Table of Contents

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-238209

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To prospectus dated June 24, 2020)

 

LOGO

CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY

Common Stock Having an Aggregate Offering Price of up to $100,000,000

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relate to the issuance and sale from time to time of shares of our common stock, par value $0.04 per share, having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000 through Jefferies LLC (the “Sales Agent” or “Jefferies”). These sales, if any, will be made pursuant to the terms of the Open Market Sale Agreement dated June 24, 2020 between us and the Sales Agent (as it may be amended, the “Sales Agreement”), which will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Under the terms of the Sales Agreement, we also may sell shares of our common stock to the Sales Agent as principal for its own account at a price agreed upon at the time of the sale. If we sell shares of our common stock to the Sales Agent as principal, we will enter into a separate terms agreement with the Sales Agent and we will describe that agreement in a separate prospectus supplement or pricing supplement. The Sales Agent is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of shares of our common stock but will use its commercially reasonable efforts, as our agent and subject to the terms of the Sales Agreement, to sell the shares of our common stock offered, as instructed by us. The compensation of the Sales Agent for sales of our common stock shall be at a commission rate of up to 3% of the gross sales price per share of our common stock sold through the Sales Agent. The net proceeds from any sales under this prospectus supplement will be used as described under “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement.

The offering of common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all shares of common stock subject to the Sales Agreement and (ii) the termination of the Sales Agreement by either the Sales Agent or us.

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE American under the symbol “MCF.” On June 23, 2020, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE American was $3.38 per share.

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

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

Jefferies

The date of this prospectus supplement is June 24, 2020.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

     PAGE NUMBER  
Prospectus Supplement   

Prospectus Supplement Summary

     S-1  

Forward-Looking Statements

     S-3  

Risk Factors

     S-5  

Use of Proceeds

     S-6  

Plan of Distribution

     S-7  

Legal Matters

     S-9  

Experts

     S-10  

Where You Can Find More Information

     S-11  
Prospectus   
     PAGE NUMBER  

About This Prospectus

     1  

The Company

     1  

About the Subsidiary Guarantors

     2  

Where You Can Find More Information

     3  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     3  

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     4  

Risk Factors

     7  

Use of Proceeds

     8  

Description of Debt Securities

     9  

Description of Capital Stock

     22  

Description of Depositary Shares

     26  

Description of Warrants

     28  

Description of Subscription Rights

     29  

Plan of Distribution

     30  

Legal Matters

     32  

Experts

     32  

 

 

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. In the event that the description of this offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in this prospectus supplement.

Any statement made in this prospectus supplement or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information” on page S-7 of this prospectus supplement.

Neither we nor the Sales Agent have authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are offering to sell shares of our common stock, and seeking offers to buy shares of our common stock, only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or any free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the dates shown in these documents or that any information we have incorporated by reference herein is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates. We are not, and the Sales Agent is not, making an offer of our common stock in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted, including in Canada.

Unless the context requires otherwise, or unless otherwise noted, references in this prospectus to “Contango Oil & Gas Company,” the “Company,” the “Registrant,” “we,” “us,” “our” and similar terms refer to Contango Oil & Gas Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making an investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference for a more complete understanding of our business and this offering, as well as material tax and other considerations that may be important to you in making your investment decision. Please read “Risk Factors” on page S-5 of this prospectus supplement, in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020, and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 for information regarding risks you should consider before investing in our common stock.

ABOUT CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY

Contango Oil & Gas Company is a Houston, Texas based, independent oil and natural gas company, with regional offices in Oklahoma City and Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Company’s business is to maximize production and cash flow from its offshore properties in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico and onshore Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Wyoming properties and use that cash flow to explore, develop, exploit and acquire oil and natural gas properties across the United States.

Additional Information

Our principal executive office is located at 717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2900, Houston, Texas 77002 and our telephone number is (713) 236-7400. Our website is located at http://www.contango.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.”



 

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THE OFFERING

 

Issuer

Contango Oil & Gas Company.

 

Shares of Common Stock Offered by Us

Shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100,000,000.

 

Manner of Offering

“At the Market” offering that may be made from time to time on the NYSE American or other existing trading market for our common stock through the Sales Agent. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

Use of Proceeds

We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, after deducting the Sales Agent’s commissions and our offering expenses, to repay borrowings under our Credit Agreement (as defined below) and for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, acquisitions and exploratory drilling. Please read “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Risk Factors

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-5 of this prospectus and under similar headings in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus for a discussion of the factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our common stock.

 

NYSE American Symbol

“MCF.”


