UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 8-K

 

 

Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or

15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

November 28, 2005

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

 

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

TEXAS AND VIRGINIA   1-10042   75-1743247

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1800 THREE LINCOLN CENTRE,

5430 LBJ FREEWAY, DALLAS, TEXAS

  75240
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(972) 934-9227

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On November 28, 2005, Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC (“AEM”), a Delaware limited liability company, which is wholly-owned by Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Atmos Energy Corporation, entered into the First Amendment (“First Amendment”) to the Uncommitted Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2005 (the “Credit Agreement’), among Fortis Capital Corp., a Connecticut corporation, as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, as administrative agent for the banks, as collateral agent, as an issuing bank, and as a bank; BNP Paribas, a bank organized under the laws of France, as joint lead arranger and joint bookrunner, as documentation agent, as an issuing bank, and as a bank; Société Générale, as a bank and as managing agent and a syndicate of five additional banks identified therein . The First Amendment amended the Credit Agreement, primarily to increase the amount of credit available under the facility from $250,000,000 to $580,000,000. There were no other substantive changes made to the terms of the Credit Agreement, other than to certain financial-related covenants, where proportional increases were made in the amounts of minimum levels of net working capital and tangible net worth required, as well as an increase in the amount of the maximum cumulative loss allowed from March 30, 2005, all of which are described below and resulted from the substantial increase in the amount of credit available under the facility. The credit facility, as amended, will continue to be used on an uncommitted and fully discretionary basis, to continue to provide loans to AEM and issue letters of credit for the account of AEM, primarily in order to provide working capital for its expanded natural gas marketing business.

 

Borrowings made as revolving loans under the credit facility will continue to bear interest at a floating rate equal to a base rate, defined as the higher of .50% per annum above the federal funds rate or the per annum rate of interest established by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime rate at the time of such borrowing plus an applicable margin, which is defined as .50% per annum. Based upon the current prime rate, revolving loans would bear interest at 7.50% per annum. Borrowings made as offshore rate loans will continue to bear interest at a floating rate equal to an offshore rate, which is equal to a base rate based upon LIBOR plus an applicable margin, which will range from 1.375% to 1.75% per annum, depending on the excess tangible net worth of AEM, as defined in the credit facility. Based upon the current LIBOR rate, offshore rate loans would bear interest at 5.69% per annum. Borrowings drawn down under letters of credit issued by the banks will continue to bear interest at a floating rate equal to the base rate, as defined above plus an applicable margin, which will range from 1.125% to 2.00% per annum, depending on the excess tangible net worth of AEM and whether the letters of credit are swap-related standby letters of credit.

 

The credit facility will expire on March 31, 2006, at which time all outstanding amounts under the credit facility will be due and payable, except for any letters of credit outstanding at that date, all of which will be due no later than June 30, 2006. The credit facility contains usual and customary covenants for transactions of this type, including covenants limiting liens, additional indebtedness and mergers. In addition, AEM will be required to not exceed a maximum ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth of 5.00 to 1 or a maximum cumulative loss from March 30, 2005 ranging from $4 million to $23 million, along with maintaining minimum levels of net working capital ranging from $20 million to $120 million and tangible net worth ranging from $21 million to $121 million, as all such terms are defined in the credit facility, depending on the total amount of borrowing elected from time to time by AEM. The credit facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of AEM and is guaranteed by its parent, Atmos Energy Holdings, Inc.

 

In the event of a default by AEM under the credit facility, including cross-defaults relating to specified other indebtedness of AEM having a principal amount of more than $250,000 in the aggregate, the administrative agent may, and shall upon the request of a certain minimum number of the banks, terminate the obligations of the banks to make loans or issue letters of credit under the credit facility, declare the amount outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, payable immediately, and enforce any and all rights and interests created and existing under the credit facility documents, including, without limitation, all rights of set-off and all other rights available under the law.

