UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 22, 2004
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS PARTNERS L.P.
Delaware | 1-14323 | 76-0568219 | ||
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
(Commission File Number) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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2727 North Loop West, Houston, Texas (Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
77008-1044 (Zip Code) |
Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code: (713)880-6500
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) | |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) | |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) | |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On October 22, 2004, Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (Enterprise), EPCO, Inc. (EPCO), Enterprise Products Operating L.P. (OLP), Enterprise Products GP, LLC (the General Partner) and Enterprise Products OLPGP, Inc. (OLPGP) executed the Second Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement, effective as of October 1, 2004 (the Amended Agreement), a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.
Pursuant to the Amended Agreement (and prior to the amendment thereof), EPCO provides administrative, management and operating services to the Partnership Entities (defined as Enterprise, the General Partners, OLP and any affiliate controlled by any of them), and the Partnership Entities reimburse EPCO for all of its costs and expenses that are directly or indirectly related to the business or activities of the Partnership Entities. EPCO owns indirectly an 85.595% membership interest in the General Partner, which is the general partner of Enterprise. EPCO and its affiliates also own indirectly 35.1% of the outstanding Common Units of Enterprise. Enterprise owns 100% of the equity interests in OLP and OLPGP, which is the general partner of OLP.
The Amended Agreement effectuated the following changes to the First Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement:
(i) | the name of the party, Enterprise Products Company, was changed to EPCO, Inc.; | |||
(ii) | certain provisions which are no longer applicable were deleted; | |||
(iii) | certain authority was given to the Audit and Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner (the Audit and Conflicts Committee) with respect to oversight and dispute resolution; and | |||
(iv) | clarifying language was added in various places. |
Language was added to Section 2.2 of the Amended Agreement to clarify that the Partnership Entities shall pay all sales, use, excess, value added or similar taxes with respect to the services provided to the Partnership Entities by EPCO (the EPCO Services).
Language was added to Section 2.3 of the Amended Agreement to provide that the Audit and Conflicts Committee would resolve any dispute relating to the EPCO Services or the calculation of the amounts payable by the Partnership Entities for such EPCO Services. The Audit and Conflicts Committee was also given oversight over the allocation of expenses incurred by EPCO between EPCO and the Partnership Entities.
Article III of the Amended Agreement was revised to eliminate all references to the license granted from EPCO to the Partnership Entities with respect to the use of the Enterprise name and mark (the Name and Mark), because effective as of June 21, 2004, EPCO assigned the Name and Mark to Enterprise GP, and effective as of October 1, 2004, Enterprise GP assigned the Name and Mark to OLP. OLP further agreed to reimburse EPCO for the cost of removing the Name and Mark from EPCOs trucks over a five-year period.
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Section 5.1 was deleted from the Amended Agreement. That Section prohibited EPCO from engaging in any Restricted Activity (which was defined as the types of businesses and activities engaged in by the Partnership Entities as of May 31, 1998), unless the Partnership Entities permitted EPCO to engage in such activities. In lieu thereof, a new Section 5.4 was added, which prohibits EPCO from acquiring any business or assets that are in the same or similar line of business then being conducted by the Partnership Entities or in a line of business that would be a natural extension of any business then being conducted by a Partnership Entity without first offering such opportunity to Enterprise through the Board of Directors of the General Partner.
A new Section 5.3 was added to the Amended Agreement which provides that if EPCO ever fails to pay any employee providing EPCO Services to the Partnership Entities, the Partnership Entities may pay such employee directly. In addition, the Partnership Entities shall have the right, upon 90 days notice to EPCO, to terminate the portion of the Amended Agreement relating to the EPCO Services and to employ any or all of EPCOs employees providing such services directly.
A number of other changes were made in the Amended Agreement (all of which in the aggregate are immaterial) for the purpose of updating certain information and definitions and providing consistency with the above described changes.
Item 8.01 Other Events.
On October 26, 2004, the holder of the Series F2 Convertible Units (the Series F2 Units) of GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P. (GulfTerra) exercised its right to convert 60 of the 80 outstanding Series F2 Units into 1,458,434 Common Units of the Partnership (Common Units). The Series F2 Units, which had been convertible into GulfTerra Series A common units prior to the merger of GulfTerra with a subsidiary of the Partnership on September 30, 2004, became convertible into Common Units pursuant to the Assumption Agreement, dated September 30, 2004, between the Partnership and GulfTerra. The Assumption Agreement is filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Partnerships Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on October 5, 2004. The Common Units issuable in connection with conversion of the Series F2 Units will be issued under the Partnerships Prospectus Supplement dated October 22, 2004, to the prospectus included in its Form S-3 Registration Statement (Reg. No. 333-102778). Closing of the conversion of the Series F2 Units and the issuance and sale of the Common Units thereunder will occur on October 29, 2004, pursuant to which the Partnership will receive net proceeds from the holder of the Series F2 Units of approximately $29.1 million, after payment of a placement agency fee of $0.9 million to Raymond James & Associates (representing a conversion price of $20.57 per Common Unit). The Partnership will also receive a contribution of approximately $0.6 million from its general partner in order for the general partner to maintain its 2% interest in the Partnership. Certain Exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K are being filed because they are required to be filed as Exhibits to the above Registration Statement.
