SEC Filing - Black Stone Minerals L.P.

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Form S-1

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 19, 2015

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

1311

47-1846692

(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)

(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

1001 Fannin Street

Suite 2020

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 658-0647

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Steve Putman

Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

1001 Fannin Street

Suite 2020

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 658-0647

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)

Copies to:

Mike Rosenwasser

Brenda Lenahan

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

666 Fifth Avenue, 26th Floor

New York, New York 10103

Tel: (212) 237-0000

Fax: (212) 237-0100

G. Michael O’Leary

Jon W. Daly

Andrews Kurth LLP

600 Travis Street, Suite 4200

Houston, Texas 77002

Tel: (713) 220-4200

Fax: (713) 220-4285

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ¨

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

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


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

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



Title of each class of securities to be registered	Proposed maximum aggregate offering price(1)(2)	Amount of registration fee(2)
Common units representing limited partner interests	$100,000,000	$11,620

(1)	Includes common units issuable upon exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units.

(2)	Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act.

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission becomes effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion, dated March 19, 2015

PROSPECTUS

LOGO

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

Common Units

Representing Limited Partner Interests

This is the initial public offering of our common units representing limited partner interests in us. We are offering common units. Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common units. We currently expect the initial public offering price to be between $ and $ per common unit. We have applied to list our common units on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BSM.”

Investing in our common units involves risks. Please read “Risk Factors” beginning on page 27.

These risks include the following:

•

We may not generate sufficient cash from operations after establishment of cash reserves to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our common and subordinated units. If we make distributions, our preferred unitholders have priority with respect to rights to share in those distributions over our common and subordinated unitholders for so long as our preferred units are outstanding.

•

The volatility of oil and natural gas prices due to factors beyond our control greatly affects our financial condition, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders.

•

Oil prices have declined substantially from historical highs and may remain depressed for the foreseeable future. Any additional decreases in prices of oil may adversely affect our cash generated from operations, results of operations, financial position, and our ability to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on all of our outstanding common and subordinated units, perhaps materially.

•

Natural gas prices have declined substantially from historical highs and are expected to remain depressed for the foreseeable future. Any additional decreases in prices of natural gas may adversely affect our cash generated from operations, results of operations, financial position, and our ability to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on all of our outstanding common and subordinated units, perhaps materially.

•

We depend on various unaffiliated operators for all of the exploration, development, and production on the properties underlying our mineral and royalty interests and non-operated working interests. Substantially all of our revenue is derived from the sale of oil and natural gas production from producing wells in which we own a royalty interest or a non-operated working interest. A reduction in the expected number of wells to be drilled on our acreage by these operators or the failure of our operators to adequately and efficiently develop and operate our acreage could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.

•

Unitholders will incur immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value per common unit.

•

If the Internal Revenue Service were to treat us as a corporation for federal income tax purposes or we were to become subject to entity-level taxation for state tax purposes, then our cash distributions to unitholders could be substantially reduced.

•

Even if a unitholder does not receive any cash distributions from us, a unitholder will be required to pay taxes on its share of our taxable income.

In addition, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Securities Act of 1933 and, as such, are allowed to provide in this prospectus more limited disclosures than an issuer that would not so qualify. Furthermore, for so long as we remain an emerging growth company, we will qualify for certain limited exceptions from investor protection laws such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Investor Protection and Securities Reform Act of 2010. Please read “Summary—Emerging Growth Company Status.”


	Per Common Unit	Total
Public Offering Price	$	$
Underwriting Discount(1)	$	$
Proceeds to Black Stone Minerals, L.P. (before expenses)	$	$

(1)	Excludes an aggregate structuring fee equal to 0.50% of the gross proceeds of this offering payable by us to Barclays Capital Inc. Please read “Underwriting.”

The underwriters may purchase up to an additional common units from us at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus to cover over-allotments.

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.

The underwriters expect to deliver the common units to purchasers on or about , 2015 through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.


Barclays		BofA Merrill Lynch		Citigroup


Credit Suisse				Wells Fargo Securities


J.P. Morgan		Morgan Stanley		Raymond James


Scotia Howard Weil				Simmons & Company International

Prospectus dated , 2015

LOGO

TABLE OF CONTENTS


SUMMARY			1
Black Stone Minerals, L.P.			1
Overview			1
Our Assets			2
Our Properties			3
Business Strategies			6
Competitive Strengths			7
Management			9
Fiduciary Duties			9
Emerging Growth Company Status			9
Formation Transactions and Structure			10
Principal Executive Offices			13
Risk Factors			14
The Offering			18
Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data			24
Non-GAAP Financial Measures			26

RISK FACTORS			28
Risks Related to Our Business			28
Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us			42
Tax Risks to Common Unitholders			48

USE OF PROCEEDS			52

CAPITALIZATION			53

DILUTION			54

CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTIONS			55
General			55
Pro Forma Cash Generated from Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2014			58
Estimated Cash Generated from Operations for the Twelve Months Ending June 30, 2016			61

HOW WE MAKE DISTRIBUTIONS			74
General			74
Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus			74
Capital Expenditures			76
Subordination Period			78
Distributions From Operating Surplus During the Subordination Period			80
Distributions From Capital Surplus			80
Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution			81
Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation			81

SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA			82

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS			84
Overview			84
Business Environment			84
How We Evaluate Our Operations			85
Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Financial Results			87
Results of Operations			87
Liquidity and Capital Resources			90


Credit Facility			91
Contractual Obligations			92
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements			92
Critical Accounting Policies and Related Estimates			92
New and Revised Financial Accounting Standards			95
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk			95

BUSINESS			97
Overview			97
Our Assets			97
Business Strategies			99
Competitive Strengths			101
Our Properties			102
Estimated Proved Reserves			112
Oil and Natural Gas Production Prices and Production Costs			117
Environmental Matters			120
Title to Properties			124
Competition			125
Seasonal Nature of Business			125
Employees			125
Facilities			125
Legal Proceedings			125

MANAGEMENT			126
Management			126
Executive Officers and Directors of Our General Partner			127
Director Independence			132
Committees of the Board of Directors			132
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions			133
Procedures for Review, Approval, and Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons			133

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION			134
Summary Compensation Table			134
Narrative Disclosure to the Summary Compensation Table			135
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2014 Fiscal Year-End			136
Additional Narrative Disclosure			137
Long-Term Incentive Plan			139
Director Compensation			141

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT			143

FIDUCIARY DUTIES			145

DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON UNITS			148
Our Common Units			148
Transfer Agent and Registrar			148
Transfer of Common Units			148
Listing			149

DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED UNITS			150
Our Preferred Units			150
Distributions			150
Conversion of the Preferred Units			150
Redemption of the Preferred Units			151


Anti-Dilution Provisions			152
Voting; Waiver			152

THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT			153
Organization and Duration			153
Purpose			153
Capital Contributions			153
Adjustments to Capital Accounts Upon Issuance of Additional Common Units			153
Voting Rights			153
Meetings; Voting			155
Nomination of Directors			156
Applicable Law; Forum, Venue, and Jurisdiction			157
Limited Liability			157
Issuance of Additional Partnership Interests			158
Amendment of the Partnership Agreement			159
Merger, Consolidation, Conversion, Sale, or Other Disposition of Assets			160
Dissolution			161
Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds			162
Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner; Transfer of General Partner Interest			162
Change of Management Provisions			162
Ineligible Holders; Redemption			162
Limited Call Right			163
Status as Limited Partner			164
Indemnification			164
Books and Reports			164
Right to Inspect Our Books and Records			164

UNITS ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE			166

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES			167
Taxation of the Partnership			167
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership			169
Tax Treatment of Operations			173
Disposition of Units			175
Uniformity of Units			177
Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors			178
Administrative Matters			179
FATCA Withholding Requirements			180
State, Local, and Other Tax Considerations			181

INVESTMENT IN BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P. BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS			182
General Fiduciary Matters			182
Prohibited Transaction Issues			182
Plan Asset Issues			183

UNDERWRITING			184
Commissions and Expenses			184
Option to Purchase Additional Common Units			185
Lock-Up Agreements			185
Offering Price Determination			185
Indemnification			186
Stabilization, Short Positions, and Penalty Bids			186
Directed Unit Program			187
Electronic Distribution			187

iii


New York Stock Exchange			187
Discretionary Sales			187
Stamp Taxes			187
Relationships			187
FINRA			188
Selling Restrictions			188

LEGAL MATTERS			190

EXPERTS			190

CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS			190
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			191

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			192

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS			F-1

APPENDIX A—FORM OF FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.			A-1

APPENDIX B—GLOSSARY OF SELECTED TERMS			B-1

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any free-writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or any other information to which we have referred you in connection with this offering. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any other person to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor sale of our common units means that information contained in this prospectus is correct after the date of this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy our common units in any circumstances under which the offer or solicitation is unlawful.

INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA

This prospectus includes industry data and forecasts that we obtained from internal company surveys, publicly available information, industry publications, and surveys. Our internal research and forecasts are based on management’s understanding of industry conditions, and this information has not been verified by independent sources. Industry publications and surveys generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable.

SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in our common units. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including the historical and pro forma financial statements and the notes to those financial statements, before investing in our common units. The information presented in this prospectus assumes an initial public offering price of $ per common unit (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) and, unless otherwise indicated, that the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units is not exercised and the preferred units have not converted to common units and subordinated units. You should read “Risk Factors” for information about important risks that you should consider before buying our common units.

References in this prospectus to “BSMC,” “Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Predecessor,” “our predecessor,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or like terms when used in a historical context refer to Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. and its subsidiaries. When used in the present tense or prospectively, “BSM,” “Black Stone Minerals,” “we,” “our,” “us,” “the partnership,” or like terms refer to Black Stone Minerals, L.P. and its subsidiaries, after giving effect to those transactions described in “—Formation Transactions and Structure.” References in this prospectus to “BSNR” refer to Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary and also the general partner of BSMC. References in this prospectus to “our general partner” or “New GP” refer to Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary and also the general partner of BSM. References in this prospectus to “New BSMC GP” refer to New BSMC GP, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary and also the general partner of BSMC, after giving effect to those transactions described in “—Formation Transactions and Structure.” References in this prospectus to “Black Stone Management” refer to Black Stone Natural Resources Management Company. References in this prospectus to “our working interests” refer to non-operated working interests. References in this prospectus to production or reserves in “Boe” or “MBoe” are presented on a “Btu-equivalent” basis at a conversion ratio of six Mcf (as defined below) of natural gas to one barrel of oil, unless otherwise indicated. We include a glossary of some of the terms used in this prospectus as Appendix B.

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

Overview

We are one of the largest owners of oil and natural gas mineral interests in the United States. Our principal business is maximizing the value of our existing portfolio of mineral and royalty assets through active management and expanding our asset base through acquisitions of additional mineral and royalty interests. We maximize value through the marketing of our mineral assets for lease, creative structuring of those leases to encourage and accelerate drilling activity, and selectively participating alongside our lessees on a working-interest basis. Our primary business objective is to grow our reserves, production, and cash generated from operations over the long term, while paying, to the extent practicable, a growing quarterly distribution to our unitholders.

We own mineral interests in approximately 14.5 million acres, with an average 48.1% ownership interest in that acreage. We also own nonparticipating royalty interests in 1.2 million acres and overriding royalty interests in 1.4 million acres. These non-cost-bearing interests, which we refer to collectively as our “mineral and royalty interests,” include ownership in approximately 40,000 producing wells. Our mineral and royalty interests are located in 41 states and in 62 onshore basins in the continental United States. Many of these interests are in active resource plays, including the Bakken/Three Forks plays, Eagle Ford Shale, Wolfcamp play, Haynesville/Bossier plays, Granite Wash play, and Fayetteville Shale, as well as emerging plays such as the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale and the Canyon Lime play. The combination of the breadth of our asset base and the long-lived, non-cost-bearing nature of our mineral and royalty interests exposes us to potential additional production and reserves from new and existing plays without investing additional capital.

Our history dates back to 1876, when W.T. Carter & Bro., a predecessor of BSMC, was established as a lumber company in Southeast Texas. W.T. Carter & Bro. acquired significant land holdings for timber, and those acquisitions typically included mineral interests. Beginning in the late 1960s, we began to divest the timber and surface rights on our properties but retained the mineral interests. We began developing our prospective oil and natural gas acreage in the 1980s. In 1985, we were involved in the discovery of the Double A Wells Field in East Texas, a natural gas field that has produced over 540 Bcfe to date. In 1992, we made our first third-party acquisition of mineral interests and, in 1998, shifted our focus from exploration to acquisitions of mineral and royalty interests. In the aggregate, we have invested approximately $1.6 billion in 42 third-party transactions involving mineral and royalty interests and, to a lesser extent, non-operated working interests. We believe that one of our key strengths is our management’s extensive experience in acquiring and managing mineral and royalty interests. Our management team has a long history of creating unitholder value and has developed a scalable business model that has allowed us to integrate significant acquisitions into our existing organizational structure quickly and cost-efficiently. Our average daily production for the year ended December 31, 2014 was approximately 26.7 MBoe/d, which includes production from our mineral and royalty interests, as well as production attributable to our working-interest participation program, as described below, and excludes volumes and payments related to prior period production.

Our Assets

Mineral and Royalty Interests

Mineral interests are real-property interests that are typically perpetual and grant ownership of the oil and natural gas under a tract of land and the rights to explore for, drill for, and produce oil and natural gas on that land or to lease those exploration and development rights to a third party. When those rights are leased, usually for a three-year term, we typically receive an upfront cash payment, known as lease bonus, and we retain a mineral royalty, which entitles us to a cost-free percentage (usually ranging from 20% to 25%) of production or revenue from production. A lessee can extend the lease beyond the initial lease term with continuous drilling, production, or other operating activities. When production or drilling ceases, the lease terminates, allowing us to lease the exploration and development rights to another party. Mineral interests generate the substantial majority of our revenue and are also the assets that we have the most influence over.

In addition to mineral interests, we also own other types of non-cost-bearing royalty interests, which include:

•

nonparticipating royalty interests (“NPRIs”), which are royalty interests that are carved out of the mineral estate and represent the right, which is typically perpetual, to receive a fixed, cost-free percentage of production or revenue from production, without an associated right to lease or receive lease bonus; and

•

overriding royalty interests (“ORRIs”), which are royalty interests that burden working interests and represent the right to receive a fixed, cost-free percentage of production or revenue from production from a lease. ORRIs remain in effect until the associated leases expire.

Our revenue generated from these mineral and royalty interests was $340.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Working-Interest Participation Program

on our mineral acreage. This right to participate in a unit or well is exercisable at our sole discretion. We generally only exercise this option when the results from prior drilling and production activities have substantially reduced the economic risk associated with development drilling and where we believe the probability of achieving attractive economic returns is high.

We also own other working interests, unrelated to our mineral and royalty assets, which were acquired because of the attractive working-interest investment opportunities within the assets. The majority of these assets are focused in the Anadarko Basin, and to a lesser extent, in the Permian Basin and Powder River Basin. While these assets have been a successful part of our overall working-interest participation program, they represent approximately 10% of our 2015 non-operated working-interest capital expenditure budget and likely will be a declining portion of our future working-interest capital expenditure budget.

We collectively refer to these working interests as our “working-interest participation program.” When we participate in non-operated working-interest opportunities, we are required to pay our portion of the costs associated with drilling and operating these wells. Our 2015 drilling capital expenditure budget associated with our working-interest participation program is approximately $40.1 million. Approximately 65% and 14% of our 2015 drilling capital budget will be spent in the Haynesville/Bossier and the Bakken/Three Forks plays, respectively, with the remainder spent in various plays including the Wilcox and Granite Wash plays. We historically have participated in approximately 175 new wells per year. As of December 31, 2014, we owned non-operated working interests in approximately 9,200 gross wells. For the year ended December 31, 2014, our revenue generated from these working interests was $124.4 million.

Our Properties

Material Basins and Producing Regions

The following table summarizes our exposure to the U.S. basins and regions we consider most material to our current and future business.


	Acreage as of December 31, 2014(1)										Average Daily Production for Year Ended December 31, 2014(3)(4) (Boe/d)
	Mineral and Royalty Interests						Working Interests
USGS Petroleum Province(2)	Mineral Interests		NPRIs		ORRIs		Gross		Net
Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins		5,279,494		111,787		19,373		55,409		7,231		7,040
Western Gulf (onshore)		1,543,704		180,901		85,501		117,049		17,694		5,065
Williston Basin		1,111,548		61,094		30,645		53,090		7,488		3,493
Palo Duro Basin		1,010,374		22,791		1,120		—		—		16
Permian Basin		695,605		545,414		59,757		8,433		5,054		840
Anadarko Basin		535,767		10,628		181,401		31,667		21,404		2,447
Appalachian Basin		490,006		416		3,532		—		—		905
East Texas Basin		406,294		40,584		30,610		138,519		35,520		2,460
Arkoma Basin		331,168		5,170		36,109		8,953		2,408		2,029
Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin		138,178		52,208		41,072		61,650		11,369		550
Southwestern Wyoming		25,490		560		70,607		15,458		2,492		542
Other		2,933,898		188,446		793,419		43,574		13,173		1,333

Total		14,501,524		1,219,999		1,353,145		533,802		123,834		26,719

Note:

Numbers may not add up to total amounts due to rounding.

(1)	We may own more than one type of interest in the same tract of land. For example, where we have acquired working interests through our working-interest participation program in a given tract, our working-interest

acreage in that tract will relate to the same acres as our mineral-interest acreage in that tract. Consequently, some of the acreage shown for one type of interest above may also be included in the acreage shown for another type of interest. Because of our working-interest participation program, overlap between working-interest acreage and mineral-and-royalty-interest acreage is significant, while overlap between the different types of mineral and royalty interests is not. Working-interest acreage excludes acreage that is not quantifiable due to incomplete seller records.

(2)	The basins and regions shown in the table are consistent with U.S. Geological Survey (“USGS”) delineations of petroleum provinces of onshore and state offshore areas in the continental United States. We refer to these petroleum provinces as “basins” or “regions.”

(3)

“Btu-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six thousand cubic feet (“Mcf”) of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas. Please read “Business—Estimated Proved Reserves—Summary of Estimated Proved Reserves.”

(4)	Represents actual production plus allocated accrued volumes attributable to the period presented.

•

Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins. The Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins region ranges from northern Louisiana and southern Arkansas through south central and southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle. The Haynesville/Bossier plays, which have been extensively delineated through drilling, are the most prospective unconventional plays for natural gas production and reserves within this region. Approximately half of the Haynesville/Bossier plays’ prospective acreage is within the Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins region, where we own significant mineral and royalty interests and working interests. The Tuscaloosa Marine Shale play is the region’s most significant emerging unconventional oil play, extending through southwestern Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana on the eastern end of the play and westward across central Louisiana to the Texas border. The play is in the early stage of development and has been actively drilled and tested recently by several operators. We have a significant mineral-and-royalty-interest position across the entire region, with material exposure to the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale. There are a number of additional active conventional and unconventional plays in the basins in which we hold considerable mineral and royalty interests, including the Brown Dense, Cotton Valley, Hosston, Norphlet, Smackover, and Wilcox plays.

•

Western Gulf (onshore). The Western Gulf region, which ranges from South Texas through southeastern Louisiana, includes a variety of both conventional and unconventional plays. We have extensive exposure to the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, where we are experiencing a significant level of development drilling on our mineral interests within the oil and rich-gas condensate areas of the play. We also have significant exposure to the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale in central and southeastern Louisiana, which is one of the most prospective emerging oil shale plays in the region and has been actively drilled and tested recently by several operators in the Western Gulf region. In addition to the Eagle Ford Shale and Tuscaloosa Marine Shale plays, there are a number of other active conventional and unconventional plays to which we have exposure to in the region, including the Austin Chalk, Buda, Eaglebine (or Maness) Shale, Frio, Glenrose, Olmos, Woodbine, Vicksburg, Wilcox, and Yegua plays.

•

Williston Basin. The Williston Basin stretches through all of North Dakota, the northwest part of South Dakota, and eastern Montana and includes plays such as the Bakken/Three Forks plays, where we have significant exposure through our mineral and royalty interests as well as through our working interests. We are also exposed to other well-known plays in the basin, including the Duperow, Mission Canyon, Madison, Ratcliff, Red River, and Spearfish plays.

•

Palo Duro Basin. The Palo Duro Basin covers much of the Texas Panhandle but also occupies a small portion of the Oklahoma Panhandle and extends partially into New Mexico to the west. We have a significant acreage position in the Palo Duro Basin, much of which underlies an emerging unconventional oil play in the Canyon Lime. We are also well positioned relative to a number of other active conventional and unconventional plays in the Palo Duro Basin, including the Brown Dolomite, Canyon Wash, Cisco Sand, and Strawn Wash plays.

•

Permian Basin. The Permian Basin ranges from southeastern New Mexico into West Texas and is currently one of the most active areas for drilling in the United States. It includes three geologic provinces: the Midland Basin to the east, the Delaware Basin to the west, and the Central Basin in between. Our acreage underlies prospective areas for the Wolfcamp play in the Midland and Delaware Basins, the Spraberry formation in the Midland Basin, and the Bone Springs formation in the Delaware Basin, which are among the plays most actively targeted by drillers within the basin. In addition to these plays, we own mineral and royalty interests that are prospective for a number of other active conventional and unconventional plays in the Permian Basin, including the Atoka, Clearfork, Ellenberger, San Andres, Strawn, and Wichita Albany plays.

•

Anadarko Basin. The Anadarko Basin encompasses the Texas Panhandle, southeastern Colorado, southwestern Kansas, and western Oklahoma. We own mineral and royalty interests as well as working interests in prospective areas for most of the prolific plays in this basin, including the Granite Wash, Atoka, Cleveland, and Woodford Shale plays. Other active plays in which we hold interests in prospective acreage include the Cottage Grove, Hogshooter, Marmaton, Springer, and Tonkawa plays.

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Appalachian Basin. The Appalachian Basin covers most of Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio, West Virginia, western Maryland, eastern Kentucky, central Tennessee, western Virginia, northwestern Georgia, and northern Alabama. The basin’s most active play in which we have acreage is the Marcellus Shale, which covers most of western Pennsylvania and the northern part of West Virginia. In addition to the Marcellus Shale, there are a number of other active conventional and unconventional plays to which we have material exposure in the Appalachian Basin, including the Berea, Big Injun, Devonian, Huron, Rhinestreet, and Utica plays.

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East Texas Basin. The East Texas Basin ranges from central East Texas to northeast Texas and includes the Haynesville/Bossier plays and the Cotton Valley play, which are among the most prolific natural gas plays in the basin. We own a material acreage position in the Shelby Trough area of the Haynesville/Bossier plays located in San Augustine and Nacogdoches Counties, which is one of the most active areas being drilled today for that play in the East Texas Basin. There are other active plays to which we have significant exposure, including the Bossier Sand, Goodland Lime, James Lime, Pettit, Travis Peak, Smackover, and Woodbine plays.

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Arkoma Basin. The Arkoma Basin stretches from southeast Oklahoma through central Arkansas. The Fayetteville Shale play is one of the basin’s most active unconventional natural gas plays. We own material mineral and royalty interests within the prospective area of the Fayetteville Shale. In addition, we have exposure to a number of other active conventional and unconventional plays in the basin, including the Atoka, Cromwell, Dunn, Hale, and Woodford Shale plays.

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Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin. The Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin covers much of north central Texas and includes the Barnett Shale play as its most active unconventional play. Through our mineral and royalty interest in this basin, we have significant exposure to the Barnett Shale as well as a number of other active conventional and unconventional plays in the basin, including the Bend Conglomerate, Caddo, Marble Falls, and Mississippian Lime plays.

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Southwestern Wyoming. The Southwestern Wyoming region covers most of southern and western Wyoming. The Pinedale Anticline is one of the region’s largest producing fields and mainly produces from the Lance formation. We have a meaningful position in the Pinedale Anticline, and we have interests prospective for other active plays as well, including the Mesaverde, Niobrara, and Wasatch plays.

For more detailed information about the basins and regions described above, please read “Business—Our Properties—Material Basins and Producing Regions.”

Material Resource Plays

The following table presents information about our mineral-and-royalty-interest and working-interest acreage by the resource plays we consider most material to our current and future business and contribute approximately 61% of our aggregate production for the year ended December 31, 2014.


	Acreage as of December 31, 2014(1)
Resource Play(2)	Mineral and Royalty Interests						Working Interests
Resource Play(2)	Mineral Interests		NPRIs		ORRIs		Gross		Net
Bakken Shale		304,875		35,621		12,610		48,515		6,852
Three Forks		291,697		32,802		11,930		48,717		6,479
Haynesville Shale		269,824		7,123		14,842		174,293		40,440
Marcellus Shale		249,567		—		1,002		—		—
Canyon Lime		219,158		—		—		—		—
Bossier Shale		204,742		2,096		8,814		136,964		33,433
Tuscaloosa Marine Shale		178,756		4,081		6,489		—		—
Granite Wash		100,883		4,042		87,516		5,194		1,364
Fayetteville Shale		72,901		—		11,833		—		—
Barnett Shale		62,178		4,004		37,837		20,985		7,596
Eagle Ford Shale		47,736		85,864		46,927		235		118
Wolfcamp-Delaware		33,895		11,785		1,080		642		160
Wolfcamp-Midland		57,774		46,720		15,609		160		4

(1)

We may own more than one type of interest in the same tract of land. For example, where we have acquired working interests through our working-interest participation program in a given tract, our working-interest acreage in that tract will relate to the same acres as our mineral-interest acreage in that tract. Consequently, some of the acreage shown for one type of interest above may also be included in the acreage shown for another type of interest. Because of our working-interest participation program, overlap between working-interest acreage and mineral-and-royalty-interest acreage is significant, while overlap between the different types of mineral and royalty interests is not. Working-interest acreage excludes acreage that is not quantifiable due to incomplete seller records.

(2)	The plays above have been delineated based on information from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”), the USGS, state agencies, or according to areas of the most active industry development.

Business Strategies

Our primary business objective is to grow our reserves, production, and cash generated from operations over the long term, while paying, to the extent practicable, a growing quarterly distribution to our unitholders. We intend to accomplish this objective by continuing to execute the following strategies:

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Actively lease our minerals to third-party operators. We intend to continue actively marketing our mineral interests for lease in order to generate income from lease bonus and ensure that our acreage is drilled as quickly as possible. Our staff actively manages the leasing of our acreage in order to accelerate royalty revenue and maximize our working-interest optionality. While our leasing activity generates significant revenue from lease bonus, the size and frequency of lease bonus vary depending on the oil and natural gas industry’s perception of the prospectivity, risk, and potential economics of a play. During the lease-negotiation process, we consider standard industry lease terms as well as innovative terms that are designed to encourage more exploration. Through our control of large blocks of contiguous acreage throughout the country, we provide exploration and production companies with an extensive acreage inventory from which to generate prospects and search for new opportunities. In addition, our in-house geological and geophysical team uses our extensive seismic library to assist exploration and production companies in the identification of emerging plays and potential drilling locations.

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Acquire additional mineral and royalty interests in oil and natural gas properties that meet our acquisition criteria. We intend to continue to acquire mineral and royalty interests that have substantial resource and cost-free, or organic, growth potential. Our management team has a long history of evaluating, pursuing, and consummating acquisitions of oil and natural gas mineral and royalty interests in the United States. We believe that our large network of industry relationships provides us with a competitive advantage in pursuing potential acquisition opportunities. Since 1992, we have invested approximately $1.6 billion in 42 acquisitions. In the future, we expect to focus on relatively large acquisitions but will also continue to pursue smaller mineral packages to complement an existing position or to establish a foothold in an emerging play. We prefer acquisitions that meet the following criteria:

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sufficient current production to create near-term accretion for our unitholders;

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geologic support for future production and reserve growth;

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a geographic footprint that we believe is complementary to our diverse portfolio and maximizes our potential for upside reserve and production growth from undiscovered reserves or new plays; and

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targeted positions in high-growth resource and conventional plays.

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Participate in low-risk drilling opportunities in plays that generate attractive returns. Our ownership of mineral interests affords us the favorable position of negotiating leases that frequently provide us a unit-by-unit or well-by-well option to participate on a working-interest basis in economic, low-risk drilling opportunities. This participation program offers access to drilling opportunities in established producing trends at well-level economics, often unburdened by traditional land and exploration costs associated with acquiring prospective acreage, such as paying lease bonus, acquiring seismic data, and drilling exploratory and delineation wells. We expect to continue to actively participate in these drilling opportunities.

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Maintain a conservative capital structure and prudently manage the business for the long term. We are committed to maintaining a conservative capital structure that will afford us the financial flexibility to execute our business strategies on an ongoing basis. Upon completion of this offering, we will have no outstanding indebtedness. We believe that proceeds from this offering, internally generated cash from operations, our $700.0 million borrowing base under our credit facility, and access to the public capital markets will provide us with sufficient liquidity and financial flexibility to grow our production, reserves, and cash generated from operations through the continued development of our existing assets and accretive acquisitions of mineral and royalty interests.

Competitive Strengths

We believe that the following competitive strengths will allow us to successfully execute our business strategies and achieve our primary business objective:

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resource plays, while maintaining overall diversity. Furthermore, the geographic breadth of our assets and vast quantity of our property interests expose us to potential production and reserves from new and existing plays without further required investment on our behalf. We believe that we will continue to benefit from these cost-free additions of production and reserves for the foreseeable future as a result of technological advances and continuing interest by third-party producers in exploration and development activities on our acreage.

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Exposure to many of the leading resource plays in the United States. We expect our reserves and cash distributions per unit to grow organically for the next several years as our operators continue to drill new wells on the acreage we have leased to them. We believe that we have significant drilling inventory remaining in our interests in multiple resource plays.

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Ability to increase exposure in most economic plays through our working-interest participation program. We frequently negotiate our leases with options to participate in wells on a working-interest basis. This working-interest option allows us to increase our exposure to plays that we find attractive when the results from prior drilling and production have substantially reduced the economic risk associated with development drilling and where we believe the probability of achieving attractive economic returns is high. We intend to continue increasing our exposure to those opportunities.

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Scalable business model. We believe that our size, organizational structure, and capacity give us a relative advantage in growing our business because we are able to add large packages of mineral and royalty interests without significantly increasing our cost structure, allowing us to be more competitive when pursuing acquisition opportunities. Our land, accounting, engineering and geology, information-technology, and business-development departments have developed a scalable business model that allows us to manage our existing assets efficiently and absorb significant acquisitions without material cost increases.

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Exposure to natural gas supply and demand growth. The EIA projects that U.S. natural gas demand from internal consumption is expected to increase from 25.6 trillion cubic feet in 2012 to 31.6 trillion cubic feet in 2040, driven primarily by increased electricity generation and industrial use. International demand for exports of U.S. natural gas, through pipelines and liquefied natural gas, is forecasted to grow to 5.8 trillion cubic feet per year by 2040. The EIA forecasts the total demand for U.S. natural gas to reach 37.4 trillion cubic feet in 2040. As a result of this increase in demand, the EIA projects U.S. natural gas production to increase from 24.1 trillion cubic feet in 2012 to 37.5 trillion cubic feet in 2040, a 56% increase. Almost all of this increase is due to projected growth in natural gas production from resource plays, which is projected to grow from 9.7 trillion cubic feet in 2012 to 19.8 trillion cubic feet in 2040. We have significant exposure to domestic natural gas resource plays, including the Haynesville/Bossier plays, the Fayetteville Shale, and the Barnett Shale, and we believe that these assets will provide meaningful upside in production and revenue growth as demand for natural gas increases. Our natural gas assets throughout the U.S. Gulf Coast are well positioned geographically to take advantage of the growing liquefied natural gas export market.

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Financial flexibility to fund expansion. Upon the completion of this offering and the application of the net proceeds as set forth under “Use of Proceeds,” we expect to have no indebtedness outstanding, approximately $ million of cash on hand, and $ million of undrawn borrowing capacity under our credit facility. The credit facility, combined with internally generated cash from operations and access to the public capital markets, will provide us with the financial capacity and flexibility to grow our business.

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Experienced and proven management team. The members of our executive team have an average of over 25 years of industry experience and have a proven track record of executing accretive acquisitions and maximizing asset development. We expect to benefit from the longstanding relationships fostered by our management team within the industry and the decades-long track record of successful

acquisitions of mineral and royalty interests. We believe the experience of our management team in acquiring and managing mineral and royalty interests will allow us to continue to grow our production, reserves, and distributions.

Management

We are managed and operated by the board of directors and executive officers of our general partner, Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C., our wholly owned subsidiary. In connection with the closing of this offering, we will complete a series of transactions pursuant to which, among other things, BSMC and BSNR will become our wholly owned subsidiaries. Please read “—Formation Transactions and Structure.” Our partnership agreement provides that our limited partners holding common, subordinated, and preferred units have the right to nominate and vote in the election of directors to the board of directors of our general partner. The board of directors of our general partner must have at least three directors who meet the independence standards established by the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”).

Our partnership agreement provides that an annual meeting of the limited partners for the election of directors to the board of directors of our general partner will be held at a date and time as may be fixed from time to time by our general partner. At each annual meeting, the limited partners authorized to vote will elect by a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting persons to serve as directors on the board of directors of our general partner who are nominated in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement. At all elections of the board of directors of our general partner, each limited partner authorized to vote will be entitled to cumulate his or her votes and give one candidate, or divide among any number of candidates, a number of votes equal to the product of (x) the number of units held by each limited partner, multiplied by (y) the number of directors to be elected at the meeting.

Fiduciary Duties

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that eliminate the fiduciary duties to which our general partner and the directors and executive officers of our general partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty law and imposes contractual standards that our general partner and its directors and executive officers must follow. Our partnership agreement also specifically restricts the situations in which remedies may be available to our unitholders for actions taken that might otherwise constitute breaches of duty under applicable Delaware law or breaches of the contractual obligations in our partnership agreement. By purchasing a common unit, the purchaser agrees to be bound by the terms of our partnership agreement, and each unitholder is treated as having consented to various actions contemplated in the partnership agreement that might otherwise be considered a breach of fiduciary or other duties under Delaware law.

For a more detailed description of the duties of our general partner and its directors and executive officers, please read “Fiduciary Duties.”

Emerging Growth Company Status

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”). For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we may take advantage of specified exemptions from reporting and other regulatory requirements that are otherwise generally applicable to other public companies. These exemptions include:

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an exemption from providing an auditor’s attestation report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”);

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an exemption from compliance with any new requirements adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the issuer;

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an exemption from compliance with any other new auditing standards adopted by the PCAOB after April 5, 2012, unless the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) determines otherwise; and

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reduced disclosure of executive compensation.

In addition, Section 107 of the JOBS Act also provides that an emerging growth company can use the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This permits an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. However, we are choosing to “opt out” of this extended transition period and, as a result, we will comply with new or revised accounting standards on the relevant dates on which adoption of such standards is required for non-emerging growth companies. Our decision to opt out of the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards is irrevocable.

We will cease to be an “emerging growth company” upon the earliest of (i) when we have $1.0 billion or more in annual revenues; (ii) when we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt over a three-year period; (iii) the last day of the fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering; or (iv) when we have qualified as a “large accelerated filer,” which refers to when we (w) will have an aggregate worldwide market value of voting and non-voting common units held by our non-affiliates of $700 million or more, as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter, (x) have been subject to the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), for a period of at least 12 calendar months, (y) have filed at least one annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, and (z) no longer be eligible to use the requirements for “smaller reporting companies,” as defined in the Exchange Act, for our annual and quarterly reports.

Formation Transactions and Structure

In connection with this offering, the following transactions have occurred or will occur:

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the partnership formed New GP, a new wholly owned subsidiary to function as the general partner of the partnership, and BSNR transferred its general partner interest in the partnership to New GP in exchange for cash;

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BSNR will contribute cash to BSMC in exchange for common units representing a 1% limited partner interest in BSMC, and New GP will contribute cash to the partnership in exchange for a 1% limited partner interest in the partnership;

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BSMC will merge with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of the partnership (“Merger Sub”) with BSMC as the surviving entity;

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immediately prior to the merger, the limited partnership agreement of the partnership will be amended and restated, and the limited partner interests of BSMC and our general partner in the partnership will be converted into common units of the partnership;

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in connection with the merger, (i) the common units of the partnership held by BSMC will be redeemed in exchange for a return of its original capital contribution, (ii) the common units of BSMC (other than common units of BSMC held by BSNR) will be exchanged for an aggregate of common units of the partnership and subordinated units of the partnership at a conversion ratio of : 1 for 0. common units and 0. subordinated units, and the preferred units of BSMC will be exchanged for an aggregate of preferred units of the partnership at a

conversion ratio of one to one, (iii) the common units of BSMC held by BSNR will remain outstanding as limited partner interests in BSMC, and New GP will retain its non-economic general partner interest in the partnership and its units in the partnership, (iv) the partnership’s 100% equity interest in Merger Sub will be converted into a 99% limited partner interest in BSMC, and (v) BSNR will retain its non-economic general partner interest in BSMC;

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(i) the partnership will form New BSMC GP, a new wholly owned subsidiary to function as general partner of BSMC, (ii) the partnership will remove BSNR as general partner of BSMC and appoint New BSMC GP as general partner of BSMC, and (iii) in connection therewith, BSNR will transfer its general partner interest in BSMC to New BSMC GP; and

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the partnership will issue and sell common units to the public in this offering and use the net proceeds from this offering in the manner described under “Use of Proceeds.”

We refer to these transactions collectively as the “formation transactions.”

We have granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an aggregate of additional common units. Any net proceeds received from the exercise of this option will be used to fund future capital expenditures.

The following chart illustrates our organizational structure prior to this offering and the formation transactions described above:

LOGO

The following chart illustrates our organizational structure after giving effect to this offering and the other formation transactions described above:

LOGO

Principal Executive Offices

Our principal executive offices are located at 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2020, Houston, Texas 77002, and our telephone number is (713) 658-0647. Our website address will be www. .com. We intend to 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 after those reports and other information are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. 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.

Risk Factors

An investment in our common units involves risks. You should carefully consider the following considerations, the risks described in “Risk Factors” and the other information in this prospectus, before deciding whether to invest in our common units. If any of these risks were to occur, our financial condition, results of our operations, cash generated from operations, and ability to make distributions to our unitholders would be adversely affected, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business

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The assumptions underlying the forecast of our cash generated from operations that we include in “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions” may prove inaccurate and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from our forecasted results.

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The amount of cash we distribute to holders of our units depends primarily on our cash generated from operations and not our profitability, which may prevent us from making cash distributions during periods when we record net income.

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The volatility of oil and natural gas prices due to factors beyond our control greatly affects our financial condition, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders.

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Oil prices have declined substantially from historical highs and may remain depressed for the foreseeable future. Approximately 55.4% of our 2014 oil and natural gas revenues were derived from oil and condensate sales. Any additional decreases in prices of oil may adversely affect our cash generated from operations, results of operations, financial position, and our ability to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on all of our outstanding common and subordinated units, perhaps materially.

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Natural gas prices have declined substantially from historical highs and are expected to remain depressed for the foreseeable future. Approximately 70.1% of our 2014 total production was natural gas, on a “Btu-equivalent” basis. Any additional decreases in prices of natural gas may adversely affect our cash generated from operations, results of operations, financial position, and our ability to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on all of our outstanding common and subordinated units, perhaps materially.

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Our failure to successfully identify, complete, and integrate acquisitions could adversely affect our growth, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders.

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Any acquisitions of additional mineral and royalty interests that we complete will be subject to substantial risks.

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We may experience delays in the payment of royalties and be unable to replace operators that do not make required royalty payments, and we may not be able to terminate our leases with defaulting lessees if any of the operators on those leases declare bankruptcy.

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Acquisitions, funding our working-interest participation program, and our operators’ development activities of our leases will require substantial capital, and we and our operators may be unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms or at all.

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Unless we replace the oil and natural gas produced from our properties, our cash generated from operations and our ability to make distributions to our common and subordinated unitholders could be adversely affected.

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We either have little or no control over the timing of future drilling with respect to our mineral and royalty interests and non-operated working interests.

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Project areas on our properties, which are in various stages of development, may not yield oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities.

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Our operators’ identified potential drilling locations are susceptible to uncertainties that could materially alter the occurrence or timing of their drilling.

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The unavailability, high cost, or shortages of rigs, equipment, raw materials, supplies, or personnel may restrict or result in increased costs for operators related to developing and operating our properties.

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The marketability of oil and natural gas production is dependent upon transportation, pipelines, and refining facilities, which neither we nor many of our operators control. Any limitation in the availability of those facilities could interfere with our or our operators’ ability to market our or our operators’ production and could harm our business.

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Our estimated reserves are based on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.

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Conservation measures and technological advances could reduce demand for oil and natural gas.

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We rely on a few key individuals whose absence or loss could adversely affect our business.

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The results of exploratory drilling in shale plays will be subject to risks associated with drilling and completion techniques and drilling results may not meet our expectations for reserves or production.

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Oil and natural gas operations are subject to various governmental laws and regulations. Compliance with these laws and regulations can be burdensome and expensive, and failure to comply could result in significant liabilities, which could reduce cash distributions to our unitholders.

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Louisiana mineral servitudes are subject to reversion to the surface owner after ten years’ nonuse.

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Federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs, additional operating restrictions or delays, and fewer potential drilling locations.

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Our credit facility has substantial restrictions and financial covenants that may restrict our business and financing activities and our ability to pay distributions.

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The adoption of climate change legislation by Congress could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas that our operators produce.

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Operating hazards and uninsured risks may result in substantial losses to us or our operators, and any losses could adversely affect our results of operations and cash distributions to unitholders.

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Title to the properties in which we have an interest may be impaired by title defects.

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Cyber attacks could significantly affect us.

Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us

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We expect to distribute a substantial majority of the cash we generate from operations each quarter, which could limit our ability to grow and make acquisitions.

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The board of directors of our general partner may modify or revoke our cash distribution policy at any time at its discretion. Our partnership agreement does not require us to pay any distributions at all. If we make distributions, our preferred unitholders have priority with respect to rights to share in those distributions over our common and subordinated unitholders for so long as our preferred units are outstanding.

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Our partnership agreement eliminates the fiduciary duties that might otherwise be owed to the partnership and its partners by our general partner and its directors and executive officers under Delaware law.

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Our partnership agreement restricts the situations in which remedies may be available to our unitholders for actions taken that might constitute breaches of duty under applicable Delaware law and breaches of the contractual obligations in our partnership agreement.

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Our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of unitholders owning 15% or more of our units, subject to certain exceptions.

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Actions taken by our general partner may affect the amount of cash generated from operations that is available for distribution to unitholders or accelerate the right to convert subordinated units.

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We have a call right that may require common unitholders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price.

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Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions.

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Increases in interest rates may cause the market price of our common units to decline.

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Unitholders will incur immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value per common unit.

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We may issue additional common units and other equity interests without common and subordinated unitholder approval, which would dilute holders of common and subordinated units. However, our partnership agreement does not authorize us to issue units ranking senior to or at parity with our preferred units without preferred unitholder approval.

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The market price of our common units could be adversely affected by sales of substantial amounts of our common units in the public or private markets.

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There is no existing market for our common units, and a trading market that will provide you with adequate liquidity may not develop. The price of our common units may fluctuate significantly, and unitholders could lose all or part of their investment.

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We will incur increased costs as a result of being a publicly traded partnership.

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For as long as we are an emerging growth company, we will not be required to comply with certain disclosure requirements, including those relating to accounting standards, our executive compensation, and internal control auditing requirements that apply to other public companies.

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If we fail to develop or maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential unitholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our units.

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The NYSE does not require a publicly traded partnership like us to comply with certain of its corporate governance requirements.

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Our partnership agreement includes exclusive forum, venue, and jurisdiction provisions. By purchasing a common unit, a limited partner is irrevocably consenting to these provisions regarding claims, suits, actions, or proceedings, and submitting to the exclusive jurisdiction of Delaware courts.

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If you are not an Eligible Holder, your common units may be subject to redemption.

Tax Risks to Common Unitholders

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Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, as well as our not being subject to a material amount of entity-level taxation by individual states. If the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) were to treat us as a corporation for federal income tax purposes or we were to become subject to entity-level taxation for state tax purposes, then our cash distributions to unitholders could be substantially reduced.

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The tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships or an investment in our common units could be subject to potential legislative, judicial, or administrative changes or differing interpretations, possibly applied on a retroactive basis.

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If the IRS were to contest the federal income tax positions we take, it may adversely affect the market for our common units, and the costs of any contest would reduce cash distributions to our unitholders.

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Even if a unitholder does not receive any cash distributions from us, a unitholder will be required to pay taxes on its share of our taxable income.

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Tax gain or loss on disposition of our common units could be more or less than expected.

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Tax-exempt entities and non-U.S. persons face unique tax issues from owning our common units that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.

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We will treat each purchaser of common units as having the same tax benefits without regard to the common units actually purchased. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the common units.

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We will prorate our items of income, gain, loss, and deduction between transferors and transferees of our common units each month based upon the ownership of our common units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular unit is transferred. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss, and deduction among our unitholders.

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A unitholder whose units are the subject of a securities loan (e.g., a loan to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units) may be considered to have disposed of those units. If so, he would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and could recognize gain or loss from the disposition.

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The sale or exchange of 50% or more of our capital and profits interests during any twelve-month period will result in the termination of our partnership for federal income tax purposes.

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You may be subject to state and local taxes and return filing requirements in states where you do not live as a result of investing in our common units.

The Offering

Common units offered to the public

common units ( common units if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional common units from us).

Units outstanding after this offering

common units ( common units if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional common units from us), subordinated units, and preferred units. The preferred units are convertible into common units and subordinated units.

Use of proceeds

We intend to use the estimated net proceeds of approximately $ million from this offering (based on an assumed initial offering price of $ per common unit, the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), after deducting the estimated underwriting discount, structuring fee, and offering expenses payable by us, to repay all of the indebtedness outstanding under our credit facility, which was $394.0 million as of December 31, 2014. Any remaining net proceeds, which we estimate will be $ million, based upon the amount outstanding under our credit facility, will be used to fund future capital expenditures.

The net proceeds from any exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units (approximately $ million based on an assumed initial offering price of $ per common unit, the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discount and structuring fee, if exercised in full) will be used to fund future capital expenditures. Please read “Use of Proceeds.”

Affiliates of certain of our underwriters are lenders under our credit facility and, as such, may receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering. Please read “Underwriting—Relationships.”

Cash distributions

The board of directors of our general partner will adopt a policy pursuant to which distributions equal in amount to the applicable minimum quarterly distribution will be paid on each common and subordinated unit for each quarter to the extent we have sufficient cash generated from our operations after establishment of cash reserves, if any, and after we have made the required distributions to the holders of our outstanding preferred units. Our ability to pay the applicable minimum quarterly distribution is subject to various restrictions and other factors described in more detail in “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.” We have no legal or contractual obligation to pay distributions, and the board of directors of our general partner can change the distribution policy at any time.

Our partnership agreement generally provides that we will pay any distributions each quarter during the subordination period in the following manner:

•

first, to the holders of preferred units in an amount of $ per preferred unit;

•

second, to the holders of common units, until each common unit has received the applicable minimum quarterly distribution in the amounts specified below plus any arrearages from prior quarters; and

•

third, to the holders of subordinated units, until each subordinated unit has received the applicable minimum quarterly distribution.

If the distributions to our common and subordinated unitholders exceed the applicable minimum quarterly distribution per unit, then such excess amounts will be distributed pro rata on the common and subordinated units as if they were a single class. The preferred units have a right to further participate under certain circumstances that are not expected to occur.

The applicable minimum quarterly distribution for the periods specified below is as follows:


Four Quarters Ending June 30,		Minimum Quarterly Distribution (per unit)
2016
2017
2018
2019 and thereafter

We believe, based on our financial forecast and related assumptions included in “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions,” that we will generate sufficient cash from operations to pay, for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016, the required distribution on the preferred units and the applicable minimum quarterly distribution of $ per unit ($0. per unit on an annualized basis) on all the common and subordinated units outstanding. We expect to pay distributions on our common and subordinated units within 60 days after the end of each quarter. Our first distribution will be for the period from the closing of this offering through , 2015, and our partnership agreement will prorate the minimum quarterly distribution based on the actual length of the period. Please read “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.”

Subordinated units

The limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering will initially own all of our subordinated units. The principal difference between our common units and subordinated units is that, for any quarter during the subordination period, holders of the subordinated units will not be entitled to receive any distribution until the common units have received the applicable minimum quarterly distribution for such quarter plus any arrearages in the payment of the applicable minimum quarterly distribution from prior quarters. Subordinated units will not accrue arrearages.

Conversion of subordinated units

The subordination period will end on the first business day after we have earned and paid an aggregate amount of at least $ (the annualized minimum quarterly distribution applicable for quarterly periods ending June 30, 2019 and thereafter) multiplied by the total number of outstanding common and subordinated units for a period of four consecutive, non-overlapping quarters ending on or after June 30, 2019, and there are no outstanding arrearages on our common units. When the subordination period ends as a result of our having met the test described above, all subordinated units will convert into common units on a one-to-one basis, and common units will thereafter no longer be entitled to arrearages.

In addition, at any time on or after June 30, 2019, provided there are no arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units, our general partner may decide in its sole discretion to convert each subordinated unit into a number of common units at a ratio that will be less than one to one. If our general partner makes such election, all outstanding subordinated units will be converted into common units, and the conversion ratio will be equal to the distributions paid out with respect to the subordinated units over the previous four-quarter period in relation to the total amount of distributions required to pay the applicable minimum quarterly distribution in full with respect to the subordinated units over the previous four quarters. It should be expected that the general partner will cause this conversion unless it determines that such conversion will be adverse to the subordinated unitholders. If at the time our general partner elects to convert the subordinated units under this provision our forecasted distributions on our subordinated units (as determined by the conflicts committee of our general partner’s board of directors) for the next four quarters are lower than our actual distributions for the previous four-quarter period referred to above, then the conversion ratio will be based on the forecasted distributions instead of the actual distributions.

Preferred units

Our preferred units represent limited partner interests in us. Our preferred units will receive priority distributions over our common and subordinated units until the holders of our preferred units have been paid a specified yield on their initial investment. Each preferred unit may be converted at any time at the option of the holder thereof

into common units at the then-effective conversion rate. In addition, on January 1 of each year from 2016 to 2018 a number of preferred units will automatically convert into common units and subordinated units at the then-effective conversion rate. The preferred units may also be redeemed, at the option of the holders, for a cash price per preferred unit equal to their initial investment plus a specified yield thereon (the “Holder Redemption Price”) (i) on December 31 of each year from 2015 through 2017 or (ii) if Thomas L. Carter, Jr. is no longer chief executive officer of our general partner or is no longer actively involved in the investment decisions, management, and operations of the partnership. The preferred units will automatically be redeemed at the Holder Redemption Price if there is a change of control of the partnership. Except with respect to certain matters requiring the approval of the holders of preferred units, holders of preferred units are entitled to vote their preferred units as a single class with the holders of common and subordinated units on an “as-converted basis.” For a detailed discussion of our preferred units, please read “Description of Our Preferred Units.”

Incentive distribution rights

None.

Issuance of additional units

Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional units, including units that are senior to the common units and the subordinated units, without the approval of our unitholders. However, our partnership agreement does not authorize us to issue securities having preferences or rights with priority over or on a parity with the preferred units with respect to rights to share in distributions, redemption obligations, or redemption rights unless we receive the approval of our preferred unitholders. Please read “Units Eligible for Future Sale,” “The Partnership Agreement—Issuance of Additional Partnership Interests,” and “Description of Our Preferred Units.”

Voting rights

Our limited partners holding common units, subordinated units, or preferred units (the preferred units on an as-converted basis) will vote together as a single class for most matters, including the election of directors to the board of directors of our general partner. Our limited partners will be entitled to cumulate their votes for purposes of electing directors. Please read “The Partnership Agreement—Voting Rights.”

Limited call right

If at any point in time prior to the end of the subordination period we have acquired more than 80% of the total number of common units outstanding, we have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase all of the remaining common units at a price equal to the greater of (i) the average of the daily closing price of the common units over the 20 trading days preceding the date three days before notice of exercise of the call right is first mailed and (ii) the highest per-unit price paid by us for common units during the 90-day period preceding the date such notice is first mailed. This limited call right is not exerciseable as long as any of our preferred units are outstanding or at any time after the subordination period has ended.

Eligible Holders and redemption

Only Eligible Holders are entitled to own our units and to receive distributions or be allocated income or loss from us. Eligible Holders are limited partners (i) whose, or whose owners’, federal income tax status does not have or is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the rates chargeable by us to customers and (ii) whose ownership could not result in our loss of ownership in any material part of our assets, as determined by our general partner with the advice of counsel.

We have the right, but not the obligation, to redeem all of the units of any holder that is an Ineligible Holder or that has failed to certify or has falsely certified that such holder is an Eligible Holder. The purchase price for such redemption would be equal to the then-current market price of the units. The redemption price will be paid in cash or by delivery of a promissory note, as determined by our general partner.

Please read “Description of Our Common Units—Transfer of Common Units.”