 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, our filings with the SEC and our public releases may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words and phrases “should”, “could”, “may”, “will”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “expect”, “potential”, “possible”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “view”, “efforts”, “goal” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements and express our expectations about future events. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations may not occur. 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 our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K as incorporated herein by reference, and those factors summarized below:

 

   

volatility and significant declines in natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil prices, including regional differentials;

 

   

any reduction in our borrowing base from time to time and our ability to repay any excess borrowings as a result of such reduction;

 

   

our ability to successfully develop our undeveloped acreage in the Southern Delaware Basin and the Mid-continent area of Oklahoma, and realize the benefits associated therewith;

 

   

increased cost risks associated with our exploration and development in the Gulf of Mexico;

 

   

our financial position;

 

   

our business strategy, including execution of any changes in our strategy or our new fee for service offering;

 

   

meeting our forecasts and budgets, including our 2020 capital expenditure budget;

 

   

expectations regarding natural gas and oil markets in the United States and our realized prices;

 

   

outbreaks and pandemics, even outside our areas of operation, including COVID-19;

 

   

operational constraints, start-up delays and production shut-ins at both operated and non-operated production platforms, pipelines and natural gas processing facilities;

 

   

the risks associated with acting as operator of deep high pressure and high temperature wells, including well blowouts and explosions, onshore and offshore;

 

   

the risks associated with exploration, including cost overruns and the drilling of non-economic wells or dry holes, especially in prospects in which we have made a large capital commitment relative to the size of our capitalization structure;

 

   

the timing and successful drilling and completion of natural gas and oil wells;

 

   

the costs associated with the offshore Iron Flea prospect and other offshore prospects;

 

   

the concentration of drilling in the Southern Delaware Basin, including lower than expected production attributable to down spacing of wells;

 

   

our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations, borrowings or other sources to enable us to fund our operations, satisfy our obligations, fund our drilling program and support our acquisition efforts;

 

   

the cost and availability of rigs and other materials, services and operating equipment;

 

   

timely and full receipt of sale proceeds from the sale of our production;

 

   

our ability to find, acquire, market, develop and produce new natural gas and oil properties;

 

   

the conditions of the capital markets and our ability to access debt and equity capital markets or other non-bank sources of financing, and actions by current and potential sources of capital, including lenders;

 

   

interest rate volatility;

 

   

our ability to successfully integrate the businesses, properties and assets we acquire, including those in new areas of operation;

 

   

our ability to complete strategic dispositions or acquisitions of assets or businesses and realize the benefits of such dispositions or acquisitions;

 

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uncertainties in the estimation of proved reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and timing of development expenditures;

 

   

the need to take impairments on our properties due to lower commodity prices or other changes in the values of our assets;

 

   

the ability to post additional collateral for current bonds or comply with new supplemental bonding requirements imposed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management;

 

   

operating hazards attendant to the natural gas and oil business including weather, environmental risks, accidental spills, blowouts and pipeline ruptures, and other risks;

 

   

downhole drilling and completion risks that are generally not recoverable from third parties or insurance;

 

   

potential mechanical failure or under-performance of significant wells, production facilities, processing plants or pipeline mishaps;

 

   

actions or inactions of third-party operators of our properties;

 

   

actions or inactions of third-party operators of pipelines or processing facilities;

 

   

the ability to retain key members of senior management and key technical employees and to find and retain skilled personnel;

 

   

strength and financial resources of competitors;

 

   

federal and state legislative and regulatory developments and approvals (including additional taxes and changes in environmental regulations);

 

   

the ability of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and other oil exporting nations to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls;

 

   

the uncertain impact of supply of and demand for oil, natural gas and NGLs;

 

   

our ability to obtain goods and services critical to the operation of our properties;

 

   

worldwide and United States economic conditions;

 

   

the ability to construct and operate infrastructure, including pipeline and production facilities;

 

   

the continued compliance by us with various pipeline and gas processing plant specifications for the gas and condensate produced by us;

 

   

operating costs, production rates and ultimate reserve recoveries of our natural gas and oil discoveries;

 

   

expanded rigorous monitoring and testing requirements;

 

   

the ability to obtain adequate insurance coverage on commercially reasonable terms; and

 

   

the limited trading volume of our common stock and general market volatility.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves risk. In addition to the following risk factors, you should carefully consider the risk factors set forth under “Risk Factors” in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020 and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, together with all of the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, when evaluating an investment in our common stock. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.

We have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds from this offering and may not use them effectively.

Our management will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds from this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section entitled “Use of Proceeds,” and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds from this offering, their ultimate use may vary substantially from their currently intended use. Our management might not apply our net proceeds in ways that ultimately increase the value of your investment. The failure by our management to apply these funds effectively could harm our business. If we do not invest or apply the net proceeds from this offering in ways that enhance shareholder value, we may fail to achieve expected financial results, which could cause our stock price to decline.

The actual number of shares of common stock we will issue under the Sales Agreement, at any one time or in total, is uncertain.

Subject to certain limitations in the Sales Agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver an issuance notice to Jefferies at any time throughout the term of the Sales Agreement. The number of shares of common stock that are sold by Jefferies after delivering an issuance notice will fluctuate based on the market price of the shares of common stock during the sales period and limits we set with Jefferies. Because the price per share of each shares of common stock sold will fluctuate based on the market price of our shares of common stock during the sales period, it is not possible at this stage to predict the number of shares of common stock that will be ultimately issued.