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Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit No. |
Description |
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1.1
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Placement Agency Agreement, dated May 16, 2003, between Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.B to Current Report on Form 8-K of GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P. filed with the Commission on May 19, 2003, SEC File. No. 001-11680). | |
4.1
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Assumption Agreement dated as of September 30, 2004 between Enterprise Products Partners L.P. and GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P. relating to the assumption by Enterprise of GulfTerras obligations under the GulfTerra Series F2 Convertible Units (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Enterprise Products Partners L.P.s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on October 5, 2004). | |
4.2
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Statement of Rights, Privileges and Limitations of Series F Convertible Units, included as Annex A to Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P., dated May 16, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.B.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K of GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P., file no. 001-11680, filed with the Commission on May 19, 2003). | |
4.3
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Unitholder Agreement between GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P. and Fletcher International, Inc. dated May 16, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.L to Current Report on Form 8-K of GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P., file no. 001-11680, filed with the Commission on May 19, 2003). | |
5.1
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Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. | |
8.1
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Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. | |
10.1
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Second Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement by and among EPCO, Inc., Enterprise Products Partners L.P., Enterprise Products Operating L.P., Enterprise Products GP, LLC and Enterprise Products OLPGP, Inc., dated effective as of October 1, 2004. | |
23.1
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Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1 hereto). |
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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 hereunto duly authorized.
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS PARTNERS L.P. | ||||||||
By: | Enterprise Products GP, LLC, | |||||||
its General Partner | ||||||||
Date: October 27, 2004 | By: | /s/ Michael J. Knesek | ||||||
Name: | Michael J. Knesek | |||||||
Title: | Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of EnterpriseProducts GP, LLC |
Signature Page
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. |
Description |
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1.1
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Placement Agency Agreement, dated May 16, 2003, between Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.B to Current Report on Form 8-K of GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P. filed with the Commission on May 19, 2003, SEC File. No. 001-11680). | |
4.1
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Assumption Agreement dated as of September 30, 2004 between Enterprise Products Partners L.P. and GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P. relating to the assumption by Enterprise of GulfTerras obligations under the GulfTerra Series F2 Convertible Units (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Enterprise Products Partners L.P.s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the Commission on October 5, 2004). | |
4.2
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Statement of Rights, Privileges and Limitations of Series F Convertible Units, included as Annex A to Third Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P., dated May 16, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.B.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K of GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P., file no. 001-11680, filed with the Commission on May 19, 2003). | |
4.3
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Unitholder Agreement between GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P. and Fletcher International, Inc. dated May 16, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.L to Current Report on Form 8-K of GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P., file no. 001-11680, filed with the Commission on May 19, 2003). | |
5.1
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Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. | |
8.1
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Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. | |
10.1
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Second Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement by and among EPCO, Inc., Enterprise Products Partners L.P., Enterprise Products Operating L.P., Enterprise Products GP, LLC and Enterprise Products OLPGP, Inc., dated effective as of October 1, 2004. | |
23.1
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Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1 hereto). |
EXHIBIT 5.1
VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. 2300 FIRST CITY TOWER 1001 FANNIN STREET HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-6760 TELEPHONE (713) 758-2222 FAX (713) 758-2346 www.velaw.com |
October 27, 2004
Enterprise Products Partners L.P.
Enterprise Products Operating L.P.
2727 N. Loop West
Houston, Texas 77008
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Enterprise Products Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the Partnership), and its 100% owned Delaware subsidiary, Enterprise Products Operating L.P., (the Operating Partnership), in connection with the offer and sale by the Partnership of up to 11,346,111 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the Common Units). We have participated in the preparation of the Partnerships registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-102778) filed on January 28, 2003 by the Partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), Amendment No. 1 thereto filed with the Commission on March 19, 2003, and Amendment No. 2 thereto filed with the Commission on April 15, 2003 and being declared effective by the Commission on April 21, 2003 (the Registration Statement). A prospectus supplement dated October 22, 2004 (the Prospectus), which together with the prospectus filed with the Registration Statement constituting part of the Prospectus, has been filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) promulgated under the Securities Act. The Prospectus relates to the offer and sale by the Partnership of the Common Units upon the conversion of the outstanding Series F2 Convertible Units of GulfTerra Energy Partners, L.P. (GulfTerra), which became convertible into the Common Units pursuant to the Assumption Agreement, dated September 30, 2004, between the Partnership and GulfTerra (the Assumption Agreement), executed in connection with the merger of GulfTerra with a subsidiary of the Partnership on that date.