Estimated ratio of taxable income to distributions

We estimate that if you (i) are subject to the passive activity loss limitation and (ii) own the common units you purchase in this offering through the record date for distributions for the period ending December 31, 2018, you will be allocated, on a cumulative basis, an amount of federal taxable income for that period that will be approximately % of the cash expected to be distributed to you with respect to that period. Alternatively, if you are not subject to the passive loss limitation, your ratio of taxable income for such period to cash distributions will likely be lower. Because of the nature of our business and the expected variability of our quarterly distributions, however, the ratio of our taxable income to distributions may vary significantly from one year to another. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership” for the basis of this estimate.

Material federal income tax consequences

For a discussion of the material federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States, please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

Directed unit program

The underwriters have reserved for sale at the initial public offering price up to % of the common units being offered by this prospectus for sale to persons who are directors, officers, or employees of our general partner and certain other persons with relationships with us and our affiliates. We do not know if these persons will choose to purchase all or any portion of these reserved common units, but any

purchases they do make will reduce the number of common units available to the general public. Please read “Underwriting—Directed Unit Program.”

Exchange listing

We have applied to list our common units on the NYSE under the symbol “BSM.”

Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data

Black Stone Minerals, L.P. was formed in September 2014 and does not have historical financial statements. Therefore, in this prospectus, we present the historical consolidated financial statements of BSMC, our predecessor for accounting purposes. We refer to this entity as “Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Predecessor.” The following table presents summary historical financial data of BSMC and summary unaudited pro forma financial data of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. as of the dates and for the years indicated.

The summary historical financial data presented as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are derived from the audited historical consolidated financial statements of BSMC that are included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The summary unaudited pro forma financial data presented as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 is derived from our unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements give pro forma effect to the formation transactions, including the issuance and sale of the common units in this offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds.” The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet assumes the events described above occurred as of December 31, 2014. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014 assumes the events described above occurred as of January 1, 2014.

We have not given pro forma effect to incremental general and administrative expenses of approximately $1.5 million that we expect to incur annually as a result of operating as a publicly traded partnership, such as expenses associated with SEC reporting requirements, including annual and quarterly reports to unitholders, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance, NYSE listing, independent registered public accounting firm fees, legal fees, investor-relations activities, registrar and transfer agent fees, director-and-officer insurance, and additional compensation.

For a detailed discussion of the summary historical financial data contained in the following table, please read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The following table should also be read in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds” and the audited historical financial statements of BSMC and our pro forma financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Among other things, the historical financial statements include more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the information in the following table.


	Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Predecessor Historical						Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Pro Forma
	Year Ended December 31,						Year Ended December 31, 2014
	2014			2013			Year Ended December 31, 2014
							(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Revenue:
Oil and condensate sales	$	257,390		$	252,742		$	257,390
Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales		207,456			184,868			207,456
Gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments		37,336			(5,860	)		37,336
Lease bonus and other income		46,139			31,809			46,139

Total revenue		548,321			463,559			548,321

Operating (income) expense:
Lease operating expense and other		23,288			21,316			23,288
Production and ad valorem taxes		49,575			42,813			49,575
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization		111,962			102,442			111,962
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties		117,930			57,109			117,930
General and administrative		62,765			59,501			62,765
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		1,060			588			1,060
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets		32			(18	)		32

Total operating expense		366,612			283,751			366,612

Income from operations		181,709			179,808			181,709

Other income (expense):
Interest and investment income		28			90			28
Interest expense(1)		(13,509	)		(11,342	)		(3,630	)
Other income		959			407			959

Total other expense		(12,522	)		(10,845	)		(2,643	)

Net income	$	169,187		$	168,963		$	179,066

Statement of Cash Flow Data:
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	396,125		$	320,764
Investing activities		(101,110	)		(195,631	)
Financing activities		(310,335	)		(142,311	)

Other Financial Data:
EBITDA(2)	$	294,658		$	282,747		$	294,658
Adjusted EBITDA(2)		385,705			354,576			385,705
Capital expenditures(3)		(101,110	)		(195,631	)

Balance Sheet Data (at year end):
Cash and cash equivalents	$	14,803		$	30,123		$
Total assets		1,326,782			1,444,413
Credit facilities		394,000			451,000			—
Total liabilities		512,400			566,618			118,400
Total mezzanine equity		161,165			161,392			161,165
Total equity		653,217			716,403

(1)	Includes cash expenses for commitment fees and agency fees and non-cash amortization of debt issuance costs.

(2)

Please read “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for the definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to our most directly comparable financial measure, calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”).

(3)	Net of proceeds from the sale of assets of $19.5 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP supplemental financial measures used by our management and by external users of our financial statements such as investors, research analysts, and others, to assess the financial performance of our assets and their ability to sustain distributions over the long term without regard to financing methods, capital structure, or historical cost basis.

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation, depletion, and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA further adjusted for impairment of oil and natural gas properties, accretion of asset retirement obligations (“AROs”), unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments, and non-cash equity-based compensation.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not represent and should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income, income from operations, cash flows from operating activities, or any other measure of financial performance presented in accordance with GAAP as measures of our financial performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have important limitations as analytical tools because they exclude some but not all items that affect net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Our computation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may differ from computations of similarly titled measures of other companies.

The following table presents a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for the periods indicated.


	Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Predecessor Historical					Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Pro Forma
	Year Ended December 31,					Year Ended December 31, 2014
	2014			2013		Year Ended December 31, 2014
						(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income:
Net income		$169,187		$	168,963	$	179,066
Add:
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization		111,962			102,442		111,962
Interest expense(1)		13,509			11,342		3,630

EBITDA		294,658			282,747		294,658
Add:
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties		117,930			57,109		117,930
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		1,060			588		1,060
Unrealized loss on commodity derivative instruments		—			7,350		—
Equity-based compensation expense(2)		11,340			6,782		11,340
Less:
Unrealized gain on commodity derivative instruments		(39,283	)		—		(39,283	)

Adjusted EBITDA		$385,705		$	354,576	$	385,705

(1)	Includes cash expenses of commitment fees and agency fees and non-cash amortization of debt issuance costs.

(2)	Represents compensation expense that is settled in common and subordinated units.

RISK FACTORS

Limited partner interests are inherently different from the capital stock of a corporation, although many of the business risks to which we are subject are similar to those that would be faced by a corporation engaged in a similar business. You should carefully consider the following risk factors together with all of the other information included in this prospectus in evaluating an investment in our common units. If any of the following risks were to occur, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and ability to make distributions could be materially adversely affected. In that case, we might not be able to make distributions on our common units, the trading price of our common units could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business

We may not generate sufficient cash from operations each quarter to pay the full minimum quarterly distribution to our common and subordinated unitholders. Our preferred unitholders have priority with respect to rights to share in distributions over our common and subordinated unitholders. Furthermore, our partnership agreement does not require us to pay distributions to our common and subordinated unitholders on a quarterly basis or otherwise. Based on the distribution policy our general partner intends to adopt at or prior to the closing of this offering, our initial distribution will be $ per common and subordinated unit on an annualized basis (or $ per unit on a quarterly basis). As a result of this policy and so long as it continues, we expect that we will distribute a substantial majority of the cash generated from our operations each quarter. The amount of cash to be distributed each quarter will be determined by the board of directors of our general partner.

The amount of cash we have to distribute each quarter principally depends upon the amount of revenues we generate, which are largely dependent upon the prices that our operators realize from the sale of oil and natural gas. The actual amount of cash we will have to distribute each quarter will be reduced by principal and interest payments on our outstanding debt, working-capital requirements, and other cash needs. In addition, we may restrict distributions, in whole or in part, to fund replacement capital expenditures, acquisitions, and participation in working interests. If over the long term we do not retain cash for replacement capital expenditures in amounts necessary to maintain our asset base, a portion of future distributions will represent a return of capital and the value of our common units will be adversely affected, which will eventually cause our cash distributions per unit to decrease. Withholding cash for our capital expenditures may have an adverse impact on the cash distributions in the quarter in which amounts are withheld.

For a description of additional restrictions and factors that may affect our ability to make cash distributions, please read “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions” and “Description of Our Preferred Units—Distributions.”

The assumptions underlying the forecast of our cash generated from operations for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 may prove inaccurate and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forecasted results. If our actual results are significantly below forecasted results, or if our expenses are greater than forecasted, we may not be able to pay the forecasted distribution, which may cause the market price of our common units to decline materially.

The amount of cash we distribute depends primarily upon our cash generated from operations and not solely on profitability, which will be affected by non-cash items. As a result, we may make cash distributions during periods in which we record net losses for financial accounting purposes and may be unable to make cash distributions during periods in which we record net income.

The volatility of oil and natural gas prices due to factors beyond our control greatly affects our financial condition, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders.

Our revenues, operating results, cash distributions to unitholders, and the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties depend significantly upon the prevailing prices for oil and natural gas. Historically, oil and natural gas prices have been volatile and are subject to fluctuations in response to changes in supply and demand, market uncertainty, and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control, including:

•

the domestic and foreign supply of and demand for oil and natural gas;

•

market expectations about future prices of oil and natural gas;

•

the level of global oil and natural gas exploration and production;

•

the cost of exploring for, developing, producing, and delivering oil and natural gas;

•

the price and quantity of foreign imports;

•

political and economic conditions in oil producing regions, including the Middle East, Africa, South America, and Russia;

•

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

•

trading in oil and natural gas derivative contracts;

•

the level of consumer product demand;

•

weather conditions and natural disasters;

•

technological advances affecting energy consumption;

•

domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes;

•

the continued threat of terrorism and the impact of military and other action, including U.S. military operations in the Middle East;

•

the proximity, cost, availability, and capacity of oil and natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities;

•

the price and availability of alternative fuels; and

•

overall domestic and global economic conditions.

These factors and the volatility of the energy markets make it extremely difficult to predict future oil and natural gas price movements with any certainty. For example, during the five years prior to December 31, 2014, the spot price for West Texas Intermediate light sweet crude oil, which we refer to as West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) has ranged from a high of $113.39 per barrel (“Bbl”) in 2011 to a low of $53.45 per Bbl in 2014. During the same period, the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas has ranged from a low of $1.82 per million British thermal units (“MMBtu”) in 2012 to a high of $8.15 per MMBtu in 2014. During 2014, the WTI spot price of oil ranged from $53.45 to $107.95 per Bbl and the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas ranged from $2.74 to $8.15 per MMBtu. On December 31, 2013, the WTI spot price for oil was $98.17 per Bbl and the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas was $4.31 per MMBtu. On December 31, 2014, the WTI spot price for oil was $53.45 per Bbl, and the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas was $2.99 per MMBtu. Any

prolonged substantial decline in the price of oil and natural gas will likely have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders. We may use various derivative instruments in connection with anticipated oil and natural gas sales to minimize the impact of commodity price fluctuations. However, we cannot always hedge the entire exposure of our operations from commodity price volatility. To the extent we do not hedge against commodity price volatility, or our hedges are not effective, our results of operations and financial position may be diminished.

In addition, lower oil and natural gas prices may also reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that can be produced economically by our operators. This scenario may result in our having to make substantial downward adjustments to our estimated proved reserves, which could negatively impact our borrowing base and our ability to fund our operations. If this occurs or if production estimates change or exploration or development results deteriorate, full cost accounting rules may require us to write down, as a non-cash charge to earnings, the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties. Our operators could also determine during periods of low commodity prices to shut in or curtail production from wells on our properties. In addition, they could determine during periods of low commodity prices to plug and abandon marginal wells that otherwise may have been allowed to continue to produce for a longer period under conditions of higher prices. Specifically, they may abandon any well if they reasonably believe that the well can no longer produce oil or natural gas in commercially paying quantities.

The spot WTI market price at Cushing, Oklahoma has declined from $98.17 per Bbl on December 31, 2013 to $53.45 per Bbl on December 31, 2014. On March 9, 2015, the WTI oil price at Cushing, Oklahoma was $49.95 per Bbl. The reduction in price has been caused by many factors, including substantial increases in U.S. oil production and reserves from unconventional (shale) reservoirs, without an offsetting increase in demand. The International Energy Agency (“IEA”) forecasts continued U.S. production growth and a slowdown in global demand growth in 2015. This environment could cause the prices for oil to remain at current levels or to fall to lower levels. If prices for oil continue to remain depressed for lengthy periods, we may be required to write down the value of our oil and natural gas properties, and some of our undeveloped locations may no longer be economically viable. In addition, sustained low prices for oil will negatively impact the value of our estimated proved reserves and the amount that we are allowed to borrow under our bank credit facility and reduce the amounts of cash we would otherwise have available to pay expenses, make distributions to our unitholders, and service our indebtedness.

During the seven years prior to December 31, 2014, natural gas prices at Henry Hub have ranged from a high of $13.31 per MMBtu in 2008 to a low of $1.82 per MMBtu in 2012. On December 31, 2014, the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas was $2.99 per MMBtu. On March 9, 2015, the Henry Hub spot market price was $2.75 per MMBtu. The reduction in prices has been caused by many factors, including increases in natural gas production and reserves from unconventional (shale) reservoirs, without an offsetting increase in demand. The expected increase in natural gas production, based on reports from the EIA, could cause the prices for natural gas to remain at current levels or fall to lower levels. If prices for natural gas continue to remain depressed for lengthy periods, we may be required to write down the value of our oil and natural gas properties, and some of our undeveloped

locations may no longer be economically viable. In addition, sustained low prices for natural gas will negatively impact the value of our estimated proved reserves and the amount that we are allowed to borrow under our bank credit facility and reduce the amounts of cash we would otherwise have available to pay expenses, make distributions to our unitholders, and service our indebtedness.

Our failure to successfully identify, complete, and integrate acquisitions could adversely affect our growth, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders.

We depend partly on acquisitions to grow our reserves, production, and cash generated from operations. Our decision to acquire a property will depend in part on the evaluation of data obtained from production reports and engineering studies, geophysical and geological analyses and seismic data, and other information, the results of which are often inconclusive and subject to various interpretations. The successful acquisition of properties requires an assessment of several factors, including:

•

recoverable reserves;

•

future oil and natural gas prices and their applicable differentials;

•

development plans;

•

operating costs; and

•

potential environmental and other liabilities.

The accuracy of these assessments is inherently uncertain and we may not be able to identify attractive acquisition opportunities. In connection with these assessments, we perform a review of the subject properties that we believe to be generally consistent with industry practices. Our review will not reveal all existing or potential problems nor will it permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to assess fully their deficiencies and capabilities. Inspections may not always be performed on every well, if applicable, and environmental problems, such as groundwater contamination, are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is undertaken. Even when problems are identified, the seller may be unwilling or unable to provide effective contractual protection against all or part of the problems. Even if we do identify attractive acquisition opportunities, we may not be able to complete the acquisition or do so on commercially acceptable terms.

There is intense competition for acquisition opportunities in our industry. Competition for acquisitions may increase the cost of, or cause us to refrain from, completing acquisitions. Our ability to complete acquisitions is dependent upon, among other things, our ability to obtain financing. In addition, compliance with regulatory requirements may impose substantial additional obligations on us and our management, cause us to expend additional time and resources in compliance activities, and increase our exposure to penalties or fines for non-compliance with additional legal requirements. Further, the success of any completed acquisition will depend on our ability to integrate effectively the acquired assets into our existing operations. The process of integrating acquired assets may involve unforeseen difficulties and may require a disproportionate amount of our managerial and financial resources.

No assurance can be given that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition opportunities, negotiate acceptable terms, obtain financing for acquisitions on acceptable terms, or successfully acquire identified targets. Our failure to achieve consolidation savings, to integrate the acquired businesses and assets into our existing operations successfully, or to minimize any unforeseen operational difficulties could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders. The inability to effectively manage the integration of acquisitions could reduce our focus on subsequent acquisitions and current operations, which, in turn, could negatively impact our growth, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders.

Any acquisitions of additional mineral and royalty interests that we complete will be subject to substantial risks.

Even if we do make acquisitions that we believe will increase our cash generated from operations, these acquisitions may nevertheless result in a decrease in our cash distributions per unit. Any acquisition involves potential risks, including, among other things:

•

the validity of our assumptions about estimated proved reserves, future production, prices, revenues, capital expenditures, operating expenses, and costs;

•

a decrease in our liquidity by using a significant portion of our cash generated from operations or borrowing capacity to finance acquisitions;

•

a significant increase in our interest expense or financial leverage if we incur debt to finance acquisitions;

•

the assumption of unknown liabilities, losses, or costs for which we are not indemnified or for which any indemnity we receive is inadequate;

•

mistaken assumptions about the overall cost of equity or debt;

•

our ability to obtain satisfactory title to the assets we acquire;

•

an inability to hire, train, or retain qualified personnel to manage and operate our growing business and assets; and

•

the occurrence of other significant changes, such as impairment of oil and natural gas properties, goodwill or other intangible assets, asset devaluation, or restructuring charges.

Our assets consist of mineral and royalty interests and non-operated working interests. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we received revenue from over 1,000 operators. The failure of our operators to adequately or efficiently perform operations or an operator’s failure to act in ways that are in our best interests could reduce production and revenues. Our operators are often not obligated to undertake any development activities other than those required to maintain their leases on our acreage. In the absence of a specific contractual obligation, any development and production activities will be subject to their reasonable discretion. Our operators could determine to drill and complete fewer wells on our acreage than is currently expected. The success and timing of drilling and development activities on our properties, and whether the operators elect to drill any additional wells on our acreage, depends on a number of factors that will be largely outside of our control, including:

•

the capital costs required for drilling activities by our operators, which could be significantly more than anticipated;

•

the ability of our operators to access capital;

•

prevailing commodity prices;

•

the availability of suitable drilling equipment, production and transportation infrastructure, and qualified operating personnel;

•

the operators’ expertise, operating efficiency, and financial resources;

•

approval of other participants in drilling wells;

•

the operators’ expected return on investment in wells drilled on our acreage as compared to opportunities in other areas;

•

the selection of technology;

•

the selection of counterparties for the marketing and sale of production; and

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the rate of production of the reserves.

The operators may elect not to undertake development activities, or may undertake these activities in an unanticipated fashion, which may result in significant fluctuations in our results of operations and cash distributions to our unitholders. Sustained reductions in production by the operators on our properties may also adversely affect our results of operations and cash distributions to unitholders.

A failure on the part of the operators to make royalty payments gives us the right to terminate the lease, repossess the property, and enforce payment obligations under the lease. If we repossessed any of our properties, we would seek a replacement operator. However, we might not be able to find a replacement operator and, if we did, we might not be able to enter into a new lease on favorable terms within a reasonable period of time. In addition, the outgoing operator could be subject to a proceeding under title 11 of the United States Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”), in which case our right to enforce or terminate the lease for any defaults, including non-payment, may be substantially delayed or otherwise impaired. In general, in a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code, the bankrupt operator would have a substantial period of time to decide whether to ultimately reject or assume the lease, which could prevent the execution of a new lease or the assignment of the existing lease to another operator. In the event that the operator rejected the lease, our ability to collect amounts owed would be substantially delayed, and our ultimate recovery may be only a fraction of the amount owed or nothing. In addition, if we are able to enter into a new lease with a new operator, the replacement operator may not achieve the same levels of production or sell oil or natural gas at the same price as the operator it replaced.

The oil and natural gas industry is capital intensive. We make and expect to continue to make substantial capital expenditures in connection with the acquisition of mineral and royalty interests and participation in our working-interest participation program. To date, we have financed capital expenditures primarily with funding from cash generated by operations, limited borrowings under our credit facility, and an issuance of equity securities.

In the future, we may restrict distributions to fund acquisitions and participation in our working interests but eventually we may need capital in excess of the amounts we retain in our business or borrow under our credit facility. We cannot assure you that we will be able to access external capital on terms favorable to us or at all. If we are unable to fund our capital requirements, we may be unable to complete acquisitions, take advantage of business opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation and cash distributions to unitholders.

Most of our operators are also dependent on the availability of external debt and equity financing sources to maintain their drilling programs. If those financing sources are not available to the operators on favorable terms or at all, then we expect the development of our properties to be adversely affected. If the development of our properties is adversely affected, then revenues from our mineral and royalty interests and non-operated working interests may decline.

Producing oil and natural gas wells are characterized by declining production rates that vary depending upon reservoir characteristics and other factors. Our future oil and natural gas reserves and our operators’ production thereof and our cash generated from operations and ability to make distributions are highly dependent on the successful development and exploitation of our current reserves. The production decline rates of our properties may be significantly higher than currently estimated if the wells on our properties do not produce as expected. We may also not be able to find, acquire, or develop additional reserves to replace the current and future production of our properties at economically acceptable terms, which would adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash distributions to our common and subordinated unitholders.

We either have little or no control over the timing of future drilling with respect to our mineral and royalty interests and non-operated working interests.

Our proved undeveloped reserves may not be developed or produced. Recovery of proved undeveloped reserves requires significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations, and the decision to pursue development of a proved undeveloped drilling location will be made by the operator and not by us. The reserve data included in the reserve report of our engineer assume that substantial capital expenditures are required to develop the reserves. We cannot be certain that the estimated costs of the development of these reserves are accurate, that development will occur as scheduled or that the results of the development will be as estimated. Delays in the development of our reserves, increases in costs to drill and develop our reserves, or decreases in commodity prices will reduce the future net revenues of our estimated proved undeveloped reserves and may result in some projects becoming uneconomical. In addition, delays in the development of reserves could force us to reclassify certain of our undeveloped reserves as unproved reserves.

Project areas on our properties, which are in various stages of development, may not yield oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities.

Project areas on our properties are in various stages of development, ranging from project areas with current drilling or production activity to project areas that have limited drilling or production history. If the wells in the process of being completed do not produce sufficient revenues or if dry holes are drilled, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders may be adversely affected.

Our operators’ identified potential drilling locations are susceptible to uncertainties that could materially alter the occurrence or timing of their drilling.

The ability of our operators to drill and develop identified potential drilling locations depends on a number of uncertainties, including the availability of capital, construction of infrastructure, inclement weather, regulatory changes and approvals, oil and natural gas prices, costs, drilling results, and the availability of water. Further, our operators’ identified potential drilling locations are in various stages of evaluation, ranging from locations that are ready to drill to locations that will require substantial additional interpretation. The use of technologies and the study of producing fields in the same area will not enable our operators to know conclusively prior to drilling whether oil or natural gas will be present or, if present, whether oil or natural gas will be present in sufficient quantities to be economically viable. Even if sufficient amounts of oil or natural gas exist, our operators may damage the potentially productive hydrocarbon-bearing formation or experience mechanical difficulties while drilling or completing the well, possibly resulting in a reduction in production from the well or abandonment of the well. If our operators drill additional wells that they identify as dry holes in current and future drilling locations, their drilling success rate may decline and materially harm their business as well as ours.

We cannot assure you that the analogies our operators draw from available data from the wells on our acreage, more fully explored locations, or producing fields will be applicable to their drilling locations. Further, initial production rates reported by our or other operators in the areas in which our reserves are located may not

be indicative of future or long-term production rates. Because of these uncertainties, we do not know if the potential drilling locations our operators have identified will ever be drilled or if our operators will be able to produce oil or natural gas from these or any other potential drilling locations. As such, the actual drilling activities of our operators may materially differ from those presently identified, which could adversely affect our business, results of operation, and cash distributions to unitholders.

The oil and natural gas industry is cyclical, which can result in shortages of drilling rigs, equipment, raw materials (particularly sand and other proppants), supplies, and personnel. When shortages occur, the costs and delivery times of rigs, equipment, and supplies increase and demand for, and wage rates of, qualified drilling rig crews also rise with increases in demand. In accordance with customary industry practice, our operators rely on independent third-party service providers to provide many of the services and equipment necessary to drill new wells. If our operators are unable to secure a sufficient number of drilling rigs at reasonable costs, our financial condition and results of operations could suffer. Shortages of drilling rigs, equipment, raw materials (particularly sand and other proppants), supplies, personnel, trucking services, tubulars, fracking and completion services, and production equipment could delay or restrict our operators’ exploration and development operations, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders.

The marketability of our or our operators’ production depends in part on the availability, proximity, and capacity of pipelines, tanker trucks, and other transportation methods, and processing and refining facilities owned by third parties. The amount of oil that can be produced and sold is subject to curtailment in certain circumstances, such as pipeline interruptions due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, excessive pressure, physical damage, or lack of available capacity on these systems, tanker truck availability, and extreme weather conditions. Also, the shipment of our or our operators’ oil and natural gas on third-party pipelines may be curtailed or delayed if it does not meet the quality specifications of the pipeline owners. The curtailments arising from these and similar circumstances may last from a few days to several months. In many cases, we or our operators are provided only with limited, if any, notice as to when these circumstances will arise and their duration. Any significant curtailment in gathering system or transportation, processing, or refining-facility capacity could reduce our or our operators’ ability to market oil production and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders. Our or our operators’ access to transportation options and the prices we or our operators receive can also be affected by federal and state regulation—including regulation of oil production, transportation, and pipeline safety—as well by general economic conditions and changes in supply and demand. In addition, the third parties on whom we or our operators rely for transportation services are subject to complex federal, state, tribal, and local laws that could adversely affect the cost, manner, or feasibility of conducting our business.

Oil and natural gas reserve engineering is not an exact science and requires subjective estimates of underground accumulations of oil and natural gas and assumptions concerning future oil and natural gas prices, production levels, ultimate recoveries, and operating and development costs. As a result, estimated quantities of proved reserves, projections of future production rates, and the timing of development expenditures may be incorrect. Our historical estimates of proved reserves and related valuations as of December 31, 2013, were

prepared by Pressler Petroleum Consultants, Inc. (“Pressler”), a third-party petroleum engineering firm, which conducted a detailed review of all our properties for the period covered by its reserve report using information provided by us as well as publicly available production information. Our estimates of proved reserves and related valuations as of December 31, 2014 were prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (“NSAI”), a third-party petroleum engineering firm, which conducted a detailed review of all of our properties for the period covered by its reserve report using information provided by us. Over time, we may make material changes to reserve estimates taking into account the results of actual drilling, testing, and production. Also, certain assumptions regarding future oil and natural gas prices, production levels, and operating and development costs may prove incorrect. Any significant variance from these assumptions to actual figures could greatly affect our estimates of reserves and future cash generated from operations. Numerous changes over time to the assumptions on which our reserve estimates are based, as described above, often result in the actual quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered being different from our reserve estimates.

The estimates of reserves as of December 31, 2014 were prepared using an average price equal to the unweighted arithmetic average of hydrocarbon prices received on a field-by-field basis on the first day of each month within the year ended December 31, 2014 in accordance with the SEC guidelines applicable to reserve estimates for those periods. Reserve estimates do not include any value for probable or possible reserves that may exist, nor do they include any value for unproved undeveloped acreage.

Conservation measures and technological advances could reduce demand for oil and natural gas.

Fuel conservation measures, alternative fuel requirements, increasing consumer demand for alternatives to oil and natural gas, technological advances in fuel economy, and energy-generation devices could reduce demand for oil and natural gas. The impact of the changing demand for oil and natural gas services and products may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders.

We rely on a few key individuals whose absence or loss could adversely affect our business.

Many key responsibilities within our business have been assigned to a small number of individuals. The loss of their services could adversely affect our business. In particular, the loss of the services of one or more members of our executive team could disrupt our business. Further, we do not maintain “key person” life insurance policies on any of our executive team or other key personnel. As a result, we are not insured against any losses resulting from the death of these key individuals.

Our operators use the latest drilling and completion techniques in their operations, and these techniques come with inherent risks. When drilling horizontal wells, operators risk not landing the well bore in the desired drilling zone and straying from the desired drilling zone. When drilling horizontally through a formation, operators risk being unable to run casing through the entire length of the well bore and being unable to run tools and other equipment consistently through the horizontal well bore. Risks that our operators face while completing wells include being unable to fracture stimulate the planned number of stages, to run tools the entire length of the well bore during completion operations, and to clean out the well bore after completion of the final fracture stimulation stage. In addition, to the extent our operators engage in horizontal drilling, those activities may adversely affect their ability to successfully drill in identified vertical drilling locations. Furthermore, certain of the new techniques that our operators may adopt, such as infill drilling and multi-well pad drilling, may cause irregularities or interruptions in production due to, in the case of infill drilling, offset wells being shut in and, in the case of multi-well pad drilling, the time required to drill and complete multiple wells before these wells begin producing. The results of drilling in new or emerging formations are more uncertain initially than drilling results in areas that are more developed and have a longer history of established production. Newer or emerging formations and areas often have limited or no production history and consequently our operators will be less able to predict future drilling results in these areas.

Ultimately, the success of these drilling and completion techniques can only be evaluated over time as more wells are drilled and production profiles are established over a sufficiently long time period. If our operators’ drilling results are weaker than anticipated or they are unable to execute their drilling program on our properties because of capital constraints, lease expirations, access to gathering systems, or declines in natural gas and oil prices, our operating and financial results in these areas may be lower than we anticipate. Further, as a result of any of these developments we could incur material write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties and the value of our undeveloped acreage could decline, and our results of operations and cash distributions to unitholders could be adversely affected.

Operations on the properties in which we hold interests are subject to various federal, state, and local governmental regulations that may be changed from time to time in response to economic and political conditions. Matters subject to regulation include drilling operations, production and distribution activities, discharges or releases of pollutants or wastes, plugging and abandonment of wells, maintenance and decommissioning of other facilities, the spacing of wells, unitization and pooling of properties, and taxation. From time to time, regulatory agencies have imposed price controls and limitations on production by restricting the rate of flow of oil and natural gas wells below actual production capacity to conserve supplies of oil and natural gas. In addition, the production, handling, storage, transportation, remediation, emission, and disposal of oil and natural gas, by-products thereof, and other substances and materials produced or used in connection with oil and natural gas operations are subject to regulation under federal, state, and local laws and regulations primarily relating to protection of human health and safety and the environment. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of sanctions, including administrative, civil, or criminal penalties, permit revocations, requirements for additional pollution controls, and injunctions limiting or prohibiting some or all of our operations. Moreover, these laws and regulations have continually imposed increasingly strict requirements for water and air pollution control and solid waste management.

Laws and regulations governing exploration and production may also affect production levels. Our operators must comply with federal and state laws and regulations governing conservation matters, including:

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provisions related to the unitization or pooling of the oil and natural gas properties;

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the establishment of maximum rates of production from wells;

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the spacing of wells;

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the plugging and abandonment of wells; and

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the removal of related production equipment.

Additionally, state and federal regulatory authorities may expand or alter applicable pipeline-safety laws and regulations, compliance with which may require increased capital costs on the part of operators and third-party downstream natural gas transporters.

Our operators must also comply with laws and regulations prohibiting fraud and market manipulations in energy markets. To the extent the operators of our properties are shippers on interstate pipelines, they must comply with the tariffs of those pipelines and with federal policies related to the use of interstate capacity.

Our operators may be required to make significant expenditures to comply with the governmental laws and regulations described above. We believe the trend of more expansive and stricter environmental legislation and regulations will continue. Please read “Business—Environmental Matters” for a description of the laws and regulations that affect our operators and that may affect us. These and other potential regulations could increase the operating costs of our operators and delay production, which could reduce the amount of cash distributions to our unitholders.

Louisiana mineral servitudes are subject to reversion to the surface owner after ten years’ nonuse.

We own mineral servitudes covering several hundred thousand acres in Louisiana. A mineral servitude is created in Louisiana when the mineral rights are separated from the ownership of the surface, whether by sale or reservation. These mineral servitudes, once created, are subject to a ten-year prescription of nonuse. During the ten-year period, the mineral-servitude owner has to conduct good-faith operations on the servitude for the discovery and production of minerals, or the mineral servitude “prescribes,” and the mineral rights associated with that servitude revert to the surface owner. A good-faith operation for the discovery and production of minerals, even one resulting in a dry hole, conducted within the ten-year period will interrupt the prescription of nonuse and restart the running of the ten-year prescriptive period. If the operation results in production, prescription is interrupted as long as the production continues or operations are conducted in good faith to secure or restore production. If any of our mineral servitudes are prescribed by operation of Louisiana law, our operating results may be adversely affected.

Our operators engage in hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing is a common practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons, particularly natural gas, from tight formations, including shales. The process involves the injection of water, sand, and chemicals under pressure into formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act (“SDWA”) regulates the underground injection of substances through the Underground Injection Control (“UIC”) program. Hydraulic fracturing is generally exempt from regulation under the UIC program, and the hydraulic-fracturing process is typically regulated by state oil and natural gas commissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), however, has recently taken the position that hydraulic fracturing with fluids containing diesel fuel is subject to regulation under the UIC program and that these wells are required to obtain “Class II” UIC permits. In addition, on May 9, 2014, the EPA issued an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on its proposed development of regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act to require companies to disclose information regarding the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing. Moreover, the EPA is developing effluent-limitation guidelines that may impose federal pre-treatment standards on all oil and natural gas operators transporting wastewater associated with hydraulic-fracturing activities to publicly owned treatment works for disposal. The EPA plans to propose these standards within the next year.

Further, in April 2012, the EPA published final rules that subject all oil and natural gas operations (production, processing, transmission, storage, and distribution) to regulation under the New Source Performance Standards (“NSPS”) and the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants programs. These rules became effective in October 2012 and include NSPS standards for completions of hydraulically fractured natural gas wells. The standards include the reduced emission completion techniques developed in the EPA’s Natural Gas STAR program along with restrictions on the flaring of natural gas not sent to the gathering line. The standards are applicable to newly drilled and fractured wells and wells that are refractured on or after January 1, 2015. Other areas related to federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing include the U.S. Department of the Interior’s revised proposed rule, issued in May 2013, that would update existing regulation of hydraulic-fracturing activities on federal lands, including requirements for disclosure, well bore integrity, and handling of flowback water.

There are also certain governmental reviews either underway or being proposed that focus on environmental aspects of hydraulic-fracturing practices. The results of these studies could spur initiatives to further regulate hydraulic fracturing under the SDWA or other regulatory authorities. The EPA is currently evaluating the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. The White House Council on Environmental Quality is conducting an administration-wide review of hydraulic-fracturing practices. The U.S. Department of Energy has conducted an investigation into practices the agency could recommend to better protect the environment from drilling using hydraulic-fracturing completion methods. Additionally, certain

members of Congress have called upon the U.S. Government Accountability Office to investigate how hydraulic fracturing might adversely affect water resources, the SEC to investigate the natural gas industry and any possible misleading of investors or the public regarding the economic feasibility of pursuing natural gas deposits in shale formations by means of hydraulic fracturing, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration to provide a better understanding of that agency’s estimates regarding natural gas reserves, including reserves from shale formations, as well as uncertainties associated with those estimates.

Several states, including Texas, have adopted or are considering adopting regulations that could restrict or prohibit hydraulic fracturing in certain circumstances or require the disclosure of the composition of hydraulic-fracturing fluids. For example, the Texas Railroad Commission has adopted rules and regulations requiring that well operators disclose the list of chemical ingredients subject to the requirements of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act to state regulators and on a public internet website. We expect our operators to use hydraulic fracturing extensively in connection with the development and production of our oil and natural gas properties, and any increased federal, state, or local regulation of hydraulic fracturing could reduce the volumes of oil and natural gas that our operators can economically recover, which could materially and adversely affect our revenues and results of operations. In addition to state laws, local land use restrictions, such as city ordinances, may restrict or prohibit the performance of well drilling in general or hydraulic fracturing in particular. In the event state, local, or municipal legal restrictions are adopted in areas where our operators conduct operations, our operators may incur substantial costs to comply with these requirements, which may be significant in nature, experience delays, or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development, or production activities and perhaps even be precluded from the drilling of wells.

There has been increasing public controversy regarding hydraulic fracturing with regard to the use of fracturing fluids, impacts on drinking water supplies, use of water, and the potential for impacts to surface water, groundwater, and the environment generally. A number of lawsuits and enforcement actions have been initiated across the country implicating hydraulic-fracturing practices. If new laws or regulations are adopted that significantly restrict hydraulic fracturing, those laws could make it more difficult or costly for our operators to perform fracturing to stimulate production from tight formations. In addition, if hydraulic fracturing is further regulated at the federal or state level, fracturing activities on our properties could become subject to additional permitting and financial assurance requirements, more stringent construction specifications, increased monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping obligations, plugging and abandonment requirements, and also to attendant permitting delays and potential increases in costs. Legislative changes could cause operators to incur substantial compliance costs. At this time, it is not possible to estimate the impact on our business of newly enacted or potential federal or state legislation governing hydraulic fracturing.

Our credit facility has substantial restrictions and financial covenants that may restrict our business and financing activities and our ability to pay distributions.

Our credit facility limits the amounts we can borrow to a borrowing base amount, determined by the lenders in their sole discretion based on their valuation of our proved reserves and their internal criteria. The borrowing base is redetermined at least semi-annually, and the available borrowing amount could be further decreased as a result of such redeterminations. Decreases in the available borrowing amount could result from declines in oil and natural gas prices, operating difficulties or increased costs, declines in reserves, lending requirements, or regulations or certain other circumstances. As of December 31, 2014, our borrowing base for our credit facility was $700 million, we had outstanding borrowings of $394.0 million, and the aggregate maximum credit amounts of the lenders were $1.0 billion. Our next borrowing base redetermination is scheduled for April 2015. As a result of the steep decline in oil and natural gas prices in of the second half of 2014, our borrowing base will likely be decreased by the lenders under our credit facility in April 2015 if prices do not return to former levels. A future decrease in our borrowing base could be substantial and could be to a level below our then-outstanding borrowings. Outstanding borrowings in excess of the borrowing base are required to be repaid in five equal monthly payments, or we are required to pledge other oil and natural gas properties as additional collateral, within 30 days following notice from the administrative agent of the new or adjusted borrowing base. If we do

not have sufficient funds on hand for repayment, we may be required to seek a waiver or amendment from our lenders, refinance our credit facility, or sell assets, debt or common units. We may not be able to obtain such financing or complete such transactions on terms acceptable to us or at all. Failure to make the required repayment could result in a default under our credit facility, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and distributions to our unitholders.

The operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our credit facility restrict, and any future financing agreements likely will restrict, our ability to finance future operations or capital needs, engage, expand, or pursue our business activities, or pay distributions. Our credit facility restricts, and any future credit facility likely will restrict, our ability to:

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incur indebtedness;

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grant liens;

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make certain acquisitions and investments;

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enter into hedging arrangement;

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enter into transactions with our affiliates;

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make distributions to our unitholders; or

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enter into a merger, consolidation, or sale of assets.

Our credit facility restricts our ability to make distributions to unitholders or to repurchase units unless after giving effect to such distribution or repurchase, there is no event of default under our credit facility and our outstanding borrowings are not in excess of our borrowing base. While we currently are not restricted by our credit facility from declaring a distribution, we may be restricted from paying a distribution in the future.

We also are required to comply with certain financial covenants and ratios under the credit facility. Our ability to comply with these restrictions and covenants in the future is uncertain and will be affected by the levels of cash flow from our operations and events or circumstances beyond our control, such as reduced oil and natural gas prices. If we violate any of the restrictions, covenants, ratios, or tests in our credit facility, a significant portion of our indebtedness may become immediately due and payable, our ability to make distributions will be inhibited and our lenders’ commitment to make further loans to us may terminate. We might not have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments. In addition, our obligations under our credit facility are secured by substantially all of our assets, and if we are unable to repay our indebtedness under our credit facility, the lenders can seek to foreclose on our assets.

The adoption of climate change legislation by Congress could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil and natural gas that our operators produce.

In response to findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases (“GHGs”) present an endangerment to public health and the environment, the EPA has adopted regulations under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act that, among other things, require preconstruction and operating permits for certain large stationary sources. Facilities required to obtain preconstruction permits for their GHG emissions also will be required to meet “best available control technology” standards that will be established on a case-by-case basis. These EPA rulemakings could adversely affect operations on our properties and restrict or delay the ability of our operators to obtain air permits for new or modified sources. In addition, the EPA has adopted rules requiring the monitoring and reporting of GHG emissions from specified onshore and offshore oil and natural gas production sources in the United States on an annual basis, which include operations on certain of our properties.

While Congress has from time to time considered legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs, there has not been significant activity in the form of adopted legislation to reduce GHG emissions at the federal level in recent

years. In the absence of federal climate legislation, a number of state and regional efforts have emerged that are aimed at tracking or reducing GHG emissions by means of cap and trade programs. These programs typically require major sources of GHG emissions to acquire and surrender emission allowances in return for emitting those GHGs. Although it is not possible at this time to predict how legislation or new regulations that may be adopted to address GHG emissions would impact our business, any future laws and regulations imposing reporting obligations on, or limiting emissions of GHGs from, our operators’ equipment and operations could require them to incur costs to reduce emissions of GHGs associated with their operations. In addition, substantial limitations on GHG emissions could adversely affect demand for the oil and natural gas produced from our properties. Restrictions on emissions of methane or carbon dioxide that may be imposed in various states, as well as state and local climate change initiatives, could adversely affect the oil and natural gas industry, and, at this time, it is not possible to accurately estimate how potential future laws or regulations addressing GHG emissions would impact our business. Finally, it should be noted that some scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, floods, and other climatic events; if any of these effects were to occur, they could have a material adverse effect on our properties and operations.

Operating hazards and uninsured risks may result in substantial losses to us or our operators, and any losses could adversely affect our results of operations and cash distributions to unitholders.

We may be secondarily liable for damage to the environment caused by our operators. The operations of our operators will be subject to all of the hazards and operating risks associated with drilling for and production of oil and natural gas, including the risk of fire, explosions, blowouts, surface cratering, uncontrollable flows of natural gas, oil and formation water, pipe or pipeline failures, abnormally pressured formations, casing collapses, and environmental hazards such as oil spills, natural gas leaks and ruptures, or discharges of toxic gases. In addition, their operations will be subject to risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, including any mishandling, surface spillage, or potential underground migration of fracturing fluids, including chemical additives. The occurrence of any of these events could result in substantial losses to our operators due to injury or loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution or other environmental damage, clean-up responsibilities, regulatory investigations and penalties, suspension of operations, and repairs required to resume operations.

In accordance with what we believe to be customary industry practice, we maintain insurance against some, but not all, of our business risks. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover any losses or liabilities we may suffer. Also, insurance may no longer be available to us or, if it is, its availability may be at premium levels that do not justify its purchase. The occurrence of a significant uninsured claim, a claim in excess of the insurance coverage limits maintained by us or a claim at a time when we are not able to obtain liability insurance could have a material adverse effect on our ability to conduct normal business operations and on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash distributions to unitholders. In addition, we may not be able to secure additional insurance or bonding that might be required by new governmental regulations. This may cause us to restrict our operations, which might severely impact our financial position. We may also be liable for environmental damage caused by previous owners of properties purchased by us, which liabilities may not be covered by insurance.

We may not have coverage if we are unaware of a sudden and accidental pollution event and unable to report the “occurrence” to our insurance company within the time frame required under our insurance policy. We do not have, and do not intend to obtain, coverage for gradual, long-term pollution events. In addition, these policies do not provide coverage for all liabilities, and we cannot assure you that the insurance coverage will be adequate to cover claims that may arise or that we will be able to maintain adequate insurance at rates we consider reasonable. A loss not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, and cash distributions to unitholders.

Title to the properties in which we have an interest may be impaired by title defects.

No assurance can be given that we will not suffer a monetary loss from title defects or title failure. Additionally, undeveloped acreage has greater risk of title defects than developed acreage. If there are any title defects or defects in assignment of leasehold rights in properties in which we hold an interest, we will suffer a financial loss.

Cyber attacks could significantly affect us.

Cyber attacks on businesses have escalated in recent years. We rely on electronic systems and networks to control and manage our business and have multiple layers of security to mitigate risks of cyber attack. If, however, we were to experience an attack and our security measures failed, the potential consequences to our businesses and the communities in which we operate could be significant.

Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us

We expect to distribute a substantial majority of the cash we generate from operations each quarter, which could limit our ability to grow and make acquisitions.

We expect to distribute a substantial majority of the cash we generate from operations each quarter. As a result, we will have limited cash generated from operations to reinvest in our business or to fund acquisitions, and we will rely primarily upon external financing sources, including commercial bank borrowings and the issuance of debt and equity securities, to fund our acquisitions and growth capital expenditures. If we are unable to finance growth externally, our distribution policy will significantly impair our ability to grow.

If we issue additional units in connection with any acquisitions or growth capital expenditures, the payment of distributions on those additional units may increase the risk that we will be unable to maintain or increase our per unit distribution level. Other than limitations restricting our ability to issue units ranking senior or on a parity with our preferred units, there are no limitations in our partnership agreement on our ability to issue additional units, including units ranking senior to the common units with respect to distributions. The incurrence of additional commercial borrowings or other debt to finance our growth would result in increased interest expense and required principal repayments, which, in turn, may reduce the cash that we have available to distribute to our unitholders. Please read “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.”

In connection with the closing of this offering, the board of directors of our general partner will adopt a cash distribution policy pursuant to which we intend to pay distributions on our common and subordinated units in an amount at least equal to the applicable minimum quarterly distribution amounts to the extent we have sufficient cash generated from operations after we establish cash reserves, if any, and after we have made the required distributions to the holders of our outstanding preferred units. Our initial distribution will be $ per common and subordinated unit on an annualized basis (or $ per unit on a quarterly basis). As a result of this policy and so long as it continues, we expect that we will distribute a substantial majority of the cash we generate from operations each quarter. However, the board of directors of our general partner may change this policy at any time at its discretion and could elect not to pay distributions for one or more quarters. Please read “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.”

Our partnership agreement does not require us to pay any distributions at all on our common units. Accordingly, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the permanence of a policy in making an investment decision. Any modification or revocation of our cash distribution policy could substantially reduce or eliminate the amounts of distributions to our unitholders. The amount of distributions we make, if any, and the

decision to make any distribution at all will be determined by the board of directors of our general partner. If we make distributions, our preferred unitholders have priority with respect to rights to share in those distributions over our common and subordinated unitholders for so long as our preferred units are outstanding. Please read “Description of Our Preferred Units—Distributions.”

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that eliminate the fiduciary duties that might otherwise be owed by our general partner and its directors and executive officers. For example, our partnership agreement provides that our general partner and its directors and executive officers have no duties to the partnership or its partners except as expressly set forth in the partnership agreement. In place of default fiduciary duties, our partnership agreement imposes a contractual standard requiring our general partner and its directors and executive officers to act in good faith, meaning they cannot cause the general partner to take an action that they subjectively believe is adverse to our interests. Such contractual standards allow our general partner and its directors and executive officers to manage and operate our business with greater flexibility and to subject the actions and determinations of our general partner and its directors and executive officers to lesser legal or judicial scrutiny than would be the case if state law fiduciary standards were applicable.

Our partnership agreement restricts the potential liability of our general partner and its directors and executive officers to our unitholders. For example, our partnership agreement provides that our general partner and its directors and executive officers will not be liable for monetary damages to us or our limited partners for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that the general partner or those other persons acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct or fraud or, with respect to any criminal conduct, with the knowledge that its conduct was unlawful.

Unitholders are bound by the provisions of our partnership agreement, including the provisions described above. Please read “Fiduciary Duties.”

Our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of unitholders owning 15% or more of our units, subject to certain exceptions.

Our partnership agreement restricts unitholders’ voting rights by providing that any units held by a person or group that owns 15% or more of any class of units then outstanding, other than the limited partners in BSMC prior to this offering, their transferees, and persons who acquired such units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner, may not vote on any matter.

Actions taken by our general partner may affect the amount of cash generated from operations that is available for distribution to unitholders or accelerate the right to convert subordinated units.

The amount of cash generated from operations available for distribution to unitholders is affected by decisions of our general partner regarding such matters as:

•

amount and timing of asset purchases and sales;

•

cash expenditures;

•

borrowings;

•

entry into and repayment of current and future indebtedness;

•

issuance of additional units; and

•

the creation, reduction, or increase of reserves in any quarter.

In addition, borrowings by us do not constitute a breach of any duty owed by our general partner to our unitholders, including borrowings that have the purpose or effect of:

•

enabling holders of subordinated units to receive distributions; or

•

hastening the expiration of the subordination period.

In addition, our general partner may use an amount, initially equal to $ million, which would not otherwise constitute cash generated from operations, in order to permit the payment of distributions on subordinated units. All of these actions may affect the amount of cash distributed to our unitholders and may facilitate the conversion of subordinated units into common units. Please read “How We Make Distributions.”

For example, in the event we have not generated sufficient cash from our operations to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on our common units and our subordinated units, our partnership agreement permits us to borrow funds, which would enable us to make such distribution on all outstanding units. Please read “How We Make Distributions—Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus—Operating Surplus.”

We have a call right that may require common unitholders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price.

If at any point in time prior to the end of the subordinated period we have acquired more than 80% of the total number of common units outstanding, we have the right, but not the obligation, to purchase all of the remaining common units at a price equal to the greater of (1) the average of the daily closing price of the common units over the 20 trading days preceding the date three days before notice of exercise of the call right is first mailed and (2) the highest per-unit price paid by us or any of our affiliates for common units during the 90-day period preceding the date such notice is first mailed. This limited call right is not exerciseable as long as any of our preferred units are outstanding, or at any time after the subordination period has ended.

Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions.

Under certain circumstances, unitholders may have to repay amounts wrongfully returned or distributed to them. Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Delaware Act”), we may not make a distribution to our unitholders if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets. Delaware law provides that for a period of three years from the date of the impermissible distribution, limited partners who received the distribution and who knew at the time of the distribution that it violated Delaware law will be liable to the limited partnership for the distribution amount. Liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities that are non-recourse to the partnership are not counted for purposes of determining whether a distribution is permitted.

Increases in interest rates may cause the market price of our common units to decline.

An increase in interest rates may cause a corresponding decline in demand for equity investments in general, and in particular, for yield-based equity investments such as our common units. Any such increase in interest rates or reduction in demand for our common units resulting from other relatively more attractive investment opportunities may cause the trading price of our common units to decline.

Unitholders will incur immediate and substantial dilution in net tangible book value per common unit.

The assumed initial public offering price of $ per common unit (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus) exceeds our pro forma net tangible book value of $ per common unit. Based on the assumed initial public offering price of $ per common unit, common unitholders will incur immediate and substantial dilution of $ per common unit. This dilution results primarily because the assets contributed to us by our predecessor are recorded at their historical cost in accordance with GAAP and not their fair value. Please read “Dilution.”

Under our partnership agreement, we are authorized to issue an unlimited number of additional interests, including common units, without a vote of the unitholders other than, in certain instances, approval of holders of our preferred units. Our issuance of additional common units or other equity interests of equal or senior rank will have the following effects:

•

the proportionate ownership interest of common and subordinated unitholders in us immediately prior to the issuance will decrease;

•

the amount of cash distributions on each common and subordinated unit may decrease;

•

the ratio of our taxable income to distributions may increase;

•

the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding common and subordinated unit may be diminished; and

•

the market price of the common units may decline.

However, our partnership agreement does not authorize us to issue securities having preferences or rights with priority over or on a parity with the preferred units with respect to rights to share in distributions, redemption obligations, or redemption rights without preferred unitholder approval. Please read “The Partnership Agreement—Issuance of Additional Partnership Interests” and “Description of Our Preferred Units.”

The market price of our common units could be adversely affected by sales of substantial amounts of our common units in the public or private markets.

After this offering, we will have common units and subordinated units outstanding, including the common units that we are selling in this offering that may be resold immediately in the public market. All of the subordinated units will convert into common units at the end of the subordination period. All of the common units that are issued to our directors and executive officers will be subject to resale restrictions under a 180-day lock-up agreement with the underwriters. Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering will be restricted from selling any common units they beneficially own, including any common units resulting from the conversion of such limited partners’ preferred units, for 45 days from the date of this prospectus. Each of the lock-up agreements with the underwriters may be waived in the discretion of certain of the underwriters. Sales by holders of a substantial number of our common units in the public markets following this offering, or the perception that these sales might occur, could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common units or impair our ability to obtain capital through an offering of equity securities. The limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering (including our executive officers and directors) will be restricted from selling with certain limited exceptions any subordinated units they beneficially own until permitted by the board of directors of our general partner in its sole discretion. Please read “Units Eligible for Future Sale.”

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the common units. After this offering, there will be only publicly traded common units. We do not know the extent to which investor interest will lead to the development of a trading market or how liquid that market might be. Unitholders may not be able to resell their common units at or above the initial public offering price. Additionally, the lack of liquidity may result in wide bid-ask spreads, contribute to significant fluctuations in the market price of the common units, and limit the number of investors who are able to buy the common units.

The initial public offering price for our common units will be determined by negotiations between us and the representatives of the underwriters and may not be indicative of the market price of the common units that will prevail in the trading market. The market price of our common units may decline below the initial public offering price. The market price of our common units may also be influenced by many factors, some of which are beyond our control, including those described elsewhere in these risk factors.

We will incur increased costs as a result of being a publicly traded partnership.

As a publicly traded partnership, we will incur significant legal, accounting, and other expenses that we did not incur prior to this offering. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules implemented by the SEC and the NYSE, require publicly traded entities to adopt various corporate governance practices that will further increase our costs. Before we are able to make distributions to our unitholders, we must first pay or reserve for our expenses, including the costs of being a publicly traded partnership. As a result, the amount of cash we have available to distribute to our unitholders will be affected by the costs associated with being a publicly traded partnership.

