s3.htm

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 13, 2012
Registration No. 333-


 
UNITED STATES
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________
 
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 
CRIMSON EXPLORATION INC. *
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
_____________________
 
Delaware
1311
20-3037840
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Primary Standard Industrial Classification
Code Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
_____________________
 
717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2900
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 236-7400
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
_____________________
 
John A. Thomas
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
717 Texas Avenue, Site 2900
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 236-7400
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
_____________________
 
Copies to:
 
James M. Prince
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
1001 Fannin, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77002-6760
(713) 758-2222
(713) 615-5962 (Fax)
_____________________
 
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
 
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.
 
If any of the securities 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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer ¨
Accelerated filer R
Non-accelerated filer ¨
Smaller Reporting Company ¨
   
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

_____________________

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities
to be Registered(1)(3)
Amount to be Registered
Proposed Maximum Offering Price per Security
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(6)(7)
Amount of Registration Fee
(6)(7)
Debt Securities(2)(5)
       
Preferred Stock
       
Common Stock
       
Depositary Shares(4)
       
Warrants
       
Guarantee of Debt Securities(5)
       
Total
N/A
N/A
$250,000,000
$28,650
_________________

(1)
Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
(2)
If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of such debt securities shall be in such amount as shall result in an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $250,000,000, less the dollar amount of any registered securities previously issued.
(3)
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.
(4)
The Depositary Shares being registered will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under a depositary agreement. If Crimson Exploration 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.
(5)
If a series of debt securities is guaranteed, such series will be guaranteed by Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc.  In accordance with Rule 457(n), no separate fee is payable with respect to the Guarantee of the Debt Securities being registered.
(6)
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.
(7)
Rule 457(o) permits the registration statement fee to be calculated on the basis of the Maximum Offering Price of all of the securities listed.  Therefore, the table does not specify information as to the amount to be registered by each class or the Proposed Maximum Offering Price per Security.

*
The following subsidiary of Crimson Exploration Inc. is a co-registrant and is organized in the indicated state and has the indicated I.R.S. Employer Identification Number.
 
Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc.
 (Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)
Delaware
20-4047764
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
 
Each Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
 

 
 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 13, 2012

PROSPECTUS
 
CRIMSON EXPLORATION INC.

$250,000,000

Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Depositary Shares
Warrants
   _____________________
 
Guarantee of Debt Securities of Crimson Exploration Inc. by:
Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc.
    _____________________
 
We may offer and sell the securities listed above from time to time in one or more classes or series and in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering. Any debt securities we issue under this prospectus may be guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries, including Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. The aggregate initial offering price of the securities that we will offer will not exceed $250,000,000.
 
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 subsidiary.  The supplements 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 our securities involves risk.  Please see “Risk Factors” for a discussion of certain risks that you should consider in connection with an investment in the securities.
 
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CXPO.”
 
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                          , 2012.

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
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_____________________

        You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone 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 in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document containing the information.
 

 
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the “SEC,” utilizing a shelf registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer and sell any combination up to $250,000,000 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 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. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”
 
Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise noted, all references in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement to “Crimson,” “we” or “our” are to Crimson Exploration Inc. and its subsidiaries.
 
THE COMPANY
 
We are an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploitation, exploration and development of natural gas and crude oil properties.
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2900, Houston, Texas 77002, and our phone number is (713) 236-7400. Our website is located at http://www.crimsonexploration.com. We make our periodic reports and other information filed with or furnished to the SEC available, free of charge, through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and you should not consider information contained on our website as part of this prospectus.

For additional information as to our business, properties, and financial condition, please refer to the documents cited in “Where You Can Find More Information.”

ABOUT THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR
 
Crimson Exploration Inc. is a holding company. We conduct most of our operations through our subsidiaries. Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. is our only active subsidiary as of the date of this prospectus.  If specified in the  accompanying prospectus supplement respecting a series of debt securities, Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. and any other of our future subsidiaries specified in the prospectus supplement may jointly and severally, fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee our payment obligations under any series of debt securities offered by this prospectus. We refer to Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. in this prospectus as the “Subsidiary Guarantor.” Financial information concerning our Subsidiary Guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries, if any, will be included in our consolidated financial statements filed as a part of our periodic reports filed pursuant to the Exchange Act to the extent required by the rules and regulations of the SEC.