In rendering the opinion set forth below, we have examined and relied upon (i) the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus, (ii) the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership dated as of October 1, 2004 (the Partnership Agreement), (iii) the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Operating Partnership, and (iv) such certificates, statutes and other instruments and documents as we consider appropriate for purposes of the opinion hereafter expressed. As the basis for the opinion hereinafter expressed, we examined such statutes, including the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, corporate records and documents, certificates of corporate and public officials, and other instruments and documents as we deemed necessary or advisable for the purposes of this opinion.
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October 27, 2004
In connection with this opinion, we have assumed that all Common Units will be issued and sold in the manner described in the Prospectus and in accordance with the terms of the Assumption Agreement.
Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that when the Common Units have been issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Assumption Agreement, then the Common Units will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act and as described in the Prospectus).
We hereby consent to the references to this firm under the caption Legal Matters in the Prospectus and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or a Current Report on Form 8-K. By giving such consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder.
Very truly yours, | ||
/s/ VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. | ||
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. |
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EXHIBIT 8.1
VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. 2300 FIRST CITY TOWER 1001 FANNIN STREET HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-6760 TELEPHONE (713) 758-2222 FAX (713) 758-2346 www.velaw.com |
October 26, 2004
Enterprise Products Partners L.P.
Enterprise Products Operating L.P.
2727 N. Loop West
Houston, Texas 77008
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have participated in the preparation of the registration statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-102778, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), on January 28, 2003, Amendment No. 1 thereto filed with the Commission on March 19, 2003, and Amendment No. 2 thereto filed with the Commission on April 15, 2003 and being declared effective by the Commission on April 21, 2003 (the Registration Statement), with respect to the registration of up to $1,500,000,000 of common units of Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (Enterprise) and/or debt securities of Enterprise Products Operating L.P. and guaranties of such debt securities by Enterprise. We have also participated in the preparation of the prospectus relating to the Registration Statement and included as a part thereof and the prospectus supplement dated October 22, 2004 filed with the Commission under Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act (collectively, the Prospectus).
The statements as to matters of law and legal conclusions in the Prospectus under the caption Tax Consequences are accurate and complete in all material respects as of the respective dates of such statements and constitute our opinion, which is subject to the assumptions and qualifications set forth therein.
We hereby consent to the references to this firm under the captions Tax Consequences and Legal Matters in the Prospectus and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. By giving such consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued thereunder.
Very truly yours, | ||
/s/ VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. | ||
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. |
EXHIBIT 10.1
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT
(formerly called, EPCO AGREEMENT)
by and among
EPCO, INC.
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS PARTNERS L.P.
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS OPERATING L.P.
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS GP, LLC
and
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS OLPGP, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE 1: DEFINITIONS | ||||||
1.1
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Definitions | 2 | ||||
1.2
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Construction | 2 | ||||
ARTICLE 2: SERVICES | ||||||
2.1
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EPCO Services; Term | 2 | ||||
2.2
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EPCO Compensation | 2 | ||||
2.3
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Dispute Regarding Services or Calculation of Costs. | 3 | ||||
2.4
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Invoices | 3 | ||||
2.5
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Disputes; Default | 4 | ||||
2.6
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Input Regarding EPCO Services | 4 | ||||
2.7
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Limitation Regarding EPCO Services | 4 | ||||
2.8
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Representations Regarding Use of Services | 4 | ||||
2.9
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Warranties; Limitation of Liability | 4 | ||||
2.10
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Force Majeure | 5 | ||||
2.11
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Affiliates | 5 | ||||
ARTICLE 3: USE OF NAME AND MARK | ||||||
3.1
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Grant of License | 5 | ||||
3.2
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Reimbursement of Costs | 5 | ||||
ARTICLE 4: EPCOS INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXCLUDED LIABILITIES | ||||||
4.1
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Indemnification | 5 | ||||
4.2
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Indemnification Procedures | 6 | ||||
ARTICLE 5: OTHER AGREEMENTS | ||||||
5.1
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Insurance Matters | 6 | ||||
5.2
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Sublease of Equipment | 6 | ||||
5.3
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EPCOs Employees | 6 | ||||
5.4
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Business Opportunities | 7 | ||||
ARTICLE 6: MISCELLANEOUS | ||||||
6.1
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Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction | 7 | ||||
6.2
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Notices | 7 | ||||
6.3
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Entire Agreement; Supersedure | 8 | ||||
6.4
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Effect of Waiver of Consent | 8 | ||||
6.5
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Amendment or Modification | 8 | ||||
6.6
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Assignment | 8 | ||||
6.7
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Counterparts | 8 | ||||
6.8
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Severability | 8 |
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6.9
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Further Assurances | 8 | ||||
6.10
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Withholding or Granting of Consent | 8 | ||||
6.11
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U.S. Currency | 9 | ||||
6.12
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Laws and Regulations | 9 | ||||
6.13
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Negation of Rights of Third Parties | 9 |
Attachment I Defined Terms
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SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
THIS SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is entered into on October 22, 2004, but effective as of October 1, 2004 (the Effective Date) by and among EPCO, Inc., a Texas corporation, formerly known as Enterprise Products Company, (EPCO), Enterprise Products Partners L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (MLP), Enterprise Products Operating L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (OLP), Enterprise Products GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Enterprise GP), and Enterprise Products OLPGP, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Enterprise OLPGP).
