As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 21, 2006
Registration Statement No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CROSSTEX ENERGY, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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16-1616605
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.) |
2501 Cedar Springs
Suite 100
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 953-9500
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrants principal executive offices)
William W. Davis
Crosstex Energy, L.P.
2501 Cedar Springs
Suite 100
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 953-9500
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to:
Douglass M. Rayburn
Baker Botts L.L.P.
2001 Ross Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75201-2980
Telephone: (214) 953-6500
Facsimile: (214) 953-6503
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box. o
If any of the securities being registered on this form are being offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following
box: þ
If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the
following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same
offering. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the
Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. o
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become
effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to general Instruction I.D. filed to register
additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Proposed maximum |
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Proposed |
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Title of each class of |
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Amount to be |
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offering price per |
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maximum aggregate |
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Amount of |
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securities to be registered |
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registered (1) |
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unit (2) |
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offering price (2) |
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registration fee |
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Senior Subordinated Series
C Units |
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6,414,820 |
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$35.96 |
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$230,676,927.20 |
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$24,682.43 |
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Common Units |
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6,414,820(3) |
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(3) |
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(3) |
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(3) |
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Total |
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$35.96 |
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$230,676,927.20 |
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$24,682.43 |
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(1) |
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This registration statement covers resales of 6,414,820 senior subordinated series C
units and 6,414,820 common units representing limited partner interests of the registrant
issuable upon conversion of the 6,414,820 senior subordinated series C units representing
limited partner interests of the registrant acquired by the selling unitholders in June 2006. |
(2) |
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Estimated based on the offering price of the common units solely for the purpose of
calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(i) of the Securities Act based on the
proposed offering price of the senior subordinated series C units. |
(3) |
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No separate consideration will be received for the common units issuable upon conversion of
the senior subordinated series C units and, therefore, pursuant to Rule 457(i) under the
Securities Act, no registration fee is required. |
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be
necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which
specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in
accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement
shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to
said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling
unitholders may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these
securities, and it is not soliciting and offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer
or sale is not permitted.
PROSPECTUS
Subject to Completion, dated July 21, 2006
Crosstex Energy, L.P.
6,414,820 Senior Subordinated Series C Units
6,414,820 Common Units
Representing Limited Partner Interests
This prospectus relates to the offer and sale from time to time of up to an aggregate of
6,414,820 senior subordinated series C units representing limited partner interests in Crosstex
Energy, L.P. and 6,414,820 common units representing limited partner interests in Crosstex Energy,
L.P. that may be issued upon conversion of the 6,414,820 senior subordinated series C units for the
account of the selling unitholders named in this prospectus. The selling unitholders acquired the
senior subordinated series C units from us in a private placement exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The senior subordinated series C units will
automatically convert into common units on the first date on or after February 16, 2008 that
conversion is permitted by our partnership agreement. Generally, the senior subordinated series C
units will not be entitled to participate in our distributions of available cash until February 16,
2008.
At any time prior to the conversion of the senior subordinated series C units, the senior
subordinated series C units may be offered and sold from time to time by the selling unitholders
named in this prospectus or in any supplement to this prospectus. At any time after the conversion
of the senior subordinated series C units, the common units may be offered and sold from time to
time by the selling unitholders named in this prospectus or in any supplement to this prospectus.
The selling unitholders may sell the senior subordinated series C units and the common units at
various times and in various types of transactions, including sales in the open market, sales in
negotiated transactions and sales by a combination of these methods, as applicable. The senior
subordinated series C units and the common units covered by this prospectus may be sold at market
prices prevailing at the time or at negotiated prices, as applicable. We will not receive any
proceeds from the sale of the senior subordinated series C units or the common units by the selling
unitholders.
Our common units trade on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol XTEX. The last
reported sale price of our common units on the Nasdaq on July 20, 2006 was $35.96 per common unit.
Prior to this offering, there has not been a public market for the senior subordinated series C
units.
Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors
described under Risk Factors beginning on page 2 of this prospectus before you make any
investment in our securities.
In connection with certain sales of the senior subordinated series C units or our common units
hereunder, a prospectus supplement may accompany this prospectus. You should read this prospectus
and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our common units.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has
approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether this prospectus is truthful or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus
supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference. Neither we nor the selling
unitholders have authorized any other person to give you different information. These securities
are not being offered in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that
the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus
supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. We will
disclose any material changes in our affairs in an amendment to this prospectus, a prospectus
supplement or a future filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission incorporated by reference
in this prospectus.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we have filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission using a shelf registration process. Under this shelf
registration process, the selling unitholders may, from time to time, sell up to an aggregate of
6,414,820 senior subordinated series C units representing limited partner interests in Crosstex
Energy, L.P. and up to 6,414,820 common units representing limited partner interests in Crosstex
Energy, L.P. and into which the senior subordinated series C units will automatically convert, in
one or more offerings as described in this prospectus.
The senior subordinated series C units were issued to Chieftain Capital Management, Inc., as
agent and attorney-in-fact for the purchasers who are its clients under separate investment advisor
agreements, Energy Income and Growth Fund, Fiduciary/Claymore MLP Opportunity Fund, Kayne Anderson
MLP Investment Company, Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc., Lehman Brothers MLP
Partners, L.P., Lubar Equity Fund, LLC and Tortoise Energy Infrastructure Corporation pursuant to a
privately negotiated Senior Subordinated Series C Unit Purchase Agreement, dated May 16, 2006. In
connection with the private placement, we agreed to register with the Securities and Exchange
Commission the senior subordinated series C units and the common units issuable upon conversion of
the senior subordinated series C units. The senior subordinated series C units will automatically
convert into common units on the first date on or after February 16, 2008 that conversion is
permitted by our partnership agreement at a ratio of one common unit for each senior subordinated
series C unit. Generally, the senior subordinated series C units will not be entitled to
participate in our distributions of available cash until February 16, 2008.
This prospectus provides you with a general description of us and the senior subordinated
series C units and common units that may be offered by the selling unitholders. In connection with
any offer or sale of senior subordinated series C units and/or common units by the selling
unitholders under this prospectus, the selling unitholders are required to provide this prospectus
and, in certain cases, a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the
selling unitholders, the terms of that offering and the securities being offered. The prospectus
supplement also may add to, update or change information in this prospectus. If there is any
inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should
rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read carefully this prospectus,
any prospectus supplement and the additional information described below under the heading Where
You Can Find More Information.
As used in this prospectus, we, us and our and similar terms mean Crosstex Energy, L.P.
and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
WHO WE ARE
We are a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership, formed in July 2002 in connection with
our initial public offering, which was completed in December 2002. Our business activities are
conducted through our subsidiary, Crosstex Energy Services, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
and subsidiaries. We are an independent midstream energy company engaged in the gathering,
transmission, treating, processing and marketing of natural gas. We connect the wells of natural
gas producers in our market areas to our gathering systems, treat natural gas to remove impurities
to ensure that it meets pipeline quality specifications, process natural gas for the removal of
natural gas liquids, or NGLs, transport natural gas and ultimately provide natural gas to a variety
of markets. We purchase natural gas from natural gas producers and other supply points and sell
that natural gas to utilities, industrial consumers, other marketers and pipelines and thereby
generate gross margins based on the difference between the purchase and resale prices. In addition,
we purchase natural gas from producers not connected to our gathering systems for resale and sell
natural gas on behalf of producers for a fee.
Our general partner, Crosstex Energy GP, L.P., is a Delaware limited partnership. Crosstex
Energy GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, is Crosstex Energy GP, L.P.s general
partner. Our general partner is managed by its general partner, Crosstex Energy GP, LLC, which has
ultimate responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations.
Our executive offices are located at 2501 Cedar Springs, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75201, and
our telephone number is (214) 953-9500. Our common units trade on the Nasdaq National Market under
the symbol XTEX.
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in our senior subordinated series C units and/or our common units involves a
significant degree of risk, including the risks described below. You should carefully consider the
following risk factors together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any
prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus in
evaluating an investment in our senior subordinated series C units and/or our common units.
If any of the following risks actually were to occur, our business, financial condition or
results of operations could be affected materially and adversely. In that case, we may be unable to
make distributions to our unitholders, the trading price of our senior subordinated series C units
or common units could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Inherent in Our Business
Acquisitions typically increase our debt and subject us to other substantial risks, which could
adversely affect our results of operations.
Our future financial performance will depend, in part, on our ability to make
acquisitions of assets and businesses at attractive prices. From time to time, we will evaluate and
seek to acquire assets or businesses that we believe complement our existing business and related
assets. We may acquire assets or businesses that we plan to use in a manner materially different
from their prior owners use. Any acquisition involves potential risks, including:
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the inability to integrate the operations of acquired businesses or assets; |
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the diversion of managements attention from other business concerns; |
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the loss of customers or key employees from the acquired businesses; |
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a significant increase in our indebtedness; and |
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potential environmental or regulatory liabilities and title problems. |
Managements assessment of these risks is necessarily inexact and may not reveal or
resolve all existing or potential problems associated with an acquisition. Realization of any of
these risks could adversely affect our operations and cash flows. If we consummate any future
acquisition, our capitalization and results of operations may change significantly, and you will
not have the opportunity to evaluate the economic, financial and other relevant information that we
will consider in determining the application of these funds and other resources.
We continue to consider large acquisition candidates and transactions. The integration,
financial and other risks discussed above will be amplified if the size of our future acquisitions
increases.
Our acquisition strategy is based, in part, on our expectation of ongoing divestitures of gas
processing and transportation assets by large industry participants. A material decrease in such
divestitures will limit our opportunities for future acquisitions and could adversely affect our
growth plans.
If our assumptions used in making the acquisition of the Barnett Shale systems and facilities from Chief Holdings LLC are inaccurate, our future financial performance may be limited.
We acquired certain natural gas gathering pipeline systems and related facilities in the
Barnett Shale, which we refer to as the Midstream Assets, from Chief Holdings LLC in June 2006.
This acquisition was made based on our understanding of future drilling plans by Devon Energy
Corporation, which acquired Chiefs producing assets and acreage previously owned by Chief that is
dedicated to the Midstream Assets. In addition, we assumed in our analysis the continued drilling
success by other producers that own acreage dedicated to the Midstream Assets, production success
on acreage not dedicated to the system and that we will be able to tie a certain portion of that
new production into the system. Production currently flowing through the system is very small
relative to the
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quantities we have assumed will be developed in the next few years. If our assumptions are
inaccurate, the drilling plans of the producers are delayed, the producers are not successful in
completing their wells or we are not successful in our commercial efforts to tie in gas from
undedicated acreage, then our anticipated results from the acquisition of the Midstream Assets
could be significantly negatively impacted. In addition, the failure to successfully integrate the
Midstream Assets with our existing business and operations in a timely manner may have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are vulnerable to operational, regulatory and other risks associated with South Louisiana
and the Gulf of Mexico, including the effects of adverse weather conditions such as hurricanes,
because we have a significant portion of our assets located in South Louisiana.
Our operations and revenues will be significantly impacted by conditions in South
Louisiana because we have a significant portion of our assets located in South Louisiana. This
concentration of activity make us more vulnerable than many of our competitors to the risks
associated with Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, including:
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adverse weather conditions, including hurricanes and tropical storms; |
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delays or decreases in production, the availability of equipment, facilities or services; and |
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changes in the regulatory environment. |
Because a significant portion of our operations could experience the same condition at the
same time, these conditions could have a relatively greater impact on our results of operations
than they might have on other midstream companies who have operations in a more diversified
geographic area.
In addition, our operations in South Louisiana are dependent upon continued deep shelf
drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. The deep shelf in the Gulf of Mexico is an area that has had
limited historical drilling activity. This is due, in part, to its geological complexity and depth.
Deep shelf development is more expensive and inherently more risky than conventional shelf
drilling. A decline in the level of deep shelf drilling in the Gulf of Mexico could have a adverse
effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our profitability is dependent upon prices and market demand for natural gas and NGLs, which are beyond our control and have been volatile.
We are subject to significant risks due to fluctuations in commodity prices. These risks
are based upon three components of our business: (1) we purchase certain volumes of natural gas at
a price that is a percentage of a relevant index; (2) certain processing contracts for our Gregory
system and our Plaquemine and Gibson processing plants expose us to natural gas and NGL commodity
price risks; and (3) part of our fees from our Conroe and Seminole gas plants as well as those
acquired in the El Paso Acquisition are based on a portion of the NGLs produced, and, therefore, is
subject to commodity price risks.
The margins we realize from purchasing and selling a portion of the natural gas that we
transport through our pipeline systems decrease in periods of low natural gas prices because our
gross margins related to such purchases are based on a percentage of the index price. For the years
ended December 31, 2004 and 2005, we purchased approximately 9% and 7.5% respectively, of our gas
at a percentage of relevant index. Accordingly, a decline in the price of natural gas could have an
adverse impact on our results of operations.
A portion of our profitability is affected by the relationship between natural gas and NGL
prices. For a component of our Gregory system and our Plaquemine plant and Gibson plant volumes, we
purchase natural gas, process natural gas and extract NGLs, and then sell the processed natural gas
and NGLs. A portion of our profits from the plants acquired in the El Paso Acquisition is dependent
on NGL prices and elections by us and the producers. In cases where we process gas for producers
when they have the ability to decide whether to process their gas, we may elect to receive a
processing fee or we may retain and sell the NGLs and keep the producer whole on its sale of
natural gas. Since we extract energy content, which we measure in Btus, from the gas stream in the
form of the liquids or consume it as fuel during processing, we reduce the Btu content of the
natural gas. Accordingly, our
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margins under these arrangements can be negatively affected in periods in which the value of
natural gas is high relative to the value of NGLs.
In the past, the prices of natural gas and NGLs have been extremely volatile and we
expect this volatility to continue. For example, in 2004, the NYMEX settlement price for natural
gas for the prompt month contract ranged from a high of $7.98 per MMBtu to a low of $5.08 per
MMBtu. In 2005, the same index ranged from $13.91 per MMBtu to $6.12 per MMBtu. A composite of the
OPIS Mt. Belvieu monthly average liquids price based upon our average liquids composition in 2004
ranged from a high of approximately $0.98 per gallon to a low of approximately $0.66 per gallon. In
2005, the same composite ranged from approximately $1.16 per gallon to approximately $0.80 per
gallon.
We may not be successful in balancing our purchases and sales. In addition, a producer
could fail to deliver contracted volumes or deliver in excess of contracted volumes, or a consumer
could purchase less than contracted volumes. Any of these actions could cause our purchases and
sales not to be balanced. If our purchases and sales are not balanced, we will face increased
exposure to commodity price risks and could have increased volatility in our operating income.
The markets and prices for residue gas and NGLs depend upon factors beyond our control.
These factors include demand for oil, natural gas and NGLs, which fluctuate with changes in market
and economic conditions and other factors, including:
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the impact of weather on the demand for oil and natural gas; |
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the level of domestic oil and natural gas production; |
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the level of domestic industrial and manufacturing activity; |
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the availability of imported oil and natural gas; |
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actions taken by foreign oil and gas producing nations; |
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the availability of local, intrastate and interstate transportation systems; |
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the availability and marketing of competitive fuels; |
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the impact of energy conservation efforts; and |
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the extent of governmental regulation and taxation. |
We must continually compete for natural gas supplies, and any decrease in our supplies of
natural gas could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
If we are unable to maintain or increase the throughput on our systems by accessing new
natural gas supplies to offset the natural decline in reserves, our business and financial results
could be materially, adversely affected. In addition, our future growth will depend, in part, upon
whether we can contract for additional supplies at a greater rate than the rate of natural decline
in our currently connected supplies.
In order to maintain or increase throughput levels in our natural gas gathering systems
and asset utilization rates at our treating and processing plants, we must continually contract for
new natural gas supplies. We may not be able to obtain additional contracts for natural gas
supplies. The primary factors affecting our ability to connect new wells to our gathering
facilities include our success in contracting for existing natural gas supplies that are not
committed to other systems and the level of drilling activity near our gathering systems.
Fluctuations in energy
prices can greatly affect production rates and investments by third parties in the development of
new oil and natural gas reserves. Drilling activity generally decreases as oil and natural gas
prices decrease. Tax policy changes could have a negative impact on drilling activity, reducing
supplies of natural gas available to our systems. We have no
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control over producers and depend on them to maintain sufficient levels of drilling activity. A
material decrease in natural gas production or in the level of drilling activity in our principal
geographic areas for a prolonged period, as a result of depressed commodity prices or otherwise,
likely would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.
A substantial portion of our assets is connected to natural gas reserves that will decline
over time, and the cash flows associated with those assets will decline accordingly.
A substantial portion of our assets, including our gathering systems and our treating
plants, is dedicated to certain natural gas reserves and wells for which the production will
naturally decline over time. Accordingly, our cash flows associated with these assets will also
decline. If we are unable to access new supplies of natural gas either by connecting additional
reserves to our existing assets or by constructing or acquiring new assets that have access to
additional natural gas reserves, our cash flows may decline.
Growing our business by constructing new pipelines and processing and treating facilities
subjects us to construction risks, risks that natural gas supplies will not be available upon
completion of the facilities and risks of construction delay and additional costs due to obtaining
rights-of-way.
