Section 17.5 Creditors.
None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.
Section 17.6 Waiver.
No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
Section 17.7 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Limited Partner Interest pursuant to Section 10.2(a), without execution hereof.
Section 17.8 Applicable Law.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Marshall Islands, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.
77
Section 17.9 Invalidity of Provisions.
If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.
Section 17.10 Consent of Partners.
Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.
Section 17.11 Facsimile Signatures.
The use of facsimile signatures affixed in the name and on behalf of the transfer agent and registrar of the Partnership on Certificates is expressly permitted by this Agreement.
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
78
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership as of the date first written above.
GENERAL PARTNER: |
Teekay GP L.L.C. |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: |
LIMITED PARTNERS: | ||
All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as Limited Partners of the Partnership, pursuant to powers of attorney now and hereafter executed in favor of, and granted and delivered to the General Partner. |
Teekay GP L.L.C. |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: |
79
ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 16.5(B): | ||
Teekay Holdings Limited, as Sole Member of the General Partner, to evidence its agreement to modify the governing documents of the General Partner at such time and in such manner as may be required from time to time by section 16.5(b) |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT A
to the Fourth Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
Certificate Evidencing Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
No. __________ | __________ Common Units |
In accordance with Section 4.1 of the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the Partnership Agreement), Teekay LNG Partners L.P., a Marshall Islands limited partnership (the Partnership), hereby certifies that ___________________ (the Holder) is the registered owner of Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the Common Units) transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.
The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
Dated:_______________ | Teekay LNG Partners L.P. | |||||||
Countersigned and Registered by: | By: | Teekay GP L.L.C., | ||||||
its General Partner | ||||||||
By: | ||||||||
as Transfer Agent and Registrar | Name: | |||||||
By: | By: | |||||||
Authorized Signature | Secretary |
A-1
[Reverse of Certificate]
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM - | as tenants in common | UNIF GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT | ||
TEN ENT - | as tenants by the entireties | __________ Custodian _________ | ||
(Cust) (Minor) | ||||
JT TEN - | as joint tenants with right of | under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD | ||
survivorship and not as | Minors Act (State) | |||
tenants in common |
Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.
ASSIGNMENT OF COMMON UNITS
in
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, __________ hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto
(Please print or typewrite name and address of assignee) | (Please insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee) |
__________ Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint __________ as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
Date: _____________________ | NOTE: | The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change. | ||||
A-2
|
| |||
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17d-15 | (Signature)
| |||
(Signature) | ||||
No transfer of the Common Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer.
A-3
EXHIBIT B
to the Fourth Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
Certificate Evidencing Series A Cumulative
Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
No. | Series A Preferred Units |
In accordance with Section 4.1 of the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the Partnership Agreement), Teekay LNG Partners L.P., a Marshall Islands limited partnership (the Partnership), hereby certifies that (the Holder) is the registered owner of 9.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the Series A Preferred Units) transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Series A Preferred Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Series A Preferred Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.
The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
Dated: ____________ | Teekay LNG Partners L.P. | |||||||
Countersigned and Registered by: | By: Teekay GP L.L.C., its General Partner | |||||||
By: | ||||||||
as Transfer Agent and Registrar | Title: | |||||||
By: | By: | |||||||
Authorized Signature | Secretary |
B-1
[Reverse of Certificate]
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM | | as tenants in common |
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT Custodian (Cust) (Minor) under Uniform Gifts /Transfers to CD Minors Act (State) | |||
TEN ENT | | as tenants by the entireties | ||||
JT TEN | | as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common |
Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.
ASSIGNMENT OF SERIES A PREFERRED UNITS
in
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ____________________ hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto | ||||
(Please insert Social Security or other | ||||
(Please print or typewrite name | identifying number of assignee) | |||
and address of assignee) |
____________ Series A Preferred Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _______________ as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of the Partnership.
Date: ________________ | NOTE: | The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change. | ||
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 |
| |||
(Signature) | ||||
| ||||
(Signature) | ||||
No transfer of the Series A Preferred Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Series A Preferred Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer.
B-2
EXHIBIT C
to the Fourth Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
Certificate Evidencing Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative
Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
No. | Series B Preferred Units |
In accordance with Section 4.1 of the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the Partnership Agreement), Teekay LNG Partners L.P., a Marshall Islands limited partnership (the Partnership), hereby certifies that (the Holder) is the registered owner of 8.50% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the Series B Preferred Units) transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Series B Preferred Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Series B Preferred Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.
The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
Dated: ____________ | Teekay LNG Partners L.P. | |||||||
Countersigned and Registered by: | By: | Teekay GP L.L.C., its General Partner | ||||||
By: | ||||||||
as Transfer Agent and Registrar | Title: | |||||||
By: | By: | |||||||
Authorized Signature | Secretary |
C-1
[Reverse of Certificate]
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM | | as tenants in common |
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT Custodian (Cust) (Minor) | |||
TEN ENT | | as tenants by the entireties | under Uniform Gifts /Transfers to CD Minors Act (State) | |||
JT TEN | | as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common |
Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.
ASSIGNMENT OF SERIES B PREFERRED UNITS
in
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ____________________ hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto | ||||
(Please insert Social Security or other | ||||
(Please print or typewrite name | identifying number of assignee) | |||
and address of assignee) |
____________ Series B Preferred Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _______________ as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of the Partnership.
Date: ________________ | NOTE: | The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change. | ||
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 |
| |||
(Signature) | ||||
| ||||
(Signature) | ||||
No transfer of the Series B Preferred Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Series B Preferred Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer.
C-2
THIRDFOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
OF
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I | ||||||
DEFINITIONS | ||||||
Section 1.1 |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
Section 1.2 |
Construction |
|||||
ARTICLE II | ||||||
ORGANIZATION | ||||||
Section 2.1 |
Formation |
|||||
Section 2.2 |
Name |
|||||
Section 2.3 |
Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices |
|||||
Section 2.4 |
Purpose and Business |
|||||
Section 2.5 |
Powers |
|||||
Section 2.6 |
Power of Attorney |
|||||
Section 2.7 |
Term |
|||||
Section 2.8 |
Title to Partnership Assets |
|||||
ARTICLE III | ||||||
RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS | ||||||
Section 3.1 |
Limitation of Liability |
|||||
Section 3.2 |
Management of Business |
|||||
Section 3.3 |
Outside Activities of the Limited Partners |
|||||
Section 3.4 |
Rights of Limited Partners |
|||||
ARTICLE IV | ||||||
CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF | ||||||
PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF | ||||||
PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS | ||||||
Section 4.1 |
Certificates |
|||||
Section 4.2 |
Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates |
|||||
Section 4.3 |
Record Holders |
|||||
Section 4.4 |
Transfer Generally |
|||||
Section 4.5 |
Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests |
|||||
Section 4.6 |
Transfer of the General Partners General Partner Interest |
|||||
Section 4.7 |
Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights |
|||||
Section 4.8 |
Restrictions on Transfers |
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
THIRDFOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ARTICLE V | ||||||
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS |
||||||
Section 5.1 |
Organizational Contributions |
|||||
Section 5.2 |
Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates |
|||||
Section 5.3 |
Contributions by Initial Limited Partners and Distributions to the General Partner and its Affiliates |
|||||
Section 5.4 |
Interest and Withdrawal |
|||||
Section 5.5 |
|
|||||
Section 5.6 |
Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities |
|||||
Section 5.7 |
Limitations on Issuance of Additional Partnership Securities |
|||||
Section 5.8 |
Limited Preemptive Right |
|||||
Section 5.9 |
Splits and Combinations |
|||||
Section 5.10 |
Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests |
|||||
ARTICLE VI | ||||||
Section 6.1 |
Allocations |
|||||
Section 6.2 |
|
|||||
Section 6.3 |
|
|||||
Section 6.4 |
Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus |
|||||
|
Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus |
|||||
|
Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels |
|||||
|
Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights |
|||||
|
Entity-Level Taxation |
|||||
ARTICLE VII | ||||||
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS | ||||||
|
Management |
|||||
|
Certificate of Limited Partnership |
|||||
|
Restrictions on the General Partners Authority |
|||||
|
Reimbursement of the General Partner |
|||||
|
Outside Activities |
|||||
|
Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members |
|||||
|
Indemnification |
|||||
|
Liability of Indemnitees |
|||||
|
Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties |
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
THIRDFOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
ii
|
Other Matters Concerning the General Partner |
|||||
|
Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities |
|||||
|
Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates |
|||||
|
Reliance by Third Parties |
|||||
ARTICLE VIII | ||||||
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS | ||||||
|
Records and Accounting |
|||||
|
Fiscal Year |
|||||
|
Reports |
|||||
ARTICLE IX | ||||||
TAX MATTERS | ||||||
|
Tax Returns and Information |
|||||
|
Tax Elections |
|||||
|
Tax Controversies |
|||||
|
Withholding |
|||||
|
Conduct of Operations |
|||||
ARTICLE X | ||||||
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS | ||||||
|
Admission of Initial Limited Partners |
|||||
|
Admission of Additional Limited Partners |
|||||
|
Admission of Successor General Partner | |||||
|
Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership |
|||||
ARTICLE XI | ||||||
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS | ||||||
|
Withdrawal of the General Partner |
|||||
|
Removal of the General Partner |
|||||
|
Interest of Departing Partner and Successor General Partner |
|||||
|
Withdrawal of Limited Partners |
|||||
ARTICLE XII | ||||||
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION | ||||||
|
Dissolution |
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
THIRDFOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
iii
|
Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution |
|||||
|
Liquidator |
|||||
|
Liquidation |
|||||
|
Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership |
|||||
|
Return of Contributions |
|||||
|
Waiver of Partition |
|||||
|
|
|||||
ARTICLE XIII | ||||||
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE |
||||||
|
Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner |
|||||
|
Amendment Procedures |
|||||
|
Amendment Requirements |
|||||
|
Special Meetings |
|||||
|
Notice of a Meeting |
|||||
|
Record Date |
|||||
|
Adjournment |
|||||
|
Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes |
|||||
|
Quorum and Voting |
|||||
|
Conduct of a Meeting |
|||||
|
Action Without a Meeting |
|||||
|
Right to Vote and Related Matters |
|||||
ARTICLE XIV | ||||||
MERGER | ||||||
|
Authority |
|||||
|
Procedure for Merger or Consolidation |
|||||
|
Approval by Limited Partners of Merger or Consolidation |
|||||
|
Certificate of Merger |
|||||
|
Amendment of Partnership Agreement |
|||||
|
Effect of Merger |
|||||
ARTICLE XV | ||||||
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS | ||||||
|
Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests |
|||||
ARTICLE XVI | ||||||
PREFERRED UNITS | ||||||
|
Designation |
|||||
|
Units |
|||||
|
Distributions |
|||||
Section 16.4 |
[ |
|||||
|
Voting Rights |
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
THIRDFOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
iv
|
Optional Redemption |
|||
|
Rank |
|||
|
No Sinking Fund |
|||
|
Record Holders |
|||
|
Notices |
|||
|
Other Rights; Fiduciary Duties |
|||
ARTICLE XVII | ||||
GENERAL PROVISIONS | ||||
|
Addresses and Notices |
|||
|
Further Action |
|||
|
Binding Effect |
|||
|
Integration |
|||
|
Creditors |
|||
|
Waiver |
|||
|
Counterparts |
|||
|
Applicable Law |
|||
|
Invalidity of Provisions |
|||
|
Consent of Partners |
|||
|
Facsimile Signatures |
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
THIRDFOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
v
THIRDFOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF
LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
THIS THIRDFOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P. dated as of
October 23, 2017,January 1, 2019 (the Effective Date), is entered into by Teekay GP L.L.C., a Marshall Islands limited liability company, as the
General Partner, and, solely with respect to Section 16.5(b), Teekay Holdings Limited, a Bermuda company, together with any other Persons who become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein. In consideration of the
covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions.
The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.
Acquisition means any transaction in which any Group Member acquires (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) control over all or a portion of the assets, properties or business of another Person for the purpose of increasing the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such transaction.
Additional Book Basis means the portion of any remaining Carrying Value
of an Adjusted Property that is attributable to positive adjustments made to such Carrying Value as a result of Book-Up Events. For purposes of determining the extent that Carrying Value constitutes Additional Book Basis:
(i) Any negative adjustment made to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property as a result of either a Book-Down Event
or a Book-Up Event shall first be deemed to offset or decrease that portion of the Carrying Value of such Adjusted Property that is attributable to any prior positive adjustments made thereto pursuant to a Book-Up Event or Book-Down Event.
(ii) If Carrying Value that constitutes Additional Book Basis is reduced as a result of a Book-Down Event and the
Carrying Value of other property is increased as a result of such Book-Down Event, an allocable portion of any such increase in Carrying Value shall be treated as Additional Book Basis; provided, that the amount treated as Additional Book Basis
pursuant hereto as a result of such Book-Down Event shall not exceed the amount by which the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments after such Book-Down Event exceeds the remaining Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the
Partnerships Adjusted Property after such Book-Down Event (determined without regard to the application of this clause (ii) to such Book-Down Event).
Additional Book Basis Derivative
Items means any Book Basis Derivative Items that are computed with reference to Additional Book Basis. To the extent that the Additional Book Basis attributable to all of the
Partnerships Adjusted Property as of the beginning of any taxable period exceeds the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the beginning of such period (the
Excess Additional Book Basis), the Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for such period shall be reduced by the amount that bears the same ratio to the amount of
Additional Book Basis Derivative Items determined without regard to this sentence as the Excess Additional Book Basis bears to the Additional Book Basis as of the beginning of such period.
Adjusted Capital Account means the Capital Account maintained for each
Partner as of the end of each fiscal year of the Partnership, (a) increased by any amounts that such Partner is obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) (or is deemed obligated to restore under Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5)) and
(b) decreased by (i) the amount of all losses and deductions that, as of the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be allocated to such Partner in subsequent
years under Sections 704(e)(2) and 706(d) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.751-1(b)(2)(ii), and (ii) the amount of all
distributions that, as of the end of such fiscal year, are reasonably expected to be made to such Partner in subsequent years in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or otherwise to the extent they exceed offsetting increases to such
Partners Capital Account that are reasonably expected to occur during (or prior to) the year in which such distributions are reasonably expected to be made (other than increases as a result of a minimum gain
chargeback pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or 6.1(d)(ii)). The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. The Adjusted Capital Account of a Partner in respect
of a General Partner Interest, a Common Unit, a Preferred Unit or an Incentive Distribution Right or any other Partnership Interest shall be the amount which such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such General Partner Interest, Common Unit,
Preferred Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such General Partner Interest, Common Unit, Preferred Unit, Incentive
Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest was first issued.
Adjusted
Property means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or 5.5(d)(ii).
Affiliate means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments means, as of the end of
any taxable period, the sum of the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of all the Partners.
Agreed
Allocation means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1, including,
without limitation, a Curative Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term Agreed Allocation is used).
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Agreed Value of any Contributed Property or distributed property means the fair market value of such property or other consideration at the time of contribution or distribution as determined by the General Partner. The General Partner shall use such method as it determines to be appropriate to allocate the aggregate Agreed Value of Contributed Properties contributed to or distributed by the Partnership in a single or integrated transaction among each separate property on a basis proportional to the fair market value of each Contributed Property or distributed property.
Agreement means this ThirdFourth Amended and
Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
arrears means, with respect to Preferred Unit Distributions for a particular series of Preferred Units for any applicable Preferred Unit Distribution Period, that the full cumulative Preferred Unit Distributions for such series to and including the last day of the most recently completed Preferred Unit Distribution Period of such series through the most recent Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date for such series have not been paid on all Outstanding Preferred Units of such series.
Associate means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any corporation or organization of which such Person is a director, officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest; (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.
Available Cash means, with respect to any Quarter ending prior to the Liquidation Date:
(a) the sum of (i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Quarter, and (ii) all additional cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter resulting from Working Capital Borrowings made subsequent to the end of such Quarter, less
(b) the amount of any cash reserves (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) established by the General Partner to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Partnership Group (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for anticipated future credit needs of the Partnership Group) subsequent to such Quarter, (ii) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which any Group Member is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject, (iii) provide funds for Preferred Unit Payments or (iv) provide funds for distributions under Section 6.4 or 6.5 in respect of any one or more of the next four Quarters; provided, however, that the General Partner may not establish cash reserves pursuant to (iv) above if the effect of establishing such reserves would be that the Partnership is unable to distribute the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all Common Units with
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respect to such Quarter; and, provided further, that disbursements made by a Group Member or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such Quarter but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Available Cash, within such Quarter if the General Partner so determines.
Board of Directors means the board of directors or managers of a corporation or limited liability company, as applicable, or if a limited partnership, the board of directors or board of managers of the general partner of such limited partnership.
Book Basis Derivative Items means any item of income, deduction, gain
or loss included in the determination of Net Income or Net Loss that is computed with reference to the Carrying Value of an Adjusted Property (e.g., depreciation, depletion, or gain or loss with respect to an Adjusted Property).
Book-Down Event means an event that triggers a negative adjustment to
the Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
Book-Tax Disparity means with respect to any item of Contributed
Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for United States federal income tax purposes as of such
date. A Partners share of the Partnerships Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such
Partners Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section 5.5 and the hypothetical balance of such Partners Capital
Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with federal income tax accounting principles.
Book-Up Event means an event that triggers a positive adjustment to the
Capital Accounts of the Partners pursuant to Section 5.5(d).
Business Day means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of New York shall not be regarded as a Business Day.
Calculation Agent means a calculation agent appointed by the General Partner prior to the commencement of the Series B Floating Rate Period. If the General Partner is unable to obtain a third-party to serve as calculation agent, the calculation agent may be the General Partner or an Affiliate of the General Partner.
Capital Account means the capital account maintained for a Partner
pursuant to Section 5.5. The Capital Account of a Partner in respect of a General Partner Interest, a Common Unit, a Preferred
Unit, an Incentive Distribution Right or any other Partnership Interest shall be the amount which such Capital Account would be if such General Partner Interest, Common Unit, Preferred Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest
were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such General Partner Interest, Common Unit, Preferred Unit, Incentive Distribution Right or other Partnership Interest was first issued.
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Capital Contribution means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership.
Capital Improvement means any (a) addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any Group Member or (b) acquisition of existing, or the construction of new, capital assets (including, without limitation, liquefied natural gas carriers, crude oil tankers and related assets), in each case if such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction is made to increase the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group from the operating capacity or revenues of the Partnership Group existing immediately prior to such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction.
Capital Surplus has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.3(a).
Carrying Value means
(a) with respect to a Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions charged to the
Partners Capital Accounts in respect of such Contributed Property, and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for United
States federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination. The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Sections 5.5(d)(i) and 5.5(d)(ii) and to
reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.
Cause means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the General Partner liable for actual fraud, gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct in its capacity as a general partner of the Partnership.
Certificate means a certificate (i) substantially in the form of Exhibit A with respect to Common Units, Exhibit B with respect to Series A Preferred Units or Exhibit C with respect to Series B Preferred Units, to this Agreement, (ii) issued in global or book entry form in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Depository or (iii) in such other form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Common Units or Preferred Units, or a certificate, in such form as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more other Partnership Securities.
Certificate of Limited Partnership means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Registrar of Corporations of the Marshall Islands as referenced in Section 7.2 as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Claim (as used in Section 7.12(c)) has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(c).
Closing Date means the first date on which Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement.
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Closing Price has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).
Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.
Combined Interest has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.3(a).