R E C I T A L S
The purpose of this Agreement is to amend and restate, in its entirety, that certain First Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement (the First Amendment), dated as of January 1, 2004, among the Parties hereto.
The Parties hereto (other than Enterprise OLPGP) originally entered into that certain EPCO Agreement, dated as of July 31, 1998, in connection with the initial public offering of units in MLP, pursuant to which EPCO and its Affiliates (other than the Partnership Entities) (collectively, the EPCO Group) agreed to provide certain operational and financial support to the Partnership Entities.
Effective as of December 10, 2003, Enterprise OLPGP succeeded Enterprise GP as the general partner of OLP.
Effective as of January 1, 2004, the Parties hereto amended and restated the EPCO Agreement pursuant to the First Amendment, (i) to reduce the operational and financial support provided by the EPCO Group to the Partnership Entities, (ii) to change the manner in which the Partnership Entities were charged for certain administrative, management, and operating services provided by EPCO, from a fixed fee to allocating the cost of such services to the Partnership Entities on a pro rata basis, (iii) to assign certain contract rights, initially retained by EPCO, but which related to assets owned by the Partnership Entities to the Partnership Entities, and (iv) to reflect certain other understandings between the EPCO Group and the Partnership Entities.
Effective as of June 21, 2004, EPCO assigned the Name and the Mark to Enterprise GP, and effective as of October 1, 2004, Enterprise GP assigned the Name and Mark to OLP.
The Parties hereto desire, by their execution of this Agreement, to evidence the terms and conditions upon which (i) the EPCO Group will provide certain services to the Partnership Entities, (ii) OLP will license the use of the Name and the Mark to EPCO, (iii) EPCO will provide indemnification to the Partnership Entities for certain matters, and (iv) the relationship between the EPCO Group and the Partnership Entities regarding a variety of additional matters will be reflected.
A G R E E M E N T S
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the covenants, conditions, and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1: DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. The definitions listed on Attachment I shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement. Any other capitalized term that is used but not defined herein shall have the meaning given such term in the MLP Agreement.
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) include or includes means includes, without limitation, and including means including, without limitation.
ARTICLE 2: SERVICES
2.1 EPCO Services; Term. During the period beginning on the Effective Date and ending on July 31, 2008, subject to the terms of this Article 2 and in exchange for the reimbursement described in Section 2.2, EPCO hereby agrees to provide the Partnership Entities with such selling, general and administrative services and such management and operating services as may be necessary to manage and operate the business, properties and assets of the Partnership Entities in substantially the same manner that such business, properties and assets have been managed and operated by EPCO prior to the Effective Date; it being understood and agreed by the Parties that in connection with the provision of such management and operating services, EPCO shall employ or otherwise retain the services of such personnel as may be necessary to cause the business, properties and assets of the Partnership Entities to be so managed and operated (individually, an EPCO Service and, collectively, the EPCO Services). All EPCO Services provided by EPCO hereunder shall be substantially identical in nature and quality to the services of such type provided by EPCO with respect to the business, properties and assets of the Partnership Entities during the calendar year 2003.
2.2 EPCO Compensation. As compensation for the provision by EPCO to the Partnership Entities of the EPCO Services, EPCO shall be entitled to receive, and the Partnership Entities agree to pay to EPCO, an amount equal to the sum of all costs and expenses (direct or indirect) incurred by EPCO which are directly or indirectly related to the business or activities of the Partnership Entities (including, without limitation, expenses, direct or indirect, reasonably allocated to the Partnership Entities by EPCO). In addition, the Partnership Entities shall pay all sales, use, excise, value added or similar taxes, if any, that may be applicable from time to time in respect of the EPCO Services provided to the Partnership Entities by EPCO. The aggregate amount payable by the Partnership Entities to EPCO pursuant to this Section 2.2 with respect to a given period of time shall be referred to herein as the Administrative Services Fee. It is the
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intention of the Parties that, with the exception of Article V and the Retained Leases (as hereinafter defined), the Administrative Services Fee represents fair and reasonable compensation to EPCO for the Partnership Entities allocable share of all general and administrative expenses, capital expenses and other costs for shared services borne or performed by EPCO, or any of the other members of the EPCO Group, for the benefit of any member of the MLP Group. The Retained Leases are operating leases relating to (i) an isomerization unit, (ii) one deisobutanizer tower, (iii) one cogeneration unit, and (iv) 100 railcars, the liabilities for each of which were retained by EPCO in connection with the formation of MLP and OLP.