The shares of common stock offered hereby will be sold in “at the market offerings,” and investors who buy shares of common stock at different times will likely pay different prices.

Investors who purchase shares of common stock in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares of common stock sold. Investors may experience a decline in the value of their shares of common stock as a result of sales of shares of common stock made at prices lower than the prices they paid.

Our issuance of additional securities may reduce the market price for our shares.

The market price of our common stock may be affected by future sales of our securities by us, including those made pursuant to the Sales Agreement and other additional issuances of common stock, and sales of our securities by members of our management team and board of directors. The number of shares of common stock that we may issue could be significant and dilutive to our existing stockholders.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay borrowings under our Credit Agreement, dated as of September 17, 2019, by and among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), and for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, acquisitions and exploratory drilling. Pending such use, the net proceeds may be invested in short-term, investment grade, interest-bearing securities, certificates of deposit or indirect or guaranteed obligations of the United States. As of May 31, 2020, we had an outstanding balance of $87.97 million under our Credit Agreement, which balance bore interest at 3.2437%. The Credit Agreement matures on September 17, 2024. In the 12 months before the date of this prospectus supplement, borrowings under the Credit Agreement were used for in funding the cash portion of producing property acquisitions, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We have entered into an Open Market Sale Agreement, dated June 24, 2020 (the “Sales Agreement”), with Jefferies LLC (the “Sales Agent” or “Jefferies”), under which we may offer and sell shares of common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $100 million from time to time through Jefferies, acting as agent. Sales of our shares of common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will be made by any method that is deemed to be an “at the market offering” as defined in Rule 415(a)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act.

Each time we wish to issue and sell our shares of common stock under the Sales Agreement, we will notify Jefferies of the number of shares to be issued, the dates on which such sales are anticipated to be made, any limitation on the number of shares to be sold in any one day and any minimum price below which sales may not be made. Once we have so instructed Jefferies, unless Jefferies declines to accept the terms of such notice, Jefferies has agreed to use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices to sell such shares up to the amount specified on such terms. The obligations of Jefferies under the Sales Agreement to sell our shares of common stock are subject to a number of conditions that we must meet.

The settlement of sales of shares between us and Jefferies is generally anticipated to occur on the second trading day following the date on which the sale was made. Sales of our shares of common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means as we and Jefferies may agree upon. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

We will pay Jefferies a commission equal to 3.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds we receive from each sale of our shares of common stock. Because there is no minimum offering amount required as a condition to close this offering, the actual total public offering amount, commissions and proceeds to us, if any, are not determinable at this time. In addition, we have agreed to reimburse Jefferies for the fees and disbursements of its counsel, payable upon the execution of the Sales Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, in addition to certain ongoing disbursements of its legal counsel in an amount not exceed $15,000 per quarter. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding any commissions or expense reimbursement payable to Jefferies under the terms of the Sales Agreement, will be approximately $250,000. The remaining sale proceeds, after deducting any other transaction fees, will equal our net proceeds from the sale of such shares.

Jefferies will provide written confirmation to us before the open of trading on the NYSE American on the day following each day on which our shares of common stock are sold under the Sales Agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of shares sold on that day, the aggregate gross proceeds of such sales and the proceeds to us.

In connection with the sale of our shares of common stock on our behalf, Jefferies will be deemed to be an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act and the compensation of Jefferies will be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to indemnify Jefferies against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. We have also agreed to contribute to payments Jefferies may be required to make in respect of such liabilities.

The offering of shares of our common stock pursuant to the Sales Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of all shares of common stock subject to the Sales Agreement and (ii) the termination of the Sales Agreement as permitted therein. We and Jefferies may each terminate the Sales Agreement at any time upon ten days’ prior notice.

This summary of the material provisions of the Sales Agreement does not purport to be a complete statement of its terms and conditions. A copy of the Sales Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and will be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

Jefferies and its affiliates may in the future provide various investment banking, commercial banking, financial advisory and other financial services for us and our affiliates, for which services they may in the future receive

 

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customary fees. In the course of its business, Jefferies may actively trade our securities for its own account or for the accounts of customers, and, accordingly, Jefferies may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities.

A prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by Jefferies, and Jefferies may distribute the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus electronically.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters regarding the shares offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Houston, Texas. White & Case LLP, New York, New York, will act as counsel to the Sales Agent.

 

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EXPERTS

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

Certain estimates of proved oil and gas reserves for the Company incorporated by reference herein were based in part upon reports by William M. Cobb & Associates, Inc., an independent petroleum engineering firm. Certain estimates of proved oil and gas reserves for Exaro Energy III, LLC incorporated by reference herein were based in part upon reports by W.D. Von Gonten & Co., an independent petroleum engineering firm. These estimates are included and incorporated herein in reliance on the authority of such firms as experts in such matters.