Following this offering, we will become subject to the public reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. We expect these requirements will increase our legal and financial compliance costs. For example, as a result of becoming a publicly traded partnership, we are required to adopt policies regarding internal controls and disclosure controls and procedures, including the preparation of reports on internal control over financial reporting.

We estimate that we will incur approximately $1.5 million of incremental costs per year associated with being a publicly traded partnership; however, it is possible that our actual incremental costs of being a publicly traded partnership will be higher than we currently estimate.

We are classified as an “emerging growth company” under Section 2(a)(19) of the Securities Act. For as long as we are an emerging growth company, which may be up to five full fiscal years, we will not be required to comply with certain requirements that other public companies are required to comply with. Among other things, we will not be required to:

•

provide an auditor’s attestation report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

•

comply with any new requirements adopted by the PCAOB requiring mandatory audit firm rotation or a supplement to the auditor’s report in which the auditor would be required to provide additional information about the audit and the financial statements of the issuer; or

•

provide certain disclosure regarding executive compensation required of larger public companies.

Upon the completion of this offering, we will become subject to the public reporting requirements of the Exchange Act. We prepare our financial statements in accordance with GAAP, but our internal controls over financial reporting may not currently meet all standards applicable to companies with publicly traded securities. Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports, prevent fraud, and operate successfully as a publicly traded partnership. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results would be harmed. We cannot be certain that our efforts to develop and maintain our internal controls will be successful, that we will be able to maintain adequate controls over our financial

processes and reporting in the future, or that we will be able to comply with our obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. For example, Section 404 will require us, among other things, to annually review and report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm to attest to, the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting. We must comply with Section 404 (except for the requirement for an auditor’s attestation report) beginning with our fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. Any failure to develop or maintain effective internal controls, or difficulties encountered in implementing or improving our internal controls, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Ineffective internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our common units.

The NYSE does not require a publicly traded partnership like us to comply with certain of its corporate governance requirements.

We have applied to list our common units on the NYSE. Because we will be a publicly traded partnership, the NYSE does not require us to have a majority of independent directors on our general partner’s board of directors or to establish a compensation committee or a nominating and corporate governance committee. In addition, because we are a publicly traded partnership, the NYSE does not require us to obtain unitholder approval prior to certain unit issuances. Accordingly, unitholders will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of certain corporations that are subject to all of the NYSE’s corporate governance requirements. Please read “Management.”

Our partnership agreement is governed by Delaware law. Our partnership agreement includes exclusive forum, venue, and jurisdiction provisions designating Delaware courts as the exclusive venue for all claims, suits, actions, or proceedings arising out of or relating in any way to the partnership agreement, brought in a derivative manner on behalf of the partnership, asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary or other duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of the partnership or the general partner, or owed by the general partner to the partnership or the partners, asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act, or asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Please read “The Partnership Agreement—Applicable Law; Forum, Venue, and Jurisdiction.” By purchasing a common unit, a limited partner is irrevocably consenting to these provisions regarding claims, suits, actions, or proceedings and submitting to the exclusive jurisdiction of Delaware courts. If a dispute were to arise between a limited partner and us or our officers, directors, or employees, the limited partner may be required to pursue its legal remedies in Delaware, which may be an inconvenient or distant location and which is considered to be a more corporate-friendly environment.

If you are not an Eligible Holder, your common units may be subject to redemption.

We have adopted certain requirements regarding those investors who may own our units. Eligible Holders are limited partners (a) whose, or whose owners’, federal income tax status does not have or is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the rates chargeable by us to customers and (b) whose ownership could not result in our loss of ownership in any material part of our assets, as determined by our general partner with the advice of counsel. If you are not an Eligible Holder, in certain circumstances as set forth in our partnership agreement, your units may be redeemed by us at the then-current market price. The redemption price will be paid in cash or by delivery of a promissory note, as determined by our general partner. Please read “The Partnership Agreement—Ineligible Holders; Redemption.”

Tax Risks to Common Unitholders

In addition to reading the following risk factors, you should read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” for a more complete discussion of the expected material federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of common units.

Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, as well as our not being subject to a material amount of entity-level taxation by individual states. If the IRS were to treat us as a corporation for federal income tax purposes or we were to become subject to entity-level taxation for state tax purposes, then our cash distributions to unitholders could be substantially reduced.

The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in our common units depends largely on our being treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

Despite the fact that we are organized as a limited partnership under Delaware law, we would be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes unless we satisfy a “qualifying income” requirement. Based upon our current operations, we believe we satisfy the qualifying income requirement. However, we have not requested, and do not plan to request, a ruling from the IRS on this or any other matter affecting us. Failing to meet the qualifying income requirement or a change in current law could cause us to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to taxation as an entity.

If we were treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, we would pay federal income tax on our taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently a maximum of 35%. Distributions to our unitholders would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, and no income, gains, losses, or deductions would flow through to our unitholders. Because a tax would be imposed upon us as a corporation, cash distributions to our unitholders would be substantially reduced. In addition, changes in current state law may subject us to additional entity-level taxation by individual states. Because of widespread state budget deficits and other reasons, several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise, and other forms of taxation. Imposition of any of those taxes may substantially reduce the cash distributions to our unitholders. Therefore, treatment of us as a corporation or the assessment of a material amount of entity-level taxation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash generated from operations and after-tax return to the unitholders, likely causing a substantial reduction in the value of our common units.

The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our common units may be modified by administrative, legislative, or judicial changes or differing interpretations at any time. For example, the Obama administration’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2016 recommends that certain publicly traded partnerships earning income from activities related to fossil fuels be taxed as corporations beginning in 2021. From time to time, members of Congress propose and consider such substantive changes to the existing U.S. federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships. If successful, the Obama administration’s proposal or other similar proposals could eliminate the qualifying income exception to the treatment of all publicly traded partnerships as corporations upon which we rely for our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are unable to predict whether any of these changes or other proposals will ultimately be enacted. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our common units. Any modification to U.S. federal income tax laws may be applied retroactively and could make it more difficult or impossible for us to meet the qualifying income requirement to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For a discussion of the importance of our treatment as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Taxation of the Partnership—Partnership Status” for a further discussion.

We have not requested a ruling from the IRS with respect to our treatment as a partnership for federal income tax purposes or any other matter affecting us. The IRS may adopt positions that differ from the conclusions of our counsel expressed in this prospectus or from the positions we take. It may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to sustain some or all of our counsel’s conclusions or the positions we take. A court may not agree with some or all of our counsel’s conclusions or positions we take. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely affect the market for our common units and the price at which they trade. Moreover, the costs of any contest between us and the IRS will result in a reduction in cash distributions to our unitholders and thus will be borne indirectly by our unitholders.

Even if a unitholder does not receive any cash distributions from us, a unitholder will be required to pay taxes on its share of our taxable income.

You will be required to pay federal income taxes and, in some cases, state and local income taxes, on your share of our taxable income, whether or not you receive cash distributions from us. You may not receive cash distributions from us equal to your share of our taxable income or even equal to the actual tax due from you with respect to that income.

Tax gain or loss on disposition of our common units could be more or less than expected.

If you sell your common units, you will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in those common units. Because distributions in excess of your allocable share of our net taxable income decrease your tax basis in your common units, the amount, if any, of prior excess distributions with respect to the units you sell will, in effect, become taxable income to you if you sell your units at a price greater than your tax basis in those units, even if the price you receive is less than your original cost. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the amount realized, whether or not representing gain, may be taxed as ordinary income due to potential recapture items, including depreciation and depletion recapture. In addition, because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, if you sell your common units, you may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of cash you receive from the sale. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Disposition of Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Tax-exempt entities and non-U.S. persons face unique tax issues from owning our common units that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.

Investment in common units by tax-exempt entities, such as employee benefit plans and individual retirement accounts (known as IRAs), and non-U.S. persons raises issues unique to them. For example, a portion of our income allocated to organizations that are exempt from federal income tax, including IRAs and other retirement plans, may be unrelated business taxable income and may be taxable to them. Distributions to non-U.S. persons will be subject to withholding taxes imposed at the highest effective tax rate applicable to such non-U.S. persons, and each non-U.S. person may be required to file United States federal tax returns and pay tax on their share of our taxable income if it is treated as effectively connected income. If you are a tax-exempt entity or a non-U.S. person, you should consult your tax advisor before investing in our common units. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors.”

Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of our common units and because of other reasons, we will adopt depreciation and amortization positions that may not conform to all aspects of existing Treasury Regulations. Our counsel is unable to opine as to the validity of this approach. A successful IRS challenge to those positions could adversely affect the amount of tax benefits available to you. It also could affect the timing of these tax benefits or the amount of gain from your sale of common units and could have a negative impact on

the value of our common units or result in audit adjustments to your tax returns. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election” for a further discussion of the effect of the depreciation and amortization positions we adopted.

We will prorate our items of income, gain, loss, and deduction between transferors and transferees of our units each month based upon the ownership of our units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular unit is transferred. The use of this proration method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations, and, accordingly, our counsel is unable to opine as to the validity of this method. The U.S. Treasury Department has issued proposed Treasury Regulations that provide a safe harbor pursuant to which a publicly traded partnership may use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders. Nonetheless, the proposed regulations do not specifically authorize the use of the proration method we have adopted. If the IRS were to challenge our proration method or new Treasury Regulations were issued, we may be required to change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss, and deduction among our unitholders. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Disposition of Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.”

Because there are no specific rules governing the U.S. federal income tax consequence of loaning a partnership interest, a unitholder whose units are the subject of a securities loan may be considered to have disposed of the loaned units. In that case, the unitholder may no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan to the short seller and the unitholder may recognize gain or loss from this disposition. Moreover, during the period of the loan, any of our income, gain, loss, or deduction with respect to those units may not be reportable by the unitholder and any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units could be fully taxable as ordinary income. Our counsel has not rendered an opinion regarding the treatment of a unitholder where common units are loaned to a short seller to effect a short sale of common units. Unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a securities loan are urged to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing their units.

The sale or exchange of 50% or more of our capital and profits interests during any twelve-month period will result in the termination of our partnership for federal income tax purposes.

We will be considered to have terminated for federal income tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. Our termination would, among other things, result in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than the calendar year, the closing of our taxable year may also result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. Our termination currently would not affect our classification as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, but instead, after our termination, we would be treated as a new partnership for federal income tax purposes. If treated as a new partnership, we must make new tax elections and could be subject to penalties if we are unable to determine that a termination occurred. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Disposition of Units—Constructive Termination” for a discussion of the consequences of our termination for federal income tax purposes.

You may be subject to state and local taxes and return filing requirements in states where you do not live as a result of investing in our common units.

In addition to federal income taxes, you likely will be subject to other taxes, including state and local taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance, or intangible taxes that are imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we conduct business or own property now or in the future, even if you do not live in any of those jurisdictions. We will initially own assets and conduct business in several states, many of which impose a personal income tax and also impose income taxes on corporations and other entities. You may be required to file state and local income tax returns and pay state and local income taxes in these jurisdictions. Further, you may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. As we make acquisitions or expand our business, we may own assets or conduct business in additional states or foreign jurisdictions that impose a personal income tax. It is your responsibility to file all U.S. federal, foreign, state, and local tax returns. Our counsel has not rendered an opinion on the foreign, state, or local tax consequences of an investment in our common units.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We intend to use the estimated net proceeds of approximately $ million from this offering (based on an assumed initial offering price of $ per common unit, the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), after deducting the estimated underwriting discount, structuring fee, and offering expenses payable by us, to repay all of the indebtedness outstanding under our credit facility, which was $394.0 million as of December 31, 2014. Any remaining net proceeds, which we estimate will be $ million, based upon the amount outstanding under our credit facility as of December 31, 2014, will be used to fund future capital expenditures.

The net proceeds from any exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units (approximately $ million, if exercised in full, based on an assumed initial offering price of $ per common unit, the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus, after deducting the estimated underwriting discount and structuring fee) will be used to fund future capital expenditures.

Borrowings under our credit facility were primarily made for the acquisition of properties and other general business purposes. As of December 31, 2014, we had borrowings outstanding of $394.0 million under our credit facility. Indebtedness under our credit facility bore interest at a weighted average rate of approximately 2.4% during the year ended December 31, 2014. The maturity date of our credit facility is February 3, 2017. Please read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Credit Facility.”

Affiliates of certain of our underwriters are lenders under our credit facility and, as such, may receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering. Please read “Underwriting—Relationships.”

CAPITALIZATION

The following table shows our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of December 31, 2014:

•

on an actual basis for our predecessor; and

•

on a pro forma basis to reflect the formation transactions described under “Summary—Formation Transactions and Structure,” including this offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds.”

This table is derived from, and should be read together with, the historical and pro forma financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. You should also read this table in conjunction with “Summary—Formation Transactions and Structure,” “Use of Proceeds,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”


	As of December 31, 2014
	Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Predecessor		Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
	Actual		Pro Forma
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	14,803	$

Credit facility	$	394,000	$	—

Mezzanine equity
Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.
Preferred units		161,165		—
Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
Preferred units		—		161,165

Total mezzanine equity		161,165		161,165

Equity
Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.
Common units		650,598		—

Total equity		650,598		—
Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
General partner		—
Common units		—
Subordinated units		—

Noncontrolling interests		2,619		2,619

Total equity		653,217

Total capitalization	$	1,208,382	$

DILUTION

Dilution in net tangible book value per common unit represents the difference between the amount per common unit paid by purchasers of our common units in this offering and the pro forma net tangible book value per common unit immediately after this offering. Based on an initial public offering price of $ per common unit (the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus), and after deduction of the estimated underwriting discount, structuring fee, and estimated offering expenses payable by us, our pro forma net tangible book value as of December 31, 2014 would have been approximately $ million, or $ per common unit. This represents an immediate pro forma dilution of $ per common unit to purchasers of common units in this offering. The following table illustrates this dilution on a per common unit basis:


Assumed initial public offering price per common unit		$
Pro forma net tangible book value per common unit before the offering(1)		$
Increase in net tangible book value per common unit attributable to purchasers in the offering
Less: Pro forma net tangible book value per common unit after the offering(2)

Immediate dilution in net tangible book value per common unit to purchasers in the offering

(1)

Determined by dividing the pro forma net tangible book value of the contributed assets and liabilities by the number of our common units and subordinated units to be issued to the limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering in exchange for their limited partner interests in BSMC in connection with the merger of BSMC with and into our subsidiary.

(2)	Determined by dividing our pro forma net tangible book value, after giving effect to the use of the net proceeds of the offering, by the total number of common units and subordinated units outstanding after this offering.

The following table sets forth the number of common units and subordinated units that we will issue and the total consideration contributed to us by the limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering and by the purchasers of our common units in this offering upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this prospectus ($ in thousands).


	Units				Total Consideration
	Number	Percent			Amount		Percent
Limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering(1)(2)				%	$				%
Purchasers in this offering				%		(3)			%

Total			100	%	$			100	%

(1)	Reflects the value of the assets to be contributed to us by the limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering recorded at historical cost.

(2)	Upon the completion of the transactions contemplated by this prospectus, the limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering will own all of our subordinated units.

(3)	Reflects the net proceeds of this offering, after deducting the underwriting discount, structuring fee, and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY AND RESTRICTIONS ON DISTRIBUTIONS

You should read the following discussion of our cash distribution policy in conjunction with the specific assumptions included in this section. In addition, you should read “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” for information regarding statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and certain risks inherent in our business. For additional information, you should refer to the historical financial statements of BSMC and our pro forma financial statements, included elsewhere in this prospectus.

General

Cash Distribution Policy

In connection with the closing of this offering, the board of directors of our general partner will adopt a policy pursuant to which we intend to pay distributions on our common and subordinated units in an amount equal to the applicable minimum quarterly distribution amounts described in the table below to the extent we have sufficient cash generated from operations after we establish cash reserves, if any, and after we have made the required distributions to the holders of our outstanding preferred units. The applicable minimum quarterly distribution for the periods specified below is as follows:


Four Quarters Ending June 30,		Minimum Quarterly Distribution (per unit)
2016		$
2017		$
2018		$
2019 and thereafter		$

After June 30, 2019, the minimum quarterly distribution shall be the same as it is for each of the four quarters ending June 30, 2019. Our initial distribution will be $ per common and subordinated unit on an annualized basis (or $ per common and subordinated unit on a quarterly basis). As a result of this policy and so long as it continues, we expect that we will distribute a substantial majority of the cash generated from our operations each quarter. The amount of cash to be distributed each quarter will be determined by the board of directors of our general partner following the end of that quarter after a review of our cash generated from operations for such quarter. The cash generated from operations for each quarter will generally equal our Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter, less cash needed for debt service, other contractual obligations, fixed charges, and reserves for future operating or capital needs that the board of directors may determine are appropriate. It is our intention to maintain excess distribution coverage to sustain or increase the amount of our quarterly distribution. For a demonstration of how the amount of cash to be distributed will be determined, please see the tables under “Pro Forma Cash Generated from Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2014” and “Estimated Cash Generated from Operations for the Twelve Months Ending June 30, 2016.” It is our intent, for at least the next several years, to finance most of our acquisitions and working-interest capital needs with cash generated from operations, the retained net proceeds from this offering, borrowings under our credit facility, and, in certain circumstances, proceeds from future equity and debt issuances. We may also borrow to make distributions to our unitholders where, for example, we believe that the distribution level is sustainable over the long term, but short-term factors may cause cash generated from operations to be insufficient to pay distributions at the applicable minimum quarterly distribution level on our common and subordinated units. The board of directors of our general partner may change the foregoing distribution policy at any time and from time to time. Our partnership agreement does not require us to pay cash distributions on a quarterly or other basis. Please read “Risk Factors—Risks Inherent in an Investment in Us—The board of directors of our general partner may modify or revoke our cash distribution policy at any time at its discretion. Our partnership agreement does not require us to pay any distributions at all. If we make distributions, our preferred unitholders have priority with respect to rights to share in those distributions over our common and subordinated unitholders for so long as our preferred units are outstanding.” For a description of the relative rights and privileges of our preferred units to distributions, please read “—Preferred Units.”

Replacement capital expenditures are expenditures necessary to replace our existing oil and natural gas reserves or otherwise maintain our asset base over the long term. Like a number of other master limited partnerships, we are required by our partnership agreement to retain cash from our operations in an amount equal to our estimated replacement capital requirements. We believe the level of our initial distribution rate will allow us to retain in our business sufficient cash generated from our operations to satisfy our replacement capital expenditures needs and to fund a portion of our growth capital expenditures. The board of directors of our general partner will be responsible for establishing the amount of our estimated replacement capital expenditures following this offering.

Limitations on Cash Distributions and Our Ability to Change Our Cash Distribution Policy

There is no guarantee that we will make cash distributions to our unitholders. Our cash distribution policy may be changed at any time by the board of directors of our general partner and is subject to certain restrictions, including the following:

•

Our common and subordinated unitholders have no contractual or other legal right to receive cash distributions from us on a quarterly or other basis, and if distributions are paid, common and subordinated unitholders will receive distributions only to the extent the distribution amount exceeds distributions that are required to be paid to our preferred unitholders.

•

Our credit facility contains certain financial tests and covenants that we must satisfy. If we are unable to satisfy the restrictions under our credit facility or any future debt agreements, we could be prohibited from making distributions notwithstanding our stated distribution policy.

•

Our general partner will have the authority to establish cash reserves for the prudent conduct of our business, and the establishment of, or increase in, those reserves could result in a reduction in cash distributions to our unitholders. Our partnership agreement does not limit the amount of cash reserves that our general partner may establish. Any decision to establish cash reserves made by our general partner will be binding on our unitholders.

•

Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Act, we may not make a distribution if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets.

•

We may lack sufficient cash to pay distributions to our unitholders due to shortfalls in cash generated from operations attributable to a number of operational, commercial, or other factors as well as increases in our operating or general and administrative expenses, principal and interest payments on our outstanding debt, working-capital requirements, and anticipated cash needs.

We expect to generally distribute a substantial majority of our cash from operations to our unitholders on a quarterly basis, after, among other things, the establishment of cash reserves. To fund our growth, we may eventually need capital in excess of the amounts we may retain in our business or borrow under our credit facility. To the extent efforts to access capital externally are unsuccessful, our ability to grow will be significantly impaired.

We expect to pay distributions on our common and subordinated units within 60 days after the end of each quarter. Our first distribution will be for the period from the closing of this offering through , 2015, and our partnership agreement will prorate the minimum quarterly distribution based on the actual length of the period. Please read “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.”

Minimum Quarterly Distribution

annualized basis, on all of the common and subordinated units outstanding through June 30, 2016. The payment of the full initial minimum quarterly distribution on all of the common units and subordinated units to be outstanding after completion of this offering would require us to have cash generated from operations available for distribution of approximately $ million per quarter, or $ million on an annualized basis. Our ability to make cash distributions at the applicable minimum quarterly distribution rate will be subject to the factors described above under “—General—Limitations on Cash Distributions and Our Ability to Change Our Cash Distribution Policy.” The table below sets forth the amount of common units and subordinated units that will be outstanding immediately after this offering, assuming the underwriters do not exercise their option to purchase additional common units, and the cash generated from operations available for distribution needed to pay the aggregate initial minimum quarterly distribution on all of such units for a single fiscal quarter and a four-quarter period:


		Aggregate Minimum Quarterly Distributions
	Number of Units	One Quarter	Annualized
Common units issued in this offering		$	$
Common units issued in the merger
Subordinated units issued in the merger

Total		$	$

The preferred units are convertible into common units and subordinated units. If all of our preferred units converted as of June 30, 2015, these units would convert into common and subordinated units. If our preferred units fully converted into common and subordinated units as of June 30, 2015, we would need $ of additional cash to pay the applicable minimum quarterly distribution on all of our common and subordinated units outstanding after this offering. If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional common units, we will need $ additional cash to pay the applicable minimum quarterly distribution on our common and subordinated units outstanding after the offering. Further, our partnership agreement provides for an increase in the applicable minimum quarterly distribution on each of June 30, 2016, 2017, and 2018. To fund those increases in the minimum quarterly distribution on our outstanding common and subordinated units, our cash generated from operations available for distribution, assuming (i) no change in distribution coverage, (ii) the preferred units fully converted on June 30, 2015, and (iii) the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional common units in full, would have to increase by $ , $ , and $ for each of the twelve-month periods ending June 30, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively.

Subordinated Units

The limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering will initially own all of our subordinated units. The principal difference between our common and subordinated units is that, for any quarter during the subordination period, holders of the subordinated units are not entitled to receive any distribution until the common units have received the applicable minimum quarterly distribution for such quarter plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution from prior quarters. Subordinated units will not accrue arrearages. When the subordination period ends, all of the subordinated units will convert into common units on a one-to-one basis.

Our common unitholders are only entitled to arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution from prior quarters during the subordination period. To the extent we have cash generated from operations available for distribution in any quarter during the subordination period in excess of the amount necessary to pay the applicable minimum quarterly distribution to holders of our common units, we will use this excess cash to pay any distribution arrearages on the common units related to prior quarters before any cash distribution is made on our subordinated units. Please read “How We Make Distributions—Subordination Period.”

Preferred Units

Prior to our liquidation, and while any of our preferred units remain outstanding, cash or other property of the partnership will be distributed 100% to our preferred unitholders until the aggregate Unpaid Preferred Yield (as defined below) of each preferred unit accrued through the last day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter has been reduced to zero. Under certain limited circumstances, the preferred units have a right to increased priority distributions, and under other limited circumstances, the preferred units also have a right to further participate in distributions. We believe it is unlikely any such distribution will be required, and if they are required, we believe they would not materially adversely affect the per unit distribution rate we would otherwise make on our common and subordinated units.

The terms “Preferred Yield” and “Unpaid Preferred Yield” have the following meanings:

“Preferred Yield” means a yield on the outstanding preferred units equivalent to a 10% per annum interest rate (subject to adjustment following certain events of default by the partnership) on an initial investment of $1,000, calculated based on a 365-day year and compounded quarterly.

“Unpaid Preferred Yield” means, with respect to each preferred unit and as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the cumulative Preferred Yield from the closing of this offering through the date established, over (b) the cumulative amount of distributions made as of the date established in respect of the preferred unit.

For more information about our preferred units, please read “Description of Our Preferred Units.”

Pro Forma Cash Generated from Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2014

The pro forma financial statements, upon which pro forma cash generated from operations is based, do not purport to present our results of operations had the transactions contemplated in this prospectus actually been completed as of the dates indicated. Furthermore, cash generated from operations is a cash concept, while our pro forma financial statements have been prepared on an accrual basis. We derived the amounts of pro forma cash generated from operations in the manner described in the table below. As a result, the amounts of pro forma cash generated from operations should only be viewed as a general indication of our cash generated from operations had the formation transactions contemplated in this prospectus been consummated in an earlier period.

Following the completion of this offering, we estimate that we will incur $1.5 million of incremental general and administrative expenses per year as a result of operating as a publicly traded partnership, which includes expenses associated with SEC reporting requirements, including annual and quarterly reports to unitholders, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance, NYSE listing, independent registered public accounting firm fees, legal fees, investor-relations activities, registrar and transfer agent fees, director-and-officer insurance, and additional compensation.

The following table illustrates, on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014, the amount of cash generated from operations that would have been available for distribution to our common and subordinated unitholders and reinvestment in our business, assuming that the formation transactions contemplated in this prospectus had been consummated on January 1, 2014.

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

Pro Forma Cash Generated from Operations


	Year Ended December 31, 2014
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Revenue:
Oil and condensate sales(1)	$	257,390
Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales(1)		207,456
Loss on commodity derivative instruments		37,336
Lease bonus and other income		46,139

Total revenue		548,321


Operating (income) expense:
Lease operating expense and other		23,288
Production and ad valorem taxes		49,575
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization		111,962
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties(2)		117,930
General and administrative		62,765
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		1,060
Loss on disposal of assets		32

Total operating expense		366,612


Income from operations		181,709

Other income (expense):
Interest and investment income		28
Interest expense(3)		(3,630	)
Other income		959

Total other expense		(2,643	)

Pro forma net income		179,066

Adjustments to reconcile to pro forma Adjusted EBITDA:
Add:
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization		111,962
Interest expense		3,630

Pro forma EBITDA(4)		294,658
Add:
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties		117,930
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		1,060
Equity-based compensation expense(5)		11,340
Less:
Unrealized gain on commodity derivative instruments		(39,283	)

Pro forma Adjusted EBITDA(4)	$	385,705


	Year Ended December 31, 2014
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands, except per unit data)
Adjustments to reconcile to pro forma cash generated from operations:
Add:
Net proceeds from this offering to fund capital expenditures(6)
Less:
Deferred revenue		—
Incremental general and administrative(7)		(1,475	)
Cash interest expense(3)		(2,665	)
Capital expenditures(8)		(101,110	)

Pro forma cash generated from operations
Less:
Cash paid to noncontrolling interests(9)		(294	)
Preferred unit distributions(10)		(15,720	)

Pro forma cash generated from operations available for distribution on common and subordinated units and reinvestment in our business
Initial minimum quarterly distribution per common and subordinated unit
Aggregate distributions to:
Common units issued in this offering(11)
Common and subordinated units issued in the merger(11)

Total distributions on common and subordinated units

Excess (shortfall)(11)	$

(1)	Includes revenues from our mineral and royalty interests and working interests.

(2)	The impairment primarily resulted from decreasing commodity prices and changes in projections based on the recent historical operating characteristics at the field level. For more information, please read the historical financial statements of BSMC included elsewhere in this prospectus.

(3)	Interest expense includes cash expenses of commitment fees and agency fees and non-cash amortization of debt issuance costs. Cash interest expense does not include non-cash amortization of debt issuance costs.

(4)	For more information, please read “Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

(5)	Represents compensation expense that is settled in common and subordinated units and would not reduce the amount of cash generated from operations.

(6)	Estimated net proceeds from this offering (based on an assumed initial offering price of $ per common unit) remaining after full repayment of our credit facility with the net proceeds from this offering. Please read “Use of Proceeds.”

(7)

Reflects incremental general and administrative expenses that we expect to incur as a result of operating as a publicly traded partnership that are not reflected in our pro forma financial statements. Does not include expected nonrecurring expenses of approximately $1.4 million related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

(8)

Represents capital expenditures for acquisitions, working interests, and other corporate expenditures. Capital expenditures incurred for acquisitions were $45.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Historically, we have not distinguished between replacement capital expenditures and growth capital expenditures.

(9)	Reflects cash distributions made to unaffiliated third-party limited partners in a consolidated, but not wholly owned, partnership. For additional information, please read Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements of BSMC included elsewhere in this prospectus.

(10)

Reflects distributions paid on our preferred units assuming no optional conversion. For more information regarding conversion of the preferred units, please read “Description of Our Preferred Units—Conversion of the Preferred Units.” If all outstanding preferred units had been converted to common and subordinated units at the beginning of the period, no preferred unit distributions would have been paid. Pro forma cash generated from operations available for distribution on common and subordinated units would have increased to $ for the year ended December 31, 2014 and total distributions on common and subordinated units would have increased by $ .

(11)

Assuming the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units to cover over-allotments is exercised in full and all of our preferred units converted into common and subordinated units as of the year ended December 31, 2014, the excess (shortfall) for the year ended December 31, 2014 would have (decreased) increased to $ .

Based on our operations, the current pricing of oil and natural gas, and the impact of our “rolling hedge” strategy and assuming the formation transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, we believe that we will generate sufficient cash from operations to pay the aggregate initial minimum quarterly distributions on all common units and subordinated units outstanding at the completion of this offering for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and for the three months ending June 30, 2015.

Estimated Cash Generated from Operations for the Twelve Months Ending June 30, 2016

For the twelve months ending June 30, 2016, we estimate that we will generate $233.1 million of cash from operations. In “—Assumptions and Considerations” below, we discuss the major assumptions underlying this estimate. The cash generated from operations discussed in the forecast should not be viewed as management’s projection of the actual cash that we will generate during the twelve months ending June 30, 2016. We can give you no assurance that our assumptions will be realized or that we will generate any cash, in which event we will not be able to pay the full initial minimum quarterly cash distribution on all of our common and subordinated units during such period.

When considering our ability to generate cash and how we calculate forecasted cash generated from operations, please keep in mind all of the risk factors and other cautionary statements under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements,” which discuss factors that could cause our results of operations and cash generated from operations to vary significantly from our estimates.

Management has prepared the prospective financial information set forth in the table below to present our expectations regarding our ability to generate $233.1 million of estimated cash generated from operations for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016. The accompanying prospective financial information was not prepared with a view toward public disclosure or complying with the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants with respect to prospective financial information, but, in the view of our management, was prepared on a reasonable basis, reflects the best currently available estimates and judgments, and presents, to the best of management’s knowledge and belief, the expected course of action and our expected future financial performance. However, this information is not fact and should not be relied upon as being necessarily indicative of future results, and readers of this prospectus are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this prospective financial information. Inclusion of the prospective financial information in this prospectus should not be regarded as a representation by any person that the results contained in the prospective financial information will be achieved.

We do not undertake any obligation to release publicly the results of any future revisions or updates we may make to this financial forecast to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus. In light of the above, the statement that we believe that we will have sufficient cash generated from operations to allow us to pay the full initial minimum quarterly distribution on all of our outstanding common and subordinated units during the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 should not be regarded as a representation by us or the underwriters or any other person that we will make such distributions. Therefore, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information.

Neither our independent registered public accounting firm nor any other independent registered public accounting firm has compiled, examined, or performed any procedures with respect to the forecasted financial information contained herein, nor has it expressed any opinion or given any other form of assurance on this information or its achievability, and it assumes no responsibility for this forecasted financial information. Our independent registered public accounting firm’s reports included elsewhere in this prospectus relate to our audited historical financial statements. These reports do not extend to the table and the related forecasted information set forth below and should not be read to do so.

The following table illustrates the amount of cash that we estimate that we will generate for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 that would be available for distribution to our common and subordinated unitholders and reinvestment in our business.

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

Estimated Cash Generated from Operations


	Twelve Months Ending June 30, 2016
	(unaudited)
	(in thousands, except per unit data)
Revenue:
Oil and condensate sales	$	144,440
Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales		137,999
Gain on commodity derivative instruments		15,182
Lease bonus and other income		40,200

Total revenue		337,821


Operating expense:
Lease operating expense and other		21,376
Production and ad valorem taxes		25,379
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization		114,245
General and administrative		79,318
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		1,060

Total operating expense		241,378

Income from operations		96,443

Other expense:
Interest expense		(3,215	)

Total other expense		(3,215	)

Net income		93,228

Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:
Add:
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization		114,245
Interest expense		3,215

EBITDA(1)		210,688
Add:
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		1,060
Equity-based compensation expense(2)		24,893

Adjusted EBITDA(1)		236,641

Adjustments to reconcile to estimated cash generated from operations:
Add:
Net proceeds from this offering to fund future capital expenditures		49,176
Less:
Deferred revenue(3)		(1,218	)
Cash interest expense		(2,274	)
Capital expenditures		(49,176	)

Estimated cash generated from operations		233,149
Less:
Cash paid to noncontrolling interests(4)		(183	)
Preferred unit distributions(5)		(9,852	)


Estimated cash generated from operations available for distribution on common and subordinated units and reinvestment in our business		223,114
Initial minimum quarterly distribution per common and subordinated unit
Estimated annual distributions to:
Common units issued in this offering(6)(7)
Common and subordinated units issued in the merger(7)
Total distributions on common and subordinated units

Excess(7)	$

(1)	For more information, please read “Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

(2)	Represents compensation expense that is settled in common and subordinated units and would not impact estimated cash generated from operations.

(3)	Represents working-interest owners’ recoupment of advance royalty payments, which results in a reduction of cash received from production revenues.

(4)	Reflects cash distributions made to unaffiliated third-party limited partners in a consolidated, but not wholly owned, partnership. For additional information, please read Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements of BSMC included elsewhere in this prospectus.

(5)

Reflects distributions paid on our preferred units assuming no optional conversion. For more information regarding conversion of the preferred units, please read “Description of Our Preferred Units—Conversion of the Preferred Units.” If all outstanding preferred units had been converted to common and subordinated units at the beginning of the period, no preferred unit distributions would have been paid, estimated cash generated from operations available for distribution on common and subordinated units would have increased to $ , and total distributions on common and subordinated units would have increased by $ for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016.

(6)

Includes cash amounts to be paid or accrued with respect to distribution-equivalent rights issued in connection with a grant of phantom units immediately after this offering as equity-based compensation. Includes restricted units expected to be issued immediately after this offering as equity based compensation.

(7)

Assuming the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units to cover over-allotments is exercised in full and all of our preferred units converted into common and subordinated units as of July 1, 2015, the excess for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 would have decreased to $ . In addition, assuming the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units to cover over-allotments is not exercised and all of our preferred units converted into common and subordinated units as of July 1, 2015, the excess for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 would have decreased to $ .

Assumptions and Considerations

Based upon the specific assumptions outlined below and based on the cash distribution policy we expect our board of directors to adopt, we expect to generate estimated cash from operations in an amount sufficient to allow us to pay the full initial minimum quarterly distribution on all of our outstanding common and subordinated units during the twelve months ending June 30, 2016. In addition, we expect that the cash generated from operations in excess of the amount necessary for us to pay the applicable minimum quarterly distribution on our common and subordinated units will be more than enough to allow us to reserve an amount equal to our estimated replacement capital as required by our partnership agreement. The board of directors of our general partner will be responsible for establishing the amount of our estimated replacement capital expenditures following this offering.

While we believe that these assumptions are reasonable in light of our management’s current expectations concerning future events, the estimates underlying these assumptions are inherently uncertain and are subject to significant business, economic, regulatory, environmental, and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those we anticipate. If our assumptions are not correct, the amount of actual cash generated from operations could be substantially less than the amount we currently estimate and could, therefore, be insufficient to allow us to pay the forecasted cash distribution, or any amount, on our outstanding common units, in which event the market price of our common units may decline substantially. When reading this section, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements.” Any of the risks discussed in this prospectus could cause our actual results to vary significantly from our estimates.

Revenues

We own a diversified portfolio of interests in oil and natural gas properties. Substantially all of our revenues are a function of oil and natural gas production volumes sold and average prices received for those volumes.

Our forecasted production is derived from both our existing wells from our reserve report and from new wells projected to begin producing during the year. For oil and natural gas wells not currently producing, we utilize information from our operators regarding their drilling plans when available. Such information assists us in estimating both mineral-and-royalty-interest production as well as production from working-interest wells in which we expect to participate. In addition, we estimate incremental production based on our historical reserve replacement taking into account play-specific trends, rig counts, and other industry information that we believe may be relevant to our forecast.

The following table sets forth information regarding production associated with our mineral and royalty interests and non-operated working interests on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014 and on a forecasted basis for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016:


	Twelve Months Ending June 30, 2016			Year Ended December 31, 2014
	(unaudited)
Aggregate production:
Oil and condensate (MBbls)		2,871			3,005
Natural gas (MMcf)		41,361			42,273

Combined volumes (MBoe)		9,765			10,051
Average daily production (MBoe/d)		26.7			27.5
Percentage attributable to mineral and royalty interests:
Oil and condensate		74	%		75	%
Natural gas		62	%		65	%

For additional information on our historical production, please read “—Historical and Forecast Asset Production.”

The following table illustrates the relationship between average oil and natural gas realized prices and the average WTI oil and Henry Hub natural gas prices on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014 and on a forecasted basis for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016:


	Twelve Months Ending June 30, 2016		Year Ended December 31, 2014
	(unaudited)
Average benchmark prices(1):
WTI oil price ($/Bbl)	$	54.62	$	93.16
Henry Hub natural gas price ($/Mcf)	$	3.04	$	4.37

Realized prices(2):
Realized oil and condensate price ($/Bbl)	$	50.31	$	85.65
Realized natural gas price ($/Mcf)(3)	$	3.34	$	4.91

(1)	For historical periods, average prices were calculated using daily spot prices provided by the EIA. For the twelve months ending June 30, 2016, the NYMEX average price curves as of March 13, 2015 were used.

(2)	Excluding cash settlement on commodity derivative instruments.

(3)

As a mineral-and-royalty-interest owner, we are often provided insufficient and inconsistent data by our operators. As a result, we are unable to reliably determine the total volumes of natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) associated with the production of natural gas on our acreage. As such, the realized prices for natural gas account for all sales attributable to NGLs. The oil and condensate production volumes and natural gas production volumes do not include NGL volumes.

Any differences between realized prices and NYMEX prices are referred to as differentials. Our realized prices are a function of both quality and location differentials. In estimating our realized prices for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016, we have considered the oil and natural gas NYMEX price curves, our historical realized prices across our asset base, and any forecasted changes in quality or location differentials.

We recognize oil and natural gas revenue from our mineral and royalty and non-operated working interests in producing wells when the oil and natural gas production from the associated acreage is sold. We estimate our oil and natural gas revenue resulting from our mineral and royalty interests for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 will be $194.8 million, compared to $340.4 million on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014. We estimate our oil and natural gas revenue resulting from our non-operated working interests for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 will be $87.6 million compared to $124.4 million on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014.

We forecast a decline in our mineral-and-royalty-interest and working-interest revenues primarily due to the anticipation of lower realized prices for oil and natural gas for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016. Another contributing factor to the reduction in our mineral-and-royalty interest revenues is slightly lower production from our mineral-and-royalty interest properties stemming from a decline in operator drilling activity on some of our acreage, despite increased forecasted production from our acreage in the Eagle Ford Shale and the Haynesville/Bossier and Wilcox plays. While our working-interest revenues are decreasing, we expect higher overall production from our working-interest properties driven by increases in the Haynesville/Bossier and Wilcox plays. For additional information on the effect of changes in prices and production volumes, please read “—Sensitivity Analysis.”

Lease Bonus and Other Income. When we lease our mineral interests, we generally receive an upfront cash payment, or a lease bonus. Lease bonus and other income is estimated to be $40.2 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016. Approximately 83% of our mineral acreage was unleased as of December 31, 2014, and we believe this acreage, along with renewals of leased acreage, will provide future bonuses in line with historical averages. Lease bonus and other income on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $46.1 million.

Operating Expenses

Of our operating expenses, lease operating expense and other and accretion of asset retirement obligations are attributable solely to our non-operated working interests. Production and ad valorem taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment expense are attributable to both our mineral and royalty interests and our non-operated working interests.

Lease Operating Expenses and Other. Lease operating expenses include normally recurring expenses necessary to operate and produce hydrocarbons from our non-operated working interests in oil and natural gas wells, non-recurring well workovers, repair-related expenses, and exploration expenses. We estimate that lease operating expenses and other for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 will be $21.4 million as compared to $23.3 million on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Production and Ad Valorem Taxes. Production, or severance, taxes include statutory amounts deducted from our production revenues by various state taxing entities. Depending on the states’ regulations where the production originates, these taxes may be based on a percentage of the realized value or a fixed amount per production unit. This category also includes the costs to process and transport our production to applicable sales points. Ad valorem taxes are jurisdictional taxes levied on the value of oil and natural gas minerals and reserves. Rates, methods of calculating property values, and timing of payments vary between taxing authorities. We estimate that production and ad valorem taxes for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 will be $25.4 million, compared to $49.6 million on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014. The reduction in production and ad valorem taxes is driven by the decline in expected revenues as a result of the current forecast for oil and natural gas prices.

Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization. Depletion is the amount of cost basis of oil and natural gas properties at the beginning of a period attributable to the volume of hydrocarbons extracted during such period, calculated on a unit-of-production basis. Estimates of proved developed producing reserves are a major component of the calculation of depletion. We have historically adjusted our depletion rates in the fourth quarter of each year based upon the year-end reserve report and other times during the year when circumstances indicate that there has been a significant change in reserves or costs. We estimate that our depreciation, depletion, and amortization for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 will be $114.2 million, compared to $112.0 million on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties. Individual categories of oil and natural gas properties are assessed periodically to determine if the recorded value has been impaired. Management periodically conducts an in-depth evaluation of the cost of property acquisitions, successful exploratory wells, development activities,

unproved leasehold, and mineral interests to identify impairments. We do not forecast any impairment expense for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016; however, due to the recent decline in commodity prices and the possibility of future commodity price deterioration, we may have impairment. We recognized $117.9 million of impairment on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014. Our impairment analysis is performed during the preparation of our annual financial statements as described in Note 5 to the audited consolidated financial statements.

General and Administrative. We estimate that our general and administrative expenses for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 will be $79.3 million, compared to $62.8 million on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014. General and administrative expenses for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 include $1.5 million of recurring general and administrative expenses we expect to incur as a result of becoming a publicly traded partnership. They do not include expected nonrecurring expenses of approximately $1.4 million related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. General and administrative expenses for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 also include $16.0 million of incremental compensation expense we expect to incur in connection with our long-term incentive plan, which comprises $15.1 million of equity-based compensation and $0.9 million of cash compensation. The incremental equity compensation is expected to vest over the next five years and is partially contingent upon meeting certain performance measures related to our growth. Please read “Executive Compensation and Other Information.”

Accretion of Asset Retirement Obligations. An ARO represents an obligation to perform site reclamation, to dismantle production or processing facilities, or to plug and abandon wells. To determine the amount of ARO, the estimated future cost to satisfy the abandonment obligation, using current prices that are escalated by an assumed inflation factor up to the estimated settlement date, is discounted back to the date that the abandonment obligation was incurred. After recording this cost, an ARO is accreted to its future estimated value in order to match the timing of expenses with the periods in which they occurred. We estimate that our accretion expense for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 will be $1.1 million, compared to $1.1 million on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Interest Expense. We estimate that interest expense, which includes amortization of debt issue costs, commitment fees, and agency fees, will be $3.2 million for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 as compared to $3.6 million on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014. We do not expect to have borrowings outstanding under our credit facility during the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 and only expect to incur commitment and agency fees or related costs during the forecast period. Please read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Credit Facility.”

Commodity Derivative Contracts

Our ongoing operations expose us to changes in the market price for oil and natural gas. To mitigate the given commodity price risk associated with our operations, we use derivative instruments. From time to time, such instruments may include fixed-price contracts, variable to fixed price swaps, costless collars, and other contractual arrangements. However, we currently utilize costless collars and fixed-price hedges. We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes. In addition, we currently employ a “rolling hedge” strategy whereby we do not execute all of our hedges at the same time but instead execute new trades as older hedges settle or expire. The impact of these derivative instruments could affect the amount of revenue we ultimately record.

Our current hedge volumes are limited to projected proved developed producing reserve (“PDP”) production as determined by our most current reserve report. We have traditionally employed a strategy of hedging a high percentage of our PDP production for the next twelve months with a lesser degree of production hedged for the subsequent twelve-month period. We have historically limited our hedging to a total period of 24 months, with the percentage hedged each month declining over that period. As we currently only hedge PDP production, our hedges do not account for new wells that are projected to begin producing in the future. Accordingly, our hedged volumes are considerably lower than our actual production in any given year. For example, as of January 1, 2014,

we had hedges in place for 81.9% of our projected PDP production through December 31, 2014 on a Boe basis, which represented 59.9% of our actual production for the year. Taking into account new hedges executed during 2014, we had hedges in place for 68.5% of our actual production for 2014.

For purposes of this forecast, we have assumed that we do not enter into additional commodity derivative contracts after March 10, 2015. Our existing hedges will cover 9.1 MBoe/d, or approximately 34.0% of our total forecasted production of MBoe/d for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016. We have assumed that the commodity derivative contracts will consist of costless collars and fixed-price hedges for oil and natural gas. The table below shows the volumes, percentage of forecasted production, and prices we have assumed for our commodity derivative contracts for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016:


	Costless Collars
	Hedged Volumes		% of Forecasted Production			Weighted- Average Floor Price		Weighted- Average Ceiling Price
	(unaudited)
Oil and condensate (MBbls)		211		7.3	%	$	82.58	$	98.51
Natural gas (MMcf)		—		—	%	$	—	$	—


	Fixed-Price Hedges
	Hedged Volumes		% of Forecasted Production			Weighted- Average Fixed Price
	(unaudited)
Oil and condensate (MBbls)		760		26.5	%	$	59.84
Natural gas (MMcf)		14,080		34.0	%	$	3.17

Capital Expenditures

Although we may make acquisitions during the twelve months ending June 30, 2016, our forecast does not reflect any acquisitions, as we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify attractive properties or, if identified, that we will be able to negotiate acceptable purchase agreements, or if successful, the timing of the closings of any such acquisitions or the commencement of our receipt of revenues therefrom.

Historically we have not distinguished between replacement capital expenditures and growth capital expenditures. We will, however, after this offering, categorize our capital expenditures as either:

•

Replacement capital expenditures are those capital expenditures required to maintain our asset base over the long term as it may change as a result of additions or dispositions over time. We expect that the primary component of replacement capital expenditures will be capital expenditures associated with the replacement of oil and natural gas reserves through the acquisition of new oil and natural gas mineral and royalty interests and through development expenditures related to our working interests.

•

Because our replacement capital expenditures can be irregular, the amount of our actual replacement capital expenditures may differ substantially from period to period, which could cause similar fluctuations in the amounts of cash generated from operations, operating surplus, and adjusted operating surplus if we subtracted actual replacement capital expenditures from cash generated from operations. To address this issue, our partnership agreement will require that an estimate of the average quarterly replacement capital expenditures necessary to maintain our asset base over the long term be subtracted from cash generated from operations each quarter as opposed to the actual amounts spent. The amount of estimated replacement capital expenditures deducted from cash generated from operations will be initially determined by our general partner’s board of

directors and is subject to review and change by our general partner’s board of directors at least once a year. The estimate will be made at least annually and whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of our replacement capital expenditures, such as a major acquisition. For purposes of calculating cash generated from operations, any adjustment to this estimate will be prospective only.

We spent $74.2 million on a pro forma basis for the year ended December 31, 2014 on capital expenditures in connection with our non-operated working interests.

Regulatory, Industry, and Economic Factors

Our forecast for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 is based on the following significant assumptions related to regulatory, industry, and economic factors:

•

There will not be any new federal, state, or local regulation of portions of the energy industry in which we operate, or an interpretation of existing regulation, that will be materially adverse to our business;

•

There will not be any major adverse change in commodity prices or the energy industry in general;

•

Market, insurance, and overall economic conditions will not change substantially; and

•

We will not undertake any extraordinary transactions that would materially affect our cash generated from operations.

Forecasted Distributions

We expect that aggregate quarterly distributions on our common and subordinated units for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 will be approximately $ million. While we believe that the assumptions we have used in preparing the estimates set forth above are reasonable based upon management’s current expectations concerning future events, they are inherently uncertain and are subject to significant business, economic regulatory, and competitive risks and uncertainties, including those described in “Risk Factors,” that could cause actual results to differ materially from those we anticipate. If our assumptions are not realized, the actual cash that we generate could be substantially less than the amount we currently estimate and could, therefore, be insufficient to permit us to pay any amount of distributions on all our outstanding common units in respect of the four calendar quarters ending June 30, 2016 or thereafter, in which event the market price of the common units may decline materially.

Sensitivity Analysis

Our ability to generate sufficient cash from operations to pay distributions to our common and subordinated unitholders is a function of two primary variables: (i) production volumes and (ii) commodity prices. In the tables below, we demonstrate the impact that changes in either of these variables, while holding all other variables constant, would have on our ability to generate sufficient cash from our operations to pay minimum quarterly distributions on our common units for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016.

Production Volume Changes. The following table shows estimated cash generated from operations under production levels of 90%, 100%, and 110% of the production level we have forecasted for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016.


	Percentage of Forecasted Annual Production
	90%		100%		110%
	(unaudited)
Forecasted annual production:
Oil and condensate (MBbls)		2,584		2,871		3,158
Natural gas (MMcf)		37,225		41,361		45,497

Combined volumes (MBoe)		8,788		9,765		10,741

Forecasted average daily production:
Oil and condensate (MBbl/d)		7.1		7.8		8.6
Natural gas (MMcf/d)		101.7		113.0		124.3

Combined volumes (MBoe/d)		24.0		26.7		29.3

Forecasted average sales prices:
WTI oil price ($/Bbl)	$	54.62	$	54.62	$	54.62
Realized oil and condensate sales price ($/Bbl)(1)	$	50.31	$	50.31	$	50.31

Henry Hub natural gas price ($/Mcf)	$	3.04	$	3.04	$	3.04
Realized natural gas sales price ($/Mcf)(1)	$	3.34	$	3.34	$	3.34

Estimated cash generated from operations (in thousands):
Oil and condensate sales	$	129,996	$	144,440	$	158,884
Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales		124,199		137,999		151,798
Gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments(2)		15,182		15,182		15,182
Lease bonus and other income		40,200		40,200		40,200
Operating expenses		238,840		241,378		243,915
Estimated cash generated from operations	$	207,443	$	233,149	$	258,855

(1)	Excluding cash settlement on commodity derivative instruments.

(2)	Represents cash settlement on commodity derivative instruments maturing in the twelve months ending June 30, 2016.

Commodity Price Changes. The following table shows estimated cash generated from operations under various assumed oil and natural gas prices for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016. The amounts shown below are based on forecasted realized commodity prices that take into account our average NYMEX commodity price differential assumptions. We have assumed no changes in our production based on changes in prices.


	Change in Forecasted Commodity Prices
	90%		100%		110%
	(unaudited)
Forecasted annual production:
Oil and condensate (MBbls)		2,871		2,871		2,871
Natural gas (MMcf)		41,361		41,361		41,361

Combined volumes (MBoe)		9,765		9,765		9,765

Forecasted average daily production:
Oil and condensate (MBbl/d)		7.8		7.8		7.8
Natural gas (MMcf/d)		113.0		113.0		113.0

Combined volumes (MBoe/d)		26.7		26.7		26.7

Forecasted average sales prices:
WTI oil and condensate price ($/Bbl)	$	49.16	$	54.62	$	60.09
Realized oil and condensate sales price ($/Bbl)(1)	$	44.93	$	50.31	$	55.69

Henry Hub natural gas price ($/Mcf)	$	2.74	$	3.04	$	3.35
Realized natural gas sales price ($/Mcf)(1)	$	3.00	$	3.34	$	3.67

Estimated cash generated from operations (in thousands):
Oil and condensate sales	$	128,985	$	144,440	$	159,896
Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales		124,199		137,999		151,798
Gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments(2)		24,416		15,182		5,949
Lease bonus and other income		40,200		40,200		40,200
Operating expenses		238,732		241,378		244,023
Estimated cash generated from operations	$	215,895	$	233,149	$	250,404

(1)	Excluding cash settlement on commodity derivative instruments.

(2)	Represents cash settlement on commodity derivative instruments maturing in the twelve months ending June 30, 2016.

Quarterly Forecast Information

The following table presents our forecasted cash generated from operations on a quarter-by-quarter basis for the forecast period. The following forecast reflects our judgment as of the date of this prospectus of conditions we expect to exist and the course of action we expect to take for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016. Please see “—Assumptions and Considerations.” The assumptions and considerations underlying the forecast for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016 are inherently uncertain, and estimating the precise quarter in which each revenue and expense will be recognized increases the level of uncertainty of the quarterly forecast information. Accordingly, actual quarter-by-quarter results may differ materially from the quarter-by-quarter forecast information presented below. As an owner of mineral and royalty interests, we are subject to fluctuations in cash generated from operations from quarter to quarter due to uncertainty of timing of collections from our lessees. As a result, we may manage our working-capital requirements through the use of our credit facility. We do not believe that a shortfall caused by these timing-related fluctuations in cash receipts in any given quarter during the forecast period would affect our ability to pay distributions for that quarter.