2.3 Dispute Regarding Services or Calculation of Costs.
(a) Should there be a dispute over the nature or quality of the EPCO Services, or the calculation and allocation of any Administrative Services Fee, relating to any of the EPCO Services, the Parties shall first attempt to resolve such dispute, acting diligently and in good faith, using the past practices of the Parties and documentary evidence of costs as guidelines for such resolution. If the Parties are unable to resolve any such dispute within thirty days, or such additional time as may be reasonable under the circumstances, the dispute shall be referred to the Audit and Conflicts Committee. The Parties agree that the Audit and Conflicts Committee shall have the authority to settle any such dispute, in its sole discretion, recognizing that it is the intent of all Parties that all shared expenses or services be allocated between the EPCO Group and the Partnership Entities on a fair and reasonable basis.
(b) EPCO and the Partnership Entities agree that the prior practice of EPCO with respect to the EPCO Services previously provided with respect to the business, properties and assets of the Partnership Entities or the calculation of the Administrative Services Fee relating to such EPCO Services, as determined from the books and records of EPCO, shall be prima facie evidence as to the nature and quality of the EPCO Services and the reasonableness of the calculation or allocation of the Administrative Services Fee relating to such EPCO Services, as the case may be.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties recognize that prior to January 1, 2004, the Administrative Services Fee for a portion of the EPCO Services was a fixed fee, as previously described in the EPCO Agreement, and that the Administrative Services Fee for another portion of the EPCO Services was not calculated on a pro rata basis; therefore, the initial calculation and allocation of the Administrative Services Fee for the calendar year 2004 for the EPCO Services shall be reviewed and approved by the Audit and Conflicts Committee. If the Audit and Conflicts Committee determines that the Administrative Services Fee for 2004 should be greater than or less than the amount actually charged by EPCO to the Partnership Entities because the allocation of expenses between EPCO and the Partnership Entities was not reasonable, the Partnership Entities shall pay any shortfall to EPCO, or EPCO shall pay any overcharge to Enterprise GP, as the case may be, within thirty days following receipt of the Audit and Conflicts Committees determination. The calculations and allocations made by the Audit and Conflicts Committee for 2004 shall establish the basis for the calculation and allocation of the Administrative Services Fee for calendar years 2005 through 2008.
2.4 Invoices. EPCO shall invoice OLP on or before the last day of each month for the estimated Administrative Services Fee for the next succeeding month, plus or minus any
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adjustment necessary to correct prior estimated billings to actual billings. All invoices shall be due and payable on the last day of the month of the invoice. Upon request, EPCO shall furnish in reasonable detail a description of the EPCO Services performed for the Partnership Entities during any month.
2.5 Disputes; Default. Notwithstanding any provision of this Article 2 to the contrary, should OLP fail to pay EPCO, when due, any amounts owing in respect of the EPCO Services, except as set forth in the third succeeding sentence, upon 30 days notice, OLP may terminate this Article 2 as to those EPCO Services that relate to the unpaid portion of the invoice. Should there be a dispute as to the propriety of invoiced amounts, OLP shall pay all undisputed amounts on each invoice, but shall be entitled to withhold payment of any amount in dispute and shall promptly notify EPCO of such disputed amount. EPCO shall provide OLP with records relating to the disputed amount so as to enable the Parties to resolve the dispute. So long as the Parties are attempting in good faith to resolve the dispute, EPCO shall not be entitled to terminate the EPCO Services that relate to the disputed amount.
2.6 Input Regarding EPCO Services. Any records, information or other input from the Partnership Entities that is necessary for EPCO to perform any EPCO Services shall be submitted, upon EPCOs request therefor, to EPCO by the Partnership Entities in a manner consistent with the practices utilized by the Partnership Entities during the one year period prior to January 1, 2004, which manner shall not be altered except by mutual agreement of the Parties. If the Partnership Entities failure to supply such records, information or other input renders EPCOs performance of any EPCO Services unreasonably difficult, EPCO, upon reasonable notice to the Partnership Entities, may refuse to perform such EPCO Services until such records, information or other input is supplied.
2.7 Limitation Regarding EPCO Services. The Partnership Entities acknowledge that the EPCO Services shall be provided only with respect to the business of the Partnership Entities as operated on January 1, 2004 or as otherwise mutually agreed by EPCO and the Partnership Entities which agreement regarding additional, or fewer EPCO Services shall reflect an appropriate adjustment to the aggregate Administrative Services Fee for the following months. EPCO shall not be required to perform any EPCO Services for the benefit of any Person other than the Partnership Entities.