One of the ways we intend to grow our business is through the construction of additions
to our existing gathering systems and construction of new pipelines and gathering, processing and
treating facilities. The construction of pipelines and gathering, processing and treating
facilities requires the expenditure of significant amounts of capital, which may exceed our
expectations. Generally, we may have only limited natural gas supplies committed to these
facilities prior to their construction. Moreover, we may construct facilities to capture
anticipated future growth in production in a region in which anticipated production growth does not
materialize. We may also rely on estimates of proved reserves in our decision to construct new
pipelines and facilities, which may prove to be inaccurate because there are numerous uncertainties
inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves. As a result, new facilities may not be able
to attract enough natural gas to achieve our expected investment return, which could adversely
affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we face the risks of
construction delay and additional costs due to obtaining rights-of-way.
We have limited control over the development of certain assets because we are not the
operator.
As the owner of non-operating interests in the Seminole gas processing plant, we do not
have the right to direct or control the operation of the plant. As a result, the success of the
activities conducted at the plant, which is operated by a third party, may be affected by factors
outside of our control. The failure of the third-party operator to make decisions, perform its
services, discharge its obligations, deal with regulatory agencies or comply with laws, rules and
regulations affecting the plant, including environmental laws and regulations, in a proper manner
could result in material adverse consequences to our interest and adversely affect our results of
operations.
We expect to encounter significant competition in any new geographic areas into which we seek
to expand and our ability to enter such markets may be limited.
As we expand our operations into new geographic areas, we expect to encounter significant
competition for natural gas supplies and markets. Competitors in these new markets will include
companies larger than us, which have both lower capital costs and greater geographic coverage, as
well as smaller companies, which have lower total cost structures. As a result, we may not be able
to successfully develop acquired assets and markets located in new geographic areas and our results
of operations could be adversely affected.
We are exposed to the credit risk of our customers and counterparties, and a general increase in
the nonpayment and nonperformance by our customers could have an adverse effect on our financial
condition and results of operations.
Risks of nonpayment and nonperformance by our customers are a major concern in our
business. We are subject to risks of loss resulting from nonpayment or nonperformance by our
customers. Any increase in the nonpayment and nonperformance by our customers could adversely
affect our results of operations.
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We may not be able to retain existing customers or acquire new customers, which would reduce
our revenues and limit our future profitability.
The renewal or replacement of existing contracts with our customers at rates sufficient
to maintain current revenues and cash flows depends on a number of factors beyond our control,
including competition from other pipelines, and the price of, and demand for, natural gas in the
markets we serve.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, approximately 74% of our sales of gas which were
transported using our physical facilities were to industrial end-users and utilities. As a
consequence of the increase in competition in the industry and volatility of natural gas prices,
end-users and utilities are reluctant to enter into long-term purchase contracts. Many end-users
purchase natural gas from more than one natural gas company and have the ability to change
providers at any time. Some of these end-users also have the ability to switch between gas and
alternate fuels in response to relative price fluctuations in the market. Because there are
numerous companies of greatly varying size and financial capacity that compete with us in the
marketing of natural gas, we often compete in the end-user and utilities markets primarily on the
basis of price. The inability of our management to renew or replace our current contracts as they
expire and to respond appropriately to changing market conditions could have a negative effect on
our profitability.
We depend on certain key customers, and the loss of any key customer could adversely affect
financial results.
We derive a significant portion of our revenues from contracts with key customers. To the
extent that these and other customers may reduce volumes of natural gas purchased under existing
contracts, we would be adversely affected unless we were able to make comparably profitable
arrangements with other customers. Agreements with key customers provide for minimum volumes of
natural gas that each customer must purchase until the expiration of the term of the applicable
agreement, subject to certain force majeure provisions. Customers may default on their obligations
to purchase the minimum volumes required under the applicable agreements.
Our business involves many hazards and operational risks, some of which may not be fully
covered by insurance.
Our operations are subject to the many hazards inherent in the gathering, compressing,
treating and processing of natural gas and storage of residue gas, including:
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damage to pipelines, related equipment and surrounding properties caused by
hurricanes, floods, fires and other natural disasters and acts of terrorism; |
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inadvertent damage from construction and farm equipment; |
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leaks of natural gas, NGLs and other hydrocarbons; and |
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fires and explosions. |
These risks could result in substantial losses due to personal injury and/or loss of
life, severe damage to and destruction of property and equipment and pollution or other
environmental damage and may result in curtailment or suspension of our related operations. Our
operations are concentrated in Texas, Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and a natural
disaster or other hazard affecting this region could have a material adverse effect on our
operations. We are not fully insured against all risks incident to our business. In accordance with
typical industry practice, we do not have any property insurance on any of our underground pipeline
systems that would cover damage to the pipelines. We are not insured against all environmental
accidents that might occur, other than those
considered to be sudden and accidental. Our business interruption insurance covers only our Gregory
processing plant. If a significant accident or event occurs that is not fully insured, it could
adversely affect our operations and financial condition.
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The threat of terrorist attacks has resulted in increased costs, and future war or risk of war
may adversely impact our results of operations and our ability to raise capital.
Terrorist attacks or the threat of terrorist attacks cause instability in the global
financial markets and other industries, including the energy industry. Uncertainty surrounding
retaliatory military strikes or a sustained military campaign may affect our operations in
unpredictable ways, including disruptions of fuel supplies and markets, and the possibility that
infrastructure facilities, including pipelines, production facilities, and transmission and
distribution facilities, could be direct targets, or indirect casualties, of an act of terror.
Instability in the financial markets as a result of terrorism, the war in Iraq or future
developments could also affect our ability to raise capital.
Changes in the insurance markets attributable to the threat of terrorist attacks have
made certain types of insurance more difficult for us to obtain. Our insurance policies now
generally exclude acts of terrorism. Such insurance is not available at what we believe to be
acceptable pricing levels. A lower level of economic activity could also result in a decline in
energy consumption, which could adversely affect our revenues or restrict our future growth.
Federal, state or local regulatory measures could adversely affect our business.
While the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, generally does not regulate any
of our operations, directly or indirectly, it influences certain aspects of our business and the
market for our products. As a raw natural gas gatherer, we generally are exempt from FERC
regulation under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, or NGA, but FERC regulation still significantly
affects our business. In recent years, FERC has pursued pro-competitive policies in its regulation
of interstate natural gas pipelines. However, we cannot assure you that FERC will continue this
approach as it considers matters such as pipeline rates and rules and policies that may affect
rights of access to natural gas transportation capacity.
Some of our intrastate natural gas transmission pipelines are subject to regulation as a
common carrier and as a gas utility by the Texas Railroad Commission, or TRRC. The TRRCs
jurisdiction extends to both rates and pipeline safety. The rates we charge for transportation
services are deemed just and reasonable under Texas law unless challenged in a complaint. Should a
complaint be filed or should regulation become more active, our business may be adversely affected.
Other state and local regulations also affect our business. We are subject to ratable
take and common purchaser statutes in the states where we operate. Ratable take statutes generally
require gatherers to take, without undue discrimination, natural gas production that may be
tendered to the gatherer for handling. Similarly, common purchaser statutes generally require
gatherers to purchase without undue discrimination as to source of supply or producer. These
statutes have the effect of restricting our right as an owner of gathering facilities to decide
with whom we contract to purchase or transport natural gas. Federal law leaves any economic
regulation of natural gas gathering to the states, and some of the states in which we operate have
adopted complaint-based or other limited economic regulation of natural gas gathering activities.
States in which we operate that have adopted some form of complaint-based regulation, like Oklahoma
and Texas, generally allow natural gas producers and shippers to file complaints with state
regulators in an effort to resolve grievances relating to natural gas gathering access and rate
discrimination.
The states in which we conduct operations administer federal pipeline safety standards
under the Pipeline Safety Act of 1968. The rural gathering exemption under the Natural Gas
Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 presently exempts substantial portions of our gathering facilities from
jurisdiction under that statute, including those portions located outside of cities, towns, or any
area designated as residential or commercial, such as a subdivision or shopping center. The rural
gathering exemption, however, may be restricted in the future, and it does not apply to our
natural gas transmission pipelines. In response to recent pipeline accidents in other parts of the
country, Congress and the Department of Transportation have passed or are considering heightened
pipeline safety requirements.
Compliance with pipeline integrity regulations issued by the TRRC, or those issued by the
United States Department of Transportation, or DOT, in December of 2003 could result in substantial
expenditures for testing, repairs and replacement. TRRC regulations require periodic testing of all
intrastate pipelines meeting certain size and location requirements. Our costs relating to
compliance with the required testing under the TRRC regulations
7
were approximately $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2005 and $1.9 million in 2004
and we expect the costs for compliance with TRRC and DOT regulations to be $2.4 million in the
aggregate during 2006 and 2007. If our pipelines fail to meet the safety standards mandated by the
TRRC or the DOT regulations, then we may be required to repair or replace sections of such
pipelines, the cost of which cannot be estimated at this time.
Our business involves hazardous substances and may be adversely affected by environmental
regulation.
Many of the operations and activities of our gathering systems, plants and other facilities,
including the natural gas and processing liquids business in South Louisiana recently acquired from
El Paso, are subject to significant federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations.
These laws and regulations impose obligations related to air emissions and discharge of pollutants
from our facilities and the cleanup of hazardous substances and other wastes that may have been
released at properties currently or previously owned or operated by us or locations to which we
have sent wastes for treatment or disposal. Various governmental authorities have the power to
enforce compliance with these regulations and the permits issued under them, and violators are
subject to administrative, civil and criminal penalties, including civil fines, injunctions or
both. Strict, joint and several liability may be incurred under these laws and regulations for the
remediation of contaminated areas. Private parties, including the owners of properties through
which our gathering systems pass, may also have the right to pursue legal actions to enforce
compliance as well as to seek damages for non-compliance with environmental laws and regulations or
for personal injury or property damage.
There is inherent risk of the incurrence of significant environmental costs and
liabilities in our business due to our handling of natural gas and other petroleum products, air
emissions related to our operations, historical industry operations, waste disposal practices and
the prior use of natural gas flow meters containing mercury. In addition, the possibility exists
that stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could significantly increase our compliance
costs and the cost of any remediation that may become necessary. We may incur material
environmental costs and liabilities. Furthermore, our insurance may not provide sufficient coverage
in the event an environmental claim is made against us.
Our business may be adversely affected by increased costs due to stricter pollution
control requirements or liabilities resulting from non-compliance with required operating or other
regulatory permits. New environmental regulations might adversely affect our products and
activities, including processing, storage and transportation, as well as waste management and air
emissions. Federal and state agencies could also impose additional safety requirements, any of
which could affect our profitability.
Our use of derivative financial instruments has in the past and could in the future result in
financial losses or reduce our income.
We use over-the-counter price and basis swaps with other natural gas merchants and
financial institutions, and we use futures and option contracts traded on the New York Mercantile
Exchange. Use of these instruments is intended to reduce our exposure to short-term volatility in
commodity prices. We could incur financial losses or fail to recognize the full value of a market
opportunity as a result of volatility in the market values of the underlying commodities or if one
of our counterparties fails to perform under a contract.
Due to our lack of asset diversification, adverse developments in our gathering, transmission,
treating, processing and commercial services businesses would materially impact our financial
condition.
We rely exclusively on the revenues generated from our gathering, transmission, treating,
processing and commercial services businesses, and as a result our financial condition depends upon
prices of, and continued demand for, natural gas and NGLs. Due to our lack of asset
diversification, an adverse development in one of these businesses would have a significantly
greater impact on our financial condition and results of operations than if we maintained more
diverse assets.
8
Our success depends on key members of our management, the loss or replacement of whom could disrupt
our business operations.
We depend on the continued employment and performance of the officers of the general
partner of our general partner and key operational personnel. The general partner of our general
partner has entered into employment agreements with each of its executive officers. If any of these
officers or other key personnel resign or become unable to continue in their present roles and are
not adequately replaced, our business operations could be materially adversely affected. We do not
maintain any key man life insurance for any officers.
Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us
Crosstex Energy, Inc. controls our general partner and owned a 41% limited partner interest in us
as of July 1, 2006. Our general partner has conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary
responsibilities, which may permit our general partner to favor its own interests.
As of July 1, 2006, Crosstex Energy, Inc., or CEI, indirectly owned an aggregate limited
partner interest of approximately 41% in us. In addition, CEI owns and controls our general
partner. Due to its control of our general partner and the size of its limited partner interest in
us, CEI effectively controls all limited partnership decisions, including any decisions related to
the removal of our general partner. Conflicts of interest may arise in the future between CEI and
its affiliates, including our general partner, on the one hand, and our partnership, on the other
hand. As a result of these conflicts our general partner may favor its own interests and those of
its affiliates over our interests. These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:
Conflicts Relating to Control:
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our partnership agreement limits our general partners liability and reduces its
fiduciary duties, while also restricting the remedies available to our unitholders for
actions that might, without these limitations, constitute breaches of fiduciary duty by
our general partner; |
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in resolving conflicts of interest, our general partner is allowed to take into
account the interests of parties in addition to unitholders, which has the effect of
limiting its fiduciary duties to the unitholders; |
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our general partners affiliates may engage in limited competition with us; |
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our general partner controls the enforcement of obligations owed to us by our
general partner and its affiliates; |
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our general partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants or
others to perform services for us; |
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in some instances our general partner may cause us to borrow funds from affiliates
of the general partner or from third parties in order to permit the payment of cash
distributions, even if the purpose or effect of the borrowing is to make a distribution
on our subordinated units or to make incentive distributions or hasten the expiration
of the subordination period; and |
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our partnership agreement gives our general partner broad discretion in establishing
financial reserves for the proper conduct of our business. These reserves also will
affect the amount of cash available for distribution. Our general partner may establish
reserves for distribution on our subordinated units, but only if those reserves will
not prevent us from distributing the full minimum quarterly distribution, plus any
arrearages, on the common units for the following four quarters. |
Conflicts Relating to Costs:
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our general partner determines the amount and timing of asset purchases and sales,
capital expenditures, borrowings, issuance of additional limited partner interests and
reserves, each of which can affect the amount of cash that is available for the payment
of principal and interest on the notes; |
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our general partner determines which costs incurred by it and its affiliates are
reimbursable by us; and |
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our general partner is not restricted from causing us to pay it or its affiliates
for any services rendered on terms that are fair and reasonable to us or entering into
additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf. |
Our unitholders have no right to elect our general partner or the directors of its general partner
and have limited ability to remove our general partner.
Unlike the holders of stock in a corporation, unitholders have only limited voting rights on
matters affecting our business, and therefore limited ability to influence managements decisions
regarding our business. Unitholders did not elect our general partner or the board of directors of
its general partner and have no right to elect our general partner or the board of directors of its
general partner on an annual or other continuing basis.
Furthermore, if unitholders are dissatisfied with the performance of our general partner, they
will have little ability to remove our general partner. The general partner generally may not be
removed except upon the vote of the holders of 66 2/3% of the outstanding units voting together as
a single class.
Because affiliates of the general partner controlled approximately 42% of all the units as of
July 1, 2006, the general partner could not be removed without the consent of the general partner
and its affiliates. Also, if the general partner is removed without cause during the subordination
period and units held by the general partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that
removal, all remaining subordinated units will automatically be converted into common units and any
existing arrearages on the common units will be extinguished. A removal without cause would
adversely affect the common units by prematurely eliminating their distribution and liquidation
preference over the subordinated units which would otherwise have continued until we had met
certain distribution and performance tests.
Cause is narrowly defined to mean that 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 our general partner. Cause does not include, in
most cases, charges of poor management of the business, so the removal of the general partner
because of the unitholders dissatisfaction with the general partners performance in managing our
partnership will most likely result in the termination of the subordination period.
In addition, unitholders voting rights are further restricted by the partnership agreement
provision providing that any units held by a person that owns 20% or more of any class of units
then outstanding, other than our general partner, its affiliates, their transferees and persons who
acquired such units with the prior approval of the board of directors of the general partners
general partner, cannot be voted on any matter. In addition, the partnership agreement contains
provisions limiting the ability of unitholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our
operations, as well as other provisions limiting the unitholders ability to influence the manner
or direction of management.
As a result of these provisions, it will be more difficult for a third party to acquire our
partnership without first negotiating such a purchase with our general partner and, as a result,
you are less likely to receive a takeover premium.
Cost reimbursements due our general partner may be substantial and will reduce the cash available
for distribution to you.
Prior to making any distributions on the units, we reimburse our general partner and its
affiliates, including officers and directors of our general partner, for all expenses they incur on
our behalf. The reimbursement of expenses could adversely affect our ability to make distributions
to our unitholders. Our general partner has sole discretion to determine the amount of these
expenses.
10
The control of our general partner may be transferred to a third party, and that third party could
replace our current management team.
The general partner may transfer its general partner interest to a third party in a merger or
in a sale of all or substantially all of its assets without the consent of the unitholders.
Furthermore, there is no restriction in the partnership agreement on the ability of the owner of
the general partner from transferring its ownership interest in the general partner to a third
party. The new owner of the general partner would then be in a position to replace the board of
directors and officers of the general partner with its own choices and to control the decisions
taken by the board of directors and officers.