Commences Commercial Service and Commenced Commercial Service shall mean the date a Capital Improvement is first put into service following completion of construction and testing.
Commission means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Unit means a Partnership Security having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement.
Conflicts Committee means a committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner composed entirely of two or more directors who are not (a) security holders, officers or employees of the General Partner, (b) officers, directors or employees of any Affiliate of the General Partner or (c) holders of any ownership interest in the Partnership Group other than Common Units and who also meet the independence standards required of directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are listed.
Contributed Property means each property or other asset, in such form as may be permitted by the Marshall Islands Act, but
excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d), such property shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property,
but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.
Contribution Agreement means that certain Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, among the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company, Teekay Corporation and the other parties named therein, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder.
Curative Allocation means
any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi).
Current Market Price has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).
Departing Partner means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal or removal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2.
Depository means, with respect to any Partnership Securities issued in global form, The Depository Trust Company and its successors and permitted assigns.
Disposed of
Adjusted PropertyEffective Date has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.1(d)(xii)(B).
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Economic Risk of Loss
has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).the preamble.
Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.8.
Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures means an estimate made in good faith by the Board of Directors of the General Partner (with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee) of the average quarterly Maintenance Capital Expenditures that the Partnership will incur over the long term. The Board of Directors of the General Partner (with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee) will be permitted to make such estimate in any manner it determines reasonable. The estimate will be made at least annually and whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of Maintenance Capital Expenditures on a long-term basis. The Partnership shall disclose to its Partners any change in the amount of Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures in its reports made in accordance with Section 8.3 to the extent not previously disclosed. Any adjustments to Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall be prospective only.
Expansion Capital Expenditures means cash expenditures for Acquisitions or Capital Improvements. Expansion Capital Expenditures shall not include Maintenance Capital Expenditures. Expansion Capital Expenditures shall include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity incurred, in each case, to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement and paid during the period beginning on the date that the Partnership enters into a Capital Improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such Capital Improvement Commences Commercial Service or the date that such Capital Improvement is abandoned or disposed of. Debt incurred or equity issued to fund such construction period interest payments, or such construction period distributions on equity paid during such period shall also be deemed to be debt or equity, as the case may be, incurred to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement.
Event of Withdrawal has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(a).
First Liquidation Target Amount has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 6.112.4(c)(iii)(CB).
First Target
Distribution means $0.4625 per Common Unit per Quarter, subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 6.6 and 6.8.6.8.
General Partner means Teekay GP L.L.C., a Marshall Islands limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns as general partner of the Partnership.
General Partner Interest means the ownership interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as a general partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it) which may be evidenced by Partnership Securities or a combination thereof or interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
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Group means a Person that with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons) or disposing of any Partnership Securities with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Securities.
Group Member means a member of the Partnership Group.
Group Member Agreement means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, in each case as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Holder as used in Section 7.12, has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(a).
Incentive Distribution Right means a non-voting Limited Partner Interest issued to the General Partner, which Partnership Interest will confer upon the holder thereof only the rights and obligations specifically provided in this Agreement with respect to Incentive Distribution Rights (and no other rights otherwise available to or other obligations of a holder of a Partnership Interest). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the holder of an Incentive Distribution Right shall not be entitled to vote such Incentive Distribution Right on any Partnership matter except as may otherwise be required by law.
Incentive Distributions means any amount of cash distributed to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to Sections 6.4(c), (d) and (e).
Indemnified Persons has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.12(c).
Indemnitee means (a) the General Partner, (b) any Departing Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a member, partner, director, officer, fiduciary or trustee of any Person which any of the preceding clauses of this definition describes, (e) any Person who is or was serving at the request of the General Partner or any Departing Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing Partner as an officer, director, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another Person, provided that that Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, and (f) any Person the General Partner designates as an Indemnitee for purposes of this Agreement.
Initial Common Units means the Common Units sold in the Initial Offering.
Initial Limited Partners means Teekay Corporation and the General Partner (with respect to the Incentive Distribution Rights received by it pursuant to Section 5.2), and the Underwriters, in each case upon being admitted to the Partnership in accordance with Section 10.1.
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Initial Offering means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as described in the Registration Statement.
Initial Unit Price means (a) with respect to the Common Units, the initial public offering price per Common Unit at which the Underwriters offered the Common Units to the public for sale as set forth on the cover page of the prospectus included as part of the Registration Statement and first issued at or after the time the Registration Statement first became effective or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner, in each case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.
Interim Capital Transactions means the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date: (a) borrowings, refinancings or refundings of indebtedness (other than Working Capital Borrowings and other than for items purchased on open account in the ordinary course of business) by any Group Member and sales of debt securities of any Group Member; (b) sales of equity interests of any Group Member (including the Common Units sold to the Underwriters pursuant to the exercise of the Over-Allotment Option; (c) sales or other voluntary or involuntary dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements; (d) the termination of interest rate swap agreements; (e) capital contributions; and (f) corporate reorganizations or restructurings.
Issue Price means the price at which a Unit is purchased from the Partnership, after reflecting any sales commission or underwriting discount charged to the Partnership.
Junior Securities has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.7.
Limited Partner means, unless the context otherwise requires, the Organizational Limited Partner prior to its withdrawal from the Partnership, each Initial Limited Partner, each additional Person that becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and any Departing Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.3; provided, however, that when the term Limited Partner is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including without limitation Article XIII, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any holder of an Incentive Distribution Right (solely with respect to its Incentive Distribution Rights and not with respect to any other Limited Partner Interest held by such person) except as may otherwise be required by law. Limited Partners may include custodians, nominees or any other individual entity in its own or any representative capacity.
Limited Partner Interest means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units, Preferred Units, Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Securities or a combination thereof or interest therein, and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that when the term Limited Partner Interest is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including without limitation Article XIII, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any Incentive Distribution Right except as may otherwise be required by law.
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Liquidation Date means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section 12.2, the date on which the applicable time period during which the holders of Outstanding Common Units have the right to elect to continue the business of the Partnership has expired without such an election being made, and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.
Liquidator means one or more Persons selected by the General Partner to perform the functions described in Section 12.4.
London Business Day means any day on which dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market.
Maintenance Capital Expenditures means cash expenditures (including expenditures for the addition or improvement to the capital assets owned by any Group Member or for the acquisition of existing, or the construction of new, capital assets) if such expenditure is made to maintain, including over the long term, the operating capacity of the capital assets of the Partnership Group, as such assets existed at the time of the expenditure. Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall not include Expansion Capital Expenditures. Maintenance Capital Expenditures shall include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity incurred, in each case, to finance the construction of a replacement asset and paid during the period beginning on the date that the Partnership enters into a binding obligation to commence constructing a replacement asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such replacement asset Commences Commercial Service or the date that such replacement asset is abandoned or disposed of. Debt incurred to pay or equity issued to fund the construction period interest payments, or such construction period distributions on equity shall also be deemed to be debt or equity, as the case may be, incurred to finance the construction of a replacement asset.
Marshall Islands Act means the Limited Partnership Act of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.
Merger Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.1.
Minimum Quarterly Distribution means $0.4125 per Common Unit per Quarter, subject to adjustment
in accordance with Sections 6.6 and 6.8.6.8.
National Securities Exchange means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute
Net Agreed Value means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced by any
liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property is subject when contributed, and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the Partnerships
CarryingAgreed Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any indebtedness either assumed
by such Partner upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution, in either case, as determined under Section 752 of the Code.
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Net Income means, for
any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnerships items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such
taxable year over the Partnerships items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year. The items
included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under
Section 6.1(d); provided, that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made as if
Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this Agreement.
Net
Loss means, for any taxable year, the excess, if any, of the Partnerships items of loss and deduction (other than those items taken into account in the computation of
Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss) for such taxable year over the Partnerships items of income and gain (other than those items taken into account in the computation of Net Termination Gain or Net
Termination Loss) for such taxable year. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items specially allocated under
Section 6.1(d); provided, that the determination of the items that have been specially allocated under Section 6.1(d) shall be made as if
Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not in this Agreement.
Net
Positive Adjustments means, with respect to any Partner, the excess, if any, of the total positive adjustments over the total negative adjustments made to the Capital Account of such Partner pursuant to
Book-Up Events and Book-Down Events.
Net Termination Gain
means, for any taxable year, the sum, if positive, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction recognized by the Partnership (a) after the Liquidation Date or (b) upon
the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a member of the Partnership
Group). The items included in the determination of Net Termination Gain shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under
Section 6.1(d).
Net Termination
Loss means, for any taxable year, the sum, if negative, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction recognized by the Partnership (a) after the Liquidation Date or
(b) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any
disposition to a member of the Partnership Group). The items included in the determination of Net Termination Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and shall not include any items of
income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).
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Nonrecourse Built-in
Gain means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that
would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Sections 6.2(b)(i)(A), 6.2(b)(ii)(A) and 6.2(b)(iii) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for
no other consideration.
Nonrecourse Deductions means any
and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including, without limitation, any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.
Nonrecourse Liability has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.752-1(a)(2).
Notice of Election to Purchase has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(b).
Omnibus Agreement means that Amended and Restated Omnibus Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2006, among Teekay Corporation, the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company, Teekay Offshore GP, L.L.C., Teekay Offshore Partners L.P., and Teekay Offshore Operating L.P.
Operating Company means Teekay LNG Operating L.L.C., a Marshall Islands limited liability company, and any successors thereto.
Operating Company Agreement means the Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Operating Company, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.
Operating Expenditures means all Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of expenditures in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) cash expenditures, including, but not limited to, taxes, reimbursements of the General Partner, repayment of Working Capital Borrowings, debt service payments, capital expenditures and Preferred Unit Distributions, subject to the following:
(a) Payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than Working Capital Borrowings shall not constitute Operating Expenditures; and
(b) Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) Expansion Capital Expenditures or actual Maintenance Capital Expenditures, but shall include Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures, (ii) payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to Interim Capital Transactions, (iii) Preferred Unit Redemption Payments, (iv) payments made to Preferred Unit Holders to purchase or otherwise acquire Preferred Units in accordance with Section 7.1(a)(xiii) or (v) distributions to Partners, other than Preferred Unit Distributions.
Where capital expenditures consist of both Maintenance Capital Expenditures and Expansion Capital Expenditures, the General Partner, with the concurrence of the Conflicts Committee, shall determine the allocation between the portion consisting of Maintenance Capital Expenditures and the portion consisting of Expansion Capital Expenditures, and the period over which the Maintenance Capital Expenditures will be deducted as an Operating Expenditure in calculating Operating Surplus.
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Operating Surplus means, with respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative basis and without duplication,
(a) the sum of (i) $10 million, (ii) all cash and cash equivalents of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand as of the close of business on the Closing Date, other than cash reserved to terminate interest rate swap agreements, (iii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, other than cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions (except to the extent specified in Section 6.5), (iv) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Operating Surplus with respect to such period resulting from Working Capital Borrowings and (v) the amount of distributions paid on equity issued in connection with the construction of a Capital Improvement or replacement asset and paid during the period beginning on the date that the Partnership enters into a binding obligation to commence construction of such Capital Improvement or replacement asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such Capital Improvement or replacement asset Commences Commercial Service or the date that it is abandoned or disposed of (equity issued to fund the construction period interest payments on debt incurred (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements), or construction period distributions on equity issued, to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement or replacement asset shall also be deemed to be equity issued to finance the construction of a Capital Improvement or replacement asset for purposes of this clause (v)), less
(b) the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period and (ii) the amount of cash reserves (or the Partnerships proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) established by the General Partner to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures; provided, however, that disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of such period but on or before the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Operating Surplus with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero.
Opinion of Counsel means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner.
Option Closing Date means the date or dates on which any Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.
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Organizational Limited Partner means Teekay Corporation in its capacity as the organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.
Original Agreement means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership dated as of May 10, 2005, and amended as of May 31, 2006 and January 1, 2007.
Outstanding means, with respect to Partnership Securities, all Partnership Securities that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnerships books and records as of the date of determination; provided, however, that if at any time any Person or Group (other than the General Partner or its Affiliates) beneficially owns 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class or series then Outstanding, all Partnership Securities owned by such Person or Group shall not be voted on any matter and shall not be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement; provided, further, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply (i) to any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class or series then Outstanding directly from the General Partner or its Affiliates, (ii) to any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Outstanding Partnership Securities of any class or series then Outstanding directly or indirectly from a Person or Group described in clause (i) provided that the General Partner shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply, (iii) to any Person or Group who acquired 20% or more of any Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership with the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the General Partner or (iv) with respect to any voting rights thereof, Preferred Units.
Over-Allotment Option means the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.
Parity Securities has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.7(b).
Partner Nonrecourse
Debt has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).
Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain has the meaning set forth in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).
Partner
Nonrecourse Deductions means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including, without limitation, any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the
Code) that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt.
Partners means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.
Partnership means Teekay LNG Partners L.P., a Marshall Islands limited partnership, and any successors thereto.
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Partnership Group means the Partnership and its Subsidiaries treated as a single consolidated entity.
Partnership Interest means an interest in the Partnership, which shall include the General Partner Interest and Limited Partner Interests.
Partnership Minimum
Gain means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(d).
Partnership Representative has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.3.
Partnership Security means any class or series of equity interest in the Partnership (but excluding any options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to an equity interest in the Partnership), including without limitation, Common Units, Preferred Units and Incentive Distribution Rights.
Paying Agent means Computershare, acting in its capacity as paying agent for the particular series of Preferred Units, and its respective successors and assigns or any other payment agent appointed by the General Partner; provided, however, that if no paying agent is specifically designated for the particular series of Preferred Units, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.
Percentage Interest means as of any date of determination (a) as to the General Partner (in its capacity as General Partner without reference to any Limited Partner Interests held by it), 2.0%, (b) as to any Unitholder holding Units (other than Preferred Units), the product obtained by multiplying (i) 98% less the percentage applicable to paragraph (c) by (ii) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the number of Units (other than Preferred Units) held by such Unitholder by (B) the total number of all Outstanding Units (other than Preferred Units), and (c) as to the holders of additional Partnership Securities issued by the Partnership in accordance with Section 5.6, the percentage established as a part of such issuance. The Percentage Interest with respect to an Incentive Distribution Right and to a Preferred Unit shall at all times be zero.
Person means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, governmental agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
Preferred Unit Distribution Payment Date means the Series A Distribution Payment Date or Series B Distribution Payment Date, as applicable.
Preferred Unit Distributions means Series A Distributions and/or Series B Distributions, as applicable.
Preferred Unit Distribution Period means the Series A Distribution Period and/or the Series B Distribution Period, as applicable.
Preferred Unit Holders means Series A Holders and/or Series B Holders, as applicable.
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Preferred Unit Liquidation Preference means the Series A Liquidation Preference or the Series B Liquidation Preference, as applicable.
Preferred Unit Payments means Series A Payments and/or Series B Payments, as applicable.
Preferred Unit Redemption Payments means Series A Redemption Payments and/or Series B Redemption Payments, as applicable.
Preferred Units means a Partnership Security, designated as
a Preferred Unit, which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to current distributions over Common Units, including the Series A Preferred Units and the Series B Preferred
Units.
Prior Agreement means the SecondThird Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited
Partnership of the Partnership dated as of October 5, 2016.23, 2017.
Pro Rata means (a) when modifying Units (other than Preferred Units) or any class or series thereof, apportioned equally among all designated Units (other than Preferred Units) in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (b) when modifying Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests and (c) when modifying holders of Incentive Distribution Rights or Preferred Units (or a particular series thereof), apportioned equally among all holders of Incentive Distribution Rights or Preferred Units (or such series thereof) in accordance with the relative number or percentage of Incentive Distribution Rights or Preferred Units (or such series thereof), as applicable, held by each such holder.
Purchase Date means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of a certain class or series (other than Limited Partner Interests owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates) pursuant to Article XV.
Quarter means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter, or, with respect to the first fiscal quarter after the Closing Date, the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date, of the Partnership.
Recapture
Income means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment required by Section 734 or
Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with
respect to such property or asset.
Record Date means the date established by the General Partner for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer.
Record Holder means (a) the Person in whose name a Common Unit is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of the opening of business on a particular Business Day, (b) the Person in whose name a Preferred Unit is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of,
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unless otherwise set forth in Article XVI, the opening of business on a particular Business Day, or (c) with respect to other Partnership Securities, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Security is registered on the books that the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the opening of business on such Business Day.
Registrar means the Registrar of Corporations as defined in Section 4 of the Marshall Islands Business Corporations Act.
Registration Statement means the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (Registration No. 333-120727) as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Offering.
Remaining
Net Positive Adjustments means as of the end of any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units, the excess of
(a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the Unitholders holding Common Units as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of those
Partners Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for each prior taxable period, (ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner
Interest), the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the General Partner as of the end of such period over (b) the sum of the General
Partners Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to the General Partner Interest for each prior taxable period, and (iii) with respect to the holders
of Incentive Distribution Rights, the excess of (a) the Net Positive Adjustments of the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights as of the end of such period over (b) the
sum of the Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items of the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights for each prior taxable period.
Required Allocations means
(a) any limitation imposed on any allocation of Net Losses or Net Termination Losses under Section 6.1(b) or 6.1(c)(ii) and (b) any
allocation of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i), 6.1(d)(ii), 6.1(d)(iv), 6.1(d)(vii) or 6.1(d)(ix).
Residual Gain or Residual
Loss means any item of gain or loss, as the case may be, of the Partnership recognized for United States federal income tax purposes resulting from a sale, exchange or other disposition of a Contributed
Property or Adjusted Property, to the extent such item of gain or loss is not allocated pursuant to Section 6.2(b)(i)(A) or 6.2(b)(ii)(A), respectively, to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.
Reuters Page LIBOR01 means the display so designated on the Reuters 3000 Xtra (or such other page as may succeed or replace the LIBOR01 page on that service).
Second Liquidation Target Amount has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 6.112.4(c)(iii)(DC).
Second Target
Distribution means $0.5375 per Common Unit per Quarter, subject to adjustment in accordance with Sections 6.6 and 6.8.6.8.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.
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Senior Securities has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.7(c).
Series A Distribution Payment Date means each January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, commencing January 15, 2017; provided, however, that if any Series A Distribution Payment Date would otherwise occur on a day that is not a Business Day, such Series A Distribution Payment Date shall instead be on the immediately succeeding Business Day.
Series A Distribution Period means (i) the period commencing on (and including) the Series A Original Issue Date and ending on (and including) December 31, 2016, and (ii) any subsequent three-month period commencing on (and including) any January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1 and ending on (and including) the last day in March, June, September and December, respectively.
Series A Distribution Rate means a rate equal to 9.00% per annum of the Stated Series A Liquidation Preference per Series A Preferred Unit.
Series A Distribution Record Date has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.3(b).
Series A Distributions means distributions with respect to Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Section 16.3.
Series A Holder means a Record Holder of the Series A Preferred Units.
Series A Liquidation Preference means an amount for each Series A Preferred Unit
initially equal to $25.00 per share, which amount shall be subject to increase by the per Series A Preferred Unit amount of any accumulated and unpaid distributions (whether or not such distributions shall have been declared) to the
Series A Redemption Date.
Series A Original Issue Date means October 5, 2016.
Series A Payments means, collectively, Series A Distributions and Series A Redemption Payments.
Series A Preferred Unit means a Preferred Unit having the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties set forth in Article XVI.