2.8 Representations Regarding Use of Services. OLP, on behalf of itself and the other members of the Partnership Entities, represents and agrees that it will use the EPCO Services only in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, and in accordance with the reasonable conditions, rules, regulations, and specifications that may be set forth in any manuals, materials, documents, or instructions furnished from time to time by EPCO to the Partnership Entities. EPCO reserves the right to take all actions, including, without limitation, termination of any portion of the EPCO Services that it reasonably believes is required to be terminated in order to assure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
2.9 Warranties; Limitation of Liability. The EPCO Services shall be of the same or similar quality as those provided by EPCO with respect to the business, properties and assets of the Partnership Entities during the one-year period prior to January 1, 2004. EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE, EPCO MAKES NO (AND HEREBY
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DISCLAIMS AND NEGATES ANY AND ALL) WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE EPCO SERVICES. IN NO EVENT SHALL EPCO OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES BE LIABLE TO ANY OF THE PARTIES RECEIVING ANY EPCO SERVICES OR TO ANY OTHER PERSON FOR ANY EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY ERROR IN THE PERFORMANCE OF SUCH SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH PARTY PROVIDING SUCH SERVICE, ITS AFFILIATES, OR OTHERS MAY BE WHOLLY, CONCURRENTLY, PARTIALLY, OR SOLELY NEGLIGENT OR OTHERWISE AT FAULT, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SUCH EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR SPECIAL DAMAGES ARE PAID BY THE PARTY INCURRING SUCH DAMAGES TO A THIRD PARTY.
2.10 Force Majeure. EPCO shall have no obligation to perform the EPCO Services if its failure to do so is caused by or results from any act of God, governmental action, natural disaster, strike, failure of essential equipment, or any other cause or circumstance, whether similar or dissimilar to the foregoing causes or circumstances, beyond the reasonable control of EPCO.
2.11 Affiliates. At its election, EPCO may cause one or more of its Affiliates or third party contractors reasonably acceptable to the Party receiving such EPCO Service to provide such EPCO Service; however, EPCO shall remain responsible for the provision of such EPCO Service in accordance with this Agreement.
ARTICLE 3: USE OF NAME AND MARK
3.1 Grant of License. Effective as of October 1, 2004, OLP has granted EPCO a worldwide royalty-free, five year right and license to use the Name and Mark pursuant to a License Agreement.
3.2 Reimbursement of Costs. OLP shall reimburse EPCO for the cost of removing the Name and Mark from EPCOs trucks in order to meet the schedule for removal of all Names and Marks on or before the end of the term of the License Agreement.
ARTICLE 4: EPCOS INDEMNIFICATION FOR EXCLUDED LIABILITIES
4.1 Indemnification. From and after the date hereof and subject to the remaining provisions of this Article 4, EPCO shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Partnership Entities from and against any loss, cost, claim, liability, prepayment or similar penalty, damage, expense, attorneys fees, judgment, award or settlement of any kind or nature whatsoever (other than out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Partnership Entities in connection with the discharge of their obligations pursuant to Section 4.2(b)) (collectively, Losses) incurred by the Partnership Entities in connection with the Excluded Liabilities; provided, however, in no event shall such indemnification obligation, or the term Losses, cover or include exemplary, punitive, special, consequential, indirect, or incidental damages or lost profits suffered by the Partnership Entities in connection with the Excluded Liabilities, except to the extent such
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exemplary, punitive, special, consequential, indirect or incidental damages or lost profits are actually paid by a Partnership Entity to a third party.
4.2 Indemnification Procedures.
(a) EPCO shall have the right to control all aspects of the defense of any claims (and any counterclaims) related to the Excluded Liabilities, including, without limitation, the selection of counsel, determination of whether to appeal any decision of any court and the settling of any such matter or any issues relating thereto; provided, however, that no such settlement shall be entered into without the consent of the Partnership Entities unless (i) it includes a full release of the Partnership Entities from such matter or issues, as the case may be or (ii) following such settlement there is no realistic scenario under which the Partnership Entities could be held liable for such matter or issues.
(b) The Partnership Entities agree, at their own cost and expense, to cooperate fully with EPCO with respect to all aspects of the defense of any claims related to the Excluded Liabilities, including, without limitation, the prompt furnishing to EPCO of any correspondence or other notice relating thereto that the Partnership Entities may receive, permitting the names of the Partnership Entities to be utilized in connection with such defense and the making available to EPCO of any files, records or other information of the Partnership Entities that EPCO considers relevant to such defense; provided, however, that in connection therewith EPCO agrees to use reasonable efforts to minimize the impact thereof on the operations of such Partnership Entities. In no event shall the obligation of the Partnership Entities to cooperate with EPCO as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence be construed as imposing upon the Partnership Entities an obligation to hire and pay for counsel in connection with the defense of any claims related to the Excluded Litigation.
