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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2015

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Concho Resources Inc.*

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   76-0818600

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

One Concho Center

600 W. Illinois Avenue

Midland, Texas 79701

(432) 683-7443

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Travis L. Counts

Vice President and General Counsel

One Concho Center

600 W. Illinois Avenue

Midland, Texas 79701

(432) 683-7443

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

W. Matthew Strock

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

1001 Fannin, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 758-2222

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  x

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.  ¨


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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.  ¨

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.  x

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.  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered(1)

 

Amount

to be

Registered

 

Proposed

Maximum
Offering Price

per Security

 

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price(5)

 

Amount of

Registration Fee(6)

Debt Securities(2)

               

Preferred Stock(2)

               

Common Stock, par value $0.001(2)

               

Depositary Shares(2)(3)

               

Warrants(2)

               

Guarantees of Debt Securities(4)

               

 

 

(1) Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
(2) There is being registered hereunder such indeterminate number or amount of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, depositary shares and warrants as may from time to time be issued by the registrant at indeterminate prices and as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, exchange, exercise or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable antidilution provisions.
(3) The depositary shares being registered will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under a depositary agreement. If Concho Resources Inc. elects to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock to the public, depositary receipts will be distributed to the investors purchasing the fractional interests, and the shares will be issued to the depositary under the depositary agreement.
(4) Subsidiaries of Concho Resources Inc. named as co-registrants may fully and unconditionally guarantee on an unsecured basis the debt securities of Concho Resources Inc. In accordance with Rule 457(n), no separate fee is payable with respect to the guarantees of debt securities being registered.
(5) No separate consideration will be received for any securities being registered that are issued in exchange for, or upon conversion or exercise of, the debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares or warrants being registered hereunder.
(6) In reliance on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrants hereby defer payment of the registration fee required in connection with this Registration Statement.

*ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name of Additional Registrant as Specified in its Charter

   State of
Incorporation or
Organization
   IRS Employee
Identification No.

COG Acreage LP

   Texas    270644225

COG Holdings LLC

   Texas    800648934

COG Operating LLC

   Delaware    611469854

COG Production LLC

   Texas    522374917

COG Realty LLC

   Texas    841661959

Concho Oil & Gas LLC

   Texas    900617040

Delaware River SWD LLC

   Texas    270253823

Quail Ranch LLC

   Texas    320086461

 

 

 


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PROSPECTUS

Concho Resources Inc.

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Common Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Guarantees of Debt Securities of Concho Resources Inc. by:

COG Acreage LP

COG Holdings LLC

COG Operating LLC

COG Production LLC

COG Realty LLC

Concho Oil & Gas LLC

Delaware River SWD LLC

Quail Ranch LLC

 

 

We may offer and sell the securities listed above from time to time in one or more offerings of one or more classes or series. Any debt securities we offer pursuant to this prospectus may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries, including COG Acreage LP, COG Holdings LLC, COG Operating LLC, COG Production LLC, COG Realty LLC, Concho Oil & Gas LLC, Delaware River SWD LLC and Quail Ranch LLC.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered. Each time securities are offered, we will provide a prospectus supplement and attach it to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will contain more specific information about the offering and the terms of the securities being offered, including any guarantees by our subsidiaries. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities without a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering.

We may sell these securities directly or through agents, underwriters or dealers, or through a combination of these methods. See “Plan of Distribution.” The prospectus supplement will list any agents, underwriters or dealers that may be involved and the compensation they will receive. The prospectus supplement will also show you the total amount of money that we will receive from selling the securities being offered, after the expenses of the offering. You should carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, together with the documents we incorporate by reference, before you invest in any of our securities.

 

 

Investing in any of our securities involves risk. Please read carefully the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement for a discussion of the factors you should consider before deciding to purchase our securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CXO.”

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This prospectus is dated August 6, 2015.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

     1   

THE COMPANY

     1   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     2   

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     3   

RISK FACTORS

     5   

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

     5   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     6   

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     7   

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     20   

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

     25   

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

     26   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     27   

LEGAL MATTERS

     29   

EXPERTS

     29   

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate and are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus, or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of a security.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering and the offered securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement.

Additional information, including our financial statements and the notes thereto, is incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our reports filed with the SEC. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information” below. You are urged to read this prospectus carefully, including “Risk Factors,” any prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference in their entirety before investing in our securities.

Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise noted, all references in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement to “Concho,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” are to Concho Resources Inc. and its subsidiaries.

THE COMPANY

We are an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, development and exploration of producing oil and natural gas properties. Our core operations are primarily focused in the Permian Basin of Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. We refer to our three core operating areas as the (i) New Mexico Shelf, where we primarily target the Yeso formation with horizontal and vertical development, (ii) Delaware Basin, where we use horizontal drilling to target the Bone Spring formation (including the Avalon Shale and the Bone Spring sands) and the Wolfcamp shale formation, and (iii) Texas Permian in the Midland Basin, where we target the Wolfcamp and Spraberry formations with horizontal and vertical development. We intend to grow our reserves and production through development drilling and exploration activities on our multi-year project inventory and through acquisitions that meet our strategic and financial objectives.

Our principal executive offices are located at One Concho Center, 600 W. Illinois Avenue, Midland, Texas 79701, and our telephone number at that address is (432) 683-7443. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “CXO.”

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC (File No. 001-33615) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). You may read and copy any documents that are filed at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates from the public reference section of the SEC at its Washington address. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information.

Our filings are also available to the public through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to documents previously filed with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and the information that we later file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. The following documents that we filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:

 

  our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, including information specifically incorporated by reference into such Annual Report on Form 10-K from our Proxy Statement for our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed on April 21, 2015;

 

  our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015;

 

  our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2015, March 3, 2015, April 9, 2015, and June 5, 2015 (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any such Current Report on Form 8-K); and

 

  the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A filed on July 23, 2007, including any amendment to that form that we may file in the future for the purpose of updating the description of our common stock.

These reports contain important information about us, our financial condition and our results of operations.

All documents subsequently filed pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 on any Current Report on Form 8-K) before the termination of each offering under this prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus by reference and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein, or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

Concho Resources Inc.

One Concho Center

600 W. Illinois Avenue

Midland, Texas 79701

Attention: General Counsel

(432) 683-7443

We also maintain a website at www.concho.com. However, the information on our website is not part of this prospectus.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Various statements and information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus that express a belief, expectation, or intention, or that are not statements of historical fact, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements include statements, projections and estimates concerning our operations, performance, business strategy, oil and natural gas reserves, drilling program, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources, the timing and success of specific projects, outcomes and effects of litigation, claims and disputes, derivative activities and potential financing. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “potential,” “could,” “may,” “foresee,” “plan,” “goal” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and their potential effect on us. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from those implied or expressed by any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus, or if earlier, as of the date they were made. We disclaim any obligation to update or revise these statements unless required by law, and we caution you not to rely on them unduly. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties relating to, among other matters, the risks discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and our subsequent SEC filings, as well as those factors summarized below:

 

  declines in the prices we receive for our oil and natural gas;

 

  uncertainties about the estimated quantities of oil and natural gas reserves;

 

  drilling and operating risks, including risks related to properties where we do not serve as the operator;

 

  the adequacy of our capital resources and liquidity including, but not limited to, access to additional borrowing capacity under our credit facility;

 

  the effects of government regulation, permitting and other legal requirements, including new legislation or regulation of hydraulic fracturing and the export of oil and natural gas;

 

  environmental hazards, such as uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas, brine, well fluids, toxic gas or other pollution into the environment, including groundwater contamination;

 

  difficult and adverse conditions in the domestic and global capital and credit markets;

 

  risks related to the concentration of our operations in the Permian Basin of Southeast New Mexico and West Texas;

 

  disruptions to, capacity constraints in or other limitations on the pipeline systems that deliver oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas and other processing and transportation considerations;

 

  the costs and availability of equipment, resources, services and personnel required to perform our drilling and operating activities;

 

  potential financial losses or earnings reductions from our commodity price management program;

 

  risks and liabilities associated with acquired properties or businesses;

 

  uncertainties about our ability to successfully execute our business and financial plans and strategies;

 

  uncertainties about our ability to replace reserves and economically develop our current reserves;

 

  general economic and business conditions, either internationally or domestically;

 

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  competition in the oil and natural gas industry; and

 

  uncertainty concerning our assumed or possible future results of operations.

Reserve engineering is a process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact way. The accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data, the interpretation of such data and price and cost assumptions made by our reserve engineers. In addition, the results of drilling, testing and production activities may justify revisions of estimates that were made previously. If significant, such revisions would change the schedule of any further production and development drilling. Accordingly, reserve estimates may differ from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a significant degree of risk. Before you invest in our securities you should carefully consider those risk factors included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated herein by reference, and those risk factors that may be included in any applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference, in evaluating an investment in our securities. If any of the risks discussed in the foregoing documents were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. Please read “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

The following table contains our consolidated ratios of earnings to fixed charges and earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the periods indicated.