Series A Redemption Date has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.6.
Series A Redemption Notice has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.6(c).
Series A Redemption Payments means payments to be made to the holders of Series A Preferred Units to redeem Series A Preferred Units in accordance with Section 16.6.
Series A Redemption Price has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.6(a).
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Series B Distribution Payment Date means each January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15, commencing January 15, 2018; provided, however, that if any Series B Distribution Payment Date during the Series B Fixed Rate Period would otherwise occur on a day that is not a Business Day, such Series B Distribution Payment Date shall instead be on the immediately succeeding Business Day.
Series B Distribution Period means (i) the period commencing on (and including) the Series B Original Issue Date and ending on (and including) December 31, 2017, and (ii) any subsequent three-month period commencing on (and including) any January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1 and ending on (and including) the last day in March, June, September and December, respectively.
Series B Distribution Rate means a rate equal to (a) during the Series B Fixed Rate Period, 8.50% per annum of the Series B Stated Liquidation Preference per Series B Preferred Unit and (b) during the Series B Floating Rate Period, a percentage per annum of the Series B Stated Liquidation Preference per Series B Preferred Unit equal to the sum of (i) Series B Three-Month LIBOR, as calculated on each applicable Series B LIBOR Determination Date, and (ii) 6.241%.
Series B Distribution Record Date has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.3(b).
Series B Distributions means distributions with respect to Series B Preferred Units pursuant to Section 16.3.
Series B Fixed Rate Period means the period from and including the Series B Original Issue Date to, but not including, October 15, 2027.
Series B Floating Rate Period means the period from and including October 15, 2027 to, but not including, the date that all of the Series B Preferred Units are redeemed in full in accordance with Section 16.6 below.
Series B Holder means a Record Holder of the Series B Preferred Units.
Series B LIBOR Determination Date means the London Business Day immediately preceding the first date of the applicable Series B Distribution Period during the Series B Floating Rate Period (or for the period from and including October 15, 2027 and ending on and including December 31, 2027, the London Business Day immediately preceding October 15, 2027).
Series B Liquidation Preference means an amount for each Series B
Preferred Unit initially equal to $25.00 per share, which amount shall be subject to increase by the per Series B Preferred Unit amount of any accumulated and unpaid distributions (whether or not such distributions shall have been
declared) to the Series B Redemption Date.
Series B Original Issue Date means October 23, 2017.
Series B Payments means, collectively, Series B Distributions and Series B Redemption Payments.
Series B Preferred Unit means a Preferred Unit having the designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties set forth in Article XVI.
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Series B Redemption Date has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.6.
Series B Redemption Notice has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.6(c).
Series B Redemption Payments means payments to be made to the holders of Series B Preferred Units to redeem Series B Preferred Units in accordance with Section 16.6.
Series B Redemption Price has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.6(a).
Series B Three-Month LIBOR means, in respect of each Series B Distribution Period during the Series B Floating Rate Period (or, for the period from and including October 15, 2027 and ending on and including December 31, 2027), the following rate determined by the Calculation Agent, as of the applicable Series B LIBOR Determination Date in accordance with the following provisions:
(a) the rate (expressed as a percentage per year) for deposits in U.S. dollars for a three-month period commencing on the first day of such period that appears on Reuters Page LIBOR01 as of 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the applicable Series B LIBOR Determination Date; or
(b) If the Calculation Agent determines that three-month LIBOR (as contemplated by the immediately preceding clause (a)) has been discontinued, then it will determine whether to use a substitute or successor base rate that it has determined in its sole discretion is most comparable to three-month LIBOR, provided that if the Calculation Agent determines there is an industry accepted successor base rate, the Calculation Agent shall use such successor base rate. If the Calculation Agent has determined a substitute or successor base rate in accordance with the foregoing, the Calculation Agent in its sole discretion may also implement changes to the business day convention, the definition of business day, the Series B LIBOR Determination Date and any method for obtaining the substitute or successor base rate if such rate is unavailable on the relevant business day, in a manner that is consistent with industry accepted practices for such substitute or successor base rate. Unless the Calculation Agent determines to use a substitute or successor base rate as so provided, the following will apply: if the rate described in the immediately preceding clause (a) is not so published, the Calculation Agent shall select four major banks in the London interbank market and request that the principal London offices of those four selected banks provide their offered quotations for deposits in U.S. dollars for a period of three months, commencing on the first day of the applicable period, to prime banks in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the Series B LIBOR Determination Date for such period. Offered quotations must be based on a principal amount equal to an amount that, in the Calculation Agents judgment, is representative of a single transaction in U.S. dollars in the London interbank market at the time. If two or more quotations are provided, Series B Three-Month LIBOR for such period will be the arithmetic mean of the quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, Series B Three-Month LIBOR for such period will be the arithmetic mean of the rates quoted on the Series B LIBOR Determination Date for such period by three major banks in New York City selected by the Calculation Agent, for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks for a three-month period commencing on the first day of such period. The rates quoted must be based on an amount that, in the Calculation Agents judgment, is representative of a single transaction in U.S. dollars in that market at the time. If fewer than three New York City banks selected by the Calculation Agent are quoting rates in the manner described above, Series B Three-Month LIBOR for the applicable period will be the same as for the immediately preceding period or, if the immediately preceding period was within the Series B Fixed Rate Period, the same as for the most recent quarter for which Series B Three-Month LIBOR can be determined.
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All percentages resulting from any of the calculations described in the immediately preceding clauses (a) and (b) will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point (with five one-millionths of a percentage point rounded upwards) and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such calculations will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest cent (with one-half cent being rounded upwards).
Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items means in connection
with any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items for any taxable period, (i) with respect to the Unitholders holding Common Units, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis
Derivative Items as the Unitholders Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time,
(ii) with respect to the General Partner (as holder of the General Partner Interest), the amount that bears the same ratio to such additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the General
Partners Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of the end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustment as of that time, and (iii) with respect
to the Partners holding Incentive Distribution Rights, the amount that bears the same ratio to such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items as the Remaining Net Positive Adjustments of the Partners holding the Incentive Distribution Rights as of the
end of such period bears to the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments as of that time.
Special Approval means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee.
Stated Preferred Unit Liquidation Preference means the Stated Series A Liquidation Preference or the Stated Series B Liquidation Preference, as applicable.
Stated Series A Liquidation Preference means an amount equal to $25.00 per Series A Preferred Unit.
Stated Series B Liquidation Preference means an amount equal to $25.00 per Series B Preferred Unit.
Subsidiary means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries (as defined, but excluding subsection (d) of the definition) of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary (as defined, but excluding subsection (d) of the definition) of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if more than 50% of the partnership interests of such partnership (considering all of the partnership interests of the partnership as a single class) is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries (as defined, but excluding subsection (d) of the definition) of such Person, or a
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combination thereof, or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person, or (d) any other Person in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries (as defined, but excluding subsection (d) of the definition) of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) less than a majority ownership interest or (ii) less than the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person, provided that (A) such Person, one or more Subsidiaries (as defined, but excluding subsection (d) of the definition) of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of the determination, has at least a 20% ownership interest in such other Person, (B) such Person accounts for such other Person (under U.S. GAAP, as in effect on the later of the date of investment in such other Person or material expansion of the operations of such other Person) on a consolidated or equity accounting basis, (C) such Person has directly or indirectly material negative control rights regarding such other Person including over such other Persons ability to materially expand its operations beyond that contemplated at the date of investment in such other Person, and (D) such other Person is (i) formed and maintained for the sole purpose of owning or leasing, operating and chartering no more than 10 vessels for a period of no more than 40 years, and (ii) obligated under its constituent documents, or as a result of a unanimous agreement of its owners, to distribute to its owners all of its income on at least an annual basis (less any cash reserves that are approved by such Person).
Surviving Business Entity has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.2(b).
Tax Election has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.2(a).
Tax Matters Partner has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.3.
Third Target Distribution means $0.65 per Common Unit per Quarter, subject to adjustment in accordance with
Sections 6.6 and 6.8.6.8.
Trading Day has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 15.1(a).
Transfer has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.4(a).
Transfer Agent means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as shall be appointed from time to time by the Partnership to act as registrar and transfer agent for the Common Units and the Preferred Units; provided, that if no transfer agent is specifically designated for any other Partnership Securities, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.
Underwriter means each Person named as an underwriter in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.
Underwriting Agreement means the Underwriting Agreement dated May 4, 2005 among the Underwriters, the Partnership, the General Partner, the Operating Company, and Teekay Corporation, providing for the purchase of Common Units by such Underwriters.
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Unit means a Partnership Security that is designated as a Unit and shall include Common Units and Preferred Units, but shall not include (i) a General Partner Interest or (ii) Incentive Distribution Rights.
Unitholders means the holders of Units.
Unit Majority means a majority of the Outstanding Common Units, voting as a class.
Unpaid MQD has the meaning assigned to such term in
Section 6.112.4(c)(iii)(BA).
Unrealized Gain attributable to any item of Partnership property means,
as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.5(d)) over
(b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.5(d) as of such date).
Unrealized Loss attributable to any item of Partnership property means,
as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to
Section 5.5(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under
Section 5.5(d)).
Unrecovered Capital means at any time, with respect to a Common Unit, the Initial Unit Price less the sum of all distributions constituting Capital Surplus theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit and any distributions of cash (or the Net Agreed Value of any distributions in kind) in connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership theretofore made in respect of an Initial Common Unit, adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of such Units.
U.S. GAAP means United States generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.
Working Capital Borrowings means borrowings used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to Partners made pursuant to a credit facility or other arrangement to the extent such borrowings are required to be reduced to a relatively small amount each year (or for the year in which the Initial Offering is consummated, the 12-month period beginning on the Closing Date) for an economically meaningful period of time.
Section 1.2 Construction.
Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; and (c) the term include or includes means includes, without limitation, and including means including, without limitation.
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ARTICLE II
ORGANIZATION
Section 2.1 Formation.
The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner have previously formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Marshall Islands Act and hereby amend and restate the Prior Agreement in its entirety. This amendment and restatement shall become effective on the date of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties (including fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Marshall Islands Act. All Partnership Interests shall constitute personal property of the owner thereof for all purposes and a Partner has no interest in specific Partnership property.
Section 2.2 Name.
The name of the Partnership shall be Teekay LNG Partners L.P. The Partnerships business may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the General Partner, including the name of the General Partner. The words Limited Partnership or the letters L.P. or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnerships name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Limited Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Limited Partners.
Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices
Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the Marshall Islands shall be located at Trust Company Complex, Ajeltake Island, Ajeltake Road, Majuro, Marshall Islands MH 96960, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the Marshall Islands at such registered office shall be The Trust Company of the Marshall Islands, Inc. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the Marshall Islands as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. The address of the General Partner shall be 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Limited Partners.
Section 2.4 Purpose and Business.
The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a)engage directly in, or enter into or form any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Marshall Islands Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of
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capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided, however, that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity
that the General Partner determines would cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for United States federal income tax purposes. The General Partner shall have no duty
or obligation to propose or approve, and may decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership of any business free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in declining to so propose
or approve, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Marshall Islands Act or any other law, rule or
regulation.
Section 2.5 Powers.
The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary and appropriate for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.
Section 2.6 Power of Attorney.
(a) Each Limited Partner hereby constitutes and appoints the General Partner and, if a Liquidator shall have been selected pursuant to Section 12.3, the Liquidator (and any successor to the Liquidator by merger, transfer, assignment, election or otherwise) and each of their authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact, as the case may be, with full power of substitution, as his true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his name, place and stead, to:
(i) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (A) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments or restatements hereof or thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the Marshall Islands and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property; (B) all certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect, in accordance with its terms, any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement; (C) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including conveyances and a certificate of cancellation) that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (D) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to, or other events described in, Articles IV, X, XI or XII; (E) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges of any class or series of Partnership Securities issued pursuant to Section 5.6; and (F) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including agreements and a certificate of merger) relating to a merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to Article XIV; and
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(ii) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to (A) make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action that is made or given by the Partners hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement or (B) effectuate the terms or intent of this Agreement; provided, that when required by Section 13.3 or any other provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of any class or series required to take any action, the General Partner and the Liquidator may exercise the power of attorney made in this Section 2.6(a)(ii) only after the necessary vote, consent or approval of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of such class or series, as applicable.
Nothing contained in this Section 2.6(a) shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article XIII or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.
(b) The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power coupled with an interest, and it shall survive and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, not be affected by the subsequent death, incompetency, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy or termination of any Limited Partner and the transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partners Partnership Interest and shall extend to such Limited Partners heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner or the Liquidator acting in good faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Limited Partner, to the maximum extent permitted by law, hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken in good faith under such power of attorney. Each Limited Partner shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within 15 days after receipt of the request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.
Section 2.7 Term.
The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Marshall Islands Act and shall continue in existence until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII. The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Marshall Islands Act.
Section 2.8 Title to Partnership Assets.
Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any
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Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, further, that, prior to the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to the General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership assets is held.
ARTICLE III
RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS
Section 3.1 Limitation of Liability.
The Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Marshall Islands Act.
Section 3.2 Management of Business.
No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Marshall Islands Act) of the Partnerships business, transact any business in the Partnerships name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. Any action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall not be deemed to be participation in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 30 of the Marshall Islands Act) and shall not affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners under this Agreement.
Section 3.3 Outside Activities of the Limited Partners.
Subject to the provisions of Section 7.5 and the Omnibus Agreement, which shall continue to be applicable to the Persons referred to therein, regardless of whether such Persons shall also be Limited Partners, any Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner.
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Section 3.4 Rights of Limited Partners.
(a) In addition to other rights provided by this Agreement or by applicable law, and except as limited by Section 3.4(b), each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose reasonably related to such Limited Partners interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand and at such Limited Partners own expense:
(i) for taxable years ending on or prior to date immediately prior to the Effective Date, promptly after becoming available, to obtain a copy of the Partnerships foreign, federal, state and local income tax returns for each year;
(ii) to have furnished to him a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Partner;
(iii) to obtain true and full information regarding the amount of cash and a description and statement of the Net Agreed Value of any other Capital Contribution by each Partner and which each Partner has agreed to contribute in the future, and the date on which each became a Partner;
(iv) to have furnished to him a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto, together with a copy of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed;
(v) to obtain true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Partnership Group; and
(vi) to obtain such other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as is just and reasonable.
(b) The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner in good faith believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential (other than agreements with Affiliates of the Partnership the primary purpose of which is to circumvent the obligations set forth in this Section 3.4).
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ARTICLE IV
CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS;
REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
Section 4.1 Certificates.
Upon the Partnerships issuance of Common Units or Preferred Units to any Person and subject to Section 16.2(b) with respect to any series of Preferred Units described therein, the Partnership shall issue, upon the request of such Person, one or more Certificates in the name of such Person evidencing the number of such Units being so issued. In addition, (a) upon the General Partners request, the Partnership shall issue to it one or more Certificates in the name of the General Partner evidencing its interests in the Partnership and (b) upon the request of any Person owning Incentive Distribution Rights or any other Partnership Securities other than Common Units or Preferred Units, the Partnership shall issue to such Person one or more certificates evidencing such Incentive Distribution Rights or other Partnership Securities other than Common Units or Preferred Units. Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chairman of the Board, President or any Executive Vice President or Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the General Partner. No Common Unit Certificate or Preferred Unit Certificate shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent; provided, however, that if the General Partner elects to issue Common Units or Preferred Units in global form, the Common Unit Certificates or the Preferred Unit Certificates shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Common Units or Preferred Units have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership.
Section 4.2 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.
(a) If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Securities as the Certificate so surrendered.
(b) The appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign, a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued if the Record Holder of the Certificate:
(i) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;
(ii) requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the General Partner has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;
(iii) if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct to indemnify the Partnership, the Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and
(iv) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner.
If a Limited Partner fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable period of time after he has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Limited Partner Interests represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, the Limited Partner shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.
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(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.2, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.
Section 4.3 Record Holders.
The Partnership shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person, regardless of whether the Partnership shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons on the other, such representative shall be the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest.
Section 4.4 Transfer Generally.
(a) The term transfer, when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall be deemed to refer to a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns its General Partner Interest to another Person or by which a holder of Incentive Distribution Rights assigns its Incentive Distribution Rights to another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest (other than an Incentive Distribution Right) assigns such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, including any transfer upon foreclosure of any pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.
(b) No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be null and void.
(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a disposition by any stockholder, member, partner or other owner of the General Partner of any or all of the shares of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests in the General Partner.
Section 4.5 Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests.
(a) The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the Partnership will provide for the registration and transfer of Limited Partner
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Interests. The Transfer Agent is hereby appointed registrar and transfer agent for the purpose of registering Common Units and Preferred Units and transfers of such Common Units and Preferred Units as herein provided. The Partnership shall not recognize transfers of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests unless such transfers are effected in the manner described in this Section 4.5. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions of Section 4.5(b), the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Common Units, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holders instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered.
(b) The General Partner shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer. No charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided, that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.5, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed with respect thereto.
(c) The General Partner and its Affiliates shall have the right at any time to transfer their Common Units or Preferred Units to one or more Persons.
Section 4.6 Transfer of the General Partners General Partner Interest.
(a) [Reserved].
(b) Subject to Section 4.6(c) below, the General Partner may transfer all or any of its General Partner Interest without Unitholder approval.
(c)
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the
General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner or of any
limited partner or member of any other Group Member or cause the Partnership or any other Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for United States federal income tax
purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest of the General Partner as the
general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.6, the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms
of Section 10.3, be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.
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Section 4.7 Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights.
The General Partner or any other holder of Incentive Distribution Rights may transfer any or all of its Incentive Distribution Rights without Unitholder approval. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights to another Person shall be permitted unless the transferee agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement.
Section 4.8 Restrictions on Transfers.
(a) Except as provided in Section 4.8(c) below, but notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, no transfer of any
Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable federal or state securities laws, laws of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities
commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, or (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership or any Group Member under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation or
cause the Partnership or any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for United States federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so
treated or taxed).
(b) The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if it
receives an Opinion of Counsel that such restrictions are necessary to avoid a significant risk of any Group Member becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for United States federal income tax purposes.
The General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement; provided, however, that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the
principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.
(c) Nothing contained in this Article IV, or elsewhere in this Agreement, shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed for trading.
ARTICLE V
CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
Section 5.1 Organizational Contributions.
(a) In connection with the formation of the Partnership under the Marshall Islands Act, the General Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $20.00, for a 2% General Partner Interest in the Partnership and was admitted as the General Partner of the Partnership, and the Organizational Limited Partner made an initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $980 for a 98% Limited Partner Interest in the Partnership and was admitted as a Limited Partner of the Partnership. Ninety-eight percent of any interest or other profit that may have resulted from the investment or other use of such initial Capital Contributions shall be allocated and distributed to the Organizational Limited Partner, and the balance thereof shall be allocated and distributed to the General Partner.
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(b) Prior to the Closing Date (i) the General Partner contributed all of its ownership interest in the Operating Company to the Partnership in exchange for (A) a continuation of its 2% General Partner Interest and (B) the Incentive Distribution Rights and (ii) Teekay Corporation contributed all of its ownership interest in the Operating Company, in exchange for a continuation of its 98% limited partner interest and a promissory note.