For additional information as to our and our subsidiary’s business, properties, and financial condition, please refer to the documents cited in “Where You Can Find More Information.”


 
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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. 001-12108) pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (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., Room 1580, 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 l-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 them, 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 information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. The following documents we filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
 
·  
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Amendment No. 1on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, including information specifically incorporated by reference into such Annual Report on Form 10-K from our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders, filed on April 23, 2012;
 
·  
Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012;
 
·  
Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on February 10, 2012, March 14, 2012, March 29, 2012, April 19, 2012, May 22, 2012 and June 1, 2012 (in each case excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01); and
 
·  
The description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on December 9, 2009, and including any other amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.
 
In addition, we incorporate by reference in this prospectus any future filings made by Crimson Exploration Inc. with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) (excluding any information furnished and not filed with the SEC) after the date on which the registration statement that includes this prospectus was initially filed with the SEC (including all such documents we may file with the SEC after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement) and until all offerings under this shelf registration statement are terminated.
 
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any 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 (other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing) at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:
Crimson Exploration Inc.
Attention: Corporate Secretary
717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2900
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 236-7400

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

 
2


CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Certain statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, or filings with the SEC and our public releases, including, but not limited to, information regarding the status and progress of our operating activities, the plans and objectives of our management, assumptions regarding our future performance and plans, and any financial guidance provided therein are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements include information concerning future production and reserves, schedules, plans, timing of development, contributions from crude oil and natural gas properties, marketing and midstream activities, and also include those statements accompanied by or that otherwise include the words “may,” “could,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “target,” “goal,” “plans,” “objective,” “potential,” “should,” or similar expressions or variations on such expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated. Risks and uncertainties that could cause or contribute to such differences include, without limitation, those discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus and elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 and our subsequent SEC filings and those factors summarized below:
 
·  
estimates of proved reserve quantities and net present values of those reserves;
 
·  
reserve potential;
 
·  
business strategy;
 
·  
estimates of future commodity prices;
 
·  
amounts, timing and types of capital expenditures and operating expenses;
 
·  
expansion and growth of our business and operations;
 
·  
expansion and development trends of the oil and gas industry;
 
·  
acquisitions of natural gas and crude oil properties;
 
·  
production of crude oil and natural gas reserves;
 
·  
exploration prospects;
 
·  
wells to be drilled and drilling results;
 
·  
operating results and working capital;
 
·  
results of borrowing base redeterminations under our revolving credit agreement; and
 
·  
future methods and types of financing.
 
Any of these factors and other factors contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any documents incorporated by reference could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results implied by these or any other forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf.   Although we believe our estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. Our assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. We caution you that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure you that those statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus.
 

 
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We do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.
 

 
4


RISK FACTORS
 
An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors and all of the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, including those included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and, if applicable, in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, in evaluating an investment in our securities. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock or debt securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment. When we offer and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we may include additional risk factors relevant to such securities in the prospectus supplement.
 

 
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
        Except as may be stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds we receive from any sales of securities by us under this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things:

·  
reduction or refinancing of debt or other corporate obligations;

·  
additions to our working capital;
 
·  
capital expenditures; and
 
·  
potential future acquisitions.
 
        Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of the offering and will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.
 

 
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

 
For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings are defined as earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of net interest expense (inclusive of credit facility commitment fees) on all indebtedness and including capitalized interest expense, the amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts, and a reasonable estimation of interest associated with operating leases.  Combined fixed charges and preference dividends consist of fixed charges and the amount of pre-tax earnings (loss) that is required to pay the dividends on outstanding preference securities.
 


 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
4.2
(1)
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preference dividends
(2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
3.4
(2)
_______________
 
(1)  
Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges in certain periods. The coverage deficiency totaled approximately $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and approximately $24.0 million, $47.6 million, $50.8 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2007, respectively.
 
(2)
Earnings were inadequate to cover combined fixed charges and preference dividends in certain periods. The coverage deficiency totaled approximately $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and approximately $24.0 million, $47.6 million, $56.8 million and $7.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2007, respectively.



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”). The Senior Debt Securities and the Subordinated Debt Securities will be issued under separate indentures among us, the Subsidiary Guarantors 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 Crimson Exploration Inc. 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 summary 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) 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, Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. and any other of our future subsidiaries specified in the prospectus supplement (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;
(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;

 
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(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;
(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.
 