 

     Six
Months
Ended
June 30,
2015
   

 

Years Ended December 31,

 
     2014      2013      2012      2011      2010  

Ratios of earnings to fixed charges(a)

     (c     4.86         2.62         4.58         6.69         5.07   

Ratios of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends(b)

     (c     4.86         2.62         4.58         6.69         5.07   

 

(a) The ratio has been computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For purposes of computing the ratio:

 

    earnings include income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, adjusted for interest expense and the portion of rental expense deemed to be representative of the interest component of rental expense; and

 

    fixed charges consist of interest expense, capitalized interest and the portion of rental expense deemed to be representative of the interest component of rental expense.

 

(b) The ratio has been computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges and preferred stock dividends. For purposes of computing the ratio:

 

    earnings include income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, adjusted for interest expense and the portion of rental expense deemed to be representative of the interest component of rental expense; and

 

    fixed charges and preferred stock dividends consist of interest expense, capitalized interest, the portion of rental expense deemed to be representative of the interest component of rental expense and preferred stock dividends.

 

(c) Due to our loss from continuing operations before income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the ratio coverage was less than 1:1. To achieve ratio coverage of 1:1, we would have needed additional earnings of approximately $181.9 million.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as may otherwise be stated in any prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from any sales of securities by us under this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment or refinancing of borrowings, working capital, capital expenditures, investments and acquisitions. Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to repayments of outstanding indebtedness.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The debt securities will be either our senior debt securities (“Senior Debt Securities”) or our subordinated debt securities (“Subordinated Debt Securities,” and together with the Senior Debt Securities, “Debt Securities”). The Senior Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under separate indentures among us, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined below) of such Debt Securities, if any, and a trustee to be determined (the “Trustee”). Senior Debt Securities will be issued under a “Senior Indenture” and Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under a “Subordinated Indenture.” Together, the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture are called “Indentures.”

The Debt Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The particular terms of each series that are offered by a prospectus supplement will be described in the prospectus supplement.

Unless the Debt Securities are guaranteed by our subsidiaries as described below, the rights of Concho and our creditors, including holders of the Debt Securities, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the latter’s liquidation or reorganization, will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary’s creditors, except to the extent that we may ourself be a creditor with recognized claims against such subsidiary.

We have summarized selected provisions of the Indentures below. The summary is not complete. The form of each Indenture has been filed with the SEC as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you should read the Indentures for provisions that may be important to you. Capitalized terms used in the below summary but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings specified in the Indentures.

General

The Indentures provide that Debt Securities in separate series may be issued thereunder from time to time without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the Debt Securities of any series. We will determine the terms and conditions of the Debt Securities, including the maturity, principal and interest, but those terms must be consistent with the Indenture. The Debt Securities will be our unsecured obligations.

The Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Debt (as defined in the Subordinated Indenture) as described under “— Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities” and in the prospectus supplement applicable to any Subordinated Debt Securities. If the prospectus supplement so indicates, the Debt Securities will be convertible into our common stock.

If specified in the prospectus supplement respecting a particular series of Debt Securities, certain subsidiaries of Concho named herein (each a “Subsidiary Guarantor”) will fully and unconditionally guarantee (the “Subsidiary Guarantee”) that series as described under “— Subsidiary Guarantee” and in the prospectus supplement. Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be an unsecured obligation of the Subsidiary Guarantor. A Subsidiary Guarantee of Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated to the Senior Debt of the Subsidiary Guarantor on the same basis as the Subordinated Debt Securities are subordinated to our Senior Debt.

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the price or prices at which the Debt Securities to be issued will be offered for sale and will describe the following terms of such Debt Securities:

(1) the title of the Debt Securities;

(2) whether the Debt Securities are Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities and, if Subordinated Debt Securities, the related subordination terms;

(3) whether any Subsidiary Guarantor will provide a Subsidiary Guarantee of the Debt Securities;

(4) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities;

 

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(5) each date on which the principal of the Debt Securities will be payable;

(6) the interest rate that the Debt Securities will bear and the Interest Payment Dates for the Debt Securities;

(7) each place where payments on the Debt Securities will be payable;

(8) any terms upon which the Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option;

(9) any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem or otherwise repurchase the Debt Securities;

(10) the portion of the principal amount, if less than all, of the Debt Securities that will be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity of the Debt Securities;

(11) whether the Debt Securities are defeasible;

(12) any addition to or change in the Events of Default (as defined below);

(13) whether the Debt Securities are convertible into our common stock and, if so, the terms and conditions upon which conversion will be effected, including the initial conversion price or conversion rate and any adjustments thereto and the conversion period;

(14) any addition to or change in the covenants in the Indenture applicable to the Debt Securities; and

(15) any other terms of the Debt Securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the Indenture.

Debt Securities, including any Debt Securities that provide for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof (“Original Issue Discount Securities”), may be sold at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to Debt Securities sold at an original issue discount may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, special United States federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any Debt Securities that are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than United States dollars may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities

The indebtedness evidenced by the Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the Subordinated Indenture with respect to each series of Subordinated Debt Securities, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all of our Senior Debt, including the Senior Debt Securities, and it may also be senior in right of payment to all of our Subordinated Debt. The prospectus supplement relating to any Subordinated Debt Securities will summarize the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture applicable to that series including:

 

  the applicability and effect of such provisions upon any payment or distribution respecting that series following any liquidation, dissolution or other winding-up, or any assignment for the benefit of creditors or other marshalling of assets or any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings;

 

  the applicability and effect of such provisions in the event of specified defaults with respect to any Senior Debt, including the circumstances under which and the periods during which we will be prohibited from making payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities; and

 

  the definition of Senior Debt applicable to the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series and, if the series is issued on a senior subordinated basis, the definition of Subordinated Debt applicable to that series.

 

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The prospectus supplement will also describe as of a recent date the approximate amount of Senior Debt to which the Subordinated Debt Securities of that series will be subordinated.

The failure to make any payment on any of the Subordinated Debt Securities by reason of the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture described in the prospectus supplement will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities arising from any such failure to make payment.

The subordination provisions described above will not be applicable to payments in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities from a defeasance trust established in connection with any legal defeasance or covenant defeasance of the Subordinated Debt Securities as described under “— Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance.”

Subsidiary Guarantee

If specified in the prospectus supplement, one or more of the Subsidiary Guarantors will guarantee the Debt Securities of a series. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the following provisions will apply to the Subsidiary Guarantee of the Subsidiary Guarantor.

Subject to the limitations described below and in the prospectus supplement, one or more of the Subsidiary Guarantors will jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee the punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all our payment obligations under the Indentures and the Debt Securities of a series, whether for principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities or otherwise. The Subsidiary Guarantors will also pay all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the applicable Trustee in enforcing any rights under a Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor.

In the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, a Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee will be subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Debt of such Subsidiary Guarantor on the same basis as the Subordinated Debt Securities are subordinated to our Senior Debt. No payment will be made by any Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee during any period in which payments by us on the Subordinated Debt Securities are suspended by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture.

Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited in amount to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering such Subsidiary Guarantee voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be a continuing guarantee and will:

(1) remain in full force and effect until either (a) payment in full of all the applicable Debt Securities (or such Debt Securities are otherwise satisfied and discharged in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture) or (b) released as described in the following paragraph;

(2) be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor; and

(3) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the applicable Trustee, the Holders and their successors, transferees and assigns.

In the event that (a) a Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary, (b) either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance occurs with respect to the series or (c) all or substantially all of the assets or all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor is sold, including by way of sale, merger, consolidation or otherwise, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be released and discharged of its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee without any further action required on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, and no other person acquiring or

 

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owning the assets or Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor will be required to enter into a Subsidiary Guarantee. In addition, the prospectus supplement may specify additional circumstances under which a Subsidiary Guarantor can be released from its Subsidiary Guarantee.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

The Debt Securities of each series will be issuable only in fully registered form, without coupons, and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.

At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture and the limitations applicable to securities in global form (“Global Securities”), Debt Securities of each series will be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series of any authorized denomination and of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount.

Subject to the terms of the applicable Indenture and the limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided above or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Security Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for such purpose. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Debt Securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in that connection. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. The Security Registrar and any other transfer agent initially designated by us for any Debt Securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of each series.

If the Debt Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are to be redeemed in part, we will not be required to (1) issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Debt Security that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (2) register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any such Debt Security being redeemed in part.

Global Securities

Some or all of the Debt Securities of any series may be represented, in whole or in part, by one or more Global Securities that will have an aggregate principal amount equal to that of the Debt Securities they represent. Each Global Security will be registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee identified in the applicable prospectus supplement, will be deposited with such Depositary or nominee or its custodian and will bear a legend regarding the restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof referred to below and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the applicable Indenture.