Section 5.2 Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, Teekay Corporations 98% initial limited partner interest was converted into (A) 8,734,572 Common Units and (B) 14,734,572 Subordinated Units (as defined in the Original Agreement).
(b) Upon the issuance of any additional Limited Partner Interests by the Partnership (other than the issuance of the Common Units issued in the Initial Offering, the issuance of the Common Units issued pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option and the issuance of the Preferred Units), the General Partner shall be required to make additional Capital Contributions equal to (i) 2/98ths of any amount contributed to the Partnership by the Limited Partners in exchange for the additional Limited Partner Interests issued to such Limited Partners less (ii) 2/98ths of any amount so contributed by such Limited Partners that is used by the Partnership concurrently with such contribution to redeem or repurchase from any Person outstanding Limited Partner Interests of the same class as the Limited Partner Interests issued to such Limited Partners at a price per Limited Partner Interest equal to the net proceeds per Limited Partner Interest, before expenses, that the Partnership receives from such issuances. Except as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence and Article XII, the General Partner shall not be obligated to make any additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership. The General Partners Percentage Interest shall not change as a result of the issuance of any Preferred Units.
Section 5.3 Contributions by Initial Limited Partners and Distributions to the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each Underwriter contributed to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit, multiplied by the number of Common Units specified in the Underwriting Agreement to be purchased by such Underwriter at the Closing Date. In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership issued Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such Capital Contribution was made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contribution to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit.
(b) Upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, each Underwriter contributed to the Partnership cash in an amount equal to the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit, multiplied by the number of Common Units to be purchased by such Underwriter at the Option Closing Date. In exchange for such Capital Contributions by the Underwriters, the Partnership issued Common Units to each Underwriter on whose behalf such Capital Contribution was made in an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the cash contributions to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Underwriter by (ii) the Issue Price per Initial Common Unit.
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(c) No Limited Partner Interests were issued or issuable as of or at the Closing Date other than (i) the Common Units issued pursuant to subparagraph (a) hereof in aggregate number equal to 6,000,000, (ii) the Option Units as such term is used in the Underwriting Agreement in an aggregate number up to 900,000 issued upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option pursuant to subparagraph (c) hereof, (iii) the 14,734,572 Subordinated Units (as defined in the Original Agreement) issued pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, (iv) the 8,734,572 Common Units issued pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, (v) the Incentive Distribution Rights and (vi) 1,000,000 Common Units issuable pursuant to the Partnerships 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
Section 5.4 Interest and Withdrawal.
No interest shall be paid by the Partnership on Capital Contributions. No Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon termination of the Partnership may be considered and permitted as such by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have priority over any other Partner either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions.
Section 5.5 Capital Accounts.
(a)Section 5.5 The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by
a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General
Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such
Capital Account shall be increased by the amount of all Capital Contributions made to the Partnership with respect to such Partnership Interest, provided that the initial Capital Account of the initial holder of a Series A Preferred Unit with
respect to such Series A Preferred Unit shall equal the Stated Series A Liquidation Preference irrespective of the amount paid by such holder for such Series A Preferred Unit and the initial Capital Account of the initial holder of a Series B
Preferred Unit with respect to such Series B Preferred Unit shall equal the Stated Series B Liquidation Preference irrespective of the amount paid by such holder for such Series B Preferred Unit, and all items of Partnership income and gain
(including, without limitation, income and gain exempt from tax) computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to
Section 6.1, and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions of cash or property made with
respect to such Partnership Interest and (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 5.5(b) and
allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1.[Reserved].
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(b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income,
gain, loss or deduction which is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the
same as its determination, recognition and classification for United States federal income tax purposes (including, without limitation, any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided, that:
(i) Solely for purposes of this Section 5.5, the Partnership
shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the applicable Group Member Agreement) of all property owned any other Group Member that is classified as a partnership
for United States federal income tax purposes.
(ii) All fees and other expenses incurred by the
Partnership to promote the sale of (or to sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be
treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.
(iii) Except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), the computation of all items of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be made without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code
which may be made by the Partnership and, as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are
neither currently deductible nor capitalized for United States federal income tax purposes. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of
the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be
treated as an item of gain or loss.
(iv) Any income, gain or loss attributable to the
taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the Partnerships Carrying Value with respect
to such property as of such date.
(v) In accordance with the requirements of
Section 704(b) of the Code, any deductions for depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to any Contributed Property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property on the date it
was acquired by the Partnership were equal to the Agreed Value of such property. Upon an adjustment pursuant to Section 5.5(d) to the Carrying Value of any Partnership property subject to depreciation, cost
recovery or amortization, any further deductions for such depreciation, cost recovery or amortization attributable to such property shall be determined (A) as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal
to the Carrying Value
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of such property immediately following such adjustment and
(B) using a rate of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization derived from the same method and useful life (or, if applicable, the remaining useful life) as is applied for United States federal income tax
purposes; provided, however, that, if the asset has a zero adjusted basis for United States federal income tax purposes, depreciation, cost recovery or amortization deductions shall be determined using any method that the General Partner may
adopt.
(c) A transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a pro rata portion of the Capital Account of the
transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred.
(d) In accordance with Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration
for the provision of services or the conversion of the General Partners Combined Interest to Common Units pursuant to Section 11.3(b), the Capital Accounts of all
Partners and the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized
Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an actual sale of each such property for an amount equal to its fair market value immediately prior to such issuance and had been allocated to the Partners at such time pursuant to
Section 6.1(c) in the same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized following an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership would have been
allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate cash amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests
shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt; provided, however, that the General Partner, in arriving at such valuation, must take fully into account the fair market value of the Partnership Interests of
all Partners at such time. The General Partner shall allocate such aggregate value among the assets of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines) to arrive at a fair market value for individual properties.
(ii) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f),
immediately prior to any actual or deemed distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Capital Accounts of all Partners and the
Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property, as if such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss had been recognized on an
actual sale of each such property immediately prior to such distribution for an amount equal to its fair market value, and had been allocated to the Partners, at such time, pursuant to Section 6.1(c) in the
same manner as any item of gain or loss actually recognized following an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership would have been allocated. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate cash
amount and fair market value of all Partnership assets (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of an actual distribution that is not made pursuant to
Section 12.4 or in the case of a deemed distribution, be determined and allocated in the same manner as that provided in Section 5.5(d)(i) or
(B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined and allocated by the Liquidator using such method of valuation as it may
adopt.
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Section 5.6 Issuances of Additional Partnership Securities.
(a) Subject to any approvals required by Preferred Unit Holders pursuant to Section 16.5(c)(ii), the Partnership may issue additional Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to the Partnership Securities for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partners.
(b) Each additional Partnership Security authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.6(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of Partnership Securities), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may redeem the Partnership Security; (v) whether such Partnership Security is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Security will be issued, evidenced by certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Security; and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Security to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Security.
(c) The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Securities and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 5.6, (ii) the conversion of the General Partner Interest or any Incentive Distribution Rights into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, (iii) the admission of additional Limited Partners and (iv) all additional issuances of Partnership Securities. The General Partner shall determine the relative rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Units or other Partnership Securities being so issued. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Marshall Islands Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Securities or in connection with the conversion of the General Partner Interest or any Incentive Distribution Rights into Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Securities are listed.
Section 5.7 Limitations on Issuance of Additional Partnership Securities.
The Partnership may issue an unlimited number of Partnership Securities (or options, warrants or appreciation rights related thereto) pursuant to Section 5.6 without the approval of the Limited Partners; provided, however, that no fractional units shall be issued by the Partnership.
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Section 5.8 Limited Preemptive Right.
Except as provided in this Section 5.8 and in Section 5.2(b), no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Security, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created. The General Partner shall have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its Affiliates, to purchase Partnership Securities from the Partnership whenever, and on the same terms that, the Partnership issues Partnership Securities to Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the Percentage Interests of the General Partner and its Affiliates equal to that which existed immediately prior to the issuance of such Partnership Securities; provided, however, that the amount of any series of Preferred Units issued by the Partnership from time to time that the General Partner shall have a right to purchase pursuant to this Section 5.8 shall equal the product of (a) the aggregate Percentage Interest of the General Partner and its Affiliates multiplied by (b) the number of such series of Preferred Units so issued.
Section 5.9 Splits and Combinations.
(a) Subject to Sections 5.9(d), 6.6 and 6.8 (dealing with adjustments of distribution levels), the Partnership may make a Pro Rata distribution of Partnership Securities (other than Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units) to all Record Holders of the same class or series of Partnership Securities or may effect a subdivision or combination of the same class or series of Partnership Securities so long as, after any such event, each Partner holding such class or series of such Partnership Securities shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event, and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis (including those based on the applicable Stated Preferred Unit Liquidation Preference) or stated as a number of Units are proportionately adjusted.
(b) Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Securities is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice. The General Partner also may cause a firm of independent public accountants selected by it to calculate the number of Partnership Securities to be held by each Record Holder after giving effect to such distribution, subdivision or combination. The General Partner shall be entitled to rely on any certificate provided by such firm as conclusive evidence of the accuracy of such calculation.
(c) Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates to the Record Holders of Partnership Securities as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Securities held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Securities Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of such new Certificate, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.
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(d) The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units. If a distribution, subdivision or combination of Units would result in the issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions of this Section 5.9(d), each fractional Unit, as applicable, shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (and a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher Unit).
Section 5.10 Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests.
All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Act.
ARTICLE VI
ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Section 6.1 Allocations for Capital Account Purposes.Allocations.
For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining
The profits and losses of the Partnership shall be allocated among the Partners by the General Partner in such manner as the General
Partner determines in good faith most accurately reflects the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnerships items of income, gain, loss and deduction (computed in accordance with
Section 5.5(b)) shall be allocated among the Partners in each taxable year (or portion thereof) as provided herein below.
(a) Net Income. After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in
Section 6.1(d), including Section 6.1(d)(x)(B), Net Income for each taxable year and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net
Income for such taxable year shall be allocated as follows:
(i) First, 100% to the General Partner,
until the aggregate Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(i) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net Losses allocated to
the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(iv) for all previous taxable years;
(ii) Second, 2% to the General Partner and 98% to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the aggregate
Net Income allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(ii) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the aggregate Net Losses allocated pursuant to
Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable years; and
(iii)
Third, 2% to the General Partner, and 98% to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata.
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(b) Net Losses. After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in
Section 6.1(d), including Section 6.1(d)(x)(B), Net Losses for each taxable period and all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net
Losses for such taxable period shall be allocated as follows:
(i) First, 2% to the General Partner, and
98% to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the aggregate Net Losses allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the
aggregate Net Income allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(a)(iii) for all previous taxable years, provided that the Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this
Section 6.1(b)(i) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder holding Common Units to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable year (or increase any
existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account);
(ii) Second, 2% to the General Partner, and
98% to the Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata; provided, that Net Losses shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(ii) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder holding
Common Units to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable year (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account);
(iii) Third, to all Preferred Unit Holders, in proportion to their positive Adjusted Capital Account balances, until
the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Preferred Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; and
(iv) Fourth, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.
(c) Net Termination Gains and Losses. After giving effect to the special allocations set forth in
Section 6.1(d), including Section 6.1(d)(x)(B), all items of income, gain, loss and deduction taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss
for such taxable period shall be allocated in the same manner as such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss is allocated hereunder. All allocations under this Section 6.1(c) shall be made after Capital
Account balances have been adjusted by all other allocations provided under this Section 6.1 and after all distributions of Available Cash provided under Sections 6.4 and 6.5 have been made; provided, however,
that solely for purposes of this Section 6.1(c), Capital Accounts shall not be adjusted for distributions made pursuant to Section 12.4.
(i) If a Net Termination Gain is recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to
Section 5.5(d)), such Net Termination Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in the following manner (and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be increased by the amount so allocated in each of the
following subclauses, in the order listed, before an allocation is made pursuant to the next succeeding subclause):
(A) First, to each Partner having a deficit balance in its Capital Account, in the proportion that such deficit balance
bears to the total deficit balances in the Capital Accounts of all Partners, until each such Partner has been allocated Net Termination Gain equal to any such deficit balance in its Capital Account;
(B) Second, 98% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until the Capital
Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of its Unrecovered Capital plus the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to
Section 6.4(a) with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2) is hereinafter
defined as the Unpaid MQD);
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(C) Third, 98% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata,
and 2% to the General Partner, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of its Unrecovered Capital, plus the Unpaid MQD, plus the excess of
(aa) the First Target Distribution less the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnerships existence over
(bb) the cumulative per Common Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(b) (the sum of
(1) plus (2) plus (3) is hereinafter defined as the First Liquidation Target
Amount);
(D) Fourth, 85% to all Unitholders holding Common Units,
Pro Rata, 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of
(1) the First Liquidation Target Amount, plus (2) the excess of (aa) the Second Target Distribution less the First Target
Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnerships existence over (bb) the cumulative per Common Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be
Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(c) (the sum of (1) plus (2) is hereinafter defined as the
Second Liquidation Target Amount);
(E) Fifth, 75% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution
Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of the Second Liquidation Target Amount, plus the excess of
(aa) the Third Target Distribution less the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnerships existence over (bb) the
cumulative per Common Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(d); and
(F) Finally, any remaining amount 50% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 48% to the holders of the
Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner.
(ii) If a Net Termination Loss is
recognized (or deemed recognized pursuant to Section 5.5(d)), such Net Termination Loss shall be allocated among the Partners in the following manner:
(A) First, to all Unitholders holding Common Units, and to the General Partner in accordance with, and in proportion
to, the positive balances of their respective Capital Accounts until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding and the General Partner has been reduced to zero;
(B) Second, to all Preferred Unit Holders, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Preferred Unit has
been reduced to zero; and
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(C) Third, the balance, if any, 100% to the General
Partner.
(d) Special Allocations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Section 6.1, the following special allocations shall be made for such taxable period:
(i) Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Section 6.1, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if
necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this
Section 6.1(d), each Partners Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to
the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Sections 6.1(d)(vi) and 6.1(d)(vii)). This
Section 6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted
consistently therewith.
(ii) Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Notwithstanding the
other provisions of this Section 6.1 (other than Section 6.1(d)(i)), except as provided in Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the
beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income and gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii),
or any successor provisions. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partners Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income or gain
required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d), other than Section 6.1(d)(i) and other than an
allocation pursuant to Sections 6.1(d)(vi) and 6.1(d)(vii), with respect to such taxable period. This Section 6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in
Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.
(iii) Priority Allocations.
(A) If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except cash or property distributed
pursuant to Section 12.4) to any Unitholder holding Common Units with respect to its Common Units for a taxable year is greater (on a per Common Unit basis) than the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of
property distributed to the other Unitholders with respect to their Common Units (on a per Common Unit basis), then each Unitholder holding Common Units receiving such greater cash or property distribution shall be allocated gross income in an
amount equal to the product of (aa) the amount by which the distribution (on a per Common Unit basis) to such Unitholder holding Common Units exceeds the distribution (on a per Common Unit basis) to the Unitholders holding Common Units receiving the
smallest distribution and (bb) the number of Common Units owned by the Unitholder holding Common Units receiving the greater distribution; and the General Partner shall be allocated gross income in an aggregate amount equal to
2/98ths of the sum of the amounts allocated in clause (1) above.
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(B) After the application of
Section 6.1(d)(iii)(A), all or any portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for the taxable period, if any, shall be allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro
Rata, until the aggregate amount of such items allocated to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights pursuant to this paragraph 6.1(d)(iii)(B) for the current taxable year and all previous taxable years is equal to the cumulative amount of all
Incentive Distributions made to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights from the Closing Date to a date 45 days after the end of the current taxable year and to the General Partner in an amount equal to 2/98ths of the sum of the amounts
allocated in clause (1) above.
(iv) Qualified Income Offset. In
the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6),
items of Partnership income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under
Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible unless such deficit balance is otherwise
eliminated pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(i) or (ii).
(v) Gross Income
Allocations. In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any Partnership taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially
allocated items of Partnership gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(v) shall be made only if
and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account as adjusted after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if this
Section 6.1(d)(v) were not in this Agreement.
(vi) Nonrecourse
Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. If the General Partner determines that the Partnerships
Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is
authorized, upon notice to the other Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.
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(vii) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions
for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or
among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss.
(viii)
Nonrecourse Liabilities. For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of
(A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with their respective
Percentage Interests.
(ix) Code Section 754 Adjustments. To the
extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the
basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted
pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.
(x) Preferred Unit Allocations.
(A) Income of the Partnership attributable to the issuance by the Partnership of a Preferred Unit for an amount in
excess of such Preferred Units Stated Preferred Unit Liquidation Preference shall be allocated to all Unitholders holding Common Units and the General Partner in accordance with their respective Percentage
Interests.
(B) Items of income or gain for each taxable period shall be allocated to each Preferred Unit
Holder, in proportion to, and to the extent of, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (1) the Stated Preferred Unit Liquidation Preference with respect to such
holders Preferred Units, over (2) such holders existing Capital Account balance in respect of such Preferred Units, until the
Capital Account balance of each such holder in respect of its Preferred Units is equal to the Stated Preferred Unit Liquidation Preference with respect to such holders Preferred Units.
(xi) Curative Allocation.
(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, other than the Required Allocations, the Required
Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of income, gain, loss and deduction allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed
Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under
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the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section 6.1.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Required Allocations relating to (1) Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partnership Minimum
Gain and (2) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions shall not be taken into account except to the extent that there has been a decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Allocations pursuant to this
Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among
the Partners. Further, allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall be deferred with respect to allocations pursuant to clauses (1) and (2) hereof to the
extent the General Partner determines that such allocations are likely to be offset by subsequent Required Allocations.
(B) The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply
the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and
(2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.
(xii) Corrective and Other Allocations. In the event of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items or any
Book-Down Event or any recognition of a Net Termination Loss, the following rules shall apply:
(A) Except
as provided in Section 6.1(d)(xii)(B), in the case of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items (other than an allocation of Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss under
Section 5.5(d) hereof) with respect to any Partnership property, the General Partner shall allocate such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items (1) to (aa) the holders of
Incentive Distribution Rights and (bb) the General Partner in the same manner that the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such property is allocated pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or
Section 5.5(d)(ii) and (2) to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, to the extent that the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such property is
allocated to any Unitholders holding Common Units pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or Section 5.5(d)(ii).
(B) In the case of any allocation of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items (other than an allocation of Unrealized
Gain or Unrealized Loss under Section 5.5(d)(ii) hereof or an allocation of Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof) as a result of
a sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset that is an Adjusted Property (Disposed of Adjusted Property), the General Partner shall allocate
(1) additional items of income and gain (aa) away from the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights and the General Partner and (bb) to the Unitholders holding Common Units, or
(2) additional items of deduction and loss (aa) away from the Unitholders holding Common Units and (bb) to the holders of Incentive Distribution Rights and the General Partner, to the extent that the Additional
Book Basis Derivative Items
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allocated to the Unitholders holding Common Units exceed their Share of Additional Book Basis Derivative Items with respect to such Disposed of Adjusted Property. For this purpose, the
Unitholders holding Common Units shall be treated as being allocated Additional Book Basis Derivative Items to the extent that such Additional Book Basis Derivative Items have reduced the amount of income that would otherwise have been allocated to
the Unitholders holding Common Units under this Agreement (e.g., Additional Book Basis Derivative Items taken into account in computing cost of goods sold would reduce the amount of book income otherwise available for allocation among the Partners).