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.”

 
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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 (all such obligations guaranteed by a Subsidiary Guarantor being herein called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). 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 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 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
 
 
 
8

 
 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;
(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 is 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.

 
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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 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.

 
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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”;
(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 Crimson Exploration 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 Debt 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 Crimson Exploration 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 and its consequences, 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 if all Events of Default with respect to that series, other than the non-payment of

 
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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 such Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.

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, to their knowledge, as to whether or not we 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 notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes;
(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 a majority in principal 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:

 
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(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 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 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;
(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.

 
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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 ordestroyed Debt Securities that have been replaced or paid and Debt Securities for whose paymentmoney 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 cancellationhave become due and payable or will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one yearor 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 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), (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 Shareholders

       No director, officer, employee, incorporator, shareholder, 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.

 
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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, 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.

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 descriptions are summaries of material terms of our common stock, preferred stock, certificate of incorporation and bylaws. This summary is qualified by reference to our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the designations of our preferred stock, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and by the provisions of applicable law.
 
We are authorized to issue 200.0 million shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 10.0 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of June 8, 2012, there were 44,173,719 shares of our sole class of common stock issued and outstanding (excluding approximately 1.9 million shares of restricted common stock to be issued to our employees, including to our executive officers, and members of our board of directors, pursuant to our 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and director compensation plan, respectively) and held by approximately 255 record owners.
 
Common Stock
 
Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share with respect to each matter presented to our stockholders on which the holders of common stock are entitled to vote. Because holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock can elect all of the members of the board of directors standing for election, subject to the rights, powers and preferences of any outstanding series of preferred stock.  No share of common stock affords any preemptive rights or is convertible, redeemable, assessable or entitled to the benefits of any sinking or repurchase fund.
 
Subject to the prior rights of holders of preferred stock, if any, holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends as may be lawfully declared from time to time by our board of directors. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, whether voluntary or involuntary, holders of common stock will be entitled to receive such assets as are available for distribution to our stockholders after there shall have been paid or set apart for payment the full amounts necessary to satisfy any preferential or participating rights to which the holders of each outstanding series of preferred stock are entitled by the express terms of the series.
 
The shares of our common stock presently outstanding are fully paid and non-assessable, and any shares issued by us pursuant to this prospectus will be fully paid and non-assessable when issued. Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “CXPO.”
 
Preferred Stock
 
Our Board has the authority to issue preferred stock in one or more classes or series and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof including dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any class or series, without further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us without further action by the stockholders and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of common stock.  Our preferred stock is senior to our common stock regarding liquidation.
 
 In the past, we have issued numerous series of preferred stock, all of which have converted into common stock and been eliminated as of the date of this prospectus.  At present, we have no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.
 
Outstanding Options

At June 8, 2012, we had outstanding options for the purchase of approximately 1.7 million shares of common stock at prices ranging from $2.13 to $7.90 per share, including employee stock. If we issue additional shares, existing stockholders’ percentage ownership of us may be further diluted.
 
Anti-Takeover Provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws

 
17


Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.  Certain provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws summarized below may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, deter, or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider to be in its best interests, including attempts that might result in a premium being paid over the market price for the shares held by stockholders.
 
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that (unless, as a general matter, a preferred stock designation provides otherwise for that series of preferred stock):
 
·  
permit us to issue, without any further vote or action by the stockholders, additional shares of preferred stock in one or more series and, with respect to each such series, to fix the number of shares constituting the series and the designation of the series, the voting powers (if any) of the shares of the series, and the preferences and relative, participating, optional, and other special rights, if any, and any qualification, limitations or restrictions of the shares of such series;
 
·  
require special meetings of the stockholders to be called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or by resolution of a majority of the board of directors;
 
·  
require business at special meetings to be limited to the stated purpose or purposes of that meeting;
 
·  
require that stockholder action be taken at a meeting rather than by written consent, unless approved by our board of directors;
 
·  
require that stockholders follow certain procedures, including advance notice procedures, to bring certain matters before an annual meeting or to nominate a director for election; and
 
·  
permit directors to fill vacancies in our board of directors.
 