Notwithstanding any provision of the Indentures or any Debt Security described in this prospectus, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary unless:

(1) the Depositary has notified us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or has ceased to be qualified to act as such as required by the applicable Indenture, and in either case we fail to appoint a successor Depositary within 90 days;

 

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(2) an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities represented by such Global Security has occurred and is continuing and the Trustee has received a written request from the Depositary to issue certificated Debt Securities;

(3) subject to the rules of the Depositary, we shall have elected to terminate the book-entry system through the Depositary; or

(4) other circumstances exist, in addition to or in lieu of those described above, as may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

All certificated Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the Depositary may direct.

As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered holder of a Global Security, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Security and the Debt Securities that it represents for all purposes under the Debt Securities and the applicable Indenture. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have such Global Security or any Debt Securities that it represents registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Debt Securities in exchange for those interests and will not be considered to be the owners or Holders of such Global Security or any Debt Securities that it represents for any purpose under the Debt Securities or the applicable Indenture. All payments on a Global Security will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the Holder of the security. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of Debt Securities take physical delivery of such Debt Securities in certificated form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee (“participants”) and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through participants. In connection with the issuance of any Global Security, the Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of Debt Securities represented by the Global Security to the accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be shown only on, and the transfer of those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary (with respect to participants’ interests) or any such participant (with respect to interests of Persons held by such participants on their behalf). Payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to beneficial interests in a Global Security may be subject to various policies and procedures adopted by the Depositary from time to time. None of us, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustees or the agents of us, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustees will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the Depositary’s or any participant’s records relating to, or for payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Security, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.

Payment and Paying Agents

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, payment of interest on a Debt Security on any Interest Payment Date will be made to the Person in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of a particular series will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying Agents as we may designate for such purpose from time to time, except that at our option payment of any interest on Debt Securities in certificated form may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears in the Security Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the corporate trust office of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture in The City of New York will be designated as sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to Senior Debt Securities of each series, and the

 

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corporate trust office of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture in The City of New York will be designated as the sole Paying Agent for payment with respect to Subordinated Debt Securities of each series. Any other Paying Agents initially designated by us for the Debt Securities of a particular series will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. We may at any time designate additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of a particular series.

All money paid by us to a Paying Agent for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the Holder of such Debt Security thereafter may look only to us for payment.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, we may not consolidate with or merge into, or transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to, any Person (a “Successor Person”), and may not permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into us, unless:

(1) the Successor Person (if not us) is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of any domestic jurisdiction and assumes our obligations on the Debt Securities and under the Indentures;

(2) immediately before and after giving pro forma effect to the transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, has occurred and is continuing; and

(3) several other conditions, including any additional conditions with respect to any particular Debt Securities specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, are met.

The Successor Person (if not us) will be substituted for us under the applicable Indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to such Indenture, and, except in the case of a lease, we will be relieved from any further obligations under such Indenture and the Debt Securities.

Events of Default

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement, each of the following will constitute an “Event of Default” under the applicable Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any series:

(1) failure to pay principal of or any premium on any Debt Security of that series when due, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;

(2) failure to pay any interest on any Debt Securities of that series when due, continued for 30 days, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;

(3) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Debt Security of that series, whether or not, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, such deposit is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture;

(4) failure to perform or comply with the provisions described under “— Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

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(5) failure to perform any of our other covenants in such Indenture (other than a covenant included in such Indenture solely for the benefit of a series other than that series), continued for 60 days after written notice has been given by the applicable Trustee, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series, as provided in such Indenture;

(6) any Debt of ourself, any Significant Subsidiary or, if a Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed the series, such Subsidiary Guarantor, is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or is accelerated by its holders because of a default and the total amount of such Debt unpaid or accelerated exceeds $20.0 million;

(7) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $20.0 million is entered against us, any Significant Subsidiary or, if a Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed the series, such Subsidiary Guarantor, remains outstanding for a period of 60 consecutive days following entry of such judgment and is not discharged, waived or stayed;

(8) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization affecting us, any Significant Subsidiary or, if a Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed the series, such Subsidiary Guarantor; and

(9) if any Subsidiary Guarantor has guaranteed such series, the Subsidiary Guarantee of any such Subsidiary Guarantor is held by a final non-appealable order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture) or any Subsidiary Guarantor or any Person acting on behalf of any Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee (other than by reason of a release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from its Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture).

If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default with respect to Concho Resources Inc. described in clause (8) above) with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, either the applicable Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series by notice as provided in the Indenture may declare the principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any Debt Security that is an Original Issue Discount Security, such portion of the principal amount of such Debt Security as may be specified in the terms of such Debt Security) to be due and payable immediately, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. If an Event of Default with respect to Concho Resources Inc. described in clause (8) above with respect to the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any such Original Issue Discount Security, such specified amount) will automatically, and without any action by the applicable Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable, together with any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. After any such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration and its consequences if all Events of Default with respect to that series, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal (or other specified amount), have been cured or waived as provided in the applicable Indenture. For information as to waiver of defaults, see “— Modification and Waiver” below.

Subject to the provisions of the Indentures relating to the duties of the Trustees in case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Trustee will be under any obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the applicable Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders have offered to such Trustee reasonable security or indemnity. Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustees, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.

 

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No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the applicable Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given to the Trustee under the applicable Indenture written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of that series;

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series have made written request, and such Holder or Holders have offered reasonable security or indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee; and

(3) the Trustee has failed to institute such proceeding and has not received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series a direction inconsistent with such request within 60 days after such notice, request and offer.

However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a Holder of a Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on such Debt Security on or after the applicable due date specified in such Debt Security or, if applicable, to convert such Debt Security.

We will be required to furnish to each Trustee annually a statement by certain of our officers as to whether or not we, to their knowledge, are in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the applicable Indenture and, if so, specifying all such known defaults.

Modification and Waiver

We may modify or amend an Indenture without the consent of any Holders of the Debt Securities in certain circumstances, including:

(1) to evidence the succession under the Indenture of another Person to us or any Subsidiary Guarantor and to provide for its assumption of our or such Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of Debt Securities;

(2) to make any changes that would add any additional covenants of us or the Subsidiary Guarantors for the benefit of the Holders of Debt Securities or that do not adversely affect the rights under the Indenture of the Holders of Debt Securities in any material respect;

(3) to add any additional Events of Default;

(4) to provide for uncertificated Debt Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Debt Securities;

(5) to secure the Debt Securities;

(6) to establish the form or terms of any series of Debt Securities;

(7) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under the Indenture of a successor Trustee;

(8) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(9) to add Subsidiary Guarantors; or

(10) in the case of any Subordinated Debt Security, to make any change in the subordination provisions that limits or terminates the benefits applicable to any holder of Senior Debt.

Other modifications and amendments of an Indenture may be made by us, the Subsidiary Guarantors, if applicable, and the applicable Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal

 

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amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security affected thereby:

(1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Debt Security;

(2) reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt Security;

(3) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Debt Security payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof;

(4) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt Security;

(5) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment due on or any conversion right with respect to any Debt Security;

(6) modify the subordination provisions in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, or modify any conversion provisions, in either case in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities;

(7) except as provided in the applicable Indenture, release the Subsidiary Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor;

(8) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or amendment of the Indenture;

(9) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the Indenture or for waiver of certain defaults;

(10) modify such provisions with respect to modification, amendment or waiver; or

(11) following the making of an offer to purchase Debt Securities from any Holder that has been made pursuant to a covenant in such Indenture, modify such covenant in a manner adverse to such Holder.

The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive compliance by us with certain restrictive provisions of the applicable Indenture. The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series may waive any past default under the applicable Indenture, except a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest and certain covenants and provisions of the Indenture which cannot be amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of such series.

Each of the Indentures provides that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities have given or taken any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under such Indenture as of any date:

(1) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the amount of the principal that would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of maturity to such date;

(2) if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a Debt Security is not determinable (for example, because it is based on an index), the principal amount of such Debt Security deemed to be Outstanding as of such date will be an amount determined in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security;

 

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(3) the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the United States-dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security, of the principal amount of such Debt Security (or, in the case of a Debt Security described in clause (1) or (2) above, of the amount described in such clause); and

(4) certain Debt Securities, including those owned by us, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any of our other Affiliates, will not be deemed to be Outstanding.

Except in certain limited circumstances, we will be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities of any series entitled to give or take any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the applicable Indenture, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture. In certain limited circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by Holders of a particular series, only persons who are Holders of Outstanding Debt Securities of that series on the record date may take such action. To be effective, such action must be taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of such Debt Securities within a specified period following the record date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such other period as may be specified by us (or the Trustee, if it set the record date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180 days) from time to time.

Satisfaction and Discharge

Each Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding Debt Securities of any series issued thereunder, when:

(1) either:

(a) all outstanding Debt Securities of that series that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed Debt Securities that have been replaced or paid and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all outstanding Debt Securities of that series that have been not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee and in any case we have irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as trust funds money in an amount sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay the entire indebtedness of such Debt Securities not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the Stated Maturity or redemption date;

(2) we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by us under the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series; and

(3) we have delivered an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of that series have been satisfied.