 

With respect to the other parties to the credit facility, AEM has or may have had customary banking relationships based on the provision of a variety of financial services, including the purchase and sale of financial instruments traded on various commodity exchanges, none of which are material individually or in the aggregate with respect to any individual party, other than BNP Paribas, which relationship is material to AEM. These instruments include, but are not limited to, NYMEX futures and options contracts and over-the-counter natural gas hedges. A copy of the First Amendment is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the First Amendment.

 

Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

 

The information described in Item 1.01 above is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits.

 

  10.1 First Amendment, dated as of November 28, 2005, to the Uncommitted Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2005, among Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the financial institutions from time to time parties thereto (the “Banks”), Fortis Capital Corp., a Connecticut corporation, as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, as Administrative Agent for the Banks, as Collateral Agent, as an Issuing bank, and as a Bank; BNP Paribas, a bank organized under the laws of France, as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, as Documentation agent, as an Issuing bank, and as a Bank; and Société Générale, as a Bank and as Managing Agent

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

       

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

                    (Registrant)

DATE: December 2, 2005

      By:  

/s/  LOUIS P. GREGORY

               

Louis P. Gregory

Senior Vice President

and General Counsel

 

 

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit Number

  

Description


10.1    First Amendment, dated as of November 28, 2005, to the Uncommitted Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2005, among Atmos Energy Marketing, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, the financial institutions from time to time parties thereto (the “Banks”), Fortis Capital Corp., a Connecticut corporation, as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, as Administrative Agent for the Banks, as Collateral Agent, as an Issuing bank, and as a Bank; BNP Paribas, a bank organized under the laws of France, as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, as Documentation agent, as an Issuing bank, and as a Bank; and Société Générale, as a Bank and as Managing Agent

Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE

UNCOMMITTED SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

This FIRST AMENDMENT, dated as of November 28, 2005 (this “ Amendment ”) to the UNCOMMITTED SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of March 30, 2005 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the date hereof, the “ Credit Agreement ”) among ATMOS ENERGY MARKETING, LLC (f/k/a Woodward Marketing, L.L.C.), a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the financial institutions from time to time parties thereto (the “ Banks ”), FORTIS CAPITAL CORP., a Connecticut corporation (“ Fortis ”), as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, as Administrative Agent for the Banks, as Collateral Agent, as an Issuing Bank, and as a Bank, BNP PARIBAS, a bank organized under the laws of France (“ BNP Paribas ”), as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, as Documentation Agent (together with the Administrative Agent, the “ Agents ”), as an Issuing Bank and as a Bank, and SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE, as a Bank and as Managing Agent.

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has, in connection with the recent increase in natural gas prices, requested an increase of $330,000,000 in the facility, pursuant to which the Banks, on an uncommitted and fully discretionary basis, continue to make loans to the Borrower and continue to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower in order to provide working capital to the Borrower, to facilitate the Borrower’s purchases of natural gas in the ordinary course of business, to secure swap counterparties for out-of-the-money swap obligations, and for such other purposes set forth herein;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower has requested that the Agents and the existing members of the bank group increase their respective participations and that one or more additional financial institutions become Banks under the Credit Agreement, providing new participations, which increased and new participations shall be in the amounts provided in Exhibit A hereto, or such other amount agreed among the Agents and the applicable existing or new member of the bank group, as the case may be;

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower requested the parties hereto make certain other amendments to the Credit Agreement on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the financial institutions party hereto have indicated their willingness to consider to lend such amounts and to consider to continue to issue and participate in such Letters of Credit on the terms and conditions of this Amendment;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. Defined Terms . Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

2. Amendment to Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement (Defined Terms). (a) Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the definitions of “Banks,” “Borrowing Base Advance Cap,” “Borrowing Base Sub-Cap,” “Dollar Advance Cap,” and “Letter of Credit Facility” in their respective entireties and substituting in lieu thereof the following, and by adding the following new terms, “Maximum Line,” “Subscribed Percentage” and “Uncommitted Line Portion Addendum,” in the appropriate alphabetical order:

 

Banks ” shall mean Fortis, BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Natexis Banques Populaires, RZB Finance, LLC, UFJ Bank Limited, New York Branch, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and each additional lending institution added to this Agreement, through an amendment to this Agreement, by execution of an Uncommitted Line Portion Addendum, or through an Assignment and Acceptance in accordance with Subsection 11.08(a) hereof. References to the “Banks” shall include Fortis and BNP Paribas, including each in its capacity as an Issuing Bank; for purposes of clarification only, to the extent that Fortis or BNP Paribas may have any rights or obligations in addition to those of the Banks due to their status as an Issuing Bank and as Agents, Fortis’ and BNP Paribas’ status as such will be specifically referenced.