The foregoing provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could discourage potential acquisition proposals and could delay or prevent a change of control. These provisions are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of the board of directors and in the policies formulated by the board of directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may involve an actual or threatened change of control. These provisions are designed to reduce our vulnerability to an unsolicited acquisition proposal. The provisions also are intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights. However, such provisions could have the effect of discouraging others from making tender offers for our shares and, as a consequence, they also may inhibit fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that could result from actual or rumored takeover attempts. Such provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our management.
 
Business Combinations.  After this offering, we will be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.
 
 Section 203 defines a “business combination” as a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholders. Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or, in some cases, within three years prior, did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. Under Section 203, a business combination between us and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless:
 
·  
our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholders becoming an interested stockholder prior to the date the person attained the status;
 
·  
upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding, for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and issued employee stock plans, under
 

 
18


which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held under the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or
 
·  
the business combination is approved by our board of directors on or subsequent to the date the person became an interested stockholder and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66⅔% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.
 
This provision has an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, including discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of our common stock.  With approval of our stockholders, we could amend our certificate of incorporation in the future to elect not to be governed by the anti-takeover law.  Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law will not apply to Oaktree Holdings.
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar
 
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.
 



 
19


DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES
 
General
 
We may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we decide to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, we will issue receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us (the “Bank Depositary”). Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.
 
We have summarized selected provisions of a depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. The summary is not complete. The forms of the depositary agreement and the depositary receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC via a Current Report on Form 8-K prior to our offering of the depositary shares, and you should read such documents for provisions that may be important to you.
 
Dividends and Other Distributions
 
If we pay a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Bank Depositary will distribute such dividends to the record holders of such depositary shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the Bank Depositary will distribute the property to the record holders of the depositary shares. However, if the Bank Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the Bank Depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the record holders of the depositary shares.
 
Redemption of Depositary Shares
 
If we redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Bank Depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the Bank Depositary in connection with the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the Bank Depositary may determine.
 
Voting the Preferred Stock
 
Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by depositary shares are entitled to vote, the Bank Depositary will mail the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) may instruct the Bank Depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The Bank Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will take all action which the Bank Depositary deems necessary in order to enable the Bank Depositary to do so. The Bank Depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock.
 
Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement
 
The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may be amended by agreement between the Bank Depositary and us. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The depositary agreement may be terminated by the Bank Depositary or us only if (1) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or (2) there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.
 

 
20


Charges of Bank Depositary
 
We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the Bank Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the depositary agreement to be for their accounts.
 
Withdrawal of Preferred Stock
 
Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the Bank Depositary, subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, the owner of the depositary shares may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the Bank Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the depositary agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.
 
Miscellaneous
 
The Bank Depositary will forward to holders of depositary receipts all reports and communications from us that are delivered to the Bank Depositary and that we are required to furnish to the holders of the preferred stock.
 
Neither the Bank Depositary nor we will be liable if we are prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond our control in performing our obligations under the depositary agreement. The obligations of the Bank Depositary and us under the depositary agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of our duties thereunder, and neither of us will be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any depositary shares or preferred stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. Further, both of us may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting preferred stock for deposit, holders of depositary receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine.
 
Resignation and Removal of Bank Depositary
 
The Bank Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the Bank Depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor Bank Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor Bank Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million.
 

 
21


DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
 
We may issue warrants for the purchase of our common stock and preferred stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common stock offered by any prospectus supplement. 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 or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and the price at which such number of shares of common stock or preferred 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 or preferred 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.
 

 

 
22


PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
We may sell securities described in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement through underwriters, through broker-dealers, through agents, or directly to one or more investors.
 
We will prepare a prospectus supplement for each offering that will disclose the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers, or agents, the purchase price of the securities and the proceeds to us from the sale, any underwriting discounts, and other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers, or agents.
 
We will fix a price or prices of our securities at:
 
·  
market prices prevailing at the time of any sale under this registration statement;
 
·  
prices related to market prices; or
 
·  
negotiated prices.
 
We may change the price of the securities offered from time to time.  
 
If we use underwriters or dealers in the sale, they will acquire the securities for their own account, and they may resell these 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. The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms. Unless otherwise disclosed in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement if any of the securities are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
 
We may sell the securities through agents designated by us from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of the securities for which this prospectus is delivered, and disclose any commissions payable by us to the agent or the method by which the commissions can be determined, in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.
 
Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us and the sale thereof may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. We may use electronic media, including the internet, to sell offered securities directly.
 
We may offer our common stock into an existing trading market on the terms described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Underwriters, dealers, and agents who participate in any at-the-market offerings will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.
 
We may agree to indemnify underwriters, dealers, and agents who participate in the distribution of securities against certain liabilities to which they may become subject in connection with the sale of the securities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
Certain of the underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of, may engage in transactions with and may perform services for us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
 
A prospectus and accompanying prospectus supplement in electronic form may be made available on the websites maintained by the underwriters. The underwriters may agree to allocate a number of securities for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Such allocations of securities for internet distributions will be made on the same basis as other allocations. In addition, securities may be sold by the underwriters to securities dealers who resell securities to online brokerage account holders.
 

 
23


The aggregate maximum compensation the underwriters will receive in connection with the sale of any securities under this prospectus and the registration statement of which it forms a part will not exceed 8% of the gross proceeds from the sale.
 
To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. The place and time of delivery for the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.
 
In connection with offerings of securities under the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and in compliance with applicable law, underwriters, brokers, or dealers may engage in transactions that stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at levels above those that might otherwise prevail in the open market. Specifically, underwriters, brokers, or dealers may over-allot in connection with offerings, creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. For the purpose of covering a syndicate short position or stabilizing the price of the securities, the underwriters, brokers, or dealers may place bids for the securities or effect purchases of the securities in the open market. Finally, the underwriters may impose a penalty whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other brokers or dealers for distribution of the securities in offerings may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. These activities may stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
 
 
 

 
24


LEGAL MATTERS
 
The validity of the securities will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas. Legal counsel to any underwriters may pass upon legal matters for such underwriters.
 
EXPERTS
 
        The audited consolidated financial statements, schedule, 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 giving said reports.
 
        Certain estimates of proved oil and gas reserves for Crimson Exploration Inc. incorporated by reference herein were based in part upon a report prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., an independent petroleum engineering firm. These estimates are included and incorporated herein in reliance on the authority of such firm as an expert in such matters.

 
25

 


 

PART II
 
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
Item 14.                 Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
 
        Set forth below are the expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) expected to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby. With the exception of the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee and the FINRA filing fee, the amounts set forth below are estimates.
 
Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee
 
$
28,650
 
FINRA filing fee
   
25,500
 
Legal fees and expenses
   
75,000
 
Accounting fees and expenses
   
20,000
 
Printing expenses
   
20,000
 
Miscellaneous
   
850
 
TOTAL
 
$
170,000
 

Item 15.                 Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
 
Crimson Exploration Inc.
 
Crimson Exploration Inc. is a Delaware corporation organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law. Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law permits us to indemnify directors, officers, employees or agents, or persons serving in such capacity at the request of Crimson Exploration Inc. at another entity, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred, other than an action by or in the right of Crimson Exploration Inc., to which such director, officer, employee or agent may be a party, provided such person shall have acted in good faith and shall have reasonably believed that his conduct was in or not opposed to the best interests of Crimson Exploration Inc. and, in the case of a criminal proceeding, that he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. In connection with an action by or in the right of Crimson Exploration Inc. against a director, officer, employee or agent, Crimson Exploration Inc. has the power to indemnify such director, officer, employee or agent for actual and reasonable expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such suit (a) if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of Crimson Exploration Inc., and (b) if found liable to Crimson Exploration Inc., only if ordered by a court of law. Section 145 provides that such section is not exclusive of any other indemnification rights granted by Crimson Exploration Inc. to directors, officers, employees or agents. The Delaware General Corporation Law provides for mandatory indemnification of directors and officers where such director or officer is successful on the merits in the types of proceedings discussed above.
 
The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Crimson Exploration Inc. provides for mandatory indemnification of directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law. The right to indemnification is a contract right and includes the right to be paid by Crimson Exploration Inc. the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. The Bylaws of Crimson Exploration Inc. provide that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his capacity as a director or officer of Crimson Exploration Inc. may be made only upon delivery to Crimson Exploration Inc. of an undertaking to repay all advanced amounts if it is ultimately determined by final nonappealable judicial decision that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for those expenses.
 