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

To the extent indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may elect, at our option at any time, to have our obligations discharged under provisions relating to defeasance and discharge of indebtedness, which we call “legal defeasance,” or relating to defeasance of certain restrictive covenants applied to the Debt Securities of any series, or to any specified part of a series, which we call “covenant defeasance.”

Legal Defeasance. The Indentures provide that, upon our exercise of our option (if any) to have the legal defeasance provisions applied to any series of Debt Securities, we and, if applicable, each Subsidiary Guarantor will be discharged from all our obligations, and, if such Debt Securities are Subordinated Debt Securities, the

 

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provisions of the Subordinated Indenture relating to subordination will cease to be effective, with respect to such Debt Securities (except for certain obligations to convert, exchange or register the transfer of Debt Securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities, to maintain paying agencies and to hold moneys for payment in trust) upon the deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities of money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants) to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other things:

(1) we have delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in tax law, in either case to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and legal defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and legal defeasance were not to occur;

(2) no Event of Default or event that with the passing of time or the giving of notice, or both, shall constitute an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or, with respect to any Event of Default described in clause (8) under “— Events of Default,” at any time until 121 days after such deposit;

(3) such deposit and legal defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument (other than the applicable Indenture) to which we are a party or by which we are bound;

(4) in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities, at the time of such deposit, no default in the payment of all or a portion of principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Debt shall have occurred and be continuing, no event of default shall have resulted in the acceleration of any Senior Debt and no other event of default with respect to any Senior Debt shall have occurred and be continuing permitting after notice or the lapse of time, or both, the acceleration thereof; and

(5) we have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such deposit shall not cause the Trustee or the trust so created to be subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Covenant Defeasance. The Indentures provide that, upon our exercise of our option (if any) to have the covenant defeasance provisions applied to any Debt Securities, we may fail to comply with certain restrictive covenants (but not with respect to conversion, if applicable), including those that may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described above in clause (5) (with respect to such restrictive covenants) and clauses (6), (7) and (9) under “— Events of Default” and any that may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, will not be deemed to either be or result in an Event of Default and, if such Debt Securities are Subordinated Debt Securities, the provisions of the Subordinated Indenture relating to subordination will cease to be effective, in each case with respect to such Debt Securities. In order to exercise such option, we must deposit, in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities, money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient (in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants) to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture and such Debt Securities. Such covenant defeasance may occur only if we have delivered to the applicable Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance were not to occur, and the requirements set forth in clauses (2),

 

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(3), (4) and (5) above are satisfied. If we exercise this option with respect to any series of Debt Securities and such Debt Securities were declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations so deposited in trust would be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities at the time of their respective Stated Maturities but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt Securities upon any acceleration resulting from such Event of Default. In such case, we would remain liable for such payments.

If we exercise either our legal defeasance or covenant defeasance option, any Subsidiary Guarantee will terminate.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member, partner or trustee of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Debt Securities, the Indentures or any Subsidiary Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Debt Security, each Holder shall be deemed to have waived and released all such liability. The waiver and release shall be a part of the consideration for the issue of the Debt Securities. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Notices

Notices to Holders of Debt Securities will be given by mail to the addresses of such Holders as they may appear in the Security Register.

Title

We, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustees and any agent of us, the Subsidiary Guarantors or a Trustee may treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of the Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security may be overdue) for the purpose of making payment and for all other purposes.

Governing Law

The Indentures and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.

The Trustee

We will enter into the Indentures with a Trustee that is qualified to act under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), and with any other Trustees chosen by us and appointed in a supplemental indenture for a particular series of Debt Securities. We may maintain a banking relationship in the ordinary course of business with our Trustee and one or more of its affiliates.

Resignation or Removal of Trustee. If the Trustee has or acquires a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee must either eliminate its conflicting interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and the applicable Indenture. Any resignation will require the appointment of a successor Trustee under the applicable Indenture in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Indenture.

The Trustee may resign or be removed by us with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities and a successor Trustee may be appointed to act with respect to any such series. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.

 

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Limitations on Trustee if It Is Our Creditor. Each Indenture will contain certain limitations on the right of the Trustee, in the event that it becomes our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise.

Certificates and Opinions to Be Furnished to Trustee. Each Indenture will provide that, in addition to other certificates or opinions that may be specifically required by other provisions of an Indenture, every application by us for action by the Trustee must be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent to such action have been complied with by us.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following summary of our capital stock, Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”) does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of applicable law and to our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.

Our authorized capital stock consists of 300,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share.

Common Stock

As of August 3, 2015, we had 120,301,994 shares of common stock outstanding, including 1,259,098 shares of restricted stock. The shares of restricted stock have voting rights, rights to receive dividends and are subject to certain forfeiture restrictions.

Our common stock commenced trading on the NYSE under the symbol “CXO” on August 3, 2007 in connection with our initial public offering. As of August 3, 2015, there were approximately 1,133 holders of record of our common stock.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders and do not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all of the directors standing for election.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends if and when such dividends are declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferential dividend rights of preferred stock that may be outstanding at the time such dividends are declared. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably our net assets available after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

We have not paid, and do not intend to pay in the foreseeable future, cash dividends on our common stock. Covenants contained in our credit facility and the indentures governing our senior notes limit the payment of dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain all future earnings to fund the development and growth of our business. Any payment of future dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, statutory and contractual restrictions applying to the payment of dividends and other considerations that our board of directors deems relevant.

There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Preferred Stock

Under the terms of our Certificate of Incorporation, our board of directors is authorized to designate and issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without further vote or action by our stockholders. Our board of directors has the discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of

 

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preferred stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of the common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of the preferred stock. However, these effects might include:

 

  restricting dividends on the common stock;

 

  diluting the voting power of the common stock;

 

  impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock; and

 

  delaying or preventing a change in control of our company.

We currently have no shares of preferred stock outstanding, and we have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain several provisions that could delay or make more difficult the acquisition of us through a hostile tender offer, open market purchases, proxy contest, merger or other takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in his or her best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of our common stock.

Written Consent of Stockholders

Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders must be taken at a duly called meeting of stockholders and not by written consent.

Special Meetings of Stockholders

Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, our Bylaws provide that special meetings of the stockholders may only be called by the chairman of the board of directors or by the resolution of our board of directors approved by a majority of the total number of authorized directors. No business other than that stated in a notice may be transacted at any special meeting.

Advance Notice Procedure for Director Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

Our Bylaws provide that adequate notice must be given to nominate candidates for election as directors or to make proposals for consideration at annual meetings of our stockholders. For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have delivered a written notice to the Secretary of our company at our principal executive offices not less than 90 calendar days nor more than 120 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the date on which we first mailed our proxy materials for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 calendar days before or more than 30 calendar days after the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th calendar day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th calendar day following the calendar day on which public announcement, if any, of the date of such meeting is first made by us.

Nominations of persons for election to our board of directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected pursuant to our notice of meeting (i) by or at the direction of our board of directors, or (ii) by any stockholder of our company who is a stockholder of record at the time of the giving of notice of the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in our Bylaws. In the event we call a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to our board of directors, any stockholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) if the stockholder provides written notice to the Secretary of our

 

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company at our principal executive offices not earlier than the close of business on the 90th calendar day prior to such special meeting, nor later than the close of business on the later of the 70th calendar day prior to such special meeting or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement, if any, is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by our board of directors to be elected at such meeting.

These procedures may operate to limit the ability of stockholders to bring business before a stockholders meeting, including the nomination of directors and the consideration of any transaction that could result in a change in control and that may result in a premium to our stockholders.

Classified Board

Our Certificate of Incorporation divides our directors into three classes serving staggered three-year terms. As a result, stockholders will elect approximately one-third of the board of directors each year. This provision, when coupled with provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation authorizing only the board of directors to fill vacant or newly created directorships or increase the size of the board of directors and provisions providing that directors may only be removed for cause and then only by the holders of not less than 66 23% of the voting power of all outstanding voting stock, may deter a stockholder from gaining control of our board of directors by removing incumbent directors or increasing the number of directorships and simultaneously filling the vacancies or newly created directorships with its own nominees.

Authorized Capital Stock

Our Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions that the authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance, subject to various limitations imposed by the NYSE. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including public offerings to raise capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could make it more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Amendment of Bylaws

Under Delaware law, the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws is conferred upon the stockholders. A corporation may, however, in its certificate of incorporation also confer upon the board of directors the power to adopt, amend or repeal its bylaws. Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws grant our board of directors the power to adopt, amend and repeal our Bylaws on the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. Our stockholders may adopt, amend or repeal our Bylaws but only at any regular or special meeting of stockholders by the holders of not less than 66 23% of the voting power of all outstanding voting stock.