Our general partners absolute discretion in determining the level of cash reserves may adversely
affect our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
Our partnership agreement requires our general partner to deduct from operating surplus cash
reserves that in its reasonable discretion are necessary to fund our future operating expenditures.
In addition, the partnership agreement permits our general partner to reduce available cash by
establishing cash reserves for the proper conduct of our business, to comply with applicable law or
agreements to which we are a party or to provide funds for future distributions to partners. These
cash reserves will affect the amount of cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the remedies available to unitholders for
actions that might otherwise constitute a breach of fiduciary duty by our general partner.
Our partnership agreement limits the liability and reduces the fiduciary duties of our general
partner to the unitholders. The partnership agreement also restricts the remedies available to
unitholders for actions that would otherwise constitute breaches of our general partners fiduciary
duties. If you choose to purchase a senior subordinated series C unit or a common unit, you will be
treated as having consented to the various actions contemplated in the partnership agreement and
conflicts of interest that might otherwise be considered a breach of fiduciary duties under
applicable state law.
We may issue additional common units without your approval, which would dilute your ownership
interests.
During the subordination period, our general partner, without the approval of our unitholders,
may cause us to issue up to 2,632,000 additional common units. Our general partner may also cause
us to issue an unlimited number of additional common units or other equity securities of equal rank
with the common units, without unitholder approval, in a number of circumstances such as:
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the issuance of common units in connection with acquisitions that increase cash flow
from operations per unit on a pro forma basis; |
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the conversion of subordinated units into common units; |
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the conversion of units of equal rank with the common units into common units under
some circumstances; |
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the conversion of the general partner interest and the incentive distribution rights
into common units as a result of the withdrawal of our general partner; |
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issuances of common units under our long-term incentive plan; or |
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issuances of common units to repay indebtedness, the cost of which to service is
greater than the distribution obligations associated with the units issued in
connection with the debts retirement. |
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The issuance of additional common units or other equity securities of equal or senior rank
will have the following effects:
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our unitholders proportionate ownership interest in us will decrease; |
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the amount of cash available for distribution on each unit may decrease; |
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because a lower percentage of total outstanding units will be subordinated units,
the risk that a shortfall in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution will be
borne by our common unitholders will increase; |
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the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding unit may be diminished; and |
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the market price of the common units may decline. |
After the end of the subordination period, we may issue an unlimited number of limited partner
interests of any type without the approval of our unitholders. Our partnership agreement does not
give our unitholders the right to approve our issuance of equity securities ranking junior to the
common units at any time.
Our general partner has a limited call right that may require you to sell your common units at an
undesirable time or price.
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80% of the common units,
our general partner will have the right, but not the obligation, which it may assign to any of its
affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the common units held by
unaffiliated persons at a price not less than their then-current market price. As a result, you may
be required to sell your common units at an undesirable time or price and may therefore not receive
any return on your investment. You may also incur a tax liability upon a sale of your units.
You may not have limited liability if a court finds that unitholder action constitutes control of
our business.
You could be held liable for our obligations to the same extent as a general partner if a
court determined that the right or the exercise of the right by our unitholders to remove or
replace our general partner, to approve amendments to our partnership agreement, or to take other
action under our partnership agreement constituted participation in the control of our business,
to the extent that a person who has transacted business with the partnership reasonably believes,
based on your conduct, that you are a general partner. Our general partner generally has unlimited
liability for the obligations of the partnership, such as its debts and environmental liabilities,
except for those contractual obligations of the partnership that are expressly made without
recourse to our general partner. In addition, Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform
Limited Partnership Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the
time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of that section may be liable to
the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for a period of three years from the
date of the distribution. The limitations on the liability of holders of limited partner interests
for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly established in some of the other
states in which we do business.
Tax Risks to Our Unitholders
You are urged to read Material Tax Consequences for a more complete discussion of the
expected material federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of common units.
Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, as well
as our not being subject to entity-level taxation by individual states. If the IRS treats us as a
corporation or we become subject to entity-level taxation for state tax purposes, it would
substantially reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to you.
The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in us depends largely on our being
treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. We have not requested, and do not plan
to request, a ruling from the IRS on this or any other matter affecting us.
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If we were treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, we would pay tax on our
income at corporate rates of up to 35% (under the law as of the date of this prospectus) and we
would probably pay state income taxes as well. In addition, distributions to you would generally be
taxed again as corporate distributions and none of our income, gains, losses, or deductions would
flow through to you. Because a tax would be imposed upon us as a corporation, the cash available
for distribution to you would be substantially reduced. Therefore, treatment of us as a corporation
would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to you and
thus would likely result in a material reduction in the value of your units.
A change in current law or a change in our business could cause us to be treated as a
corporation for federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to entity-level taxation. In
addition, because of widespread state budget deficits, several states are evaluating ways to
subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise and
other forms of taxation. For example, we will be subject to a new entity-level tax payable in 2008
on the portion of our total revenue (as that term is defined in the legislation) generated in Texas
beginning in our tax year ending December 31, 2007. Specifically, the Texas margin tax will be
imposed at a maximum effective rate of 0.7% of our total revenue apportioned to Texas. Imposition
of such tax on us by Texas, or any other state, will reduce the cash available for distribution to
you. Our partnership agreement provides that, if a law is enacted or existing law is modified or
interpreted in a manner that subjects us to taxation as a corporation or otherwise subjects us to
entity-level taxation for federal, state, or local income tax purposes, the minimum quarterly
distribution amount and the target distribution amounts will be decreased to reflect the impact of
that law on us.
A successful IRS contest of the federal income tax positions we take may adversely impact the
market for our units and the costs of any contest will be borne by us and, therefore, indirectly by
our unitholders and our general partner.
We have not requested any ruling from the IRS with respect to our treatment as a partnership
for federal income tax purposes or any other matter affecting us. The IRS may adopt positions that
differ from our counsels conclusions expressed in this prospectus or from the positions we take.
It may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to sustain some or all of our
counsels conclusions or the positions we take. A court may not agree with all of our counsels
conclusions or the positions we take. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact
the market for our units and the prices at which our units trade. In addition, our costs of any
contest with the IRS will be borne by us and therefore indirectly by our unitholders and our
general partner since such costs will reduce the amount of cash available for distribution by us.
You may be required to pay taxes on income from us even if they do not receive any cash
distributions from us.
Because our unitholders will be treated as partners to whom we will allocate taxable income
which could be different in amount than the cash we distribute, they will be required to pay
federal income taxes and, in some cases, state, local, and foreign income taxes on their share of
our taxable income even if they do not receive cash distributions from us. As a result, you may
not receive cash distributions equal to your share of our taxable income or even the tax liability
that results from that income.
Tax gain or loss on the disposition of our units could be different than expected.
If you sell units, you will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount
realized and your tax basis in those units. Prior distributions in excess of the total net taxable
income allocated for a unit, which decreased your tax basis in that unit, will, in effect, become
taxable income to you if the unit is sold at a price greater than your tax basis in that unit, even
if the price received is less than the original cost. A substantial portion of the amount realized,
whether or not representing gain, will likely be ordinary income to you. Should the IRS
successfully contest some positions we take, you could recognize more gain on the sale of units
than would be the case under those positions, without the benefit of decreased income in prior
years. In addition, if you sell units, you may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of
cash you receive from the sale.
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Tax-exempt entities and foreign persons face unique tax issues from owning units that may result in
adverse tax consequences to them.
Investment in units by tax-exempt entities, such as individual retirement accounts (known as
IRAs) and non-U.S. persons, raises issues unique to them. For example, virtually all of our income
allocated to organizations exempt from federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts
and other retirement plans, will be unrelated business income and will be taxable to them.
Distributions to non-U.S. persons will be reduced by withholding taxes, at the highest applicable
effective tax rate, and non-U.S. persons will be required to file federal income tax returns and
generally pay tax on their share of our taxable income. If you are a tax-exempt entity or a
foreign person, you should consult your tax advisor before investing in our units.
We will determine the tax benefits that are available to an owner of units without regard to the
units purchased. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of
your units.
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of common units and because of other
reasons, we will take depreciation and amortization positions that may not conform to all aspects
of the Treasury regulations. A successful IRS challenge to those positions could adversely affect
the amount of tax benefits available to you. It also could affect the timing of these tax benefits
or the amount of gain from the sale of units and could have a negative impact on the value of our
units or result in audit adjustments to your tax returns.
The sale or exchange of 50% or more of our capital and profits interests within a 12-month period
will result in the termination of our partnership for federal income tax purposes.
We will be considered to have terminated our partnership for federal income tax purposes if
there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within
a 12-month period. Our termination would, among other things, result in the closing of our taxable
year for all unitholders and could result in a deferral of depreciation deductions allowable in
computing our taxable income. Please read Material Tax Consequences Disposition of Units
Constructive Termination for a discussion of the consequences of our termination for federal
income tax purposes.
As a result of investing in our common units, you will likely be subject to state and local taxes
and return filing requirements in jurisdictions where you do not live.
In addition to federal income taxes, you will likely be subject to other taxes such as state
and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes
that are imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property. You will
likely be required to file state, local and foreign income tax returns and pay state, local and
foreign income taxes in some or all of the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own
property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. We own
property or conduct business in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, Mississippi and
Alabama. Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama impose an income tax,
generally. Each of these states, other than Texas, currently imposes a personal income tax. We
may do business or own property in other states or foreign countries in the future. It is the
responsibility of each unitholder to file all federal, state, local, and foreign tax returns. Our
counsel has not rendered an opinion on the state, local, or foreign tax consequences of owning our
units.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the
documents we incorporate by reference contain forward-looking statements. These statements
discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of
operations or financial condition, or state other information relating to us, based on the current
beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to,
management. Words such as may, will, anticipate, believe, expect, estimate, intend,
project and other similar phrases or expressions identify forward-looking statements. When
considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other
cautionary statements in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we have
incorporated by reference.
These forward-looking statements are made based upon managements current plans, expectations,
estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events impacting us and therefore involve a
number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees
and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements.
Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results could
differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements for a number
of important reasons, including those discussed under Risk Factors beginning on page 2, and
elsewhere in this prospectus.
You should read these statements carefully because they discuss our expectations about our
future performance, contain projections of our future operating results or our future financial
condition, or state other forward-looking information. Before you invest, you should be aware
that the occurrence of any of the events described in Risk Factors beginning on page 2 and
elsewhere in this prospectus could substantially harm our business, results of operations and
financial condition. We disclaim any obligation to announce publicly the result of any revision to
any of the forward-looking information to reflect future events or developments.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The senior subordinated series C units and/or common units to be offered and sold pursuant to
this prospectus will be offered and sold by the selling unitholders. We will not receive any
proceeds from the sale of the senior subordinated series C units and/or common units by the selling
unitholders. For a list of the persons receiving proceeds from the sale of the units, see Selling
Unitholders.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON UNITS
The common units represent limited partner interests in Crosstex Energy, L.P. that entitle the
holders to participate in our cash distributions and to exercise the rights or privileges available
to limited partners under our partnership agreement. As of July 10, 2006, there were 19,582,788
common units outstanding. For a general discussion of the expected federal income tax consequences
of owning and disposing of common units, see Material Tax Considerations. References in the
Description of the Common Units and Description of the Senior Subordinated Series C Units to
we, us and our mean Crosstex Energy, L.P.
Our outstanding common units are quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol XTEX.
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company serves as registrar and transfer agent for our common
units.
Distributions
Within approximately 45 days after the end of each quarter, we will distribute all of our
available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date. Common units are entitled to
receive distributions from operating surplus of $0.25 per quarter, or $1.00 on an annualized basis,
before any distributions are paid on our subordinated units. There is no guarantee that we will pay
the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units in any quarter, and we will be prohibited
from making any distributions to unitholders if it would cause a default or an event of default
under our bank credit facility or the senior secured notes.
In general, we will pay any cash distributions we make each quarter during the subordination
period in the following manner:
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First, 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner,
until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to the minimum
quarterly distribution for that quarter; |
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Second, 98% to the common unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner,
until we distribute for each outstanding common unit an amount equal to any arrearages
in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units for any prior
quarters during the subordination period; |
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Third, 98% to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, and 2% to our general
partner, until we distribute for each subordinated unit an amount equal to the minimum
quarterly distribution for that quarter; |
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Fourth, 85% to all unitholders, pro rata, 13% to the holders of the incentive
distribution rights, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner until each unitholder
receives a total of $0.3125 per unit for that quarter (the first target
distribution); |
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Fifth, 75% to all unitholders, pro rata, 23% to the holders of the incentive
distribution rights, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner, until each unitholder
receives a total of $0.375 per unit for that quarter (the second target
distribution); and |
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Thereafter, 50% to all unitholders, pro rata, 48% to the holders of the
incentive distribution rights, pro rata, and 2% to our general partner. |
We must distribute all of our cash on hand at the end of each quarter, less reserves
established by our general partner.
Subordination Period
The subordination period that applies to the subordinated units will extend until the first
day of any quarter beginning after December 31, 2007 that each of the following tests are met:
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distributions of available cash from operating surplus on each of the
outstanding common units and subordinated units equaled or exceeded the minimum
quarterly distribution for each of the three consecutive, non-overlapping four-quarter
periods immediately preceding that date; |
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the adjusted operating surplus generated during each of the three
consecutive, non-overlapping four quarter periods immediately preceding that date
equaled or exceeded the sum of the minimum quarterly distributions on all of the
outstanding common units and subordinated units during those periods on a fully diluted
basis and the related distribution on the 2% general partner interest during those
periods; and |
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there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the
common units. |
Early Conversion of Subordinated Units. Before the end of the subordination period, a portion
of the subordinated units may convert into common units on a one-for-one basis immediately after
the distribution of available cash to partners in respect of any quarter ending on or after:
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December 31, 2005 with respect to 25% of the subordinated units; and |
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December 31, 2006 with respect to 25% of the subordinated units. |
The early conversions will occur if at the end of the applicable quarter each of certain tests
provided for in our partnership agreement. We met the financial tests for three consecutive
four-quarter periods ended December 31, 2005, and as a result 2,333,000 subordinated units
converted to common units upon the payment of the fourth quarter distribution on February 15, 2006.
If we meet these tests for the three consecutive four-quarter periods ending on or after December
31, 2006, an additional 2,333,000 of the subordinated units will convert to common units. However,
the early conversion of the second 25% of the subordinated units may not occur until at least one
year following the early conversion of the first 25% of the subordinated units.
Effect of Expiration of the Subordination Period. Upon expiration of the subordination period,
each outstanding subordinated unit will convert into one common unit and will then participate, pro
rata, with the other common units in distributions of available cash. In addition, if the
unitholders remove our general partner other than for cause and units held by our general partner
and its affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal:
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the subordination period will end and each subordinated unit will immediately
convert into one common unit on a one-for-one basis; |
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any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the
common units will be extinguished; and |
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our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest
and its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange
for those interests. |
Transfer of Common Units
Each purchaser of common units offered by this prospectus must execute a transfer application.
By executing and delivering a transfer application, the purchaser of common units:
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becomes the record holder of the common units and is an assignee until admitted
into our partnership as a substituted limited partner; |
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automatically requests admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership; |
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agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and executes, our partnership agreement; |
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represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter
into the partnership agreement; |
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grants powers of attorney to officers of our general partner and any liquidator
of us as specified in the partnership agreement; and |
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makes the consents and waivers contained in the partnership agreement. |
An assignee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred
common units upon the consent of our general partner and the recording of the name of the assignee
on our books and records. Our general partner may withhold its consent in its sole discretion.
A transferees broker, agent or nominee may complete, execute and deliver a transfer
application. We are entitled to treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute owner. In
that case, the beneficial holders rights are limited solely to those that it has against the
nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.
Common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfer of
securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee
the right to request admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the
transferred common units. A purchaser or transferee of common units who does not execute and
deliver a transfer application obtains only:
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the right to assign the common unit to a purchaser or transferee; and |
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the right to transfer the right to seek admission as a substituted limited
partner in our partnership for the transferred common units. |
Thus, a purchaser or transferee of common units who does not execute and deliver a transfer
application:
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will not receive cash distributions or federal income tax allocations, unless
the common units are held in a nominee or street name account and the nominee or
broker has executed and delivered a transfer application; and |
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may not receive some federal income tax information or reports furnished to
record holders of common units. |
The transferor of common units has a duty to provide the transferee with all information that
may be necessary to transfer the common units. The transferor does not have a duty to insure the
execution of the transfer application by the transferee and has no liability or responsibility if
the transferee neglects or chooses not to execute and forward the transfer application to the
transfer agent.
Until a common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the
record holder of the unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by
law or stock exchange regulations.
Voting
Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, our common unitholders will have only
limited voting rights on matters affecting our business. Our common unitholders will have no right
to elect our general partner or the directors of the general partner of our general partner on an
annual or other continuing basis. The general partner may not be removed except by a vote of the
holders of 66 2/3% of the outstanding common units, including units owned by our general partner
and its affiliates. Each holder of common units is entitled to one vote for each common unit on all
matters submitted to a vote of the unitholders.