Any allocation made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xii)(B) shall be made after all of the other Agreed Allocations have been made as if this Section 6.1(d)(xii) were not
in this Agreement and, to the extent necessary, shall require the reallocation of items that have been allocated pursuant to such other Agreed Allocations.
(C) In the case of any negative adjustments to the Capital Accounts of the Partners resulting from a Book-Down Event or
from the recognition of a Net Termination Loss, such negative adjustment (1) shall first be allocated, to the extent of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments, in such a manner, as determined by the
General Partner, that to the extent possible the aggregate Capital Accounts of the Partners will equal the amount that would have been the Capital Account balance of the Partners if no prior Book-Up Events had occurred, and
(2) any negative adjustment in excess of the Aggregate Remaining Net Positive Adjustments shall be allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c) hereof.
In making the allocations required under this Section 6.1(d)(xii), the General Partner may
apply whatever conventions or other methodology it determines will satisfy the purpose of this Section 6.1(d)(xii).as set forth elsewhere in this Agreement.
Section 6.2 Allocations for Tax Purposes.[Reserved].
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, for United States federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction
shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of book income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to
Section 6.1.
(b) In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to
a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for United States federal income tax purposes among the Partners as follows:
(i) In the case of a Contributed Property, such items attributable thereto shall be allocated among the Partners in the
manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code that takes into account the variation between the Agreed Value of such property and its adjusted basis at the time of contribution; and any item of Residual Gain
or Residual Loss attributable to a Contributed Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of book gain or loss is
allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.
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(ii) In the case of an Adjusted Property, such items shall first, be
allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code to take into account the Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such property and the
allocations thereof pursuant to Section 5.5(d)(i) or 5.5(d)(ii), and second, in the event such property was originally a Contributed Property, be allocated among the Partners in a manner consistent with
Section 6.2(b)(i)(A); and any item of Residual Gain or Residual Loss attributable to an Adjusted Property shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of
book gain or loss is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.
(iii) The General Partner shall apply the principles of Treasury Regulation
Section 1.704-3(d) to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities.
(c) For the proper
administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (i) adopt such conventions as it deems
appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii) make special allocations for United States federal income tax purposes of income (including, without
limitation, gross income) or deductions; and (iii) amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury
Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited
Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section 6.2(c) only if
such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests issued and Outstanding or the Partnership, and if such
allocations are consistent with the principles of Section 704 of the Code.
(d)
The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the
unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the Partnerships common basis of such property, despite any
inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken,
the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as
if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnerships property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate method, the General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization
conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Limited Partner Interests, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or the Record Holders of any class or classes
of Limited Partner Interests.
(e) Any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any
Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section 6.2, be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions
and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.
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(f) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the
Partnership for United States federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code
that may be made by the Partnership; provided, however, that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the
Code.
(g) Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction shall for United States federal income tax purposes,
be determined on an annual basis and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the first Business Day of each month; provided, however, such items for the period beginning
on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the month in which the Option Closing Date or the expiration of the Over-Allotment Option occurs shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the first
Business Day of the next succeeding month; and provided, further, that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income or loss realized and recognized other than in the ordinary
course of business, as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the New York Stock Exchange on the first Business Day of the month in which such gain or loss is recognized for United
States federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or
rulings promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Section 6.2(g), the guaranteed payments associated with the Preferred Unit Distributions shall be included
in the income of the Preferred Unit Holders as set forth in Section 16.3(a).
(h)
Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Limited Partner under the provisions of this Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Limited Partner Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the
identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.
Section 6.3 Requirement and Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders.
(a) Subject to Section 16.3, within 45 days following the end of each Quarter commencing with the Quarter ending on June 30, 2005, an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter shall, subject to Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Act, be distributed in accordance with this Article VI by the Partnership to the Partners as of the Record Date selected by the General Partner. All amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on any date from any source shall be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of Available Cash theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter. Any remaining amounts of Available Cash distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, be deemed to be Capital Surplus. All distributions required to be made under this Agreement shall be made subject to Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Act. This Section 6.3(a) shall not apply to Preferred Units.
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(b) Notwithstanding Section 6.3(a), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, all receipts received during or after the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs, other than from borrowings described in (a)(ii) of the definition of Available Cash, shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.
(c) The General Partner may treat taxes paid by the Partnership on
behalf of, or amountsrequired or elected to be withheld with respect to, all or less than all of the Partners, as a distribution of Available Cash to such Partners.
(d) Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through the Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date set for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnerships liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.
Section 6.4 Distributions of Available Cash from Operating Surplus.
Available Cash with respect to any Quarter that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Sections 6.3 or 6.5 shall, subject to Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Act, be distributed as follows (subject to Section 16.3 in respect of any series of Preferred Units described therein and except as otherwise required by Section 5.6(b) in respect of other Partnership Securities issued pursuant thereto):
(a) First, 98% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(b) Second, 98% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the First Target Distribution over the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;
(c) Third, 85% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Second Target Distribution over the First Target Distribution for such Quarter;
(d) Fourth, 75% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the excess of the Third Target Distribution over the Second Target Distribution for such Quarter; and
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(e) Thereafter, 50% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner;
provided, however, if the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, the First
Target Distribution, the Second Target Distribution and the Third Target Distribution have been reduced to zero pursuant to the second sentence of Section 6.6(a), the distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be
Operating Surplus with respect to any Quarter will be made solely in accordance with Section 6.4(e). No distributions shall be made with respect to Preferred Units pursuant to this Section 6.4.
Section 6.5 Distributions of Available Cash from Capital Surplus.
Available Cash that is deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3(a) shall, subject to Section 51 of the Marshall Islands Act and Section 16.3 in respect of any series of Preferred Units described therein, be distributed, unless the provisions of Section 6.3 require otherwise, 98% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until a hypothetical holder of a Common Unit acquired on the Closing Date has received with respect to such Common Unit, during the period since the Closing Date through such date, distributions of Available Cash that are deemed to be Capital Surplus in an aggregate amount equal to the Initial Unit Price. Thereafter, all Available Cash shall be distributed as if it were Operating Surplus and shall be distributed in accordance with Section 6.4.
Section 6.6 Adjustment of Minimum Quarterly Distribution and Target Distribution Levels.
The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of any distribution, combination or subdivision (whether effected by a distribution payable in Units or otherwise) of Units or other Partnership Securities in accordance with Section 5.9. In the event of a distribution of Available Cash that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall be adjusted proportionately downward to equal the product obtained by multiplying the otherwise applicable Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, as the case may be, by a fraction of which the numerator is the Unrecovered Capital of the Common Units immediately after giving effect to such distribution and of which the denominator is the Unrecovered Capital of the Common Units immediately prior to giving effect to such distribution.
(a) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target
Distribution, shall also be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6.8.
Section 6.7 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Incentive Distribution Rights.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in
this Agreement, the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights (a) shall (i) possess the rights and obligations provided in this Agreement with respect to a Limited Partner pursuant to Articles III and VII and
(ii) have a Capital Account as a Partner pursuant to Section 5.5 and all other provisions related thereto and (b) shall not (i) be entitled to vote on
any matters requiring the approval or vote of the holders of Outstanding Units, (ii) be entitled to any distributions other than as provided in Section 6.4(c), (d) and (e) , and 12.4 or (iii) be allocated items of income, gain,
loss or deduction other than as specified in this Article VI.
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(b) The Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall also be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6.8.
Section 6.8 Entity-Level Taxation.
If legislation is enacted or the interpretation of existing language is modified by a governmental taxing authority
so that a Group Member is treated as an association taxable as a corporation or is otherwise subject to an entity-level tax for federal, state or local income tax purposes, then theThe General Partner shall estimate
for each Quarter the Partnership Groups aggregate liability (the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount) for all such income taxes that are payable by reason of any such new legislation or
interpretationthe Partnership; provided that any difference between such estimate and the actual tax liability for such Quarter that is owed by reason of any such new legislation or interpretationthe
Partnership shall be taken into account in determining the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount with respect to each Quarter in which any such difference can be determined. For each such Quarter, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution, First
Target Distribution, Second Target Distribution and Third Target Distribution, shall be the product obtained by multiplying (a) the amounts therefor that are set out herein prior to the application of this Section 6.8 times (b) the
quotient obtained by dividing (i) Available Cash with respect to such Quarter by (ii) the sum of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter and the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for such Quarter, as determined by the General
Partner. For purposes of the foregoing, Available Cash with respect to a Quarter will be deemed reduced by the Estimated Incremental Quarterly Tax Amount for that Quarter.
ARTICLE VII
MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS
Section 7.1 Management.
(a) The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no Limited Partner shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.3, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:
(i) 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 Partnership Securities (subject to Section 16.5 with respect to any Senior Securities), and the incurring of any other obligations;
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(ii) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;
(iii) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.3 and Article XIV);
(iv) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership Group; subject to Section 7.6(a), the lending of funds to other Persons (including other Group Members); the repayment or guarantee of obligations of the Partnership Group; and the making of capital contributions to any member of the Partnership Group;
(v) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);
(vi) the distribution of Partnership cash;
(vii) the selection and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer) and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;
(viii) the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group, the Partners and Indemnitees;
(ix) 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 (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, any Group Member from time to time) subject to the restrictions set forth in Section 2.4;
(x) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, 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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(xi) the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;
(xii) the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Limited Partner Interests from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange (subject to any prior approval that may be required under Section 4.8);
(xiii) the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Securities (subject to Section 16.6(g)), or the issuance of options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities;
(xiv) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnerships participation in any Group Member; and
(xv) the entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates to render services to a Group Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner of the Partnership.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, the Marshall Islands Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each of the Partners and each other Person who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement, the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement, the Contribution Agreement, any Group Member Agreement of any other Group Member and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement; (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own or through any officer of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners or the other Persons who may acquire an interest in Partnership Securities; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement (including the exercise by the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner of the rights accorded pursuant to Article XV) shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Limited Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity.
Section 7.2 Certificate of Limited Partnership.
The General Partner caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Registrar of Corporations of the Marshall Islands as required by the Marshall Islands Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the Marshall Islands or any other jurisdiction in which
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the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the Marshall Islands or of any other jurisdiction in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Limited Partner.
Section 7.3 Restrictions on the General Partners Authority.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the General Partner may not, without written approval of the specific act by holders of all of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests or by other written instrument executed and delivered by holders of all of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests subsequent to the date of this Agreement, take any action in contravention of this Agreement, including, (i) committing any act that would make it impossible to carry on the ordinary business of the Partnership; (ii) possessing Partnership property, or assigning any rights in specific Partnership property, for other than a Partnership purpose; (iii) admitting a Person as a Partner; (iv) amending this Agreement in any manner; or (v) transferring its interest as a general partner of the Partnership.
(b) Except as provided in Articles XII and XIV, the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (including by way of merger, consolidation, other combination or sale of ownership interests of the Partnerships Subsidiaries) without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partners ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply to any forced sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance. Without the approval of holders of a Unit Majority, the General Partner shall not, on behalf of the Partnership, (i) consent to any amendment to the Operating Company Agreement or, except as expressly permitted by Section 7.9(e), take any action permitted to be taken by a member of the Operating Company, in either case, that would adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to any other class of Partnership Interests) in any material respect or (ii) except as permitted under Sections 4.6, 11.1 and 11.2, elect or cause the Partnership to elect a successor general partner of the Partnership.
Section 7.4 Reimbursement of the General Partner.
(a) Except as provided in this Section 7.4 and elsewhere in this Agreement, the General Partner shall not be compensated for its services as a general partner or managing member of any Group Member.
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(b) The General Partner shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on behalf of the Partnership (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person including Affiliates of the General Partner to perform services for the Partnership or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership), and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnerships business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.4 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7.
(c) The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership employee benefit plans, employee programs and employee practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Securities or options to purchase or rights, warrants or appreciation rights relating to Partnership Securities), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Securities in connection with, or pursuant to, any employee benefit plan, employee program or employee practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, in each case for the benefit of employees of the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate, or any of them, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Securities that the General Partner or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any employees pursuant to any such employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Securities purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates from the Partnership to fulfill options or awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.4(b). Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any employee benefit plans, employee programs or employee practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.4(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partners General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6.
Section 7.5 Outside Activities.
(a) After the Closing Date, the General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership (i) agrees that its sole business will be to act as a general partner or managing member, as the case may be, of the Partnership and any other partnership or limited liability company of which the Partnership or the Operating Company is, directly or indirectly, a partner or member and to undertake activities that are ancillary or related thereto (including being a limited partner in the Partnership), (ii) shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (A) its performance as general partner or managing member, if any, of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement or (B) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt or equity securities in any Group Member and (iii) except to the extent permitted in the Omnibus Agreement, shall not, and shall cause its controlled Affiliates not to, engage in any Offshore Restricted Business or Crude Oil Restricted Business (as such terms are defined in the Omnibus Agreement).
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(b) Teekay Corporation and certain of its Affiliates have entered into the Omnibus Agreement, which agreement sets forth certain restrictions on the ability of Teekay Corporation and its Affiliates to engage in any LNG Restricted Businesses (as such term is defined in the Omnibus Agreement).
(c) Except as specifically restricted by Section 7.5(a) or the Omnibus Agreement, each Indemnitee (other than the General Partner) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty expressed or implied by law to any Group Member or any Partner. None of any Group Member, any Limited Partner or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, or the partnership relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any Indemnitee.
(d) Subject to the terms of Section 7.5(a), Section 7.5(b), Section 7.5(c) and the Omnibus Agreement, but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.5 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any fiduciary duty or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of the General Partner or of any Indemnitee for the Indemnitees (other than the General Partner) to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership and (iii) except as set forth in the Omnibus Agreement, the General Partner and the Indemnitees shall have no obligation hereunder or as a result of any duty expressed or implied by law to present business opportunities to the Partnership.
(e) The General Partner and each of its Affiliates may acquire Units or other Partnership Securities in addition to those acquired on the Closing Date and, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, shall be entitled to exercise, at their option, all rights relating to all Units or other Partnership Securities acquired by them.
(f) The term Affiliates when used in Section 7.5(a) and Section 7.5(e) with respect to the General Partner shall not include any Group Member.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that any provision of this Agreement purports or is interpreted to have the effect of restricting the fiduciary duties that might otherwise, as a result of Marshall Islands law or other applicable law, be owed by the General Partner to the Partnership and its Limited Partners, or to constitute a waiver or consent by the Limited Partners to any such restriction, such provisions shall be inapplicable and have no effect in determining whether the General Partner has complied with its fiduciary duties in connection with determinations made by it under this Section 7.5.
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Section 7.6 Loans from the General Partner; Loans or Contributions from the Partnership or Group Members.
(a) The General Partner or any of its Affiliates may lend to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, funds needed or desired by the Group Member for such periods of time and in such amounts as the General Partner may determine; provided, however, that in any such case the lending party may not charge the borrowing party interest at a rate greater than the rate that would be charged the borrowing party or impose terms less favorable to the borrowing party than would be charged or imposed on the borrowing party by unrelated lenders on comparable loans made on an arms-length basis (without reference to the lending partys financial abilities or guarantees), all as determined by the General Partner. The borrowing party shall reimburse the lending party for any costs (other than any additional interest costs) incurred by the lending party in connection with the borrowing of such funds. For purposes of this Section 7.6(a) and Section 7.6(b), the term Group Member shall include any Affiliate of a Group Member that is controlled by the Group Member.
(b) The Partnership may lend or contribute to any Group Member, and any Group Member may borrow from the Partnership, funds on terms and conditions determined by the General Partner. No Group Member may lend funds to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates (other than another Group Member).
(c) No borrowing by any Group Member or the approval thereof by the General Partner shall be deemed to constitute a breach of any duty, expressed or implied, of the General Partner or its Affiliates to the Partnership or the Limited Partners by reason of the fact that the purpose or effect of such borrowing is directly or indirectly to enable distributions to the General Partner or its Affiliates (including in their capacities as Limited Partners) to exceed the General Partners Percentage Interest of the total amount distributed to all partners.
Section 7.7 Indemnification.
(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law but subject to the limitations expressly provided in this Agreement, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, joint or several, expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee; provided, that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitees conduct was unlawful; provided, further, no indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be available to the General Partner or its Affiliates (other than a Group Member) with respect to its or their obligations incurred pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Omnibus Agreement or the Contribution Agreement (other than obligations incurred by the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership). Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.
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(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, be advanced by the Partnership prior to a determination that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized in this Section 7.7.
(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitees capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity (including any capacity under the Underwriting Agreement), and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.
(d) The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its Affiliates and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Partnerships activities or such Persons activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.
(e) For purposes of this Section 7.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law shall constitute fines within the meaning of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by it with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.
(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.
(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.
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(h) The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees, their heirs, successors, assigns and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.
(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
Section 7.8 Liability of Indemnitees.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages to the Partnership, the Limited Partners or any other Persons who have acquired interests in the Partnership Securities, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred as a result of any act or omission of an Indemnitee unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter in question, the Indemnitee acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitees conduct was criminal.
(b) Subject to its obligations and duties as General Partner set forth in Section 7.1(a), the General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner in good faith.
(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership or to the Partners, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnerships business or affairs shall not be liable to the Partnership or to any Partner for its good faith reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.
(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.
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Section 7.9 Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties.
(a) Unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or any Group Member Agreement, whenever a potential conflict of interest exists or arises between the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership, any Group Member or any Partner, on the other, any resolution or course of action by the General Partner or its Affiliates in respect of such conflict of interest shall be permitted and deemed approved by all Partners, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any duty stated or implied by law or equity, if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict of interest is (i) approved by Special Approval, (ii) approved by the vote of a majority of the Outstanding Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner and its Affiliates), (iii) on terms no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or (iv) fair and reasonable to the Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership). The General Partner shall be authorized but not required in connection with its resolution of such conflict of interest to seek Special Approval of such resolution, and the General Partner may also adopt a resolution or course of action that has not received Special Approval. If Special Approval is not sought and the Board of Directors of the General Partner determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in clauses (iii) or (iv) above, then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the Board of Directors of the General Partner acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by any Limited Partner or by or on behalf of such Limited Partner or any other Limited Partner or the Partnership challenging such approval, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming such presumption. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners.
(b) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership as opposed to in its individual capacity, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then, unless another express standard is provided for in this Agreement, the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall make such determination or take or decline to take such other action in good faith and shall not be subject to any other or different standards imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Marshall Islands Act or any other law, rule or regulation. In order for a determination or other action to be in good faith for purposes of this Agreement, the Person or Persons making such determination or taking or declining to take such other action must reasonably believe that the determination or other action is in the best interests of the Partnership, unless the context otherwise requires.
(c) Whenever the General Partner makes a determination or takes or declines to take any other action, or any of its Affiliates causes it to do so, in its individual capacity as opposed to in its capacity as the general partner of the Partnership, whether under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby or otherwise, then the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, are entitled to make such determination or to take or decline to take such other action free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner, and the General Partner, or such Affiliates causing it to do so, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Marshall Islands Act or any other law, rule or regulation. By way of illustration and not of limitation, whenever the phrase, at the option of the General Partner, or some variation of that phrase, is used in this Agreement, it indicates that the General Partner is acting in its individual capacity.