Certain Oil and Natural Gas Opportunities

Certain of our stockholders who received shares of common stock in connection with our formation and our non-employee directors may from time to time have investments in other exploration and production companies that may compete with us. Our Certificate of Incorporation and our Business Opportunities Agreement provide a safe harbor under which these entities and directors may participate in the oil and gas exploration, exploitation, development and production business without breaching their fiduciary duties as controlling stockholders or directors. No participation is allowed with respect to:

 

  any business opportunity that is brought to the attention of a covered individual or entity solely in such person’s capacity as a director or officer of our company and with respect to which, at the time of such presentment, no other covered individual or entity has independently received notice or otherwise identified such opportunity; or

 

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  any business opportunity that is identified by a covered individual or entity solely through the disclosure of information by or on behalf of us.

The covered individuals and entities have no obligation to offer such opportunities to us, but interested directors are required to disclose conflicts of interest. We are not prohibited from pursuing any business opportunity with respect to which we have renounced any interest.

Limitation of Liability of Directors

Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that no director shall be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability as follows:

 

  for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

 

  for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of laws;

 

  for unlawful payment of a dividend or unlawful stock purchase or stock redemption; and

 

  for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

The effect of these provisions is to eliminate our rights and our stockholders’ rights, through stockholders’ derivative suits on our behalf, to recover monetary damages against a director for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior, except in the situations described above.

Delaware Takeover Statute

We are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), which prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years after the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, with the following exceptions:

 

  before such date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

  upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction began, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned (1) by persons who are directors and also officers and (2) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

  on or after such date, the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least 66 23% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

In general, Section 203 of the DGCL defines a business combination to include the following:

 

  any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;

 

  any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation involving the interested stockholder;

 

  subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;

 

  any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock or any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or

 

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  the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loss, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits by or through the corporation.

In general, Section 203 of the DGCL defines an “interested stockholder” as an entity or person who, together with the person’s affiliates and associates, beneficially owns, or within three years prior to the time of determination of interested stockholder status did own, 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

We may offer depositary shares (either separately or together with other securities) representing fractional interests in our preferred stock of any series. In connection with the issuance of any depositary shares, we will enter into a depositary agreement with a bank or trust company, as depositary, which will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. Depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the related depositary agreement. If we elect to offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock to the public, we will deposit the preferred stock with the relevant preferred stock depositary and will cause the preferred stock depositary to issue, on our behalf, the related depositary receipts. Subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, each owner of a depositary receipt will be entitled, in proportion to the fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by the related depositary share, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of, and will be subject to all of the limitations and restrictions on, the preferred stock represented by the depositary receipt (including, if applicable, dividend, voting, conversion, exchange redemption and liquidation rights).

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with Debt Securities, preferred stock or common stock offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of warrants. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants. The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all provisions of the warrant agreements.

You should refer to the prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of warrants for the terms of and information relating to the warrants, including, where applicable:

 

  (1) the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and the price at which such number of shares of common stock may be purchased upon exercise of the warrants;

 

  (2) the date on which the right to exercise the warrants commences and the date on which such right expires (the “Expiration Date”);

 

  (3) United States federal income tax consequences applicable to the warrants;

 

  (4) the amount of the warrants outstanding as of the most recent practicable date; and

 

  (5) any other terms of the warrants.

Warrants will be offered and exercisable for United States dollars only. Warrants will be issued in registered form only. Each warrant will entitle its holder to purchase such number of shares of common stock at such exercise price as is in each case set forth in, or calculable from, the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants. The exercise price may be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of events described in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the Expiration Date (or such later date to which we may extend such Expiration Date), unexercised warrants will become void. The place or places where, and the manner in which, warrants may be exercised will be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants.

Prior to the exercise of any warrants, holders of the warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of common stock, including the right to receive payments of any dividends on the common stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, or to exercise any applicable right to vote.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the offered securities in and outside the United States (1) through underwriters or dealers, (2) directly to purchasers, including our affiliates and stockholders, (3) through agents or (4) through a combination of any of these methods. The prospectus supplement will include the following information:

 

  the terms of the offering;

 

  the names of any underwriters or agents;

 

  the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;

 

  the purchase price of the securities;

 

  the estimated net proceeds to us from the sale of the securities;

 

  any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

  any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

  any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

  any commissions paid to agents.

Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers

If underwriters are used in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account for resale to the public, either on a firm commitment basis or a best efforts basis. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions. The underwriters may change from time to time any offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.

If dealers are used, we will sell the securities to them as principals. The dealers may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents

We may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents designated from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

 

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We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.

Remarketing Arrangements

Offered securities may also be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, in connection with the securities remarketed.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

General Information

We may have agreements with the agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers, underwriters or remarketing firms may be required to make. Agents, dealers, underwriters and remarketing firms may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement each series of securities will be a new issue and will have no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is listed on the NYSE. We may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters in connection with the securities will be passed upon by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas, as our counsel. Any underwriter or agent will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by its own legal counsel.

EXPERTS

The audited consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the reports of Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Certain estimates of our net oil and natural gas reserves and related information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been derived from reports prepared by Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc. and Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. All such information has been so included or incorporated by reference on the authority of such firms as experts regarding the matters contained in their reports.

 

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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:

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $             *   

Legal fees and expenses

   $ **   

Accounting fees and expenses

   $ **   

Printing and engraving expenses

   $ **   

Rating agency fees

   $ **   

Miscellaneous

   $ **   

TOTAL

   $ **   

 

* The registrants are deferring payment of the registration fee in reliance on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r).
** These fees are calculated based on the number of issuances and amount of securities offered and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

ITEM 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

The general effect of the following provisions is to provide indemnification to officers, directors and control persons for liabilities that may arise by reason of their status as officers, directors or control persons, other than liabilities arising from willful or intentional misconduct, acts or omissions not in good faith, unlawful distributions of corporate assets or transactions from which the officer or manager derived an improper personal benefit.

Delaware Registrants

Concho Resources Inc.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. Section 145 further provides that a corporation similarly may indemnify any such person serving in any such capacity who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all of the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

 

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Delaware law provides that directors of a corporation will not be personally liable to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as directors, except for liability:

 

  for any breach of their duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;

 

  for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

  under Section 174 of the DGCL relating to unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or

 

  for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that we shall indemnify our officers and directors to the extent provided in our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws (our “Bylaws”). In turn, our Bylaws provide that we will indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by the DGCL, any of our officers or directors (including those persons serving as an officer or director of another entity at our request) who is party to a suit or other proceeding by reason of his or her position as an officer or director against all reasonably incurred expense, liability or loss. We may only indemnify an officer or director who brought the suit or proceeding if our board of directors had previously authorized such suit or proceeding. The rights to indemnification provided by our Bylaws include the right to advancement of expenses to the full extent permitted by the DGCL. In addition, our Bylaws allow us to indemnify our non-officer employees and agents to the extent (i) permitted by the DGCL and (ii) authorized by our Chief Executive Officer and at least one other authorized officer.

We have also entered into indemnification agreements with all of our directors and executive officers. These indemnification agreements are intended to permit indemnification to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by the DGCL. It is possible that the applicable law could change the degree to which indemnification is expressly permitted.

The indemnification agreements cover expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement incurred as a result of the fact that such person, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, is made or threatened to be made a party to any suit or proceeding. The indemnification agreements generally cover claims relating to the fact that the indemnified party is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of us or any of our affiliates, or is or was serving at our request in such a position for another entity. The indemnification agreements also obligate us to promptly advance all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with any claim. The indemnitee is, in turn, obligated to reimburse us for all amounts so advanced if it is later determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification. The indemnification provided under the indemnification agreements is not exclusive of any other indemnity rights; however, double payment to the indemnitee is prohibited.

We are not obligated to indemnify the indemnitee with respect to claims brought by the indemnitee against:

 

  us, except for:

 

    claims regarding the indemnitee’s rights under the indemnification agreement;

 

    claims to enforce a right to indemnification under any statute or law; and

 

    counter-claims against us in a proceeding brought by us against the indemnitee; or

 

  any other person, except for claims approved by our board of directors.

We have obtained director and officer liability insurance for the benefit of each of the indemnitees. These policies include coverage for losses for wrongful acts and omissions and to ensure our performance under the indemnification agreements. Each of the indemnitees are insured under such policies and provided with the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most favorably insured of our directors and officers.

 

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Delaware Limited Liability Companies

COG Operating LLC (the “Delaware LLC Registrant”) is organized in the State of Delaware. Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that, subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement, a Delaware limited liability company may, and has the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever.

The limited liability company agreement of the Delaware LLC Registrant provides that the Delaware LLC Registrant will indemnify and hold harmless us and our affiliates and respective stockholders, members, managers, directors, officers, employees and agents against any loss, expense or damage arising out of activities on behalf of the Delaware LLC Registrant or in furtherance of the interests of the Delaware LLC Registrant; provided, that the acts or omissions upon which such proceeding or claim is based were not a result of fraud or willful misconduct by the indemnified person. The rights to indemnification provided by the limited liability company agreement of the Delaware LLC Registrant include the right to advancement of expenses; provided, that the indemnified person shall reimburse such advances if it is later determined such indemnified person was not entitled to indemnification with respect to such action or proceeding.