Limited Call Right
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates hold more than 80% of the then-issued
and outstanding partnership securities of any class, our general partner will have the right, which
it may assign in whole or in part to
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any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining
partnership securities of the class held by unaffiliated persons as of a record date to be selected
by our general partner, on at least ten but not more than 60 days notice. The purchase price in the
event of this purchase is the greater of:
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the highest cash price paid by our general partner or any of its affiliates for
any partnership securities of the class purchased within the 90 days preceding the date
on which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase those
partnership securities; and |
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the current market price as of the date three days before the date the notice
is mailed. |
As a result of our general partners right to purchase outstanding partnership securities, a
holder of partnership securities may have his partnership securities purchased at an undesirable
time or price. The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same
as a sale by that unitholder of his common units in the market. Please read Material Tax
ConsequencesDisposition of Units.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SENIOR SUBORDINATED SERIES C UNITS
The senior subordinated series C units are a separate class of limited partnership interests
in us. Pursuant to a privately negotiated Senior Subordinated Series C Unit Purchase Agreement,
dated May 16, 2006, we issued an aggregate of 12,829,650 senior subordinated series C units
representing limited partner interests in Crosstex Energy, L.P. In connection with the private
placement, Crosstex Energy GP, LLC, the general partner of our general partner, entered into our
Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership, which provides for, among other
things, the rights and obligations of the senior subordinated series C units.
The senior subordinated series C units entitle the holders to exercise certain rights or
privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. However, until the
conversion of the senior subordinated series C units into common units, the holders of our senior
subordinated series C units will not be entitled to participate in our cash distributions except as
provided below, or to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote or approval of a percentage of
the holders of our outstanding common units.
The senior subordinated series C units will automatically convert into common units
representing limited partner interests in us on the first date on or after February 16, 2008 that
conversion is permitted by our partnership agreement at a ratio of one common unit for each senior
subordinated series C unit. Our partnership agreement will permit the conversion of the senior
subordinated series C units to common units once the subordination period ends or if the issuance
is in connection with an acquisition that increases cash flow from operations per unit on a pro
forma basis. See Description of the Common Units Subordination Period and Description of Our
Partnership Agreement Issuance of Additional Securities. If conversion of the senior
subordinated series C units is not permitted on February 16, 2008, then the holders of such units
will have the right to receive, after payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on our common
units but prior to any payment on our subordinated units (as described above under Description of
the Common Units), distributions equal to 110% of the quarterly cash distribution amount payable
on common units. Once the senior subordinated series C units convert into common units, they will
then participate, pro rata, with the other common units in distributions of available cash. For
additional information about our common units, please see Description of the Common Units. For
additional information about our partnership agreement, please see Description of Our Partnership
Agreement.
Transfer of Senior Subordinated Series C Units
Each purchaser of senior subordinated series C units offered by this prospectus must execute a
transfer application. By executing and delivering a transfer application, the purchaser of senior
subordinated series C units:
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becomes the record holder of the senior subordinated series C units and is an
assignee until admitted into our partnership as a substituted limited partner; |
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automatically requests admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership; |
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agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and executes, our partnership agreement; |
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represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter
into the partnership agreement; |
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grants powers of attorney to officers of our general partner and any liquidator
of us as specified in the partnership agreement; and |
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makes the consents and waivers contained in the partnership agreement. |
An assignee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred
senior subordinated series C units upon the consent of our general partner and the recording of the
name of the assignee on our books and records. Our general partner may withhold its consent in its
sole discretion.
A transferees broker, agent or nominee may complete, execute and deliver a transfer
application. We are entitled to treat the nominee holder of a senior subordinated series C unit as
the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holders rights are limited solely to those that
it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the
nominee holder.
Senior subordinated series C units are securities and are transferable according to the laws
governing transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the
transferor gives the transferee the right to request admission as a substituted limited partner in
our partnership for the transferred senior subordinated series C units. A purchaser or transferee
of senior subordinated series C units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application
obtains only:
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the right to assign the senior subordinated series C unit to a purchaser or
transferee; and |
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the right to transfer the right to seek admission as a substituted limited
partner in our partnership for the transferred senior subordinated series C units. |
Thus, a purchaser or transferee of senior subordinated series C units who does not execute and
deliver a transfer application:
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will not receive cash distributions or federal income tax allocations, unless
the senior subordinated series C units are held in a nominee or street name account
and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer application; and |
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may not receive some federal income tax information or reports furnished to
record holders of senior subordinated series C units. |
The transferor of senior subordinated series C units has a duty to provide the transferee with
all information that may be necessary to transfer the senior subordinated series C units. The
transferor does not have a duty to insure the execution of the transfer application by the
transferee and has no liability or responsibility if the transferee neglects or chooses not to
execute and forward the transfer application to the transfer agent.
Until a senior subordinated series C unit has been transferred on our books, we and the
transfer agent may treat the record holder of the unit as the absolute owner for all purposes,
except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.
Voting
Unlike the holders of common stock in a corporation, our senior subordinated series C
unitholders will have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business. Our senior
subordinated series C unitholders will have no right to elect our general partner or the directors
of the general partner of our general partner on an annual or other continuing basis. Each holder
of senior subordinated series C units is entitled to one vote for each senior subordinated series C
unit on all matters submitted to a vote of the unitholders. See Description of Our Partnership
Agreement Voting Rights.
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DESCRIPTION OF OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. Our
partnership agreement is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this
prospectus constitutes a part. We summarize certain other provisions of the partnership agreement
elsewhere in this prospectus, including in Description of the Common Units, Description of the
Senior Subordinated Series C Units and Material Tax Consequences.
Organization and Duration
We were organized on July 12, 2002 and will have a perpetual existence except as provided
below under Termination and Dissolution.
Purpose
Our purpose under the partnership agreement is limited to serving as the limited partner of
the operating partnership and engaging in any business activities that may be engaged in by the
operating partnership or that are approved by our general partner. The partnership agreement of the
operating partnership provides that the operating partnership may, directly or indirectly, engage
in:
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its operations as conducted immediately before our initial public offering; |
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any other activity approved by the general partner but only to the extent that the
general partner reasonably determines that, as of the date of the acquisition or
commencement of the activity, the activity generates qualifying income as this term
is defined in Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code; or |
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any activity that enhances the operations of an activity that is described in either
of the two preceding clauses or any other activity provided such activity does not
affect our treatment as a partnership for Federal income tax purposes. |
Although our general partner has the ability to cause us, the operating partnership or its
subsidiaries to engage in activities other than gathering, transmission, treating, processing and
marketing of natural gas, our general partner has no current plans to do so. Our general partner is
authorized in general to perform all acts deemed necessary to carry out our purposes and to conduct
our business.
Power of Attorney
Each limited partner, and each person who acquires a unit from a unitholder and executes and
delivers a transfer application, grants to our general partner and, if appointed, a liquidator, a
power of attorney to, among other things, execute and file documents required for our
qualification, continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants our general partner
the authority to amend, and to make consents and waivers under, the partnership agreement.
Capital Contributions
Generally, unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions.
Voting Rights
The following matters require the unitholder vote specified below. Certain significant
decisions require approval by a unit majority of the units. We define unit majority as:
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during the subordination period, at least a majority of the outstanding common
units, excluding common units owned by the general partner and its affiliates, voting
as a class and at least a majority of the outstanding subordinated units and senior
subordinated series C units voting as a class; and |
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thereafter, at least a majority of the outstanding common units. |
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Matter |
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Vote Requirement |
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Issuance of additional common units or units of equal
rank with the common units during the subordination
period
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Unit majority, with certain exceptions described
under Issuance of Additional Securities. |
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Issuance of units senior to the common units during
the subordination period
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Unit majority. |
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Issuance of units junior to the common units during
the subordination period
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No approval right. |
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Issuance of additional units after the subordination
period
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No approval right. |
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Amendment of the partnership agreement
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Certain amendments may be made by our general
partner without the approval of the unitholders.
Other amendments generally require the approval
of a unit majority. See Amendment of the
Partnership Agreement. |
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Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or
substantially all of our assets
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Unit majority. See Merger, Sale or Other
Disposition of Assets. |
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Amendment of the operating partnership agreement and
other action taken by us as a limited partner of the
operating partnership
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Unit majority if such amendment or other action
would adversely affect our limited partners (or
any particular class of limited partners) in any
material respect. See Action Relating to the
Operating Partnership. |
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Dissolution of our partnership
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Unit majority. See Termination and Dissolution. |
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Reconstitution of our partnership upon dissolution
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Unit majority. See Termination and Dissolution. |
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Withdrawal of the general partner
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The approval of a majority of the common units,
excluding common units held by the general
partner and its affiliates, is required in most
circumstances for the withdrawal of the general
partner prior to December 31, 2012 in a manner
which would cause a dissolution of our
partnership. See Withdrawal or Removal of our
General Partner. |
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Matter |
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Vote Requirement |
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Removal of the general partner
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Not less than 662/3% of the
outstanding units, voting as a single class,
including units held by our general partner and
its affiliates. See Withdrawal or Removal of
our General Partner. |
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Transfer of the general partner interest
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Our general partner may transfer all, but not
less than all, of its general partner interest in
us without a vote of our unitholders to an
affiliate or another person in connection with
its merger or consolidation with or into, or sale
of all our substantially all of its assets to
such person. The approval of a majority of the
common units, excluding common units held by the
general partner and its affiliates, is required
in other circumstances for a transfer of the
general partner interest to a third party prior
to December 31, 2012. See Transfer of General
Partner Interests. |
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Transfer of incentive distribution rights
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Except for transfers to an affiliate or another
person as part of the general partners merger or
consolidation with or into, or sale of all or
substantially all of its assets to or sale of all
or substantially all its equity interests to such
person, the approval of a majority of the common
units, excluding common units held by our general
partner and its affiliates, voting separately as
a class, is required in most circumstances for a
transfer of the incentive distribution rights to
a third party prior to December 31, 2012. See
"Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights. |
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Transfer of ownership interests in the general partner
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No approval required at any time. See Transfer
of Ownership Interests in our General Partner. |
Issuance of Additional Securities
Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership
securities and rights to buy partnership securities for the consideration and on the terms and
conditions established by our general partner in its sole discretion without the approval of the
unitholders. During the subordination period, however, except as we discuss in the following
paragraph, we may not issue equity securities ranking senior to the common units or an aggregate of
more than 2,633,000 additional common units or units on a parity with the common units, in each
case, without the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units and
subordinated units, voting as separate classes.
During or after the subordination period, we may issue an unlimited number of common units
without the approval of unitholders as follows:
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upon conversion of the subordinated units into common units; |
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upon conversion of units of equal rank with the common units under some circumstances; |
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under employee benefit plans; |
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upon conversion of the general partner interest and incentive distribution rights as
a result of a withdrawal of our general partner; |
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in the event of a combination or subdivision of common units; |
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in connection with an acquisition or a capital improvement that increases cash flow
from operations per unit on a pro forma basis; or |
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if the proceeds of the issuance are used exclusively to repay indebtedness the cost
of which to service is greater than the distribution obligations associated with the
units issued in connection with its retirement. |
It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units
or other equity securities. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to
share equally with the then-existing holders of common units in our distributions of available
cash. In addition, the issuance of additional partnership interests may dilute the value of the
interests of the then-existing holders of common units in our net assets.
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also
issue additional partnership securities interests that, in the sole discretion of our general
partner, have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled.
Upon the issuance of additional partnership securities, our general partner will be required
to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its 2% general partner
interest in us. Moreover, our general partner will have the right, which it may from time to time
assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase common units, subordinated units
or other equity securities whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to
persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain its
percentage interest, including its interest represented by common units and subordinated units,
that existed immediately prior to each issuance. The holders of units will not have preemptive
rights to acquire additional subordinated units, common units or other partnership securities.
Amendment of the Partnership Agreement
General. Amendments to the partnership agreement may be proposed only by or with the consent
of our general partner, which consent may be given or withheld in its sole discretion. In order to
adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below, our general partner must
seek written approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment or
call a meeting of the limited partners to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment. Except as
we describe below, an amendment must be approved by a unit majority.
Prohibited Amendments. No amendment may be made that would:
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enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless approved
by at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests so affected; |
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enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or
reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable by us to
our general partner or any of its affiliates without the consent of our general
partner, which may be given or withheld in its sole discretion; |
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change the term of our partnership; |
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provide that our partnership is not dissolved upon an election to dissolve our
partnership by our general partner that is approved by a unit majority; or |
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give any person the right to dissolve our partnership other than our general
partners right to dissolve our partnership with the approval of a unit majority. |
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The provision of the partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects
described in any of the clauses above can be amended upon the approval of the holders of at least
90% of the outstanding units voting together as a single class.
No Unitholder Approval. Our general partner may generally make amendments to the partnership
agreement without the approval of any limited partner or assignee to reflect:
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a change in our name, the location of our principal place of business, our
registered agent or our registered office; |
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the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of partners in accordance with
the partnership agreement; |
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a change that, in the sole discretion of our general partner, is necessary or
advisable for us to qualify or to continue our qualification as a limited partnership
or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of
any state or to ensure that neither we, the operating partnership nor any of its
subsidiaries will be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise
taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes; |
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an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of our counsel, to prevent us or our
general partner or its directors, officers, agents or trustees, from in any manner
being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment
Advisors Act of 1940, or plan asset regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, whether or not substantially similar to plan asset
regulations currently applied or proposed; |
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subject to the limitations on the issuance of additional partnership securities
described above, an amendment that in the discretion of our general partner is
necessary or advisable for the authorization of additional partnership securities or
rights to acquire partnership securities; |
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any amendment expressly permitted in the partnership agreement to be made by our
general partner acting alone; |
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an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a merger agreement that has
been approved under the terms of the partnership agreement; |
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any amendment that, in the discretion of our general partner, is necessary or
advisable for the formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation,
partnership or other entity, as otherwise permitted by our partnership agreement; |
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a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and related changes; or |
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any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described in the preceding clauses. |
In addition, our general partner may make amendments to the partnership agreement without the
approval of any limited partner or assignee if those amendments, in the discretion of our general
partner:
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do not adversely affect the limited partners (or any particular class of limited
partners as compared to other classes of limited partners) in any material respect; |
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are necessary or advisable to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines
contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or
state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute; |
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are necessary or advisable to facilitate the trading of limited partner interests or
to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any securities
exchange on which the limited partner interests are or will be listed for trading,
compliance with any of which our general partner deems to be in our best interest and
the best interest of our limited partners; |
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are necessary or advisable for any action taken by our general partner relating to
splits or combinations of units under the provisions of the partnership agreement; or |
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are required to effect the intent expressed in this prospectus or the intent of the
provisions of our partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by our
partnership agreement. |
Opinion of Counsel and Unitholder Approval. Our general partner will not be required to
obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment will not result in a loss of limited liability to
the limited partners or result in our being treated as an entity for federal income tax purposes if
one of the amendments described above under No Unitholder Approval should occur. No other
amendments to the partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at
least 90% of the units unless we obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will
not affect the limited liability under applicable law of any of our limited partners or cause us,
the operating partnership or its subsidiaries to be taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be
taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously taxed as such).
In addition to the above restrictions, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect
on the rights or preferences of any type or class of outstanding units in relation to other classes
of units will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of units so
affected. Any amendment that reduces the voting percentage required to take any action must be
approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners constituting not less than the voting
requirement sought to be reduced.
Action Relating to the Operating Partnership
Without the approval of holders of units representing a unit majority, our general partner is
prohibited from consenting on our behalf, as the limited partner of the operating partnership, to
any amendment to the partnership agreement of the operating partnership or taking any action on our
behalf permitted to be taken by a limited partner of the operating partnership, in each case that
would adversely affect our limited partners (or any particular class of limited partners as
compared to other classes of limited partners) in any material respect.
Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets
The partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner, without the prior approval
of the holders of units representing a unit majority, from causing us to, among other things, sell,
exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets in a single transaction or
a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation or other combination,
or approving on our behalf the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of
the assets of our subsidiaries as a whole. Our general partner may, however, mortgage, pledge,
hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without that
approval. Our general partner may also sell all or substantially all of our assets under a
foreclosure or other realization upon those encumbrances without that approval.
If conditions specified in the partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner may
merge us or any of our subsidiaries into, or convey some or all of our assets to, a newly formed
entity if the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to change our legal form into another
limited liability entity. The unitholders are not entitled to dissenters rights of appraisal under
the partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a merger or consolidation, a
sale of substantially all of our assets or any other transaction or event.