 

Borrowing Base Advance Cap ” means at any time an amount equal to the least of:

 

(a) $580,000,000;

 

(b) the Total Subscribed Line Portions;

 

(c) the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap; or

 

(d) the sum of:

 

(i) the amount of Cash Collateral and other liquid investments which are acceptable to the Banks in their sole discretion and which are subject to a first perfected security interest in favor of Administrative Agent, as collateral agent for the Banks, and which have not been used in determining availability for any other advance (other than advances made under the Borrowing Base Line) or Letter of Credit Issuance; plus

 

(ii) 90% of Borrower’s equity in Eligible Broker accounts from and after the date that a tri-party agreement with respect to such accounts is entered into, to the extent such equity is not being used in determining availability for any

 

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other advance (other than advances made under the Borrowing Base Line) or Letter of Credit Issuance; plus

 

(iii) 90% of the amount of Tier I Accounts which are not being used in determining availability for any other advance (other than advances made under the Borrowing Base Line) or Letter of Credit Issuance, net of deductions, offsets and counterclaims; plus

 

(iv) 85% of the amount of Tier II Accounts which are not being used in determining availability for any other advance (other than advances made under the Borrowing Base Line) or Letter of Credit Issuance, net of deductions, offsets and counterclaims; plus

 

(v) 85% of the amount of Tier I Unbilled Accounts which are not being used in determining availability for any other advance (other than advances made under the Borrowing Base Line) or Letter of Credit Issuance; plus

 

(vi) 80% of the amount of Tier II Unbilled Accounts which are not being used in determining availability for any other advance (other than advances made under the Borrowing Base Line) or Letter of Credit Issuance; plus

 

(vii) 80% of the amount of Eligible Inventory which are not being used in determining availability for any other advance (other than advances made under the Borrowing Base Line) or Letter of Credit Issuance; plus

 

(viii) 80% of the amount of Eligible Exchange Receivables which are not being used in determining availability for any other advance (other than advances made under the Borrowing Base Line) or Letter of Credit Issuance; plus

 

(ix) 80% of the amount of Undelivered Product Value; plus

 

(x) 70% of Realizable Unrealized Profits, up to a maximum amount of $50,000,000, less

 

(xi) the amounts which would be subject to a so-called “First Purchaser Lien” as defined in Texas Bus. & Com. Code Section 9.343, comparable laws of the states of Louisiana, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming or New Mexico, or any other comparable law, unless a Letter of Credit secures payment of all amounts subject to such First Purchaser Lien; less

 

(xii) 125% of the mark to market amounts owed to BNP Paribas and/or its Affiliates and Société Générale and/or its Affiliates under Swap Contracts; and less

 

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(xiii) 100% of Borrower’s Unrealized Mark-to-Market Losses as of the date of determination of the Borrowing Base Advance Cap.

 

In no event shall any amounts described in (d)(i) through (d)(x) above which may fall into more than one of such categories be counted more than once when making the calculation under this definition.

 

Borrowing Base Sub-Cap ” means (a) from the date of this Agreement until the date the first election is made by the Borrower pursuant to clause (b) of this definition, $250,000,000, and (b) thereafter, at any time, the amount set forth in the table below under the heading “ Borrowing Base Sub-Cap ” elected by the Borrower from time to time by written notice to the Agents, provided that, at the time of any such election of any such amount as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap, but not for any other purpose herein, each of the Borrower’s Net Working Capital, Tangible Net Worth and ratio of Total Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth at such time of election, and the maximum Cumulative Loss for the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the date of such election (determined as a single accounting period), each as determined by the most recent monthly financial statements received pursuant to Section 7.01(c), are within the requirements set forth opposite such amount in the table below. For purposes of testing whether such requirements have been met, the highest amount elected by the Borrower for the month being tested shall be used, where during the same month being tested the Borrower elected to either increase or decrease the availability by selecting a different amount under the column entitled “Borrowing Base Sub-Cap”.