	Three Months Ending
	June 30, 2016			March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015			September 30, 2015
	(unaudited) (in thousands)
Revenue:
Oil and condensate sales	$	37,387		$	37,085		$	34,879		$	35,089
Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales		36,559			36,621			33,032			31,787
Gain on commodity derivative instruments		—			—			5,464			9,718
Lease bonus and other income(1)		8,050			6,050			14,050			12,050


Total revenue		81,996			79,756			87,425			88,644


Operating expense:
Lease operating expense and other		5,463			5,318			5,304			5,291
Production and ad valorem taxes		6,647			6,583			6,117			6,032
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization		28,781			28,621			28,478			28,365
General and administrative		19,734			19,734			19,375			20,475
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		265			265			265			265

Total operating expense		60,890			60,521			59,539			60,428

Income from operations		21,106			19,235			27,886			28,216

Other expense:
Interest expense		(748	)		(788	)		(751	)		(928	)

Total other expense		(748	)		(788	)		(751	)		(928	)

Net income		20,358			18,447			27,135			27,288

Adjustments to reconcile to Adjusted EBITDA:

Add:
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization		28,781			28,621			28,478			28,365
Interest expense		748			788			751			928

EBITDA		49,887			47,856			56,364			56,581
Add:
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		265			265			265			265
Equity-based compensation expense		5,963			5,963			5,933			7,034

Adjusted EBITDA		56,115			54,084			62,562			63,880


	Three Months Ending
	June 30, 2016			March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015			September 30, 2015
	(unaudited) (in thousands)
Adjustments to reconcile to estimated cash generated from operations:
Add:
Net proceeds from this offering to fund future capital expenditures		14,814			11,313			11,336			11,713
Less:
Deferred revenue		(407	)		(274	)		(267	)		(270	)
Cash interest expense		(516	)		(556	)		(516	)		(686	)
Capital expenditures		(14,814	)		(11,313	)		(11,336	)		(11,713	)

Estimated cash generated from operations		55,192			53,254			61,779			62,924
Less:
Cash paid to noncontrolling interests(2)		(44	)		(47	)		(46	)		(46	)
Preferred unit distributions		(1,954	)		(1,954	)		(2,972	)		(2,972	)

Estimated cash generated from operations available for distribution on common and subordinated units and reinvestment in our business		53,194			51,253			58,761			59,906
Initial minimum quarterly distribution per common and subordinated unit
Estimated quarterly distributions to:
Common units issued in this offering
Common and subordinated units issued in the merger
Total distributions on common and subordinated units

Excess	$			$			$			$

(1)	Lease bonus income can vary from quarter to quarter. Historically, lease bonus income has been higher in the third and fourth quarters relative to the first and second quarters.

(2)	Reflects cash distributions made to unaffiliated third-party limited partners in a consolidated, but not wholly owned, partnership. For additional information, please read Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements of BSMC included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The following table sets forth information regarding production associated with our mineral and royalty interests and non-operated working interests on a forecasted basis for each quarter during the twelve months ending June 30, 2016. Although the above forecasted amounts are based upon assumptions we believe to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual quarter-by-quarter information will not differ materially from the quarter-by-quarter forecast information presented below:


	Three Months Ending
	June 30, 2016			March 31, 2016			December 31, 2015			September 30, 2015
	(unaudited)
Aggregate production:
Oil and condensate (MBbls)		704			717			702			748
Natural gas (MMcf)		10,720			10,193			10,169			10,279

Combined volumes (MBoe)		2,491			2,416			2,397			2,461
Average daily production (MBoe/d)		27.4			26.5			26.1			26.8
Percentage attributable to mineral and royalty interests:
Oil and condensate		75	%		75	%		74	%		73	%
Natural gas		61	%		62	%		63	%		63	%

The following table illustrates the relationship between average oil and natural gas realized sales prices and the average WTI oil and Henry Hub natural gas prices on a forecasted basis for each quarter during the twelve months ending June 30, 2016. Although the above forecasted amounts are based upon assumptions we believe to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual quarter-by-quarter information will not differ materially from the quarter-by-quarter forecast information presented below:


	Three Months Ending
	June 30, 2016		March 31, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2015
	(unaudited)
Average benchmark prices(1):
WTI oil price ($/Bbl)	$	57.17	$	55.84	$	54.04	$	51.44
Henry Hub natural gas price ($/Mcf)	$	3.08	$	3.23	$	3.00	$	2.86
Realized prices(2):
Realized oil and condensate price ($/Bbl)	$	53.11	$	51.72	$	49.69	$	46.91
Realized natural gas price ($/Mcf)(3)	$	3.41	$	3.59	$	3.25	$	3.09

(1)	The NYMEX average price curves as of March 13, 2015 were used.

(2)	Excluding cash settlement on commodity derivative instruments.

(3)

As a mineral-and-royalty-interest owner, we are often provided insufficient and inconsistent data by our operators. As a result, we are unable to reliably determine the total volumes of NGLs associated with the production of natural gas on our acreage. As such, the realized prices for natural gas account for all sales attributable to NGLs. The oil and condensate production volumes and natural gas production volumes do not include NGL volumes.

Historical and Forecast Asset Production

The chart below depicts historical net production attributable to the mineral and royalty interests we currently own, as if we had owned those interests since January 1, 1980. This chart also shows our forecasted net production for those interests from January 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016.

LOGO

(1)

Reflects net production from all wells associated with our mineral-and-royalty interests that were identified at the time of acquisition and all subsequent wells associated with those interests. Net production volumes are calculated by multiplying gross production from the identified wells by our ownership interest as of December 31, 2014 and a shrinkage factor to account for transportation and processing losses. Gross production data from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 2013 was sourced from IHS Inc.; where the publicly reported data was unavailable or known to be inaccurate, the data was interpolated. Production data for the year ended December 31, 2014 comes from our records. All volumes are shown on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas.

HOW WE MAKE DISTRIBUTIONS

General

In connection with the closing of this offering, the board of directors of our general partner will adopt a cash distribution policy pursuant to which we intend to pay distributions on our common and subordinated units in an amount of at least equal to the applicable minimum quarterly distribution to the extent we have sufficient cash generated from operations after we establish cash reserves, if any, and after we have made the required distributions to the holders of our outstanding preferred units. Our partnership agreement does not require us to pay cash distributions on a quarterly or other basis, and the board of directors of our general partner can change the distribution policy at any time. If we make distributions, our preferred unitholders have a priority right to receive distributions over our common and subordinated unitholders so long as our preferred units are outstanding. For a description of the relative rights and privileges of holders of our preferred units to distributions, please read “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions—General—Preferred Units.” For a description of our plans to make distributions, please read “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions.”

Set forth below is a summary of the significant provisions of our partnership agreement that relate to cash distributions on our common and subordinated units.

Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus

General

Any distributions on our common and subordinated units will be characterized as made from “operating surplus” or “capital surplus.” Distributions from operating surplus are made differently than cash distributions that we would make from capital surplus. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus. In such an event, however, any capital surplus distribution would, after required distributions to holders of preferred units, be made pro rata to all common and subordinated unitholders. Any distribution from capital surplus would result in a reduction of the applicable minimum quarterly distribution levels. Please read “—Distributions From Capital Surplus.” After the subordination period ends, operating surplus and capital surplus no longer have any meaning, and, after required distributions to holders of preferred units, all distributions will be pro rata to the then-existing common unitholders. Please read “—Subordination Period” below. All distributions to common and subordinated unitholders are subject to our preferred unitholders’ priority right to distributions.

Operating Surplus

We define operating surplus as:

•

$ million (as described below); plus

•

all of our cash receipts after the closing of this offering, excluding cash from interim capital transactions (as defined under “—Capital Surplus” below) and provided that cash receipts from the termination of any hedge contract prior to its stipulated settlement or termination date will be included in operating surplus in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such hedge contract had it not been terminated; plus

•

working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter but on or before the date of determination of operating surplus for the quarter; plus

•

any cash gains realized on the disposition of an investment capital expenditure; plus

•

cash distributions paid in respect of equity issued, other than equity issued in this offering, to pay the construction period interest on debt incurred, or to pay construction period distributions on equity issued, to finance the growth capital expenditures, in each case, in respect of the period that commences when we enter into a binding obligation for the acquisition, construction, replacement, development, or expansion of a capital asset and ending on the earlier to occur of the date the capital asset is placed into service by us and the date that it is disposed of or abandoned by us; less

•

all of our operating expenditures (as described below) after the closing of this offering; less

•

the amount of cash reserves established (and not reversed) by our general partner to provide funds for future operating expenditures; less

•

all working capital borrowings not repaid within twelve months after having been incurred or repaid within such twelve month period with the proceeds of additional working capital borrowings; less

•

any cash loss realized on disposition of an investment capital expenditure.

Disbursements made, cash received (including working capital borrowings), or cash reserves established, increased, or reduced after the end of a period but on or before the date on which cash or cash equivalents will be distributed with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, received, established, increased, or reduced, for purposes of determining operating surplus, within such period if our general partner so determines. Our operating surplus will include our proportionate share of our partially owned consolidated subsidiaries’ operating surplus. Furthermore, cash received from an interest in an entity for which we account using the equity method will not be included to the extent it exceeds our proportionate share of that entity’s operating surplus. (We will calculate operating surplus of a partially owned consolidated entity or an entity accounted for using the equity method as if the definition of operating surplus applied to such entity from the date of our acquisition of such an interest without any basket similar to that described in the first bullet above).

As described above, operating surplus does not only reflect cash generated by our operations. For example, it includes a basket of $ million that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus cash we receive in the future from non-operating sources such as asset sales, issuances of securities, and long-term borrowings that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus. In addition, the effect of including, as described above, certain cash distributions on equity interests in operating surplus will be to increase operating surplus by the amount of any such cash distributions. As a result, we may also distribute as operating surplus up to the amount of any such cash that we receive from non-operating sources.

The proceeds of working capital borrowings increase operating surplus. Repayments of working capital borrowings are generally considered to be operating expenditures, as described below, and thus reduce operating surplus when made. However, if a working capital borrowing is not repaid during the twelve-month period following the borrowing, it will be deducted from operating surplus at the end of such period, thus decreasing operating surplus at such time. When such working capital borrowing is in fact repaid, it will be excluded from operating expenditures because operating surplus will have been previously reduced by the deduction.

Operating Expenditures

We define operating expenditures in our partnership agreement, and it generally means all of our cash expenditures, including, but not limited to, normal operating expenses, taxes, payments made under hedge contracts (provided that (i) with respect to amounts paid in connection with the initial purchase of a hedge contract such amounts will be amortized over the life of the applicable hedge contract, and (ii) payments made in connection with the termination of any hedge contract prior to the expiration of its stipulated settlement or termination date will be included in operating expenditures in equal quarterly installments over the remaining scheduled life of such hedge contract), director and officer compensation, repayment of working capital borrowings, interest on indebtedness, and estimated replacement capital expenditures (as discussed in further detail below), provided that operating expenditures will not include:

•

repayment of working capital borrowings previously deducted from operating surplus pursuant to the provision described in the penultimate bullet point of the description of operating surplus above when such repayment actually occurs;

•

payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties and the purchase price of indebtedness that is repurchased and cancelled) of principal of and premium on indebtedness, other than working capital borrowings;

•

growth capital expenditures;

•

actual replacement capital expenditures (as discussed in further detail below);

•

investment capital expenditures;

•

payment of transaction expenses relating to interim capital transactions;

•

distributions to our partners; or

•

repurchases of equity interests except to fund obligations under employee benefit plans.

For purposes of calculating operating surplus, the currently outstanding preferred units shall be treated as if they are debt. As a result, all distributions on our currently outstanding preferred units will be treated as interest on indebtedness in determining the amount of our operating expenditures. Further distributions on our currently outstanding preferred units will not be treated as distributions of operating surplus or capital surplus (as described below).

Capital Surplus

Capital surplus is defined in our partnership agreement as any cash distributed in excess of our operating surplus. Accordingly, capital surplus would generally be generated only by the following (which we refer to as “interim capital transactions”):

•

borrowings (including sales of debt securities) other than working capital borrowings;

•

sales of our equity interests; and

•

sales or other dispositions of assets for cash, other than inventory, accounts receivable, and other assets sold in the ordinary course of business or as part of normal retirement or replacement of assets.

Characterization of Cash Distributions

Our partnership agreement provides that we treat all cash distributed (other than cash distributed to holders of our preferred units) as coming from operating surplus until the sum of all cash distributed to our common and subordinated unitholders since the closing of this offering (other than any distributions of proceeds of this offering) equals the operating surplus from the closing of this offering. Our partnership agreement provides that we treat any amount distributed in excess of operating surplus, regardless of its source, as distributions of capital surplus. As reflected above, operating surplus includes $ million, which does not reflect actual cash on hand that is available for distribution to our unitholders. Rather, it is a provision that will enable us, if we choose, to distribute as operating surplus up to this amount of cash we receive in the future from non-operating sources such as asset sales, issuances of securities, and borrowings, that would otherwise be distributed as capital surplus. We do not anticipate that we will make any distributions from capital surplus.

Capital Expenditures

Capital Expenditures

Estimated replacement capital expenditures reduce operating surplus, but growth capital expenditures, actual replacement capital expenditures, and investment capital expenditures do not. Replacement capital expenditures are those capital expenditures required to maintain our asset base over the long term as it may change as a result of additions or dispositions over time. We expect that a primary component of replacement capital expenditures will be capital expenditures associated with the replacement of oil and natural gas reserves through the acquisition of new oil and natural gas mineral and royalty interests and through development expenditures related to our working interests. Replacement capital expenditures will also include interest (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued to finance all or any portion of the acquisition, construction, replacement, development or expansion of a capital asset that is paid in respect of the period from such financing until the earlier to occur of the date that any such acquisition, construction, replacement, development or expansion and ending on the earlier to occur of the date the growth capital expenditure is placed into service and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of. Capital expenditures made solely for investment purposes will not be considered replacement capital expenditures.

Because our replacement capital expenditures can be irregular, the amount of our actual replacement capital expenditures may differ substantially from period to period, which could cause similar fluctuations in the amounts of operating surplus, adjusted operating surplus, and cash available for distribution if we subtracted actual replacement capital expenditures from operating surplus. To address this issue, our partnership agreement will require that an estimate of the average quarterly replacement capital expenditures necessary to maintain our asset base be subtracted from operating surplus each quarter as opposed to the actual amounts spent. The amount of estimated replacement capital expenditures deducted from operating surplus will be initially determined by our general partner’s board of directors and is subject to review and change by our general partner’s board of directors at least once a year. The estimate will be made at least annually and whenever an event occurs that is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of our replacement capital expenditures, such as a major acquisition. For purposes of calculating operating surplus, any adjustment to this estimate will be prospective only.

The use of estimated replacement capital expenditures in calculating operating surplus will have the following effects:

•

it will reduce the risk that replacement capital expenditures in any one quarter will be large enough to render operating surplus less than the applicable minimum quarterly distribution to be paid on all the units for the quarter;

•

it will increase our ability to distribute as operating surplus cash we receive from non-operating sources;

•

in quarters where estimated replacement capital expenditures exceed actual replacement capital expenditures, it will be more difficult for us to raise our distribution above the minimum quarterly distribution, because the amount of estimated replacement capital expenditures will reduce the amount of cash generated from operations available for distribution to our unitholders, even in quarters where there are no corresponding actual capital expenditures. Conversely, the use of estimated replacement capital expenditures in calculating operating surplus will have the opposite effect for quarters in which actual replacement capital expenditures exceed our estimated replacement capital expenditures; and

•

it will reduce the likelihood that a large replacement capital expenditure during a particular quarter will prevent our subordinated units from converting to common units since the effect of an estimate is to spread the expected expense over several periods, thereby mitigating the effect of the actual payment of the expenditure on any single period.

Growth capital expenditures are those capital expenditures that we expect will increase our existing asset base. Examples of growth capital expenditures include the acquisition of new oil and natural gas mineral and royalty interests and expenditures related to our working interests, to the extent such expenditures are incurred to increase our asset base. Growth capital expenditures will also include interest payments (and related fees) on debt incurred and distributions on equity issued to finance all or any portion of such capital expenditure during the period from such financing until the earlier to occur of the date the growth capital expenditure is placed into service by us or the date that it is abandoned or disposed of by us. Capital expenditures made solely for investment purposes will not be considered growth capital expenditures.

Investment capital expenditures are those capital expenditures that are neither replacement capital expenditures nor growth capital expenditures. Investment capital expenditures largely will consist of capital expenditures made for relatively short-term investment purposes. Examples of investment capital expenditures include traditional capital expenditures for investment purposes, such as purchases of securities, as well as other capital expenditures that might be made in lieu of such traditional investment capital expenditures, such as the acquisition of a capital asset for investment purposes or development of our undeveloped properties in excess of the maintenance of our production or asset base, but which are not expected to expand our production or asset base for more than the short term.

As described above, neither investment capital expenditures nor growth capital expenditures will be included in operating expenditures, and thus will not reduce operating surplus. Because growth capital expenditures include interest payments (and related fees) on debt incurred to finance all or a portion of the construction, replacement or improvement of a capital asset (such as equipment or reserves) during the period from such financing until the earlier to occur of the date any such growth capital expenditure is placed into service by us, and the date that it is abandoned or disposed of by us, such interest payments also do not reduce operating surplus. Losses on disposition of an investment capital expenditure will reduce operating surplus when realized and cash receipts from an investment capital expenditure will be treated as a cash receipt for purposes of calculating operating surplus only to the extent the cash receipt is a return on principal.

Capital expenditures that are made in part for replacement capital purposes and in part for investment capital or growth capital purposes will be allocated as replacement capital expenditures, investment capital expenditures, or growth capital expenditure by our general partner’s board of directors, based upon its good-faith determination, subject to approval by the conflicts committee of our general partner’s board of directors.

Subordination Period

General

Our partnership agreement provides that, during the subordination period (as described below), the common units will have the right to receive distributions from operating surplus each quarter in an amount equal to the applicable minimum quarterly distribution (see table below), which amount is defined in our partnership agreement as the minimum quarterly distribution, plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units from prior quarters, before any distributions from operating surplus may be made on the subordinated units. These units are deemed “subordinated” because for a period of time, referred to as the subordination period, the subordinated units will not be entitled to receive any distribution from operating surplus for any quarter until the common units have received the minimum quarterly distribution from operating surplus for such quarter plus any arrearages in the payment of the minimum quarterly distribution from prior quarters. Furthermore, no arrearages will be paid on the subordinated units. The practical effect of the subordinated units is to increase the likelihood that during the subordination period there will be sufficient cash from operating surplus to pay the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units.

The applicable minimum quarterly distribution for the periods specified below is as follows:


Four Quarters Ending June 30,		Minimum Quarterly Distribution (per unit)
2016		$
2017		$
2018		$
2019 and thereafter		$

After June 30, 2019 the minimum quarterly distribution shall be the same as it is for each of the four quarters ending June 30, 2019. Our initial distribution will be $ per common and subordinated unit on an annualized basis (or per common and subordinated unit on a quarterly basis).

Determination of Subordination Period

The subordination period will begin on the closing date of this offering and expire on the first business day after the distribution to unitholders in respect of any quarter, beginning with the quarter ending June 30, 2019, if each of the following has occurred:

•

for a period of four consecutive, non-overlapping quarters immediately preceding that date, aggregate distributions from operating surplus on the common units, subordinated units, and any other units equal or senior in rank with respect to subordinated units (but not senior in rank to the common units) equaled or exceeded the sum of the products of the minimum quarterly distribution multiplied by the total number of common and subordinated units outstanding in each quarter in each period;

•

for the same period of four consecutive, non-overlapping quarters, the “adjusted operating surplus” (as described below) equaled or exceeded the sum of the products of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units, subordinated units, and any other units equal or senior in rank with respect to subordinated units (but not senior in rank to the common units) multiplied by the total number of common units, subordinated units, and any other units equal or senior in rank with respect to the subordinated units (but not senior in rank to the common units) outstanding during each quarter on a fully-diluted weighted-average basis; and

•

there are no arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units.

For the period after the closing of this offering through , 2015, our partnership agreement will prorate the minimum quarterly distribution based on the actual length of the period, and use such prorated distribution for all purposes, including in determining when the subordination period ends. Equity senior to the common units will be treated like debt for this purpose, resulting in distributions on that equity being treated as interest on indebtedness. When the subordination period ends as a result of us having met the test described above, each outstanding subordinated unit will convert into one common unit and will then participate pro-rata with the other common units in distributions.

In addition, at any time on or after June 30, 2019, provided that there are no outstanding arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units, our general partner in its sole discretion may decide to convert all outstanding subordinated units into common units, with each subordinated unit being converted into a number of common units determined by multiplying the number of outstanding subordinated units to be converted by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is equal to the aggregate amount of distributions of cash generated from operations (not to exceed adjusted operating surplus) on the outstanding subordinated units (“historical distributions”) for the four fiscal quarters preceding the date of conversion (the “measurement period”), and (ii) the denominator of which is equal to the aggregate amount of the minimum quarterly distribution on all outstanding subordinated units during such four-quarter period; provided, that if the forecasted distributions to be paid from forecasted operating surplus (not to exceed forecasted adjusted operating surplus) on the outstanding subordinated units for the four-quarter period immediately following the measurement period (“forecasted distributions”), as determined by the conflicts committee, is less than historical distributions, then the numerator shall be forecasted distributions; provided, further, however, that the subordinated units may not convert into common units at a ratio that is greater than one to one. If the option to convert the subordinated units into common units is exercised as described above, the outstanding subordinated units will convert into the prescribed number of common units and will then participate pro rata with other common units in distributions. It should be expected that the general partner will cause this conversion, unless it determines that such conversion will be adverse to the subordinated unitholders. An example of where such conversion could be considered adverse to the subordinated unitholders is where the general partner expects the subordinated units to otherwise convert soon.

Adjusted Operating Surplus

Adjusted operating surplus is intended to generally reflect the cash generated from operations during a particular period and therefore excludes net increases in working capital borrowings and net drawdowns of reserves of cash generated in prior periods if not utilized to pay expenses during that period. Adjusted operating surplus for any period consists of:

•

operating surplus generated with respect to that period (excluding the amount described in the first bullet point under “—Operating Surplus and Capital Surplus—Operating Surplus” above); less

•

any net increase during that period in working capital borrowings; less

•

any net decrease during that period in cash reserves for operating expenditures not relating to an operating expenditure made during that period; plus

•

any net decrease during that period in working capital borrowings; plus

•

any net increase during that period in cash reserves for operating expenditures required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium; plus

•

any net decrease made in subsequent periods in cash reserves for operating expenditures initially established during such period to the extent such decrease results in a reduction of adjusted operating surplus in subsequent periods pursuant to the third bullet point above.

Any disbursements received, cash received (including working capital borrowings) or cash reserves established, increased or reduced after the end of a period that the general partner determines to include in operating surplus for such period shall also be deemed to have been made, received or established, increased or reduced in such period for purposes of determining adjusted operating surplus for such period.

Distributions From Operating Surplus During the Subordination Period

If we make distributions from operating surplus for any quarter ending before the end of the subordination period, our partnership agreement requires that we make the distributions in the following manner:

•

first, to the common unitholders, pro rata, until we distribute for each common unit an amount equal to the applicable minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter and any arrearages in payment of the applicable minimum quarterly distribution on the common units for any prior quarters; and

•

second, to the subordinated unitholders, pro rata, until we distribute for each subordinated unit an amount equal to the applicable minimum quarterly distribution for that quarter.

If the distributions to our common and subordinated unitholders exceed the applicable minimum quarterly distribution per unit, then such excess amount shall be distributed pro rata on the common and subordinated units as if they were a single class. All distributions to the common and subordinated unitholders are subject to our preferred unitholders’ prior right to distributions.

Distributions From Capital Surplus

How Distributions From Capital Surplus Will Be Made

Prior to liquidation, our partnership agreement requires that we make distributions from capital surplus, if any, in the following manner:

•

first, to all common unitholders and subordinated unitholders, pro rata, until the applicable minimum quarterly distribution levels are reduced to zero, as described below;

•

second, to the common unitholders, pro rata, until we distribute for each common unit an amount from capital surplus equal to any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units; and

•

thereafter, we will make all distributions from capital surplus as if they were from operating surplus.

After the subordination period ends, operating surplus, adjusted operating surplus, and capital surplus no longer have any meaning, and all distributions will be pro rata to the common unitholders. All distributions are subject to our preferred unitholders’ prior right to distributions.

Effect of a Distribution from Capital Surplus

Each time a distribution from capital surplus is made, the minimum quarterly distribution levels will be reduced in the same proportion as the distribution from capital surplus to the fair market value of the common units prior to the announcement of the distribution. Because distributions of capital surplus will reduce the minimum quarterly distribution levels after any of these distributions are made, it may be easier for the subordinated units to receive distributions and convert into common units. However, any distribution from capital surplus before the minimum quarterly distribution levels are reduced to zero cannot be applied to the payment of any arrearages.

Adjustment to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution

In addition to adjusting the minimum quarterly distribution levels to reflect a distribution from capital surplus, if we combine our common units into fewer common units or subdivide our common units into a greater number of common units, our partnership agreement specifies that the following items will be proportionately adjusted:

•

the minimum quarterly distribution levels;

•

the initial unit price, as described below under “—Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation”;

•

the per unit amount of any outstanding arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units; and

•

the number of subordinated units.

For example, if a two-for-one split of the common units should occur, the minimum quarterly distribution and the initial unit price would each be reduced to 50.0% of its initial level. If we combine our common units into a lesser number of units or subdivide our common units into a greater number of units, we will combine or subdivide our subordinated units using the same ratio applied to the common units. We will not make any adjustment by reason of the issuance of additional units for cash or property.

In addition, if as a result of a change in law or interpretation thereof, we or any of our subsidiaries is treated as an association taxable as a corporation or is otherwise subject to additional taxation as an entity for U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. income or withholding tax purposes, our general partner may, in its sole discretion, reduce the minimum quarterly distribution for each quarter by multiplying each distribution level by a fraction, the numerator of which is cash for that quarter (after deducting our general partner’s estimate of our additional aggregate liability for the quarter for such income and withholding taxes payable by reason of such change in law or interpretation) and the denominator of which is the sum of (i) cash for that quarter, plus (ii) our general partner’s estimate of our additional aggregate liability for the quarter for such income and withholding taxes payable by reason of such change in law or interpretation thereof. To the extent that the actual tax liability differs from the estimated tax liability for any quarter, the difference will be accounted for in distributions with respect to subsequent quarters.

Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation

If we dissolve in accordance with the partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors. We will then distribute any remaining proceeds to the unitholders, in accordance with their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation.

The allocations of gain and loss upon liquidation are intended, to the extent possible, to entitle the holders of units to a repayment of the initial value contributed by unitholders for their units in this offering, which we refer to as the “initial unit price” for each unit. The allocations of gain and loss upon liquidation are also intended, to the extent possible, to entitle the holders of common units to a preference over the holders of subordinated units upon our liquidation, to the extent required to permit common unitholders to receive their initial unit price plus the minimum quarterly distribution for the quarter during which liquidation occurs plus any unpaid arrearages in payment of the minimum quarterly distribution on the common units. However, there may not be sufficient gain upon our liquidation to enable the common unitholders to fully recover all of these amounts, even though there may be cash generated from operations available for distribution to the holders of subordinated units.

SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA

Black Stone Minerals, L.P. was formed in September 2014 and does not have historical financial statements. Therefore, in this prospectus, we present the historical consolidated financial statements of BSMC, our predecessor for accounting purposes. We refer to this entity as “Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Predecessor.” The following table presents selected historical financial data of BSMC and selected unaudited pro forma financial data of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. as of the dates and for the years indicated.

The selected historical financial data presented as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are derived from the audited historical consolidated financial statements of BSMC that are included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The selected unaudited pro forma financial data presented as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 is derived from our unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements give pro forma effect to the formation transactions, including the issuance and sale of the common units from this offering and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described under “Use of Proceeds.” The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet assumes the events described above occurred as of December 31, 2014. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014 assumes the events described above occurred as of January 1, 2014.

For a detailed discussion of the selected historical financial data contained in the following table, please read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The following table should also be read in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds” and the audited historical financial statements of BSMC and our pro forma financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Among other things, the historical financial statements include more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the information in the following table.


	Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Predecessor Historical						Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Pro Forma
	Year Ended December 31,						Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2014
							(unaudited)
	(in thousands)
Revenue:
Oil and condensate sales	$	257,390		$	252,742		$	257,390
Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales		207,456			184,868			207,456
Gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments		37,336			(5,860	)		37,336
Lease bonus and other income		46,139			31,809			46,139

Total revenue		548,321			463,559			548,321

Operating (income) expense:
Lease operating expense and other		23,288			21,316			23,288
Production and ad valorem taxes		49,575			42,813			49,575
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization		111,962			102,442			111,962
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties		117,930			57,109			117,930
General and administrative		62,765			59,501			62,765
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		1,060			588			1,060
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets		32			(18	)		32

Total operating expense		366,612			283,751			366,612

Income from operations		181,709			179,808			181,709

Other income (expense):
Interest and investment income		28			90			28
Interest expense(1)		(13,509	)		(11,342	)		(3,630	)
Other income		959			407			959

Total other expense		(12,522	)		(10,845	)		(2,643	)

Net income	$	169,187		$	168,963		$	179,066

Statement of Cash Flow Data:
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	396,125		$	320,764
Investing activities		(101,110	)		(195,631	)
Financing activities		(310,335	)		(142,311	)

Other Financial Data:
EBITDA(2)	$	294,658		$	282,747		$	294,658
Adjusted EBITDA(2)		385,705			354,576			385,705
Capital expenditures(3)		(101,110	)		(195,631	)

Balance Sheet Data (at year end):
Cash and cash equivalents	$	14,803		$	30,123		$
Total assets		1,326,782			1,444,413
Credit facilities		394,000			451,000			—
Total liabilities		512,400			566,618			118,400
Total mezzanine equity		161,165			161,392			161,165
Total equity		653,217			716,403

(1)	Includes cash expenses for commitment fees and agency fees and non-cash amortization of debt issuance costs.

(2)	Please read “Summary—Summary Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to our most directly comparable financial measure, calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP.

(3)	Net of proceeds from the sale of assets of $19.5 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with historical consolidated financial statements of our accounting predecessor for financial reporting purposes, BSMC, included elsewhere in this prospectus. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth under “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements,” and elsewhere in this prospectus.

Overview

Our mineral and royalty interests consist of mineral interests in approximately 14.5 million acres, with an average 48.1% ownership interest in that acreage, NPRIs in 1.2 million acres, and ORRIs in 1.4 million acres. These non-cost-bearing interests include ownership in approximately 40,000 producing wells. We also own non-operated working interests. We recognize oil and natural gas revenue from our mineral and royalty and non-operated working interests in producing wells when the oil and natural gas production from the associated acreage is sold. Our other sources of revenue include mineral lease bonus and delay rentals, which are recognized as revenue according to the terms of the lease agreements.

Business Environment

The information below is designed to give a broad overview of the oil and natural gas business environment as it affects us.

Rig Count

Since we are not an operator, drilling on our acreage is dependent upon the exploration and production companies that lease our acreage. In addition to drilling plans that we seek from our operators, we monitor rig counts in an effort to identify existing and future leasing and drilling activity on our acreage.

On a weekly basis, Baker Hughes Incorporated, an oilfield services company, releases a detailed report which provides information on the locations of oil and natural gas drilling rigs across the United States, Canada, and the Gulf of Mexico. The weekly rig count report provides insight into industry-wide trends regarding drilling activities in basins across the United States.

The following table shows the rig count at the close of each of the quarters presented:


	Fourth Quarter 2014		Third Quarter 2014		Second Quarter 2014		First Quarter 2014
Oil		1,499		1,592		1,558		1,487
Natural gas		340		338		314		318
Other		1		1		1		4

Total		1,840		1,931		1,873		1,809

Source: Baker Hughes Incorporated

Natural Gas Storage

A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from sales of oil production attributable to our interests; however, the majority of our production is natural gas. Natural gas prices are significantly influenced by storage levels throughout the year. Accordingly, we monitor the natural gas storage reports regularly in the evaluation of our business and its outlook.

Historically, natural gas supply and demand fluctuates on a seasonal basis. From April to October, when the weather is warmer and natural gas demand is lower, natural gas storage levels generally increase. From November to March, storage levels typically decline as utility companies draw natural gas from storage to meet increased heating demand due to colder weather. In order to maintain sufficient storage levels for increased seasonal demand, a portion of natural gas production during the summer months must be used for storage injection. The portion of production used for storage varies from year to year depending on the demand from the previous winter and the demand for electricity used for cooling during the summer months.

The following table shows natural gas storage volumes by region at the close of each of the quarters presented:


Location	Fourth Quarter 2014 (Bcf)		Third Quarter 2014 (Bcf)		Second Quarter 2014 (Bcf)		First Quarter 2014 (Bcf)
East(1)		1,660		1,714		923		310
West(2)		461		453		331		160
Producing(3)		1,099		933		675		352

Total		3,220		3,100		1,929		822

Source: EIA

(1)	CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VT, VA, WI, and WV

(2)	AZ, CA, CO, ID, MN, MT, NV, ND, OR, SD, WA, WY, and UT

(3)	AL, AR, KS, LA, MI, NM, OK, and TX

How We Evaluate Our Operations

We use a variety of operational and financial measures to assess our performance. Among the measures considered by management are the following:

•

volumes of oil and natural gas produced;

•

commodity prices; and

•

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.

Volumes of Oil and Natural Gas Produced

In order to assess and track the performance of our assets, we monitor and analyze production volumes from the various basins and plays that comprise our extensive asset base. We also periodically compare projected volumes to actual reported volumes and investigate unexpected variations. Please read “Business—Estimated Proved Reserves—Summary of Estimated Proved Reserves.”

Commodity Prices

Factors Affecting the Sales Price of Oil and Natural Gas

We do not market our own production due to our diverse geographical presence, extensive volume of wells, and large number of operators. For the substantial majority of our wells, our oil and natural gas production, including associated NGLs, is marketed by our operators. The agreements with these operators contain

provisions for the marketing of production on both short-term (usually one year or less in duration) and long-term bases. The prices received for oil and natural gas generally vary by geographical area. The relative prices of oil and natural gas are determined by the factors impacting global and regional supply and demand dynamics, such as economic conditions, production levels, weather cycles, and other factors. In addition, realized prices are influenced by product quality and proximity to consuming and refining markets. Any differences between realized prices and NYMEX prices are referred to as differentials. All of our production is derived from properties located in the United States. As a result of our geographic diversification, we are not exposed to concentrated differential risks associated with any single play, trend, or basin.

•

Oil. The majority of our oil production is sold at prevailing market prices, which fluctuate in response to many factors that are outside of our control. NYMEX light sweet crude oil (WTI) is the prevailing domestic oil pricing index. The majority of our oil production is priced on this benchmark with the final realized price affected by both quality and location differentials.

Quality differentials result from the fact that various types of oil differ from one another due to their different chemical composition, which plays an important role in their refining and subsequent sale as petroleum products. Among other things, there are two characteristics that commonly drive quality differentials: the density of the oil, characterized by the API gravity, and the presence and concentration of impurities, such as sulfur. In general, light crude oil, or oil with a higher API gravity, produces a higher percentage of more valuable products when refined, such as gasoline, and therefore, light crude oil normally sells at a premium to heavy crude oil. Oil with low sulfur content, or “sweet” crude oil, is less expensive to refine and normally sells at a premium to high sulfur-content oil, or “sour” crude oil.

Location differentials generally result from transportation costs based on the produced oil’s proximity to consuming and refining markets and major trading points.

•

Natural Gas. The NYMEX price quoted at Henry Hub is a widely used benchmark for the pricing of natural gas in the United States. The actual prices realized from the sale of natural gas differ from the quoted NYMEX price as a result of quality and location differentials.

Quality differentials result from the heating value of natural gas measured in Btus and the presence of impurities, such as sulfur, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. Due to the content of NGLs in high Btu gas, this quality of natural gas nets a higher overall price when compared to a low Btu gas. Natural gas with a higher concentration of impurities will receive a lower price due to the cost of treating the natural gas to meet pipeline quality specifications.

Natural gas, which currently has a limited global transportation system, is subject to price variances based on local supply and demand conditions and the cost to transport natural gas to end user markets.

Hedging

We enter into derivative instruments to partially mitigate the impact of commodity price volatility on our cash generated from operations. From time to time, such instruments may include fixed-price contracts, variable to fixed price swaps, costless collars, and other contractual arrangements. In addition, we currently employ a “rolling hedge” strategy whereby we do not execute all of our hedges at the same time but instead execute new trades as older hedges settle or expire. The impact of these derivative instruments could affect the amount of revenue we ultimately record. For further information, please read “— Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP supplemental financial measures used by our management and external users of our financial statements such as investors, research analysts, and others, to assess the financial performance of our assets and our ability to sustain distributions over the long term without regard to financing methods, capital structure, or historical cost basis.

We define EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation, depletion, and amortization. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA further adjusted for impairment of oil and natural gas properties, accretion of AROs, unrealized gains/losses on derivative instruments, and non-cash equity-based compensation.

Factors Affecting the Comparability of Our Financial Results

Our historical financial condition and results of operations for the periods presented may not be comparable, either from period to period or going forward, because we will incur annual incremental general and administrative expenses as a result of operating as a publicly traded partnership. These incremental expenses include costs associated with SEC reporting requirements, including annual and quarterly reports to unitholders, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance, NYSE listing, independent registered public accounting firm fees, legal fees, investor-relations activities, registrar and transfer agent fees, director-and-officer insurance, and additional compensation. These direct, incremental general and administrative expenses are not included in our historical results of operations.

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

Revenues

The following table shows our production, pricing, and revenues for the periods presented (dollars in thousands except for realized prices):


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
Production:
Oil and condensate (MBbls)(1)		3,005		2,626
Natural gas (MMcf)(1)		42,273		45,400

Equivalents (MBoe)(2)		10,051		10,193
Realized Prices:
Oil and condensate ($/Bbl)	$	85.65	$	96.25
Natural gas ($/Mcf)(1)	$	4.91	$	4.07

Combined equivalents ($/Boe)(2)	$	46.25	$	42.93

Revenue:
Oil and condensate sales	$	257,390	$	252,742
Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales		207,456		184,868
Gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments		37,336		(5,860	)
Lease bonus and other income		46,139		31,809

Total revenue	$	548,321	$	463,559

(1)

As a mineral-and-royalty-interest owner, we are often provided insufficient and inconsistent data by our operators. As a result, we are unable to reliably determine the total volumes of NGLs associated with the production of natural gas on our acreage. As such, the realized prices account for all sales attributable to NGLs. The oil and condensate production volumes and natural gas production volumes do not include NGL volumes.

(2)

“Btu-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas. Please read “Business—Estimated Proved Reserves—Summary of Estimated Proved Reserves.”

Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014 increased $84.8 million, or 18.3%, compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was made up of $43.2 million from commodity derivative instruments, $23.8 million resulting from higher production volumes, $14.3 million from higher lease bonus, and $3.4 million from higher realized commodity prices.

Oil and condensate sales during the period were $4.6 million, or 1.8%, higher than the corresponding period in 2013 primarily due to an increase in production volumes. Our mineral-and-royalty-interest oil volumes accounted for 74.7% and 73.7% of total oil and condensate volumes for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the year ended December 31, 2013, respectively. The 16.1% increase in mineral-and-royalty-interest oil volumes, in 2014 relative to 2013 was driven primarily by production increases from new wells in the Eagle Ford Shale. Our working-interest oil volumes increased by 9.8% to 759.4 MBbls during 2014 versus 2013 primarily due to volumes added from new wells in the Bakken and Three Forks shale plays. An 11.0% decrease in realized oil prices partially offset the increase in oil and condensate production.

Natural gas revenues increased by $22.6 million, or 12.2%, for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the same period for 2013. A 20.6% increase in the realized natural gas price for the twelve months of 2014 versus the same period in 2013 was responsible for the growth in our natural gas revenues. The favorable price variance was partially offset by a decrease in produced volumes. As we expected, natural gas production declined from period to period. The 6.9% decline in both mineral-and-royalty-interest and working-interest volumes was primarily driven by the run-off in production in the Hayneville and Bossier Shale plays. In 2008 and 2009, we entered into lease agreements which covered the majority of our Hayneville and Bossier Shale plays acreage in Louisiana and Texas. As operators drilled wells to hold acreage, our natural gas production increased significantly in the plays, with volumes peaking in 2012. With most acreage now held by production, many operators have moved drilling rigs out of the plays. Although these wells initially produce at high rates, they tend to decline rapidly. Without consistent drilling activity to replace the high decline rates of the individual wells, the overall production rate from the plays has declined. While operators have recently begun to increase the drilling activity on our acreage, production from these new wells has not yet reached the point of offsetting declines in existing wells. Mineral-and-royalty-interest production made up 64.8% and 62.7% of our natural gas volumes for the period ending December 31 2014 and 2013, respectively.

In 2014, global oil inventories increased to the largest level since 2008. Falling demand caused oil prices to decline sharply during the latter half of the year. In addition, robust domestic natural gas production coupled with a warmer than normal December contributed to lower than average natural gas storage withdrawals. Natural gas prices reflected the abundant supplies. We used derivative instruments to mitigate the risk and resulting impact of such volatility. In 2014, we recognized $27.5 million of combined gains from oil commodity contracts, virtually all of which were unrealized, compared to $3.5 million of combined losses in 2013. In 2014, we recognized $9.8 million of net gains from natural gas commodity contracts, of which $11.8 million were unrealized, compared to $2.4 million of net losses in 2013.

Lease bonus and delay rental revenue increased $14.3 million, or 45.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013. The increase was primarily due to the successful closing of several significant leases in the Canyon Lime and Canyon Wash plays in north Texas and the Permian Basin during 2014.

Operating Expenses

Lease Operating Expenses and Other. Lease operating expenses include normally recurring expenses necessary to operate and produce hydrocarbons from our non-operated working interests in oil and natural gas

wells, non-recurring well workovers, repair-related expenses, and exploration expenses. Lease operating expense and other increased $2.0 million or 9.3% for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to higher exploration expense.

Production and Ad Valorem Taxes. Production, or severance, taxes include statutory amounts deducted from our production revenues by various state taxing entities. Depending on the states’ regulations where the production originates, these taxes may be based on a percentage of the realized value or a fixed amount per production unit. This category also includes the costs to process and transport our production to applicable sales points. Ad valorem taxes are jurisdictional taxes levied on the value of oil and natural gas minerals and reserves. Rates, methods of calculating property values, and timing of payments vary between taxing authorities. For the year ended December 31, 2014, production and ad valorem taxes increased by $6.8 million, or 15.8%, over the year ended December 31, 2013, generally as a result of higher oil and natural gas sales.

Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization Expense. Depletion is the amount of cost basis of oil and natural gas properties at the beginning of a period attributable to the volume of hydrocarbons extracted during such period, calculated on a units-of-production basis. Estimates of proved developed producing reserves are a major component of the calculation of depletion. We have historically adjusted our depletion rates in the fourth quarter of each year based upon the year-end reserve report and other times during the year when circumstances indicate that there has been a significant change in reserves or costs. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense increased $9.5 million, or 9.3%, primarily due to an increase in our overall average depletion rate by field. The average depletion rate increased because of downward reserve revisions, which resulted from adjustments to estimates made by NSAI for projected lease operating expenses and natural gas shrinkage . In addition, during the second half of 2014, we experienced higher depletion expense for certain working-interest wells due to rapidly declining reservoir characteristics. Lower natural gas production volumes served to partially mitigate this increase in depletion rates.

Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties. Individual categories of oil and natural gas properties are assessed periodically to determine if the recorded value for these properties has been impaired. Management periodically conducts an in-depth evaluation of the cost of property acquisitions, successful exploratory wells, development activities, unproved leasehold, and mineral interests to identify impairments. Impairments totaled $117.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 primarily due to changes in reserve values resulting from the drop in commodity prices and other factors. Impairments totaled $57.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 primarily due to the impact that changes in price had on the value of our reserve estimates.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses are costs not directly associated with the production of oil and natural gas and include the cost of executives and employees and related benefits, office expenses, and fees for professional services. For the year ended December 31, 2014, general and administrative expenses increased by $3.3 million, or 5.5% as compared to the same time period in 2013. In 2014, personnel costs and costs attributable to our long-term incentive plans were higher than in the prior period. While our overall general and administrative expenses increased for 2014, our 2014 legal and broker fees were lower due to nonrecurring costs incurred to consummate our 2013 exchange offer and a one-time acquisition-related broker fee payment incurred in the prior period. Please read the notes to the historical consolidated financial statements of BSMC included elsewhere in this prospectus for additional information regarding the exchange offer.

Accretion of Asset Retirement Obligations. An ARO represents an obligation to perform site reclamation, to dismantle production or processing facilities, or to plug and abandon wells. To determine the current amount of an ARO, the estimated future cost to satisfy the abandonment obligation, using current prices that are escalated by an assumed inflation factor to the estimated settlement date, is discounted back to the date that the abandonment obligation was incurred. After recording this cost, an ARO is accreted to its future estimated value in order to match the timing of expenses with the periods in which they occurred. Accretion expense was $0.5 million, or 80.3% higher for the twelve months ended 2014 than the corresponding period of 2013. Revisions in estimated future costs primarily contributed to the increase in this expense.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased by $2.2 million, or 19.1%, due to additional borrowings under our credit facility. Outstanding borrowings during 2014 were higher than 2013, primarily due to increased expenditures for acquisitions, drilling activity, and funding of common equity repurchases during 2013.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Following the completion of this offering, we expect our primary sources of liquidity to be the net proceeds retained from this offering, cash generated from operations, borrowings under our credit facility, and proceeds from any future issuances of equity and debt. We expect our primary uses of cash will be for distributions to our preferred, common and subordinated unitholders and for capital expenditures, including the acquisition of mineral and royalty and working interests and the development of our oil and natural gas properties.

In connection with the closing of this offering, the board of directors of our general partner will adopt a policy pursuant to which distributions equal in amount to the applicable minimum quarterly distribution will be paid on each common and subordinated unit for each quarter to the extent we have sufficient cash generated from our operations after establishment of cash reserves, if any, and after we have made the required distributions to the holders of our outstanding preferred units. We believe that we will generate sufficient cash from operations to pay, for the twelve months ending June 30, 2016, the required distribution on the preferred units and the applicable minimum quarterly distribution of $ per unit ($0. per unit on an annualized basis) on all the common and subordinated units outstanding. Our first distribution will be for the period from the closing of this offering through , 2015, and our partnership agreement will prorate the minimum quarterly distribution based on the actual length of the period. However, we do not have a legal or contractual obligation to pay distributions quarterly or on any other basis, at the applicable minimum quarterly distribution rate or at any other rate, and there is no guarantee that we will pay distributions to our unitholders in any quarter. The board of directors of our general partner may change the foregoing distribution policy at any time and from time to time. Our partnership agreement does not require us to pay cash distributions on a quarterly or other basis.

It is our intent, for at least the next several years, to finance most of our acquisitions and working-interest capital needs with cash generated from operations, the retained net proceeds from this offering, borrowings from our credit facility, and, in certain circumstances, proceeds from future equity and debt issuances. Replacement capital expenditures are expenditures necessary to replace our existing oil and natural gas reserves or otherwise maintain our asset base over the long-term. Like a number of other master limited partnerships, we are required by our partnership agreement to retain cash from our operations in an amount equal to our estimated replacement capital requirements. We have set our initial distribution rate at a level we believe will allow us to retain in our business sufficient cash generated from our operations to satisfy our replacement capital expenditures needs and to fund a portion of our growth capital expenditures. The board of directors of our general partner will be responsible following this offering for establishing the amount of our estimated replacement capital expenditures.

At the beginning of each calendar year, we establish a capital budget and then review it throughout the year. Our capital budgets are created based upon our estimate of internally generated cash and the ability to borrow and raise additional capital. Actual capital expenditure levels will vary, in part, based on actual internally generated cash, actual wells proposed by our operators for our participation, and the successful closing of acquisitions. The timing, size, and nature of acquisitions are unpredictable.

Cash Flows

The following table shows our cash flows for the periods presented (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
Cash flows provided by operating activities	$	396,125		$	320,764
Cash flows used in investing activities	$	(101,110	)	$	(195,631	)
Cash flows used in financing activities	$	(310,335	)	$	(142,311	)

Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2013

Operating Activities. Our operating cash flow is dependent, in large part, on our production, realized commodity prices, leasing revenues, and operating expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2014, cash flows from operating activities increased by $75.4 million as compared to the same period in 2013 due to increased realized natural gas prices, higher oil and condensate volumes, and higher lease bonus revenue.

Investing Activities. The net cash used in investing activities decreased by $94.5 million in 2014 as compared to 2013 primarily due to reduced capital spent on acquisitions and lower capital expenditures under our working-interest participation program. For the year ended December 31, 2014, our cash expenditures for acquisitions totaled $45.6 million versus $121.6 million for the same period in 2013. Capital expenditures for our working interests, net of sale proceeds, decreased by $13.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 versus the comparable period of 2013.

Financing Activities. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the net cash used in financing activities increased $168.0 million compared to the same period in 2013. During 2014, we made distributions to common equity owners of $224.9 million, dividends on preferred units of $15.7 million, $57.0 million of credit facility repayments, and common equity repurchases of $5.2 million, and we paid $7.6 million of consulting and other costs directly related to our initial public offering. During 2013, we received $191.6 million in equity contributions as a result of our exchange offer and borrowed $134.0 million under our credit facility. These activities were partially offset by distributions to common equity owners of $225.7 million, dividends on preferred units of $15.7 million, common equity repurchases of $118.1 million, repayments under our credit facility of $46.1 million, and purchases of noncontrolling interests of $60.7 million. Please read the notes to the historical consolidated financial statements of BSMC included elsewhere in this prospectus for additional information regarding the exchange and equity offering.

Capital Expenditures

During 2014, we spent approximately $45.6 million on three cash acquisitions and completed another acquisition for $2.3 million with an issuance of equity securities. In 2014, we spent approximately $67.7 million on drilling and completion costs. Our 2015 capital budget for drilling expenditures is approximately $40.1 million. Approximately 65% and 14% of our drilling capital budget will be spent in the Haynesville/Bossier and Bakken/Three Forks plays, respectively, with the remainder spent in various plays including the Wilcox and Granite Wash plays.

Credit Facility

As of January 23, 2015, we amended and restated our $1.0 billion senior secured revolving credit agreement. Under this third amended and restated credit facility, the commitment of the lenders equals the lesser of the aggregate maximum credit amounts of the lenders and the borrowing base (which is determined based on the value of our oil and natural gas properties). As of December 31, 2014, the borrowing base was $700.0 million, and we had outstanding borrowings of $394.0 million. As of the closing of the third amended and restated credit facility on January 23, 2015, the borrowing base was reaffirmed at $700.0 million. The third

amended and restated credit facility will terminate on February 3, 2017. Borrowings under the third amended and restated credit facility may be used for the acquisition of properties, cash distributions, and other general corporate purposes.

Outstanding borrowings under the third amended and restated credit agreement bear interest at a floating rate elected by us equal to an alternative base rate (which is equal to the greatest of the prime rate, the Federal Funds effective rate plus 0.5% and 1-month LIBOR plus 1.0%) or LIBOR, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from 0.50% to 1.50% in the case of the alternative base rate and from 1.50% to 2.50% in the case of LIBOR, in each case depending on the amount of borrowings outstanding in relation to the borrowing base. We are obligated to pay a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.500% per year on the unused portion of the borrowing base, which fee is also dependent on the amount of the borrowings outstanding in relation to the borrowing base. Principal may be optionally repaid from time to time without premium or penalty (other than customary LIBOR breakage) and is required to be paid (a) if the amount outstanding exceeds the borrowing base, whether due to a borrowing base redetermination or otherwise (in some cases subject to a cure period) and (b) at the maturity date. The facility is secured by liens on substantially all of our properties.

The third amended and restated credit agreement contains various affirmative, negative, and financial maintenance covenants. These covenants, among other things, limit additional indebtedness, additional liens, sales of assets, mergers and consolidations, dividends and distributions, transactions with affiliates and entering into certain swap agreements, and require the maintenance of certain financial ratios. The lenders have the right to accelerate all of the indebtedness under the third amended and restated credit facility upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any event of default, and the third amended and restated credit agreement contains customary events of default, including non-payment, breach of covenants, materially incorrect representations, cross-default, bankruptcy, and change of control. There are no cure periods for events of default due to non-payment of principal and breaches of negative and financial covenants, but non-payment of interest and breaches of certain affirmative covenants are subject to customary cure periods.