Termination and Dissolution
We will continue as a limited partnership until terminated under the partnership agreement. We
will dissolve upon:
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the election of our general partner to dissolve us, if approved by the holders of
units representing a unit majority; |
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the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets
and properties and our subsidiaries; |
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the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of our partnership; or |
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the withdrawal or removal of our general partner or any other event that results in
its ceasing to be our general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general
partner interest in accordance with the partnership agreement or withdrawal or removal
following approval and admission of a successor. |
Upon a dissolution under the last clause, the holders of a majority of the outstanding common
units and subordinated units, voting as separate classes, may also elect, within specific time
limitations, to reconstitute us and continue our business on the same terms and conditions
described in the partnership agreement by forming a new limited partnership on terms identical to
those in the partnership agreement and having as general partner an entity approved by the holders
of units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion of counsel to the
effect that:
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the action would not result in the loss of limited liability of any limited partner;
and |
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neither our partnership, the reconstituted limited partnership nor the operating
partnership would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be
taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of that right to
continue. |
Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds
Upon our dissolution, unless we are reconstituted and continued as a new limited partnership,
the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general
partner that the liquidator deems necessary or desirable in its judgment, liquidate our assets and
apply the proceeds of the liquidation as provided in Cash Distribution PolicyDistributions of
Cash upon Liquidation. The liquidator may defer liquidation of our assets for a reasonable period
of time or distribute assets to partners in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical
or would cause undue loss to the partners.
Withdrawal or Removal of our General Partner
Except as described below, our general partner has agreed not to withdraw voluntarily as our
general partner prior to December 31, 2012 without obtaining the approval of the holders of at
least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by our general
partner and its affiliates, and furnishing an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and
tax matters. On or after December 31, 2012 our general partner may withdraw as general partner
without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving 90 days written notice, and that
withdrawal will not constitute a violation of the partnership agreement. Notwithstanding the
information above, our general partner may withdraw without unitholder approval upon 90 days
notice to the limited partners if at least 50% of the outstanding common units are held or
controlled by one person and its affiliates other than our general partner and its affiliates. In
addition, the partnership agreement permits our general partner in some instances to sell or
otherwise transfer all of its general partner interest in us without the approval of the
unitholders. Please read Transfer of General Partner Interests below.
Upon the withdrawal of our general partner under any circumstances, other than as a result of
a transfer by our general partner of all or a part of its general partner interest in us, the
holders of a majority of the outstanding common units and subordinated units, voting as separate
classes, may select a successor to that withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not elected,
or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot be
obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within 180 days after that
withdrawal, the holders of a majority of the outstanding common units and subordinated units,
voting as separate
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classes, agree in writing to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner.
Please read Termination and Dissolution above.
Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the
holders of not less than 662/3% of the outstanding units, voting together as
a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and we receive an
opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. Any removal of the general partner
is also subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a
majority of the outstanding common units and subordinated units, voting as separate classes. The
ownership of more than 331/3% of the outstanding units by our general partner
and its affiliates would give it the practical ability to prevent its removal.
The partnership agreement also provides that if Crosstex Energy GP, L.P. is removed as our
general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist and units held by our general
partner and its affiliates are not voted in favor of that removal:
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the subordination period will end and each outstanding subordinated unit will
immediately convert into one common unit; |
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any existing arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the
common units will be extinguished; and |
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our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest and
its incentive distribution rights into common units or to receive cash in exchange for
those interests based on the fair market value of those interests at the time. |
In the event of removal of the general partner under circumstances where cause exists or
withdrawal of a general partner where that withdrawal violates the partnership agreement, a
successor general partner will have the option to purchase the general partner interest and
incentive distribution rights of the departing general partner for a cash payment equal to the fair
market value of those interests. Under all other circumstances where a general partner withdraws or
is removed by the limited partners, the departing general partner will have the option to require
the successor general partner to purchase the general partner interest of the departing general
partner and its incentive distribution rights for fair market value. In each case, this fair market
value will be determined by agreement between the departing general partner and the successor
general partner. If no agreement is reached, an independent investment banking firm or other
independent expert selected by the departing general partner and the successor general partner will
determine the fair market value. Or, if the departing general partner and the successor general
partner cannot agree upon an expert, then an expert chosen by agreement of the experts selected by
each of them will determine the fair market value.
If the option described above is not exercised by either the departing general partner or the
successor general partner, the departing general partners general partner interest and its
incentive distribution rights will automatically convert into common units equal to the fair market
value of those interests as determined by an investment banking firm or other independent expert
selected in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.
In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts
due the departing general partner, including, without limitation, all employee-related liabilities,
including severance liabilities, incurred for the termination of any employees employed by the
departing general partner or its affiliates for our benefit.
Our general partner and its affiliates may at any time transfer units to one or more persons,
without unitholder approval, except that they may not transfer subordinated units to us.
Transfer of General Partner Interests
Except for transfer by our general partner of all, but not less than all, of its general
partner interest in us and the operating partnership to:
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an affiliate of the general partner (other than an individual); or |
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another entity as part of the merger or consolidation of our general partner with or
into another entity or the transfer by our general partner of all or substantially all
of its assets to another entity, |
our general partner may not transfer all or any part of its general partner interest in us and the
operating partnership to another entity prior to December 31, 2012 without the approval of the
holders of at least a majority of the outstanding common units, excluding common units held by the
general partner and its affiliates. As a condition of this transfer, the transferee must assume the
rights and duties of our general partner, agree to be bound by the provisions of the partnership
agreement, and furnish an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters.
Transfer of Ownership Interests in our General Partner
At any time, the partners of our general partner may sell or transfer all or part of their
partnership interests in the general partner without the approval of the unitholders.
Transfer of Incentive Distribution Rights
Our general partner or its affiliates or a subsequent holder of incentive distribution rights
may transfer its incentive distribution rights to an affiliate or to another person as part of its
merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets, or sale of
substantially all of its equity interests to, that person without the prior approval of the
unitholders; but, in each case, the transferee must agree to be bound by the provisions of the
partnership agreement. Prior to December 31, 2012, other transfers of the incentive distribution
rights will require the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding common units
(excluding common units held by the general partner or its affiliates). On or after December 31,
2012, the incentive distribution rights will be freely transferable.
Change of Management Provisions
The partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a
person or group from attempting to remove Crosstex Energy GP, L.P. as our general partner or
otherwise change management. If any person or group other than our general partner and its
affiliates acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units, that person or group
loses voting rights on all of its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply to any person or
group that acquires the units from our general partner or its affiliates and any transferees of
that person or group approved by our general partner or to any person or group who acquires the
units with the prior approval of the board of directors.
Limited Call Right
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates hold more than 80% of the then-issued
and outstanding partnership securities of any class, our general partner will have the right, which
it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less
than all, of the remaining partnership securities of the class held by unaffiliated persons as of a
record date to be selected by our general partner, on at least ten but not more than 60 days
notice. The purchase price in the event of this purchase is the greater of:
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the highest cash price paid by our general partner or any of its affiliates for any
partnership securities of the class purchased within the 90 days preceding the date on
which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase those
partnership securities; and |
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the current market price as of the date three days before the date the notice is
mailed. |
As a result of our general partners right to purchase outstanding partnership securities, a
holder of partnership securities may have his partnership securities purchased at an undesirable
time or price. The tax
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consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that
unitholder of his units in the market. Please read Material Tax ConsequencesDisposition of
Units.
Status as Limited Partner or Assignee
The units will be fully paid, and unitholders generally will not be required to make
additional contributions. An assignee of a unit, after executing and delivering a transfer
application, but pending its admission as a substituted limited partner, is entitled to an interest
equivalent to that of a limited partner for the right to share in allocations and distributions
from us, including liquidating distributions. Our general partner will vote and exercise other
powers attributable to units owned by an assignee that has not become a substitute limited partner
at the written direction of the assignee. Please read Description of Our Partnership Agreement -
Voting Rights above. Transferees that do not execute and deliver a transfer application will be
treated neither as assignees nor as record holders of units, and will not receive cash
distributions, federal income tax allocations or reports furnished to holders of units. Please read
Description of the Common UnitsTransfer of Common Units and Description of the Senior
Subordinate Series C Units Transfer of Senior Subordinated Series C Units.
Non-citizen Assignees; Redemption
If we are or become subject to federal, state or local laws or regulations that, in the
reasonable determination of our general partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or
forfeiture of any property that we have an interest in because of the nationality, citizenship or
other related status of any limited partner or assignee, we may redeem the units held by the
limited partner or assignee at their current market price. In order to avoid any cancellation or
forfeiture, our general partner may require each limited partner or assignee to furnish information
about his nationality, citizenship or related status. If a limited partner or assignee fails to
furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or other related status within 30 days after
a request for the information or our general partner determines after receipt of the information
that the limited partner or assignee is not an eligible citizen, the limited partner or assignee
may be treated as a non-citizen assignee. In addition to other limitations on the rights of an
assignee that is not a substituted limited partner, a non-citizen assignee does not have the right
to direct the voting of his units and may not receive distributions in kind upon our liquidation.
Indemnification
Under the partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following
persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or
similar events:
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our general partner; |
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any departing general partner; |
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any person who is or was an affiliate of a general partner or any departing general partner; |
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any person who is or was a member, partner, officer, director, employee, agent,
fiduciary or trustee of our general partner or any departing general partner or any
affiliate of a general partner or any departing general partner; or |
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any person who is or was serving at the request of a general partner or any
departing general partner or any affiliate of a general partner or any departing
general partner as an officer, director, employee, member, partner, agent, fiduciary or
trustee of another person. |
Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless it otherwise
agrees in its sole discretion, our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any
obligation to contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification.
We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for
our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against
liabilities under the partnership agreement.
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Registration Rights
Under the partnership agreement, we have agreed to register for resale under the Securities
Act of 1933 and applicable state securities laws any common units, subordinated units or other
partnership securities proposed to be sold by our general partner or any of its affiliates or their
assignees if an exemption from the registration requirements is not otherwise available. These
registration rights continue for two years following any withdrawal or removal of Crosstex Energy
GP, L.P. as our general partner. We are obligated to pay all expenses incidental to the
registration, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions.
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MATERIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES
This section discusses the material tax consequences that may be relevant to prospective
unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States. It is based upon current
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, existing regulations, proposed regulations to the extent
noted, and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change.
Later changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the
consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to
us or we are references to Crosstex Energy, L.P.
No attempt has been made in the following discussion to comment on all federal income tax
matters affecting us or the unitholders. Moreover, the discussion focuses on unitholders who are
individual citizens or residents of the United States and has only limited application to
corporations, estates, trusts, nonresident aliens or other unitholders subject to specialized tax
treatment, such as tax-exempt institutions, foreign persons, individual retirement accounts (IRAs),
real estate investment trusts (REITs), or mutual funds. Accordingly, we recommend that each
prospective unitholder consult, and depend on, his own tax advisor in analyzing the federal, state,
local and foreign tax consequences particular to him of the ownership or disposition of units.
All statements as to matters of law and legal conclusions, but not as to factual matters,
contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P., counsel
to the general partner and to us, and are, to the extent noted herein, based on the accuracy of
certain factual matters.
No ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS regarding any matter affecting us or
prospective unitholders. An opinion of counsel represents only that counsels best legal judgment
and does not bind the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made here may not
be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may
materially and adversely impact the market for the units and the prices at which the units trade.
In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS will be borne directly or indirectly by the
unitholders and our general partner. Furthermore, the tax treatment of us, or of an investment in
us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court
decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively applied.
For the reasons described below, Baker Botts L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion with respect
to the following specific federal income tax issues:
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the treatment of a unitholder whose units are loaned to a short seller to cover a
short sale of units (please read Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipTreatment of
Short Sales below); |
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whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted
by existing Treasury Regulations (please read Disposition of UnitsAllocations
between Transferors and Transferees below); and |
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whether our method for depreciating Section 743 adjustments is sustainable (please
read Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipSection 754 Election below). |
Partnership Status
A partnership is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead,
each partner of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain,
loss and deduction of the partnership in computing his federal income tax liability, even if no
cash distributions are made to him by the partnership. Distributions by a partnership to a partner
are generally not taxable unless the amount of cash distributed is in excess of the partners
adjusted basis in his partnership interest.
No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS and the IRS has made no determination as to
our status for federal income tax purposes or whether our operations generate qualifying income
under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. Instead, we will rely on the opinion of Baker
Botts L.L.P. that, based upon the Internal Revenue Code, its regulations, published revenue rulings
and court decisions, that the operating partnership will be disregarded as an entity separate from
us for federal income tax purposes so long as the operating partnership and its
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general partner (which is a limited liability company) do not elect to be treated as a
corporation and we will be classified as a partnership so long as:
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we do not elect to be treated as a corporation; |
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we are operated in accordance with applicable partnership statutes, the applicable
partnership agreement, and the manner specified in this prospectus; and |
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for each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income is qualifying income
within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. |
Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly traded partnerships will, as
a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the Qualifying
Income Exception, exists with respect to publicly traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the
gross income for every taxable year consists of qualifying income. Qualifying income includes
certain income and gains derived from the transportation and processing of crude oil, natural gas
and products thereof. Other types of qualifying income include interest other than from a financial
business, dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other
disposition of assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying
income. We estimate that more than 90% of our current income is within one or more categories of
income that are qualifying income in the opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P. The portion of our income
that is qualifying income can change from time to time.
Although we expect to conduct our business so as to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, if
we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS
to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery, we will be treated as
if we had transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed corporation, on
the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, in return for
stock in that corporation, and as if we had then distributed that stock to the unitholders in
liquidation of their interests in us. This contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to
unitholders and us so long as we, at that time, do not have liabilities in excess of the tax basis
of our assets. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.
If we were treated as a corporation in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to
meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction
would be reflected only on our tax return rather than being passed through to the unitholders, and
our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made to a
unitholder would be treated as either taxable dividend income, to the extent of our current or
accumulated earnings and profits, or, in the absence of earnings and profits, a nontaxable return
of capital, to the extent of the unitholders tax basis in his units, or taxable capital gain,
after the unitholders tax basis in his units is reduced to zero. Accordingly, treatment of us as a
corporation would result in a material reduction in a unitholders cash flow and after-tax return
and thus would likely result in a substantial reduction of the value of the units.
The discussion below assumes that we will be treated as a partnership for federal income tax
purposes. See the discussion above of the opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P. that we will be treated as
a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
Limited Partner Status
Unitholders who have become limited partners of Crosstex Energy, L.P. will be treated as our
partners for federal income tax purposes. Also:
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assignees who have executed and delivered transfer applications, and are awaiting
admission as limited partners; and |
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unitholders whose units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the
right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the
ownership of their units, |
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will be treated as our partners for federal income tax purposes. Assignees of units who are
entitled to execute and deliver transfer applications and become entitled to direct the exercise of
attendant rights, but who fail to execute and deliver transfer applications, may not be treated as
one of our partners for federal income tax purposes. Furthermore, a purchaser or other transferee
of units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application may not receive some federal
income tax information or reports furnished to record holders of units unless the units are held in
a nominee or street name account and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer
application for those units.
A beneficial owner of units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a
short sale would appear to lose his status as one of our partners with respect to those units for
federal income tax purposes. Please read Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipTreatment of Short
Sales below.
No portion of our income, gain, deductions or losses is reportable by a unitholder who is not
one of our partners for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a
unitholder who is not one of our partners for federal income tax purposes would therefore appear to
be fully taxable as ordinary income. These holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with
respect to the consequences of holding units for federal income tax purposes.
The following assumes that a unitholder is treated as one of our partners.
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership
Flow-through of Taxable Income. Each unitholder will be required to report on his income tax
return his share of our income, gains, losses and deductions even if no cash distributions are
received by him. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if he has not received a
cash distribution from us. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his allocable
share of our income, gains, losses and deductions for our taxable year ending with or within his
taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.
Treatment of Distributions. Our distributions to a unitholder generally will not be taxable
to him for federal income tax purposes to the extent of his tax basis in his units immediately
before the distribution. Our cash distributions in excess of a unitholders tax basis generally
will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of the units, taxable in accordance with
the rules described under Disposition of Units below. Any reduction in a unitholders share of
our liabilities for which no partner, including the general partner, bears the economic risk of
loss, which are known as nonrecourse liabilities, will be treated as a distribution of cash to
that unitholder. To the extent our distributions cause a unitholders at risk amount to be less
than zero at the end of any taxable year, he must recapture any losses deducted in previous years.
Please read Limitations on Deductibility of Losses below.
A decrease in a unitholders percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional
units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and result in a corresponding deemed
distribution of cash. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary
income to a unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his units, if the distribution reduces the
unitholders share of our unrealized receivables, including depreciation recapture and
substantially appreciated inventory items, both as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, and
collectively, Section 751 Assets. To that extent, he will be treated as having been distributed
his proportionate share of our Section 751 Assets and having exchanged those assets with us in
return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to him. This latter deemed
exchange will generally result in the unitholders realization of ordinary income, which will equal
the excess of (1) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (2) the unitholders tax basis
for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.
Basis of Units. A unitholders initial tax basis for his units will be the amount he paid for
the units plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be increased by his share
of our income and by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis will be
decreased, but not below zero, by distributions he receives from us, by his share of our losses, by
any decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by his share of our expenditures that
are not deductible in computing taxable income and are not required to be capitalized. A unitholder
generally will have no share of our debt that is recourse to the general partner, but will have a
share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. Please read
Disposition of UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss below.