 

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Borrowing Base

Sub-Cap


  Minimum Net
Working Capital


  Minimum
Tangible Net
Worth


  Maximum Ratio at
Total Liabilities to
Tangible Net
Worth


  Maximum
Cumulative Loss
from Closing Date
to time of election


$ 100,000,000   $  20,000,000   $ 21,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 4,000,000
$ 125,000,000   $  25,000,000   $ 26,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 5,000,000
$ 150,000,000   $  30,000,000   $ 31,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 6,000,000
$ 175,000,000   $  35,000,000   $ 36,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 7,000,000
$ 200,000,000   $  40,000,000   $ 41,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 8,000,000
$ 225,000,000   $  45,000,000   $ 46,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 9,000,000
$ 250,000,000   $  50,000,000   $ 51,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 10,000,000
$ 275,000,000   $  55,000,000   $ 56,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 11,000,000
$ 300,000,000   $  60,000,000   $ 61,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 12,000,000
$ 325,000,000   $  65,000,000   $ 66,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 13,000,000
$ 350,000,000   $  70,000,000   $ 71,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 14,000,000
$ 375,000,000   $  75,000,000   $ 76,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 15,000,000
$ 400,000,000   $  80,000,000   $ 81,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 16,000,000
$ 425,000,000   $  85,000,000   $ 86,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 17,000,000
$ 450,000,000   $  90,000,000   $ 91,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 18,000,000
$ 475,000,000   $  95,000,000   $ 96,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 19,000,000
$ 500,000,000   $100,000,000   $ 101,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 20,000,000
$ 525,000,000   $105,000,000   $ 106,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 21,000,000
$ 550,000,000   $110,000,000   $ 111,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 22,000,000
$ 575,000,000   $115,000,000   $ 116,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 23,000,000
$ 580,000,000   $120,000,000   $ 121,000,000   5.00 to 1   $ 23,000,000

 

Dollar Advance Cap ” means a cap upon Revolving Loans under the Borrowing Base Line with the following limits:

 

(e) $50,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $100,000,000; and

 

(f) $60,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $125,000,000; and

 

(g) $70,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $150,000,000; and

 

(h) $80,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $175,000,000; and

 

(i) $90,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $200,000,000; and

 

(j) $100,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $225,000,000;

 

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(k) $110,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $250,000,000;

 

(l) $120,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $275,000,000;

 

(m) $130,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $300,000,000;

 

(n) $140,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $325,000,000;

 

(o) $150,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $350,000,000;

 

(p) $160,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $375,000,000;

 

(q) $170,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $400,000,000;

 

(r) $180,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $425,000,000;

 

(s) $190,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $450,000,000;

 

(t) $200,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $475,000,000;

 

(u) $210,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $500,000,000;

 

(v) $220,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $525,000,000;

 

(w) $230,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $550,000,000;

 

(x) $240,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $575,000,000;

 

(y) $240,000,000 at such times as the Borrowing Base Sub-Cap is $580,000,000

 

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Letter of Credit Facility ” means, at any time, the uncommitted undertaking to provide Letters of Credit in an amount equal to the lesser of (a) the amount of the aggregate Uncommitted Line Portions at such time and (b) $580,000,000, as such amount may be reduced at or prior to such time pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Maximum Line ” means $580,000,000.

 

Subscribed Percentage ” means the percentage equivalent (expressed as a decimal, rounded to the fourth decimal place) of Total Subscribed Line Portions divided by the Maximum Line.

 

Uncommitted Line Portion Addendum ” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.21 .