The Certificate of Incorporation of Crimson Exploration Inc. also contains a provision eliminating the liability of a director to Crimson Exploration Inc. or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
 

 
II-1

 


We have obtained insurance on behalf of Crimson Exploration Inc. and its directors and officers individually against certain liabilities. By reason of this coverage, Crimson Exploration Inc. and its directors and officers will be insured against most lawsuits and claims arising from unintentional acts or omissions, including such lawsuits and claims brought under the federal securities laws (other than under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act). In addition, our directors and officers have entered into indemnification agreements providing for indemnification and advancement of expenses in connection with legal proceedings.
 
Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc.
 
Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. is a Delaware corporation organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law. The provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law regarding indemnification of directors and officers and advancement of expenses of directors and officers discussed above as applying to Crimson Exploration Inc. also apply to Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc.

The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. provide for mandatory indemnification of directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by applicable law. The right to indemnification is a contract right and includes the right to be paid by Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition. The Bylaws of Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. provide that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his capacity as a director or officer of Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. may be made only upon delivery to Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. of an undertaking to repay all advanced amounts if it is ultimately determined by final nonappealable judicial decision that such person is not entitled to be indemnified for those expenses.
 
The Certificate of Incorporation of Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. also contains a provision eliminating the liability of a director to Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.
 
Further, the Bylaws of the Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. provide that Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc. may maintain insurance on behalf of its officers and directors against expenses, liability or loss incurred by them in their capacities as officers and directors.

Item 16.                 Exhibits.
 
The following documents are filed as exhibits to this registration statement:
 
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
1.1*
 
Form of Underwriting Agreement.
2.1
 
Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated May 8, 2007, by and among EXCO Resources, Inc., Southern G Holdings, LLC, Crimson Exploration Inc. and Crimson Exploration Operating Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 15, 2007, File No. 000-21644).
 
2.2
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated April 28, 2008, by and among Smith Production, Inc. and Crimson Exploration Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, File No. 000-21644).
 
4.1
 
Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 5, 2005 File No. 001-12108)
 
 

 
II-2

 

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
    4.2
 
Letter Agreement by and among GulfWest Energy Inc., a Texas corporation, GulfWest Oil & Gas Company and the investors listed on the signature page thereof, dated April 22, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 10, 2004, File No. 001-12108).
 
    4.3
 
Shareholders Rights Agreement between GulfWest Energy Inc. and OCM GW Holdings, LLC dated February 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(e) of the Schedule 13D, Reg. No. 005-54301, filed on March 10, 2005, File No. 005-54301).
 
    4.4
 
Omnibus and Release Agreement among GulfWest Energy Inc., OCM GW Holdings, LLC and those signatories set forth on the signature page thereto, dated as of February 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(f) of the Schedule 13D, Reg. No. 005-54301, filed on March 10, 2005, File No. 005-54301).
 
    4.5
 
Waiver, Consent and First Amendment to the Shareholders Rights Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2009, between Crimson Exploration Inc. and OCM GW Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 10, 2009, File No. 001-12108).
 
    4.6
 
­—
Termination Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2009, between Crimson Exploration Inc. and OCM GW Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 10, 2009, File No. 001-12108).
 
    4.7
 
Form of Senior Indenture.
    4.8
 
Form of Subordinated Indenture.
    4.9*
 
Form of Warrant Agreement.
    4.10*
 
Form of Warrant Certificate.
    4.11*
 
Form of Debt Securities.
    4.12*
 
Form of Depositary Agreement.
    4.13*
 
Form of Depositary Receipt.
    5.1
 
Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered.
    12.1
 
Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
    23.1
 
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.
    23.2
 
Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
    23.3
 
Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
    24.1
 
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).
25.1**
 
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification respecting the Senior Indenture.
25.2**
 
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification respecting the Subordinated Indenture.
______________
 
*
To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K of the registrant.
 
**   To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Rule 5b-3 thereunder.
 
 

Item 17.                 Undertakings.
 
