8-KMaterial AgreementsExhibits & Filings

CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC 8-K Report, Material Agreement (Apr 15, 2013)

Filed April 15, 2013For Securities:CNP

Summary

This Form 8-K filing by CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) on April 15, 2013, primarily concerns amendments to its existing credit agreements. Specifically, the company and its subsidiary, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. (CERC), have entered into a First Amendment to their respective Credit Agreements, originally dated September 9, 2011. These amendments were made to facilitate a previously announced midstream joint venture transaction with OGE Energy Corp. and affiliates of ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC. The key impact of these amendments is the addition of exceptions to covenants within the credit agreements. These exceptions specifically allow for transactions related to the consolidation, merger, disposal of assets, and the sale of stock in certain significant subsidiaries, all in direct support of the intended joint venture. Investors should view this as a procedural step to enable a significant strategic transaction. While the filing itself does not detail the financial terms of the joint venture, it signals progress in the company's strategic initiatives. The amendments are crucial for the execution of the midstream joint venture, which is expected to reshape aspects of CenterPoint's business operations and potentially its financial structure. Investors should monitor future filings for more detailed information on the joint venture's impact.

Key Highlights

  • 1CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CNP) and its subsidiary CERC amended their credit agreements on April 11, 2013.
  • 2The amendments were made to facilitate a previously announced midstream joint venture transaction.
  • 3The joint venture partners include OGE Energy Corp. and affiliates of ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC.
  • 4Key covenant exceptions were added to the credit agreements regarding asset disposal and subsidiary stock sales.
  • 5These exceptions are specifically designed to permit the transactions contemplated by the midstream joint venture.
  • 6The filing includes the First Amendments to the respective Credit Agreements as exhibits.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of this 8-K filing is to announce and provide details regarding amendments to CenterPoint Energy's and its subsidiary CERC's credit agreements. These amendments are necessary to allow for the consummation of a previously announced midstream joint venture transaction.

The amendments added exceptions to the covenants within the credit agreements. These exceptions permit the consolidation, merger, disposal of assets, and the sale of stock in certain significant subsidiaries, which are actions required for the proposed midstream joint venture.

The partners in the midstream joint venture transaction are OGE Energy Corp. and two affiliates of ArcLight Capital Partners, LLC.

No, this filing primarily focuses on the credit agreement amendments required to facilitate the joint venture. It does not provide specific financial terms or details of the joint venture itself. Investors should look for future filings or announcements for such information.