 

3. Amendment to Section 10.01 of the Credit Agreement . Section 10.01(a) is hereby amended by deleting such subsection in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

 

“(a) Each Bank, on its own behalf and, solely with respect to the designation and appointment of Fortis as Collateral Agent under the Security Agreements, on behalf of each of its affiliates and each of its Indemnified Persons, hereby irrevocably (subject to Section 10.09) designates and authorizes the Agents to take such action on its behalf and on behalf of such Persons under the provisions of this Agreement and each other Loan Document and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to it by the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document, the Agents and the Managing Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein, nor shall the Agents or the Managing Agent have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Bank, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise exist against the Agents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” in this Agreement with reference to the Agents and the Managing Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship, if any, between independent contracting parties.”

 

4. Amendment to Section 10.02 of the Credit Agreement . Section 10.02 is hereby amended by deleting the last sentence of such Section in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof the following:

 

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“Neither Agent shall be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agent or attorney-in-fact that it selects with reasonable care.”

 

5. Amendment to Section 11.01 of the Credit Agreement . Section 11.01 is hereby amended by adding the following language as a new sentence at the end of Section 11.01:

 

“Notwithstanding the forgoing, if at any time, the “Subscribed Percentage” reflected in Part I of Schedule 2.01 is less than 100%, one or more financial institutions may be added to this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.21 without the prior approval of the Required Banks.”

 

6. Addition of Section 11.21 to the Credit Agreement . The Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the following language as a new section “Section 11.21,” in the appropriate numeric order:

 

“11.21 Joinder . From and after the Closing Date, each financial institution, acceptable to the Agents and the Borrower, that executes and delivers an Uncommitted Line Portion Addendum, substantially in the form of Schedule 11.21 (an “ Uncommitted Line Portion Addendum ”), shall become a party to the Credit Agreement and have the rights and obligations of a Bank hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and shall be bound by the other provisions hereof and thereof.”

 

7. Amendment to Schedule 2.01 of the Credit Agreement . Schedule 2.01 is hereby amended by deleting Schedule 2.01 in its entirety and substituting in lieu thereof Schedule 2.01 attached hereto as Exhibit A .

 

8. Addition of Schedule 11.21 to the Credit Agreement . The Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding the a new schedule, “Schedule 11.21” in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto.

 

9. Representations . To induce the Administrative Agent and the Banks to enter into this Amendment, the Borrower ratifies and confirms each representation and warranty set forth in the Credit Agreement as if such representations and warranties were made on even date herewith, and further represents and warrants that (a) no material adverse change has occurred in the financial condition or business prospects of the Borrower since the date of the last financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Banks, (b) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and (c) the Borrower is fully authorized to enter into this Amendment. THE BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE CREDIT AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR A CREDIT FACILITY THAT IS COMPLETELY OPTIONAL ON THE PART OF THE BANKS AND THAT THE BANKS HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO DUTY OR OBLIGATION TO ADVANCE ANY REVOLVING LOAN OR TO ISSUE ANY LETTER OF CREDIT. BORROWER

 

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REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS TO THE BANKS THAT BORROWER IS AWARE OF THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH CONDUCTING BUSINESS UTILIZING AN UNCOMMITTED FACILITY.

 

10. Conditions Precedent . This Amendment shall become effective on the first date (the “ Effective Date ”) on which each of the following conditions precedent shall have been satisfied:

 

(a) Fees and Expenses . The Agents and the Banks shall have received payment of all fees and expenses owed to them by the Borrower as of the Effective Date,

 

(b) Delivered Documents . On the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received executed originals of:

 

(i) this Amendment, executed by a duly authorized officer of each of the Borrower and the Banks;

 

(ii) a Note, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto, executed by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower and payable to each party listed as a “Bank” on Schedule 2.01 in Exhibit A in a maximum principal amount set forth therein, which maximum principal amount is set opposite such party’s name as its “Dollar Amount” on Schedule 2.01 in Exhibit A ;

 