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
 
 
II-3

 
 
(1)           To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
(i)      To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
 
(ii)     To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
 
(iii)    To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
 
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by registrants pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
 
(2)           That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(3)           To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
 
(4)           That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
 
(A)    Each prospectus filed by a Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
 
(B)    Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
 
(5)           That, for the purpose of determining liability of a Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, each undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary
 
 
 
II-4

 
 
offering of securities of an undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
 
(i)      Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of an undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
 
(ii)     Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of an undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by an undersigned Registrant;
 
(iii)    The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about an undersigned Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of an undersigned Registrant; and
 
(iv)    Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by an undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
 
(6)           That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(7)           Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of each Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, each Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of a 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, that Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
(8)           The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act (“Act”) in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
 

 

 
II-5

 

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, 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 Houston, State of Texas, on June 13, 2012.
 
 
CRIMSON EXPLORATION INC.
 
 
By:  
/s/ Allan D. Keel
 
   
Allan D. Keel
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer  
 
 
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
 
     Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Allan D. Keel and E. Joseph Grady, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign on his behalf individually and in each capacity stated below any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, 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 each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on June 13, 2012.

 
Signature
 
Title
     
/s/ Allan D. Keel
 
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Allan D. Keel
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
     
/s/ E. Joseph Grady
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
E. Joseph Grady
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
     
/s/ B. James Ford
   
B. James Ford
 
Director
     
/s/ Lon McCain
   
Lon McCain
 
Director
     
     
Lee B. Backsen
 
Director
     
/s/ Adam C. Pierce
   
Adam C. Pierce
 
Director
     
/s/ Cassidy J. Traub
   
Cassidy J. Traub
 
Director
     
     
Ni Zhaoxing
 
Director

 
 
II-6

 
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each of the registrants has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on June 13, 2012.
 
 
CRIMSON EXPLORATION OPERATING, INC.
 
 
By:  
/s/ Allan D. Keel
 
   
Allan D. Keel
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 

 
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Allan D. Keel and E. Joseph Grady, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign on his behalf individually and in each capacity stated below any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, 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 each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents and either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on June 13, 2012.


     
Signature
 
Title
 

     
/s/ Allan D. Keel
  
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Allan D. Keel
/s/ E. Joseph Grady
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 
E. Joseph Grady


 

 
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
1.1*
 
Form of Underwriting Agreement.
2.1
 
Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated May 8, 2007, by and among EXCO Resources, Inc., Southern G Holdings, LLC, Crimson Exploration Inc. and Crimson Exploration Operating Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 15, 2007, File No. 000-21644).
 
2.2
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated April 28, 2008, by and among Smith Production, Inc. and Crimson Exploration Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, File No. 000-21644).
 
4.1
 
Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 5, 2005 File No. 001-12108)
 
4.2
 
Letter Agreement by and among GulfWest Energy Inc., a Texas corporation, GulfWest Oil & Gas Company and the investors listed on the signature page thereof, dated April 22, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 10, 2004, File No. 001-12108).
 
4.3
 
Shareholders Rights Agreement between GulfWest Energy Inc. and OCM GW Holdings, LLC dated February 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(e) of the Schedule 13D, Reg. No. 005-54301, filed on March 10, 2005, File No. 005-54301).
 
4.4
 
Omnibus and Release Agreement among GulfWest Energy Inc., OCM GW Holdings, LLC and those signatories set forth on the signature page thereto, dated as of February 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(f) of the Schedule 13D, Reg. No. 005-54301, filed on March 10, 2005, File No. 005-54301).
 
4.5
 
Waiver, Consent and First Amendment to the Shareholders Rights Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2009, between Crimson Exploration Inc. and OCM GW Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 10, 2009, File No. 001-12108).
 
4.6
 
­—
Termination Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2009, between Crimson Exploration Inc. and OCM GW Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 10, 2009, File No. 001-12108).
 
4.7
 
Form of Senior Indenture.
4.8
 
Form of Subordinated Indenture.
4.9*
 
Form of Warrant Agreement.
4.10*
 
Form of Warrant Certificate.
4.11*
 
Form of Debt Securities.
4.12*
 
Form of Depositary Agreement.
4.13*
 
Form of Depositary Receipt.
5.1
 
Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered.
12.1
 
Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1
 
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.
 
 
 
II-8

 
 
 
 Exhibit
Number
   
Description
23.2
 
Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
23.3
 
Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
 
Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).
25.1**
 
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification respecting the Senior Indenture.
25.2**
 
Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification respecting the Subordinated Indenture.

*
To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K of the registrant.
 
** 
To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Rule 5b-3 thereunder.
 
 
II-9