Texas Registrants

Pursuant to Section 1.106 of the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “TBOC”), the indemnification provisions set forth in the TBOC are applicable to most entities established in the State of Texas, including corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships. Under Section 8.002 of the TBOC, unless a Texas limited liability company adopts the general indemnification provisions of the TBOC, described below, those provisions are not applicable to a Texas limited liability company.

Pursuant to Section 8.051 of the TBOC, an enterprise must indemnify a governing person, former governing person or delegate against reasonable expenses actually incurred by the person in connection with a proceeding in which the person was a respondent because the person is or was a governing person if the person is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of the proceeding. Pursuant to Sections 8.101 and 8.102 of the TBOC, any governing person, former governing person or delegate of a Texas enterprise may be indemnified against judgments and reasonable expenses actually incurred by the person in connection with a proceeding, in which such person was a respondent if it is determined, in accordance with Section 8.103 of the TBOC, that: (i) the person acted in good faith, (ii) the person reasonably believed (a) in the case of conduct in the person’s official capacity, that the person’s conduct was in the enterprise’s best interests or (b) in any other case, that the person’s conduct was not opposed to the enterprise’s best interests, (iii) in the case of a criminal proceeding, such person did not have a reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful and (iv) the indemnification should be paid. Indemnification of a person who is found to be liable to the enterprise is limited to reasonable expenses actually incurred by the person in connection with the proceeding and does not include judgments, penalties or fines, except for certain circumstances where indemnification cannot be given at all. Pursuant to Section 8.105 of the TBOC, an enterprise may indemnify an officer, employee or agent to the same extent that indemnification is required under the TBOC for a governing person or as provided in the enterprise’s governing documents, general or specific action of the enterprise’s governing authority, contract or by other means.

Texas Limited Liability Companies

Pursuant to Section 101.402 of the TBOC, a Texas limited liability company may indemnify a member, manager or officer of a limited liability company, pay in advance or reimburse expenses incurred by a member, manager or officer and establish and maintain insurance or another arrangement to indemnify or hold harmless a member, manager or officer.

COG Holdings LLC, COG Production LLC, COG Realty LLC, Concho Oil & Gas LLC, Delaware River SWD LLC and Quail Ranch LLC are organized as limited liability companies in the State of Texas (the “Texas

 

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LLC Registrants”). The limited liability company agreement of COG Realty LLC provides that COG Realty LLC will indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by the TBOC, each of its managers who is party to a suit or other proceeding by reason of his or her position as a manager. The limited liability company agreements of each of the other Texas LLC Registrants provide that such Texas LLC Registrant will indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by the TBOC, any of their (i) officers and (ii) except in the case of Quail Ranch LLC, members and each of their respective affiliates, stockholders, partners, members, directors, managers, officers, liquidators and employees who is party to a suit or other proceeding by reason of his or her position as an officer, director, member or other indemnified person of the Texas LLC Registrant against all reasonably incurred expense, liability or loss.

The rights to indemnification provided by the limited liability company agreements of each of the Texas LLC Registrants include the right to advancement of expenses to the full extent permitted by the TBOC. In addition, the limited liability company agreements of each of the Texas LLC Registrants allow each Texas LLC Registrant to indemnify its non-officer employees and agents, and its officers in the case of COG Realty LLC, to the extent (i) permitted by the TBOC and (ii) approved by adoption of a resolution of the member or members of such Texas LLC Registrant.

Texas Limited Partnerships

COG Acreage LP is organized as a limited partnership in the State of Texas (the “Texas LP Registrant”). The limited partnership agreement of the Texas LP Registrant provides that the Texas LP Registrant will indemnify and hold harmless, to the full extent permitted by the TBOC, each current and former (i) general partner or limited partner of the Texas LP Registrant and each of their respective affiliates, stockholders, partners, members, directors, managers, officers, liquidators and employees and (ii) officer of the Texas LP Registrant who is party to a suit or other proceeding by reason of his or her position as an officer, partner or other indemnified person of the Texas LP Registrant against all reasonably incurred expense, liability or loss.

The rights to indemnification provided by the limited partnership agreement of the Texas LP Registrant include the right to advancement of expenses to the full extent permitted by the TBOC. In addition, the limited partnership agreement of the Texas LP Registrant allows the Texas LP Registrant to indemnify its non-officer employees and agents to the extent (i) permitted by the TBOC and (ii) approved by adoption of a resolution of general partner of the Texas LP Registrant.

 

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ITEM 16. Exhibits

 

  (a) Exhibits.

The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Registration Statement:

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Title

1.1**    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on August 8, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Concho Resources Inc., as amended November 7, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on November 8, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.1    Specimen Stock Certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K on February 22, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.2    Indenture, dated September 18, 2009, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on September 22, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.3    First Supplemental Indenture, dated September 18, 2009, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on September 22, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.4    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated November 3, 2010, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Post-Effective Amendment to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 on December 7, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.5    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated December 14, 2010, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on December 14, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.6    Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 23, 2011, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on May 23, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.7    Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated December 12, 2011, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K on February 24, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.8    Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated March 12, 2012, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on March 12, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.9    Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated August 17, 2012, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on August 17, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Title

  4.10   Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated June 3, 2013, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on June 6, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.11   Form of 7.0% Senior Notes due 2021 (included in Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on December 14, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.12   Form of 6.5% Senior Notes due 2022 (included in Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on May 23, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.13   Form of 5.5% Senior Notes due 2022 (included in Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on March 12, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.14   Form of 5.5% Senior Notes due 2023 (included in Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on August 17, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.15   Form of Subordinated Indenture (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 on September 9, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.16**   Form of Senior Debt Securities (including Form of Guarantee).
  4.17**   Form of Subordinated Debt Securities (including Form of Guarantee).
  4.18**   Form of Preferred Stock Designation.
  4.19**   Form of Warrant Agreement.
  4.20**   Form of Depositary Agreement.
  4.21**   Form of Unit Agreement (including Form of Unit).
  4.22   Registration Rights Agreement dated February 27, 2006, among Concho Resources Inc. and the other signatories thereto (filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 on April 24, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference).
  5.1*   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered.
12.1*   Statement of Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
23.1*   Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.
23.2*   Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
23.3*   Consent of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
23.4*   Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
24.1*   Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement).
25.1*   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 respecting the Senior Indenture.
25.2***   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 respecting the Subordinated Indenture.

 

* Filed herewith.
** To be filed as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or in a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement.
*** To be filed in accordance with Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

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ITEM 17. Undertakings

Each 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:

a. To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”);

b. 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 Securities and Exchange Commission (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;

c. To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) of this section 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 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

2. That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

3. To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

4. That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:

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 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.

 

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5. That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act 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:

a. Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

b. 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;

c. The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

d. Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

6. That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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.

7. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the 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 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

8. To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee under the Subordinated Indenture to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

 

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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 Midland, State of Texas, on August 6, 2015.

 

CONCHO RESOURCES INC.
By:  

/s/ TIMOTHY A. LEACH

Name:    Timothy A. Leach
Title:  

Director, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief

Executive Officer and President

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Timothy A. Leach, Darin G. Holderness, C. William Giraud and Travis L. Counts, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act with or without the others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, any or all amendments (including pre-effective and post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any registration statement for the same offering filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform in the name of on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, each and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done in and about the premises, to all intents and purposes and as fully as they might or could do in person, hereby ratifying, approving and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name

 

Title

 

Date

/s/ Timothy A. Leach

Timothy A. Leach

 

Director, Chairman of the Board of

Directors, Chief Executive Officer and

President

(Principal Executive Officer)

  August 6, 2015

/s/ Darin G. Holderness

Darin G. Holderness

 

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial

Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer)

  August 6, 2015

/s/ Brenda R. Schroer

Brenda R. Schroer

 

Vice President and Chief Accounting

Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  August 6, 2015

/s/ Steven L. Beal

Steven L. Beal

  Director   August 6, 2015

/s/ Tucker S. Bridwell

Tucker S. Bridwell

  Director   August 6, 2015

 

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Name

 

Title

 

Date

/s/ William H. Easter III

William H. Easter III

  Director   August 6, 2015

/s/ Gary A. Merriman

Gary A. Merriman

  Director   August 6, 2015

/s/ Ray M. Poage

Ray M. Poage

  Director   August 6, 2015

/s/ Mark B. Puckett

Mark B. Puckett

  Director   August 6, 2015

/s/ John P. Surma

John P. Surma

  Director   August 6, 2015

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, each of the registrants certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, State of Texas, on August 6, 2015.