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Limitations on Deductibility of Losses. The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our
losses will be limited to the tax basis in his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder
or a corporate unitholder, if more than 50% of the value of the corporate unitholders stock is
owned directly or indirectly by five or fewer individuals or some tax-exempt organizations, to the
amount for which the unitholder is considered to be at risk with respect to our activities, if
that is less than his tax basis. A unitholder must recapture losses deducted in previous years to
the extent that distributions cause his at risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any
taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will
carry forward and will be allowable to the extent that his tax basis or at risk amount, whichever
is the limiting factor, is subsequently increased. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain
recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at risk
limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any excess loss above
that gain previously suspended by the at risk or basis limitations is no longer utilizable.
In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of his units,
excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities,
reduced by any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those
borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to the unitholder or can look only to the units
for repayment. A unitholders at risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the
unitholders units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or decreases attributable
to increases or decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities.
The passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some
closely-held corporations and personal service corporations can deduct losses from passive
activities, which are generally corporate or partnership activities in which the taxpayer does not
materially participate, only to the extent of the taxpayers income from those passive activities.
The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly traded
partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate will only be available to offset our
passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset income from other
passive activities or investments, including our investments or the unitholders investments in
other publicly traded partnerships, or salary or active business income. Passive losses that are
not deductible because they exceed a unitholders share of our income may be deducted in full when
he disposes of his entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party.
The passive activity loss rules are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions,
including the at risk rules and the basis limitation described above.
A unitholders share of our net income may be offset by any of our suspended passive losses,
but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities,
including those attributable to other publicly traded partnerships.
Limitations on Interest Deductions. The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayers
investment interest expense is generally limited to the amount of that taxpayers net investment
income. Investment interest expense includes:
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interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment; |
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our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and |
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the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a
passive activity to the extent attributable to portfolio income. |
The computation of a unitholders investment interest expense will take into account interest on
any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment
income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio
income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than interest, directly
connected with the production of investment income, but generally does not include gains
attributable to the disposition of property held for investment. The IRS has indicated that the net
passive income earned by a publicly traded partnership will be treated as investment income to its
unitholders. In addition, a unitholders share of our portfolio income will be treated as
investment income.
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Entity-Level Collections. If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any
federal, state, local or foreign income tax on behalf of any unitholder or the general partner or
any former unitholder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made,
will be treated as a distribution of cash to the unitholder on whose behalf the payment was made.
If the payment is made on behalf of a unitholder whose identity cannot be determined, we are
authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to
amend the partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax
characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these
distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under the
partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above
could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of a unitholder in which event the unitholder
would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund.
Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction. In general, if we have a net profit, our
items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among the general partner and the
unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. At any time that distributions are
made to the common units in excess of distributions to the subordinated units or the senior
subordinated units, or incentive distributions are made to the general partner, gross income will
be allocated to the recipients to the extent of these distributions. If we have a net loss for the
entire year, that loss generally will be allocated first to the general partner and the unitholders
in accordance with their percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital
accounts and, second, to the general partner. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any items of loss or
deduction that are attributable to compensatory transfers of stock, stock options or other property
by our general partner or CEI to any employee or other service provider will generally be specially
allocated to the general partner.
Certain items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for the
difference between the tax basis and fair market value of our property at the time of an offering.
We will use the remedial method with respect to such differences with respect to some, but not all,
of our assets, and we may use other methods with respect to some assets. The effect to a unitholder
purchasing units in an offering will, as to those assets in respect of which we use the remedial
method, be essentially the same as if the tax basis of such assets was equal to their fair market
value at the time of the offering, and the effect of allocations that are made under the
traditional method will be essentially the same as if those assets had a tax basis that is less
than fair market value. In addition, recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to
the unitholder who was allocated the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as
recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by other unitholders.
Finally, although we do not expect that our operations will result in the creation of negative
capital accounts, if negative capital accounts nevertheless result, items of our income and gain
will be allocated in an amount and manner to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.
An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation
required by the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the difference between a partners book
capital account, credited with the fair market value of Contributed Property, and tax capital
account, credited with the tax basis of Contributed Property, referred to in this discussion as the
Book-Tax Disparity, will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining
a partners share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has
substantial economic effect. In any other case, a partners share of an item will be determined on
the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and
circumstances, including:
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his relative contributions to us; |
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the interests of all the partners in profits and losses; |
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the interest of all the partners in cash flow; and |
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the rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation. |
Baker Botts L.L.P. is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in
Section 754 Election below and Disposition of UnitsAllocations Between Transferors and
Transferees below, the allocations in our partnership agreement will be given effect for federal
income tax purposes in determining a unitholders share of our income, gain, loss or deduction.
Treatment of Short Sales. A unitholder whose units are loaned to a short seller to cover a
short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer
be a partner for tax purposes
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with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from
the disposition. As a result, during this period:
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any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those units would not be
reportable by him; |
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any cash distributions received by him on those units would be fully taxable; and |
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all of these distributions would appear to be ordinary income to him. |
Baker Botts L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion regarding the treatment of a unitholder whose
units are loaned to a short seller; therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as
partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to modify
any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing or loaning
their units. The IRS has announced that it is studying issues relating to the tax treatment of
short sales of partnership interests. Please read Disposition of UnitsRecognition of Gain or
Loss below.
Alternative Minimum Tax. Each unitholder will be required to take into account his share of
any items of our income, gain, loss or deduction for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. We do
not expect to generate significant tax preference items or adjustments. Prospective unitholders are
urged to consult with their tax advisors as to the impact of an investment in units on their
liability for the alternative minimum tax.
Tax Rates. In general, the highest effective United States federal income tax rate for
individuals for 2006 is 35% and the maximum United States federal income tax rate for net capital
gains of an individual for 2006 is 15% if the asset disposed of was held for more than 12 months at
the time of disposition.
Section 754 Election. We made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Internal Revenue
Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. The election generally permits
us to adjust a unit purchasers tax basis in our assets (inside basis) under Section 743(b) of
the Internal Revenue Code to reflect his purchase price when he buys units from a holder thereof.
This election does not apply to a person who purchases units directly from us. For purposes of
this discussion, a unitholders inside basis in our assets will be considered to have two
components: (1) the unitholders share of our tax basis in our assets (common basis) and (2) the
unitholders Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.
Treasury Regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code require, if the remedial
allocation method is adopted (which we have adopted), a portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment
attributable to recovery property to be depreciated over the remaining cost recovery period for the
Section 704(c) built-in gain. Under Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), a Section 743(b)
adjustment attributable to recovery property depreciated under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue
Code, is generally required to be depreciated using either the straight-line method or the 150%
declining balance method. Under our partnership agreement, the general partner is authorized to
take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with
these Treasury Regulations.
In order to preserve uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of units and/or
determine the tax attributes of a unit based on its date of purchase and the amount that is paid
therefor, we may adopt certain positions with respect to the depreciation or amortization of
Section 743(b) adjustments that may be inconsistent with the Treasury Regulations. In particular,
we intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to any unamortized
difference between the book and tax basis of an asset in respect of which we use the remedial
method in a manner that is consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the Internal
Revenue Code as to recovery property in respect of which the remedial allocation method is adopted.
Such method is arguably inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6), which may
apply to certain of our assets (although we would not expect these to constitute a material portion
of our assets). If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a
depreciation or amortization position which may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization
deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders. In addition, if particular groups
of unitholders are entitled to different treatment in respect of property as to which we are using
the traditional method of eliminating differences in book and tax basis, we may also take a
position that results in
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lower annual deductions to some or all of our unitholders than might otherwise be available.
Baker Botts L.L.P. is unable to opine as to the validity of any position that is described in this
paragraph because there is no clear applicable authority.
A Section 754 election is advantageous if the transferees tax basis in his units is higher
than the units share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer.
In that case, as a result of the election, the transferee would have, among other items, a greater
amount of depreciation deductions and his share of any gain on a sale of our assets would be less.
The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made on the
basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. For example, the allocation
of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our assets must be made in accordance with the Internal
Revenue Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment
allocated by us to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is
generally amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than our
tangible assets. The determinations we make may be successfully challenged by the IRS and the
deductions resulting from them may be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a
different basis adjustment to be made, and should we determine that the expense of compliance
exceeds the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754
election. If permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income
than he would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.
Tax Treatment of Operations
Accounting Method and Taxable Year. We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year
and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be
required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable
year ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year
ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of his units following the close of
our taxable year but before the close of his taxable year will be required to include in income for
his taxable year his share of more than one year of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please
read Disposition of UnitsAllocations Between Transferors and Transferees below.
Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization. The tax basis of our assets is used for purposes of
computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the
disposition of these assets. The federal income tax burden associated with the difference between
the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to an offering will be
borne by the general partner, its affiliates and our other unitholders as of that time. Please read
Tax Consequences of Unit OwnershipAllocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction above.
To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods that
will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets are placed in
service. Property we acquire or construct in the future may be depreciated using accelerated
methods permitted by the Internal Revenue Code.
If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure, or otherwise, all or a portion of
any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature
of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than
capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with
respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as
ordinary income upon a sale of his units. Please read Tax Consequences of Unit
OwnershipAllocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction above and Disposition of
UnitsRecognition of Gain or Loss below.
The costs that we incur in selling our units (syndication expenses) must be capitalized and
cannot be deducted by us currently, ratably or upon our termination. There are uncertainties
regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which are amortizable by us, and as
syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us. Any underwriting discounts and commissions
we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.
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Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties. The federal income tax consequences of the
ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the fair market values,
and determinations of the initial tax bases, of our assets. Although we may from time to time
consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the fair
market value estimates ourselves. These estimates of value and determinations of basis are subject
to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates and determinations
of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of
income, gain, loss or deductions previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders
might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties
with respect to those adjustments.
Disposition of Units
Recognition of Gain or Loss. Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the
difference between the amount realized and the unitholders tax basis for the units sold. A
unitholders amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or the fair market value of
other property received by him plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount
realized includes a unitholders share of our nonrecourse liabilities, the gain recognized on the
sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.
Prior distributions from us in excess of cumulative net taxable income for a unit that
decreased a unitholders tax basis in that unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the unit
is sold at a price greater than his tax basis in that unit, even if the price received is less than
his original cost.
Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a dealer in
units, on the sale or exchange of a unit held for more than one year will generally be taxable as
long-term capital gain or loss. However, a portion of this gain or loss, which will likely be
substantial, will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of
the Internal Revenue Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to depreciation
recapture, other potential recapture items, or other unrealized receivables or to inventory
items we own. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and
depreciation recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized upon the sale of a unit and may be
recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder
may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Capital losses may
offset capital gains and no more than $3,000 of ordinary income, in the case of individuals, and
may only be used to offset capital gains in the case of corporations.
The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate
transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those
interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that
tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an equitable apportionment method.
Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling unitholder who
can identify units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual
holding period of the units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling, a unitholder will be unable
to select high or low basis units to sell, but, under the regulations, may designate specific units
sold for purposes of determining the holding period of the units sold. A unitholder electing to use
the actual holding period of units transferred must consistently use that identification method for
all subsequent sales or exchanges of our units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional
units or a sale of units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as
to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the regulations.
The Internal Revenue Code treats a taxpayer as having sold a partnership interest, such as our
units, in which gain would be recognized if it were actually sold at its fair market value, if the
taxpayer or related persons enters into:
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a short sale; |
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an offsetting notional principal contract; or |
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a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest or
substantially identical property. |
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Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional
principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the
taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then
acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of Treasury
is also authorized to issue regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into transactions or
positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having
constructively sold the financial position.
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees. In general, our taxable income and losses
will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently
apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of
the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month. However, gain or
loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of
business will be allocated among the unitholders on the first business day of the month in which
that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated
income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of transfer.
The use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations. Accordingly,
Baker Botts L.L.P. has not opined on the validity of this method of allocating income and loses
among unitholders. If this method is not allowed under the Treasury Regulations, or only applies to
transfers of less than all of the unitholders interest, our taxable income or losses might be
reallocated among the unitholders. We are authorized to revise our method of allocation between
transferors and transferees as well as among unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year
to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury Regulations.
A unitholder who owns units at any time during a quarter and who disposes of them prior to the
record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income,
gain, loss and deductions attributable to that quarter but will not be entitled to receive that
cash distribution.
Notification Requirements. A unitholder who sells any of his units, other than through a
broker, generally is required to notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale
(or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the sale). A purchaser of units who purchases
units from another unitholder generally is required to notify us in writing of that purchase within
30 days after the purchase, unless a broker or nominee will satisfy such requirement. We are
required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specified information to the
transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a purchase may lead, in some cases, to the
imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do not apply to a sale by an
individual who is a citizen of the United States and who effects the sale or exchange through a
broker.
Constructive Termination. We will be considered to have been terminated for tax purposes if
there are sales or exchanges which, in the aggregate, constitute 50% or more of the total interests
in our capital and profits within a 12-month period. A termination of us will result in the
closing of our taxable year for all unitholders. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable
year other than a fiscal year ending December 31, the closing of our taxable year may result in
more than 12 months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the
year of termination. We would be required to make new tax elections after a termination, including
a new election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code, and a termination would result in a
deferral of our deductions for depreciation. A termination could also result in penalties if we
were unable to determine that the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination might either
accelerate the application of, or subject us to, any tax legislation enacted before the
termination.
Uniformity of Units
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, we must maintain uniformity of
the economic and tax characteristics of the units to a purchaser of these units. In the absence of
uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements,
both statutory and regulatory. A lack of uniformity can result from a literal application of
Treasury Regulation
Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6). Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on
the value of the units. Please read Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership-Section 754 Election.
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We intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized
appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax
Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or
amortization method and useful life applied to the common basis of that property, or treat that
portion as nonamortizable, to the extent attributable to property the common basis of which is not
amortizable, consistent with the regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code, even
though that position may be inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which
is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets. Please read Tax
Consequences of Unit Ownership-Section 754 Election. To the extent that the Section 743(b)
adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax
Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history.
If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may adopt a depreciation and
amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive
depreciation and amortization deductions, whether attributable to a common basis or Section 743(b)
adjustment, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our
property. If this position is adopted, it may result in lower annual depreciation and amortization
deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders and risk the loss of depreciation
and amortization deductions not taken in the year that these deductions are otherwise allowable.
This position will not be adopted if we determine that the loss of depreciation and amortization
deductions will have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. If we choose not to utilize this
aggregate method, we may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization method to preserve
the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any units that would not have a material
adverse effect on the unitholders. The IRS may challenge any method of depreciating the Section
743(b) adjustment described in this paragraph. If this challenge were sustained, the uniformity of
units might be affected, and the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit
of additional deductions. Please read Disposition of Common Units-Recognition of Gain or Loss.
Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors
Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident
aliens, foreign corporations and other foreign persons raises issues unique to those investors and,
as described below, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them.
Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax, including
individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on
unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to a unitholder that is a
tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to it.
Non-resident aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates that own units will be
considered to be engaged in business in the United States because of the ownership of units. As a
consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our income,
gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our net
income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, we will withhold
at the highest effective tax rate applicable to individuals from cash distributions made quarterly
to foreign unitholders. Each foreign unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from
the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8 BEN or applicable substitute
form in order to obtain credit for the taxes withheld. A change in applicable law may require us to
change these procedures.
In addition, because a foreign corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a
United States trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the United States branch
profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its share of our income
and gain, as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporations U.S. net equity, which are
effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. That tax may be
reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in which
the foreign corporate unitholder is a qualified resident. In addition, this type of unitholder is
subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Internal Revenue
Code.
Under a published ruling of the IRS, the IRS has taken the position that a foreign unitholder
who sells or otherwise disposes of a unit will be subject to federal income tax on gain realized on
the sale or disposition of that unit to the extent that the gain is attributable to appreciated
property, other than United States real property interests, that is effectively connected with a
United States trade or business of the partnership. Moreover, a foreign unitholder generally is
subject to federal income tax on gain realized on the sale or disposition of a unit to the extent
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that such gain is attributable to appreciated United States real property interests; however,
a foreign unitholder will not be subject to federal income tax under this rule unless such foreign
unitholder has owned more than 5% in value of our units during the five-year period ending on the
date of the sale or disposition, provided the units are regularly traded on an established
securities market at the time of the sale or disposition.
Administrative Matters
Information Returns and Audit Procedures. We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90
days after the close of each calendar year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1,
which describes his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year.
In preparing this information, which generally will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take
various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine
each unitholders share of income, gain, loss and deduction. We cannot assure you that any of those
positions will yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code,
Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. Any challenge by the IRS could
negatively affect the value of the units.
The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from an
IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior years tax liability, and possibly may
result in an audit of his return. Any audit of a unitholders return could result in adjustments
not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.
Partnerships generally are treated as separate entities for purposes of federal tax audits,
judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax
treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership
proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Internal Revenue Code
requires that one partner be designated as the Tax Matters Partner for these purposes. The
partnership agreement names our general partner as our Tax Matters Partner.