The consolidated financial statements of White Star Petroleum, LLC as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the years then ended, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent auditors, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The audit report covering the December 31, 2018 consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph that states that White Star Petroleum, LLC’s noncompliance with its debt covenants raises substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about registrants, like us, that have been filed electronically with the SEC. You can access the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain information about us on our website at http://www.contango.com. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus unless specifically so designated and filed with the SEC.

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to a contract or other document of ours, please be aware that the reference is only a summary and that you should refer to the exhibits that are part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement through the SEC’s Internet site.

 

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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the information or documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC (other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless we expressly provide to the contrary):

 

(1)

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2020;

 

(2)

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 15, 2020, June 11, 2020, June 15, 2020, and June 24, 2020 and Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on January 14, 2020 (File No. 001-16317);

 

(3)

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, filed with the SEC on June 22, 2020;

 

(4)

The description of our common stock which is contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-16317) filed with the SEC on January  16, 2001, as amended by our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June  14, 2019, as updated by Exhibit 4.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 30, 2020, and as subsequently amended or updated; and

 

(5)

Our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on April 28, 2020.

We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless we expressly provide to the contrary) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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 prospectus are terminated. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

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

Contango Oil & Gas Company

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2900

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 236-7400

 

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PROSPECTUS

CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

Subscription Rights

 

 

Guarantee of Debt Securities of Contango Oil & Gas Company by:

Crimson Exploration Inc.

Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc.

Contango Resources, Inc.

Contango Midstream Company

Contango Energy Company

Contango Rocky Mountain Inc.

Contango Operators, Inc.

Contango Mining Company

Conterra Company

Contaro Company

Contango Alta Investments, Inc.

Contango Venture Capital Corporation

 

 

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. We refer to the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares, warrants and subscription rights collectively as the “securities.” The aggregate initial offering price of all securities sold by us under this prospectus will not exceed $500,000,000.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered. Each time we offer and sell securities hereunder, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about such offering and the terms of the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained or incorporated in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered. This prospectus may not be used to offer or sell securities without a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering.

The securities may be offered directly by us, through agents designated from time to time by us or to or through underwriters or dealers. If any agents, dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities, their names, any over-allotment and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between or among them will be set forth, or will be calculable from the information set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. See the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” for more information.

You should carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, together with the documents we incorporate by reference, before you invest in any of our securities.

 

 

Investing in any of our securities involves risk. Please read carefully the information included and incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement for a discussion of the factors you should consider before deciding to purchase our securities. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 7 of this prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “MCF.”

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 June 24, 2020.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

About This Prospectus

     1  

The Company

     1  

About the Subsidiary Guarantors

     2  

Where You Can Find More Information

     3  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     3  

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     4  

Risk Factors

     7  

Use of Proceeds

     8  

Description of Debt Securities

     9  

Description of Capital Stock

     22  

Description of Depositary Shares

     26  

Description of Warrants

     28  

Description of Subscription Rights

     29  

Plan of Distribution

     30  

Legal Matters

     32  

Experts

     32  


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings with a total aggregate initial offering price of up to $500,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of the offering and the offered securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement.

We have not authorized any person to provide you with any information or represent anything about us other than what is contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement. We do not take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any information that others may provide to you. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on its front cover. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the date indicated on the front cover of such documents. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities offered hereunder, nor does this prospectus constitute 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 such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction.

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

Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise noted, all references in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement to “Contango,” the “Company,” “we” or “our” are to Contango Oil & Gas Company and its subsidiaries.

THE COMPANY

We are a Houston, Texas based independent oil and natural gas company, with regional offices in Oklahoma City and Stillwater, Oklahoma. Our business is to maximize production and cash flow from our offshore properties in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico and onshore Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Wyoming properties and use that cash flow to explore, develop, exploit and acquire oil and natural gas properties across the United States. We were originally formed in 1999 as a Nevada corporation and changed our state of incorporation to the State of Delaware in 2000. On June 14, 2019, following approval by our stockholders at the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders, we changed our state of incorporation from the State of Delaware to the State of Texas.

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.contango.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.”

 

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ABOUT THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

If specified in any accompanying prospectus supplement respecting a series of debt securities, Crimson Exploration Inc., Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc., Contango Resources, Inc., Contango Midstream Company, Contango Energy Company, Contango Rocky Mountain Inc., Contango Operators, Inc., Contango Mining Company, Conterra Company, Contaro Company, Contango Alta Investments, Inc., Contango Venture Capital Corporation and any other of our future subsidiaries specified in any prospectus supplement (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) may jointly and severally, fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee our payment obligations under any series of debt securities offered by this prospectus. Financial information concerning our Subsidiary Guarantors 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 subsidiaries’ 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 are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about registrants, like us, that have been filed electronically with the SEC. You can access the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain information about us on our website at http://www.contango.com. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus unless specifically so designated and filed with the SEC.