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(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its Affiliates shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose of any asset of the Partnership Group other than in the ordinary course of business or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts shall be at its option.
(e) Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall have any duties or liabilities, including fiduciary duties, to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and the provisions of this Agreement, to the extent that they restrict or otherwise modify the duties and liabilities, including fiduciary duties, of the General Partner or any other Indemnitee otherwise existing at law or in equity, are agreed by the Partners to replace such other duties and liabilities of the General Partner or such other Indemnitee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, but subject to Section 7.9(c) and without reference to the definition of good faith in Section 7.9(b), neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall owe any fiduciary duties to Preferred Unit Holders other than a contractual duty of good faith and fair dealing.
(f) The Unitholders hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner or member of a Group Member, to approve of actions by the general partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.9.
Section 7.10 Other Matters Concerning the General Partner.
(a) The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
(b) The General Partner may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it, and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Persons as to matters that the General Partner reasonably believes to be within such Persons professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.
(c) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact or the duly authorized officers of the Partnership.
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Section 7.11 Purchase or Sale of Partnership Securities.
Subject to Section 16.6(g), the General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Securities. As long as Partnership Securities are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Securities shall not be considered Outstanding for any purpose, except as otherwise provided herein. The General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner may also purchase or otherwise acquire and sell or otherwise dispose of Partnership Securities for its own account, subject to the provisions of Articles IV and X and Section 16.6(g).
Section 7.12 Registration Rights of the General Partner and its Affiliates.
(a) If (i) the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner (including for purposes of this Section 7.12, any Person that is an Affiliate of the General Partner at the date hereof notwithstanding that it may later cease to be an Affiliate of the General Partner) or any of their assignees holds Partnership Securities that it desires to sell and (ii) Rule 144 of the Securities Act (or any successor rule or regulation to Rule 144) or another exemption from registration is not available to enable such holder of Partnership Securities (the Holder) to dispose of the number of Partnership Securities it desires to sell at the time it desires to do so without registration under the Securities Act, then at the option and upon the request of the Holder, the Partnership shall file with the Commission as promptly as practicable after receiving such request, and use all reasonable efforts to cause to become effective and remain effective for a period of not less than six months following its effective date or such shorter period as shall terminate when all Partnership Securities covered by such registration statement have been sold, a registration statement under the Securities Act registering the offering and sale of the number of Partnership Securities specified by the Holder; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to effect more than three registrations pursuant to this Section 7.12(a); and provided further, however, that if the Conflicts Committee determines that a postponement of the requested registration for up to six months would be in the best interests of the Partnership and its Partners due to a pending transaction, investigation or other event, the filing of such registration statement or the effectiveness thereof may be deferred for up to six months, but not thereafter. In connection with any registration pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence, the Partnership shall (i) promptly prepare and file (A) such documents as may be necessary to register or qualify the securities subject to such registration under the securities laws of such states as the Holder shall reasonably request; provided, however, that no such qualification shall be required in any jurisdiction where, as a result thereof, the Partnership would become subject to general service of process or to taxation or qualification to do business as a foreign corporation or partnership doing business in such jurisdiction solely as a result of such registration, and (B) such documents as may be necessary to apply for listing or to list the Partnership Securities subject to such registration on such National Securities Exchange as the Holder shall reasonably request, and (ii) do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or appropriate to enable the Holder to consummate a public sale of such Partnership Securities in such states. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
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(b) If the Partnership shall at any time propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act for an offering of equity securities of the Partnership for cash (other than an offering relating solely to an employee benefit plan), the Partnership shall use all reasonable efforts to include such number or amount of securities held by the Holder in such registration statement as the Holder shall request; provided, that the Partnership is not required to make any effort or take any action to so include the securities of the Holder once the registration statement is declared effective by the Commission, including any registration statement providing for the offering from time to time of securities pursuant to Rule 415 of the Securities Act. If the proposed offering pursuant to this Section 7.12(b) shall be an underwritten offering, then, in the event that the managing underwriter or managing underwriters of such offering advise the Partnership and the Holder in writing that in their opinion the inclusion of all or some of the Holders Partnership Securities would adversely and materially affect the success of the offering, the Partnership shall include in such offering only that number or amount, if any, of securities held by the Holder that, in the opinion of the managing underwriter or managing underwriters, will not so adversely and materially affect the offering. Except as set forth in Section 7.12(c), all costs and expenses of any such registration and offering (other than the underwriting discounts and commissions) shall be paid by the Partnership, without reimbursement by the Holder.
(c) If underwriters are engaged in connection with any registration referred to in this Section 7.12, the Partnership shall provide indemnification, representations, covenants, opinions and other assurance to the underwriters in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such underwriters. Further, in addition to and not in limitation of the Partnerships obligation under Section 7.7, the Partnership shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold harmless the Holder, its officers, directors and each Person who controls the Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) and any agent thereof (collectively, Indemnified Persons) against any losses, claims, demands, actions, causes of action, assessments, damages, liabilities (joint or several), costs and expenses (including interest, penalties and reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements), resulting to, imposed upon, or incurred by the Indemnified Persons, directly or indirectly, under the Securities Act or otherwise (hereinafter referred to in this Section 7.12(c) as a claim and in the plural as claims) based upon, arising out of or resulting from any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which any Partnership Securities were registered under the Securities Act or any state securities or Blue Sky laws, in any preliminary prospectus (if used prior to the effective date of such registration statement), or in any summary or final prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto (if used during the period the Partnership is required to keep the registration statement current), or arising out of, based upon or resulting from the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person to the extent that any such claim arises out of, is based upon or results from an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, such preliminary, summary or final prospectus or such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Partnership by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person specifically for use in the preparation thereof.
(d) The provisions of Section 7.12(a) and Section 7.12(b) shall continue to be applicable with respect to the General Partner (and any of the General Partners Affiliates and any of the General Partners or its Affiliates assignees) after it ceases to be a Partner of the Partnership, during a period of two years subsequent to the effective date of such cessation and for so long thereafter as is required for the Holder to sell all of the Partnership Securities with respect to which
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it has requested during such two-year period inclusion in a registration statement otherwise filed or that a registration statement be filed; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not be required to file successive registration statements covering the same Partnership Securities for which registration was demanded during such two-year period. The provisions of Section 7.12(c) shall continue in effect thereafter.
(e) Any request to register Partnership Securities pursuant to this Section 7.12 shall (i) specify the Partnership Securities intended to be offered and sold by the Person making the request, (ii) express such Persons present intent to offer such Partnership Securities for distribution, (iii) describe the nature or method of the proposed offer and sale of Partnership Securities, and (iv) contain the undertaking of such Person to provide all such information and materials and take all action as may be required in order to permit the Partnership to comply with all applicable requirements in connection with the registration of such Partnership Securities.
Section 7.13 Reliance by Third Parties.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnerships sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Limited Partner hereby waives any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available against such Person to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.
ARTICLE VIII
BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
Section 8.1 Records and Accounting.
The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnerships business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Limited Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.4(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership
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in the regular course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders of Units or other Partnership Securities, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, punch cards, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided, that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Section 8.2 Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December 31.
Section 8.3 Reports.
(a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 120 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available to each Record Holder of a Unit as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner.
(b) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 90 days after the close of each Quarter except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available to each Record Holder of a Unit, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
ARTICLE IX
TAX MATTERS
Section 9.1 Tax Returns and Information.
The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for foreign, federal, state and local income tax purposes
on the basis of the accrual method and a taxable year ending on December 31. The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal and state income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable year shall be furnished to them
within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnerships taxable year ends. The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of
accounting for United States federal income tax purposes.
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Section 9.2 Tax Elections.
The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with
applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partners determination that such revocation is in the best interests of
the Limited Partners. Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall be
authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a transferee of a Limited Partner Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted closing price of the Limited Partner Interests on any National Securities Exchange on
which such Limited Partner Interests are listed during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed to occur pursuant to Section 6.2(g) without regard to the actual price paid by such
transferee.The General Partner is authorized to make the election on Form 8832 for the Partnership to be classified as an association taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes pursuant to Treasury Regulation
Section 301.7701-3(c) effective on the Effective Date, and such election has been made (the Tax Election).
(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections
permitted by the Code.
Section 9.3 Tax Controversies.
Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner is designated as the tax matters partner as defined in Section 6231 the Code as in effect prior to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 for taxable years of the Partnership beginning before January 1, 2018 (the Tax Matters Partner). For taxable years of the Partnership beginning after December 31, 2017, and ending on or prior to date immediately prior to the Effective Date, the General Partner shall, in its sole discretion, designate a partnership representative as defined in Section 6223 of the Code (the Partnership Representative). The Tax Matters Partner and the Partnership Representative shall exercise any and all authority of a tax matters partner or a partnership representative, respectively, under the Code, including to represent the Partnership (at the Partnerships expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnerships affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, to bind the Partnership and its Partners with respect to any applicable tax matters, to make any available elections and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the Tax Matters Partner and the Partnership Representative and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the Tax Matters Partner and the Partnership Representative to conduct such proceedings.
Section 9.4 Withholding.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other federal, state or local law including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner (including, without limitation, by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section 6.3 in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.
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Section 9.5 Conduct of Operations.
The General Partner shall use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct the business of the Partnership and its Affiliates in a manner that
does not require a holder of Common Units or Preferred Units to file a tax return in any jurisdiction with which the holder has no contact other than through ownership of Common Units or Preferred Units. For greater certainty, the General Partner
shall conduct the affairs and governance of the Partnership so that the General Partner and the Partnership are not residents of Canada for purposes of Canadas tax legislation and neither the General Partner notr the
Partnership is carrying on business in Canada for purposes of such legislation.
ARTICLE X
ADMISSION OF PARTNERS
Section 10.1 Admission of Initial Limited Partners.
Upon the issuance by the Partnership of Partnership Securities to the General Partner, Teekay Corporation and the Underwriters as described in Sections 5.2 and 5.3 in connection with the Initial Offering, the General Partner admitted such parties to the Partnership as Initial Limited Partners in respect of the Partnership Securities issued to them.
Section 10.2 Admission of Additional Limited Partners.
(a) By acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance with Article IV or the acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to Article V or pursuant to a merger or consolidation pursuant to Article XIV, each transferee of, or other such Person acquiring, a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or issued to such Person when any such transfer, issuance or admission is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership and such Limited Partner becomes the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred, (ii) shall become bound by the terms of this Agreement, (iii) represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, (iv) grants the powers of attorney set forth in this Agreement and (v) makes the consents and waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement by such Person. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement. A Person may become a Limited Partner or Record Holder of a Limited Partner Interest without the consent or approval of any of the Partners. A Person may not become a Limited Partner until such Person acquires a Limited Partner Interest and such Person is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holder of such Limited Partner Interest.
(b) The name and mailing address of each Limited Partner shall be listed on the books and records of the Partnership maintained for such purpose by the Partnership or the Transfer Agent. The General Partner shall update the books and records of the Partnership from time to time as necessary to reflect accurately the information therein (or shall cause the Transfer Agent to do so, as applicable). A Limited Partner Interest may be represented by a Certificate, as provided in Section 4.1 hereof.
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(c) Any transfer of a Limited Partner Interest shall not entitle the transferee to receive distributions or to any other rights to which the transferor was entitled until the transferee becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.1(a).
Section 10.3 Admission of Successor General Partner.
A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the withdrawal or removal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner, pursuant to Section 11.1 or 11.2 or the transfer of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6, provided, however, that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.
Section 10.4 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership.
To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary or appropriate under the Marshall Islands Act to amend the records of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership and the General Partner may for this purpose, among others, exercise the power of attorney granted pursuant to Section 2.6.
ARTICLE XI
WITHDRAWAL OR REMOVAL OF PARTNERS
Section 11.1 Withdrawal of the General Partner.
(a) The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an Event of Withdrawal);
(i) The General Partner voluntarily withdraws from the Partnership by giving written notice to the other Partners;
(ii) The General Partner transfers all of its rights as General Partner pursuant to Section 4.6;
(iii) The General Partner is removed pursuant to Section 11.2;
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(iv) The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary petition in bankruptcy; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A)-(B) of this Section 11.1(a)(iv); or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee, receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;
(v) The General Partner is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or has entered against him or her an order for relief in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding;
(vi) (A) in the case of a general partner that is a corporation, the filing of a certificate of dissolution, or its equivalent, for the corporation or the revocation of its charter and the expiration of ninety (90) days after the date of notice to the corporation of revocation without a reinstatement of its charter; (B) in the event the General Partner is a partnership or a limited liability company, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) in the event the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; (D) in the event the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency; and (E) otherwise in the event of the termination of the General Partner.
If an Event of Withdrawal specified in Section 11.1(a)(iv), or Section 11.1(a)(vi)(A), (B), or (D) occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Limited Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.
(b) Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement under the following circumstances: (i) the General Partner voluntarily withdraws by giving at least 90 days advance notice to the Unitholders, such withdrawal to take effect on the date specified in such notice; or (ii) at any time that the General Partner ceases to be the General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(ii) or is removed pursuant to Section 11.2. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives a notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a)(i), the holders of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partners withdrawal, a successor is not selected by the Unitholders as provided herein the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.
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Section 11.2 Removal of the General Partner.
The General Partner may be removed if such removal is approved by the Unitholders holding at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Units (including
Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates voting as a single class). Any such action by such holders for removal of the General Partner must also provide for the election of a successor General Partner by the Unitholders holding a Unit
Majority (including Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates). Such removal shall be effective immediately following the admission of a successor General Partner pursuant to Section 10.3. The removal of the General Partner shall
also automatically constitute the removal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If a Person is
elected as a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.2, such Person shall, upon admission pursuant to Section 10.3, automatically become a successor general partner or managing member, to the extent
applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. The right of the holders of Outstanding Units to remove the General Partner shall not exist or be exercised unless the Partnership has
received an Opinion of Counsel that such removal (following the selection of the successor General Partner) would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or any Group Member or cause any Group Member to be
treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for United States federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed). Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with
the terms of this Section 11.2 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.3.
Section 11.3 Interest of Departing Partner and Successor General Partner.
(a) In the event of (i) withdrawal of the General Partner under circumstances where such withdrawal does not violate this Agreement or (ii) removal of the General Partner by the holders of Outstanding Units under circumstances where Cause does not exist, if the successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2, the Departing Partner shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such Departing Partner, to require its successor to purchase its General Partner Interest and its general partner interest (or equivalent interest), if any, in the other Group Members and all of its Incentive Distribution Rights (collectively, the Combined Interest) in exchange for an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of such Combined Interest, such amount to be determined and payable as of the effective date of its departure. If the General Partner is removed by the Unitholders under circumstances where Cause exists or if the General Partner withdraws under circumstances where such withdrawal violates this Agreement, and if a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner), such successor shall have the option, exercisable prior to the effective date of the departure of such Departing Partner (or, in the event the business of the Partnership is continued, prior to the date the business of the Partnership is continued), to purchase the Combined Interest for such fair market value of such Combined Interest of the Departing Partner. In either event, the Departing Partner shall be entitled to receive all reimbursements due such Departing Partner pursuant to Section 7.4, including any employee-related liabilities (including severance liabilities), incurred in connection with the termination of any employees employed by the Departing Partner for the benefit of the Partnership or the other Group Members.
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For purposes of this Section 11.3(a), the fair market value of the Departing Partners Combined Interest shall be determined by agreement between the Departing Partner and its successor or, failing agreement within 30 days after the effective date of such Departing Partners departure, by an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the Departing Partner and its successor, which, in turn, may rely on other experts, and the determination of which shall be conclusive as to such matter. If such parties cannot agree upon one independent investment banking firm or other independent expert within 45 days after the effective date of such departure, then the Departing Partner shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, the Departing Partners successor shall designate an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert, and such firms or experts shall mutually select a third independent investment banking firm or independent expert, which third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert shall determine the fair market value of the Combined Interest of the Departing Partner. In making its determination, such third independent investment banking firm or other independent expert may consider the then current trading price of Units on any National Securities Exchange on which Units are then listed, the value of the Partnerships assets, the rights and obligations of the Departing Partner and other factors it may deem relevant.
(b) If the Combined Interest is not purchased in the manner set forth in Section 11.3(a), the Departing Partner (or its transferee) shall become a Limited Partner and its Combined Interest shall be converted into Common Units pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected pursuant to Section 11.3(a), without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). Any successor General Partner shall indemnify the Departing Partner (or its transferee) as to all debts and liabilities of the Partnership arising on or after the date on which the Departing Partner (or its transferee) becomes a Limited Partner. For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of the Combined Interest of the Departing Partner to Common Units will be characterized as if the Departing Partner (or its transferee) contributed its Combined Interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units.
(c) If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 or 11.2 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner) and the option described in Section 11.3(a) is not exercised by the party entitled to do so, the successor General Partner shall, at the effective date of its admission to the Partnership, contribute to the Partnership cash in the amount equal to 2/98ths of the Net Agreed Value of the Partnerships assets on such date. In such event, such successor General Partner shall, subject to the following sentence, be entitled to 2% of all Partnership allocations and distributions to which the Departing Partner was entitled. In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partners admission, the successor General Partners interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations shall be 2%.
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Section 11.4 Withdrawal of Limited Partners.
No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however, that when a transferee of a Limited Partners Limited Partner Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Limited Partner Interest so transferred.
ARTICLE XII
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION
Section 12.1 Dissolution.
The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of additional Limited Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the removal or withdrawal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Sections 11.1 or 11.2, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 12.2) its affairs shall be wound up, upon:
(a) an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the holders of a Unit Majority;
(b) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets and properties of the Partnership Group;
(c) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Marshall Islands Act; or
(d) an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) (other than Section 11.1(a)(ii)), unless a successor is elected and, if applicable, an Opinion of Counsel is received as provided in Section 11.2 and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.3.
Section 12.2 Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution.
Upon (a) dissolution of the Partnership following an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal or removal of the General Partner as provided in Sections 11.1(a)(i) or 11.1(a)(iii) and the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing Partner pursuant to Sections 11.1 or 11.2, then within 90 days thereafter, or (b) dissolution of the Partnership upon an event constituting an Event of Withdrawal as defined in Sections 11.1(a)(iv) or 11.1(a)(vi), then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, the holders of a Unit Majority may elect to continue the business of the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by appointing as a successor General Partner a Person approved by the holders of a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:
(i) the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII;
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(ii) if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.3; and
(iii)
the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement; provided, that the right of the holders of a Unit Majority
to approve a successor General Partner and to reconstitute and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that
(x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of limited liability of any Limited Partner and (y) neither the Partnership, the reconstituted limited
partnership nor any Group Member would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for United States federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue (to the extent not already so
treated or taxed).
Section 12.3 Liquidator.
Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2, the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of a Unit Majority. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of a Unit Majority. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of a Unit Majority. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XII, the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 7.3(b)) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.
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Section 12.4 Liquidation.
The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as determined by the Liquidator, subject to Section 60 of the Marshall Islands Act and the following:
(a) The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnerships assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnerships assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnerships assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.
(b) Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section 12.3) and amounts to Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI and XVI, as applicable. With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.