The Tax Matters Partner has made and will make some elections on our behalf and on behalf of
unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for
assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters
Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the
IRS unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority
to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the
unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters
Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at
least a 1% interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5%
interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each
unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate.
A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his
federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return.
Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to
substantial penalties.
Nominee Reporting. Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are
required to furnish us with the following information:
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the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee; |
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whether the beneficial owner is: |
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a person that is not a United States person; |
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a foreign government, an international organization or any wholly owned
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a tax-exempt entity; |
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the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial
owner; and |
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specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of
acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount
of net proceeds from sales. |
Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including
whether they are United States persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or
transfer for their own account. A penalty of $50 per failure, up to a maximum of $100,000 per
calendar year, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for failure to report that information to
us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information
furnished to us.
Accuracy-related Penalties. An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an
underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or
disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial
valuation misstatements, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No penalty will be imposed,
however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for
that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding that portion.
A substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the
understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the return for the
taxable year or $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). The amount of any understatement subject to
penalty generally is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the return:
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for which there is, or was, substantial authority; or |
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as to which there is a reasonable basis and the pertinent facts of that position are
disclosed on the return. |
If any item of income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of
unitholders might result in that kind of an understatement of income for which no substantial
authority exists, we must disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In addition, we will make a
reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on
their returns and take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability
for penalties. More stringent rules apply to tax shelters, which we do not believe includes us.
A substantial valuation misstatement exists if the value of any property, or the adjusted
basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 200% or more of the amount determined to be the
correct amount of the valuation or adjusted basis. No penalty is imposed unless the portion of the
underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000 ($10,000 for most
corporations). If the valuation claimed on a return is 400% or more than the correct valuation, the
penalty imposed increases to 40%.
Reportable Transactions. If we were to engage in a reportable transaction, we (and possibly you
and others) would be required to make a detailed disclosure of the transaction to the IRS. A
transaction may be a reportable transaction based upon any of several factors, including the fact
that it is a type of tax avoidance transaction publicly identified by the IRS as a listed
transaction or that it produced certain kinds of losses in excess of $2 million. Our participation
in a reportable transaction could increase the likelihood that our federal income tax information
return (and possibly your tax return) would be audited by the IRS. Please read Information
Returns and Audit Procedures.
Moreover, if we were to participate in a reportable transaction with a significant purpose to
avoid or evade tax, or in any listed transaction, you may be subject to the following provisions:
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accuracy-related penalties with a broader scope, significantly narrower exceptions,
and potentially greater amounts than described above at Accuracy-related Penalties, |
43
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for those persons otherwise entitled to deduct interest on federal tax deficiencies,
nondeductibility of interest on any resulting tax liability, and |
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in the case of a listed transaction, an extended statute of limitations. We do not
expect to engage in any reportable transactions. |
State, Local, Foreign and Other Tax Consequences
In addition to federal income taxes, you will be subject to other taxes, including state,
local and foreign income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or
intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own
property or in which you are a resident. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not
presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on his
investment in us. We own property or do business in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico,
Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama. We may also own property or do business in other jurisdictions
in the future. Although you may not be required to file a return and pay taxes in some
jurisdictions because your income from that jurisdiction falls below the filing and payment
requirement, you will be required to file income tax returns and to pay income taxes in many of
these jurisdictions in which we do business or own property and may be subject to penalties for
failure to comply with those requirements. In some jurisdictions, tax losses may not produce a tax
benefit in the year incurred and may not be available to offset income in subsequent taxable years.
Some of the jurisdictions may require us, or we may elect, to withhold a percentage of income from
amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a resident of the jurisdiction. Withholding,
the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular unitholders income tax liability to
the jurisdiction, generally does not relieve a nonresident unitholder from the obligation to file
an income tax return. Amounts withheld will be treated as if distributed to unitholders for
purposes of determining the amounts distributed by us. Please read Tax Consequences of Unit
OwnershipEntity-Level Collections above. Based on current law and our estimate of our future
operations, we anticipate that any amounts required to be withheld will not be material.
It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences,
under the laws of pertinent jurisdictions, of his investment in us. Accordingly, each prospective
unitholder is urged to consult his tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters.
Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local and foreign, as well
as United States federal tax returns, that may be required of him. Baker Botts L.L.P. has not
rendered an opinion on the state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in us.
44
SELLING UNITHOLDERS
This prospectus covers the offering for resale from time to time of up to 6,414,820 senior
subordinated series C units representing limited partner interests in Crosstex Energy, L.P., and
the 6,414,820 common units into which the senior subordinated series C units are convertible, by
the selling unitholders identified below. In June 2006, the selling unitholders acquired 6,414,820
senior subordinated series C units that will automatically convert into the common units, on a
one-for-one basis, on February 16, 2008. The selling unitholders may sell the senior subordinated
series C units at any time prior to their conversion to common units. The selling unitholders may
sell the common units underlying the senior subordinated units at any time following the
conversion. The following table sets forth information relating to the selling unitholders
beneficial ownership of our common units and senior subordinated series C units as of July 1, 2006.
No offer or sale may be made by a unitholder unless that unitholder is listed in the table
below, in a supplement to this prospectus or in an amendment to the related registration statement.
We will supplement or amend this prospectus to include additional selling unitholders upon request
and upon provision of all required information to us, subject to the terms of our partnership
agreement and the Senior Subordinated Series C Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2006,
and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2006, between us and the initial purchasers
of the senior subordinated series C units. The selling unitholders may sell all, some or none of
the common units covered by this prospectus. See Plan of Distribution. We will bear all costs,
expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the common units offered by this
prospectus. Brokerage commissions and similar selling expenses, if any, attributable to the sale
of the common units will be borne by the selling unitholders.
Mr. Sheldon B. Lubar is a member of the board of directors of the general partner of the
general partner of the Partnership and is also affiliated with the Lubar Equity Fund, LLC. Other
than Lubar Equity Fund, LLC, the selling unitholders have held no position or office or had any
other material relationship with us or any of our affiliates or predecessors, other than as a
unitholder, during the past three years.
The table below sets forth the name of each selling unitholder, the amount of our senior
subordinated series C units beneficially owned and the percentage of senior subordinated series C
units outstanding owned by each selling unitholder prior to the offering, common units beneficially
owned and the percentage of common units outstanding owned by each selling unitholder prior to the
offering (assuming conversion of all senior subordinated series C units), the number of senior
subordinated series C units and/or common units (assuming conversion of all senior subordinated
series C units) being offered for each selling unitholders account, the number of senior
subordinated series C units that will be owned and the percentage of senior subordinated series C
units that will be owned by each selling unitholder after completion of the offering, and the
number of common units that will be owned and the percentage of common units outstanding that will
be owned by each selling unitholder after completion of the offering (assuming, in each case, that
the selling unitholders sell all of the senior subordinated series C units and/or common units
covered by this prospectus.) We prepared the table based on information supplied to us by the
selling unitholders. We have not sought to verify such information. Additionally, some or all of
the selling unitholders may have sold or transferred some or all of their units in exempt or
non-exempt transactions, since the date on which the information in the table was provided to us.
Other information about the selling unitholders may also change over time.
45
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Senior |
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Subordinated |
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SENIOR SUBORDINATED |
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Series C |
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SERIES C UNIT AND COMMON |
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Senior Subordinated Series C |
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Common Units Owned |
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Units/ |
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Senior Subordinated Series C |
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Common Units Owned |
UNIT OWNERSHIP |
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Units Owned Prior to Offering |
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Prior to Offering2 |
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Common |
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Units Owned After Offering |
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After Offering2 |
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Subordinated |
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Common |
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Units Being |
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Subordinated |
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Common |
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Name of Selling Unitholder |
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Units |
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Percent1 |
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Units |
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Percent3 |
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Offered |
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Units |
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Percent1 |
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Units |
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Percent3 |
Chieftain Capital Management,
Inc.4 |
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2,851,030 |
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22.2 |
% |
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3,066,446 |
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9.5 |
% |
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2,851,030 |
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0 |
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* |
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215,416 |
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* |
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Energy Income and Growth
Fund5 |
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106,910 |
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0.8 |
% |
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424,182 |
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1.3 |
% |
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106,910 |
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0 |
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* |
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317,272 |
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* |
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Fiduciary/Claymore MLP Opportunity
Fund6 |
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249,470 |
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1.9 |
% |
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1,001,637 |
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3.1 |
% |
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249,470 |
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0 |
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* |
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752,167 |
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2.3 |
% |
Kayne Anderson MLP Investment
Company7 |
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356,380 |
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2.8 |
% |
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2,975,679 |
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9.2 |
% |
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356,380 |
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0 |
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* |
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2,619,299 |
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8.1 |
% |
Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return
Fund, Inc. 8 |
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356,380 |
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2.8 |
% |
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477,912 |
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1.5 |
% |
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356,380 |
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0 |
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* |
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121,532 |
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* |
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Lehman Brothers MLP Partners,
L.P.9 |
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1,496,790 |
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11.7 |
% |
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1,496,790 |
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4.6 |
% |
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1,496,790 |
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0 |
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* |
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0 |
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* |
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Lubar Equity Fund, LLC 10 |
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285,100 |
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2.2 |
% |
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285,100 |
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* |
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285,100 |
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0 |
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* |
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0 |
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* |
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Tortoise Energy Infrastructure
Corporation 11 |
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712,760 |
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5.6 |
% |
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981,347 |
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3.0 |
% |
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712,760 |
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0 |
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* |
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268,587 |
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* |
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Total |
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6,414,820 |
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50.0 |
% |
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10,709,093 |
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33.0 |
% |
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6,414,820 |
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0 |
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* |
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4,294,273 |
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13.2 |
% |
1 |
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Percentage ownership is based on the total senior subordinated series C units of Crosstex
Energy, L.P. outstanding as of July 1, 2006, which was 12,829,650. |
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2 |
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Assumes the conversion of all of the outstanding senior subordinated series C units as of
July 1, 2006. |
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3 |
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Percentage ownership is based on the total common units of Crosstex Energy, L.P. outstanding
as of July 1, 2006, which was 32,412,438 (assuming conversion of all senior subordinated
series C units as of July 1, 2006). |
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As agent and attorney-in-fact for the purchasers who are its clients under separate
investment advisor agreements. As of June 30, 2006. Each of Glenn H. Greenberg, John M.
Shapiro and Thomas D. Stern, in their capacities as principals of the selling unitholder, hold
voting and dispositive power with respect to the securities held by the selling unitholder. |
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As of July 12, 2006. Does not include 1,088,142 common units controlled and managed by
Fiduciary Asset Management, LLC (FAMCO), an affiliate of the selling unitholder. Pursuant
to investment advisory agreements entered into with the selling unitholder, FAMCO holds voting
and dispositive power with respect to the units held by the selling unitholder. The
investment committee of FAMCO is responsible for the investment management of the selling
unitholders portfolio. The investment committee of FAMCO is comprised of Charles D.
Walbrandt, Wiley D. Angell, Joseph E. Gallagher, James J. Cunnane, Jr., Mohammed Riad, Thomas
L. Engle, Timothy Swanson, Quinn T. Kiley, Katherine K. Dienner and William |
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N. Adams. First Trust Portfolios, L.P., an affiliate of the selling unitholder, is a
broker-dealer registered pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Exchange Act and a member of the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD). The selling unitholder has
represented that (i) it purchased the securities for the selling unitholders own account, not
as a nominee or agent, in the ordinary course of business and with no intention of selling or
otherwise distributing such securities in any transaction in violation of securities laws and
(ii) at the time of purchase, the selling unitholder did not have any agreement or
understanding, direct or indirect, with any other person to sell or otherwise distribute the
purchased securities.
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As of July 12, 2006. Does not include 510,687 common units controlled and managed by FAMCO,
an affiliate of the selling unitholder. Pursuant to investment advisory agreements entered
into with the selling unitholder, FAMCO holds voting and dispositive power with respect to the
units held by the selling unitholder. The investment committee of FAMCO is responsible for
the investment management of the selling unitholders portfolio. The investment committee of
FAMCO is comprised of Charles D. Walbrandt, Wiley D. Angell, Joseph E. Gallagher, James J.
Cunnane, Jr., Mohammed Riad, Thomas L. Engle, Timothy Swanson, Quinn T. Kiley, Katherine K.
Dienner and William N. Adams. Claymore Securities, Inc., an affiliate of the selling
unitholder, is a broker-dealer registered pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Exchange Act and a
member of the NASD. The selling unitholder has represented that (i) it purchased the
securities for the selling unitholders own account, not as a nominee or agent, in the
ordinary course of business and with no intention of selling or otherwise distributing such
securities in any transaction in violation of securities laws and (ii) at the time of
purchase, the selling unitholder did not have any agreement or understanding, direct or
indirect, with any other person to sell or otherwise distribute the purchased securities. |
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As of July 12, 2006. Does not include 664,198 common units owned by Kayne Anderson Capital
Advisors, L.P., an affiliate of Kayne Anderson MLP Investment Company. Richard A. Kayne, in
his capacity as the majority shareholder of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P., holds
voting and dispositive power with respect to the securities held by the selling unitholder.
KA Associates, Inc., an affiliate of the selling unitholder, is a broker-dealer registered
pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Exchange Act and is a member of the NASD. The selling
unitholder (i) purchased the securities for the selling unitholders own account, not as a
nominee or agent, in the ordinary course of business and with no intention of selling or
otherwise distributing securities in any transaction in violation of securities laws and (ii)
at the time of purchase, the selling unitholder did not have any agreement or understanding,
direct or indirect, with any other person to sell or otherwise distribute the purchased
securities. |
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As of July 12, 2006. Does not include 664,198 common units owned by Kayne Anderson Capital
Advisors, L.P., an affiliate of Kayne Anderson Energy Total Return Fund, Inc. Richard A.
Kayne, in his capacity as the majority shareholder of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.,
holds voting and dispositive power with respect to the securities held by the selling
unitholder. KA Associates, Inc., an affiliate of the selling unitholder, is a broker-dealer
registered pursuant to Section 15(b) of the Exchange Act and is a member of the NASD. The
selling unitholder (i) purchased the securities for the selling unitholders own account, not
as a nominee or agent, in the ordinary course of business and with no intention of selling or
otherwise distributing securities in any transaction in violation of securities laws and (ii)
at the time of purchase, the selling unitholder did not have any agreement or understanding,
direct or indirect, with any other person to sell or otherwise distribute the purchased
securities. |
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As of July 13, 2006. The selling unitholder is an affiliate of a registered broker-dealer.
LB I Group Inc. controls the general partner of this selling unitholder. Lehman Brothers Inc.,
a registered broker-dealer and a member of the NASD, is the parent company of LB I Group Inc.
Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., a public reporting company, is the parent company of Lehman
Brothers Inc. The selling unitholder (i) purchased the securities for the selling
unitholders own account, not as a nominee or agent, in the ordinary course of business and
with no intention of selling or otherwise distributing securities in any transaction in
violation of securities laws and (ii) at the time of purchase, the selling unitholder did not
have any agreement or understanding, direct or indirect, with any other person to sell or
otherwise distribute the purchased securities. |
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10 |
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As of July 12, 2006. Does not include units owned by Sheldon Lubar, his wife or any entities
affiliated with the selling unitholder. Lubar & Co., Incorporated (Lubar Inc.) is the
manager of the selling unitholder. David J. Lubar is a director and President of Lubar Inc.,
and Sheldon B. Lubar is a director and Chairman of the Board of Lubar Inc. As such, David
Lubar and Sheldon Lubar each have voting and dispositive power with respect to the securities
held by the selling unitholder. |
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As of July 13, 2006. Tortoise Capital Advisors, L.L.C. (TCA) serves as the investment
advisor to the selling unitholder. Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement entered into
with such selling unitholder, TCA holds voting and dispositive power with respect to the
securities held by the selling unitholder. The investment committee of TCA is responsible for
the investment management of such selling unitholders portfolio. The investment committee is
comprised of H. Kevin Birzer, Zachary A. Hamel, Kenneth P. Malvey, Terry C. Matlack and David
J. Schulte. |
48
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We are registering the senior subordinated series C units and common units on behalf of the
selling unitholders. As used in this prospectus, selling unitholders includes donees and
pledgees selling common units received from a named selling unitholder after the date of this
prospectus.
Under this prospectus, the selling unitholders intend to offer our securities to the public:
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through one or more broker-dealers; |
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through underwriters; and |
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directly to investors. |
The selling unitholders may price the senior subordinated series C units and the common units
offered from time to time:
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at market prices prevailing at the time of any sale under this registration statement; |
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at prices related to market prices; or |
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at negotiated prices. |
We will pay the costs and expenses of the registration and offering of the common units
offered hereby. We will not pay any underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions allocable
to each selling unitholders sale of its respective senior subordinated series C units or common
units, which will be paid by the selling unitholders. Broker-dealers may act as agent or may
purchase securities as principal and thereafter resell the securities from time to time:
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in or through one or more transactions (which may involve crosses and block
transactions) or distributions; |
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on the Nasdaq National Market; |
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in the over-the-counter market; or |
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in private transactions. |
Broker-dealers or underwriters may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts
or commissions and may receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act
as agents. If any broker-dealer purchases the securities as principal, it may effect resales of the
securities from time to time to or through other broker-dealers, and other broker-dealers may
receive compensation in the form of concessions or commissions from the purchasers of securities
for whom they may act as agents.