 

COG HOLDINGS LLC
COG OPERATING LLC
COG PRODUCTION LLC
COG REALTY LLC
CONCHO OIL & GAS LLC
DELAWARE RIVER SWD LLC
QUAIL RANCH LLC
COG ACREAGE LP
By:           COG PRODUCTION LLC,
  its General Partner
By:  

/s/ TIMOTHY A. LEACH

Name:   Timothy A. Leach
Title:   Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Timothy A. Leach, Darin G. Holderness, C. William Giraud and Travis L. Counts, and each of them severally, his true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power to act with or without the others and with full power of substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, any or all amendments (including pre-effective and post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any registration statement for the same offering filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform in the name of on behalf of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, each and every act and thing necessary or desirable to be done in and about the premises, to all intents and purposes and as fully as they might or could do in person, hereby ratifying, approving and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or their substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Name

 

Title

 

Date

/s/ Timothy A. Leach

Timothy A. Leach

 

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

  August 6, 2015

/s/ Darin G. Holderness

Darin G. Holderness

 

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial

Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial Officer)

  August 6, 2015

/s/ Brenda R. Schroer

Brenda R. Schroer

 

Vice President and Chief Accounting

Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  August 6, 2015

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Exhibit Title

1.1**    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on August 8, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference).
3.2    Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Concho Resources Inc., as amended November 7, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on November 8, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.1    Specimen Stock Certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K on February 22, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.2    Indenture, dated September 18, 2009, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on September 22, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.3    First Supplemental Indenture, dated September 18, 2009, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on September 22, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.4    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated November 3, 2010, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Post-Effective Amendment to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 on December 7, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.5    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated December 14, 2010, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on December 14, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.6    Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 23, 2011, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on May 23, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.7    Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated December 12, 2011, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.7 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K on February 24, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.8    Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated March 12, 2012, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on March 12, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.9    Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated August 17, 2012, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on August 17, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
4.10    Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated June 3, 2013, between Concho Resources Inc., the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on June 6, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference).

 

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Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Title

  4.11   Form of 7.0% Senior Notes due 2021 (included in Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on December 14, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.12   Form of 6.5% Senior Notes due 2022 (included in Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on May 23, 2011, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.13   Form of 5.5% Senior Notes due 2022 (included in Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on March 12, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.14   Form of 5.5% Senior Notes due 2023 (included in Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on August 17, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.15   Form of Subordinated Indenture (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 on September 9, 2009, and incorporated herein by reference).
  4.16**   Form of Senior Debt Securities (including Form of Guarantee).
  4.17**   Form of Subordinated Debt Securities (including Form of Guarantee).
  4.18**   Form of Preferred Stock Designation.
  4.19**   Form of Warrant Agreement.
  4.20**   Form of Depositary Agreement.
  4.21**   Form of Unit Agreement (including Form of Unit).
  4.22   Registration Rights Agreement dated February 27, 2006, among Concho Resources Inc. and the other signatories thereto (filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 on April 24, 2007, and incorporated herein by reference).
  5.1*   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered.
12.1*   Statement of Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
23.1*   Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.
23.2*   Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).
23.3*   Consent of Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
23.4*   Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
24.1*   Power of Attorney (included on the signature page to this Registration Statement).
25.1*   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 respecting the Senior Indenture.
25.2***   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 respecting the Subordinated Indenture.

 

* Filed herewith.
** To be filed as an exhibit to a report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or in a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement.
*** To be filed in accordance with Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

II-13



Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

August 6, 2015

Concho Resources Inc.

One Concho Center

600 W. Illinois Avenue

Midland, Texas 79701

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Concho Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and certain of its subsidiaries with respect to the preparation and filing of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the offer and sale by the Company from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, of:

 

  1. debt securities, which may be either senior or subordinated and may be issued in one or more series, consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness, certain of which may be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities (the “Debt Securities”) and which may be fully and unconditionally guaranteed (the “Guarantees”) by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries listed as co-registrants in the Registration Statement or an amendment thereto (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”);

 

  2. shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company, in one or more series (the “Preferred Stock”), which may be issued in the form of depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts (the “Depositary Shares”);

 

  3. shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”); and

 

  4. warrants for the purchase of Common Stock (the “Warrants” and, together with the Debt Securities, the Guarantees, the Preferred Stock, the Depositary Shares and the Common Stock, the “Securities”).

 

Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at Law

Abu Dhabi  Austin  Beijing  Dallas  Dubai  Hong Kong  Houston  London   Moscow

New York  Palo Alto  Riyadh  San Francisco  Shanghai  Tokyo  Washington

 

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, TX 77002-6760

Tel +1.713.758.2222  Fax +1.713.758.2346  www.velaw.com


LOGO  

Concho Resources Inc.

August 6, 2015 Page 2

 

We have also participated in the preparation of the prospectus (the “Prospectus”) contained in the Registration Statement to which this opinion is an exhibit.

In connection with the opinions expressed herein, we have examined, among other things, originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus, (ii) the form of Indenture, dated September 18, 2009, relating to the Debt Securities and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement (the “Senior Indenture”), (iii) the form of Subordinated Indenture, dated September 9, 2009, relating to the Debt Securities and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement (the “Subordinated Indenture” and together with the Senior Indenture, the “Indentures”), (iv) the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, (v) other formation documents and agreements, as applicable, of the Subsidiary Guarantors, (vi) the records of corporate proceedings that have occurred prior to the date hereof with respect to the Registration Statement and (vii) such other certificates, instruments and documents as we considered appropriate for purposes of the opinions hereafter expressed. We have also reviewed such questions of law as we have deemed necessary or appropriate. As to matters of fact relevant to the opinions expressed herein, and as to factual matters arising in connection with our examination of corporate documents, records and other documents and writings, we relied upon certificates and other communications of corporate officers of the Company, without further investigation as to the facts set forth therein.

In connection with rendering the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that:

 

  (1) all information contained in all documents reviewed by us is true and correct;

 

  (2) all signatures on all documents examined by us are genuine;

 

  (3) all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and all documents submitted to us as copies conform to the originals of those documents;

 

  (4) each certificate from governmental officials reviewed by us is accurate, complete and authentic, and all official public records are accurate and complete;

 

  (5) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), will have become effective;

 

  (6) a prospectus supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby;


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Concho Resources Inc.

August 6, 2015 Page 3

 

  (7) the Indentures relating to the Debt Securities and a warrant agreement (“Warrant Agreement”) relating to the Warrants will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto;

 

  (8) the Company is duly incorporated and validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware;

 

  (9) the Subsidiary Guarantors are duly incorporated or organized under the laws of and are validly existing and in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of incorporation or organization;

 

  (10) each person signing the documents we examined has the legal capacity and authority to do so;

 

  (11) the Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto (including post-effective amendments) and the appropriate prospectus supplement;

 

  (12) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto;

 

  (13) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Security being offered will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise; and

 

  (14) at the time of any offering or sale of any shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, the Company shall have such number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as set forth in such offering or sale, authorized or created and available for issuance.

Based on the foregoing and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

  1.

with respect to the Debt Securities, when (a) the applicable Indenture and, if applicable, the related Guarantees have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (b) the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Debt Securities and, if applicable, the related Guarantees, the terms of the offering thereof


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  and related matters, (c) the terms of such Debt Securities and, if applicable, the related Guarantees and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors and so as to comply with any requirements or restrictions imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors, (d) any shares of Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of such Debt Securities, if applicable, have been duly and validly authorized for issuance and (e) such Debt Securities (which may include the related Guarantees) have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the applicable Indenture and issued and sold as contemplated in the applicable prospectus supplement and upon payment of the consideration for such Debt Securities as provided for in the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, such Debt Securities and, if applicable, the related Guarantees will be legally issued and will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, respectively, enforceable against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement may be subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles and covenants of good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

  2. with respect to shares of Common Stock offered by the Company, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (b) certificates representing the shares of Common Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered (or non-certificated shares of Common Stock shall have been properly issued) either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, then upon payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Common Stock) provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Security in accordance with the terms of the Security or the instrument governing the Security providing for the conversion, exchange or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (not less than the par value of the Common Stock), such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable;

 

  3.

when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Warrants and the terms of the offering thereof, (b) the Warrant


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  Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company, (c) the terms of any Warrants and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Warrant Agreement so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company and so as to comply with any requirements or restrictions imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company and (d) the Warrants have been duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the applicable Warrant Agreement and issued and sold as contemplated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles and covenants of good faith and fair dealing (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law);

 

  4. with respect to shares of any series of Preferred Stock, when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the shares of the series, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, including the adoption of a resolution establishing and designating the series and fixing and determining the preferences, limitations and relative rights thereof and the filing of a statement with respect to the series with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Certificate of Designation”) and (b) certificates representing the shares of the series of Preferred Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (i) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board, then upon payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) provided for therein; or (ii) upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Security in accordance with the terms of the Security or the instrument governing the Security providing for the conversion, exchange or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock), the shares of the series of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and

 

  5.

when (a) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the Depositary Shares, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, including the adoption of a Certificate of Designation relating to the Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares and the filing of the Certificate of Designation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (b) the depositary


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  agreement or agreements relating to the Depositary Shares and the related depositary receipts have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the depositary appointed by the Company, (c) the shares of Preferred Stock underlying the Depositary Shares have been deposited with the depositary under the applicable depositary agreement and (d) the depositary receipts representing the Depositary Shares have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the appropriate depositary agreement approved by the Company, upon payment of the consideration thereof or provided for in the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, the Depositary Shares will be legally issued.