(c) All property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided in
Section 12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other
than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable year of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being
determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable year (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence);
provided that any accumulated and unpaid Preferred Unit Distributions shall be paid prior to the making of any other distributions pursuant to this Section 12.4(c). as follows:
(i) First, to the Preferred Unit Holders in accordance with their respective Preferred Unit Liquidation Preference until there has been distributed in respect of each Preferred Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the respective Preferred Liquidation Preference; and
(ii) Thereafter,
(A) First, 98% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Capital plus (2) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a) with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2) is hereinafter defined as the Unpaid MQD);
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(B) Second, 98% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Capital, plus (2) the Unpaid MQD, plus (3) the excess of (aa) the First Target Distribution less the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnerships existence over (bb) the cumulative per Common Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(b) (the sum of (1) plus (2) plus (3) is hereinafter defined as the First Liquidation Target Amount);
(C) Third, 85% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 13% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the sum of (1) the First Liquidation Target Amount, plus (2) the excess of (aa) the Second Target Distribution less the First Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnerships existence over (bb) the cumulative per Common Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(c) (the sum of (1) plus (2) is hereinafter defined as the Second Liquidation Target Amount);
(D) Fourth, 75% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, 23% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the sum of (1) the Second Liquidation Target Amount, plus (2) the excess of (aa) the Third Target Distribution less the Second Target Distribution for each Quarter of the Partnerships existence over (bb) the cumulative per Common Unit amount of any distributions of Available Cash that is deemed to be Operating Surplus made pursuant to Section 6.4(d); and
(c)(E) Finally, any remaining amount 50% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata,
48% to the holders of the Incentive Distribution Rights, Pro Rata, and 2% to the General Partner.
Section 12.5 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership.
Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the Marshall Islands shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.
Section 12.6 Return of Contributions.
The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Limited Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.
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Section 12.7 Waiver of Partition.
To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.
Section 12.8 Capital Account Restoration.
No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the
Partnership. The General Partner shall be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the end of the taxable year of the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs,
or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such liquidation.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE
Section 13.1 Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner.
Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any Partner, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:
(a) a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;
(b) admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;
(c) a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as
a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of the Marshall Islands or to ensure that the Group Members will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or
otherwise taxed as entities for Marshall Islands income tax purposes;
(d) subject to Section 16.5, to the extent applicable, a change that the General Partner determines, (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class or series of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes or series of Partnership Interests) in any material respect, (ii) to be necessary or appropriate to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any Marshall Islands authority (including the Marshall Islands Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class, classes or series of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes or series of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are or will be listed, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.9 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement;
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(e) a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable year of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of Quarter and the dates on which distributions (other than Preferred Unit Distributions) are to be made by the Partnership;
(f) an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or the General Partner or its directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the U.S. Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or plan asset regulations adopted under the U.S. Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;
(g) subject to Section 16.5, an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the authorization of issuance of any class or series of Partnership Securities pursuant to Section 5.6;
(h) any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;
(i) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 2.4; or
(j) any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.
Section 13.2 Amendment Procedures.
Except as provided in Sections 13.1 and 13.3, all amendments to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with the following requirements. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner; provided, however, that the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose any amendment to this Agreement and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership, any Limited Partner and, in declining to propose an amendment, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Marshall Islands Act or any other law, rule or regulation. Subject to Section 16.5, to the extent applicable, a proposed amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and the holders of a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage is required under this Agreement or by the Marshall Islands Act. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any such proposed amendments.
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Section 13.3 Amendment Requirements.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 13.1 and 13.2, no provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) required to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of reducing such voting percentage unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 13.1 and 13.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c), (ii) 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 to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option, (iii) change Section 12.1(a), or (iv) change the term of the Partnership or, except as set forth in Section 12.1(a), give any Person the right to dissolve the Partnership.
(c) Except as provided in Section 14.3 and subject to Section 16.5(c)(i) with respect to the applicable series of Preferred Units described therein, and without limitation of the General Partners authority to adopt amendments to this Agreement without the approval of any Partners as contemplated in Section 13.1, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class or series of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes or series of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class or series affected.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided in Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable law.
(e) Except as provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Outstanding Units.
Section 13.4 Special Meetings.
All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII. Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class, classes or series for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the general or specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the
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holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the mailing of notice of the meeting. Limited Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners limited liability under the Marshall Islands Act or the law of any other jurisdiction in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.
Section 13.5 Notice of a Meeting.
Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.4 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class, classes or series of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 17.1. The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.
Section 13.6 Record Date.
For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.11 the General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed for trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such exchange shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals.
Section 13.7 Adjournment.
When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.
Section 13.8 Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes.
The transactions of any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, Limited Partners representing such quorum who were present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote, sign a written waiver of notice or an approval of the holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All waivers and approvals shall be filed with the Partnership records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the meeting
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for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at the meeting.
Section 13.9 Quorum and Voting.
The holders of a majority of the Units of the class, classes or series for which a meeting has been called (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of Limited Partners of such class, classes or series unless any such action by the Limited Partners requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of such Units, in which case the quorum shall be such greater percentage. At any meeting of the Limited Partners duly called and held in accordance with this Agreement at which a quorum is present, the act of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent a majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote and be present in person or by proxy at such meeting shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners, unless a greater or different percentage is required with respect to such action under the provisions of this Agreement, in which case the act of the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units that in the aggregate represent at least such greater or different percentage shall be required. The Limited Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Limited Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by the required percentage of Outstanding Units specified in this Agreement (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner). In the absence of a quorum any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned from time to time by the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the Outstanding Units entitled to vote at such meeting (including Outstanding Units deemed owned by the General Partner) represented either in person or by proxy, but no other business may be transacted, except as provided in Section 13.7.
Section 13.10 Conduct of a Meeting.
The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.4, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of approvals in writing.
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Section 13.11 Action Without a Meeting.
If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage of the Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Units held by the Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a ballot for the Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner, (b) approvals sufficient to take the action proposed are dated as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date sufficient approvals are deposited with the Partnership and (c) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the applicable statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners.
Section 13.12 Right to Vote and Related Matters.
(a) Only those Record Holders of the Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 13.6 (and also subject to the limitations contained in the definition of Outstanding) shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Units.
(b) With respect to Units that are held for a Persons account by another Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 13.12(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.
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ARTICLE XIV
MERGER
Section 14.1 Authority.
The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited liability companies, statutory trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a partnership (whether general or limited (including a limited liability partnership)), formed under the laws of the Marshall Islands, pursuant to a written agreement of merger or consolidation (Merger Agreement) in accordance with this Article XIV.
Section 14.2 Procedure for Merger or Consolidation.
Merger or consolidation of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV requires the prior consent of the General Partner, provided, however, that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger or consolidation of the Partnership and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to the Partnership or any Limited Partner and, in declining to consent to a merger or consolidation, shall not be required to act in good faith or pursuant to any other standard imposed by this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, any other agreement contemplated hereby or under the Marshall Islands Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:
(a) the names and jurisdictions of formation or organization of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;
(b) the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the Surviving Business Entity);
(c) the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;
(d) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity securities of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their interests, securities or rights, and (ii) in the case of securities represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;
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(e) a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;
(f) the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of merger and stated therein); and
(g) such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.
Section 14.3 Approval by Limited Partners of Merger or Consolidation.
(a) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(e), the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement, shall direct that the Merger Agreement be submitted to a vote of Limited Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent.
(b) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(e), the Merger Agreement shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority.
(c) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(e), after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger or consolidation may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement.
(d) Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in
this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the
Partnerships assets to, another limited liability entity which shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such conversion, merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or
other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the conversion, merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or cause the
Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such), (ii) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger or
conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability entity and (iii) the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with the same rights and
obligations as are herein contained.
(e) Additionally, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another entity if (i) the General Partner has received an
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Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be
treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously treated as such), (ii) the merger or consolidation would not result in an amendment to
the Partnership Agreement, other than any amendments that could be adopted pursuant to Section 13.1, (iii) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or consolidation, (iv) each Unit outstanding immediately prior to
the effective date of the merger or consolidation is to be an identical Unit of the Partnership after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, and (v) the number of Partnership Securities to be issued by the Partnership in such merger
or consolidation does not exceed 20% of the Partnership Securities Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation.
Section 14.4 Certificate of Merger.
Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement, a certificate of merger shall be executed and filed in conformity with the requirements of the Marshall Islands Act.
Section 14.5 Amendment of Partnership Agreement.
Pursuant to Section 20(2) of the Marshall Islands Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with Section 20(2) of the Marshall Islands Act may (a) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (b) effect the adoption of a new partnership agreement for a limited partnership if it is the Surviving Business Entity. Any such amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section 14.5 shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.
Section 14.6 Effect of Merger.
(a) At the effective time of the certificate of merger:
(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;
(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;
(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and
(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.
(b) A merger or consolidation effected pursuant to this Article shall not be deemed to result in a transfer or assignment of assets or liabilities from one entity to another.
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ARTICLE XV
RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS
Section 15.1 Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time the General Partner and its Affiliates hold more than 80% of the total Limited Partner Interests of any class or series then Outstanding, the General Partner shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to the Partnership or any Affiliate of the General Partner, exercisable at its option, to purchase all, but not less than all, of such Limited Partner Interests of such class or series then Outstanding held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates for any such Limited Partner Interest of such class or series purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the repurchase right described in this Article XV shall not apply to Preferred Units. As used in this Agreement, (i) Current Market Price as of any date of any class or series of Limited Partner Interests means the average of the daily Closing Prices (as hereinafter defined) per Limited Partner Interest of such class or series for the 20 consecutive Trading Days (as hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date; (ii) Closing Price for any day means the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed on the principal National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq Stock Market) on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or, if such Limited Partner Interests of such class or series are not listed on any National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq Stock Market), the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market or such other system then in use, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class or series are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class or series selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class or series, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner; and (iii) Trading Day means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests of any class or series are listed is open for the transaction of business or, if Limited Partner Interests of a class or series are not listed on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.
(b) If the General Partner, any Affiliate of the General Partner or the Partnership elects to exercise the right to purchase Limited Partner Interests granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), the General Partner shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such election to purchase (the Notice of Election to Purchase) and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice of
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Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Limited Partner Interests of such class or series (as of a Record Date selected by the General Partner) at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be published for a period of at least three consecutive days in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation printed in the English language and published in the Borough of Manhattan, New York. The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) at which Limited Partner Interests will be purchased and state that the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Limited Partner Interests, upon surrender of Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Limited Partner Interests at his address as reflected in the records of the Transfer Agent shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to the Purchase Date, the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Limited Partner Interests to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1. If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Limited Partner Interests subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate shall not have been surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of such Limited Partner Interests (including any rights pursuant to Articles IV, V, VI, and XII) shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Limited Partner Interests therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the Certificates representing such Limited Partner Interests, and such Limited Partner Interests shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the General Partner, its Affiliate or the Partnership, as the case may be, on the record books of the Transfer Agent and the Partnership, and the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner, or the Partnership, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the owner of all such Limited Partner Interests from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the owner of such Limited Partner Interests (including all rights as owner of such Limited Partner Interests pursuant to Articles IV, V, VI, and XII).
(c) At any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Limited Partner Interest subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender his Certificate evidencing such Limited Partner Interest to the Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 15.1(a), without interest thereon.
ARTICLE XVI
PREFERRED UNITS
Section 16.1 Designation.
(a) On October 5, 2016, the General Partner designated and created a series of Preferred Units designated as 9.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, and fixed the preferences, rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Series A Preferred Units as set forth in this Article XVI. Each Series A Preferred Unit shall be identical in all respects to every
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other Series A Preferred Unit, except as to the respective dates from which the Series A Liquidation Preference shall increase or from which Series A Distributions may begin accruing, to the extent such dates may differ. The Series A Preferred Units represent perpetual equity interests in the Partnership and shall not give rise to a claim by the holder for redemption thereof at a particular date.
(b) The General Partner hereby designates and creates a series of Preferred Units to be designated as 8.50% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, and fixes the preferences, rights, powers and duties of the holders of the Series B Preferred Units as set forth in this Article XVI. Each Series B Preferred Unit shall be identical in all respects to every other Series B Preferred Unit, except as to the respective dates from which the Series B Liquidation Preference shall increase or from which Series B Distributions may begin accruing, to the extent such dates may differ. The Series B Preferred Units represent perpetual equity interests in the Partnership and shall not give rise to a claim by the holder for redemption thereof at a particular date.
Section 16.2 Units.
(a) The authorized number of Series A Preferred Units and of Series B Preferred Units shall each be unlimited. Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units that are purchased or otherwise acquired by the Partnership shall be cancelled.
(b) The Series A Preferred Units and the Series B Preferred Units shall, as to each such series of Preferred Units, be represented by a single Certificate registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee, and no Series A Holder or Series B Holder shall be entitled to receive a Certificate evidencing such Units, unless otherwise required by law or the Depository gives notice of its intention to resign or is no longer eligible to act as such with respect to such series of Preferred Units and the Partnership shall have not selected a substitute Depository within 60 calendar days thereafter. So long as the Depository shall have been appointed and is serving with respect to such series of Preferred Units, payments and communications made by the Partnership to Series A Holders or Series B Holders shall be made by making payments to, and communicating with, the Depository.
Section 16.3 Distributions.
(a) Distributions on each Series A Preferred Unit shall accumulate at the Series A Distribution Rate in each Series A Distribution Period from and including the first day of the Series A Distribution Period (or for any Series A Preferred Units issued after the Series A Original Issue Date, from and including the first day of the Series A Distribution Period immediately preceding the issuance date of such additional Series A Preferred Units) to and including the earlier of (a) the last day of such Series A Distribution Period and (b) the date the Partnership redeems the applicable Series A Preferred Units in full in accordance with Section 16.6 below, whether or not such Series A Distributions shall have been declared. Distributions on each Series B Preferred Unit shall accumulate at the applicable Series B Distribution Rate in each Series B Distribution Period from and including the first day of the Series B Distribution Period (or for any Series B Preferred Units issued after the Series B Original Issue Date, from and including the first day of the Series B Distribution Period immediately preceding the issuance date of such additional Series
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B Preferred Units) to and including the earlier of (x) the last day of such Series B Distribution Period and (y) the date the Partnership redeems the applicable Series B Preferred
Units in full in accordance with Section 16.6 below, whether or not such Series B Distributions shall have been declared. Series A Holders and Series B Holders shall be entitled to receive Series A Distributions or Series B Distributions, as
applicable, from time to time out of any assets of the Partnership legally available for the payment of distributions at the Series A Distribution Rate per Series A Preferred Unit or at the applicable Series B Distribution Rate per Series B
Preferred Unit, as applicable, in each case when, as, and if declared by the General Partner. Distributions, to the extent declared by the General Partner to be paid by the Partnership in accordance with this Section 16.3, shall be paid for
each Series A Distribution Period on each Series A Distribution Payment Date or for each Series B Distribution Period on each Series B Distribution Payment Date. Series A Distributions shall be payable based on a
360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Series B Distributions for any Series B Distribution Period during the Series B Fixed Rate Period shall be payable based
on a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and Series B Distributions for any Series B Distribution Period during the Series B Floating Rate Period shall be
payable based on a 360-day year and the number of days actually elapsed during such Series B Distribution Period. All Series A Distributions and Series B Distributions payable by the Partnership pursuant to
this Section 16.3 shall be payable without regard to income of the Partnership and shall be treated for federal income tax purposes as guaranteed payments for the use of capital under
Section 707(c) of the Code. The guaranteed payment with respect to any Series A Distribution Period shall be for the account of the Series A Holders as of the close of the last Business Day of such
Series A Distribution Period.
(b) Not later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on each Series A Distribution Payment Date and Series B Distribution Payment Date, the Partnership shall pay those Series A Distributions or Series B Distributions, if any, that shall have been declared by the General Partner to Series A Holders or Series B Holders, as applicable, on the Record Date for the applicable Series A Preferred Distribution or Series B Preferred Distribution. The Record Date (the Series A Distribution Record Date) for any Series A Distribution payment shall be as of the close of the National Securities Exchange on which the Series A Preferred Units are listed or admitted to trading on the last Business Day of each Series A Distribution Period immediately preceding the applicable Series A Distribution Payment Date, except that in the case of payments of Series A Distributions in arrears, the Series A Distribution Record Date with respect to a Series A Distribution Payment Date shall be such date as may be designated by the General Partner in accordance with this Article XVI. The Record Date (the Series B Distribution Record Date) for any Series B Distribution payment shall be as of the close of the National Securities Exchange on which the Series B Preferred Units are listed or admitted to trading on the last Business Day of each Series B Distribution Period immediately preceding the applicable Series B Distribution Payment Date, except that in the case of payments of Series B Distributions in arrears, the Series B Distribution Record Date with respect to a Series B Distribution Payment Date shall be such date as may be designated by the General Partner in accordance with this Article XVI. No distribution shall be declared or paid or set apart for payment on any Junior Securities (other than a distribution payable solely in Junior Securities) unless full cumulative Series A Distributions and Series B Distributions have been or contemporaneously are being paid or provided for on all Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any other Parity Securities through the most recent respective Series A Distribution Payment Dates and Series B Distribution Payment Dates. Accumulated Series A Distributions or accumulated Series B Distributions in arrears for any past
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Series A Distribution Period or Series B Distribution Period, as applicable, may be declared by the General Partner and paid on any date fixed by the General Partner, whether or not a Series A Distribution Payment Date or a Series B Distribution Payment Date, to Series A Holders or Series B Holders, as applicable, on the record date for such payment, which may not be more than 60 days, nor less than 15 days, before such payment date. Subject to the next succeeding sentence, if all accumulated Series A Distributions and Series B Distributions in arrears on all Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any other Parity Securities shall not have been declared and paid, or if sufficient funds for the payment thereof shall not have been set apart, payment of accumulated distributions in arrears on the Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any such Parity Securities shall be made in order of their respective distribution payment dates, commencing with the earliest. If less than all distributions payable with respect to all Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any other Parity Securities are paid, any partial payment shall be made pro rata with respect to the Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any such other Parity Securities entitled to a distribution payment at such time in proportion to the aggregate distribution amounts remaining due in respect of such Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and such other Parity Securities at such time. Subject to Sections 12.4 and 16.6, neither Series A Holders nor Series B Holders shall be entitled to any distribution, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative Series A Distributions or Series B Distributions, as applicable. No interest or sum of money in lieu of interest shall be payable in respect of any distribution payment which may be in arrears on the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units. So long as the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, as applicable, are held of record by the nominee of the Depository, declared Series A Distributions or Series B Distributions shall be paid to the Depository in same-day funds on each Series A Distribution Payment Date or Series B Distribution Payment Date, as applicable.
Section 16.4 [Intentionally Omitted].[Reserved].
Section 16.5 Voting Rights.
(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither the Series A Preferred Units nor the Series B Preferred Units shall have any voting rights except as set forth in Section 13.3(d), this Section 16.5 or as otherwise provided by the Marshall Islands Act.