To the extent required, the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, if
any, as well as other important information, will be set forth in prospectus supplements. In that
event, the discounts and commissions the selling unitholders will allow or pay to the underwriters,
if any, and the discounts and commissions the underwriters may allow or pay to dealers or agents,
if any, will be set forth in, or may be calculated from, the prospectus supplements. Any
underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents who participate in any sale of the securities may also
engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course
of their businesses.
In addition, the selling unitholders have advised us that they may sell senior subordinated
series C units or common units in compliance with Rule 144, if available, or pursuant to other
available exemptions from the registration requirements under the Securities Act, rather than
pursuant to this prospectus.
In addition, the selling unitholders may enter into option or other types of transactions that
require them to deliver senior subordinated series C units or common units to a broker-dealer, who
will then resell or transfer the senior subordinated series C units or common units under this
prospectus. The selling unitholders may enter into
49
hedging transactions with respect to senior
subordinated series C units or common units. For example, the selling unitholders may:
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enter into transactions involving short sales of the senior subordinated series
C units or common units by broker-dealers; |
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sell senior subordinated series C units or common units short themselves and
deliver the units to close out short positions; |
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enter into option or other types of transactions that require the selling
unitholders to deliver senior subordinated series C units or common units to a
broker-dealer, who will then resell or transfer the units under this prospectus; or |
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loan or pledge the senior subordinated series C units or common units to a
broker-dealer, who may sell the loaned units or, in the event of default, sell the
pledged units. |
The selling unitholders may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell
securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions.
If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third
parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement,
including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by the
selling unitholders or borrowed from the selling unitholders or others to settle those sales or to
close out any related open borrowings of senior subordinated series C units or common units, and
may use securities received from the selling unitholders in settlement of those derivatives to
close out any related open borrowings of senior subordinated series C units or common units. The
third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and, if not identified in this
prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective
amendment). In addition, the selling unitholders may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a
financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this
prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short
position to investors in senior subordinated series C units or common units or in connection with a
concurrent offering of other securities.
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to
describe a specific plan of distribution.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Baker
Botts L.L.P., Dallas, Texas. Baker Botts L.L.P. will also render an opinion on the material
federal income tax considerations regarding the securities. The selling unitholders counsel will
advise them about other issues relating to the offering. If certain legal matters in connection
with an offering of the securities made by this prospectus and a related prospectus supplement are
passed on by counsel for the underwriters of such offering, that counsel will be named in the
applicable prospectus supplement related to that offering.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and schedules of Crosstex Energy, L.P. as of December
31, 2005 and 2004, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2005, and
managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2005, have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG
LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the
authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
KPMG LLPs report dated March 13, 2006, on managements assessment of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2005, contains an explanatory paragraph that states that the
Partnership acquired CFS Louisiana Midstream Company and El Paso Dauphin Island Company, L.L.C.
during 2005, and management excluded from its
assessment of the effectiveness of the Partnerships internal control over financial reporting
as of December 31, 2005 any internal control evaluation over financial reporting associated with
CFS Louisiana Midstream Company and El Paso Dauphin Island Company, L.L.C.s total assets of $488.2
million and total revenues of $66.3 million
50
included in the consolidated financial statements of
Crosstex Energy, L.P. and subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2005. The audit of
internal control over financial reporting of Crosstex Energy, L.P. also excluded an evaluation of
the internal control over financial reporting of CFS Louisiana Midstream Company and El Paso
Dauphin Island Company, L.L.C.
The audited combined statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of CFS Louisiana
Midstream Company and El Paso Dauphin Island Company, L.L.C. (collectively, the Companies)
included in Exhibit 99.1 of Crosstex Energy, L.P.s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated November 1,
2005 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report (which contains an explanatory paragraph
relating to the Companies significant transactions and relationships with affiliated entities as
described in Note 2 to the combined financial statements) of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP,
independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
51
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933 that
registers the securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the
attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of
the SEC allow us to omit some information included in the registration statement from this
prospectus.
In addition, we file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC.
You may read and copy any document we file at the SECs public reference room at 100 F Street,
N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-732-0330 for further information on the
operation of the SECs public reference room. Our SEC filings are available on the SECs web site
at http://www.sec.gov. We also make available free of charge on our website, at
http://www.crosstexenergy.com, all materials that we file electronically with the SEC, including
our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K,
Section 16 reports and amendments to these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such
materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on our
website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not
constitute a part of this prospectus.
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we have filed with the SEC.
This means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the
specific information in this prospectus by referring you to other documents filed separately with
the SEC. These other documents contain important information about us, our financial condition and
results of operations. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this
prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and may replace
information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC.
We incorporate by reference in this prospectus the documents listed below:
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our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005, filed on
March 14, 2006; |
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our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, filed on May
9, 2006, and the amendment to our quarterly report on Form 10-Q/A, filed on May 23,
2006; |
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our current reports on Form 8-K filed on March 16, 2006, March 28, 2006, April 27,
2006, May 4, 2006, May 17, 2006, May 22, 2006, May 31, 2006 and July 6, 2006 and Form
8-K/A filed on November 10, 2005 and May 1, 2006 (in each case to the extent filed and
not furnished); |
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the description of our common units in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File
No. 000-50067) filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on November 4,
2002; and |
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all documents filed by us under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or l5(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 between the date of this prospectus and the termination of the
registration statement. |
You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the SEC
through the SECs web site at the address provided above. You also may request a copy of any
document incorporated by reference in this prospectus (including exhibits to those documents
specifically incorporated by reference in this document), at no cost, by visiting our internet
website at www.crosstexenergy.com, or by writing or calling us at the following address:
Crosstex Energy, L.P.
2501 Cedar Springs, Suite 100
Dallas, Texas 75201
Attention: Denise LeFevre
Telephone: (214) 721-9245
52
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
Set forth below are the expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) expected
to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered
hereby. With the exception of the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee, the amounts
set forth below are estimates:
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Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee |
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$ |
24,683 |
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Legal Fees and Expenses |
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20,000 |
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Accounting Fees and Expenses |
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10,000 |
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Printing Expenses |
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10,000 |
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Miscellaneous |
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5,317 |
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TOTAL |
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$ |
70,000 |
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Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Subject to any terms, conditions or restrictions set forth in a partnership agreement, Section
17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited
partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other persons from and against all claims
and demands whatsoever.
The partnership agreement of Crosstex Energy, L.P. provides that the partnership will, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify (i) its general partner, (ii) any departing general
partner, (iii) any person who is or was an affiliate of its general partner or any departing
general partner, (iv) any person who is or was a member, partner, officer, director, employee,
agent or trustee of any Group Member (as defined therein), its general partner or any departing
general partner or any affiliate of any Group Member, its general partner or any departing general
partner or (v) any person who is or was serving at the request of its general partner or any
departing general partner or any affiliate of its general partner or any departing general partner
as an officer, director, employee, member, partner, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another person
(each, an Indemnitee) 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 in each case the Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner that
such Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in, or (in the case of a person other than the general
partner) not opposed to, the best interests of each partnership and, with respect to any criminal
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe its conduct was unlawful.
Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of the assets of the partnership.
The general partner shall not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or
loan any monies or property to the partnership to enable it to effectuate, such indemnification.
The partnership may purchase (or reimburse its general partner or its affiliates for the cost of)
insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by such persons in connection
with the partnerships activities, regardless of whether the partnership would have the power to
indemnify such person against liabilities under its partnership agreement.
Crosstex Energy, L.P. has entered into indemnification agreements (the Indemnification
Agreements) with its directors and executive officers (collectively, the Indemnitees). Under
the terms of the Indemnification Agreements, the Company has agreed to indemnify each Indemnitee
(i) if such person is, by reason of his or her status as an employee, director and/or officer of
Crosstex Energy GP, LLC or a director, officer, employee or agent of any other corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise with which such person
was serving at the request of Crosstex Energy, L.P. (any such status being referred to as a
Corporate Status), made or threatened to be made a party to or otherwise involved in any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative, arbitrative or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit or proceeding, and
any inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an action, suit or proceeding irrespective of
the initiator thereof (each, a Proceeding), other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the
II - 1
Company; (ii) if such person is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, made or threatened to be
made a party to any Proceeding brought by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in
its favor, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter in
such Proceeding as to which such Indemnitee shall have been adjudged to be liable to Crosstex
Energy, L.P., unless and only to the extent that a court shall otherwise determine; (iii) against
expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person or on his or her behalf in connection with
any Proceeding to which such Indemnitee was or is a party by reason of his or her Corporate Status
and in which such Indemnitee is successful, on the merits or otherwise; (iv) against expenses
actually and reasonably incurred by such person or on his or her behalf in connection with a
Proceeding to the extent that such Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a
witness in any Proceeding to which such person is not a party; (v) against costs or expenses
(including attorneys fees and disbursements) incurred by Indemnitee in cooperating with any
person, persons or entity determining whether Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification; and (vi)
against any and all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such Indemnitee in any judicial
adjudication of his or her rights under the Indemnification Agreements, but only if (and only to
the extent) he or she prevails therein. To the extent that a change in the laws of the State of
Delaware permits greater indemnification or advancement of expenses than would be afforded under
the Indemnification Agreements as of the date of the Indemnification Agreements, the Indemnitee
shall enjoy the greater benefits so afforded by such change.
In addition, under the terms of the Indemnification Agreements, Crosstex Energy, L.P. has
agreed to pay all reasonable expenses incurred by an Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding
in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding no later than 10 days after receipt by
Crosstex Energy, L.P. of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount to
the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by
Crosstex Energy, L.P.
The Indemnification Agreements also include provisions that specify the procedures and
presumptions that are to be employed to determine whether an Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification thereunder. In some cases, the nature of the procedures specified in the
Indemnification Agreements varies depending on whether there has occurred a Change in Control (as
defined in the Indemnification Agreements) of Crosstex Energy, L.P.
Item 16. Exhibits.
(a) Exhibits. The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Registration Statement:
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4.1
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Certificate of Limited Partnership of Crosstex Energy, L.P. (the Registrant)
(filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
No. 333-97779), filed on August 7, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference). |
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4.2
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Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Crosstex Energy,
L.P., dated as of June 30, 2006 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrants Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2006 (File No. 000-50067) and incorporated
herein by reference). |
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4.3
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Certificate of Limited Partnership of Crosstex Energy GP, L.P. (filed as Exhibit
3.5 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-97779),
filed on August 7, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference). |
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4.4
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Agreement of Limited Partnership of Crosstex Energy GP, L.P., dated as of July 12,
2002 (filed as Exhibit 3.6 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1
(File No. 333-97779), filed on August 7, 2002 and incorporated herein by
reference). |
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4.5
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Certificate of Formation of Crosstex Energy GP, LLC (filed as Exhibit 3.7 to the
Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-97779), filed on
August 7, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference). |
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4.6
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Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Crosstex Energy GP,
LLC, dated as of December 17, 2002 (filed as Exhibit 3.8 to the Registrants
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-106927), filed on July 10, 2003
and incorporated herein by reference). |
II - 2
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4.7
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Specimen Unit Certificate for the common units (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-97779), filed on
August 7, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference). |
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4.8
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Specimen Unit Certificate for the senior subordinated series C units. |
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4.9
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Senior Subordinated Series C Unit Purchase Agreement, by and among Crosstex Energy,
L.P. and each of the Purchasers set forth on Schedule A thereto (filed as Exhibit
10.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 17, 2006 (File No.
000-50067) and incorporated herein by reference). |
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4.10
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Registration Rights Agreement, by and among Crosstex Energy, L.P. and each of the
Purchasers set forth on Schedule A thereto (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2006 (File No. 000-50067)
and incorporated herein by reference). |
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5.1
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Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered. |
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8.1
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Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P. relating to tax matters. |
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23.1
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Consent of KPMG LLP. |
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23.2
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. |
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23.3
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Consent of KPMG LLP. |
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23.4
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Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (contained in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1). |
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24.1
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Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereof). |
Item 17. Undertakings.
I. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities
Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental
change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)
and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more
than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material
change to such information in the registration statement;
II - 3
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to
section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to
any purchaser:
(i) if the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424 (b)(3) shall be
deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was
deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7)
as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made
pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information
required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and
included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus
is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in
the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes
of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed
to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the
registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided,
however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of
the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by
reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration
statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective
date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or
prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document
immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the
Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the
undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the
undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the
underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are
offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the
undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or
sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to
the offering to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of
the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
II - 4
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering
containing material information about the registrant or its securities provided by or on
behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned
to the purchaser.
II. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any
liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,
each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
thereof.
III. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may
be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
provisions described in Item 15 above, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the
opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful
defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the
opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy
as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.
II - 5
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Dallas, State of Texas, on July 21,
2006.
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CROSSTEX ENERGY, L.P. |
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By: |
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Crosstex Energy GP, L.P., |
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its General Partner |
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By: |
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Crosstex Energy GP, L.L.C., |
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its General Partner |
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By:
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/s/ William W. Davis |
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Name:
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William W. Davis |
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Title:
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Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Barry E. Davis, Joe
A. Davis and William W. Davis, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the
other, as his lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power or substitution and
resubstitution for him in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments or post-effective
amendments to this registration statement, or any registration statement for the same offering that
is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and to file the same, with exhibits hereto and other documents in connection therewith or
in connection with the registration of the securities under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents full
power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary in
connection with such matters and hereby ratifying and confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact
and agents or his substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration
Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates
indicated below.
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Signature |
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Title |
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Date |
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/s/ Barry E. Davis
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President, Chief Executive Officer and
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July 21, 2006 |
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Barry E. Davis
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Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
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/s/ Rhys J. Best
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Director
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July 21, 2006 |
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Rhys J. Best |
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/s/ Frank M. Burke
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Director
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July 21, 2006 |
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Frank M. Burke |
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/s/ James C. Crain
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Director
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July 21, 2006 |
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James C. Crain |
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/s/ Bryan H. Lawrence
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Chairman of the Board
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July 21, 2006 |
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Bryan H. Lawrence |
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II - 6
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Signature |
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Title |
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Date |
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/s/ Sheldon B. Lubar
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Director
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July 21, 2006 |
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Sheldon B. Lubar |
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/s/ Cecil E. Martin, Jr.
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Director
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July 21, 2006 |
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Cecil E. Martin, Jr. |
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/s/ Robert F. Murchison
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Director
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July 21, 2006 |
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Robert F. Murchison |
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/s/ Kyle D. Vann
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Director
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July 21, 2006 |
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Kyle D. Vann |
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/s/ William W. Davis
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Executive Vice President and Chief
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July 21, 2006 |
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William W. Davis
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Financial Officer (Principal
Financial and
Accounting Officer)
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II - 7
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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Exhibit |
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Number |
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Description |
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4.1 |
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Certificate of Limited Partnership of Crosstex Energy, L.P. (the Registrant)
(filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
No. 333-97779), filed on August 7, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference). |
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4.2 |
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Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Crosstex Energy,
L.P., dated as of June 30, 2006 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrants Current
Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2006 (File No. 000-50067) and incorporated
herein by reference). |
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4.3 |
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Certificate of Limited Partnership of Crosstex Energy GP, L.P. (filed as Exhibit
3.5 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-97779),
filed on August 7, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference). |
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4.4 |
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Agreement of Limited Partnership of Crosstex Energy GP, L.P., dated as of July 12,
2002 (filed as Exhibit 3.6 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1
(File No. 333-97779), filed on August 7, 2002 and incorporated herein by
reference). |
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4.5 |
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Certificate of Formation of Crosstex Energy GP, LLC (filed as Exhibit 3.7 to the
Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-97779), filed on
August 7, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference). |
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4.6 |
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Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Crosstex Energy GP,
LLC, dated as of December 17, 2002 (filed as Exhibit 3.8 to the Registrants
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-106927), filed on July 10, 2003
and incorporated herein by reference). |
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4.7 |
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Specimen Unit Certificate for the common units (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-97779), filed on
August 7, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference). |
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4.8 |
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Specimen Unit Certificate for the senior subordinated series C units. |
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4.9 |
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Senior Subordinated Series C Unit Purchase Agreement, by and among Crosstex Energy,
L.P. and each of the Purchasers set forth on Schedule A thereto (filed as Exhibit
10.1 to the Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 17, 2006 (File No.
000-50067) and incorporated herein by reference). |
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4.10 |
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Registration Rights Agreement, by and among Crosstex Energy, L.P. and each of the
Purchasers set forth on Schedule A thereto (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the
Registrants Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 6, 2006 (File No. 000-50067)
and incorporated herein by reference). |
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5.1 |
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Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered. |
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8.1 |
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Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P. relating to tax matters. |
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23.1 |
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Consent of KPMG LLP. |
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23.2 |
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. |
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23.3 |
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Consent of KPMG LLP. |
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23.4 |
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Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (contained in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1). |
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24.1 |
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Power of Attorney (included on the signature page hereof). |
II - 8