The opinions expressed herein are qualified in the following respects:

 

  (1) With respect to our opinions expressed above, as they relate to Debt Securities denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, we note that effective enforcement of a foreign currency claim in the New York state courts or the federal courts sitting in the State of New York may be limited by requirements that the claim (or a foreign currency judgment in respect of such claim) be converted to U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing on a specified date. We express no opinion as to whether a federal court sitting in the State of New York would award a judgment in a currency other than U.S. dollars.

 

  (2) We express no opinions concerning (a) the validity or enforceability of any provisions contained in either of the Indentures that purport to waive or not give effect to the rights to notices, defenses, subrogation or other rights or benefits that cannot be effectively waived under applicable law; or (b) the enforceability of indemnification provisions to the extent they purport to relate to liabilities resulting from or based upon negligence or any violation of federal or state securities or blue sky laws.

 

  (3)

The foregoing opinions are limited to the laws of the State of Texas, the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (including the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution and the reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws) and the federal laws of the United States of America, in each case as in effect on the date hereof, including the applicable statutory provisions to these laws, the rules and regulations underlying such provisions, and the applicable judicial and regulatory determinations interpreting these laws, and we undertake no duty to update or


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  supplement the foregoing opinions to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention or to reflect any changes in any law that may hereafter occur or become effective. We are expressing no opinion as to the effect of the laws of any other jurisdiction, domestic or foreign.

We hereby consent to the references to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. By giving such consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.



Exhibit 12.1

CONCHO RESOURCES INC.

STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND

EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

 

    

Six Months
Ended

June 30,

    Years Ended December 31,  

(in thousands, except ratios)

   2015     2014      2013      2012      2011      2010  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ (179,529   $ 855,960       $ 357,159       $ 659,271       $ 681,334       $ 249,039   

Interest expense

     107,051        216,661         218,581         182,705         118,360         60,087   

Rental expense attributable to interest

     1,282        2,406         1,906         1,553         1,193         932   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings

   $ (71,196   $ 1,075,027       $ 577,646       $ 843,529       $ 800,887       $ 310,058   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest expense

   $ 107,051      $ 216,661       $ 218,581       $ 182,705       $ 118,360       $ 60,087   

Capitalized interest

     2,389        2,282         —           —           73         184   

Rental expense attributable to interest

     1,282        2,406         1,906         1,553         1,193         932   

Preferred stock dividends

     —          —           —           —           —           —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fixed charges and preferred stock dividends

   $ 110,722      $ 221,349       $ 220,487       $ 184,258       $ 119,626       $ 61,203   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (a)

     (0.64     4.86         2.62         4.58         6.69         5.07   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Insufficient coverage

   $ (181,918   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends (b)

     (0.64     4.86         2.62         4.58         6.69         5.07   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Insufficient coverage

   $ (181,918   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) The ratio has been computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges. For purposes of computing the ratio:

 

    earnings include income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, adjusted for interest expense and the portion of rental expense deemed to be representative of the interest component of rental expense; and

 

    fixed charges consist of interest expense, capitalized interest and the portion of rental expense deemed to be representative of the interest component of rental expense.

 

(b) The ratio has been computed by dividing earnings by fixed charges and preferred stock dividends. For purposes of computing the ratio:

 

    earnings include income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, adjusted for interest expense and the portion of rental expense deemed to be representative of the interest component of rental expense; and

 

    fixed charges and preferred stock dividends consist of interest expense, capitalized interest, the portion of rental expense deemed to be representative of the interest component of rental expense and preferred stock dividends.


Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We have issued our reports dated February 26, 2015 with respect to the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting of Concho Resources Inc. included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. We consent to the incorporation by reference of the aforementioned reports in this Registration Statement, and to the use of our name as it appears under the caption “Experts.”

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma

August 6, 2015



Exhibit 23.3

 

LOGO

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS

The undersigned hereby consents to the references to our firm in the form and context in which they appear in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Concho Resources Inc. and the related prospectus that is a part thereof. We hereby further consent to the use in such Registration Statement and prospectus of information contained in our report setting forth the estimates of revenues from Concho Resources Inc.’s oil and gas reserves as of December 31, 2014. We further consent to the reference to this firm under the heading “Experts”.

 

CAWLEY, GILLESPIE & ASSOCIATES, INC.
LOGO
J. Zane Meekins, P.E.
Executive Vice President

Fort Worth, Texas

August 6, 2015



Exhibit 23.4

 

LOGO

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS

The undersigned hereby consents to the references to our firm in the form and context in which they appear in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Concho Resources Inc. and the related prospectus that is a part thereof. We hereby further consent to the use in such Registration Statement and prospectus of information contained in our report setting forth the estimates of revenues from Concho Resources Inc.’s oil and gas reserves as of December 31, 2014. We further consent to the reference to this firm under the heading “Experts”.

 

NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.
By:  

/s/ C.H. (Scott) Rees III

  C.H. (Scott) Rees III, P.E.
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Dallas, Texas

August 6, 2015



Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

 

 

x CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

A National Banking Association   94-1347393

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or

organization if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

101 North Phillips Avenue

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

  57104
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Wells Fargo & Company

Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

Concho Resources Inc.*

(Exact name of Obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   76-0818600

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

One Concho Center

600 W. Illinois Avenue

Midland, Texas 79701

(432) 683-7443

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Obligor’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Debt Securities

And Guarantees

*ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name of Additional Registrant as Specified in its Charter

   State of
Incorporation or
Organization
   IRS Employee
Identification No.

COG Acreage LP

   Texas    270644225

COG Holdings LLC

   Texas    800648934

COG Operating LLC

   Delaware    611469854

COG Production LLC

   Texas    522374917

COG Realty LLC

   Texas    841661959

Concho Oil & Gas LLC

   Texas    900617040

Delaware River SWD LLC

   Texas    270253823

Quail Ranch LLC

   Texas    320086461

One Concho Center

600 W. Illinois Avenue

Midland, Texas 79701

(432) 683-7443

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area

Code, of Guarantors’ Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

 


Item 1. General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C.

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, California 94120

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None with respect to the trustee.

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

Item 15. Foreign Trustee. Not applicable.

Item 16. List of Exhibits. List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.    A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*
Exhibit 2.    A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 14, 2015.*
Exhibit 3.    A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 6, 2014.*
Exhibit 4.    Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.*
Exhibit 5.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 6.    The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
Exhibit 7.    A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.
Exhibit 8.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 9.    Not applicable.

 

* Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as an exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated March 13, 2015 of file number 333-190926.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Dallas and State of Texas on the 6th of August, 2015.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

/s/ Patrick T. Giordano

Patrick T. Giordano
Vice President


EXHIBIT 6

August 6, 2015

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request thereof.

 

Very truly yours,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

/s/ Patrick T. Giordano

Patrick T. Giordano

Vice President


Exhibit 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business March 31, 2015, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

            Dollar Amounts
In Millions
 
     

ASSETS

     

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

     

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

      $ 18,155   

Interest-bearing balances

        253,636   

Securities:

     

Held-to-maturity securities

        67,133   

Available-for-sale securities

        227,089   

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

     

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

        625   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

        22,376   

Loans and lease financing receivables:

     

Loans and leases held for sale

        19,541   

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

     822,149      

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

     10,790      

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

        811,359   

Trading Assets

        41,469   

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

        7,480   

Other real estate owned

        2,217   

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

        869   

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

        1   

Intangible assets

     

Goodwill

        21,627   

Other intangible assets

        17,259   

Other assets

        60,553   
     

 

 

 

Total assets

      $ 1,571,389   
     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Deposits:

     

In domestic offices

      $ 1,093,967   

Noninterest-bearing

     336,758      

Interest-bearing

     757,209      

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

        150,855   

Noninterest-bearing

     912      

Interest-bearing

     149,943      

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

     

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

        1,004   

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

        15,906   

Trading liabilities

        24,062   

Other borrowed money

     

(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

        87,908   

Subordinated notes and debentures

        16,899   

Other liabilities

        33,851   
     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

      $ 1,424,452   


          Dollar Amounts
In Millions
 

EQUITY CAPITAL

     

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

        0   

Common stock

        519   

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

        106,692   

Retained earnings

        34,702   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

        4,587   

Other equity capital components

        0   
     

 

 

 

Total bank equity capital

        146,500   

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

        437   
     

 

 

 

Total equity capital

        146,937   
     

 

 

 

Total liabilities, and equity capital

      $ 1,571,389   
     

 

 

 

I, John R. Shrewsberry, Sr. EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

/s/ John R. Shrewsberry

Sr. EVP & CFO

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

/s/ John Stumpf

                          Directors

/s/ James Quigley

 

/s/ Enrique Hernandez, Jr.

 
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