We have filed a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all of the information in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to a contract or other document of ours, please be aware that the reference is only a summary and that you should refer to the exhibits that are part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement through the SEC’s Internet site.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information in this prospectus supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus, while information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the information in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus and the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part the information or documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC (other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless we expressly provide to the contrary):

 

  (1)

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March  30, 2020, including information specifically incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the SEC on April 28, 2020;

 

  (2)

Our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on January 14, 2020 and our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 15, 2020 (File No. 001-16317); and

 

  (3)

The description of our common stock which is contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-16317) filed with the SEC on January  16, 2001, as amended by our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 14, 2019, as updated by Exhibit 4.5 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on March 30, 2020, and as subsequently amended or updated.

We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than information furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items unless we expressly provide to the contrary) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.

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

Contango Oil & Gas Company

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2900

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 236-7400

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, or filings with the SEC and our public releases may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words and phrases “should”, “could”, “may”, “will”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “expect”, “potential”, “possible”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “view”, “efforts”, “goal” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements and express our expectations about future events. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations may not occur. 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 our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and those factors summarized below:

 

   

volatility and significant declines in natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil prices, including regional differentials;

 

   

any reduction in our borrowing base from time to time;

 

   

our ability to successfully develop our undeveloped acreage positions in the Southern Delaware Basin and the Mid-continent area of Oklahoma, and realize the benefits associated therewith;

 

   

increased cost risks associated with our exploration and development in the Gulf of Mexico;

 

   

our financial position;

 

   

our business strategy, including execution of any changes in our strategy;

 

   

meeting our forecasts and budgets, including our 2020 capital expenditure budget;

 

   

expectations regarding natural gas and oil markets in the United States and our realized prices;

 

   

operational constraints, start-up delays and production shut-ins at both operated and non-operated production platforms, pipelines and natural gas processing facilities;

 

   

the risks associated with acting as operator of deep high pressure and high temperature wells, including well blowouts and explosions, onshore and offshore;

 

   

the risks associated with exploration, including cost overruns and the drilling of non-economic wells or dry holes, especially in prospects in which we have made a large capital commitment relative to the size of our capitalization structure;

 

   

the timing and successful drilling and completion of natural gas and oil wells;

 

   

the concentration of drilling in the Southern Delaware Basin, including lower than expected production attributable to down spacing of wells;

 

   

our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations, borrowings or other sources to enable us to fund our operations, satisfy our obligations, fund our drilling program and support our acquisition efforts;

 

   

the cost and availability of rigs and other materials, services and operating equipment;

 

   

timely and full receipt of sales proceeds from the sale of our production;

 

   

our ability to find, acquire, market, develop and produce new natural gas and oil properties;

 

   

the conditions of the capital markets and our ability to access debt and equity capital markets or other non-bank sources of financing;

 

   

actions by current and potential sources of capital, including lenders;

 

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interest rate volatility;

 

   

our ability to successfully integrate the businesses, properties and assets we acquire, including those in new areas of operation;

 

   

our ability to complete strategic dispositions or acquisitions of assets or businesses and realize the benefits of such dispositions or acquisitions;

 

   

uncertainties in the estimation of proved reserves and in the projection of future rates of production and timing of development expenditures;

 

   

the need to take impairments on our properties due to lower commodity prices;

 

   

the ability to post additional collateral for current bonds or comply with new supplemental bonding requirements imposed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management;

 

   

operating hazards attendant to the natural gas and oil business including weather, environmental risks, accidental spills, blowouts and pipeline ruptures and other risks;

 

   

downhole drilling and completion risks that are generally not recoverable from third parties or insurance;

 

   

potential mechanical failure or under-performance of significant wells, production facilities, processing plants or pipeline mishaps;

 

   

actions or inactions of third-party operators of our properties;

 

   

actions or inactions of third-party operators of pipelines or processing facilities;

 

   

the ability to retain key members of senior management and key technical employees and to find and retain skilled personnel;

 

   

strength and financial resources of competitors;

 

   

federal and state legislative and regulatory developments and approvals (including additional taxes and changes in environmental regulations);

 

   

the ability of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and other oil exporting nations to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls;

 

   

the uncertain impact of supply of and demand for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids;

 

   

our ability to obtain goods and services critical to the operation of our properties;

 

   

worldwide and United States economic conditions;

 

   

outbreaks and pandemics, even outside our areas of operation, including COVID-19;

 

   

the ability to construct and operate infrastructure, including pipeline and production facilities;

 

   

the continued compliance by us with various pipeline and gas processing plant specifications for the gas and condensate produced by us;

 

   

operating costs, production rates and ultimate reserve recoveries of our natural gas and oil discoveries;

 

   

expanded rigorous monitoring and testing requirements;

 

   

the ability to obtain adequate insurance coverage on commercially reasonable terms; and

 

   

the limited trading volume of our common stock and general trading market volatility.

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

 

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and assumptions to be reasonable when made, 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. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this report as they speak only as of the date of this report.

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

All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, in this report are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or any person acting on our behalf may issue.