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our minimum payments as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):


			Payments due by period
	Total		Less Than 1 Year		1-3 Years		3-5 Years		More Than 5 Years
Credit facility	$	394,000	$	—	$	394,000	$	—	$	—
Operating lease obligations		2,896		1,436		1,445		15		—
Contractual obligations		562		442		120		—		—

Total	$	397,458	$	1,878	$	395,565	$	15	$	—

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At December 31, 2014, we did not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Related Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon the historical financial statements of BSMC, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. Certain of our accounting policies involve judgments and uncertainties to such an extent that there is a reasonable likelihood that materially different amounts would have been reported under different conditions, or if different assumptions had been used. The following discussions of critical accounting estimates, including any related discussion of contingencies, address all important accounting areas where the nature of accounting estimates or assumptions could be material due to the levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or the susceptibility of such matters to change. Below, we have provided expanded discussion of our more significant accounting estimates.

Please read the notes to the historical consolidated financial statements of BSMC included elsewhere in this prospectus for additional information regarding our accounting policies.

Successful Efforts Method of Accounting

We use the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas operations. Under this method, costs to acquire interests in oil and natural gas properties are capitalized. The cost of property acquisitions, successful exploratory wells, development costs, and support equipment and facilities are initially capitalized when incurred. DD&A of producing oil and natural gas properties is recorded based on a units-of-production methodology. Acquisition costs of proved properties are amortized on the basis of all proved reserves, developed and undeveloped, and capitalized development costs are amortized on the basis of proved developed reserves. Other exploratory costs, including annual delay rentals and geological and geophysical costs, are expensed when incurred. Mineral and royalty interests and working interests are recorded at cost at the time of acquisition. Upon sale or retirement of depreciable or depletable property, the cost and related accumulated DD&A are eliminated from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is recognized.

The costs of unproved leaseholds and mineral interests are capitalized as unproved properties pending the results of exploration efforts. As unproved leaseholds are determined to be producing, the related costs are transferred to producing properties. The remaining net book values associated with unproved leaseholds that have expired are charged to exploration expense. Non-producing property costs are assessed periodically, on a property-by-property basis, and a loss is recognized to the extent, if any, the recorded value has been impaired. Any impairment will generally be based on geographic or geologic data.

Mineral interests are recorded at cost at the time of acquisition. Mineral interests are assessed for impairment annually via comparison to third-party valuation information and a loss is recognized to the extent fair value is below the recorded value.

We evaluate impairment of producing properties in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360 Property, Plant, and Equipment. This standard requires that long-lived assets that are held and used by an entity be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We estimate the future cash flows expected in connection with the properties and compare such future cash flows to the carrying amount of the properties to determine if the carrying amount is recoverable. When the carrying amount of a property exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the carrying amount is reduced to its fair value. Fair value is calculated as the present value of estimated future cash flows of such properties. The factors used to determine fair value include estimates of proved reserves, future commodity prices, timing of future production, future capital expenditures, and a risk-adjusted discount rate.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Under various contracts, permits, and regulations, we have legal obligations to restore the land at the end of operations at certain sites. Estimating the future restoration costs necessary for this accounting calculation is difficult. Most of these restoration obligations are many years, or decades, in the future and the contracts and regulations often have vague descriptions of what practices and criteria must be met when the event actually occurs. Asset-restoration technologies and costs, regulatory and other compliance considerations, expenditure timing, and other inputs into the valuation of the obligation, including discount and inflation rates, are also subject to change.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when it is realized or realizable and earned. Revenues are considered realized or realizable and earned when: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. We recognize oil and natural gas revenue from our interests in producing wells when the

associated production is sold. To the extent actual volumes and prices of oil and natural gas are unavailable for a given reporting period because of timing or information not received from third parties, the expected sales volume and prices for these properties are estimated and recorded within accounts receivable. Crude oil is priced on the delivery date based upon prevailing prices published by purchasers with certain adjustments related to oil quality and physical location. Natural gas contracts’ pricing provisions are tied to a market index, with certain adjustments based on, among other factors, whether a well delivers to a gathering or transmission line, quality of natural gas, and prevailing supply and demand conditions, so that the price of natural gas fluctuates to remain competitive with other available natural gas supplies. These market indices are determined on a monthly basis.

Our other sources of revenue include mineral lease bonus and delay rentals, which are recognized as revenue according to the terms of the lease agreements. We generate lease bonus revenue from leasing our mineral interests to exploration and production companies. The lease agreements transfer the rights to any oil or natural gas discovered to the operators, grant us a right to a specified royalty interest and require that drilling be done within a specified time period. We recognize such lease bonus revenue at which time the lease agreement has been executed, payment is determined to be collectable, and we have no further obligation to refund the payment. We also recognize revenue from delay rentals to the extent drilling has not started within the specified period, payment has been collected, and we have no further obligation to refund the payment.

Derivatives and Financial Instruments

Our ongoing operations expose us to changes in the market price for oil and natural gas. To mitigate the given commodity price risk associated with its operations, we use derivative instruments. From time to time, such instruments may include fixed-price contracts, variable to fixed price swaps, costless collars, and other contractual arrangements. We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes. In addition, we currently employ a “rolling hedge” strategy whereby we do not execute all of our hedges at the same time but instead execute new trades as older hedges settle or expire. The impact of these derivative instruments could affect the amount of revenue we ultimately record.

In accordance with ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, derivative instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value at the date of the financial statements. If a right of offset exists under master netting arrangements and certain other criteria are met, derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty are netted on the consolidated balance sheet. Gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized on a net basis in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations within gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments.

Although these derivative instruments may expose us to credit risk, we monitor the creditworthiness of our counterparties.

Equity-Based Compensation

We recognize equity-based compensation expense for restricted common units awarded to our employees and the board of directors of our general partner. The total compensation expense related to the time-based restricted common units is measured as the number of units granted multiplied by the grant date fair value per unit. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period (generally equivalent to the vesting period).

Our board of directors determined the fair value of the equity-based awards’ unit price by considering various objective and subjective factors, along with input from management, and using the same methodology as required under our partnership agreement for purposes of us purchasing common units from those limited partners who exercise their right under the partnership agreement to annually sell a portion of their common units. To determine the fair value of the equity-based awards’ unit price, we consider information provided by third-party consultants and rely on generally accepted valuation techniques, which include the net asset value

method under the asset approach, the guideline public company method under the market approach, and the dividend discount method of the income approach. Our estimate of value using the net asset value method was derived using assumptions including commodity prices, estimated development timing of our acreage, and market-based discount rates. The value conclusion using the guideline public company method was estimated by considering peer company performance metrics, comparability of the peer company portfolio and risk profiles to the Company, and implied forward distribution yields and multiples. To estimate the value of the awards using the transaction method, we reviewed publicly available data related to acquisitions of mineral properties and applied the implied deal metrics to our performance measures. The dividend discount method was developed based on assumptions including our projected distributions, anticipated long-term distribution growth rates, and near- and long-term cost of capital estimates. In determining the fair value of the awards, we also considered our historical transactions and performance in making these estimates. There is inherent uncertainty in making these estimates as the assumptions require significant judgment and are subject to change as a result of new operating data and economic and other conditions that impact our business. We will not need these estimates to determine the fair value of new unit-based compensation awards once our underlying shares begin trading publicly.

As of the valuation date of January 1, 2014, we were not planning to pursue an initial public offering. Subsequent to our initial discussions with our underwriters in June 2014, our valuation assumptions have included an increased likelihood of an initial public offering. We believe that it is reasonable to expect that the completion of an initial public offering will add value to our restricted common units because they will have increased liquidity and marketability. However, the amount of such additional value cannot be measured or projected with precision or certainty. While our valuation methodology for the February 23, 2015 grant incorporated an increased likelihood of an initial public offering, volatility of oil and natural gas prices has had an adverse effect on our most recent valuation. Please read “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business.” As described in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements of BSMC, under the new management and senior management long-term incentive plans, 50% of the equity awards granted prior to December 31, 2014 are classified as a liability during the corresponding year prior to the vesting date until a request for the Company to repurchase is made by the recipient, or the repurchase option period ends, which is 30 days prior to the vesting date. The liability is measured periodically at fair value. Any change in the fair value of these awards will change the value of the outstanding liability with a corresponding increase or decrease in expense recorded during the period. The following table shows restricted common units granted, in thousands except for per unit amounts, since January 1, 2014:


Grant Date	Number of Units Granted		Fair Value Per Unit at Grant Date		Aggregate Fair Value of Units Granted
January 1, 2014		6,097	$	1.60	$	9,755
February 23, 2015		7,277	$	1.41	$	10,288

Future results of operations for any particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions. Any change in inputs or number of inputs to this calculation could impact the valuation and thus the equity-based compensation expense recognized. Please read Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements of BSMC included elsewhere in this prospectus for additional information. Equity-based compensation expense related to restricted common unit grants is included in general and administrative expense within the consolidated statements of operations.

New and Revised Financial Accounting Standards

The effects of new accounting pronouncements are discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of BSMC included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Commodity Price Risk

Our major market risk exposure is the pricing of oil and natural gas production by our operators. Realized pricing is primarily driven by the prevailing worldwide price for oil and U.S. spot market prices for natural gas production. Pricing for oil and natural gas production has been unpredictable for several years, and we expect this unpredictability to continue in the future. The prices that our operators receive for production depend on many factors outside of our or their control.

To reduce the impact of fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices on our revenues, historically we have executed commodity derivative contracts to reduce our exposure to price risk in the spot market for oil and natural gas. The counterparties to the contracts are unrelated third parties. The contracts settled monthly in cash based on a designated floating price. Historically the designated floating price has been based off the NYMEX index for oil and natural gas. We have not designated any of our contracts as fair value or cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the changes in fair value of the contracts are included in net income in the period of the change.

Counterparty and Customer Credit Risk

Our derivative contracts expose us to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties. While we do not require our counterparties to our derivative contracts to post collateral, we do evaluate the credit standing of such counterparties as we deem appropriate. This evaluation includes reviewing a counterparty’s credit rating and latest financial information. At December 31, 2014, we had nine counterparties, all of which are rated Baa2 or better by Moody’s. Six of our counterparties are lenders under our credit facility.

Our principal exposure to credit risk results from receivables generated by the production activities of our operators. The inability or failure of our significant customers to meet their obligations to us or their insolvency or liquidation may adversely affect our financial results. However, we believe the credit risk associated with our operators and customers is acceptable.

Interest Rate Risk

We will have exposure to changes in interest rates on our indebtedness. As of December 31, 2014, we had total borrowings outstanding under our credit facility of $394.0 million. The impact of a 1% increase in the interest rate on this amount of debt would have resulted in an increase in interest expense, and a corresponding decrease in our results of operations, of approximately $3.9 million annually, assuming, however, that our indebtedness remained constant throughout the year. We may use certain derivative instruments to hedge our exposure to variable interest rates in the future, but we do not currently have any interest rate hedges in place.

BUSINESS

Overview

Our Assets

Mineral and Royalty Interests

In addition to mineral interests, we also own other types of non-cost-bearing royalty interests, which include:

•

NPRIs, which are royalty interests that are carved out of the mineral estate and represent the right, which is typically perpetual, to receive a fixed, cost-free percentage of production or revenue from production, without an associated right to lease or receive lease bonus; and

•

ORRIs, which are royalty interests that burden working interests and represent the right to receive a fixed, cost-free percentage of production or revenue from production from a lease. ORRIs remain in effect until the associated leases expire.

Our revenue generated from these mineral and royalty interests was $340.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Working-Interest Participation Program

We own working interests related to our mineral interests in various plays across our asset base. Many of these working interests were acquired through working-interest participation rights, which we often include in the terms of our leases. This participation right complements our core mineral-and-royalty-interest business because it allows us to realize additional value from our minerals. Under the terms of the relevant leases, we are granted a unit-by-unit or a well-by-well option to participate on a working-interest basis in drilling opportunities on our mineral acreage. This right to participate in a unit or well is exercisable at our sole discretion. We generally only exercise this option when the results from prior drilling and production activities have substantially reduced the economic risk associated with development drilling, and where we believe the probability of achieving attractive economic returns is high. When we participate, we are required to pay our portion of the costs associated with drilling and operating these wells.

The following graphs provide information regarding our production and revenue for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Reserves

As of December 31, 2014, our total estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves were 51,109 MBoe based on a reserve report prepared by NSAI, a third-party petroleum engineering firm. Of the reserves as of December 31, 2014, approximately 98.8% were proved developed reserves (approximately 98.7% proved developed producing and 0.1% proved developed non-producing) and approximately 1.2% were proved undeveloped reserves. We generally do not have evidence of approval of our operators’ development plans. As a result, our proved undeveloped reserve estimates are limited to those relatively few locations for which we have received and approved an Authority for Expenditure (“AFE”). At December 31, 2014, our estimated proved reserves were 33.4% oil and 66.6% natural gas.

Business Strategies

•

Actively lease our minerals to third-party operators. We intend to continue actively marketing our mineral interests for lease in order to generate income from lease bonus and ensure that our acreage is drilled as quickly as possible. Our staff actively manages the leasing of our acreage in order to accelerate royalty revenue and maximize our working-interest optionality. While our leasing activity generates significant revenue from lease bonus, the size and frequency of lease bonus vary depending on the oil and natural gas industry’s perception of the prospectivity, risk, and potential economics of a play. During the lease-negotiation process, we consider standard industry lease terms as well as innovative

terms that are designed to encourage more exploration. Through our control of large blocks of contiguous acreage throughout the country, we provide exploration and production companies with an extensive acreage inventory from which to generate prospects and search for new opportunities. In addition, our in-house geological and geophysical team uses our extensive seismic library to assist exploration and production companies in the identification of emerging plays and potential drilling locations. In this prospectus, we define identified potential drilling locations as locations specifically identified by management based on evaluation of applicable geologic and engineering data accrued over our multi-year historical drilling activities. When leasing acreage, we consider the potential lessee’s operational track record to ensure that we maximize the pace of development. Our leases often contain provisions which provide us the option to participate on a working-interest (cost-bearing) basis in the operators’ third-party drilling programs. Typically, this option is structured to allow us to elect to participate after the operator has demonstrated repeatable attractive economics, thereby allowing us to increase our exposure to a play after the risks of failure or poor returns have been substantially reduced.

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Acquire additional mineral and royalty interests in oil and natural gas properties that meet our acquisition criteria. We intend to continue to acquire mineral and royalty interests that have substantial resource and cost-free, or organic, growth potential. Our management team has a long history of evaluating, pursuing, and consummating acquisitions of oil and natural gas mineral and royalty interests in the United States. We believe that our large network of industry relationships provides us with a competitive advantage in pursuing potential acquisition opportunities. Since 1992, we have invested approximately $1.6 billion in 42 acquisitions. In the future, we expect to focus on relatively large acquisitions but will also continue to pursue smaller mineral packages to complement an existing position or to establish a foothold in an emerging play. We prefer acquisitions that meet the following criteria:

•

sufficient current production to create near-term accretion for our unitholders;

•

geologic support for future production and reserve growth;

•

a geographic footprint that we believe is complementary to our diverse portfolio and maximizes our potential for upside reserve and production growth from undiscovered reserves or new plays; and

•

targeted positions in high-growth resource and conventional plays.

•

Participate in low-risk drilling opportunities in plays that generate attractive returns. Our ownership of mineral interests affords us the favorable position of negotiating leases that frequently provide us a unit-by-unit or well-by-well option to participate on a working-interest basis in economic, low-risk drilling opportunities. This participation program offers access to drilling opportunities in established producing trends at well-level economics, often unburdened by traditional land and exploration costs associated with acquiring prospective acreage, such as paying lease bonus, acquiring seismic data, and drilling exploratory and delineation wells. We expect to continue to actively participate in these drilling opportunities.

•

Maintain a conservative capital structure and prudently manage the business for the long term. We are committed to maintaining a conservative capital structure that will afford us the financial flexibility to execute our business strategies on an ongoing basis. Upon completion of this offering, we will have no outstanding indebtedness. We believe that proceeds from this offering, internally generated cash from operations, our $700.0 million borrowing base under our credit facility, and access to the public capital markets will provide us with sufficient liquidity and financial flexibility to grow our production, reserves, and cash generated from operations through the continued development of our existing assets and accretive acquisitions of mineral and royalty interests.

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Competitive Strengths

We believe that the following competitive strengths will allow us to successfully execute our business strategies and achieve our primary business objective:

•

Significant diversified portfolio of mineral and royalty interests in mature producing basins and exposure to prospective exploration opportunities. We have a large-scale, diversified asset base with exposure to active, high-quality conventional and unconventional plays. With our mineral and royalty interests spanning over 16.7 million total acres across the continental United States, we have established a strong position with significant growth opportunities and exposure to potentially large new discoveries in the future. Several of our positions are in basins still in the early stages of development, including the Eagle Ford Shale and the Bakken/Three Forks and Haynesville/Bossier plays. In some cases, we have built our positions in anticipation of development in a play, as we did in the Eagle Ford Shale. In other cases, we acquired diversified mineral packages in rich geologic basins with multiple prospective horizons from which subsequent resource plays, including the Bakken/Three Forks and the Haynesville/Bossier plays, have developed. Because our asset base is large and diversified, we are able to make significant focused acquisitions in active areas within well-established resource plays, while maintaining overall diversity. Furthermore, the geographic breadth of our assets and vast quantity of our property interests expose us to potential production and reserves from new and existing plays without further required investment on our behalf. We believe that we will continue to benefit from these cost-free additions of production and reserves for the foreseeable future as a result of technological advances and continuing interest by third-party producers in exploration and development activities on our acreage.

•

Exposure to many of the leading resource plays in the United States. We expect our reserves and cash distributions per unit to grow organically for the next several years as our operators continue to drill new wells on the acreage we have leased to them. We believe that we have significant drilling inventory remaining in our interests in multiple resource plays.

•

Ability to increase exposure in most economic plays through our working-interest participation program. We frequently negotiate our leases with options to participate in wells on a working-interest basis. This working-interest option allows us to increase our exposure to plays that we find attractive when the results from prior drilling and production have substantially reduced the economic risk associated with development drilling and where we believe the probability of achieving attractive economic returns is high. We intend to continue increasing our exposure to those opportunities.

•

Scalable business model. We believe that our size, organizational structure, and capacity give us a relative advantage in growing our business because we are able to add large packages of mineral and royalty interests without significantly increasing our cost structure, allowing us to be more competitive when pursuing acquisition opportunities. Our land, accounting, engineering and geology, information-technology, and business-development departments have developed a scalable business model that allows us to manage our existing assets efficiently and absorb significant acquisitions without material cost increases.

•

Exposure to natural gas supply and demand growth. Over the past decade, the combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing has provided access to large volumes of shale natural gas resources that were previously uneconomic to produce. In the United States, the availability of large quantities of shale natural gas has provided a commodity price advantage over coal and other international natural gas supply options. The EIA projects that U.S. natural gas demand from internal consumption is expected to increase from 25.6 trillion cubic feet in 2012 to 31.6 trillion cubic feet in 2040, driven primarily by increased electricity generation and industrial use. International demand for exports of U.S. natural gas, through pipelines and liquefied natural gas, is forecasted to grow to 5.8 trillion cubic feet per year by 2040. The EIA forecasts the total demand for U.S. natural gas to reach 37.4 trillion cubic feet in 2040. As a result of this increase in demand, the EIA projects U.S. natural gas production to increase from 24.1 trillion cubic feet in 2012 to 37.5 trillion cubic feet in 2040, a 56% increase. Almost all of this increase is due to projected growth in natural gas production from resource

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plays, which is projected to grow from 9.7 trillion cubic feet in 2012 to 19.8 trillion cubic feet in 2040. We have significant exposure to domestic natural gas resource plays, including the Haynesville/Bossier plays, the Fayetteville Shale, and the Barnett Shale, and we believe that these assets will provide meaningful upside in production and revenue growth as demand for natural gas increases. Our natural gas assets throughout the U.S. Gulf Coast are well positioned geographically to take advantage of the growing liquefied natural gas export market.

•

Financial flexibility to fund expansion. Upon the completion of this offering and the application of the net proceeds as set forth under “Use of Proceeds,” we expect to have no indebtedness outstanding, approximately $ million of cash on hand, and $ million of undrawn borrowing capacity under our credit facility. The credit facility, combined with internally generated cash from operations and access to the public capital markets, will provide us with the financial capacity and flexibility to grow our business.

•

Experienced and proven management team. The members of our executive team have an average of over 25 years of industry experience and have a proven track record of executing accretive acquisitions and maximizing asset development. We expect to benefit from the longstanding relationships fostered by our management team within the industry and the decades-long track record of successful acquisitions of mineral and royalty interests. We believe the experience of our management team in acquiring and managing mineral and royalty interests will allow us to continue to grow our production, reserves, and distributions.

Our Properties

Material Basins and Producing Regions

The following is an overview of the U.S. basins and regions we consider most material to our current and future business.

•

Western Gulf (onshore). The Western Gulf region, which ranges from South Texas through southeastern Louisiana, includes a variety of both conventional and unconventional plays. We have extensive exposure to the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas, where we are experiencing a significant level of development drilling on our mineral interests within the oil and rich-gas condensate areas of the play. We also have significant exposure to the Tuscaloosa Marine Shale in central and southeastern Louisiana, which is one of the most prospective emerging oil shale plays in the region and has been actively drilled and tested recently by several operators in the Western Gulf region. In addition to the Eagle Ford Shale and Tuscaloosa Marine Shale plays, there are a number of other active conventional and unconventional plays to which we have exposure to in the region, including the Austin Chalk, Buda, Eaglebine (or Maness) Shale, Frio, Glenrose, Olmos, Woodbine, Vicksburg, Wilcox, and Yegua plays.

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•

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•

Interests by USGS Petroleum Province

The following tables present information about our mineral-and-royalty-interest and non-operated working-interest acreage, production, and well count by basin. We may own more than one type of interest in the same tract of land. For example, where we have acquired working interests through our working-interest participation program in a given tract, our working-interest acreage in that tract will relate to the same acres as our mineral-interest acreage in that tract. Consequently, some of the acreage shown for one type of interest below may also be included in the acreage shown for another type of interest. Because of our working-interest participation program, overlap between working-interest acreage and mineral-and-royalty-interest acreage is significant, while overlap between the different types of mineral and royalty interests is not significant.

Mineral Interests

The following table sets forth information about our mineral interests:


	As of December 31, 2014								Average Daily Production (Boe/d) For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
	Acres		Average Ownership Interest(2)			Average Percent Leased(3)
USGS Petroleum Province(1)	Acres		Average Ownership Interest(2)			Average Percent Leased(3)			6:1(4)(5)		20:1(4)(6)
Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins		5,279,494		54.6	%		7.1	%		4,061		1,595
Western Gulf (onshore)		1,543,704		55.7	%		36.3	%		4,099		2,790
Williston Basin		1,111,548		16.8	%		23.8	%		1,989		1,815
Palo Duro Basin		1,010,374		46.7	%		12.8	%		16		13
Permian Basin		695,605		17.9	%		39.8	%		566		472
Eastern Great Basin		599,342		96.8	%		—			–		—
Black Warrior Basin		592,116		54.7	%		2.3	%		41		15
Anadarko Basin		535,767		33.0	%		60.0	%		790		391
Appalachian Basin		490,006		39.6	%		25.0	%		89		32
East Texas Basin		406,294		56.1	%		31.8	%		793		271
Arkoma Basin		331,168		54.2	%		26.4	%		1,646		505
Western Great Basin		308,258		88.9	%		—			—		—
Piedmont		179,964		67.6	%		—			—		—
North-Central Montana		151,113		14.7	%		16.3	%		7		4
Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin		138,178		20.5	%		31.1	%		252		92
Atlantic Coastal Plain		117,326		12.2	%		—			—		—
Cherokee Platform		106,567		13.8	%		29.4	%		46		31
Illinois Basin		79,096		53.7	%		6.0	%		1		1
Powder River Basin		66,415		11.1	%		15.1	%		3		2
Uinta-Piceance Basin		63,408		3.2	%		29.3	%		6		5
Other		695,781		35.2	%		14.0	%		312		155

Total		14,501,524		48.1	%		17.3	%		14,716		8,189

Note:

Numbers may not add up to total amounts due to rounding.

(1)	The basins and regions shown in the table are consistent with USGS petroleum-province delineations.

(2)

Ownership interest is equal to the percentage that our undivided ownership interest in a tract bears to the entire tract. The per-basin average ownership interest shown reflects the weighted average of our ownership interests in all tracts in the basin. Our weighted-average mineral royalty for all of our mineral interests is approximately 20%, which may be multiplied by our ownership interest to approximate the average royalty interest in our mineral and royalty interests.

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(3)	The average percent leased reflects the weighted average of our leased acres relative to our total acreage on a tract-by-tract basis in the basin.

(4)	Production volumes represent actual production plus allocated accrued volumes attributable to the period presented.

(5)	“Btu-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas.

(6)

“Value-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of 20 Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is the conversion factor we use in our business. We are providing this measure supplementally because we believe this conversion factor represents an estimation of value equivalence over time and better correlates with the respective contribution of oil and natural gas to our revenues. We use the 20-to-1 conversion factor as we assess our business, including analysis of our financial and production performance, strategic decisions to purchase additional properties or to invest in working-interest wells, and budgeting. We do not adjust the 20-to-1 ratio to reflect current pricing, because the significant volatility in the conversion ratio makes it difficult for us to compare results across periods. By reviewing our aggregate production on a constant 20-to-1 basis, which removes the variability of price fluctuations but generally approximates price equivalence over recent periods, we are able to compare production data from period to period as well as the relative contribution of oil and natural gas to our revenues. The 20-to-1 conversion factor approximates the mean ratio of the price of WTI oil to the price of Henry Hub natural gas from January 3, 2006 to December 31, 2014, as reported by the EIA. During this period, the ratio of the price of oil to the price of natural gas ranged from 5.6 to 56.9. The mean ratios of the price of oil to the price of natural gas were 26.5 and 21.6 for the year ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Due to the variability of the prices of oil and natural gas, there is no standard conversion ratio for value equivalence, and the 20-to-1 ratio presented here may not accurately reflect the ratio of oil prices to natural gas prices for a given period.

NPRIs

The following table sets forth information about our NPRIs:


	As of								Average Daily Production (Boe/d) For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
	December 31, 2014
USGS Petroleum Province(1)	Acres		Average Royalty Interest(2)			Average Percent Leased(3)			6:1(4)(5)		20:1(4)(6)
Permian Basin		545,414		3.4	%		21.6	%		11		9
Western Gulf (onshore)		180,901		5.2	%		35.6	%		14		9
North-Central Montana		127,307		3.0	%		8.2	%		–		–
Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins		111,787		6.8	%		24.6	%		<1		<1
Williston Basin		61,094		2.6	%		29.1	%		64		55
Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin		52,208		4.1	%		7.1	%		3		1
East Texas Basin		40,584		2.8	%		77.2	%		2		1
Powder River Basin		32,424		6.3	%		4.2	%		–		–
Palo Duro Basin		22,791		3.8	%		1.7	%		–		–
Anadarko Basin		10,628		4.4	%		94.0	%		2		1
Cambridge Arch-Central Kansas Uplift		8,583		5.7	%		83.1	%		–		–
Montana Thrust Belt		6,474		3.2	%		14.7	%		–		–
Southwest Montana		6,307		5.3	%		5.1	%		–		–
Arkoma Basin		5,170		4.5	%		71.6	%		–		–
Cherokee Platform		2,634		4.6	%		30.4	%		–		–
Nemaha Uplift		2,334		1.6	%		41.4	%		–		–
Sedgwick Basin		1,530		3.1	%		78.4	%		–		–
Southwestern Wyoming		560		1.0	%		–			–		–
Denver Basin		480		9.1	%		–			–		–
Appalachian Basin		416		8.9	%		6.0	%		–		–
Other		373		2.0	%		12.1	%		151		151

Total		1,219,999		4.0	%		24.6	%		247		229

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Note: Numbers may not add up to total amounts due to rounding.

(1)	The basins and regions shown in the table are consistent with USGS petroleum-province delineations.

(2)	Average royalty interest is equal to the weighted-average percentage of production or revenues (before operating costs) that we are entitled to on a tract-by-tract basis in the basin.

(3)	The average percent leased reflects the weighted average of our leased acres relative to our total acreage on a tract-by-tract basis in the basin.

(4)	Production volumes represent actual production plus allocated accrued volumes attributable to the period presented.

(5)	“Btu-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas.

(6)

“Value-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of 20 Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is the conversion factor we use in our business. For a discussion of the 20-to-1 conversion factor, please see footnote 6 to the Mineral Interests table on page 105 under “—Interests by USGS Petroleum Province.”

ORRIs

The following table sets forth information about our ORRIs:


	As of December 31, 2014					Average Daily Production (Boe/d) For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
USGS Petroleum Province(1)	Acres		Average Royalty Interest(2)			6:1(3)(4)		20:1(3)(5)
North-Central Montana		459,325		2.4	%		36		11
Anadarko Basin		181,401		2.6	%		253		113
Western Gulf (onshore)		85,501		2.6	%		166		137
Powder River Basin		74,794		1.5	%		50		20
Southwestern Wyoming		70,607		2.1	%		530		165
Permian Basin		59,757		1.8	%		60		43
Michigan Basin		58,017		1.0	%		21		10
Uinta-Piceance Basin		55,684		1.6	%		32		17
Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin		41,072		4.5	%		166		51
Arkoma Basin		36,109		2.3	%		23		7
Williston Basin		30,645		2.1	%		54		51
East Texas Basin		30,610		5.0	%		100		32
San Juan Basin		28,187		1.1	%		3		1
Paradox Basin		23,296		0.6	%		2		1
Northern Alaska		20,039		1.7	%		27		27
Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins		19,373		3.7	%		903		277
Wind River Basin		17,806		1.9	%		31		11
Denver Basin		16,580		2.6	%		91		53
Wyoming Thrust Belt		8,720		1.2	%		5		2
Cambridge Arch-Central Kansas Uplift		5,762		3.8	%		4		4
Other		29,862		2.3	%		880		317

Total		1,353,145		2.3	%		3,436		1,351

Note: Numbers may not add up to total amounts due to rounding.

(1)	The basins and regions shown in the table are consistent with USGS petroleum-province delineations.

(2)	Average royalty interest is equal to the weighted-average percentage of production or revenues (before operating costs) that we are entitled to on a tract-by-tract basis in the basin.

(3)	Production volumes represent actual production plus allocated accrued volumes attributable to the period presented.

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(4)	“Btu-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas.

(5)

“Value-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of 20 Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is the conversion factor we use in our business. For a discussion of the 20-to-1 conversion factor, please see footnote 6 to the Mineral Interests table on page 105 under “—Interests by USGS Petroleum Province.”

Working Interests

The following table sets forth information about our non-operated working interests:


	As of				Average Daily Production (Boe/d)
	December 31, 2014				For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
USGS Petroleum Province(1)	Gross Acres(2)		Net Acres(2)		6:1(3)(4)		20:1(3)(5)
East Texas Basin		138,519		35,520		1,564		500
Western Gulf (onshore)		117,049		17,694		786		425
Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin		61,650		11,369		129		39
Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins		55,409		7,231		2,077		668
Williston Basin		53,090		7,488		1,386		1,299
Anadarko Basin		31,667		21,404		1,402		597
Southwestern Wyoming		15,458		2,492		6		2
Michigan Basin		13,287		1,330		6		2
Powder River Basin		11,507		2,535		121		113
Arkoma Basin		8,953		2,408		360		108
Permian Basin		8,433		5,054		204		140
Denver Basin		4,286		1,037		4		4
Wyoming Thrust Belt		3,979		3,366		–		–
San Juan Basin		3,442		1,575		9		3
North-Central Montana		2,080		605		1		<1
Wind River Basin		2,000		935		–		–
Big Horn Basin		1,160		1,160		–		–
Paradox Basin		520		280		5		2
Cherokee Platform		393		163		9		7
Southern Oklahoma		390		92		141		70
Other		530		96		109		78

Total		533,802		123,834		8,319		4,056

Note:

Numbers may not add up to total amounts due to rounding.

(1)	The basins and regions shown in the table are consistent with USGS petroleum-province delineations.

(2)	Excludes acreage that is not quantifiable due to incomplete seller records.

(3)	Production volumes represent actual production plus allocated accrued volumes attributable to the period presented.

(4)	“Btu-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas.

(5)

“Value-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of 20 Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is the conversion factor we use in our business. For a discussion of the 20-to-1 conversion factor, please see footnote 6 to the Mineral Interests table on page 105 under “—Interests by USGS Petroleum Province.”

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Wells

The following table sets forth information about our mineral-and-royalty-interest and working-interest wells as of December 31, 2014:


Mineral and Royalty Interests			Working Interests
USGS Petroleum Province(1)	Well Count(2)		USGS Petroleum Province(1)	Well Count(2)
Permian Basin		17,737	Anadarko Basin		3,030
Anadarko Basin		3,459	Uinta-Piceance Basin		1,037
Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins		2,395	Permian Basin		823
Western Gulf (onshore)		2,317	Arkoma Basin		691
East Texas Basin		2,272	Southern Oklahoma Basins		683
Williston Basin		2,255	East Texas Basin		584
Arkoma Basin		1,514	Western Gulf (onshore)		582
Uinta-Piceance Basin		1,294	Louisiana-Mississippi Salt Basins		474
Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin		1,196	Williston Basin		471
Michigan Basin		953	Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin		303
Southwestern Wyoming		694	Nemaha Uplift		200
Southern Oklahoma Basins		652	Appalachian Basin		153
Appalachian Basin		556	Powder River Basin		80
Cherokee Platform		529	Michigan Basin		62
San Juan Basin		510	Cherokee Platform		16
North-Central Montana		483	Santa Maria Basin		9
San Joaquin Basin		459	North-Central Montana		7
Powder River Basin		444	Paradox Basin		7
Nemaha Uplift		434	Black Warrior Basin		6
Wyoming Thrust Belt		369	Denver Basin		5
Other		1,417	Other		9

Total		41,939	Total		9,232

(1)	The basins and regions shown in the table are consistent with USGS petroleum-province delineations.

(2)	We own both mineral and royalty interests and working interests in 3,218 of the wells shown in each column above.

Interests by Resource Play

The following tables present information about our mineral-and-royalty-interest and non-operated working-interest acreage, production, and well count by resource play. As with the acreage shown for the basins above, we may own more than one type of interest in the same tract of land. Consequently, some of the acreage shown for one type of interest below may also be included in the acreage shown for another type of interest.

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Mineral Interests

The following table sets forth information about our mineral interests:


	As of December 31, 2014								Average Daily Production (Boe/d) For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Resource Play(1)	Acres		Average Ownership Percent(2)			Average Percent Leased(3)			6:1(4)(5)		20:1(4)(6)
Bakken Shale		304,875		18.3	%		73.4	%		1,275		1,161
Three Forks		291,697		18.0	%		74.9	%		626		569
Haynesville Shale		269,824		68.8	%		67.2	%		3,152		954
Marcellus Shale		249,567		18.1	%		44.6	%		74		23
Canyon Lime		219,158		30.7	%		46.3	%		1		1
Bossier Shale		204,742		70.4	%		73.7	%		548		165
Tuscaloosa Marine Shale		178,756		64.6	%		66.9	%		6		6
Granite Wash		100,883		15.1	%		56.7	%		241		107
Fayetteville Shale		72,901		56.0	%		77.9	%		1,529		459
Barnett Shale		62,178		15.6	%		56.0	%		228		71
Eagle Ford Shale		47,736		18.4	%		81.6	%		1,595		1,347
Wolfcamp-Delaware		33,895		20.4	%		73.7	%		132		120
Wolfcamp-Midland		57,774		4.2	%		87.8	%		27		23

(1)	The plays above have been delineated based on information from the EIA, the USGS, state agencies, or according to areas of the most active industry development.

(2)

Ownership interest is equal to the percentage that our undivided ownership interest in a tract bears to the entire tract. The per-play average ownership interests shown above reflect the weighted average of our ownership interests in all tracts in the play. Our weighted-average mineral royalty for all of our mineral interests is approximately 20%, which may be multiplied by our ownership interest to approximate the average royalty interest in our mineral and royalty interests.

(3)	The average percent leased reflects the weighted average of our leased acres relative to our total acreage on a tract-by-tract basis in the play.

(4)	Production volumes represent actual production plus allocated accrued volumes attributable to the period presented.

(5)	“Btu-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas.

(6)

“Value-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of 20 Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is the conversion factor we use in our business. For a discussion of the 20-to-1 conversion factor, please see footnote 6 to the Mineral Interests table on page 105 under “—Interests by USGS Petroleum Province.”

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NPRIs

The following table sets forth information about our NPRIs:


	As of December 31, 2014								Average Daily Production (Boe/d) For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Resource Play(1)	Acres		Average Royalty Interest(2)			Average Percent Leased(3)			6:1(4)(5)		20:1(4)(6)
Bakken Shale		35,621		1.4	%		45.6	%		37		31
Three Forks		32,802		1.3	%		48.7	%		27		24
Haynesville Shale		7,123		4.2	%		97.1	%		—		—
Marcellus Shale		—		—			NA			—		—
Canyon Lime		—		—			NA			—		—
Bossier Shale		2,096		2.7	%		60.2	%		—		—
Tuscaloosa Marine Shale		4,081		2.1	%		47.1	%		—		—
Granite Wash		4,042		0.9	%		100.0	%		<1		<1
Fayetteville Shale		—		—			NA			–		–
Barnett Shale		4,004		2.8	%		86.3	%		2		1
Eagle Ford Shale		85,864		1.5	%		26.8	%		7		6
Wolfcamp-Delaware		11,785		4.1	%		42.4	%		2		2
Wolfcamp-Midland		46,720		2.0	%		43.2	%		5		5

(1)	The plays above have been delineated based on information from the EIA, the USGS, state agencies, or according to areas of the most active industry development.

(2)	Average royalty interest is equal to the weighted-average percentage of production or revenues (before operating costs) that we are entitled to on a tract-by-tract basis for the given area.

(3)	The average percent leased reflects the weighted average of our leased acres relative to our total acreage on a tract-by-tract basis in the play.

(4)	Production volumes represent actual production plus allocated accrued volumes attributable to the period presented.

(5)	“Btu-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas.

(6)

“Value-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of 20 Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is the conversion factor we use in our business. For a discussion of the 20-to-1 conversion factor, please see footnote 6 to the Mineral Interests table on page 105 under “—Interests by USGS Petroleum Province.”

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ORRIs

The following table sets forth information about our ORRIs:


	As of December 31, 2014					Average Daily Production(Boe/d) For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Resource Play(1)	Acres		Average Royalty Interest(2)			6:1(3)(4)		20:1(3)(5)
Bakken Shale		12,610		1.2	%		27		25
Three Forks		11,930		1.2	%		18		17
Haynesville Shale		14,842		7.5	%		816		245
Marcellus Shale		1,002		7.0	%		—		—
Canyon Lime		—		—			—		—
Bossier Shale		8,814		4.6	%		60		18
Tuscaloosa Marine Shale		6,489		9.7	%		<1		<1
Granite Wash		87,516		1.9	%		191		87
Fayetteville Shale		11,833		4.0	%		—		—
Barnett Shale		37,837		4.7	%		163		50
Eagle Ford Shale		46,927		2.2	%		96		91
Wolfcamp-Delaware		1,080		0.7	%		—		—
Wolfcamp-Midland		15,609		0.8	%		3		2

(1)	The plays above have been delineated based on information from the EIA, the USGS, state agencies, or according to areas of the most active industry development.

(2)	Average royalty interest is equal to the weighted-average percentage of production or revenues (before operating costs) that we are entitled to on a tract-by-tract basis in this play.

(3)	Production volumes represent actual production plus allocated accrued volumes attributable to the period presented.

(4)	“Btu-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas.

(5)

“Value-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of 20 Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is the conversion factor we use in our business. For a discussion of the 20-to-1 conversion factor, please see footnote 6 to the Mineral Interests table on page 105 under “—Interests by USGS Petroleum Province.”

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Working Interests

The following table sets forth information about our working interests.


	As of December 31, 2014				Average Daily Production (Boe/d) For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Resource Play(1)	Gross Acres(2)		Net Acres(2)		6:1(3)(4)		20:1(3)(5)
Bakken Shale		48,515		6,852		855		801
Three Forks		48,717		6,479		491		460
Haynesville Shale		174,293		40,440		3,136		941
Marcellus Shale		—		—		—		—
Canyon Lime		—		—		—		—
Bossier Shale		136,964		33,433		199		60
Tuscaloosa Marine Shale		—		—		—		—
Granite Wash		5,194		1,364		647		257
Fayetteville Shale		—		—		—		—
Barnett Shale		20,985		7,596		124		37
Eagle Ford Shale		235		118		—		—
Wolfcamp-Delaware		642		160		33		30
Wolfcamp-Midland		160		4		1		1

(1)	The plays above have been delineated based on information from the EIA, the USGS, state agencies, or according to areas of the most active industry development.

(2)	Excludes acreage that is not quantifiable due to incomplete seller records.

(3)	Production volumes represent actual production plus allocated accrued volumes attributable to the period presented.

(4)	“Btu-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas.

(5)

“Value-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of 20 Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is the conversion factor we use in our business. For a discussion of the 20-to-1 conversion factor, please see footnote 6 to the Mineral Interests table on page 105 under “—Interests by USGS Petroleum Province.”

Estimated Proved Reserves

Evaluation and Review of Estimated Proved Reserves

The information included in this prospectus relating to our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves is based upon (1) a reserve report prepared by Pressler, a third-party petroleum engineering firm, as of December 31, 2013 and (2) a reserve report prepared by NSAI, a third-party petroleum engineering firm, as of December 31, 2014.

Pressler provides domestic petroleum property analysis services for energy clients, financial organizations, and government agencies. Pressler was founded in 1991 and performs petroleum-engineering consulting services under Texas Board of Professional Engineers Firm (Registration No. 7807). Within Pressler, the technical person primarily responsible for preparing the estimates set forth in the Pressler summary reserve report incorporated herein is Mr. Jim R. McReynolds, P.E. Mr. McReynolds has been practicing petroleum-engineering consulting at Pressler since 1993. Mr. McReynolds is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas (Registration No. 73027) and has over 35 years of practical experience in petroleum engineering, the vast majority of which is in the estimation and evaluation of reserves. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Petroleum Engineering. As technical principal, Mr. McReynolds meets or exceeds the education, training, and experience requirements set forth in the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and is

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proficient in applying industry standard practices to engineering evaluations as well as in applying SEC and other industry reserves definitions and guidelines. A copy of Pressler’s estimated proved reserve report as of December 31, 2013 is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

NSAI provides worldwide petroleum property analysis services for energy clients, financial organizations, and government agencies. NSAI was founded in 1961 and performs consulting petroleum engineering services under Texas Board of Professional Engineers Registration No. F-2699. Within NSAI, the technical person primarily responsible for preparing the estimates set forth in the NSAI summary reserve report incorporated herein is Mr. J. Carter Henson, Jr. Mr. Henson has been practicing consulting petroleum engineering at NSAI since 1989. Mr. Henson is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas (License No. 73964) and has over 31 years of practical experience in petroleum engineering, with over 24 years of experience in the estimation and evaluation of reserves. He graduated from Rice University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. As technical principal, Mr. Henson meets or exceeds the education, training, and experience requirements set forth in the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers and is proficient in judiciously applying industry standard practices to engineering evaluations as well as applying SEC and other industry reserves definitions and guidelines. NSAI does not own an interest in us or any of our properties, nor is it employed by us on a contingent basis. A copy of NSAI’s estimated proved reserve report as of December 31, 2014 is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement to which this prospectus forms a part.

We maintain an internal staff of petroleum engineers and geoscience professionals who worked closely with our third-party reserve engineers to ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of the data used to calculate our estimated proved reserves. Our internal technical team members met with our third-party reserve engineers periodically during the periods covered by the above referenced reserve report to discuss the assumptions and methods used in the reserve estimation process. We provided historical information to the third-party reserve engineers for our properties, such as oil and natural gas production, well test data, realized commodity prices, and operating and development costs. We also provided ownership interest information with respect to our properties. Brock Morris, our Senior Vice President, Engineering and Geology, is primarily responsible for overseeing the preparation of all of our reserve estimates. Mr. Morris is a petroleum engineer with approximately 29 years of reservoir-engineering and operations experience, and our engineering and geoscience staff has an average of approximately 22 years of industry experience.

The preparation of our historical proved reserve estimates were completed in accordance with our internal control procedures. Throughout the year, our technical team met with Pressler and NSAI to review properties and discuss evaluation methods and assumptions used in the proved reserves estimates, in accordance with our prescribed internal control procedures. Our internal controls over the reserves estimation process include verification of input data used in the reserves evaluation software as well as reviews by our internal engineering staff and management, which include the following:

•

Comparison of historical operating expenses from the lease operating statements to the operating costs input in the reserves database;

•

Review of working interests and net revenue interests in the reserves database against our well ownership system;

•

Review of historical realized commodity prices and differentials from index prices compared to the differentials used in the reserves database;

•

Review of capital costs assumptions to actual historical capital costs;

•

Review of actual historical production volumes compared to projections in the reserve report;

•

Discussion of material reserve variances among our internal reservoir engineers and our Senior Vice President, Engineering and Geology; and

•

Review of preliminary reserve estimates by our President and Chief Executive Officer with our internal technical staff.

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Estimation of Proved Reserves

In accordance with rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to companies involved in oil and natural gas producing activities, proved reserves are those quantities of oil and natural gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations. The term “reasonable certainty” means deterministically, the quantities of oil and/or natural gas are much more likely to be achieved than not, and probabilistically, there should be at least a 90% probability of recovering volumes equal to or exceeding the estimate. All of our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2014 are based on deterministic methods. Reasonable certainty can be established using techniques that have been proved effective by actual production from projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir or by using reliable technology. Reliable technology is a grouping of one or more technologies (including computational methods) that has been field tested and has been demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation.

In order to establish reasonable certainty with respect to our estimated net proved reserves, Pressler and NSAI employed technologies including, but not limited to, electrical logs, radioactivity logs, core analyses, geologic maps, and available down hole pressure and production data, seismic data, and well test data. Reserves attributable to producing wells with sufficient production history were estimated using appropriate decline curves or other performance relationships. Reserves attributable to producing wells with limited production history and for undeveloped locations were estimated using performance from analogous wells in the surrounding area and geologic data to assess the reservoir continuity. In addition to assessing reservoir continuity, geologic data from well logs, core analyses, and seismic data were used to estimate original oil and natural gas in place. Recovery factors were determined utilizing reservoir simulation or analogy with similar reservoirs where similar drilling and completion techniques have been employed.

Summary of Estimated Proved Reserves

The following table presents our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 2014:


	December 31, 2014(1)
	(unaudited)
Estimated proved developed reserves(2):
Oil (MBbls)		16,700
Natural gas (MMcf)		202,888
Total (MBoe)(3)		50,514
Estimated proved undeveloped reserves(4):
Oil (MBbls)		367
Natural gas (MMcf)		1,368
Total (MBoe)(3)		595
Estimated proved reserves:
Oil (MBbls)		17,067
Natural gas (MMcf)		204,256
Total (MBoe)(3)		51,109
Percent proved developed		98.8	%

(1)

Estimates of reserves as of December 31, 2014 were prepared using oil and natural gas prices equal to the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month market price for each month in the period January through December 2014. For oil volumes, the average WTI Cushing, Oklahoma spot oil prices of $94.99 per barrel is used for estimates of reserves for all the properties as of December 31, 2014. These average prices are adjusted for quality, transportation fees, and market differentials. For natural gas volumes, the average Henry Hub prices of $4.35 per MMBTU is used for estimates of reserves for all the properties as of December 31, 2014. These average prices are adjusted for energy content, transportation fees, and market differentials. Natural gas prices are also adjusted to account for NGL revenue since

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there is not sufficient data to account for NGLs separately in the reserve estimates. These reserve estimates exclude NGL quantities. When taking these adjustments into account, the average adjusted gas price weighted by production over the remaining lives of the properties is $4.67 per Mcf. Reserve estimates do not include any value for probable or possible reserves that may exist, nor do they include any value for undeveloped acreage. The reserve estimates represent our net revenue interest in our properties. Although we believe these estimates are reasonable, actual future production, cash flows, taxes, development expenditures, operating expenses, and quantities of recoverable oil and natural gas may vary substantially from these estimates.

(2)	Proved developed reserves of 87 MBoe as of December 31, 2014 were attributable to noncontrolling interests in our consolidated subsidiaries.

(3)

Estimated proved reserves are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion of six Mcf per barrel of “oil equivalent.” This conversion is based on energy equivalence and not price or value equivalence. If a price equivalent conversion based on the twelve-month average prices for the year ended December 31, 2014 was used, the conversion factor would be approximately 22 Mcf per Bbl of oil. In this prospectus, we supplementally provide “value-equivalent” production information or volumes presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of 20 Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is the conversion factor we use in our business. For a discussion of the 20-to-1 conversion factor, please see footnote 6 to the Mineral Interests table on page 105 under “—Interests by USGS Petroleum Province.”

(4)	As of December 31, 2014, no proved undeveloped reserves were attributable to noncontrolling interests in our consolidated subsidiaries.

Reserve engineering is and must be recognized as a subjective process of estimating volumes of economically recoverable oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation. As a result, the estimates of different engineers often vary. In addition, the results of drilling, testing, and production may justify revisions of such estimates. Accordingly, reserve estimates often differ from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered. Estimates of economically recoverable oil and natural gas and of future net revenues are based on a number of variables and assumptions, all of which may vary from actual results, including geologic interpretation, prices, and future production rates and costs. Please read “Risk Factors.”

Additional information regarding our estimated proved reserves can be found in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of BSMC included elsewhere in this prospectus and the estimated proved reserve reports as of December 31, 2014, which is included as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

Estimated Proved Undeveloped Reserves

As of December 31, 2014, our PUDs were composed of 367 MBbls of oil and 1,368 MMcf of natural gas, for a total of 595 MBoe. PUDs will be converted from undeveloped to developed as the applicable wells begin production.

The following tables summarize our changes in PUDs during the year ended December 31, 2014 (in MBoe):


	Proved Undeveloped Reserves(1)
	(unaudited)
Balance, December 31, 2013		2,856
Acquisitions of reserves		575
Extensions and discoveries		417
Revisions of previous estimates		(263	)
Transfers to estimated proved developed		(2,990	)

Balance, December 31, 2014		595

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(1)

Extensions and discoveries of 417 MBoe during the year ended December 31, 2014 resulted primarily from drilling and capital expenditures in the Bakken/Three Forks, Granite Wash, and other plays.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we acquired additional working interests in natural gas properties in the Haynesville Shale play in San Augustine County, Texas, which included two drilling locations with estimated PUD reserves totaling 575 MBoe. Both wells began producing in November 2014.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we had total downward reserve estimate revisions of previous estimates of 263 MBoe, which were made up of 543 MMcf of natural gas reserve estimate revisions and 172 MBbl of oil reserve estimate revisions. Reductions of 33 MBoe related to wells removed from PUD status as a result of stale permits or updated operator information. 100 MBoe of revisions were technical revisions of estimated PUDs by NSAI in connection with the preparation of its December 31, 2014 reserve report, the majority of which related to revised reserve estimates on five Bakken/Three Forks wells and one Haynesville Shale well. Reductions of 130 MBoe related to corrections to reserve bookings for seven wells in the December 31, 2013 reserve report occurred during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Costs incurred relating to the development of locations that were classified as PUDs at December 31, 2013 were $12.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2014. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2014, we spent approximately $55.5 million drilling and completing other infill wells which were not classified as PUDs as of December 31, 2013. Estimated future development costs relating to the development of PUDs at December 31, 2014 were projected to be approximately $11.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2015. As we continue to participate in new wells on our properties and have more well production and completion data, we believe we will continue to realize cost savings and experience lower relative drilling and completion costs as we convert PUDs into proved developed reserves in upcoming years. All of our PUD drilling locations as of December 31, 2014 are scheduled to be drilled within five years or less from the date the reserves were initially booked as proved undeveloped reserves.

We generally do not have evidence of approval of our operators’ development plans. As a result, our proved undeveloped reserve estimates are limited to those relatively few locations for which we have received and approved an AFE. As of December 31, 2014, approximately 1.2% of our total proved reserves were classified as PUDs.

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Oil and Natural Gas Production Prices and Production Costs

Production and Price History

The following table sets forth information regarding production of oil and natural gas and certain price and cost information for each of the periods indicated:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
Production Data:
Oil and condensate (MBbls)(1)		3,005		2,626
Natural gas(MMcf)(1)		42,273		45,400

Total (MBoe)(6:1)(2)		10,051		10,193
Average daily production (MBoe/d)(6:1)		27.5		27.9

Total (MBoe)(20:1)(3)		5,119		4,896
Average daily production (MBoe/d)(20:1)		14.0		13.4
Average Realized Sale Prices(4):
Oil and condensate (per Bbl)	$	85.65	$	96.25
Natural gas and natural gas liquids (per Mcf)(1)		4.91		4.06
Average Unit Cost per Boe(6:1):
Lease operating expense and other	$	2.32	$	2.09
Production and ad valorem taxes		4.93		4.19
Total (per Boe)	$	7.25	$	6.28

(1)

As a mineral-and-royalty interest owner, we are often provided insufficient and inconsistent data by our operators. As a result, we are unable to reliably determine the total volumes of NGLs associated with the production of natural gas on our acreage. As such, the realized prices account for all sales attributable to NGLs. The oil and condensate production volumes and natural gas production volumes do not include NGL volumes.