ARTICLE 5: OTHER AGREEMENTS
5.1 Insurance Matters. EPCO hereby agrees to cause the Partnership Entities to be named as additional insureds in EPCOs insurance program, as in effect from time to time. Subject to Section 2.5, each of the Partnership Entities shall be allocated, and pay for, such insurance coverage in an amount equal to EPCOs cost of insuring the assets and operations of such Partnership Entity, and generally in accordance with the allocations and methodology used prior to the Effective Date.
5.2 Sublease of Equipment. Effective June 1, 1998, EPCO and OLP entered into one or more Sublease Agreements (the Sublease Agreements), pursuant to which EPCO agreed to sublease to OLP the equipment covered by the Retained Leases. EPCO has assigned to OLP all options held by EPCO to purchase any and all equipment subject to the Sublease Agreements and the Retained Leases.
5.3 EPCOs Employees. The obligation of OLP to pay the Administrative Services Fee shall, as such obligation relates to EPCOs expenses incurred to compensate its employees providing the EPCO Services, reimburse EPCO for the appropriate pro rata cost of such employees salaries, wages, bonuses, benefits, social security taxes, workers compensation
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insurance, retirement and insurance benefits, training, and other direct and indirect costs of such employee fringe benefits. OLP shall not be obligated to pay any amount directly to EPCOs employees; provided however, if EPCO ever fails to pay any employee providing EPCO Services to the Partnership Entities within 30 days following the date such employees payment is due:
(i) any Partnership Entity may (w) pay such employee directly, (x) employ such employee directly, (y) notify EPCO and begin to pay all employees providing EPCO Services directly, or (z) notify EPCO that the portion of this Agreement relating to the EPCO Services is terminated and employ directly any or all of such employees, or employ such other individuals as the Partnership Entities may choose in their sole discretion, and
(ii) EPCO shall reimburse the Partnership Entities for any amount that the Partnership Entities paid to EPCO, for EPCOs employees providing the EPCO Services, that EPCO did not pay to, or on behalf of, such employees.
(b) Notwithstanding anything implied in Section 5.3(a) to the contrary, the Partnership Entities, acting through OLP, shall have the right, at any time upon at least 90 days notice to EPCO, to terminate the portion of this Agreement relating to the EPCO Services and to employ any or all of EPCOs employees providing the EPCO Services directly, or employ such other individuals as the Partnership Entities may choose in their sole discretion.
5.4 Business Opportunities. If the EPCO Group is offered by a third party, or discovers an opportunity to acquire from a third party, a business or assets that is or are in the same or similar line of business then being conducted by a Partnership Entity or in a line of business that would be a natural extension of any business then being conducted by a Partnership Entity (a Business Opportunity), the EPCO Group shall promptly advise the Board of Directors of the General Partner of such Business Opportunity and offer such Business Opportunity to the Partnership. If the Board of Directors of the General Partner does not advise the EPCO Group within ten days following the receipt of such notice that the Partnership wishes to pursue such Business Opportunity, the EPCO Group shall then be permitted to pursue such Business Opportunity. If the Board of Directors of the General Partner advises the EPCO Group within such ten day period that the Partnership wishes to pursue such Business Opportunity, the EPCO Group shall not be permitted to pursue such Business Opportunity unless the Board of Directors of the General Partner subsequently advises the EPCO Group that it has abandoned its pursuit of such Business Opportunity.
ARTICLE 6: MISCELLANEOUS
6.1 Choice of Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Texas. Each Party hereby submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts in the State of Texas and to exclusive venue in Houston, Harris County, Texas.
6.2 Notices. All notices or requests or consents provided for or permitted to be given pursuant to this Agreement must be in writing and must be given by depositing same in the United States mail, addressed to the Person to be notified, postpaid, and registered or certified
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with return receipt requested or by delivering such notice in person or by telecopier or telegram to such Person. Notice given by personal delivery or mail shall be effective upon actual receipt. Notice given by telegram or telecopier shall be effective upon actual receipt if received during the recipients normal business hours, or at the beginning of the recipients next business day after receipt if not received during the recipients normal business hours. All notices to be sent to a Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent to or made at the address set forth below such Partys signature to this Agreement, or at such other address as such Party may stipulate to the other Parties in the manner provided in this Section 6.2.
6.3 Entire Agreement; Supersedure. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether oral or written, relating to the matters contained herein.
6.4 Effect of Waiver of Consent. No Partys express or implied waiver of, or consent to, any breach or default by any Person in the performance by such Person of its obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other breach or default in the performance by such Person of the same or any other obligations of such Person hereunder. Failure on the part of a Party to complain of any act of any Person or to declare any Person in default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a waiver by such Party of its rights hereunder until the applicable statute of limitations period has run.
6.5 Amendment or Modification. This Agreement may be amended or modified from time to time only by the agreement of all the Parties; provided, however, that MLP may not, without the prior approval of the Audit and Conflicts Committee, agree to any amendment or modification of this Agreement that, in the reasonable discretion of Enterprise GP, will materially and adversely affect the Holders of Common Units.