(b) In the event that six quarterly Series A Distributions, whether consecutive or not, are in arrears, the Series A Holders shall have the right, voting as a class together with holders of any other Parity Securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, at a meeting of the General Partner called for such purpose within 30 days after receipt by the General Partner of a request by Series A Holders holding a majority of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, to elect one member of the Board of Directors of the General Partner, and the size of the Board of Directors of the General Partner shall be increased as needed to accommodate such change. Such right of such Series A Holders to elect a member of the Board of Directors of the General Partner shall continue until the Partnership pays in full, or declares and sets aside funds for the payment of, all Series A Distributions accumulated and in arrears on the Series A Preferred Units, at which time such right shall terminate, subject to the revesting of such right in the event of each and every subsequent failure to pay six quarterly Series A Distributions as described above in this Section 16.5(b). In the event that six quarterly Series B Distributions, whether consecutive
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or not, are in arrears, the Series B Holders shall have the right, voting as a class together with holders of any other Parity Securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, at a meeting of the General Partner called for such purpose within 30 days after receipt by the General Partner of a request by Series B Holders holding a majority of the Outstanding Series B Preferred Units, to elect one member of the Board of Directors of the General Partner, and the size of the Board of Directors of the General Partner shall be increased as needed to accommodate such change. Such right of such Series B Holders to elect a member of the Board of Directors of the General Partner shall continue until the Partnership pays in full, or declares and sets aside funds for the payment of, all Series B Distributions accumulated and in arrears on the Series B Preferred Units, at which time such right shall terminate, subject to the revesting of such right in the event of each and every subsequent failure to pay six quarterly Series B Distributions as described above in this Section 16.5(b). Upon any termination of the right of the Series A Holders, the Series B Holders and, if applicable, holders of any other Parity Securities to vote as a class for such director, the term of office of the director then in office elected by such Series A Holders, Series B Holders and holders voting as a class shall terminate immediately. Any director elected by the Series A Holders, the Series B Holders and, if applicable, holders of any other Parity Securities shall be entitled to one vote on any matter before the Board of Directors of the General Partner.
(c)
(i) Unless the General Partner shall have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units, voting as a separate class, the General Partner shall not adopt any amendment to this Agreement that would have a material adverse effect on the existing terms of the Series A Preferred Units. Unless the General Partner shall have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Series B Preferred Units, voting as a separate class, the General Partner shall not adopt any amendment to this Agreement that would have a material adverse effect on the existing terms of the Series B Preferred Units.
(ii) Unless the General Partner shall have received the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units, voting as a class together with holders of any other Parity Securities upon which like voting rights have been conferred and are exercisable, the Partnership shall not (x) issue any Parity Securities or Senior Securities if the cumulative dividends payable on Outstanding Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units are in arrears or (y) create or issue any Senior Securities.
(d) For any matter described in this Section 16.5 in which the Series A Holders or Series B Holders are entitled to vote as a class (whether separately or together with the holders of any Parity Securities), such Series A Holders or Series B Holders shall be entitled to one vote per Series A Preferred Unit or Series B Preferred Unit, as applicable. Any Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units held by the Partnership or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates shall not be entitled to vote.
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Section 16.6 Optional Redemption.
(a) The Partnership shall have the right at any time, and from time to time, on or after October 5, 2021 to redeem the Series A Preferred Units, in whole or in part, from any source of funds legally available for such purpose. Any such redemption shall occur on a date set by the General Partner (the Series A Redemption Date). The Partnership shall have the right at any time, and from time to time, on or after October 15, 2027 to redeem the Series B Preferred Units, in whole or in part, from any source of funds legally available for such purpose. Any such redemption shall occur on a date set by the General Partner (the Series B Redemption Date).
(b) The Partnership shall effect any such redemption by paying cash for each Series A Preferred Unit or Series B Preferred Unit, as applicable, to be redeemed equal to (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference for such Series A Preferred Unit on such Series A Redemption Date (the Series A Redemption Price) or (ii) the Series B Liquidation Preference for such Series B Preferred Unit on such Series B Redemption Date (the Series B Redemption Price), as applicable. So long as the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed are held of record by the nominee of the Depository, the Series A Redemption Price or Series B Redemption Price, as applicable, shall be paid by the Paying Agent to the Depository on the Series A Redemption Date or the Series B Redemption Date, as applicable.
(c) The Partnership shall give notice of any redemption by mail, postage prepaid, not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days before the scheduled Series A Redemption Date or Series B Redemption Date, to the Series A Holders or Series B Holders, as applicable (as of 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Business Day next preceding the day on which notice is given), of any Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed as such Series A Holders or Series B Holders names, as applicable, appear on the books of the Transfer Agent and at the address of such Series A Holders or Series B Holders shown therein. Such notice (the Series A Redemption Notice or the Series B Redemption Notice, as applicable) shall state, as applicable: (1) the Series A Redemption Date or Series B Redemption Date, (2) the number of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed and, if less than all Outstanding Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units are to be redeemed, the number (and the identification) of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed from such Series A Holder or Series B Holder, (3) the Series A Redemption Price or Series B Redemption Price, (4) the place where the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units are to be redeemed and shall be presented and surrendered for payment of the Series A Redemption Price or Series B Redemption Price therefor and (5) that distributions on the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall cease to accumulate from and after such Series A Redemption Date or Series B Redemption Date.
(d) If the Partnership elects to redeem less than all of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, as applicable, the number of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall be determined by the General Partner, and such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units shall be redeemed by such method of selection as the Depository shall determine either Pro Rata or by lot, with adjustments to avoid redemption of fractional Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units. The aggregate Series A Redemption Price or Series B Redemption Price for any such partial redemption of the Outstanding Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units shall be allocated correspondingly among the
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redeemed Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, as applicable. The Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units not redeemed shall remain Outstanding and entitled to all the rights and preferences provided in this Article XVI. The Partnership is permitted to redeem all or part of one series of Preferred Units without redeeming all or part of any other series of Preferred Units.
(e) If the Partnership gives or causes to be given a Series A Redemption Notice or Series B Redemption Notice, the Partnership shall deposit with the Paying Agent funds, sufficient to redeem the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, as applicable, as to which such Series A Redemption Notice or Series B Redemption Notice shall have been given, no later than 5:00 p.m. New York City time on the Business Day immediately preceding the Series A Redemption Date or Series B Redemption Date, and shall give the Paying Agent irrevocable instructions and authority to pay the Series A Redemption Price to the Series A Holders or the Series B Redemption Price to the Series B Holders to be redeemed upon surrender or deemed surrender (which shall occur automatically if the Certificate representing such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Unit, as applicable, is issued in the name of the Depository or its nominee) of the certificates therefor as set forth in the Series A Redemption Notice or Series B Redemption Notice. If the Series A Redemption Notice or Series B Redemption Notice shall have been given, from and after the Series A Redemption Date or Series B Redemption Date, as applicable, unless the Partnership defaults in providing funds sufficient for such redemption at the time and place specified for payment pursuant to the Series A Redemption Notice or Series B Redemption Notice, all Series A Distributions on such Series A Preferred Units to be redeemed or Series B Distributions on such Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall cease to accumulate and all rights of holders of such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units as Limited Partners with respect to such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units to be redeemed shall cease, except the right to receive the Series A Redemption Price or Series B Redemption Price, as applicable, and such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units shall not thereafter be transferred on the books of the Transfer Agent or be deemed to be Outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. The Partnership shall be entitled to receive from the Paying Agent the interest income, if any, earned on such funds deposited with the Paying Agent (to the extent that such interest income is not required to pay the Series A Redemption Price of the Series A Preferred Units or the Series B Redemption Price of the Series B Preferred Units, as applicable, to be redeemed), and the holders of any Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units so redeemed shall have no claim to any such interest income. Any funds deposited with the Paying Agent hereunder by the Partnership for any reason, including redemption of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, that remain unclaimed or unpaid after two years after the applicable Series A Redemption Date or Series B Redemption Date or other payment date, shall be, to the extent permitted by law, repaid to the Partnership upon its written request, after which repayment the Series A Holders or Series B Holders entitled to such redemption or other payment shall have recourse only to the Partnership. Notwithstanding any Series A Redemption Notice or Series B Redemption Notice, there shall be no redemption of any Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, as applicable, called for redemption until funds sufficient to pay the full Series A Redemption Price of such Series A Preferred Units or the full Series B Redemption Price of such Series B Preferred Units shall have been deposited by the Partnership with the Paying Agent.
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(f) Any Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units that are redeemed or otherwise acquired by the Partnership shall be canceled. If only a portion of the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units represented by a Certificate shall have been called for redemption, upon surrender of the Certificate to the Paying Agent (which shall occur automatically if the Certificate representing such Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units is registered in the name of the Depository or its nominee), the Paying Agent shall issue to the Series A Holders or Series B Holders, as applicable, a new Certificate (or adjust the applicable book-entry account) representing the number of Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units represented by the surrendered Certificate that have not been called for redemption.
(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article XVI, in the event that full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any other Parity Securities shall not have been paid or declared and set apart for payment, none of the Partnership, the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner shall be permitted to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, in whole or in part, any Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units or other Parity Securities except pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all Series A Holders, Series B Holders and holders of any other Parity Securities. None of the Partnership, the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner shall be permitted to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire any Common Units or any other Junior Securities unless full cumulative distributions on the Series A Preferred Units, Series B Preferred Units and any other Parity Securities for all prior and the then-ending Series A Distribution Periods and Series B Distribution Periods shall have been paid or declared and set apart for payment.
Section 16.7 Rank.
The Series A Preferred Units and Series B Preferred Units shall each be deemed to rank:
(a) Senior to (i) the Common Units and (ii) any other class or series of Partnership Securities established after the Series A Original Issue Date by the General Partner, the terms of which class or series do not expressly provide that it is made senior to or on parity with the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units as to current distributions (collectively referred to with the Partnerships Common Units as Junior Securities);
(b) On a parity with each other and with any other class or series of Partnership Securities established after the Series A Original Issue Date by the General Partner, the terms of which class or series are not expressly subordinated or senior to the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units as to current distributions (collectively referred to as Parity Securities); and
(c) Junior to any class or series of Partnership Securities established after the Series A Original Issue Date by the General Partner, the terms of which class or series expressly provide that it ranks senior to the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units as to current distributions (collectively referred to as Senior Securities).
The Partnership may issue Junior Securities and, subject to any approvals required by Series A Holders and Series B Holders pursuant to Section 16.5(c)(ii), Parity Securities from time to time in one or more classes or series without the consent of the Series A Holders or Series B Holders. The General Partner has the authority to determine the preferences, powers, qualifications, limitations, restrictions and special or relative rights or privileges, if any, of any such class or series before the issuance of any Partnership Securities of such class or series.
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Section 16.8 No Sinking Fund.
Neither the Series A Preferred Units nor the Series B Preferred Units shall have the benefit of any sinking fund.
Section 16.9 Record Holders.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the General Partner, Partnership, the Registrar, the Transfer Agent and the Paying Agent may deem and treat any Series A Holder and Series B Holder as the true, lawful and absolute owner of the applicable Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units, as applicable, for all purposes, and neither the General Partner, the Partnership nor the Registrar, the Transfer Agent or the Paying Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.
Section 16.10 Notices.
All notices or communications in respect of the Series A Preferred Units or Series B Preferred Units shall be sufficiently given if given in writing and delivered in person or by first class mail, postage prepaid, or if given in such other manner as may be permitted in this Article XVI, this Agreement or by applicable law.
Section 16.11 Other Rights; Fiduciary Duties.
Neither the Series A Preferred Units nor the Series B Preferred Units shall have any voting powers, preferences or relative, participating, optional or other special rights, or qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, other than as set forth in this Article XVI or as provided by applicable law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, but subject to Section 7.9(c) and without reference to the definition of good faith in Section 7.9(b), neither the General Partner nor any other Indemnitee shall owe any fiduciary duties to Series A Holders or Series B Holders, other than a contractual duty of good faith and fair dealing.
ARTICLE XVII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 17.1 Addresses and Notices.
Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner at the address described below. Any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Securities at his address as shown on the records of the Transfer
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Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Securities by reason of any assignment or otherwise. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 17.1 executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report addressed to a Record Holder at the address of such Record Holder appearing on the books and records of the Transfer Agent or the Partnership is returned by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver it, such notice, payment or report and any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) if they are available for the Partner at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3. The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.
Section 17.2 Further Action.
The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.
Section 17.3 Binding Effect.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.
Section 17.4 Integration.
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto, including the Prior Agreement.
Section 17.5 Creditors.
None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.
Section 17.6 Waiver.
No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.
95
Section 17.7 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Limited Partner Interest pursuant to Section 10.2(a), without execution hereof.
Section 17.8 Applicable Law.
This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Marshall Islands, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.
Section 17.9 Invalidity of Provisions.
If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected thereby.
Section 17.10 Consent of Partners.
Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.
Section 17.11 Facsimile Signatures.
The use of facsimile signatures affixed in the name and on behalf of the transfer agent and registrar of the Partnership on Certificates is expressly permitted by this Agreement.
[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
96
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this
ThirdFourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership as of the date first written above.
GENERAL PARTNER: |
Teekay GP L.L.C. |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: | ||
LIMITED PARTNERS: | ||
All Limited Partners now and hereafter admitted as Limited Partners of the Partnership, pursuant to powers of attorney now and hereafter executed in favor of, and granted and delivered to the General Partner. |
Teekay GP L.L.C. |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: |
97
ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 16.5(B): |
Teekay Holdings Limited, as Sole Member of the General Partner, to evidence its agreement to modify the governing documents of the General Partner at such time and in such manner as may be required from time to time by section 16.5(b) |
By: |
Name: | ||
Title: |
EXHIBIT A
to the ThirdFourth Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
Certificate Evidencing Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
No. __________ | __________ Common Units |
In accordance with Section 4.1 of the ThirdFourth Amended and Restated Agreement
of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the Partnership Agreement), Teekay LNG Partners L.P., a Marshall Islands limited partnership (the
Partnership), hereby certifies that ___________________ (the Holder) is the registered owner of Common Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the Common Units)
transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Common Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the
Common Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of
written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in
the Partnership Agreement.
The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
Dated: | Teekay LNG Partners L.P. | |||||
Countersigned and Registered by: | By: | Teekay GP L.L.C., its General Partner |
By: |
as Transfer Agent and Registrar | Name: |
By: | By: |
Authorized Signature |
Secretary |
A-1
[Reverse of Certificate]
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM - | as tenants in common | UNIF GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT | ||
TEN ENT - | as tenants by the entireties | __________ Custodian _________ | ||
(Cust) (Minor) | ||||
JT TEN - | as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common |
under Uniform Gifts/Transfers to CD Minors Act (State) | ||
Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used. |
ASSIGNMENT OF COMMON UNITS
in
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, __________ hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto
(Please print or typewrite name and address of assignee) | (Please insert Social Security or other identifying number of assignee) |
__________ Common Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint __________ as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
Date: | NOTE: | The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change. |
A-2
|
| |||
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO
S.E.C. RULE 17d-15 |
(Signature) | |||
(Signature) | ||||
No transfer of the Common Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Common Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer.
A-3
EXHIBIT B
to the ThirdFourth Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
Certificate Evidencing Series A Cumulative
Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
No. | Series A Preferred Units |
In accordance with Section 4.1 of the ThirdFourth Amended and Restated Agreement
of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the Partnership Agreement), Teekay LNG Partners L.P., a Marshall Islands limited partnership (the
Partnership), hereby certifies that (the Holder) is the registered owner of
9.00% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the Series A Preferred Units) transferable on the books of the
Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and limitations of the Series A Preferred Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Series A
Preferred Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of
written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in
the Partnership Agreement.
The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
Dated: | Teekay LNG Partners L.P. | |||||
Countersigned and Registered by: | By: | Teekay GP L.L.C., its General Partner | ||||
By: | ||||||
as Transfer Agent and Registrar | Title: | |||||
By: | By: | |||||
Authorized Signature | Secretary |
B-1
[Reverse of Certificate]
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM | | as tenants in common |
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT Custodian (Cust) (Minor) | |||
TEN ENT | | as tenants by the entireties | under Uniform Gifts /Transfers to CD Minors Act (State) | |||
JT TEN | | as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common |
Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.
ASSIGNMENT OF SERIES A PREFERRED UNITS
in
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ____________________ hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto | ||||
(Please insert Social Security or other | ||||
(Please print or typewrite name | identifying number of assignee) | |||
and address of assignee) |
____________ Series A Preferred Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _______________ as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of the Partnership.
Date: ________________ | NOTE: | The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change. | ||
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 |
| |||
(Signature) | ||||
| ||||
(Signature) |
No transfer of the Series A Preferred Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Series A Preferred Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer.
B-2
EXHIBIT C
to the ThirdFourth Amended and Restated
Agreement of Limited Partnership of
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
Certificate Evidencing Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative
Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests in
Teekay LNG Partners L.P.
No. | Series B Preferred Units |
In accordance with Section 4.1 of the ThirdFourth Amended and Restated Agreement
of Limited Partnership of Teekay LNG Partners L.P., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time (the Partnership Agreement), Teekay LNG Partners L.P., a Marshall Islands limited partnership (the
Partnership), hereby certifies that (the Holder) is the registered owner of
8.50% Series B Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the
Series B Preferred Units) transferable on the books of the Partnership, in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this Certificate properly endorsed. The rights, preferences and
limitations of the Series B Preferred Units are set forth in, and this Certificate and the Series B Preferred Units represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the terms and provisions of, the Partnership
Agreement. Copies of the Partnership Agreement are on file at, and will be furnished without charge on delivery of written request to the Partnership at, the principal office of the Partnership located at 4th Floor, Belvedere Building, 69 Pitts Bay
Road, Hamilton HM 08, Bermuda. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meanings given them in the Partnership Agreement.
The Holder, by accepting this Certificate, is deemed to have (i) requested admission as, and agreed to become, a Limited Partner and to have agreed to comply with and be bound by and to have executed the Partnership Agreement, (ii) represented and warranted that the Holder has all right, power and authority and, if an individual, the capacity necessary to enter into the Partnership Agreement, (iii) granted the powers of attorney provided for in the Partnership Agreement and (iv) made the waivers and given the consents and approvals contained in the Partnership Agreement.
This Certificate shall not be valid for any purpose unless it has been countersigned and registered by the Transfer Agent and Registrar.
Dated: | Teekay LNG Partners L.P. | |||||
Countersigned and Registered by: | By: | Teekay GP L.L.C., its General Partner | ||||
By: | ||||||
as Transfer Agent and Registrar | Title: | |||||
By: | By: | |||||
Authorized Signature | Secretary |
C-1
[Reverse of Certificate]
ABBREVIATIONS
The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this Certificate, shall be construed as follows according to applicable laws or regulations:
TEN COM | | as tenants in common |
UNIF GIFT/TRANSFERS MIN ACT Custodian (Cust) (Minor) | |||
TEN ENT | | as tenants by the entireties | under Uniform Gifts /Transfers to CD Minors Act (State) | |||
JT TEN | | as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common |
Additional abbreviations, though not in the above list, may also be used.
ASSIGNMENT OF SERIES B PREFERRED UNITS
in
TEEKAY LNG PARTNERS L.P.
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ____________________ hereby assigns, conveys, sells and transfers unto | ||||
(Please insert Social Security or other | ||||
(Please print or typewrite name | identifying number of assignee) | |||
and address of assignee) |
____________ Series B Preferred Units representing limited partner interests evidenced by this Certificate, subject to the Partnership Agreement, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint _______________ as its attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution to transfer the same on the books of the Partnership.
Date: ________________ | NOTE: | The signature to any endorsement hereon must correspond with the name as written upon the face of this Certificate in every particular, without alteration, enlargement or change. | ||
THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM), PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 |
| |||
(Signature) | ||||
| ||||
(Signature) |
No transfer of the Series B Preferred Units evidenced hereby will be registered on the books of the Partnership, unless the Certificate evidencing the Series B Preferred Units to be transferred is surrendered for registration or transfer.
C-2