(2)	“Btu-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of six Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is based on approximate energy equivalency and does not reflect the price or value relationship between oil and natural gas.

(3)

“Value-equivalent” production volumes are presented on an oil-equivalent basis using a conversion factor of 20 Mcf of natural gas per barrel of “oil equivalent,” which is the conversion factor we use in our business. For a discussion of the 20-to-1 conversion factor, please see footnote 6 to the Mineral Interests table on page 105 under “—Interests by USGS Petroleum Province.”

(4)	Excludes the effect of commodity derivative instruments.

Productive Wells

Productive wells consist of producing wells, wells capable of production, and exploratory, development, or extension wells that are not dry wells. As of December 31, 2014, we owned mineral and royalty interests or working interests in 47,953 productive wells, which consisted of 28,426 oil wells and 19,527 natural gas wells. As of December 31, 2014, we owned mineral and royalty interests in 41,939 productive wells, which consisted of 27,401 oil wells and 14,538 natural gas wells, and working interests in 9,232 gross productive wells and 265 net productive wells, which consisted of 3,216 gross (59 net) productive oil wells and 6,016 gross (206 net) productive natural gas wells. We own both mineral and royalty interests and working interests in 3,218 of these wells.

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Acreage

Mineral and Royalty Interests

The following table sets forth information relating to our acreage for our mineral interests as of December 31, 2014:


State	Developed Acreage		Undeveloped Acreage		Total Acreage
Texas		329,757		3,522,131		3,851,888
Mississippi		5,996		2,321,034		2,327,030
Alabama		2,792		2,026,058		2,028,850
Arkansas		4,887		1,188,436		1,193,323
North Dakota		15,392		851,453		866,845
Nevada		—		792,208		792,208
Florida		—		695,035		695,035
Louisiana		35,394		500,399		535,793
Oklahoma		121,251		348,614		469,865
Montana		20,765		408,373		429,138
Other		82,281		1,229,268		1,311,549

Total		618,514		13,883,010		14,501,524

Note: Numbers may not add up to total amounts due to rounding.

The following table sets forth information relating to our acreage for our NPRIs as of December 31, 2014:


State	Developed Acreage		Undeveloped Acreage		Total Acreage
Texas		196,266		630,478		826,744
Montana		12,324		166,966		179,290
Louisiana		11,148		43,748		54,896
Mississippi		10,045		33,509		43,554
North Dakota		16,451		19,665		36,116
Arkansas		3,974		15,286		19,260
Wyoming		1,360		16,840		18,200
New Mexico		14,129		1,120		15,249
Oklahoma		7,069		4,828		11,897
Kansas		8,721		2,663		11,384
Other		367		3,041		3,408

Total		281,855		938,144		1,219,999

Note: Numbers may not add up to total amounts due to rounding.

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The following table sets forth information relating to our acreage for our ORRIs as of December 31, 2014:


State	Developed Acreage		Undeveloped Acreage		Total Acreage
Montana		296,489		165,676		462,165
Texas		230,520		3,714		234,234
Wyoming		136,279		35,671		171,950
Oklahoma		155,110		—		155,110
Utah		41,790		28,149		69,939
Michigan		57,098		919		58,017
New Mexico		46,631		1,847		48,478
Colorado		28,528		5,111		33,639
Louisiana		15,385		7,217		22,602
Kansas		19,554		921		20,475
Other		53,985		22,551		76,536

Total		1,081,369		271,776		1,353,145

Note: Numbers may not add up to total amounts due to rounding.

Working Interests

The following table sets forth information relating to our acreage for our working interests as of December 31, 2014:


State	Developed Acreage				Undeveloped Acreage				Total Acreage
State	Gross		Net		Gross		Net		Gross		Net
Texas		177,959		44,417		163,421		35,508		341,380		79,925
Louisiana		31,184		4,085		18,587		2,021		49,771		6,106
North Dakota		40,440		5,915		8,849		977		49,289		6,892
Wyoming		22,342		4,207		11,443		5,961		33,785		10,168
Michigan		13,208		1,330		79		—		13,287		1,330
Oklahoma		11,463		3,073		155		33		11,618		3,106
Kansas		6,480		6,213		921		—		7,401		6,213
Colorado		7,088		2,599		202		50		7,290		2,649
New Mexico		6,198		3,926		520		98		6,718		4,024
South Dakota		2,160		504		880		55		3,040		559
Other		6,606		2,038		3,617		824		10,223		2,862

Total		325,128		78,305		208,674		45,528		533,802		123,834

Note: Numbers may not add up to total amounts due to rounding.

The following table lists the net undeveloped acres, the net acres expiring in the years ending December 31, 2015, 2016, and 2017, and, where applicable, the net acres expiring that are subject to extension options:


	2017 Expirations				2016 Expirations				2015 Expirations
Net Undeveloped Acreage	Net Acreage without Ext. Opt.		Net Acreage with Ext. Opt.		Net Acreage without Ext. Opt.		Net Acreage with Ext. Opt.		Net Acreage without Ext. Opt.		Net Acreage with Ext. Opt.
45,528		1,800		75		7,426		202		4,584		521

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Drilling Results for Our Working Interests

The following table sets forth information with respect to the number of wells completed on our properties during the periods indicated. The information should not be considered indicative of future performance, nor should it be assumed that there is necessarily any correlation among the number of productive wells drilled, the quantities of reserves found, and the economic value. Productive wells are those that produce commercial quantities of hydrocarbons, whether or not they produce a reasonable rate of return.


	For the Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Gross development wells:
Productive		152.0		192.0		217.0
Dry		—		—		—

Total		152.0		192.0		217.0
Net development wells:
Productive		5.2		7.2		8.1
Dry		—		—		—

Total		5.2		7.2		8.1
Gross exploratory wells:
Productive		1.0		1.0		—
Dry		1.0		—		—

Total		2.0		1.0		—
Net exploratory wells:
Productive		<0.1		0.1		—
Dry		0.1		—		—

Total		0.1		0.1		—

As of December 31, 2014, we had 96 wells in the process of drilling, completing or dewatering, or shut in awaiting infrastructure that are not reflected in the above table.

Environmental Matters

Oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production operations are subject to stringent laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to protection of the environment or occupational health and safety. These laws and regulations have the potential to impact production on our properties, which could materially adversely affect our business and our prospects. Numerous federal, state, and local governmental agencies, such as the EPA, issue regulations that often require difficult and costly compliance measures that carry substantial administrative, civil, and criminal penalties and may result in injunctive obligations for non-compliance. These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of a permit before drilling commences, restrict the types, quantities, and concentrations of various substances that can be released into the environment in connection with drilling and production activities, limit or prohibit construction or drilling activities on certain lands lying within wilderness, wetlands, ecologically sensitive, and other protected areas, require action to prevent, or remediate pollution from current or former operations, such as plugging abandoned wells or closing earthen pits, result in the suspension or revocation of necessary permits, licenses, and authorizations, require that additional pollution controls be installed, and impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from operations. The strict, joint and several liability nature of such laws and regulations could impose liability upon our operators, or us as working-interest owners if the operator fails to perform, regardless of fault. Moreover, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances, hydrocarbons, or other waste products into the environment. Changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and any changes that result in more stringent and costly pollution control or waste handling, storage, transport, disposal, or cleanup requirements could materially adversely affect our business and prospects.

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Waste Handling

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended (“RCRA”), and comparable state statutes and regulations promulgated thereunder, affect oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production activities by imposing requirements regarding the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, and cleanup of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. With federal approval, the individual states administer some or all of the provisions of RCRA, sometimes in conjunction with their own, more stringent requirements. Although most wastes associated with the exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas are exempt from regulation as hazardous wastes under RCRA, these wastes typically constitute “solid wastes” that are subject to less stringent non-hazardous waste requirements. However, it is possible that RCRA could be amended or the EPA or state environmental agencies could adopt policies to require oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production wastes to become subject to more stringent waste handling requirements. Administrative, civil, and criminal penalties can be imposed for failure to comply with waste handling requirements. Any changes in the laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our operators’ capital expenditures and operating expenses, which in turn could affect production from our properties and adversely affect our business and prospects.

Remediation of Hazardous Substances

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), also known as the “Superfund” law, and analogous state laws generally impose strict, joint, and several liability, without regard to fault or legality of the original conduct, on classes of persons who are considered to be responsible for the release of a “hazardous substance” into the environment. These persons include the current owner or operator of a contaminated facility (which can include working-interest owners), a former owner or operator of the facility at the time of contamination and those persons that disposed or arranged for the disposal of the hazardous substance at the facility. Under CERCLA and comparable state statutes, persons deemed “responsible parties” may be subject to strict and joint and several liability for the costs of removing or remediating previously disposed wastes (including wastes disposed of or released by prior owners or operators) or property contamination (including groundwater contamination), for damages to natural resources and for the costs of certain health studies. In addition, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the hazardous substances released into the environment. Oil and natural gas exploration and production activities on our properties use materials that, if released, would be subject to CERCLA and comparable state statutes. Therefore, governmental agencies or third parties may seek to hold our operators, or us as working-interest owners if the operator fails to perform, responsible under CERCLA and comparable state statutes for all or part of the costs to clean-up sites at which these “hazardous substances” have been released.

Water Discharges

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, also known as the “Clean Water Act,” the SDWA, the Oil Pollution Act (“OPA”), and analogous state laws and regulations promulgated thereunder impose restrictions and strict controls regarding the unauthorized discharge of pollutants, including produced waters and other gas and oil wastes, into navigable waters of the United States, as well as state waters. The discharge of pollutants into regulated waters is prohibited, except in accordance with the terms of a permit issued by the EPA or the state. The Clean Water Act and regulations implemented thereunder also prohibit the discharge of dredge and fill material into regulated waters, including jurisdictional wetlands, unless authorized by an appropriately issued permit. In addition, spill prevention, control, and countermeasure plan requirements under federal law require appropriate containment berms and similar structures to help prevent the contamination of navigable waters in the event of a petroleum hydrocarbon tank spill, rupture, or leak. The EPA has also adopted regulations requiring certain oil and natural gas exploration and production facilities to obtain individual permits or coverage under general permits for storm water discharges.

The OPA is the primary federal law for oil spill liability. The OPA contains numerous requirements relating to the prevention of and response to petroleum releases into waters of the United States, including the

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requirement that operators of offshore facilities and certain onshore facilities near or crossing waterways must develop and maintain facility response contingency plans and maintain certain significant levels of financial assurance to cover potential environmental cleanup and restoration costs. The OPA subjects owners of facilities to strict, joint and several liability for all containment and cleanup costs and certain other damages arising from a release, including, but not limited to, the costs of responding to a release of oil into surface waters.

Noncompliance with the Clean Water Act or the OPA may result in substantial administrative, civil, and criminal penalties, as well as injunctive obligations.

Air Emissions

The federal Clean Air Act and comparable state laws and regulations regulate emissions of various air pollutants through the issuance of permits and the imposition of other requirements. The EPA has developed, and continues to develop, stringent regulations governing emissions of air pollutants at specified sources. New facilities may be required to obtain permits before work can begin, and existing facilities may be required to obtain additional permits and incur capital costs in order to remain in compliance. For example, in August 2012, the EPA adopted new regulations under the Clean Air Act that established new emission control requirements for oil and natural gas production and processing operations. These laws and regulations may increase the costs of compliance for oil and natural gas producers and impact production on our properties, and federal and state regulatory agencies can impose administrative, civil, and criminal penalties for non-compliance with air permits or other requirements of the federal Clean Air Act and associated state laws and regulations. Moreover, obtaining or renewing permits has the potential to delay the development of oil and natural gas projects.

Climate Change

In December 2009, the EPA issued an Endangerment Finding that determined that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other GHGs present an endangerment to public health and the environment because, according to the EPA, emissions of these gases contribute to warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes. These findings by the EPA allowed the agency to proceed with the adoption and implementation of regulations that would restrict emissions of GHGs from certain large stationary sources of GHG emissions. Additionally, in September 2009, the EPA issued a final rule requiring the reporting of GHG emissions from specified large GHG emission sources in the U.S., including certain onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production facilities.

In addition, the U.S. Congress has from time to time considered adopting legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs and almost one-half of the states have already taken legal measures to reduce emissions of GHGs primarily through the planned development of GHG emission inventories and/or regional GHG cap and trade programs. Although the U.S. Congress has not adopted this type of legislation at this time, it may do so in the future and many states continue to pursue regulations to reduce GHG emissions. Restrictions on emissions of methane or carbon dioxide that may be imposed in various states could adversely affect the oil and natural gas industry at this time; it is not possible to accurately estimate how potential future laws or regulations addressing greenhouse gas emissions would impact our business.

In addition, there has been public discussion that climate change may be associated with extreme weather conditions such as more intense hurricanes, thunderstorms, tornados, and snow or ice storms, as well as rising sea levels. Another possible consequence of climate change is increased volatility in seasonal temperatures. Some studies indicate that climate change could cause some areas to experience temperatures substantially colder than their historical averages. Extreme weather conditions can interfere with production on our properties and increase our costs. Moreover, damage resulting from extreme weather may not be fully insured. However, at this time, we are unable to determine the extent to which climate change may lead to increased storm or weather hazards affecting our business.

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Hydraulic Fracturing

Hydraulic fracturing is an important common practice that is used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons, particularly natural gas, from tight formations, including shales. The process involves the injection of water, sand, and chemicals under pressure into formations to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production. Our operators routinely use hydraulic fracturing. The SDWA regulates the underground injection of substances through the UIC program. Hydraulic fracturing generally is exempt from regulation under the UIC program, and the hydraulic-fracturing process is typically regulated by state oil and natural gas commissions. The EPA, however, has recently taken the position that hydraulic fracturing with fluids containing diesel fuel is subject to regulation under the UIC program, and issued guidance in February 2014 for hydraulic-fracturing activities involving the use of diesel. Additional regulatory actions taken by the EPA include: (i) the issuance an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking public comment on the agency’s intent to develop and issue regulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act regarding the disclosure of information related to the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing; (ii) announcing its intent to develop effluent limitations for the treatment and discharge of wastewater resulting from hydraulic-fracturing activities, expected sometime in 2015; (iii) publishing final rules under the federal Clean Air Act that require companies to employ “green completion” technology to address emissions of volatile organic compounds. Also, the U.S. Department of the Interior published a revised proposed rule on May 24, 2013 that would implement updated requirements for hydraulic-fracturing activities on federal lands, including new requirements relating to public disclosure, well bore integrity, and handling of flowback water.

Certain governmental reviews also have been conducted or are underway that focus on environmental aspects of hydraulic-fracturing practices. The White House Council on Environmental Quality is coordinating an administration-wide review of hydraulic-fracturing practices. The EPA has commenced a study of the potential environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water and groundwater, expected to be released sometime in 2015. Other governmental agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy, have evaluated or are evaluating various other aspects of hydraulic fracturing. These ongoing or proposed studies, depending on their degree of pursuit and any meaningful results obtained, could spur initiatives to further regulate hydraulic fracturing under the SDWA or other regulatory mechanisms.

Several states have adopted, or are considering adopting, regulations that could restrict or prohibit hydraulic fracturing in certain circumstances and/or require the disclosure of the composition of hydraulic-fracturing fluids. For example, Texas requires oil and natural gas operators to publicly disclose the chemicals used in the hydraulic-fracturing process. Regulations require that well operators disclose the list of chemical ingredients subject to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended (“OSHA”) on an internet website and also file the list of chemicals with the Texas Railroad Commission with the well completion report. The total volume of water used to hydraulically fracture a well must also be disclosed to the public and filed with the Texas Railroad Commission. Furthermore, in May 2013, the Texas Railroad Commission issued a “well integrity rule,” which updates the requirements for drilling, installing pipe, and cementing wells. The rule also includes new testing and reporting requirements, such as (i) the requirement to submit cementing reports after well completion or after cessation of drilling, whichever is later, and (ii) the imposition of additional testing on wells less than 1,000 feet below usable groundwater. The “well integrity rule” took effect in January 2014. In addition, municipalities in Texas, Colorado, and several other states have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, ordinances restricting or prohibiting hydraulic fracturing within their jurisdictions. The widespread adoption of ordinances limiting hydraulic fracturing could adversely affect our business.

There has been increasing public controversy regarding hydraulic fracturing with regard to the use of fracturing fluids, impacts on drinking water supplies, the use of water and the potential for impacts to surface water, groundwater, and the environment generally. A number of lawsuits and enforcement actions have been initiated across the country implicating hydraulic-fracturing practices. If new laws or regulations that significantly restrict hydraulic fracturing are adopted, these laws could make it more difficult or costly to perform fracturing to stimulate production from tight formations. In addition, if hydraulic fracturing is further regulated at the federal or state level, hydraulic-fracturing activities on our properties could become subject to additional

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permitting and financial assurance requirements, more stringent construction specifications, increased monitoring, reporting and recordkeeping obligations, plugging and abandonment requirements, and potential increases in costs. These types of legislative changes could cause us and our operators to incur substantial compliance costs, and compliance or the consequences of any failure to comply could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and our business. At this time, it is not possible to estimate the impact on our business of newly enacted or potential federal or state legislation governing hydraulic fracturing.

Occupational Safety and Health Act

The OSHA and comparable state laws and regulations govern the protection of the health and safety of employees. In addition, OSHA’s hazard communication standard, the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act and implementing regulations, and similar state statutes and regulations require that information be maintained about hazardous materials used or produced in operations on our properties and that this information be provided to employees, state and local government authorities, and citizens.

Endangered Species

The Endangered Species Act (“ESA”) and analogous state laws restrict activities that may affect endangered or threatened species or their habitats. Some of our properties may be located in areas that are or may be designated as habitats for endangered or threatened species, and previously unprotected species may later be designated as threatened or endangered in areas where we hold mineral interests. This could cause our operators to incur increased costs arising from species protection measures, delay the completion of exploration and production activities and/or result in limitations on operating activities that could have an adverse impact on our business.

Title to Properties

Prior to completing an acquisition of oil and natural gas properties, we perform title reviews on high-value tracts. Our title reviews are meant to confirm quantum of oil and natural gas properties acquired, lease status, and royalties as well as encumbrances and other related burdens. Depending on the materiality of properties, we may obtain a title opinion if we believe additional title due diligence is necessary. As a result, title examinations have been obtained on a significant portion of our properties. After an acquisition, we review the assignments from the seller for scrivener’s and other errors and execute and record corrective assignments as necessary.

In addition to our initial title work, our operators conduct a thorough title examination prior to leasing and drilling a well. Should our operators’ title work uncover any title defects, either we or our operators will perform curative work with respect to such defects. Our operators generally will not commence drilling operations on a property until any material title defects on such property have been cured.

We believe that the title to our assets is satisfactory in all material respects. Although title to these properties is subject to encumbrances in some cases, such as customary interests generally retained in connection with the acquisition of real property, customary royalty interests and contract terms and restrictions, liens under operating agreements, liens related to environmental liabilities associated with historical operations, liens for current taxes and other burdens, easements, restrictions, and minor encumbrances customary in the oil and natural gas industry, we believe that none of these liens, restrictions, easements, burdens, and encumbrances will materially detract from the value of these properties or from our interest in these properties or materially interfere with our use of these properties in the operation of our business. In addition, we believe that we have obtained sufficient rights-of-way grants and permits from public authorities and private parties for us to operate our business in all material respects as described in this prospectus.

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Competition

The oil and natural gas business is highly competitive in the exploration for and acquisition of reserves, the acquisition of minerals and oil and natural gas leases and personnel required to find and produce reserves. Many of these companies not only explore for and produce oil and natural gas, but also carry on midstream and refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national, or worldwide basis. Certain of our competitors may possess financial or other resources substantially larger than we possess. Our ability to acquire additional minerals and properties and to discover reserves in the future will be dependent upon our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. Oil and natural gas products compete with other forms of energy available to customers, primarily based on price. These alternate forms of energy include electricity, coal, and fuel oils. Changes in the availability or price of oil and natural gas or other forms of energy, as well as business conditions, conservation, legislation, regulations, and the ability to convert to alternate fuels and other forms of energy may affect the demand for oil and natural gas.

Seasonal Nature of Business

Weather conditions affect the demand for, and prices of, natural gas and can also delay drilling activities, disrupting our overall business plans. Demand for natural gas is typically higher during the winter, resulting in higher natural gas prices for our natural gas production during our first and fourth quarters. Certain natural gas users utilize natural gas storage facilities and purchase some of their anticipated winter requirements during the summer, which can lessen seasonal demand fluctuations. Seasonal weather conditions can limit drilling and producing activities and other oil and natural gas operations in a portion of our operating areas. Due to these seasonal fluctuations, our results of operations for individual quarterly periods may not be indicative of the results that we may realize on an annual basis.

Employees

We are managed and operated by the board of directors and executive officers of our general partner. All of our employees, including our executive officers, are employees of Black Stone Management. As of December 31, 2014, Black Stone Management had 117 full-time employees. None of Black Stone Management’s employees are represented by labor unions or covered by any collective bargaining agreements.

Facilities

Our principal office location is in Houston, Texas and consists of 58,261 square feet of leased space.

Legal Proceedings

Although we may, from time to time, be involved in various legal claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business, we do not believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

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MANAGEMENT

Management

We are managed and operated by the board of directors and executive officers of our general partner, the latter of whom are employed by Black Stone Management, our administrative manager and wholly owned subsidiary. The executive officers of our general partner will manage the day-to-day affairs of our business.

Upon the closing of this offering, we expect that the board of directors of our general partner will have thirteen directors. All of whom, other than , will be independent as defined under the independence standards established by the NYSE and the Exchange Act. The NYSE does not require a listed publicly traded partnership, such as ours, to have a majority of independent directors on the board of directors of our general partner or to establish a compensation committee or a nominating and corporate governance committee although we have determined to establish these committees. However, our general partner is required to have an audit committee of at least three members, and all its members are required to meet the independence and experience standards established by the NYSE and the Exchange Act.

In connection with the closing of this offering, we will complete a series of transactions pursuant to which, among other things, BSMC and BSNR will become our wholly owned subsidiaries. Please read “Summary—Formation Transactions and Structure.” Our partnership agreement provides that our limited partners have the right to nominate and vote in the election of directors to the board of directors of our general partner. Except with respect to matters requiring preferred unitholder super majority approval, preferred unitholder majority approval, or the approval of a preferred unitholder, at each meeting of the limited partners (or pursuant to any action by written consent), with respect to any and all matters presented to the limited partners for their action or consideration, each preferred unitholder is entitled to vote his or her preferred units with the holders of the common and subordinated units as a single class on an “as-converted” basis, meaning that each preferred unit has a number of votes equal to the number of common units and subordinated units into which the preferred unit is convertible at the time of a vote or consent. Please read “Description of Our Preferred Units—Voting; Waiver.”

Our partnership agreement provides that an annual meeting of the limited partners for the election of directors to the board of directors of our general partner will be held at the date and time as may be fixed from time to time by our general partner. At each annual meeting, the limited partners authorized to vote will elect by a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting persons to serve as directors on the board of directors of our general partner who are nominated in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement. At all elections of the board of directors of our general partner, each limited partner authorized to vote will be entitled to cumulate his or her votes and give one candidate, or divide among any number of candidates, a number of votes equal to the product of (x) the number of units held by the limited partner, multiplied by (y) the number of directors to be elected at the meeting.

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Executive Officers and Directors of Our General Partner

The following table shows information for the executive officers and directors of our general partner upon the consummation of this offering. Executive officers serve at the discretion of the board. Directors hold office until their successors are duly elected and qualified. There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.


Name	Age (as of December 31, 2014)	Position With Our General Partner
Thomas L. Carter, Jr.	63	President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman
Marc Carroll	45	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Holbrook F. Dorn	38	Senior Vice President, Business Development
Brock Morris	51	Senior Vice President, Engineering and Geology
Steve Putman	39	Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary
Allan Skov	51	Senior Vice President, Corporate Services, and Chief Information Officer
William G. Bardel	76	Director
Carin M. Barth	51	Director
D. Mark DeWalch	53	Director
Ricky J. Haeflinger	59	Director
Jerry V. Kyle, Jr.	53	Director
Michael C. Linn	62	Director
John H. Longmaid	69	Director
William N. Mathis	48	Director
Richard N. Papert	55	Director
Robert E.W. Sinclair	58	Director
Alexander D. Stuart	64	Director
Allison K. Thacker	42	Director

Thomas L. Carter, Jr. Mr. Carter has served as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of our general partner since November 2014. Mr. Carter is the founder of BSMC and has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of BSNR since 1998. Prior to his latest position with BSMC, Mr. Carter served as Managing General Partner of W.T. Carter & Bro. from 1987 to 1992 and Black Stone Energy Company from 1980 to present, both of which preceded our general partner. Mr. Carter founded Black Stone Energy Company, BSMC’s operating and exploration subsidiary, in 1980. From 1978 to 1980, Mr. Carter served as a lending officer in the Energy Department of Texas Commerce Bank in Houston, Texas, after serving in various other roles from 1975. Mr. Carter received M.B.A. and B.B.A. degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Carter has been a director of Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc. since 2005. He has served as a Trustee at Episcopal High School in Houston, Texas since 2004, and as a Trustee of St. Edward’s University since 2009. Mr. Carter has been a trustee of a nonprofit since 1998, and was elected to a four year term as president of the board of trustees of the nonprofit in 2013. Mr. Carter also serves on the University of Texas at Austin Internal Audit Committee, the University Lands Advisory Board, and the Ripley Foundation board.

Mr. Carter’s extensive industry and executive management experience and his background in finance qualify him to serve on the board of directors of our general partner.

Marc Carroll. Mr. Carroll has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of our general partner since November 2014. Mr. Carroll has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of BSNR since January 2008. Mr. Carroll previously served as Vice President of Finance, after beginning his employment with our general partner as the Manager of Finance in September 2004. Before joining BSMC, Mr. Carroll was employed by El Paso Corporation from July 1998 to August 2004 as a Natural Gas Trader, Manager of Business Development, and Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis. Mr. Carroll held several positions at The Coastal Corporation and Energy Ventures Inc. (predecessor to Weatherford International) from 1992 to 1996. Mr. Carroll received a B.B.A. in Accounting and a B.B.A. in Business Analysis from Texas A&M University, and received his M.B.A. from Rice University. Mr. Carroll is a Certified Public Accountant.

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Holbrook F. Dorn. Mr. Dorn has served as Senior Vice President, Business Development of our general partner since November 2014. Mr. Dorn has served as Senior Vice President, Business Development of BSNR since 2010. Prior to serving as Senior Vice President, Mr. Dorn served as Vice President, Business Development from 2008 through 2010. He was also previously employed at BSMC from 2002 to 2004 as an Associate in Business Development. Mr. Dorn also served at Touradji Capital Management, LP from 2006 to 2008. Mr. Dorn received a B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

Brock Morris. Mr. Morris has served as Senior Vice President, Engineering and Geology of our general partner since November 2014. Mr. Morris has served as Senior Vice President, Engineering and Geology of BSNR since 2013. From 2006 to 2013, Mr. Morris served as Managing Director—Exploration and Production of Quintana Capital Group and its energy-focused private equity funds, overseeing all upstream oil and natural gas investments. He served as Vice President, Exploration and Production of Quintana Minerals Corporation from 1995 to 2006 and in various engineering and management roles at Quintana Petroleum Corporation from 1985 to 1995. Mr. Morris received a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University.

Steve Putman. Mr. Putman has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of our general partner since November 2014. Mr. Putman has served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of BSNR since 2013. Prior to joining BSMC, Mr. Putman was Managing Director and General Counsel of Quintana Capital Group from 2008 to 2013 and Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of Quintana Maritime Limited from 2005 to 2008. He also worked as an associate at Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. from 2001 to 2005 and Mayer Brown LLP from 2000 to 2001. Mr. Putman received a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a J.D. from the University of Chicago. He is licensed to practice law in the states of Texas and Illinois.

Allan Skov. Mr. Skov has served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Services and Chief Information Officer of our general partner since November 2014. Mr. Skov has served as Senior Vice President, Corporate Services, and Chief Information Officer of BSNR since 2013. Prior to his current role, Mr. Skov held the position of Chief Information Officer of BSNR beginning in 2009. Before he joined BSMC, Mr. Skov served as Vice President Information Technology of DCP Midstream, Duke Energy’s joint venture with ConocoPhillips, from 2003 to 2008 and held the position of Director IT Strategies and Consulting at Duke Energy from 2001 to 2003. He also served as Chief Information Officer of Newfoundland Power Inc. from 1997 to 2001 and held various positions in finance, human resources, customer service, and information technology at Union Gas Limited from 1986 to 1997. Mr. Skov received Bachelor of Commerce and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Windsor in Ontario, Canada.

William G. Bardel. Mr. Bardel has served as director of our general partner since March 2015. Mr. Bardel has served as director of BSNR since 2004. He has acted as a financial consultant to a number of educational institutions since 2006. He previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Lawrenceville School, a preparatory high school in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, from 1994 until 2006. The Lawrenceville School had an annual budget of $40 million and an endowment of $200 million. Mr. Bardel has been a director of Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. since 2003 and currently serves as its lead independent director and is the audit committee financial expert. From 1988 until 1994, Mr. Bardel was the head of the Government Advisory Group of Lehman Brothers in London, England. From 1984 to 1994, Mr. Bardel served as a managing director of Lehman Brothers. A graduate of Yale University, Mr. Bardel has a Masters degree from Oxford University where he was a Rhodes Scholar. Mr. Bardel received his J.D. from Harvard Law School.

Mr. Bardel brings valuable expertise to the board of directors of our general partner due to his high level of familiarity with financial control issues and strategic planning, including time as a director for financial institutions.

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Carin M. Barth. Ms. Barth has served as a director of our general partner since March 2015. She has served as President of LB Capital, Inc., a private capital firm she co-founded in 1988, since 2005. She has also served on the boards of directors of the Ronald McDonald House of Houston since 2007; Strategic Growth Bank Incorporated and its affiliate, Capital Bank, N.A., since 2010; The Welch Foundation since 2012; the Bill Barrett Corporation, a public oil and natural gas exploration and development company, since 2012; and Western Refining, Inc., a public crude oil refiner and marketer of refined products, since 2006. From March 2008 to May 2014, she served as a Commissioner to the Department of Public Safety for the State of Texas. She served as a member of the Board of Regents of Texas Tech University from 1999 to 2005 and was Chairman of the University’s endowment from 2001 to 2005, 2006 to 2010, and was again appointed as Chairman in 2012. During 2004 to 2005, Ms. Barth took a leave of absence from LB Capital, Inc., to serve as Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C. From September 2006 to July 2007, she also served as Interim Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration (CFO) at Texas Southern University. Ms. Barth also served as a director of Encore Bancshares, Inc., a financial holding and wealth management company, from 2009 to 2012 and Amegy Bank of Texas from 2001 to 2005. Except as listed above, Ms. Barth has not served as a director of a publicly traded company or a registered investment company in the past five years.

Ms. Barth’s experience in varied financial matters, including as chief financial officer for several entities, her experience with mergers and acquisitions, her experience in operating a private capital company and her service on numerous public and private company boards are key attributes, among others, that make her well qualified to serve on the board of directors of our general partner.

D. Mark DeWalch. Mr. DeWalch has served as director of our general partner since March 2015. Mr. DeWalch has served as director of BSNR since 2009 and currently serves as chair of the CapEx Committee and member of the Nominating and Governance Committee. Mr. DeWalch has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of DeWalch Technologies, Inc. since 1993 and has been a co-owner of DeWalch Technologies, Inc. since 1995. Mr. DeWalch has served on the board of directors of DeWalch Technologies, Inc. since 1985. Mr. DeWalch also serves as President of DeWalch Holdings LLC and is co- owner of DeWalch Holdings LLC. Mr. DeWalch began his career in commercial banking in New York with the Irving Trust Company where he served as a lending officer. Mr. DeWalch received MBA and BBA degrees from the University of Texas at Austin.

Mr. DeWalch provides valuable financial expertise to the board of directors of our general partner due to his background in commercial banking, as well as a unique operational perspective due to his experience with DeWalch Technologies, Inc.

Ricky J. Haeflinger. Mr. Haeflinger has served as a director of our general partner since March 2015. Mr. Haeflinger has served as a director of BSNR since January 2013. Since 2012 and 2011, respectively, he has served as a Senior Investment Officer and Assistant Treasurer for Mayo Clinic, a non-profit, world-wide leader in medical care, research, and education, where he also has responsibility for Mayo Clinic Treasury Services operations, including the custodial relationship, actuarial relationship, issuance of corporate debt, and banking relationships. Mr. Haeflinger has worked continuously in the finance department of the Mayo Clinic for 21 years. Mr. Haeflinger has also served as director and Vice President of Latigo Petroleum, LLC, an independent oil and gas exploration and development company with headquarters in Odessa, Texas, since 2013.

Mr. Haeflinger brings financial expertise to the board of directors of our general partner, as he holds an Accounting degree and an MBA, and he has 21 years’ experience working in the finance department at the Mayo Clinic.

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Jerry V. Kyle, Jr. Mr. Kyle has served as director of our general partner since March 2015. Mr. Kyle has served as director of BSNR since January 2013. Mr. Kyle has been a Partner at Andrews Kurth LLP since 2002. Mr. Kyle received his J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law in 1990 and his BA from The Colorado College in 1984. He is a member of the Texas Bar Foundation and the Austin Bar Association.

Mr. Kyle’s extensive experience as a lawyer practicing in matters related to finance, lending, securities issuance and regulation, and legislative and regulatory affairs qualify him to serve on the board of directors of our general partner.

Michael C. Linn. Mr. Linn has served as a director of our general partner since March 2015. Mr. Linn has served as director of BSNR since January 2013 and currently serves on the CapEx Committee and the Compensation Committee. Mr. Linn is the founder of Linn Energy LLC and has served as a director of Linn Energy LLC since December 2011. Prior to such time, he was Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of Linn Energy LLC since January 2010 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Linn Energy, LLC from December 2007 to January 2010. Following his retirement as Executive Chairman of the Board of Linn Energy LLC in December 2011, Mr. Linn formed MCL Ventures LLC, a private investment vehicle that will focus on purchasing oil and natural gas royalty interests as well as non-operated interests in oil and natural gas wells, subject to the non-competition provisions in his retirement agreement with Linn Energy LLC. Mr. Linn has served as President of MCL Ventures LLC since 2011. Mr. Linn has also served as a member of the board of directors of Nabors Industries Ltd. since 2012, a senior advisor to Quantum Energy Partners since 2012, a member of the board of directors and a member of the Audit Committee of Western Refining GP LLC since 2013, and a member of the board of directors of Centrica, plc since June 2013.

Mr. Linn’s many years of experience as the Chief Executive Officer of a publicly traded oil and natural gas master limited partnership, as well as his deep industry knowledge and prior public company board experience, make him particularly well suited to serve on the board of directors of our general partner.

John H. Longmaid. Mr. Longmaid has served as director of our general partner since March 2015. Mr. Longmaid has served as director of W.T. Carter & Bro., a predecessor to BSMC, then BSNR since 1984. He has been the President of John Longmaid Designs, Inc., a Maine corporation since 1982. Mr. Longmaid holds a BS degree in physics/environmental science from the University of Puget Sound with additional studies in physical chemistry, advanced math, and engineering. He attended post graduate studies at Washington State University.

Mr. Longmaid brings a wealth of experience to the board due to his continuous membership on the board of directors of W.T. Carter & Bro., as well as BSNR, where he gained experience overseeing entities in the oil and natural gas industry.

William N. Mathis. Mr. Mathis has served as director of our general partner since March 2015. Mr. Mathis has served as director of BSNR since 2009. Since 2001, he has been the managing partner of Conti Street Partners LLC, an investment company in Houston, Texas. He has served on the board of Highland Resources, Inc. since 2004, the board of The GRB Partnership since 1998, and has been chairman of Australis Aquaculture LLC since 2009. He has also served as managing member of Wellspring Energy Partners, L.P. since 2012. Mr. Mathis served on the board of Wilson Industries Inc. from 1994 to 1998, Paradigm Services LP from 1998 to 2008 and EnTouch Communications from 1999 to 2007. In addition, Mr. Mathis served on the board and executive committee of Davidson College and currently serves on the boards of The Museum of Fine Arts – Houston, The Chinquapin School, The Brown Foundation Inc of Houston, The Texas Medical Center, and Texas Children’s Hospital. Mr. Mathis is a graduate of Davidson College.

Mr. Mathis’s extensive experience in the oil and natural gas industry as well as extensive director-level corporate governance expertise qualify him to serve on the board of directors of our general partner.

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Richard N. Papert. Mr. Papert has served as director of our general partner since March 2015. Mr. Papert has served as director of BSNR since 2009. He is President of LeFrak Energy, the oil and natural gas division of LeFrak, a privately held company based in New York City that is active in real estate, energy, and other investments. Mr. Papert has also held various positions at LeFrak since 1992 and currently serves, in addition to President of LeFrak Energy, as Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Investment Officer of LeFrak. He helps oversee the LeFrak family office where he supervises LeFrak’s extensive holdings which have included equities, fixed income, hedge funds and hedge fund strategies, and private equity. Prior to joining LeFrak in 1992, Mr. Papert was a Vice President at Goldman, Sachs & Co., Inc., a strategic consultant with the Boston Consulting Group, Inc., and an officer of the Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A. Mr. Papert is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he received highest distinction in economics and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Mr. Papert also attended the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, where he earned his MBA.

Mr. Papert brings valuable financial expertise and oil and natural gas experience to the board of directors of our general partner due to his distinguished career in finance and prior roles related to investments in the oil and natural gas industry.

Robert E. W. Sinclair. Mr. Sinclair has served as director of our general partner since March 2015. Mr. Sinclair has served as director of BSNR since 2007. He has served as President of Castleton Energy Corp., Caithness Management, Inc. and Terminal Energy Corp. since 1992, 1982, and 1978, respectively. Mr. Sinclair has also served as President of Sinclair Three Management Company, LLC since 2002, Manager of 58 North, LLC since 2012, and Manager of JGW Partners, LLC since 2014. From 2006 to 2008, Mr. Sinclair served as President of the Board of Trustees at St. Marks School of Texas. Mr. Sinclair received his Bachelors of Business Administration in Petroleum Land Management from the University of Texas at Austin in 1979 and a MBA from Southern Methodist University in Dallas in 1995.

Mr. Sinclair has been engaged in the oil and gas industry since 1978. Since that time and over the course of his career, Mr. Sinclair’s activities have included the formation and management of privately held companies and partnerships directly engaged or investing in oil and gas exploration and development operations, oil and gas royalty and mineral property acquisitions, management, and divestiture, and oil and gas leasehold activities and divestiture. Since 1992, certain of Mr. Sinclair’s businesses have been engaged in business with the general partner as a partner in various capacities, including as a limited partner, co-investor, and director.

Mr. Sinclair provides valuable oil and gas and financial expertise to the board of directors of our general partner due to his long standing association with the oil and gas industry and deep understanding of financial and business issues related to our business.

Alexander D. Stuart. Mr. Stuart has served as director of our general partner since March 2015. Mr. Stuart has served as director of BSNR since 1990 and serves as Chair of the Finance Committee. He has been the President of North Star Investments, an investment firm responsible for identifying and managing a wide variety of assets, since 2004 and has served as the managing partner of RDS Investments, a limited partnership with extensive holdings in private equity, venture capital, real estate, energy, and publicly traded stocks and bonds since 2005. Mr. Stuart became a trustee of Lake Forest College in 2012 and St. Andrews School in 2009 and serves on the endowment committees for both institutions. Since 2006, Mr. Stuart has been a director of Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital and is also a member of the investment committee for the parent organization, Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Mr. Stuart received his A.B. from Princeton University and his MBA from Harvard Business School.

Mr. Stuart’s investment management experience and experience serving as a director of BSNR qualify him to serve on the board of directors of our general partner.

Allison K. Thacker. Ms. Thacker has served as director of our general partner since March 2015. Ms. Thacker has served as director of BSNR since January 2013. She joined Rice University in 2011 as Vice President for Investments and Treasurer and President of the Rice Management Company with the responsibility

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of managing a $5.5 billion endowment fund. The Rice University Endowment ranks in the top 20 endowments of private research universities in the United States. Prior to joining Rice University, Ms. Thacker spent 11 years with RS Investments, a San Francisco-based investment firm specializing in public equities. At RS Investments, Ms. Thacker held roles including portfolio manager, managing director, and research analyst. In the earlier portion of her career, Ms. Thacker served as a summer analyst at Putnam Investments and as a financial analyst in the energy investment banking group at Merrill Lynch & Co. She was a founding board member of KIPP Heartwood Academy, a college preparatory charter school serving East San Jose, California and is currently a member of the KIPP Houston Advisory board and the Houston Ballet board of trustees. Ms. Thacker is a graduate of Harvard Business School, where she received an MBA. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics with honors from Rice University.

Ms. Thacker brings significant financial expertise to the board of directors of our general partner due to her extensive prior experience in investment management as well as her experience as a board member of BSNR.

Director Independence

In accordance with the rules of the NYSE, our general partner must have at least one independent director by the time our common units are first listed on the NYSE, one additional independent member within 90 days of the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and one additional independent member within one year of the effective date of the registration statement. Our general partner has reviewed the applicable independence standards established by the NYSE and the Exchange Act and has appointed as our initial independent director.

Committees of the Board of Directors

The board of directors of our general partner will have an audit committee, a compensation committee, a nominating and governance committee, and a conflicts committee.

Audit Committee

We are required to have an audit committee of at least three members, and all its members are required to meet the independence and experience standards established by the NYSE and Rule 10A-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. will serve as the initial members of the audit committee. The audit committee will assist the board of directors in its oversight of (i) the integrity of our financial statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm, and (iv) performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm. The audit committee will have the sole authority to retain and terminate our independent registered public accounting firm, approve all auditing services and related fees and the terms thereof performed by our independent registered public accounting firm, and pre-approve any non-audit services and tax services to be rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm. The audit committee will also be responsible for confirming the independence and objectivity of our independent registered public accounting firm. Our independent registered public accounting firm will be given unrestricted access to the audit committee and our management, as necessary.

Compensation Committee

Because we are a limited partnership, we are not required by the rules of the NYSE to have a compensation committee or, in the event we choose to establish one, a compensation committee composed entirely of independent directors. However, we nevertheless expect that we will have a compensation committee following the completion of this offering. The compensation committee will review and determine the compensation for the executive officers of our general partner and will review and make recommendations to the board of directors of our general partner regarding director compensation. The compensation committee will also administer our incentive compensation and equity-based benefit plans. will serve as the initial members of the compensation committee.

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Nominating & Governance Committee

Because we are a limited partnership, we are not required by the rules of the NYSE to have a nominating and governance committee or, in the event we choose to establish one, a nominating and governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. However, we nevertheless expect that we will have a nominating and governance committee following the completion of this offering. The nominating and governance committee will identify individuals qualified to serve on the board of directors of the general partner and recommend director nominees for each annual meeting of unitholders or for appointment to fill vacancies, oversee our governance policies, including developing and recommending to the board of directors of the general partner a set of corporate governance guidelines, and oversee the evaluation of the board and its committees. will serve as the initial members of the nominating and governance committee.

Conflicts Committee

We expect that at least one independent member of the board of directors of our general partner will serve on a conflicts committee to review specific matters that the board believes may involve conflicts of interest and determines to submit to the conflicts committee for review. The conflicts committee will determine if the resolution of the conflict of interest is, in its subjective belief, not adverse to our interest. The members of the conflicts committee may not be officers or employees of our general partner or directors, officers or employees of its affiliates and must meet the independence standards established by the NYSE and the Exchange Act to serve on an audit committee of a board of directors, along with other requirements in our partnership agreement. Any matters approved by the conflicts committee will be conclusively deemed to be approved by us and all of our partners and not a breach by our general partner of any duties or contractual obligations it may owe us or our unitholders.

Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions

Promissory Notes

We executed promissory notes dated April 15, 2010, in the amount of $0.5 million to Marc Carroll and Holbrook F. Dorn. The promissory notes related to the acquisition of a partnership interest in Ivory Acquisitions Partners, L.P. by the officers, and the notes were collateralized by a security interest in BSMC. The promissory notes provided for quarterly payments of interest at a blended rate of 2.73% at December 31, 2013 equal to the rate at which BSMC paid interest on its borrowings. At December 31, 2013, less than $0.1 million of interest receivable on the notes was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2013, the aggregated note balances were $0.1 million and were included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. These promissory notes were paid in full on the maturity date of April 15, 2014.

Procedures for Review, Approval, and Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons

We expect that the board of directors of our general partner will adopt policies for the review, approval, and ratification of transactions with related persons. We anticipate the board will adopt a written code of business conduct and ethics, under which a director would be expected to bring to the attention of the chief executive officer or the board any conflict or potential conflict of interest that may arise between the director or any affiliate of the director, on the one hand, and us or our general partner on the other. The resolution of any conflict or potential conflict should, at the discretion of the board in light of the circumstances, be determined by a majority of the disinterested directors.

Upon our adoption of our code of business conduct and ethics, we would expect that any executive officer will be required to avoid conflicts of interest unless approved by the board of directors of our general partner.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND OTHER INFORMATION

We are providing compensation disclosure that satisfies the requirements applicable to emerging growth companies, as defined in the JOBS Act.

Summary Compensation Table

The table below provides information concerning the annual compensation of our named executive officers (our “Named Executive Officers” or “NEOs”) for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.


Name and Principal Position	Year		Salary ($)(1)		Unit Awards ($)(2)		Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3)		All Other Compensation ($)(4)		Total ($)
Thomas L. Carter, Jr.		2014	$	669,500	$	2,594,313	$	1,882,176	$	119,286	$	5,265,275
(Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer)		2013	$	650,000	$	2,518,750	$	1,579,841	$	25,055	$	4,773,646

Marc Carroll		2014	$	386,250	$	1,158,750	$	785,441	$	13,000	$	2,343,441
(Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer)		2013	$	355,000	$	1,125,000	$	669,075	$	12,750	$	2,161,825

Holbrook F. Dorn		2014	$	334,750	$	1,004,250	$	646,199	$	13,000	$	1,998,199
(Senior Vice President, Business Development)		2013	$	311,666	$	975,000	$	549,864		—	$	1,836,530

(1)	Amounts include elective deferrals made by our Named Executive Officers under the Black Stone Energy Company 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”).

(2)

Amounts for 2013 reflect the grant date fair value of common units in our predecessor and common shares in BSNR, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“FASB ASC Topic 718”). Amounts for 2014 reflect the grant date fair value of common units in our predecessor, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Effective as of December 31, 2013, the common shares in BSNR were exchanged for common units in our predecessor. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional details regarding the assumptions underlying the value of these awards.

(3)

Amounts reflect (i) short-term incentive bonus (“STI Bonus”) awards earned by each NEO in 2013 and 2014 and (ii) performance-based cash incentive awards under the BSMC 2012 Executive Incentive Plan (the “EIP”) earned by each NEO in 2013 and 2014. Please read “Narrative Disclosure to the Summary Compensation Table—Short-Term Incentive Bonuses” for additional details regarding the STI Bonus awards. Please read “Narrative Disclosure to the Summary Compensation Table—Long-Term Incentive Awards” for additional details regarding the performance-based cash incentive awards under the EIP.

(4)

The amounts included in “All Other Compensation” reflect (i) for Mr. Carter: sporting event tickets of $12,305 that we paid on his behalf in 2013 as well as matching contributions equal to $12,750 and $13,000 that were made to the 401(k) Plan on his behalf in 2013 and 2014, respectively, and reimbursement in 2014 for his personal use of private aircraft in an amount equal to $106,286; (ii) for Mr. Carroll: matching contributions equal to $12,750 and $13,000 that were made to the 401(k) Plan on his behalf in 2013 and 2014, respectively; and (iii) for Mr. Dorn: matching contributions equal to $13,000 that were made to the 401(k) Plan on his behalf in 2014.

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Narrative Disclosure to the Summary Compensation Table

For fiscal 2014 and 2013, the principal elements of compensation provided to our Named Executive Officers were base salaries, STI Bonuses, long-term incentive awards, and retirement, health, welfare, and additional benefits.

Base Salary

Base salaries are generally set at levels deemed necessary to attract and retain individuals with superior talent commensurate with their relative expertise and experience.

Short-Term Incentive Bonuses

The STI Bonus opportunity is based upon our pay-for-performance philosophy. The STI Bonus provides our Named Executive Officers with an incentive in the form of an annual cash bonus to achieve our overall business goals. The STI Bonuses for fiscal 2013 and 2014 were equal to the product of each Named Executive Officer’s (i) target bonus and (ii) our EBITDA achievement factor for 2013 and 2014 as reflected below.


Name	Year		Target Bonus Value		EBITDA Achievement Ratio			Actual Bonus Earned
Thomas L. Carter, Jr.		2014	$	803,400		1.2143069	(2)	$	975,574
		2013	$	780,000		1.0152596	(1)	$	791,902
Marc Carroll		2014	$	386,250		1.2143069	(2)	$	469,026
		2013	$	375,000		1.0508654	(2)	$	394,075
Holbrook F. Dorn		2014	$	334,750		1.2143069	(2)	$	406,489
		2013	$	325,000		1.0508654	(2)	$	341,531

(1)

For purposes of calculating Mr. Carter’s 2013 STI Bonus, the EBITDA achievement ratio was calculated as the ratio of our contract EBITDA for 2013 to our budgeted contract EBITDA for 2013. For this purpose, (a) our contract EBITDA for 2013 was calculated as the sum of our (i) net income, (ii) interest expense, (iii) income tax expense, (iv) depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, (v) targeted compensation associated with grants or issuances of equity interests (including carried interests in real property) to employees or members of our board or associated with our incentive or retention plans or agreements (whether cash or equity), and (vi) dry hole expense, as determined in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied and (b) our budgeted contract EBITDA for 2013 was the contract EBITDA amount projected in the annual budget approved by our board.

(2)

For purposes of calculating Mr. Carter’s 2014 STI Bonus and Messrs. Carroll’s and Dorn’s 2013 and 2014 STI Bonuses, the EBITDA achievement ratio was calculated as the ratio of our actual EBITDA for the applicable year to our budgeted EBITDA for such year, as adjusted by an adjustment factor that accelerates the effect of under- or over-achievement such that an EBITDA achievement ratio of 1.3 or more results in a 200% adjustment factor and an EBITDA achievement ratio of 0.7 or less results in a 0% adjustment factor, with linear interpolation between such thresholds. For this purpose, (a) our actual EBITDA for the applicable year was calculated as the sum of items (i) through (vi) in footnote 1 above for such year and (b) our budgeted EBITDA for the applicable year was the EBITDA amount projected in the annual budget for such year approved by our board.

Long-Term Incentive Awards

In each of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, each of our Named Executive Officers was granted a target incentive award. 50% of each target incentive award consists of a performance-based cash incentive award under the EIP. The performance-based cash incentive awards “cliff” vest at the end of a three-year performance period so long as the NEO remains continuously employed by BSNR or one of its subsidiaries through such date, subject to certain exceptions discussed below under “Additional Narrative Disclosure—Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control—2012 Executive Incentive Plan and Restricted Unit Award Agreements.”

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However, the performance-based cash awards granted in 2012 were subject to three-year graded vesting based on the continued employment requirement (and the applicable exceptions) described above. The ultimate amount paid in respect of each cash incentive award is determined based on the achievement of certain reserve and production targets established by the compensation committee of our board.

The remaining 50% of each target incentive award consisted of common units in our predecessor (and, with respect to awards granted in 2013, common shares in BSNR) granted pursuant to Restricted Unit Award Agreements entered into with each NEO. Effective as of December 31, 2013, the common shares in BSNR were exchanged for common units in our predecessor. One-third of the units subject to such awards vest ratably on January 1 of each of the three years following the first day of the performance period so long as the NEO remains continuously employed by BSNR or one of its subsidiaries through such date, subject to certain exceptions discussed below under “Additional Narrative Disclosure—Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control—2012 Executive Incentive Plan and Restricted Unit Award Agreements.” Within 30 days of each vesting date, each NEO may request that we repurchase up to 50% of the units that vest on such date in exchange for a cash payment equal to the then-current fair market value of such units, but we are not under any obligation to accept any such proposed repurchase. In connection with this offering and the other formation transactions described in this prospectus, all unvested units in our predecessor will be exchanged for an aggregate of restricted common units and restricted subordinated units pursuant to the Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) described below.

Employment Agreement with Mr. Carter

Mr. Carter entered into an employment agreement with our predecessor in 2008, which was subsequently amended in 2014. The term of the agreement automatically renews annually for successive 12-month periods on March 31 of each year unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal. Under the agreement, Mr. Carter is entitled to an annualized base salary and is eligible for short-term annual bonuses based on the performance measures described above. As discussed below under “Additional Narrative Disclosure—Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control—Mr. Carter’s Employment Agreement,” the employment agreement also provides for certain severance payments in the event Mr. Carter’s employment is terminated under certain circumstances. However, we expect that Mr. Carter’s employment agreement will be terminated in connection with this offering and that our general partner or one of our subsidiaries will enter into a severance agreement with Mr. Carter, as described below under “Additional Narrative Disclosure—Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control—Severance Agreements.”