(iii) the Acknowledgement, Consent and Affirmation Agreement set forth in Exhibit D hereto, each executed by a duly authorized officer of the party named therein, consenting to this Amendment and affirming the Loan Documents specified therein;

 

(iv) a legal opinion of counsel to the Borrower and counsel to Guarantor each addressed to the Administrative Agent and the Banks, in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Banks;

 

(v) copies of the resolutions of the members of the Borrower authorizing the amendments and transactions contemplated hereby, certified as of the Effective Date by the Secretary of the Borrower, and certifying the names and true signatures of the officers of the Borrower authorized to execute, deliver and perform, as applicable, this Amendment and all other documents to be delivered by the Borrower hereunder; and

 

(vi) such other documents or certificates as the Administrative Agent or counsel to the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

 

(c) No Default . On the Effective Date, the Borrower shall be in compliance in all material respects with all of the terms and provisions set forth in the

 

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Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents on its part to be observed and no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

11. Miscellaneous .

 

(a) Limited Effect . Except as expressly consented to hereby, the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms, without any consent, amendment, waiver or modification of any provision thereof; provided , however , that upon the Effective Date, all references herein and therein to the “Loan Documents” shall be deemed to include, in any event, the Existing Credit Agreement, the First Amendment, dated as of December 23, 2002, the Second Amendment, dated as of February 7, 2003, the Third Amendment, dated as of February 28, 2003, the Fourth Amendment, dated as of March 31, 2003, the Fifth Amendment and Waiver, dated as of April 28, 2003, the Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement, Global Amendment to Loan Documents and Waiver, dated as of October 1, 2003, the Amendment to Guaranty, dated as of October 1, 2003, the Seventh Amendment and Joinder Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2003, the Eighth Amendment and Joinder Agreement to Credit Agreement and First Amendment to Subordination Agreement, dated as of February 18, 2004, this Amendment, the Notes, the Guaranty, the Security Agreement, the L/C-Related Documents, the Swap Contracts, the Three Party Agreement, the Atmos Support Agreement, and all other documents delivered to the Administrative Agent or any Bank in connection therewith. Each reference to the Credit Agreement in any of the Loan Documents shall be deemed to be a reference to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.

 

(b) Severability . In case any of the provisions of this Amendment shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision hereof, and this Amendment shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

 

(c) Execution in Counterparts . This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument, and any party hereto may execute this Amendment by signing one or more counterparts. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page to this Amendment by facsimile or telecopier shall be effective as delivery of an originally executed counterpart of this Amendment.

 

(d) Governing Law . This Amendment shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof; provided , however , that the Administrative Agent, the Banks and all Agent-Related Persons shall retain all rights under federal law.

 

-10-

(e) Rights of Third Parties . All provisions herein are imposed solely and exclusively for the benefit of the Borrower, Administrative Agent, the Banks, Agent-Related Persons, and their permitted successors and assigns, and no other Person shall be a direct or indirect legal beneficiary of, or have any direct or indirect cause of action or claim in connection with this Amendment or any of the other Loan Documents.

 

(f) COMPLETE AGREEMENT . THIS WRITTEN AMENDMENT AND THE OTHER WRITTEN AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO AMONG THE PARTIES REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

 

[SIGNATURES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be duly executed and delivered by their proper and duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

BORROWER

ATMOS ENERGY MARKETING, LLC
(formerly known as Woodward Marketing, L.L.C.), a Delaware limited liability company

By:  

/s/ C. RICHARD ALFORD


    Name:  C. Richard Alford
    Title:    Senior Vice President
        11251 Northwest Freeway, Suite 400
        Houston, Texas 77092
        Attention: Ronald W. Bahr
        Telephone: (713) 688-7771
        Facsimile: (713) 688-5124

GUARANTOR

ATMOS ENERGY HOLDINGS, INC.
By:  

/s/ LAURIE M. SHERWOOD


    Name:  Laurie M. Sherwood
    Title:    Vice President & Treasurer
    1800 Three Lincoln Centre
    5430 LBJ Freeway
    Dallas, TX 75240