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.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risks. Before you make a decision to buy our securities, in addition to the risks and uncertainties discussed above under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” you should carefully consider the specific risks set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as information included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K as incorporated herein by reference. If any of these risks actually occur, it may materially harm our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations. As a result, the market price of our securities could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. Additionally, the risks and uncertainties described in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference herein or therein are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business.

 

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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.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The Debt Securities will be either our senior debt securities (“Senior Debt Securities”) or our subordinated debt securities (“Subordinated Debt Securities”). 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 Contango Oil & Gas Company 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 Inc., Crimson Exploration Operating, Inc., Contango Resources, Inc., Contango Midstream Company, Contango Energy Company, Contango Rocky Mountain Inc., Contango Operators, Inc., Contango Mining Company, Conterra Company, Contaro Company, Contango Alta Investments, Inc., Contango Venture Capital Corporation 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 Subsidiary Guarantors are wholly-owned by the Company, either directly or indirectly, and any guarantee by the Subsidiary Guarantors will be full and unconditional. The Company has no assets or operations independent of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and there are no significant restrictions upon the ability of the Subsidiary Guarantors to distribute funds to the Company. Finally, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries do not have restricted assets that exceed 25% of net assets as of the most recent fiscal year end that may not be transferred to the Company in the form of loans, advances or cash dividends by such subsidiary without the consent of a third party.

 

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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;

 

  (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

 

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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.”

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 Guarantors.

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.

 

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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 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

 

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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.

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.

 

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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.

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;

 

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  (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 Contango Oil & Gas Company 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 Contango Oil & Gas Company 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 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

 

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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

 

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

 

  (1)

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

 

  (2)

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

 

  (3)

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

 

  (4)

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

 

  (5)

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

 

  (6)

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

 

  (7)

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

 

  (8)

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

 

  (9)

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

 

  (10)

modify such provisions with respect to modification, amendment or waiver; or (11) following the making of an offer to purchase Debt Securities from any Holder that has been made pursuant to a covenant in such Indenture, modify such covenant in a manner adverse to such Holder.

The Holders of 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

 

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  (4)

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

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

Satisfaction and Discharge

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

 

  (1)

either:

 

  (a)

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

 

  (b)

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

 

  (2)

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

 

  (3)

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

Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

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

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

 

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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

 

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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.

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.

 

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

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

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following descriptions set forth certain material terms and provisions of our common stock, which is registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and our preferred stock. The following descriptions of our common stock and preferred stock are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to our amended and restated certificate of formation (including any statement of resolution of preferred stock) and our bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

General

The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 205,000,000 shares, which includes 200,000,000 shares authorized as common stock, $0.04 par value, and 5,000,000 shares authorized as preferred stock, $0.04 par value. Subject to the approval of the shareholders at the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Board has approved a proposal to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 200,000,000 to 400,000,000. If adopted by the shareholders, the amendment would become effective upon filing of an appropriate certificate of amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas. As of May 11, 2020, we had: (i) 183 holders of record of common stock and 129,052,061 shares of common stock outstanding; (ii) no shares of Series A Contingent Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.04 (“Series A Preferred Stock”) outstanding; (iii) no Series B Contingent Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.04 (“Series B Preferred Stock”) outstanding; and (iv) eight holders of record of Series C Contingent Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.04 (“Series C Preferred Stock”), and 2,700,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding.

Description of Common Stock

Dividends. Holders of common stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors (the “Board”) out of funds legally available. Any decision to pay future dividends on our common stock will be at the discretion of our Board and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements and other factors our Board may deem relevant. Our credit facility currently restricts our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock, and we may also enter into credit agreements or other borrowing arrangements in the future that restrict or limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock.

Fully Paid. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable upon issuance.

Voting Rights. 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. Common stockholders are not entitled to preemptive or cumulative voting rights. Unless specified in our amended and restated certificate of formation (including any statement of resolution of preferred stock) or the bylaws of the Company, or as required by applicable provisions of the Texas Business Organizations Code (the “TBOC”) or applicable stock exchange rules, the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote on a matter is required to approve any such matter voted on by the Company’s stockholders.

Other Rights. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining available for distribution to them after payment of liabilities and after provision is made for each class of stock, if any, having preference over the common stock. No share of common stock is convertible, redeemable, assessable or entitled to the benefits of any sinking or repurchase fund.

Transfer Agent and Registrar. Our transfer agent and registrar for our common stock, Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, and Series C Preferred Stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, located in New York, New York.

Listing. Our common stock is listed on the NYSE American and trades under the symbol “MCF.”

 

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Description of Preferred Stock

Our amended and restated certificate of formation authorizes 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock and provides that shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Our Board is expressly granted authority to fix for each such series such voting powers, full or limited, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board providing for the issue of such series and as may be permitted by the TBOC.

In September and November 2019, the Company established and issued Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock, respectively. On December 12, 2019, upon the approval from the holders of a majority of the voting power of the Company’s capital stock to increase the number of common shares authorized for issuance from 100 million to 200 million common shares, the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock automatically converted into common stock and, upon the conversion, all outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock were cancelled.