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2014 Fiscal Year-End

The following table reflects information regarding outstanding unvested common units in BSMC held by our Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2014. In connection with this offering and the other formation transactions described under “Summary—Formation Transactions and Structure,” the common units in our predecessor included in the table below will be exchanged for an aggregate of restricted common units and restricted subordinated units pursuant to the LTIP (as defined below).


	Unit Awards
Name	Number of Units that Have Not Vested(1)			Market Value of Units that Have Not Vested(5)
Thomas L. Carter, Jr.		2,999,393	(2)	$	4,240,099
Marc Carroll		1,294,155	(3)	$	1,829,485
Holbrook F. Dorn		1,103,847	(4)	$	1,560,456

(1)	The applicable equity awards that are disclosed in this Outstanding Equity Awards at 2014 Fiscal Year-End table are common units in our predecessor.

(2)

1,476,291 of these units vested on January 1, 2015. 1,009,990 of the remaining units will become vested on January 1, 2016 and the remaining 513,112 units will become vested on January 1, 2017, in each case, so long as Mr. Carter remains employed by our general partner or one of our affiliates on such dates.

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(3)

613,862 of these units vested on January 1, 2015. 451,112 of the remaining units will become vested on January 1, 2016 and the remaining 229,181 units will become vested on January 1, 2017, in each case, so long as Mr. Carroll remains employed by our general partner or one of our affiliates on such dates.

(4)

514,259 of these units vested on January 1, 2015. 390,964 of the remaining units will become vested on January 1, 2016 and the remaining 198,624 units will become vested on January 1, 2017, in each case, so long as Mr. Dorn remains employed by our general partner or one of our affiliates on such dates.

(5)	Reflects the market value of common units in our predecessor as of December 31, 2014.

Additional Narrative Disclosure

Retirement Benefits

We have not maintained, and do not currently maintain, a defined benefit pension plan or a nonqualified deferred compensation plan providing for retirement benefits. Our Named Executive Officers currently participate in the 401(k) Plan, which permits all eligible employees, including the Named Executive Officers, to make voluntary pre-tax contributions to the plan. In addition, we are permitted to make discretionary matching contributions under the plan. Matching contributions are subject to a graded vesting schedule, with 33% vested after one year, 66% vested after two years, and 100% vested after the initial three years of employment with us. Following three years of employment, future company matching contributions vest immediately. All contributions under the plan are subject to certain annual dollar limitations, which are periodically adjusted for changes in the cost of living.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control

Mr. Carter’s Employment Agreement

Under Mr. Carter’s employment agreement, if his employment is terminated by our predecessor without “cause,” then so long as Mr. Carter executes a release in a form satisfactory to us within 10 days following such termination, he will receive a lump sum cash severance payment within 60 days following the date of such termination equal to the sum of (1) a pro-rated portion of his target STI Bonus for the year in which such termination occurs (determined without regard to actual performance) and (2) the greater of (A) the sum of (i) any unpaid STI Bonus for the year prior to the year in which such termination occurs and (ii) his then-current base salary and target STI Bonus payable for the remainder of the term of the agreement or (B) the sum of his then-current annualized base salary and target STI Bonus.

In addition, upon Mr. Carter’s resignation for “good reason” or a termination of his employment by us without cause following a “change in control,” so long as Mr. Carter executes a release in a form satisfactory to us within 10 days following such termination, he will receive a lump sum cash severance payment within 60 days following the date of such termination equal to the sum of (1) a pro-rated portion of his target STI Bonus for the year in which such termination occurs (determined without regard to actual performance) and (2) the greater of (A) the sum of (i) any unpaid STI Bonus for the year prior to the year in which such termination occurs and (ii) his then-current base salary and target STI Bonus payable for the remainder of the term of the agreement or (B) two times the sum of his then-current annualized base salary and target STI Bonus.

As noted above, we expect that Mr. Carter’s employment agreement will be terminated in connection with this offering and that our general partner or one of our subsidiaries will enter into a severance agreement with Mr. Carter that will provide for the payment of a cash severance payment in the event Mr. Carter’s employment is terminated under certain circumstances, as described below under “—Severance Agreements.”

For purposes of Mr. Carter’s employment agreement:

•

“Cause” means Mr. Carter (i) has failed or refused to perform or observe any material term or provision of the agreement (including voluntarily terminating his employment) or to materially follow and satisfactorily perform (in our reasonable discretion) any lawful directions of the board; (ii) has been

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indicted for or convicted of, or has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to a charge that he committed, a felony or other crime of moral turpitude; (iii) has perpetrated an act of fraud or dishonesty against or involving, or theft of our property; (iv) has violated any applicable federal, state, or local law or regulation and, as a result of such violation, has become, or has caused us to become the subject of any legal action or administrative proceeding or a suspension of any right or privilege; or (v) has committed any act that causes, or knowingly or recklessly fails to take reasonable and appropriate action to prevent, any material injury to our financial condition or business reputation.

•

“Good Reason” means at any time subsequent to a change of control or the first public equity offering of partnership interests or other equity securities of our predecessor, BSNR, or any controlled subsidiary thereof or successor thereto registered under the Securities Act, we assign to Mr. Carter any duties materially inconsistent with his positions, duties, responsibilities, and status with us immediately prior to such change of control or public equity offering or we change Mr. Carter’s reporting responsibilities, titles, or offices as in effect immediately prior to such change of control or public equity offering.

•

“Change of Control” means (i) the transfer of beneficial ownership of a majority of the outstanding units of our predecessor or a majority of the outstanding units of BSNR to any person or entity, except that if beneficial ownership would be deemed to occur merely upon the execution of voting agreements to support a merger, consolidation, or other business combination transaction to be consummated in the future, then the board may in its sole discretion determine that the date of such Change of Control shall instead be the date of such consummation; (ii) the partners of our predecessor or the members of BSNR prior to any merger, consolidation, or other business combination transaction do not continue to own at least 50% of the surviving entity following such merger, consolidation, or other business combination transaction; (iii) other than in the ordinary course of business, our predecessor sells, leases, or exchanges all or substantially all of its assets and its controlled subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any other person or entity (other than a direct or indirect controlled subsidiary of our predecessor); (iv) our predecessor is materially or completely liquidated; (v) on or after an initial public offering, any person or entity becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 30% or more of the units, shares, or other equity securities of our predecessor, BSNR, or any such subsidiary or successor; or (vi) during any consecutive two-year period, individuals who constituted the board (together with any new managers whose election by the board or whose nomination for election by BSNR was approved by a vote of at least three quarters of the managers still in office who were either managers at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the board.

Mr. Carter’s employment agreement also contains certain restrictive covenants pursuant to which he has recognized certain confidentiality covenants as well as a covenant not to solicit any of our employees or any independent contractor working in our land administration department during the term of the agreement and for a period of two years thereafter.

2012 Executive Incentive Plan and Restricted Unit Award Agreements

Under the EIP, if a NEO’s employment terminates due to his death or “disability” or his employment is involuntarily terminated for any other reason other than cause (or, if the NEO has an employment agreement, due to the NEO’s resignation for good reason), the NEO (or the NEO’s estate, as applicable) will be entitled to receive a pro-rated portion of each cash incentive award for each performance period that includes the NEO’s termination date. In addition, pursuant to the Restricted Unit Award Agreements, if a NEO’s employment terminates due to his death or “disability” or his employment is involuntarily terminated for any other reason other than cause, a pro-rated portion of the NEO’s unvested common units in our predecessor and common units in BSNR will become vested as of such termination. For purposes of the EIP and the Restricted Unit Award Agreements, “cause” and “good reason” generally have the same meanings as described above with respect to Mr. Carter’s employment agreement and “disability” means a mental or physical condition resulting from an injury or illness that renders the NEO incapable of performing the essential functions of the NEO’s position with reasonable accommodations for 90 days out of any 120-day period.

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Severance Agreements

In connection with the closing of this offering, our general partner intends to enter into, or cause one of our affiliates to enter into, a severance agreement with each of our executive officers that, among other things, will provide for the payment of a cash severance payment in the event the executive officer’s employment is terminated under certain circumstances. Please read “Management—Executive Officers and Directors of Our General Partner” for information on the executive officers of our general partner upon consummation of this offering.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

Prior to the closing of this offering, our general partner intends to adopt the LTIP, pursuant to which non-employee directors of our general partner and certain employees and consultants of our general partner and our affiliates will be eligible to receive awards with respect to our common or subordinated units. As described above, in connection with this offering, the outstanding restricted common units in our predecessor will be exchanged for restricted common units and restricted subordinated units under the LTIP. Following the closing of this offering, our general partner currently intends to grant new awards under the LTIP only with respect to our common units. The description of the LTIP set forth below is a summary of the material anticipated features of the LTIP. This summary, however, does not purport to be a complete description of all of the anticipated provisions of the LTIP and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the LTIP, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to this registration statement.

The LTIP will provide for the grant, from time to time, at the discretion of the board of directors of our general partner or a committee thereof, of unit options, unit appreciation rights, restricted units, phantom units, unit awards, distribution equivalent rights (“DERs”), cash awards, and other unit-based awards. Subject to adjustment in the event of certain transactions or changes in capitalization, an aggregate of common units and subordinated units may be delivered pursuant to awards under the LTIP. Units subject to awards that are forfeited, cancelled, exercised, paid, or otherwise terminated without the delivery of units, and units held back to cover the exercise price or tax withholding applicable to an award, will be available for delivery pursuant to other awards under the LTIP. Under the LTIP, the maximum aggregate grant date fair value of awards granted to a non-employee director of our general partner during any calendar year will not exceed $ (or $ in the first year in which an individual becomes a non-employee director). The LTIP will be administered by the board of directors of our general partner or a committee thereof, either of which we refer to herein as the “committee.” The LTIP will be designed to promote our interests, as well as the interests of our unitholders and to encourage superior performance, by rewarding the directors of our general partner and employees and consultants of our general partner and our affiliates, as well as by strengthening our general partner’s and our affiliates’ abilities to attract, retain, and motivate individuals who are essential for our growth and profitability.

Unit Options and Unit Appreciation Rights

The LTIP will permit the grant of unit options and unit appreciation rights covering common or subordinated units. Unit options represent the right to purchase a number of common or subordinated units at a specified exercise price. Unit appreciation rights represent the right to receive the appreciation in the value of a number of common or subordinated units as of the exercise date over a specified exercise price, either in cash, common or subordinated units, or a combination thereof, as determined in the discretion of the committee. Unit options and unit appreciation rights may be granted to such eligible individuals and with such terms as the committee may determine, consistent with the terms of the LTIP; however, the exercise price of a unit option or unit appreciation right may not be less than the fair market value of a common or subordinated unit on the date such unit option or unit appreciation right is granted.

Restricted Units and Phantom Units

The LTIP will also permit the grant of restricted units and phantom units. A restricted unit is a common or subordinated unit that is subject to forfeiture. Upon vesting, the forfeiture restrictions lapse and the participant holds a common or subordinated unit that is not subject to forfeiture. A phantom unit is a notional unit that

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entitles the participant to receive a common or subordinated unit (or such greater or lesser number of common or subordinated units as may be provided pursuant to the applicable award agreement) upon the vesting of the phantom unit (or on a deferred basis upon specified future dates or events) or cash equal to the fair market value of a common or subordinated unit (or such greater or lesser number of common or subordinated units) or a combination thereof, as determined in the discretion of the committee. The committee may make grants of restricted and phantom units under the LTIP that contain such terms, consistent with the LTIP, as the committee may determine are appropriate, including the period over which restricted or phantom units will vest. The committee may, in its discretion, base vesting on the participant’s completion of a period of service or upon the achievement of specified performance criteria or as otherwise set forth in an award agreement. Distributions made by us with respect to awards of restricted units may be subject to the same vesting requirements as the restricted units. The committee, in its discretion, may also grant tandem DERs with respect to phantom units. DERs are described in more detail below.

Distribution Equivalent Rights

The committee is authorized to grant DERs either in tandem with an award or as a separate award. DERs are contingent rights to receive an amount in cash, common or subordinated units, restricted units, phantom units, or any combination thereof, as determined by the committee in its discretion, equal to the cash distributions made on our common units or our subordinated units, as determined by the committee in its discretion, during the period in which such DERs remain outstanding. The terms and conditions applicable to DERs will be determined by the committee and set forth in an award agreement.

Cash Awards

The LTIP will permit the grant of awards denominated in and settled in cash as an element of or supplement to, or independent of, any award under the LTIP.

Other Unit-Based Awards

The LTIP will also permit the grant of “other unit-based awards,” which are awards that, in whole or in part, are denominated or payable in, valued in, or otherwise based on or related to common or subordinated units. An other unit-based award may be fully vested at grant, or the vesting of an other unit-based award may be based on a participant’s continued service, the achievement of specified performance criteria or other measures. On vesting (or on a deferred basis upon specified future dates or events), an other unit-based award may be paid in cash and/or in common or subordinated units (including common or subordinated restricted units), as determined by the committee.

Source of Units; Cost; Proceeds

Units to be delivered with respect to awards under the LTIP may consist, in whole or in part, as applicable, of common or subordinated units acquired by us or our general partner in the open market, common or subordinated units already owned by our general partner or us, common or subordinated units acquired by our general partner directly from us, one of our affiliates or any other person, new common or subordinated units otherwise issuable by us or any combination of the foregoing, as determined by the committee in its discretion. With respect to awards made to non-employee directors of our general partner and employees and consultants of our general partner and our affiliates, our general partner will be entitled to reimbursement by us for the cost incurred in acquiring such units or, with respect to unit options, for the difference between the cost it incurs in acquiring these units and the proceeds it receives from a participant at the time of the participant’s exercise of an option. Thus, we will bear the cost of all awards under the LTIP. If we issue new common or subordinated units with respect to these awards, the total number of units outstanding will increase, and our general partner will remit the proceeds it receives from a participant, if any, upon exercise of an award to us. With respect to any awards settled in cash, our general partner will be entitled to reimbursement by us for the amount of the cash settlement.

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Amendment or Termination of LTIP

The committee, at its discretion, may terminate the LTIP at any time with respect to the common or subordinated units for which an award has not previously been granted. The LTIP will automatically terminate on the 10th anniversary of the date it is initially adopted by our general partner. The committee also has the right to alter or amend the LTIP or any part of it from time to time or to amend any outstanding award granted under the LTIP, provided that no change in any outstanding award may be made that would materially reduce the benefit to a participant immediately prior to such change without the consent of the affected participant.

LTIP Awards

In connection with this offering, we expect that the board of directors of our general partner will approve grants of restricted common units under the LTIP to each of our named executive officers and certain other employees of Black Stone Management consisting, in the aggregate, of approximately restricted common units (based on an assumed initial offering price of $ , the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus). We also expect that the board of directors of our general partner will approve grants of performance unit awards to each of our named executive officers and certain senior management employees of Black Stone Management that, if earned at targeted levels of performance and vested, will be settled, in the aggregate, in the form of approximately common units under the LTIP (based on an assumed initial offering price of $ , the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus). It is also anticipated that the board of directors of our general partner will approve grants of awards to the non-employee directors of our general partner consisting, in the aggregate, of approximately common units under the LTIP (based on an assumed initial offering price of $ , the mid-point of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus). These awards are intended to represent one-time $100,000 awards that will be granted to each of the current non-employee directors of our general partner. All of the awards described above are expected to be granted upon the filing of the registration statement on Form S-8 relating to the LTIP. Each award will be subject to the terms and conditions of the LTIP and an award agreement that we will enter into with the applicable Black Stone Management employee or non-employee director of our general partner.

Director Compensation

Officers or employees of Black Stone Management who also serve as directors of our general partner will not receive additional compensation for such service. Each director of our general partner who is not an officer or employee of Black Stone Management will receive the following cash compensation:

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an annual base retainer fee of $75,000 per year;

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an additional retainer of $20,000 per year if such director serves as the chairperson of the audit committee;

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an additional retainer of $15,000 per year if such director serves as the chairperson of the compensation committee; and

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an additional retainer of $10,000 per year if such director serves as the chairperson of any other committee.

In addition to cash compensation, our non-employee directors will receive annual equity-based compensation under the LTIP consisting of fully vested common units. Such awards will have an aggregate grant date value equal to $175,000 and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the LTIP and the award agreements pursuant to which such awards are granted. In the year in which a new non-employee director is elected to the board of directors of our general partner for the first time, such director will also receive a one-time award under the LTIP with a grant date value equal to $100,000, subject to the terms and conditions of the LTIP and the award agreement pursuant to which such award is granted. As noted above, upon the filing of the registration statement on Form S-8 relating to the LTIP, each of the current non-employee directors is expected to receive a one-time award under the LTIP with a grant date fair value equal to $100,000, subject to the terms and conditions of the LTIP and the award agreement pursuant to which such award is granted.

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All retainers will be paid in cash on a quarterly basis in arrears. Our non-employee directors will not receive any meeting fees, but each director will be reimbursed for (i) travel and miscellaneous expenses to attend meetings and activities of the board of directors of our general partner or its committees and (ii) travel and miscellaneous expenses related to participation in general education and orientation programs for directors.

Each director will be fully indemnified by us for actions associated with serving as a director.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table presents information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common and subordinated units following this offering and the other formation transactions by:

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our general partner;

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each of our general partner’s directors and named executive officers;

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each unitholder known by us to beneficially hold 5% or more of our common units, on an as-converted basis; and

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all of our general partner’s directors and executive officers as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined under the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Unless otherwise noted, the address for each beneficial owner listed below is 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2020, Houston, Texas 77002.

The following table does not include any units that may be purchased pursuant to our directed unit program. Please read “Underwriting—Directed Unit Program.”


Name of Beneficial Owner	Common Units Beneficially Owned(1)	Percentage of Common Units Beneficially Owned(1)	Subordinated Units Beneficially Owned(1)	Percentage of Subordinated Units Beneficially Owned(1)	Percentage of Common and Subordinated Units Beneficially Owned(1)
Black Stone Minerals G.P., L.L.C.(2)
Camden Energy Limited Partnership(3)
Thomas L. Carter, Jr.(3)(4)
Marc Carroll(5)(6)
Holbrook F. Dorn(5)(7)
William G. Bardel(8)
Carin M. Barth(8)
D. Mark DeWalch(8)(9)
Ricky J. Haeflinger(8)(10)
Jerry V. Kyle, Jr.(8)(11)
Michael C. Linn(8)
John H. Longmaid(8)(12)
William N. Mathis(8)(13)
Richard A. Papert(8)
Robert E.W. Sinclair(8)(14)
Alexander D. Stuart(8)(15)
Allison K. Thacker(8)(16)
Directors and executive officers as a group (14 people)

*	Less than 1%

(1)

Reflects conversion of our preferred units. Preferred units may be converted at the conversion rate of common units and subordinated units per preferred unit at any time subsequent to the consummation of this offering and are mandatorily convertible in annual tranches from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2018. Upon the consummation of this offering, our preferred units will represent % of our common units and % of our subordinated units outstanding on an as-converted basis. Except with respect to certain matters requiring the approval of the holders of preferred units, each preferred unit is entitled to vote as a single class with the common and subordinated units on an as-converted basis. For a detailed discussion of our preferred units, please read “Description of Our Preferred Units.”

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(2)	Black Stone Minerals G.P., L.L.C., our general partner, owns common units; these common units are not included in the beneficial ownership table or in total common units outstanding because this entity is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership.

(3)	Camden Energy Limited Partnership is a family partnership, of which our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President, Thomas L. Carter, Jr., serves as the general partner.

(4)

Mr. Carter has sole voting power over the units held by Camden Energy Limited Partnership, described above, and by Preference Partners LP, whose general partner he controls. He shares voting control and investment power over an aggregate of units owned by a nonprofit institution on whose board he serves, and he disclaims beneficial ownership of those units. Mr. Carter’s ownership also includes units of unvested restricted units previously issued as equity-based compensation.

(5)	Does not include an aggregate of restricted units expected to be issued to our management team immediately after the offering and that are subject to performance and time vesting.

(6)	Includes unvested restricted common units and unvested restricted subordinated units previously issued as equity-based compensation.

(7)	Includes unvested restricted common units and unvested restricted subordinated units previously issued as equity-based compensation.

(8)	Includes common units expected to be issued immediately after the offering to each non-employee director as director compensation.

(9)	Mr. DeWalch has shared voting and investment power over common units and subordinated units held by a trust, of which he serves as co-trustee.

(10)	Mr. Haeflinger has shared voting and investment power over an aggregate of common units and subordinated units owned by Mayo Clinic and Mayo Clinic Master Retirement Trust.

(11)	Mr. Kyle has shared voting and investment power over an aggregate of common units and subordinated units held by two trusts, of which he serves as co-trustee.

(12)	Mr. Longmaid has sole voting and investment power over units held in a trust of which he is the trustee and shares investment and voting power over common units and subordinated units held in a trust of which he is a beneficiary.

(13)

Mr. Mathis has sole voting and investment power over an aggregate of common units and subordinated units held by WM Capital Partners, L.P., Conti Street Partners, L.P., and Conti Street Minerals, L.P. He has shared voting and investment power of aggregate of common units and subordinated units held by the estate of a family member, of which he serves as co-executor.

(14)	Mr. Sinclair has sole voting and investment power over of an aggregate of common units and subordinated units owned by Caddis Minerals, Ltd., Castleton Energy Fund I, Ltd., Leone, Ltd., Shiprock Minerals, Ltd., and San Miguel River Partners.

(15)

Mr. Stuart has sole voting and investment power over an aggregate of common units and subordinated units owned by North Star Oil & Gas, Topsfield Energy, Ltd., and RDS Investments, L.P. He also shares voting and investment power over units owned by a trust, of which he serves as co-trustee. 2,340,386 common units of BSMC and 1,500 preferred units of BSMC owned by the trust are pledged to a bank as collateral for a loan to the trust.

(16)	Ms. Thacker has shared voting and investment power over common units and subordinated units held by William Marsh Rice University. Ms. Thacker serves as Chief Investment Officer of an affiliate of that entity.

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FIDUCIARY DUTIES

The Delaware Act provides that Delaware limited partnerships may, in their partnership agreements, expand, restrict, or eliminate the fiduciary duties otherwise owed by the general partner and the directors and executive officers of the general partner to the partnership and its partners. Our partnership agreement contains provisions that eliminate the fiduciary duties to which our general partner and the directors and executive officers of our general partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty law and imposes contractual standards that our general partner and its directors and executive officers must follow. Our partnership agreement also specifically restricts the situations in which remedies may be available to our unitholders for actions taken that might constitute breaches of duty under applicable Delaware law and breaches of the contractual obligations in our partnership agreement.

When our general partner and the directors and executive officers of our general partner act, it and they must act in “good faith,” meaning it and they must not act in a manner that it and they subjectively believe is adverse to our interest. This duty to act in good faith is the default standard set forth under our partnership agreement, and our general partner and the directors and executive officers of our general partner will not be subject to any higher standard under the partnership agreement or law or equity.

When the directors and executive officers of our general partner cause our general partner to manage and operate our business, the directors and executive officers must cause our general partner to act in a manner consistent with our general partner’s applicable duties and contractual standards. Therefore, where the directors and executive officers of our general partner are causing our general partner to act, the directors and executive officers must cause the general partner to act in good faith, meaning they cannot cause the general partner to take an action that they subjectively believe is adverse to our interest. However, the directors of our general partner may determine, in their discretion and free of any duty or obligation (including the obligation to act in good faith), whether to submit a determination to the conflicts committee for review or to seek approval by the unitholders, as described below.

Duties owed by our general partner and the directors and executive officers of our general partner to the partnership and to the unitholders are prescribed by law and in our partnership agreement. The Delaware Act provides that Delaware limited partnerships may, in their partnership agreements, expand, restrict, or eliminate the fiduciary duties that otherwise may be owed by the general partner and the directors and executive officers of our general partner to the partnership and its partners.

Our partnership agreement contains various provisions eliminating the fiduciary duties that might otherwise be owed by our general partner and the directors and executive officers of our general partner and imposing contractual standards that our general partner and its directors and executive officers must follow. We have adopted these provisions to allow our general partner and its directors and executive officers to manage and operate our business with greater flexibility and to subject the actions and determinations of our general partner and its directors and executive officers to lesser legal or judicial scrutiny than would be the case if state law fiduciary standards were applicable. Without these modifications, our general partner’s and the directors’ and officers’ of our general partner ability to make decisions—and, in particular, decisions involving conflicts of interest—may be restricted. The modifications to the fiduciary standards benefit our general partner and the directors and executive officers of our general partner by providing greater flexibility and enabling them to take into consideration all factors and interests of various parties while still imposing a duty to manage our partnership in good faith. These modifications also strengthen the ability of our general partner to attract and retain experienced and capable directors and executive officers.

These modifications may represent a detriment to our public unitholders because they restrict the remedies available to our public unitholders for actions that, without those limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty, as described below.

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The following is a summary of:

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the default fiduciary duties under Delaware law;

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the contractual standards contained in our partnership agreement that replace the default fiduciary duties; and

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certain rights and remedies of limited partners contained in the Delaware Act.

Default state law fiduciary duty standards

Fiduciary duties are generally considered to include a duty of care and a duty of loyalty. The duty of care, in the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, would generally require a general partner to act and make decisions in an informed and deliberate manner after availing itself of all reasonably available material information. The duty of loyalty, in the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, would generally require a general partner to make decisions based on the best interests of the partnership and its partners, and not for personal or other reasons. A general partner would generally satisfy the duty of loyalty when it is in a position to base its decision on the merits of the issue rather than being governed by extraneous considerations or influences. In the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, where a general partner has a material conflict of interest with the partnership and/or the partners with respect to a potential transaction or determination, the duty of loyalty would generally require that any such action taken or determination made be entirely fair to the partnership and the partners and the general partner would typically have the burden of proving the action or transaction is entirely fair.

Partnership agreement modified standards

Our partnership agreement contains provisions that eliminate state law fiduciary duties and replace these duties with a contractually defined standard of “good faith.” For example, our partnership agreement provides that when our general partner is acting it must act in “good faith,” meaning that it believes its actions or omissions are not adverse to the interests of the partnership, and will not be subject to any other standard. The contractual standards set forth in the partnership agreement replace the obligations to which our general partner would otherwise be held.

With respect to matters involving a conflict of interest, our general partner and its directors and officers are permitted in their sole discretion and free of any duty or obligation (including the obligation to act in good faith) to determine whether or not to submit these matters for approval by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner or our common unitholders. If our general partner or its directors or officers in their sole discretion determines not to submit a conflict of interest transaction for approval either by the conflicts committee or our common unitholders, and instead the board of directors of our general partner approves the resolution or course of action taken with respect to the conflict of

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interest, then it will be presumed that, in making its decision, the general partner and the board, which may include board members affected by the conflict of interest, acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership, the person bringing or prosecuting the proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption and proving that the decision was not in good faith. These standards replace the obligations and presumptions to which our general partner would otherwise be held.

Default State Law rights and remedies of limited partners

The Delaware Act generally provides that a limited partner may institute legal action on behalf of the partnership to recover damages from a person where a general partner has refused to institute the action or where an effort to cause a general partner to do so is not likely to succeed. These actions include actions against a general partner for breach of its duties or of our partnership agreement. In addition, the statutory or case law of some jurisdictions may permit a limited partner to institute legal action on behalf of himself and all other similarly situated limited partners to recover damages from a general partner for violations of its fiduciary duties to the limited partners.

Partnership agreement modified standards

The Delaware Act provides that, unless otherwise provided in a partnership agreement, a partner or other person shall not be liable to a limited partnership or to another partner or to another person that is a party to or is otherwise bound by a partnership agreement for breach of fiduciary duty for the partner’s or other person’s good-faith reliance on the provisions of the partnership agreement. Under our partnership agreement, to the extent that, at law or in equity an indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to us or to our partners, our general partner and any other indemnitee acting in connection with our business or affairs shall not be liable to us or to any partner for its reliance on the provisions of our partnership agreement. In addition, our partnership agreement provides that our general partner and its directors and officers will not be liable for monetary damages to us or our limited partners for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that the general partner or those other persons acted in bad faith or engaged in willful misconduct or fraud or, with respect to any criminal conduct, with the knowledge that its conduct was unlawful.

By purchasing our common units, each common unitholder automatically agrees to be bound by the provisions in our partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above. This is in accordance with the policy of the Delaware Act favoring the principle of freedom of contract and the enforceability of partnership agreements. The failure of a limited partner to sign a partnership agreement does not render the partnership agreement unenforceable against that person.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON UNITS

Our Common Units

The common units offered hereby represent limited partner interests in us. The holders of our preferred units, common units, and subordinated units are holders of separate classes of limited partner interests in us. The holders of common units and subordinated units are entitled to participate in distributions and exercise the rights and privileges provided to limited partners holding common units and subordinated units under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and privileges of holders of our common units and subordinated units to distributions, please read “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions” and “Description of Our Preferred Units—Distributions.” For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our partnership agreement, including voting rights, please read “The Partnership Agreement” and “Description of Our Preferred Units.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC will serve as registrar and transfer agent for the common units. We pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of common units, except the following, which must be paid by unitholders:

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surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, taxes, and other governmental charges;

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special charges for services requested by a holder of a common unit; and

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other similar fees or charges.

There is no charge to our unitholders for disbursements of our quarterly cash distributions. We will indemnify the transfer agent, its agents, and each of their stockholders, directors, officers, and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.

The transfer agent may resign, by notice to us, or be removed by us. The resignation or removal of the transfer agent will become effective upon our appointment of a successor transfer agent and registrar and its acceptance of the appointment. If a successor has not been appointed or has not accepted its appointment within 30 days after notice of the resignation or removal, our general partner may act as the transfer agent and registrar until a successor is appointed.

Transfer of Common Units

•

represents that the transferee has the capacity, power, and authority to become bound by our partnership agreement;

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automatically agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and is deemed to have executed, our partnership agreement; and

•

gives the consents, acknowledgments, and waivers contained in our partnership agreement, such as the approval of all transactions and agreements entered into in connection with our formation and this offering.

A transferee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred common units automatically upon the recording of the transfer on our books and records. Our general partner will cause any transfers to be recorded on our books and records from time to time as necessary to accurately reflect the transfers.

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We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of a common unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.

Common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to become a limited partner in our partnership for the transferred common units.

Until a common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the common unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.

Listing

We have applied to list our common units on the NYSE under the symbol “BSM.”

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR PREFERRED UNITS

Our Preferred Units

Our Series A Preferred Units, which we refer to as the “preferred units,” are substantially the same as the Series A preferred units issued by our predecessor and represent limited partner interests in us. The holders of preferred units are entitled to participate in distributions and exercise certain other rights and privileges under our partnership agreement. We do not currently expect to issue additional preferred units. For a description of the relative rights and privileges of holders of our preferred units to distributions, please read “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions” and “—Distributions.” For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our partnership agreement, including voting rights, please read “The Partnership Agreement” and “—Voting; Waiver.”

Distributions

Prior to our liquidation, and while any of our preferred units remain outstanding, cash or other property of the partnership will be distributed 100% to our preferred unitholders until the aggregate Unpaid Preferred Yield (as defined below) of each preferred unit accrued through the last day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter has been reduced to zero. Under certain limited circumstances, the preferred units have a priority right to additional distributions. We believe it is unlikely any additional distribution will be required, and if they are required, we believe they would not materially adversely affect the per unit distribution rate we would otherwise make on our common and subordinated units.

In connection with our liquidation, cash, or other property will be distributed to the partners in accordance with capital account balances. The manner in which profits and losses are allocated among the partners pursuant to the partnership agreement is designed to maintain a capital account balance for each preferred unit equal to the Liquidation Preference Amount (as defined below) so that each preferred unitholder will receive the Liquidation Preference Amount upon our liquidation. In the event the capital account balance with respect to each preferred unit does not equal the Liquidation Preference Amount, the preferred unitholders will receive an amount equal to the Liquidation Preference Amount for each preferred unit held by the preferred unitholder.

The terms “Preferred Yield,” “Unpaid Preferred Yield,” and “Liquidation Preference Amount” have the following meanings:

“Liquidation Preference Amount” means, with respect to any preferred unit outstanding at the time of the liquidation of the Partnership, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Unpaid Preferred Yield plus (ii) $1,000.

Conversion of the Preferred Units

Each preferred unit may be converted, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time, and without the payment of additional consideration, into common units and subordinated units at the then-effective conversion rate. The preferred units have a conversion rate of common units and subordinated units per preferred unit, each subject to adjustment as provided herein.

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On January 1 of each year from 2016 to 2018, a number of preferred units will automatically be converted into common units at the then-effective conversion rate. As a result of these mandatory conversions, all preferred units will have either been redeemed or converted into common units and subordinated units as of January 1, 2018.

A preferred unitholder who converts its preferred units, or whose preferred units are automatically converted, will be entitled to receive the Unpaid Preferred Yield on its shares through the conversion date. We will not issue fractions of units upon conversion of preferred units. We will pay cash in lieu of each fraction of a unit otherwise issuable upon a conversion.

The preferred units will cease to be convertible on the day of the first liquidating distribution by the partnership.

Each preferred unit which is surrendered for conversion as provided in our partnership agreement will no longer be deemed outstanding as of the conversion date, and all rights with respect to the preferred unit will terminate, except for the rights of the holder thereof to receive common and subordinated units in exchange therefor (and any payment in lieu of a fractional unit and payment of any Unpaid Preferred Yield thereon).

Redemption of the Preferred Units

On December 31 of each year from 2015 through 2017 (each date, a “Scheduled Redemption Date”), each preferred unitholder may, upon written notice, require the partnership to redeem a portion of its preferred units for a cash price per preferred unit equal to the sum of $1,000 plus the Unpaid Preferred Yield accrued through that date (the aggregate amount, the “Holder Redemption Price”). The partnership will pay to the redeeming preferred unitholder the Holder Redemption Price plus, in the event of a payment after the Scheduled Redemption Date, interest on the Holder Redemption Price at a rate of 10% per annum (subject to adjustment following certain events of default by the Partnership from the Scheduled Redemption Date until the date paid to the redeeming preferred unitholder).

If Thomas L. Carter, Jr. is no longer chief executive officer of the general partner or any successor general partner of the partnership or is no longer actively involved in the investment decisions, management, and operations of the partnership (a “Key Man Event”), a preferred unitholder may notify the general partner of its objection, and each preferred unitholder will have the right to require the partnership to redeem its preferred units for a cash price per preferred unit equal to the Holder Redemption Price; provided that if the general partner disputes the occurrence of a Key Man Event, then an independent third-party arbitrator will determine if a Key Man Event occurred. The general partner will provide the preferred unitholders prompt notice following the final determination of the occurrence of a Key Man Event, and for 60 days after the notice, each preferred unitholder will have the right to send a redemption notice to the general partner. Upon receipt of a redemption notice pursuant to this paragraph, the partnership will redeem one-third of the number of preferred units for which a preferred unitholder requests redemption on December 31 of each of the calendar year in which a redemption notice is received and the two following calendar years; provided that in the event of a change of control or a liquidation occurring prior to redemption of these preferred units in full pursuant to this paragraph, the partnership will redeem 100% of these unredeemed preferred units on the date of consummation of the change of control or the date of the first liquidating distribution, as applicable, at a cash price per preferred unit equal to the Holder Redemption Price. The Unpaid Preferred Yield will continue to accrue at a rate of 10% per annum (subject to adjustment following certain events of default by the partnership) on each outstanding preferred unit until redeemed.

If on any Redemption Date the partnership is unable to redeem any preferred units designated for redemption in the redemption notice for any reason, then the partnership will redeem, pro rata among the preferred unitholders who have given a redemption notice (based on the number of preferred units held by the redeeming preferred unitholders as of the redemption date), as many of the preferred units as may be redeemed, and as soon thereafter as the partnership is able the partnership will redeem such unredeemed preferred units;

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provided that the partnership will be deemed to be in default if the partnership is unable all of the preferred units designated for redemption in the redemption notice.

In the event that a preferred unitholder gives a redemption notice with respect to any Scheduled Redemption Date, the partnership will have the option to redeem from a preferred unitholder, for a cash price per preferred unit equal to the greater of (i) the Holder Redemption Price, or (ii) the Interest Fair Market Value of the common and subordinated units into which the preferred units so redeemed are convertible on such Scheduled Redemption Date (the “Partnership Redemption Price”), a number of preferred units up to the number of preferred units designated for redemption by the preferred unitholder in such redemption notice; provided that the partnership will not exercise the redemption rights pursuant to this paragraph while a default by the partnership is continuing.

In the event of a change of control or anticipated change of control, except with respect to any preferred unit a preferred unitholder elects to convert, the partnership will redeem at the Holder Redemption Price the preferred units upon the consummation of the change of control.

From and after the redemption of any preferred units in full, all rights of the holders (except the right to receive the redemption payment, plus interest if applicable) will cease, and the preferred units will be deemed to no longer be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever.

Anti-Dilution Provisions

The Conversion Price and the Conversion Rate will be subject to adjustment from time to time as described in accordance with this “Description of Our Preferred Units.”

If we at any time (i) subdivide our outstanding common and subordinated units, (ii) make a distribution on our outstanding common and subordinated units payable in units, or (iii) combine our outstanding preferred units, the conversion price for the preferred units will be proportionately decreased (with appropriate adjustments to the Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to the subdivision or distribution). If we at any time (i) combine our outstanding common and subordinated units, (ii) subdivide our outstanding preferred units, or (iii) make a distribution on our outstanding preferred units payable in preferred units, the conversion price for our preferred units will be proportionately increased (with appropriate adjustments to the conversion rate in effect immediately prior to the combination).

If as a result of any capital reorganization or reclassification of our common and subordinated units or consolidation or merger of the partnership with another entity, our common and subordinated unitholders would receive stock, securities, cash, or other property with respect to or in exchange for common and subordinated units, then the preferred unitholders will have the right to acquire and receive upon conversion of the preferred units, the shares of stock, securities, cash, or other property issuable or payable (as part of the reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger, or sale) with respect to or in exchange for the number of outstanding common and subordinated units that the preferred unitholders would have received upon conversion of the preferred units at the applicable conversion rate.

If any event occurs as to which, in the good-faith opinion of the general partner, the provisions of this section entitled “Anti-Dilution Provisions” are not strictly applicable or would not fairly protect the rights of the preferred unitholders, then the general partner will make an adjustment, so as to protect these rights.

Voting; Waiver

Except with respect to certain matters requiring the approval of the preferred unitholders, which are set forth in Annex A to our partnership agreement, a form of which is included in this prospectus as Appendix A, at each meeting of the partners (or pursuant to any action by written consent), with respect to any and all matters presented to the partners for their action or consideration, each preferred unitholder will be entitled to vote with the common and subordinated unitholders, as a single class, on an “as-converted basis,” meaning that each preferred unit entitles the holder thereof to a number of votes equal to the number of common and subordinated units into which the preferred unit is convertible at the time of such vote or consent.

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THE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. The form of our partnership agreement is included in this prospectus as Appendix A. We will provide investors and prospective investors with a copy of our partnership agreement upon request at no charge.

We summarize the following provisions of our partnership agreement elsewhere in this prospectus:

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with regard to the duties of our general partner, please read “Fiduciary Duties”;

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with regard to the transfer of common units, please read “Description of Our Common Units—Transfer of Common Units”; and

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with regard to allocations of taxable income and taxable loss, please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.”

Organization and Duration

We were organized in September 2014 and will have a perpetual existence unless terminated pursuant to the terms of our partnership agreement.

Purpose

Our purpose, as set forth in our partnership agreement, is to engage in any business activity that is approved by our general partner and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized under Delaware law; provided that our general partner shall not cause us to take any action that the general partner determines would be reasonably likely to cause us to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes.

Our general partner is generally authorized to perform all acts it determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out our purposes and to conduct our business.

Capital Contributions

Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described below under “—Limited Liability.”

Adjustments to Capital Accounts Upon Issuance of Additional Common Units

We will make adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional common units. In doing so, we will generally allocate any unrealized and, for tax purposes, unrecognized gain or loss resulting from the adjustments to our unitholders prior to an issuance on a pro rata basis, so that after such issuance, the capital account balances attributable to all common units are equal.

Voting Rights

The following is a summary of the unitholder vote required for approval of the matters specified below. Matters that call for the approval of a “unit majority” require:

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during the subordination period, the approval of a majority of the common units, subordinated units, and preferred units (on an as-converted basis), voting together as a single class; and

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after the subordination period, the approval of a majority of the common units.

In voting their common and subordinated units, our directors will have no duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in the best interests of us or the limited partners. The holders of a majority of the common, subordinated, and preferred units, in the aggregate, represented in person or by

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proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of such common, subordinated, and preferred unitholders, unless any such action requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units in which case the quorum shall be the greater percentage.

The following is a summary of the vote requirements specified for certain matters under our partnership agreement.

Election of directors of our general partner

Our limited partners holding common units, subordinated units, and preferred units (on an as-converted basis) will vote together as a single class for the election of directors to the board of directors of our general partner. The limited partners authorized to vote will elect, by a plurality of the votes cast at such meeting, persons to serve as directors of our general partner who are nominated in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement. Limited Partners will be entitled to cumulate their votes for purposes of electing directors. Please read “—Nomination of Directors.”

Issuance of additional units (including units senior to the common units)

No approval right by limited partners holding common or subordinated units, including units that are senior to the common units. However, our partnership agreement does not authorize us to issue securities having preferences or rights with priority over or on a parity with our outstanding preferred units with respect to rights to share in distributions, redemption obligations, or redemption rights. Please read “—Issuance of Additional Partnership Interests.”

Amendment of the partnership agreement

Certain amendments may be made by our general partner without the approval of any limited partners. Other amendments generally require the approval of a unit majority. Please read “—Amendment of the Partnership Agreement.”

Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets

Unit majority in certain circumstances. Please read “—Merger, Consolidation, Conversion, Sale, or Other Disposition of Assets.”

Dissolution of our partnership

Unit majority Please read “—Dissolution.”

Continuation of our business upon dissolution

Unit majority. Please read “—Dissolution.”

Withdrawal of our general partner

No voluntary withdrawal right. Please read “—Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner; Transfer of General Partner Interest.”

Transfer of our general partner interest

No transfer right without the consent of a supermajority vote of the unitholders. Please read “—Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner; Transfer of General Partner Interest.”

If any person or group, (other than our directors and their affiliates, a limited partner in our predecessor who beneficially owned 15% or more of our common, subordinated, or preferred units as of the date of our initial

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public offering, their transferees, and persons who acquired such units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner) acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of any class of common, subordinated, or preferred units, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply to any person or group that acquires the units from the limited partners in our predecessor or its affiliates and any transferees of that person or group approved by the board of directors of our general partner or to any person or group who acquires the units with the specific prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner. The units of any disenfranchised holder shall be deemed present for quorum purposes and voted in the same proportion as all other units of such class are voted.

Meetings; Voting

An annual meeting of the limited partners holding common units, subordinated units, and preferred units for the election of directors to the board of directors of our general partner will be held at a date and time as may be fixed from time to time by our general partner. Notice of the annual meeting will be given not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date of the meeting.

The limited partners holding common units, subordinated units, and preferred units (on an as-converted basis) will vote together as a single class for the election of directors. The limited partners authorized to vote will elect by a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting persons to serve as directors on the board of directors of our general partner who are nominated in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement. The exercise by a limited partner of the right to elect the directors and any other rights afforded to a limited partner under our partnership agreement will be in the limited partner’s capacity as a limited partner of the partnership and are not intended to cause a limited partner to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the partnership.

Each limited partner entitled to vote at an election for the board of directors will be entitled to cumulate his or her vote and give one candidate, or divide among any number of candidates, a number of votes equal to the product of (x) the number of common and subordinated units held by the limited partner, multiplied by (y) the number of directors to be elected at the meeting.

Additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. However, our partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to change management without the support of the board of directors of our general partner. If at any time any person or group, other than (a) a person who is one of our directors, his or her affiliates, or a limited partner in our predecessor with beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our common, subordinated, or preferred units as of the date of our initial public offering, (b) a transferee of any of the persons described in the preceding clause (a) with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner, or (c) a person or group that acquires units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of any class of common, subordinated, or preferred units then outstanding, that person or group will lose voting rights on all of its units and the units may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes, as contemplated in our partnership agreement.

In addition, solely with respect to the election of directors, our partnership agreement provides that our general partner and the partnership will not be entitled to vote their units, if any, and the foregoing units will not be counted when calculating the required votes for a matter and will not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of determining a quorum for a meeting. These units will not be treated as a separate class of partnership securities for purposes of our partnership agreement.

Except as described above, unitholders on the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners, and to act upon matters for which approvals may be solicited. Units held in

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nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and his nominee provides otherwise.

Any action that is required or permitted to be taken by our unitholders may be taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or, if authorized by our general partner, without a meeting if consents in writing describing the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of units as would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting. Special meetings of the unitholders may be called by our general partner or by unitholders owning at least 20% of the outstanding units. Unitholders may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a majority of the outstanding units of the class or classes for which a meeting was called (including outstanding units deemed owned by the general partner), represented in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum unless otherwise provided in our partnership agreement in connection with the election of directors to the board of directors of our general partner or unless any action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum will be the greater percentage.

Any notice, demand, request, report, or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of units under our partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.

Nomination of Directors

Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors of our general partner may be made at an annual meeting of the limited partners only (a) pursuant to our general partner’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (b) by or at the direction of the board of directors or any committee thereof, or (c) by any limited partner or group of limited partners who (1) was a record holder at the time the notice provided for in our partnership agreement is delivered to our general partner, (2) is entitled to vote at the meeting, (3) complies with the notice procedures set forth in our partnership agreement, and (4) either individually or as a group hold units representing at least 10% of the outstanding units (measured on a fully diluted basis and treating the preferred units on an as-converted basis) both at the time of giving notice of such nomination and at the meeting.

For any nominations brought before an annual meeting by a limited partner, the limited partner must give timely notice thereof in writing to our general partner. The notice must contain certain information as described in our partnership agreement. To be timely, a limited partner’s notice must be delivered to our general partner not later than the close of business on the 90th day, nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day, prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting (provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or more than 70 days after the anniversary date, notice by the limited partner must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made by the partnership or our general partner). The public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting will not commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a limited partner’s notice as described above.

In the event that the number of directors to be elected to the board of directors of our general partner is increased effective at the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the partnership or our general partner naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a limited partner’s notice will also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to our general partner not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which a public announcement is first made by the partnership or our general partner.

Nominations of persons for election to the board of directors also may be made at a special meeting of limited partners at which directors are to be elected in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement.

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Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in our partnership agreement will be eligible to be elected at an annual or special meeting of limited partners to serve as directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise required by law, if the limited partner (or a qualified representative of the limited partner) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of limited partners to present a nomination, the nomination shall be disregarded notwithstanding that proxies in respect of a vote may have been received by our general partner or the partnership.

In addition to the provisions described above and in our partnership agreement, a limited partner must also comply with all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder; provided, however, that any references in our partnership agreement to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and do not limit any requirements applicable to nominations pursuant to our partnership agreement, and compliance with our partnership agreement is the exclusive means for a limited partner to make nominations.

Applicable Law; Forum, Venue, and Jurisdiction

Our partnership agreement is governed by Delaware law. Our partnership agreement requires that any claims, suits, actions, or proceedings:

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arising out of or relating in any way to the partnership agreement (including any claims, suits, or actions to interpret, apply, or enforce the provisions of the partnership agreement or the duties, obligations, or liabilities among limited partners or of limited partners to us, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the limited partners or us);

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brought in a derivative manner on our behalf;

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asserting a claim of breach of a duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of us or our general partner, or owed by our general partner, to us, or the limited partners;

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asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act; or

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asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine

shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction), regardless of whether the claims, suits, actions, or proceedings sound in contract, tort, fraud, or otherwise, are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal, or other grounds, or are derivative or direct claims and irrevocably waives the right to trial by jury.

By purchasing a common unit, a limited partner is irrevocably consenting to these limitations and provisions regarding claims, suits, actions, or proceedings and submitting to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or such other court) in connection with any such claims, suits, actions, or proceedings.

Limited Liability

Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Act and that he otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of the partnership agreement, his liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to possible exceptions, to the amount of capital he is obligated to contribute to us for his units plus his share of any undistributed profits and assets. However, if it were determined that the right, or exercise of the right, by the limited partners as a group:

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to remove or replace our general partner;

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to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement; or

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to take other action under our partnership agreement

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constituted “participation in the control” of our business for the purposes of the Delaware Act, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Delaware, to the same extent as our general partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us under the reasonable belief that the limited partner is a general partner. Neither our partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse against our general partner if a limited partner were to lose limited liability through any fault of our general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we know of no precedent for this type of a claim in Delaware case law.

Under the Delaware Act, prior to the dissolution of a limited partnership, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner if, after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, would exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of property subject to liability for which recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act shall be liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years. Following the dissolution of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act generally requires a limited partnership to satisfy (or make reasonable provision to satisfy) liabilities of the limited partnership prior to making distributions to partners.

Following the completion of this offering, we may have subsidiaries that conduct business in other states or countries in the future. Maintenance of our limited liability as owner of our operating subsidiaries may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which the operating subsidiaries conduct business, including qualifying our subsidiaries to do business there.

Limitations on the liability of members or limited partners for the obligations of a limited liability company or limited partnership have not been clearly established in many jurisdictions. If, by virtue of our ownership interest in our subsidiaries or otherwise, it were determined that we were conducting business in any jurisdiction without compliance with the applicable limited partnership or limited liability company statute, or that the right or exercise of the right by the limited partners as a group to remove or replace our general partner, to approve some amendments to our partnership agreement, or to take other action under our partnership agreement constituted “participation in the control” of our business for purposes of the statutes of any relevant jurisdiction, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the law of that jurisdiction to the same extent as our general partner under the circumstances. We will operate in a manner that our general partner considers reasonable and necessary or appropriate to preserve the limited liability of the limited partners.

Issuance of Additional Partnership Interests

Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership interests for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our general partner without the approval of the unitholders (other than, in certain instances, approval of the holders of our outstanding preferred units, if any).

It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional common units, subordinated units, or other partnership interests. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing common unitholders in our distributions. In addition, the issuance of additional common units or other partnership interests may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing common unitholders in our net assets.

In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership interests that, as determined by our general partner, may have rights to distributions or special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled. In addition, our partnership agreement does not prohibit our subsidiaries from issuing equity interests, which may effectively rank senior to the common units.

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Amendment of the Partnership Agreement

General

Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by our general partner. In order to adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below, our general partner is required to seek written approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment or to call a meeting of the limited partners to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment. Except as described below, an amendment must be approved by a unit majority.

Prohibited Amendments

No amendment may be made that would:

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enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without his consent, unless approved by at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests so affected;

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enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable by us to our general partner or any of its affiliates without the consent of our general partner, which consent may be given or withheld in its sole discretion; or

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amend or modify the rights of our preferred unitholders, create certain new classes of preferred units, or cause the partnership to issue certain redeemable securities without the consent of a supermajority of the preferred unitholders.

The provision of our partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects described in the clauses above can be amended upon the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the outstanding common units, subordinated units, and preferred units (on an as-converted basis), voting as a single class.

No Unitholder Approval

Our general partner may generally make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner holding common and subordinated units to reflect:

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a change in our name, the location of our principal place of business, our registered agent, or our registered office;

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the admission, substitution, withdrawal, or removal of partners in accordance with our partnership agreement;

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a change that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue our qualification as a limited partnership, or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any state, or to ensure that neither we nor any of our subsidiaries will be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed);

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an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of our counsel, to prevent us or our general partner or its directors, officers, agents, or trustees from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”) whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed;

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an amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary, appropriate, or desirable in connection with the creation, authorization, or issuance of additional partnership interests or the right to acquire partnership interests;

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any amendment expressly permitted in our partnership agreement to be made by our general partner acting alone;

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an amendment effected, necessitated, or contemplated by a merger agreement that has been approved under the terms of our partnership agreement;

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any amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary, appropriate, or desirable for the formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership, or other entity, as otherwise permitted by our partnership agreement;

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a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and related changes;

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conversions into, mergers with or conveyances to another limited liability entity that is newly formed and has no assets, liabilities, or operations at the time of the conversion, merger, or conveyance other than those it receives by way of the conversion, merger, or conveyance; or

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any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described in the clauses above.

In addition, our general partner may make amendments to our partnership agreement, without the approval of any limited partner holding common or subordinated units, if our general partner determines that those amendments:

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do not adversely affect the limited partners (including any particular class of partnership interests as compared to other classes of partnership interests) in any material respect;

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are necessary or appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions, or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling, or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute;

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are necessary, appropriate, or desirable to facilitate the trading of limited partner interests or to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline, or requirement of any securities exchange on which the limited partner interests are or will be listed for trading;

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are necessary, appropriate, or desirable for any action taken by our general partner relating to splits or combinations of units under the provisions of our partnership agreement; or

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are required to effect the intent expressed in this prospectus or the intent of the provisions of our partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by our partnership agreement.