 

SP-1

FORTIS CAPITAL CORP.,
a Connecticut corporation, as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Issuing Bank, and a Bank

By:  

/s/ IRENE RUMMEL


    Name:  Irene Rummel
    Title:    Senior Vice President
By:  

/s/ LEONARD RUSSO


    Name:  Leonard Russo
    Title:    Director
        15455 N. Dallas Parkway
        Suite 1400
        Addison, TX 75001
        Telephone: (214) 953-9313
        Facsimile: (214) 969-9332

 

SP-2

BNP PARIBAS,
a bank organized under the laws of France, as Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Bookrunner, Documentation Agent, Issuing Bank and a Bank

By:  

/s/ EDWARD CHIN


    Name:  Edward Chin
    Title:    Managing Director
By:  

/s/ ZALI WIN


    Name:  Zali Win
    Title:    Managing Director
        787 Seventh Avenue
        New York, New York 10019
        Attention: Ed Chin
        Telephone: (212) 841-2020
        Facsimile: (212) 841-2536

 

SP-3

SOCIÉTÉ GÉNÉRALE, as Managing Agent and as a Bank

By:  

/s/ BARBARA PAULSEN


    Name:  Barbara Paulsen
    Title:    Director
By:  

/s/ EMMANUEL CHESNEAU


    Name:  Emmanuel Chesneau
    Title:    Director
        1221 Avenue of the Americas
        New York, New York 10020
        Attention: Barbara Paulsen
        Telephone: (212) 278-6496
        Facsimile: (212) 278-7417

 

SP-4

NATEXIS BANQUES POPULAIRES, NEW YORK BRANCH, as a Bank

By:  

/s/ VINCENT LAURAS


    Name:  Vincent Lauras
    Title:    Managing Director
By:  

/s/ SIMON MELCHIOR


    Name:  Simon Melchior
    Title:    AVP
        1251 Avenue of the Americas, 34 th Floor
        New York, New York 10020
        Attention: David Pershad
        Telephone: (212) 872-5015
        Facsimile: (212) 354-9095

 

SP-5

RZB FINANCE LLC, as a Bank

By:  

/s/ HERMINE KIROLOS


    Name:  Hermine Kirolos
    Title:    Group Vice President
By:  

/s/ GRIBELDA ALVIZO


    Name:  Gribelda Alvizo
    Title:    Vice President
    1133 Avenue of the Americas
    New York, New York 10036
    Attention: Hermine Kirolos
    Telephone: (212) 845-4114
    Facsimile: (212) 944-6389

 

SP-6

UFJ BANK LIMITED, NEW YORK BRANCH,
as a Bank

By:  

/s/ L. J. PERENYI


    Name:  L. J. Perenyi
    Title:    Vice President
    UFJ Bank, Houston Representative Office
    Two Allen Center, Suite 2265
    1200 Smith Street
    Houston, TX 77002
    Attention: Lad Perenyi
   

with a copy to:

    UFJ Bank
    55 East 52nd Street
    New York, New York 10055
    Attention: Seiji Tate

 

SP-7

BROWN BROTHERS HARRIMAN &
CO.,
as a Bank

By:  

/s/ KATHRYN C. GEORGE


    Name:  Kathryn C. George
    Title:    Managing Director
        140 Broadway
        New York, New York 10005
        Attention: Paul Feldman
        Telephone: (212) 493-7732
        Facsimile: (212) 493-8998

 

SP-8

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND
plc,
as a Bank

By:  

/s/ PAUL MCDONAGH


    Name:  Paul McDonagh
    Title:    Managing Director
        600 Travis St, Suite 6500
        Houston, Texas 77002
        Attention: Matthew Main
        Telephone: (713) 221-2415
        Facsimile: (713) 221-2441

 

SP-9

EXHIBIT A

 

SCHEDULE 2.01

 

UNCOMMITTED LINE AND

UNCOMMITTED LINE PORTION

(EXCLUDING SWAP CONTRACTS)

 

  I. Uncommitted Line :