The Series C Preferred Stock ranks equal to the common stock, the Series A Preferred Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and rights upon liquidation. The Series C Preferred Stock has no voting rights. Subject to the approval of the shareholders at the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, each share of Series C Preferred Stock will automatically convert into one common share and the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock will be cancelled.

No dividends shall accrue or be payable on the Series C Preferred Stock until December 23, 2020. Holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board and declared by the Company, cash dividends of ten percent (10%) of the $2.50 original issue price per annum on each outstanding share of Series C Preferred Stock. Such dividends shall accrue from December 23, 2020. Following such date, subject to compliance with the Company’s credit agreement, dividends shall be payable quarterly in cash on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, beginning December 31, 2020, when, as and if declared by the Board, and shall cease to accrue on the date immediately preceding the date of conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock to common stock; provided, however, when there are no shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding, no dividends, including any dividends which have accrued, shall be payable to the holders of the shares of Series C Preferred Stock or the holders of the shares of common stock into which the shares of Series C Preferred Stock convert.

Certain Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation, Bylaws and Law

Our amended and restated certificate of formation and bylaws contain provisions that may render more difficult possible takeover proposals to acquire control of us and make removal of our management more difficult. Below is a description of certain of these provisions in our amended and restated certificate of formation and bylaws.

Anti-takeover Statute

Pursuant to our governing documents, the Company has opted out of TBOC §21.606 (the “Texas Anti-takeover Statute”); however, our bylaws incorporate anti-takeover provisions (the “Bylaw Anti-takeover Provisions”) that are based on the Texas Anti-takeover Statute. These Bylaw Anti-takeover Provisions give us flexibility to engage in certain beneficial transactions with any of our shareholders while still providing the appropriate level of anti-takeover protections for a corporation of our size and shareholder base. Specifically, the Bylaw Anti-takeover Provisions include substantially the same restrictions that are provided for under the Texas Anti-takeover Statute, provided that those restrictions do not apply to (i) John Goff and his affiliated funds at any time that they own less than 23% of the Company’s outstanding shares (or such higher ownership threshold as may be approved by the Board in advance, which the Board, by means of a committee of independent directors,

 

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has approved to increase to an ownership threshold of 45%) or (ii) a transaction between the Company and any person that holds more than 20% of the Company’s outstanding shares if such transaction is approved in advance by (A) a majority of the continuing and unaffiliated directors of the Company and (B) holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding shares.

Board

Our amended and restated certificate of formation provides that the Board shall consist of such number of directors as shall be determined from time to time solely by resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the total number of directors then authorized, but no reduction of the number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of his term of office. Our amended and restated certificate of formation further provides that this provision may not be amended or repealed except upon the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the voting stock of the Company, voting together as a single class. Voting stock means the voting power of the outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

Stockholder Meetings

Our bylaws limit the ability of our stockholders to call meetings of stockholders. Meetings of the stockholders may be called at any time by the Board, in its sole discretion, except that the Board shall be required to call a special meeting of stockholders on the written request in proper form of the holder or holders of at least one-half (1/2) of all the shares outstanding and entitled to vote thereat. Our bylaws require that written notice, stating the place, day and hour of the meeting and the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be prepared and delivered by us not less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of a stockholder meeting, except as otherwise provided in our bylaws or required by law.

Director Nominations

Our bylaws contain specific procedures for stockholder nomination of directors. These provisions require advance notification that must be given in accordance with the provisions of our bylaws. The procedure for stockholder nomination of directors may have the effect of precluding a nomination for the election of directors at a particular meeting if the required procedure is not followed.

Annual Meeting

Our bylaws also contain specific procedures for a stockholder to properly bring business before the annual meeting. These provisions require advanced notification that must be given in accordance with the provisions of our bylaws. The procedure for bringing business before the annual meeting may have the effect of precluding a stockholder from bringing such business at the annual meeting if the required procedure is not followed.

Voting

Although Section 21.361 of the TBOC provides that a corporation’s certificate of formation may provide for cumulative voting for directors, neither our amended and restated certificate of formation nor our bylaws provide for cumulative voting. As a result, the holders of a majority of the votes of the outstanding shares of our common stock have the ability to elect all of the directors being elected at any annual meeting of stockholders.

Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of formation provides for indemnification of our directors and officers to the full extent permitted by applicable law. Our bylaws also provide that directors and officers shall be indemnified against liabilities arising from their service as directors or officers.

 

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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Forum for Shareholder Litigation

Our bylaws provide, subject to limited exceptions, that the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas will be the sole and exclusive forum for certain stockholder litigation matters. Unless we consent to the selection of an alternative forum, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas or, if such court lacks jurisdiction, the state district court of Harris County, Texas, shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any (i) derivative action or proceeding brought in the name or right of the Company or on its behalf, (ii) action asserting a claim for breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer, employee or other agent of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the TBOC, or our certificate of formation or bylaws, or (iv) action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Such restrictions could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or stockholders.

