8-KFinancial EventsRegulation FDExhibits & Filings

EXPAND ENERGY Corp 8-K Report, Financial Obligation (Nov 13, 2012)

Filed November 13, 2012For Securities:EXEEXEELEXEEWEXEEZ

Summary

EXPAND ENERGY Corp (EXE) is providing an update on its financial obligations through an 8-K filing dated November 13, 2012. The primary focus is the execution of a new $2.0 billion Term Loan Credit Agreement by Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the Company), with EXE likely being related through its subsidiary guarantees or operations. This new facility is intended to refinance existing debt, specifically repaying outstanding borrowings under a previous term loan and the corporate revolving credit facility. This agreement introduces new debt for the Company, with interest rates tied to either a Eurodollar rate or a base rate, both subject to specified floors and applicable margins. While the loan is guaranteed by certain wholly owned domestic subsidiaries, it is not secured by any assets. The agreement includes covenants similar to the Company's existing revolving credit facility, restricting certain actions like incurring further debt or making restricted payments. It also mandates offers to prepay term loans with proceeds from asset sales not reinvested in capital expenditures. Importantly, the agreement does not contain financial maintenance covenants, which may be viewed positively by some investors.

Key Highlights

  • 1Chesapeake Energy Corporation entered into a new $2.0 billion Term Loan Credit Agreement on November 9, 2012.
  • 2The proceeds from this new facility were used to voluntarily prepay outstanding borrowings under a previous term loan and to repay indebtedness under its corporate revolving bank credit facility.
  • 3Interest rates on the new term loan are variable, based on either the Eurodollar rate or a base rate, with minimum floors of 1.25% and 2.25% respectively.
  • 4The new term loan is unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by certain wholly owned domestic subsidiaries but is not secured by any assets.
  • 5The agreement includes negative covenants similar to existing facilities, limiting debt incurrence, liens, investments, and restricted payments.
  • 6The Term Loan Credit Agreement matures on December 2, 2017, with specific prepayment penalties for early repayment prior to November 9, 2015.
  • 7The agreement does not contain any financial maintenance covenants.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of the new $2.0 billion Term Loan Credit Agreement, entered into by Chesapeake Energy Corporation, was to refinance existing debt. Specifically, the proceeds were used to voluntarily prepay the remaining outstanding borrowings under the Company's term loan facility entered into on May 11, 2012, and to repay indebtedness outstanding under its corporate revolving bank credit facility.

The interest rates for amounts borrowed under the Term Loan Credit Agreement can be chosen by the Company to be either based on the Eurodollar rate (plus an Applicable Margin) or a base rate (plus an Applicable Margin). Both rates have specified floors: 1.25% per annum for the Eurodollar rate and 2.25% per annum for the base rate. The initial Applicable Margin is 4.50% for Eurodollar loans and 3.50% for base rate loans.

Yes, the Term Loan Credit Agreement contains negative covenants that are substantially similar to those in the Company's corporate revolving bank credit facility. These covenants limit the Company's ability, and that of certain subsidiaries, to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens, make investments, loans, and restricted payments, and enter into certain business combination transactions. It also requires offers to prepay with proceeds from asset sales that are not used for capital expenditures.

The Term Loan Credit Agreement matures on December 2, 2017. There are prepayment penalties. Prior to November 9, 2013, the prepayment price is the Make Whole Premium plus accrued interest. Between November 10, 2013 and November 9, 2014, the prepayment price is 102% of the principal amount plus interest. Between November 10, 2014 and November 9, 2015, the prepayment price is 101% of the principal amount plus interest. After November 9, 2015, loans can be prepaid without premium or penalty.