6.6 Assignment. No Party shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the consent of the other Parties.
6.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all Parties had signed the same document. All counterparts shall be construed together and shall constitute one and the same instrument.
6.8 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any Person or circumstance shall be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.
6.9 Further Assurances. In connection with this Agreement and all transactions contemplated by this Agreement, each Party hereto agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and all such transactions.
6.10 Withholding or Granting of Consent. Unless the consent or approval of a Party is expressly required not to be unreasonably withheld (or words to similar effect), each Party
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may, with respect to any consent or approval that it is entitled to grant pursuant to this Agreement, grant or withhold such consent or approval in its sole and uncontrolled discretion, with or without cause, and subject to such conditions as it shall deem appropriate.
6.11 U.S. Currency. All sums and amounts payable or to be payable pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall be payable in coin or currency of the United States of America that, at the time of payment, is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts in the United States of America.
6.12 Laws and Regulations. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, no Party hereto shall be required to take any act, or fail to take any act, under this Agreement if the effect thereof would be to cause such Party to be in violation of any applicable law, statute, rule or regulation.
6.13 Negation of Rights of Third Parties. The provisions of this Agreement are enforceable solely by the Parties, and no Limited Partner, Assignee or other Person shall have the right to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to compel any Party to comply with the terms of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on October 22, 2004, but effective as of, the Effective Date.
EPCO, INC. (formerly known as Enterprise | ||||
Products Company, a Texas corporation | ||||
By: | /s/ Richard H. Bachmann | |||
Name: | Richard H. Bachmann | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer | |||
Address for Notice: | ||||
2707 North Loop West | ||||
Houston, Texas 77008 | ||||
Telecopy No.: (713) 880-6631 |
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ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS PARTNERS L.P. | ||||||
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS OPERATING L.P. | ||||||
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS GP, LLC, | ||||||
Individually and as Sole General Partner of Enterprise Products Partners L.P., and | ||||||
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS OLPGP, INC., | ||||||
Individually and as Sole General Partner of Enterprise Products Operating L.P. | ||||||
By: | /s/ Michael A. Creel | |||||
Michael A. Creel | ||||||
Executive Vice President and | ||||||
Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
Address for Notice: | ||||||
2727 North Loop West | ||||||
Houston, Texas 77008 | ||||||
Telecopy No.: (713) 880-6570 |
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Attachment I
DEFINED TERMS
Administrative Services Fee shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 hereto.
Affiliate shall have the meaning attributed to such term in the MLP Agreement; provided, however, that for the purposes of this Agreement none of the Partnership Entities shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of EPCO.
Agreement shall mean this Second Amended and Restated EPCO Agreement, as it may be amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time.
Applicable Period shall mean the period commencing on the Effective Date and terminating on the earlier of (a) the date on which the general partner of MLP ceases to be Enterprise Products GP, LLC or another Person that is an Affiliate of EPCO, and (b) the date on which the general partner of OLP ceases to be Enterprise Products OLPGP, Inc. or another person that is an affiliate of EPCO.
EPCO Group shall have the meaning set forth in Recitals.
EPCO Services shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1 hereto.
Excluded Liabilities shall mean the following liabilities and obligations:
(a) all indebtedness of EPCO and its Affiliates for borrowed money; and
(b) any income tax liability of EPCO that may result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the First Amendment or this Agreement.
First Amendment shall have the meaning set forth in the Recitals.
General Partner shall mean Enterprise GP and Enterprise OLPGP and their successors as general partner of MLP and OLP, respectively, unless the context otherwise requires.
Losses shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
MLP Agreement shall mean that certain Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Enterprise Products Partners L.P., dated as of October 1, 2004, as amended, as same may be further amended from time to time.
Name and Mark shall mean the name Enterprise, as described in Registration Number 1,236,995 registered on May 10, 1983 and issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and the mark Enterprise, as described in Application Registration Number 1,292,612 registered on September 4, 1984 and issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
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Partnership Entities shall mean the General Partner, MLP, OLP and any Affiliate controlled (and only so long as such Affiliates are controlled) by the General Partner, MLP or OLP (as the term control is used in the definition of Affiliate in the MLP Agreement).
Party shall mean any one of the Persons that executes this Agreement.
Plan of Merger shall mean that certain Plan of Merger dated June 1, 1998 by and among EPCO, HSC Pipeline Partnership, L.P., Chunchula Pipeline Company, LLC, Propylene Pipeline Partnership, L.P., Cajun Pipeline Company, LLC, and Enterprise Texas Operating L.P., as amended by that certain First Amendment to Plan of Merger among such parties dated effective as of June 1, 1998.
"Retained Leases shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.
Sublease Agreements shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.2.
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