 

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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.

 

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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.

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.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

We may issue warrants for the purchase of our common stock, debt securities, subscription rights and/or preferred stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or subscription rights 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 securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants and the price at which such securities 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.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

We may issue subscription rights to purchase our common stock, preferred stock and/or debt securities in one or more series. Subscription rights may be offered independently or together with our common stock, preferred stock, debt securities and/or warrants offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. While the terms we have summarized below will generally apply to any future rights we may offer pursuant to this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any subscription rights that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplements. The terms of any subscription rights we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below.

The applicable prospectus supplements relating to any subscription rights that we offer will include specific terms of any offering of rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following, to the extent applicable:

 

   

the date for determining the persons entitled to participate in the rights distribution;

 

   

the price, if any, per right;

 

   

the exercise price payable for each share of common stock, share of preferred stock or debt security upon the exercise of the rights;

 

   

the number of rights issued or to be issued to each holder;

 

   

the number and terms of the shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock or debt securities that may be purchased per each right;

 

   

the extent to which the rights are transferable;

 

   

any other terms of the rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the rights;

 

   

the respective dates on which the holder’s ability to exercise the rights will commence and will expire;

 

   

the number of rights outstanding, if any;

 

   

a discussion of any material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the rights;

 

   

the extent to which the rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities or an over-allotment privilege to the extent the securities are fully subscribed; and

 

   

if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of such rights.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplements of any subscription rights that we may offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable rights agreement and/or rights certificate, which will be filed with the SEC in connection therewith. Therefore, you should carefully consider the actual provisions of the rights, the rights agreement and the applicable securities.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities on a delayed or continuous basis in and outside the United States through underwriters or dealers as designated from time to time, directly to purchasers, through agents or through a combination of these methods.

We, or agents designated by us, may directly solicit, from time to time, offers to purchase the securities. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter as that term is defined in the Securities Act. We will name the agents involved in the offer or sale of the securities and describe any commissions payable by us to these agents in the prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, these agents will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of their appointment. The agents may be entitled under agreements they may enter into with us to indemnification by us against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The agents may also be our customers or may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

Sales Through Underwriters or Dealers

If we use underwriters in the sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale.

Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement and except as described below, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers.

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

If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

At-the-Market Offerings

Underwriters or agents could makes sales in privately negotiated transactions and/or any other method permitted by law, including sales deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, which includes sales made directly on or through the NYSE American, the existing trading market for our common stock, or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange.

 

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To the extent that we make sales through one or more underwriters or agents in “at-the-market” offerings, we will do so pursuant to the terms of a sales agency financing agreement or other “at-the-market” offering arrangement with such underwriters or agents. If we engage in at-the-market sales pursuant to any such agreement, we will issue and sell securities through one or more underwriters or agents, which may act on an agency basis or on a principal basis. During the term of any such agreement, we may sell securities on a daily basis in exchange transactions or otherwise as we agree with the underwriters or agents. The agreement will provide that any securities sold will be sold at prices related to the then prevailing market prices for such securities. Therefore, exact figures regarding proceeds that will be raised or commissions to be paid cannot be determined at this time. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, we also may agree to sell, and the relevant underwriters or agents may agree to solicit offers to purchase, blocks of securities. The terms of each such agreement will be set forth in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus. In the event that any underwriter or agent acts as principal, or any broker-dealer acts as underwriter, it may engage in certain transactions that stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the price of the securities. Any such activities will be described in the prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus relating to the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents

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

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

Remarketing Arrangements

We may offer and sell any of the securities in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment by their terms or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. We will identify any remarketing firm, the terms of any remarketing agreement and the compensation to be paid to the remarketing firm in the prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

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

Derivative Transactions

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open

 

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borrowings of stock. The third parties in these sale transactions will be underwriters and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. If securities are to be sold through subscription rights, the subscription rights may be distributed as a dividend to the stockholders.

General Information

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

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities described in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Houston, Texas. If the securities are being distributed through underwriters or agents, the validity of the securities will be passed upon for the underwriters or agents by counsel identified in the related prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

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

Certain estimates of proved oil and gas reserves for the Company incorporated by reference herein were based in part upon reports by William M. Cobb & Associates, Inc., an independent petroleum engineering firm. Certain estimates of proved oil and gas reserves for Exaro Energy III, LLC incorporated by reference herein were based in part upon reports by W.D. Von Gonten & Co., an independent petroleum engineering firm. These estimates are included and incorporated herein in reliance on the authority of such firms as experts in such matters.

The consolidated financial statements of White Star Petroleum, LLC as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the years then ended, have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, independent auditors, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The audit report covering the December 31, 2018 consolidated financial statements contains an explanatory paragraph that states that White Star Petroleum’s noncompliance with its debt covenants raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of that uncertainty.

 

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CONTANGO OIL & GAS COMPANY

Common Stock Having an Aggregate Offering Price of up to $100,000,000

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

 

Jefferies

June 24, 2020