Opinion of Counsel and Unitholder Approval

Any amendment that our general partner determines adversely affects in any material respect one or more particular classes of limited partners, and is not permitted to be adopted by our general partner without limited partner approval, will require the approval of at least a majority of the class or classes so affected, but no vote will be required by any class or classes of limited partners that our general partner determines are not adversely affected in any material respect. Any such amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any type or class of outstanding units in relation to other classes of units will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of units so affected. Any such amendment that would reduce the voting percentage required to take any action other than to remove the general partner or call a meeting of unitholders is required to be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced. Any such amendment that would increase the percentage of units required to remove the general partner or call a meeting of unitholders must be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than the percentage sought to be increased. For amendments of the type not requiring unitholder approval, our general partner will not be required to obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment will neither result in a loss of limited liability to the limited partners nor result in our being treated as a taxable entity for federal income tax purposes in connection with any of the amendments. No other amendments to our partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units, voting as a single class, unless we first obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will not affect the limited liability under applicable law of any of our limited partners.

Merger, Consolidation, Conversion, Sale, or Other Disposition of Assets

A merger, consolidation, or conversion of us requires the prior consent of our general partner. However, our general partner will have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger, consolidation, or conversion and may

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decline to do so free of any duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in the best interest of us or the limited partners.

In addition, our partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner, without the prior approval of the holders of a unit majority, from causing us to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation, or other combination. Our general partner may, however, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without majority approval. Our general partner may also sell all or substantially all of our assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon those encumbrances without majority approval. Finally, our general partner may consummate any merger without the prior approval of our unitholders if we are the surviving entity in the transaction, our general partner has received an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters, the transaction would not result in a material amendment to the partnership agreement (other than an amendment that the general partner could adopt without the consent of other partners), each of our units will be an identical unit of our partnership following the transaction and the partnership interests to be issued do not exceed 20% of our outstanding partnership interests immediately prior to the transaction.

If the conditions specified in our partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner may convert us or any of our subsidiaries into a new limited liability entity or merge us or any of our subsidiaries into, or convey all of our assets to, a newly formed entity, if the sole purpose of that conversion, merger, or conveyance is to effect a mere change in our legal form into another limited liability entity, we have received an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters and the governing instruments of the new entity provide the limited partners and our general partner with the same rights and obligations as contained in our partnership agreement. Our unitholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal under our partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a conversion, merger, or consolidation, a sale of substantially all of our assets or any other similar transaction or event.

Dissolution

We will continue as a limited partnership until dissolved and terminated under our partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:

•

the election of our general partner to dissolve us, if approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority;

•

there being no limited partners, unless we are continued without dissolution in accordance with applicable Delaware law;

•

the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of our partnership; or

•

the withdrawal or removal of our general partner or any other event that results in its ceasing to be our general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general partner interest in accordance with our partnership agreement or its withdrawal or removal following the approval and admission of a successor.

Upon a dissolution under the last clause above, the holders of a unit majority may also elect, within specific time limitations, to continue our business on the same terms and conditions described in our partnership agreement by appointing as a successor general partner an entity approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion of counsel to the effect that:

•

the action would not result in the loss of limited liability under Delaware law of any limited partner; and

•

neither our partnership nor any of our subsidiaries would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of that right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

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Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds

Upon our dissolution, unless such dissolution is revoked, the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general partner that are necessary or appropriate, liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the liquidation as set forth in our partnership agreement. The liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period of time or distribute assets to partners in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to our partners. Please read “Description of Our Preferred Units—Distributions.”

Withdrawal or Removal of Our General Partner; Transfer of General Partner Interest

Our general partner does not have the right to withdraw voluntarily as our general partner, and any such withdrawal would be a breach of our partnership agreement. In addition, our partnership agreement does not permit our general partner to sell or otherwise transfer its general partner interest in us to another person, except a wholly owned subsidiary of the partnership, without the consent of a supermajority vote of the unitholders.

Change of Management Provisions

Our partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to change our management. If any person or group, other than the limited partners in BSMC prior to this offering, their transferees, and persons who acquired their units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner, acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of any class of common or subordinated units, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply in certain circumstances. Furthermore, a person or group must own at least 10% of our outstanding units (on a fully diluted basis) to nominate persons for election to our board of directors. Please read “—Meetings; Voting.” These provisions do not apply to our currently outstanding preferred units.

Ineligible Holders; Redemption

Under our partnership agreement, an “Ineligible Holder” is a limited partner, or type of limited partner, whose, or whose owners’, in the determination of our general partner with the advice of counsel (a) U.S. federal income tax status creates or is reasonably likely to create a material adverse effect on the rates chargeable to our customers by us or (b) nationality, citizenship or other related status would create or is reasonably likely to create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which we have an interest. Our general partner may change its determination of what types of unitholders are considered Eligible Holders and Ineligible Holders at any time.

If at any time our general partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that one or more limited partners are Ineligible Holders, then our general partner may adopt such amendments to our partnership agreement as it determines necessary or advisable to request any limited partner to furnish to our general partner an executed certification or other information about its federal income tax status and/or nationality, citizenship or related status. If a limited partner fails to furnish such certification or other requested information within 30 days (or such other period as our general partner may determine) after a request for such certification or other information, or our general partner determines after receipt of the information that the limited partner is an Ineligible Holder, the limited partner may be treated as an Ineligible Holder. An Ineligible Holder does not have the right to direct the voting of its units and may not receive distributions in kind upon our liquidation.

Furthermore, we have the right to redeem all of the common and subordinated units of any holder that our general partner concludes is an Ineligible Holder or fails to furnish the information requested by our general partner. The redemption price in the event of such redemption for each unit held by such unitholder will be the current market price of such unit (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption). The redemption price will be paid, as determined by our general partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note. Any such promissory note will bear interest at the rate of 8% annually and be payable in three equal annual installments of principal and accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.

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These provisions do not apply to our currently outstanding preferred units.

Transfer of Subordinated Units

By transfer of subordinated units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of subordinated units will be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the subordinated units transferred when such transfer and admission is reflected in our books and records. Each transferee:

•

represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to become bound by our partnership agreement;

•

automatically becomes bound by the terms and conditions of our partnership agreement; and

•

gives the consents, waivers and approvals contained in our partnership agreement, such as the approval of all transactions and agreements we are entering into in connection with our formation and this offering.

Our general partner will cause any transfers to be recorded on our books and records no less frequently than quarterly.

We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of subordinated units as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.

Subordinated units are securities and any transfers are subject to the laws governing transfer of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to become a limited partner for the transferred subordinated units.

Until a subordinated unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder of the unit or right as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.

Limited Call Right

If at any time prior to the end of the subordination period we own more than 80% of the total number of common units outstanding at any one point in time, we will have the right to acquire all, but not less than all, of the common units as of a record date to be selected by our general partner, on at least 10, but not more than 60, days’ notice. The purchase price in the event of this purchase is the greater of:

•

the highest price paid by us for any limited partner interests of the common units purchased within the 90 days preceding the date on which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase the common units; and

•

the average of the daily closing prices of the common units over the 20 trading days preceding the date that is three days before the date the notice is mailed.

As a result of our right to purchase outstanding limited partner interests, a holder of common units may have his common units purchased at an undesirable time or at a price that may be lower than market prices at various times prior to such purchase or lower than a unitholder may anticipate the market price to be in the future. The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of his common units in the market. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Disposition of Units.”

This limited call right is not exerciseable as long any of our preferred units are outstanding, or at any time after the subordination period has ended.

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Status as Limited Partner

By transfer of common units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of common units shall be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the common units transferred when such transfer and admission are reflected in our books and records. Except as described under “—Limited Liability,” the common units will be fully paid, and unitholders will not be required to make additional contributions.

Indemnification

Under our partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following persons:

•

any person who is or was an affiliate of our general partner;

•

any person who is or was a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, fiduciary, or trustee of our partnership, our subsidiaries, our general partner, or any of their affiliates;

•

any person who is or was serving as a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, employee, agent, fiduciary, or trustee of another person owing a fiduciary duty to us or our subsidiaries; and

•

any person designated by our general partner.

Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under our partnership agreement.

Books and Reports

Our general partner is required to keep appropriate books of our business at our principal offices. These books will be maintained for both tax and financial reporting purposes on an accrual basis. For tax and fiscal reporting purposes, our fiscal year is the calendar year.

We will furnish or make available to record holders of our common units, within 105 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited consolidated financial statements and a report on those consolidated financial statements by our independent public accountants. Except for our fourth quarter, we will also furnish or make available summary financial information within 50 days after the close of each quarter. We will be deemed to have made any such report available if we file such report with the SEC on EDGAR or make the report available on a publicly available website that we maintain.

We will furnish each record holder with information reasonably required for federal and state tax reporting purposes within 90 days after the close of each calendar year. This information is expected to be furnished in summary form so that some complex calculations normally required of partners can be avoided. Our ability to furnish this summary information to our unitholders will depend on their cooperation in supplying us with specific information. Every unitholder will receive information to assist him in determining his federal and state tax liability and in filing his federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether he supplies us with the necessary information.

Right to Inspect Our Books and Records

Our partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related (as determined by our general partner) to his interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of the demand and at his own expense, have furnished to him:

•

a current list of the name and last known address of each record holder;

•

copies of our partnership agreement, our certificate of limited partnership, related amendments, and powers of attorney under which they have been executed; and

•

such other information regarding our affairs as our general partner determines is just and reasonable.

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Under our partnership agreement, however, each of our limited partners and other persons who acquire interests in our partnership interests, do not have rights to receive information from us or any of the persons we indemnify as described above under “—Indemnification” for the purpose of determining whether to pursue litigation or assist in pending litigation against us or those indemnified persons relating to our affairs, except pursuant to the applicable rules of discovery relating to the litigation commenced by the person seeking information.

Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which our general partner determines is not in our best interests or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential. Our partnership agreement limits the rights to information that a limited partner would otherwise have under Delaware law.

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UNITS ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

After the sale of the common units offered by this prospectus, the limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering will hold an aggregate of common units and subordinated units. These units are subject to some limited restrictions on transfer described below. When and to the extent these units are freed from these restrictions on transfer, the sale of these common and subordinated units could have an adverse impact on the price of the common units on any trading market that may develop.

Our common units sold in this offering and issued to the limited partners of BSMC in connection with the merger will generally be freely transferable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except that any common units held by an “affiliate” of ours may not be resold publicly except in compliance with the registration requirements of the Securities Act or under an exemption under Rule 144 or otherwise. Rule 144 permits securities acquired by an affiliate of the issuer to be sold into the market in an amount that does not exceed, during any three-month period, the greater of:

•

1% of the total number of the securities outstanding; or

•

the average weekly reported trading volume of our common units for the four weeks prior to the sale.

Sales under Rule 144 are also subject to specific manner of sale provisions, holding period requirements, notice requirements and the availability of current public information about us. A person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned our common units for at least six months (provided we are in compliance with the current public information requirement), or one year (regardless of whether we are in compliance with the current public information requirement), would be entitled to sell those common units under Rule 144, subject only to the current public information requirement. After beneficially owning Rule 144 restricted units for at least one year, a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of ours at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale would be entitled to freely sell those common units without regard to the public information requirements, volume limitations, manner of sale provisions, and notice requirements of Rule 144. Immediately following the offering, less than % of either the common units or subordinated units are expected to be held by our affiliates.

Our partnership agreement provides that we may issue an unlimited number of limited partner interests of any type and at any time without a vote of the unitholders (other than, in certain instances, approval of the holders of our preferred units). Any issuance of additional common units or other limited partner interests would result in a corresponding decrease in the proportionate ownership interest in us represented by, and could adversely affect the cash distributions to and market price of, common units then outstanding. Please read “The Partnership Agreement—Issuance of Additional Partnership Interests.”

The executive officers and directors of our general partner have agreed not to sell any common units they beneficially own for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus. Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering will be restricted from selling any common units they beneficially own, including any common units resulting from the conversion of such limited partners’ preferred units, for a period of 45 days from the date of this prospectus. Please read “Underwriting” for a description of these lock-up provisions. The limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering (including our executive officers and directors) will be restricted from selling with certain limited exceptions any subordinated units they beneficially own until permitted by the board of directors of our general partner in its sole discretion.

Prior to the completion of this offering, we expect to adopt a new long-term incentive plan. If adopted, we intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register common units issuable under the long-term incentive plan. This registration statement on Form S-8 is expected to be filed following the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and will be effective upon filing. Accordingly, common units issued under the long-term incentive plan will be eligible for resale in the public market without restriction after the effective date of the Form S-8 registration statement, subject to applicable vesting requirements, Rule 144 limitations applicable to affiliates and the lock-up restrictions described above.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

This section summarizes the material federal income tax consequences that may be relevant to prospective unitholders and is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing and proposed Treasury regulations thereunder (the “Treasury Regulations”), and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Changes in these authorities may cause the federal income tax consequences to a prospective unitholder to vary substantially from those described below, possibly on a retroactive basis. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “we” or “us” are references to Black Stone Minerals, L.P. and its subsidiaries.

Legal conclusions contained in this section, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. and are based on the accuracy of representations made by us to them for this purpose. However, this section does not address all federal income tax matters that affect us or our unitholders and does not describe the application of the alternative minimum tax that may be applicable to certain unitholders. Furthermore, this section focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States (for federal income tax purposes), who have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency, who use the calendar year as their taxable year, and who hold units as capital assets (generally, property that is held for investment). This section has limited applicability to corporations, partnerships (including entities treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes), estates, trusts, non-resident aliens, or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as tax-exempt institutions, non-U.S. persons, IRAs, employee benefit plans, real estate investment trusts, or mutual funds. Accordingly, we encourage each unitholder to consult the unitholder’s own tax advisor in analyzing the federal, state, local, and non-U.S. tax consequences particular to that unitholder resulting from ownership or disposition of units and potential changes in applicable tax laws.

We are relying on opinions and advice of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. with respect to the matters described herein. An opinion of counsel represents only that counsel’s best legal judgment and does not bind the IRS or a court. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made herein may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any such contest of the matters described herein may materially and adversely impact the market for units and the prices at which our units trade. In addition, our costs of any contest with the IRS will be borne indirectly by our unitholders because the costs will reduce cash distributions to unitholders. Furthermore, the tax consequences of an investment in us may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions, which may be retroactively applied.

For the reasons described below, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following federal income tax issues: (1) the treatment of a unitholder whose units are the subject of a securities loan (e.g., a loan to a short seller to cover a short sale of units) (please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Treatment of Securities Loans”); (2) whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by existing Treasury Regulations (please read “—Disposition of Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees”); and (3) whether our method for taking into account Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain cases (please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election” and “—Uniformity of Units”).

Taxation of the Partnership

Partnership Status

We expect to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, therefore, generally will not be liable for entity-level federal income taxes. Instead, as described below, each of our unitholders will take into account its respective share of our items of income, gain, loss, and deduction in computing its federal income tax liability as if the unitholder had earned the income directly, even if we make no cash distributions to the unitholder.

Section 7704 of the Code generally provides that publicly traded partnerships will be treated as corporations for federal income tax purposes. However, if 90% or more of a partnership’s gross income for every taxable year

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it is publicly traded consists of “qualifying income,” the partnership may continue to be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes (the “Qualifying Income Exception”). Qualifying income includes income and gains derived from the exploration, production, and marketing of certain natural resources, including oil, natural gas, and products thereof, as well as other types of income such as interest (other than from a financial business) and dividends. We estimate that less than % of our current gross income is not qualifying income; however, this estimate could change from time to time.

Based upon factual representations made by us and our general partner, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is of the opinion that we will be treated as a partnership and our direct and indirect partnership and limited liability company subsidiaries (other than our general partner) will be disregarded as separate from us or treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. The representations made by us and our general partner upon which Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has relied in rendering its opinion include, without limitation:

(a)

Neither we nor any of our partnership or limited liability company subsidiaries (other than our general partner) has elected to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes; and

(b)

For each taxable year since and including the year of our initial public offering, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income of a character that Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has opined is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Code.

We believe that these representations are true and will be true in the future.

If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery (in which case the IRS may also require us to make adjustments with respect to our unitholders or pay other amounts), we will be treated as transferring all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed corporation, on the first day of the year in which we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, in return for stock in that corporation and then as distributing that stock to our unitholders in liquidation. This deemed contribution and liquidation should not result in the recognition of taxable income by our unitholders or us so long as our liabilities do not exceed the tax basis of our assets. Thereafter, we would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes.

The present federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our common units may be modified by administrative or legislative action or judicial interpretation at any time. For example, the Obama administration’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2016 recommends that certain publicly traded partnerships earning income from activities related to fossil fuels be taxed as corporations beginning in 2021. From time to time, members of the U.S. Congress propose and consider such substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships. If successful, the Obama administration’s proposal or other similar proposals could eliminate the Qualifying Income Exception to the treatment of all publicly traded partnerships as corporations upon which we rely for our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are unable to predict whether any of these changes or other proposals will ultimately be enacted. However, it is possible that a change in law could affect us and may be applied retroactively. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our units.

If for any reason we are taxable as a corporation in any taxable year, our items of income, gain, loss, and deduction would be taken into account by us in determining the amount of our liability for federal income tax, rather than being passed through to our unitholders. Our taxation as a corporation would materially reduce cash distributions to unitholders and thus would likely substantially reduce the value of our units. Any distribution made to a unitholder at a time we are treated as a corporation would be (i) a taxable dividend to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, then (ii) a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of the unitholder’s tax basis in its units, and thereafter (iii) taxable capital gain.

The remainder of this discussion is based on the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. that we will be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.

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Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership

Limited Partner Status

Unitholders who are admitted as limited partners of the partnership, as well as unitholders whose units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership of units, will be treated as partners of the partnership for federal income tax purposes. For a discussion related to the risks of losing partner status as a result of securities loans, please read “—Treatment of Securities Loans.” Unitholders who are not treated as partners in us as described above are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the tax consequences applicable to them under their particular circumstances.

Flow-Through of Taxable Income

Subject to the discussion below under “—Entity-Level Collections of Unitholder Taxes” with respect to payments we may be required to make on behalf of our unitholders, we will not pay any federal income tax. Rather, each unitholder will be required to report on its federal income tax return each year its share of our income, gains, losses, and deductions for our taxable year or years ending with or within its taxable year. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if that unitholder has not received a cash distribution.

Basis of Units

A unitholder’s tax basis in its units initially will be the amount paid for those units increased by the unitholder’s initial allocable share of our liabilities. That basis generally will be (i) increased by the unitholder’s share of our income and any increases in a unitholder’s share of our liabilities, and (ii) decreased, but not below zero, by the amount of all distributions to the unitholder, the unitholder’s share of our losses, and any decreases in the unitholder’s share of our liabilities. The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all of those interests.

Ratio of Taxable Income to Distributions

We estimate that a purchaser of units in this offering who (i) is subject to the passive activity loss limitation and (ii) owns those units from the date of closing of this offering through the record date for distributions for the period ending December 31, 2018, will be allocated, on a cumulative basis, an amount of federal taxable income that will be approximately % of the cash expected to be distributed on those units with respect to that period. If a purchaser of units in this offering is not subject to the passive activity loss limitation, such purchaser will likely have a lower ratio of taxable income to distributions. See the discussion below under “—Limitations on Deductibility of Losses” with respect to application of the passive activity loss limitation. These estimates are based upon the assumption that earnings from operations will approximate the amount required to make the anticipated quarterly distributions on all units and other assumptions with respect to capital expenditures, cash generated from operations, net working capital, and anticipated cash distributions. These estimates and assumptions are subject to, among other things, numerous business, economic, regulatory, legislative, competitive, and political uncertainties beyond our control. Further, the estimates are based on current tax law and tax reporting positions that we will adopt and which could be changed or with which the IRS could disagree. Accordingly, we cannot assure that these estimates will prove to be correct, and our counsel has not opined on the accuracy of these estimates. The actual ratio of taxable income to cash distributions could be higher or lower than expected, and any differences could be material and could affect the value of units. For example, the ratio of taxable income to cash distributions to a purchaser of units in this offering would be higher, and perhaps substantially higher, than our estimate with respect to the period described above if:

•

we distribute less cash than we have assumed in making this projection;

•

we make a future offering of units and use the proceeds of the offering in a manner that does not produce additional deductions during the period described above, such as to repay indebtedness outstanding at the time of this offering or to acquire property that is not eligible for depreciation or

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amortization for federal income tax purposes during the period or that is depreciable or amortizable at a rate significantly slower than the rate applicable to our assets at the time of this offering;

•

legislation is enacted that limits or repeals certain U.S. federal income tax preferences currently available to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies (please read “—Tax Treatment of Operations—Recent Legislative Developments”).

Treatment of Distributions

Distributions by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder unless such distributions exceed the unitholder’s tax basis in its units, in which case the unitholder generally will recognize gain taxable in the manner described below under “—Disposition of Units.”

Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our “liabilities” will be treated as a distribution by us of cash to that unitholder. A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional units may decrease the unitholder’s share of our liabilities. For purposes of the foregoing, a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities (liabilities for which no partner bears the economic risk of loss) generally will be based upon that unitholder’s share of the unrealized appreciation (or depreciation) in our assets, to the extent thereof, with any excess liabilities allocated based on the unitholder’s share of our profits. Please read “—Disposition of Units.”

A non-pro rata distribution of money or property (including a deemed distribution as a result of the reallocation of our liabilities described above) may cause a unitholder to recognize ordinary income, if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation and depletion recapture and substantially appreciated “inventory items,” both as defined in Section 751 of the Code (“Section 751 Assets”). To the extent of such reduction, the unitholder would be deemed to receive its proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and exchange such assets with us in return for a portion of the non-pro rata distribution. This deemed exchange generally will result in the unitholder’s recognition of ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of (1) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (2) the unitholder’s tax basis (generally zero) in the Section 751 Assets deemed to be relinquished in the exchange.

Limitations on Deductibility of Losses

A unitholder may not be entitled to deduct the full amount of loss we allocate to it because its share of our losses will be limited to the lesser of (i) the unitholder’s tax basis in its units, and (ii) in the case of a unitholder that is an individual, estate, trust, or certain types of closely held corporations, the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities. In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of its tax basis in its units, reduced by (1) any portion of that basis attributable to the unitholder’s share of our liabilities, (2) any portion of that basis representing amounts otherwise protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop loss agreement or similar arrangement, and (3) any amount of money the unitholder borrows to acquire or hold its units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to another unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment. A unitholder subject to the at risk limitation must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions (including distributions deemed to result from a reduction in a unitholder’s share of nonrecourse liabilities) cause the unitholder’s at risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year.

Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of the basis or at risk limitations will carry forward and will be allowable as a deduction in a later year to the extent that the unitholder’s tax basis or at risk amount, whichever is the limiting factor, is subsequently increased. Upon a taxable disposition of units, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at risk limitation but not losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any loss previously suspended by the at risk limitation in excess of that gain can no longer be used, and will not be available to offset a unitholder’s salary or active business income.

In addition to the basis and at risk limitations, a passive activity loss limitation generally limits the deductibility of losses incurred by individuals, estates, trusts, some closely held corporations and personal service corporations from “passive activities” (generally, trade or business activities in which the taxpayer does not

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materially participate). The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate will be available to offset only passive income generated by us. For this purpose, a unitholder’s share of our royalty income will not be treated as passive income. As a result, our unitholders may receive allocations of taxable income from our royalties that cannot be offset by deductions from our working interests. Passive losses that exceed a unitholder’s share of passive income we generate may be deducted in full when the unitholder disposes of all of its units in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive loss rules generally are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at risk and basis limitations.

Limitations on Interest Deductions

The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer’s “investment interest expense” generally is limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” Investment interest expense includes:

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interest on indebtedness allocable to property held for investment;

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interest expense allocated against portfolio income; and

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the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent allocable against portfolio income.

The computation of a unitholder’s investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses other than interest directly connected with the production of investment income. Net investment income generally does not include qualified dividend income or gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment. A unitholder’s share of a publicly traded partnership’s portfolio income and, according to the IRS, net passive income will be treated as investment income for purposes of the investment interest expense limitation.

Entity-Level Collections of Unitholder Taxes

If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state, local, or non-U.S. tax on behalf of any current or former unitholder or our general partner, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution of cash to the relevant unitholder or general partner. Where the tax is payable on behalf of all unitholders or we cannot determine the specific unitholder on whose behalf the tax is payable, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of a unitholder, in which event the unitholder may be entitled to claim a refund of the overpayment amount. Unitholders are urged to consult their tax advisors to determine the consequences to them of any tax payment we make on their behalf.

Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss, and Deduction

Our items of income, gain, loss, and deduction generally will be allocated amongst our unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. At any time that distributions are made to the common units in excess of distributions to the subordinated units, gross income will be allocated to the recipients to the extent of these distributions.

Specified items of our income, gain, loss, and deduction will be allocated under Section 704(c) of the Code (or the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code) to account for any difference between the tax basis and fair market value of our assets at the time such assets are contributed to us and at the time of any subsequent offering of our units (a “Book-Tax Disparity”). As a result, the federal income tax burden associated with any Book-Tax Disparity immediately prior to an offering generally will be borne by our partners holding interests in us prior to the offering. In addition, items of recapture income will be specially allocated to the extent possible to the unitholder who was allocated the deduction giving rise to that recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by other unitholders.

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An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss, or deduction, other than an allocation required by the Code to eliminate a Book-Tax Disparity, will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss, or deduction only if the allocation has “substantial economic effect.” In any other case, a partner’s share of an item will be determined on the basis of the partner’s interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all of the facts and circumstances, including (i) the partner’s relative contributions to us, (ii) the interests of all of the partners in profits and losses, (iii) the interest of all of the partners in cash flow, and (iv) the rights of all of the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in “—Section 754 Election” and “—Disposition of Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees,” allocations of income, gain, loss, or deduction under our partnership agreement will be given effect for federal income tax purposes.

Treatment of Securities Loans

A unitholder whose units are loaned (for example, a loan to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units) may be treated as having disposed of those units. If so, the unitholder would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a result, during this period (i) any of our income, gain, loss, or deduction allocated to those units would not be reportable by the lending unitholder, and (ii) any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units may be treated as ordinary taxable income.

Due to a lack of controlling authority, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion regarding the tax treatment of a unitholder that enters into a securities loan with respect to its units. Unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of income recognition from a loan of their units are urged to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing and lending their units. The IRS has announced that it is studying issues relating to the tax treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please read “—Disposition of Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Tax Rates

Under current law, the highest marginal federal income tax rates for individuals applicable to ordinary income and long-term capital gains (generally, gains from the sale or exchange of certain investment assets held for more than one year) are 39.6% and 20%, respectively. These rates are subject to change by new legislation at any time.

In addition, a 3.8% net investment income tax applies to certain net investment income earned by individuals, estates, and trusts. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes a unitholder’s allocable share of our income and gain realized by a unitholder from a sale of units. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) the unitholder’s net investment income from all investments, or (ii) the amount by which the unitholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the unitholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if married filing separately) or $200,000 (if the unitholder is unmarried or in any other case). In the case of an estate or trust, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) undistributed net investment income, or (ii) the excess adjusted gross income over the dollar amount at which the highest income tax bracket applicable to an estate or trust begins.

Section 754 Election

We will make the election permitted by Section 754 of the Code that permits us to adjust the tax bases in our assets as to specific purchasers of our units under Section 743(b) of the Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. The Section 743(b) adjustment separately applies to each purchaser of units based upon the values and bases of our assets at the time of the relevant purchase, and the adjustment will reflect the purchase price paid. The Section 743(b) adjustment does not apply to a person who purchases units directly from us.

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Under our partnership agreement, we are authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with applicable Treasury Regulations. A literal application of Treasury Regulations governing a 743(b) adjustment attributable to properties depreciable under Section 167 of the Code may give rise to differences in the taxation of unitholders purchasing units from us and unitholders purchasing from other unitholders. If we have any such properties, we intend to adopt methods employed by other publicly traded partnerships to preserve the uniformity of units, even if inconsistent with existing Treasury Regulations, and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not opined on the validity of this approach. Please read “—Uniformity of Units.”

The IRS may challenge the positions we adopt with respect to depreciating or amortizing the Section 743(b) adjustment we take to preserve the uniformity of units due to lack of controlling authority. Because a unitholder’s tax basis for its units is reduced by its share of our items of deduction or loss, any position we take that understates deductions will overstate a unitholder’s basis in its units, and may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “—Disposition of Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.” If a challenge to such treatment were sustained, the gain from the sale of units may be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.

The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made on the basis of assumptions as to the value of our assets and other matters. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment we allocated to our assets subject to depreciation or depletion to goodwill or nondepreciable assets. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. We cannot assure any unitholder that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS or that the resulting deductions will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different tax basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than it would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.

Tax Treatment of Operations

Accounting Method and Taxable Year

We will use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in its tax return its share of our income, gain, loss, and deduction for each taxable year ending within or with its taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of its units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of its taxable year must include its share of our income, gain, loss, and deduction in income for its taxable year, with the result that it will be required to include in income for its taxable year its share of more than one year of our income, gain, loss, and deduction. Please read “—Disposition of Units—Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.”

Depletion Deductions

Subject to the limitations on deductibility of losses discussed above (please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Limitations on Deductibility of Losses”), common unitholders will be entitled to deductions for the greater of either cost depletion or (if otherwise allowable) percentage depletion with respect to our oil and natural gas interests. Although the Code requires each common unitholder to compute its own depletion allowance and maintain records of its share of the adjusted tax basis of the underlying property for depletion and other purposes, we intend to furnish each of our common unitholders with information relating to this computation for federal income tax purposes. Each common unitholder, however, remains responsible for calculating its own depletion allowance and maintaining records of its share of the adjusted tax basis of the underlying property for depletion and other purposes.

Percentage depletion is generally available with respect to common unitholders who qualify under the independent producer exemption contained in Section 613A(c) of the Code. For this purpose, an independent

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producer is a person not directly or indirectly involved in the retail sale of oil, natural gas, or derivative products or the operation of a major refinery. Percentage depletion is calculated as an amount generally equal to 15% (and, in the case of marginal production, potentially a higher percentage) of the common unitholder’s gross income from the depletable property for the taxable year. The percentage depletion deduction with respect to any property is limited to 100% of the taxable income of the common unitholder from the property for each taxable year, computed without the depletion allowance. A common unitholder that qualifies as an independent producer may deduct percentage depletion only to the extent the common unitholder’s average daily production of domestic oil, or the natural gas equivalent, does not exceed 1,000 barrels. This depletable amount may be allocated between oil and natural gas production, with 6,000 cubic feet of domestic natural gas production regarded as equivalent to one barrel of oil. The 1,000-barrel limitation must be allocated among the independent producer and controlled or related persons and family members in proportion to the respective production by these persons during the period in question.

In addition to the foregoing limitations, the percentage depletion deduction otherwise available is limited to 65% of a common unitholder’s total taxable income from all sources for the year, computed without the depletion allowance, net operating loss carrybacks, or capital loss carrybacks. Any percentage depletion deduction disallowed because of the 65% limitation may be deducted in the following taxable year if the percentage depletion deduction for the year plus the deduction carryover does not exceed 65% of the common unitholder’s total taxable income for that year. The carryover period resulting from the 65% net income limitation is unlimited.

Common unitholders that do not qualify under the independent producer exemption are generally restricted to depletion deductions based on cost depletion. Cost depletion deductions are calculated by (i) dividing the common unitholder’s share of the adjusted tax basis in the underlying mineral-property by the number of mineral units (barrels of oil and Mcf of natural gas) remaining as of the beginning of the taxable year and (ii) multiplying the result by the number of mineral units sold within the taxable year. The total amount of deductions based on cost depletion cannot exceed the common unitholder’s share of the total adjusted tax basis in the property.

All or a portion of any gain recognized by a common unitholder as a result of either the disposition by us of some or all of our oil and natural gas interests or the disposition by the common unitholder of some or all of its units may be taxed as ordinary income to the extent of recapture of depletion deductions, except for percentage depletion deductions in excess of the tax basis of the property. The amount of the recapture is generally limited to the amount of gain recognized on the disposition.

The foregoing discussion of depletion deductions does not purport to be a complete analysis of the complex legislation and Treasury Regulations relating to the availability and calculation of depletion deductions by the common unitholders. Further, because depletion is required to be computed separately by each common unitholder and not by us, no assurance can be given, and counsel is unable to express any opinion, with respect to the availability or extent of percentage depletion deductions to the unitholders for any taxable year. We encourage each prospective common unitholder to consult its tax advisor to determine whether percentage depletion would be available to the common unitholder.

Administrative Expenses

Expenses of the partnership will include administrative expenses, the deductibility of which may be subject to limitation. As long as we only own royalty interests, under applicable rules, administrative expenses attributable to common units will be considered miscellaneous itemized deductions that generally will have to be aggregated with an individual unitholder’s other miscellaneous itemized deductions. These rules disallow itemized deductions that are less than 2% of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income, and the amount of otherwise allowable itemized deductions will be reduced by the lesser of (i) 3% of (A) adjusted gross income over (B) $305,050 ($152,525 if married filing separately), and (ii) 80% of the amount of itemized deductions that are otherwise allowable, or both. It is anticipated that the amount of the administrative expenses will not be significant in relation to the partnership’s income.

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Recent Legislative Developments

The Obama administration’s budget proposals for fiscal years 2015 and 2016 include proposals that would, among other things, eliminate or reduce certain key U.S. federal income tax incentives currently available to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. These changes include (i) the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and natural gas properties, (ii) the elimination of current deductions for intangible drilling and development costs, (iii) the elimination of the deduction for certain domestic production activities, and (iv) an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures. It is unclear whether these proposals will be introduced into law and, if so, how soon any resulting changes could become effective. The passage of any legislation as a result of these proposals or any other similar changes in U.S. federal income tax laws could eliminate or postpone certain tax deductions that are currently available with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and development, and any such change could increase the taxable income allocable to our unitholders and negatively impact the value of an investment in our units.

Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization

The tax basis of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions, if any, and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of those assets. If we dispose of depreciable or depletable property by sale, foreclosure, or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation and depletion deductions previously taken, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of its interest in us. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss, and Deduction.”

The costs we incur in offering and selling our units (called “syndication expenses”) must be capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. While there are uncertainties regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which may be amortized by us, and as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us, the underwriting discounts we incur will be treated as syndication expenses. Please read “—Disposition of Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss.”

Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties

The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values and the tax bases of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates and determinations of tax basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss, or deduction previously reported by unitholders could change, and unitholders could be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.

Disposition of Units

Recognition of Gain or Loss

A unitholder will be required to recognize gain or loss on a sale of units equal to the difference between the unitholder’s amount realized and tax basis in the units sold. A unitholder’s amount realized generally will equal the sum of the cash and the fair market value of other property it receives plus its share of our liabilities with respect to the units sold. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.

Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder on the sale or exchange of a unit held for more than one year generally will be taxable as long-term capital gain or loss. However, gain or loss recognized

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on the disposition of units will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Code to the extent attributable to Section 751 Assets, such as depreciation or depletion recapture and our “inventory items,” regardless of whether an inventory item is substantially appreciated in value. Ordinary income attributable to Section 751 Assets may exceed net taxable gain realized on the sale of a unit and may be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and capital gain or loss upon a sale of units. Net capital loss may offset capital gains and, in the case of individuals, up to $3,000 of ordinary income per year.

For purposes of calculating gain or loss on the sale of units, the unitholder’s adjusted tax basis will be adjusted by its allocable share of our income or loss in respect of its units for the year of the sale. Furthermore, as described above, the IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all of those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an “equitable apportionment” method, which generally means that the tax basis allocated to the interest sold equals an amount that bears the same relation to the partner’s tax basis in its entire interest in the partnership as the value of the interest sold bears to the value of the partner’s entire interest in the partnership.

Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling discussed in the paragraph above, a unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the Treasury Regulations, it may designate specific units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of the units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of our units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult its tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the Treasury Regulations.

Specific provisions of the Code affect the taxation of some financial products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an “appreciated” financial position, including a partnership interest with respect to which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned, or terminated at its fair market value, in the event the taxpayer or a related person enters into:

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a short sale;

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an offsetting notional principal contract; or

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a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property.

Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to issue Treasury Regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into transactions or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having constructively sold the financial position.

Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees

In general, our taxable income or loss will be determined quarterly, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month (the “Allocation Date”). However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets or, in the discretion of the general partner, any other extraordinary item of income, gain, loss, or deduction will be allocated among the unitholders on the Allocation Date in the month in which such income, gain, loss, or deduction is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss, and deduction realized after the date of transfer.

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Although simplifying conventions are contemplated by the Code and most publicly traded partnerships use similar simplifying conventions, the use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations. The Department of the Treasury has issued proposed Treasury Regulations that provide a safe harbor pursuant to which a publicly traded partnership may use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders, although such tax items must be prorated on a daily basis. Nonetheless, the proposed regulations do not specifically authorize the use of the proration method we have adopted. Accordingly, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is unable to opine on the validity of this method of allocating income and deductions between transferee and transferor unitholders. If this method is not allowed under the final Treasury Regulations, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the unitholder’s interest, our taxable income or losses could be reallocated among our unitholders. We are authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferee and transferor unitholders, as well as among unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year, to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury Regulations.

A unitholder who disposes of units prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss, and deduction attributable to the month of disposition but will not be entitled to receive a cash distribution for that period.

Notification Requirements

A unitholder who sells or purchases any of its units is generally required to notify us in writing of that transaction within 30 days after the transaction (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the transaction in the case of a seller). Upon receiving such notifications, we are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a transfer of units may, in some cases, lead to the imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do not apply to a sale by an individual who is a citizen of the United States and who effects the sale through a broker who will satisfy these requirements.

Constructive Termination

We will be considered to have “constructively” terminated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes upon the sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. For such purposes, multiple sales of the same unit are counted only once. A constructive termination results in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than the calendar year, the closing of our taxable year may result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in a unitholder’s taxable income for the year of termination.

A constructive termination occurring on a date other than December 31 generally would require that we file two tax returns for one fiscal year thereby increasing our administration and tax preparation costs. However, pursuant to an IRS relief procedure the IRS may allow a constructively terminated partnership to provide a single Schedule K-1 for the calendar year in which a termination occurs. Following a constructive termination, we would be required to make new tax elections, including a new election under Section 754 of the Code. A termination could also result in penalties if we were unable to determine that the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination may either accelerate the application of, or subject us to, any tax legislation enacted before the termination that would not otherwise have been applied to us as a continuing as opposed to a terminating partnership.

Uniformity of Units

Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units and other reasons, we must maintain uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of the units to a purchaser of these units. In the absence of uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements. Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on the value of the units. Please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election.”

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Our partnership agreement permits our general partner to take positions in filing our tax returns that preserve the uniformity of our units. These positions may include reducing the depreciation, amortization, or loss deductions to which a unitholder would otherwise be entitled or reporting a slower amortization of Section 743(b) adjustments for some unitholders than that to which they would otherwise be entitled. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is unable to opine as to the validity of such filing positions.

A unitholder’s basis in units is reduced by its share of our deductions (whether or not these deductions were claimed on an individual income tax return) so that any position that we take that understates deductions will overstate the unitholder’s basis in its units, and may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “—Disposition of Units—Recognition of Gain or Loss” above and “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—Section 754 Election” above. The IRS may challenge one or more of any positions we take to preserve the uniformity of units. If such a challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be affected, and, under some circumstances, the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.

Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors

Ownership of units by employee benefit plans and other tax-exempt organizations as well as by non-resident alien individuals, non-U.S. corporations and other non-U.S. persons (collectively, “non-U.S. unitholders”) raises issues unique to those investors and, as described below, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them. Prospective unitholders that are tax-exempt entities or non-U.S. unitholders should consult their tax advisors before investing in our units. Employee benefit plans and most other tax-exempt organizations, including IRAs and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income. Because our properties may be financed with debt and because we may own working interests in the future, portions of our income may be unrelated business taxable income and may be taxable to a tax-exempt unitholder.

Non-U.S. unitholders are taxed by the United States on income effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business (“effectively connected income”) and on certain types of U.S.-source non-effectively connected income (such as dividends and royalties), unless exempted or further limited by an income tax treaty. At the time of the initial public offering, we will have income from our royalty interests, certain investments in forward contracts, mineral lease bonus and delay rentals, and working interests in oil and natural gas properties. Even though we are not the operator, our ownership of working interests may be treated as effectively connected income. Furthermore, it is probable that we will be deemed to conduct these activities through permanent establishments in the United States within the meaning of applicable tax treaties. Consequently, a non-U.S. unitholder may be required to file federal tax returns to report its share of our income, gain, loss, or deduction, and pay federal income tax on its share of our net income or gain in a manner similar to a taxable U.S. unitholder. Moreover, under rules concerning withholding on effectively connected income applicable to publicly traded partnerships, distributions to non-U.S. unitholders are subject to withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate. Even though at the time of the initial public offering, not all of our income will be effectively connected income, we will instruct brokers and nominees to withhold on all distributions to non-U.S. holders at the highest applicable effective tax rate based upon the convention for effectively connected income. Non-U.S. unitholders may be entitled to a refund of all or a portion of this amount. Each non-U.S. unitholder that obtains a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submits that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or applicable substitute form) may obtain credit for these withholding taxes.

In addition, because a non-U.S. unitholder classified as a corporation may be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its share of our income and gain as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporation’s “U.S. net equity” to the extent reflected in the corporation’s effectively connected earnings and profits. That tax may be reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in which the foreign corporate unitholder is a “qualified resident.” In addition, this type of unitholder is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Code.

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A non-U.S. unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a unit will be subject to federal income tax on gain realized from the sale or disposition of that unit to the extent the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. unitholder. Under a ruling published by the IRS interpreting the scope of “effectively connected income,” gain recognized by a non-U.S. person from the sale of its interest in a partnership that is engaged in a trade or business in the United States will be considered to be effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. Thus, part or all of a non-U.S. unitholder’s gain from the sale or other disposition of its units may be treated as effectively connected with a unitholder’s indirect U.S. trade or business constituted by its investment in us. Moreover, under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, a non-U.S. unitholder generally will be subject to federal income tax upon the sale or disposition of a unit if (i) it owned (directly or indirectly, actually or constructively, applying certain attribution rules) more than 5% of our units at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of such disposition, and (ii) 50% or more of the fair market value of our worldwide real-property interests and our other assets used or held for use in a trade or business consisted of U.S. real-property interests (which include U.S. real estate (including land, improvements, and certain associated personal property) and interests in certain entities holding U.S. real estate) at any time during the shorter of the period during which a unitholder held the units or the five-year period ending on the date of disposition. More than 50% of our assets may consist of U.S. real-property interests. Therefore, non-U.S. unitholders may be subject to federal income tax on gain from the sale or disposition of their units.

Administrative Matters

Information Returns and Audit Procedures

We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each taxable year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which describes its share of our income, gain, loss, and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholder’s share of income, gain, loss, and deduction. We cannot assure our unitholders that those positions will yield a result that conforms to all of the requirements of the Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS.

The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Neither we nor Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. can assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully challenge the positions we adopt, and such a challenge could adversely affect the value of the units. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year’s tax liability and may result in an audit of the unitholder’s own return. Any audit of a unitholder’s return could result in adjustments unrelated to our returns.

Publicly traded partnerships generally are treated as entities separate from their owners for purposes of federal income tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss, and deduction are determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings of the partners. The Code requires that one partner be designated as the “Tax Matters Partner” for these purposes, and our partnership agreement designates our general partner.

The Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all of the unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1% interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review may go forward, and each unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate in that action.

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A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on its federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return. Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to substantial penalties.

Nominee Reporting

Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us:

(1)

the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee;

(2)

a statement regarding whether the beneficial owner is:

(a)

a non-U.S. person;

(b)

a non-U.S. government, an international organization, or any wholly owned agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing; or

(c)

a tax-exempt entity;

(3)

the amount and description of units held, acquired, or transferred for the beneficial owner; and

(4)

specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from sales.

Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including whether they are U.S. persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold, or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $100 per failure, up to a maximum of $1.5 million per calendar year, is imposed by the Code for failure to report that information to us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information furnished to us.

Accuracy-Related Penalties

Certain penalties may be imposed as a result of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements. No penalty will be imposed, however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for the underpayment of that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding the underpayment of that portion. We do not anticipate that any accuracy related penalties will be assessed against us.

FATCA Withholding Requirements

Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a withholding agent may be required to withhold 30% of any interest, dividends, and other fixed or determinable annual or periodical gains, profits, and income from sources within the United States (“FDAP Income”) or gross proceeds from the sale of any property of a type which can produce interest or dividends from sources within the United States paid to (i) a foreign financial institution (which includes foreign broker-dealers, clearing organizations, investment companies, hedge funds, and certain other investment entities) unless the foreign financial institution agrees to verify, report, and disclose its U.S. account holders and meets certain other specified requirements or (ii) a non-financial foreign entity that is a beneficial owner of the payment unless the entity certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner and the entity meets certain other specified requirements or otherwise qualifies for an exemption from this withholding.

The withholding provisions described above are scheduled to apply to payments of FDAP Income made on or after July 1, 2014 and to payments of relevant gross proceeds made on or after January 1, 2017. Each prospective unitholder should consult its own tax advisor regarding these withholding provisions.

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State, Local, and Other Tax Considerations

In addition to federal income taxes, unitholders may be subject to other taxes, including state and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance, or intangibles taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we conduct business or own property now or in the future, even if you do not live in those jurisdictions. We will initially own assets and conduct business in several states, many of which impose a personal income tax and also impose income taxes on corporations and other entities. We may also own property or do business in other states in the future that impose income or similar taxes on nonresident individuals. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on its investment in us.

Although you may not be required to file a return and pay taxes in some jurisdictions because your income from that jurisdiction falls below the filing and payment requirement, you will be required to file income tax returns and to pay income taxes in jurisdictions in which we do business or own property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. It is your responsibility to file all U.S. federal, foreign, state, and local tax returns. Our counsel has not rendered an opinion on the foreign, state, or local tax consequences of an investment in our common units.

It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent jurisdictions, of his investment in us. We strongly recommend that each prospective unitholder consult, and depend upon, its own tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local, and non-U.S., as well as U.S. federal tax returns that may be required of it. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion on the state, local, alternative minimum tax, or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in us.

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INVESTMENT IN BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P. BY EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

An investment in our common units by an employee benefit plan is subject to additional considerations because the investments of these plans are subject to the fiduciary responsibility and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and the prohibited transaction restrictions imposed by Section 4975 of the Code and may be subject to provisions under certain federal, state, local, non-U.S., or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of the Code or ERISA (collectively, “Similar Laws”). For these purposes the term “employee benefit plan” includes, but is not limited to, qualified pension, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans, certain Keogh plans, certain simplified employee pension plans and tax deferred annuities or individual retirement accounts or annuities (“IRAs”), and entities whose underlying assets are considered to include “plan assets” of such plans, accounts or arrangements.

General Fiduciary Matters

ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of an employee benefit plan that is subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (an “ERISA Plan”) and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of an ERISA Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of an ERISA Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of an ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to an ERISA Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan. In considering an investment in our common units, among other things, consideration should be given to:

•

whether the investment is prudent under Section 404(a)(1)(B) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws;

•

whether, in making the investment, the employee benefit plan will satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1)(C) of ERISA and any other applicable Similar Laws;

•

whether the investment is permitted under the terms of the applicable documents governing the employee benefit plan;

•

whether making the investment will comply with the delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions under Section 406 of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws (please read the discussion under “—Prohibited Transaction Issues” below);

•

whether in making the investment, the employee benefit plan will be considered to hold, as plan assets, (1) only the investment in our common units, or (2) an undivided interest in our underlying assets (please read the discussion under “—Plan Asset Issues” below); and

•

whether the investment will result in recognition of unrelated business taxable income by the employee benefit plan and, if so, the potential after-tax investment return. Please read “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences—Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors.”

The person with investment discretion with respect to the assets of an employee benefit plan, often called a fiduciary, should determine whether an investment in our common units is authorized by the appropriate governing instruments and is a proper investment for the employee benefit plan or IRA.

Prohibited Transaction Issues

Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit employee benefit plans and certain IRAs that are not considered part of an employee benefit plan from engaging in specified transactions involving “plan assets” with parties that are “parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under the Code with respect to the employee benefit plan or IRA, unless an exemption is applicable. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA Plan that engaged in such a prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes, penalties and liabilities under ERISA, and the Code.

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Plan Asset Issues

In addition to considering whether the purchase of our common units is a prohibited transaction, a fiduciary of an employee benefit plan should consider whether the plan will, by investing in our common units, be deemed to own an undivided interest in our assets, with the result that our general partner also would be a fiduciary of the plan and our operations would be subject to the regulatory restrictions of ERISA, including its prohibited transaction rules, as well as the prohibited transaction rules of the Code and any other applicable Similar Laws.

The Department of Labor regulations provide guidance with respect to whether the assets of an entity in which employee benefit plans acquire equity interests would be deemed “plan assets” under certain circumstances. Under these regulations, an entity’s underlying assets generally would not be considered to be “plan assets” if, among other things:

(1)

the equity interests acquired by employee benefit plans are publicly offered securities—i.e., the equity interests are part of a class of securities that are widely held by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and each other, “freely transferable” (as defined in the applicable Department of Labor regulations) and either part of a class of securities registered pursuant to certain provisions of the federal securities laws or sold to the plan as part of a public offering under certain conditions;

(2)

the entity is an “operating company”—i.e., it is primarily engaged in the production or sale of a product or service other than the investment of capital either directly or through a majority-owned subsidiary or subsidiaries; or

(3)

there is no significant investment by benefit plan investors, which is defined to mean that, immediately after the most recent acquisition of an equity interest in any entity by an employee benefit plan, less than 25% of the total value of each class of equity interest, disregarding certain interests held by our general partner, its affiliates, and certain other persons, is held by the employee benefit plans and IRAs referred to above.

With respect to an investment in our common units, we believe that our assets should not be considered “plan assets” under these regulations because it is expected that the investment will satisfy the requirements in (1) and (2) above and may also satisfy the requirements in (3) above (although we do not monitor the level of investment by benefit plan investors as required for compliance with (3)).

The foregoing discussion of issues arising for employee benefit plan investments under ERISA, the Code and applicable Similar Laws is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive, nor should it be construed as legal advice. Plan fiduciaries contemplating a purchase of our common units should consult with their own counsel regarding the consequences of a purchase under ERISA, the Code and Similar Laws in light of the serious penalties, excise taxes, and liabilities imposed on persons who engage in prohibited transactions or other violations.

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UNDERWRITING

Barclays Capital Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are acting as the representatives of the underwriters and as the joint book-running managers of this offering. Under the terms of an underwriting agreement, which will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement relating to this prospectus, each of the underwriters named below has severally agreed to purchase from us the respective number of common units shown opposite its name below:


Underwriters		Number of Common Units
Barclays Capital Inc.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
Citigroup Global Markets Inc.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC
Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.
Simmons & Company International

Total

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters’ obligation to purchase the common units depends on the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement including:

•

the obligation to purchase all of the common units offered hereby (other than those common units covered by their option to purchase additional common units as described below), if any of the common units are purchased;

•

the representations and warranties made by us to the underwriters are true;

•

there is no material change in our business or the financial markets; and

•

we deliver customary closing documents to the underwriters.

Commissions and Expenses

The following table summarizes the underwriting discounts we will pay to the underwriters. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units. The underwriting fee is the difference between the initial price to the public and the amount the underwriters pay to us for the common units.


	No Exercise	Full Exercise
Per common unit	$	$
Total	$	$

We will pay a structuring fee equal to 0.50% of the gross proceeds from this offering (including any proceeds from the exercise of the option to purchase additional common units) to Barclays Capital Inc. for the evaluation, analysis, and structuring of our partnership. We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriters for up to $20,000 of any fees and expenses of counsel related to the review by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) of the terms of the sale of the common units offered by this prospectus.

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The representatives of the underwriters have advised us that the underwriters propose to offer the common units directly to the public at the public offering price on the cover of this prospectus and to selected dealers, which may include the underwriters, at an offering price less a selling concession not in excess of $ per common unit. After the offering, the representatives may change the offering price and other selling terms. Sales of common units made outside of the United States may be made by affiliates of the underwriters. The offering of the common units by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

We estimate that the expenses of this offering incurred by us will be $ million (excluding the estimated underwriting discount and structuring fee). The underwriters have agreed to reimburse us for certain offering expenses incurred by us in connection with this offering.

Option to Purchase Additional Common Units

We have granted the underwriters an option exercisable for 30 days after the date of the underwriting agreement, to purchase, from time to time, in whole or in part, up to an aggregate of additional common units at the public offering price less underwriting discounts. This option may be exercised if the underwriters sell more than common units in connection with this offering. To the extent that this option is exercised, each underwriter will be obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase its pro rata portion of these additional common units based on the underwriter’s underwriting commitment in the offering as indicated in the table at the beginning of this Underwriting section.

Lock-Up Agreements

We, our general partner, the directors, and executive officers of our general partner have agreed that, without the prior written consent of Barclays Capital Inc., we and they will not directly or indirectly, for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, and, under the terms of our partnership agreement, the limited partners of BSMC prior to this offering will be restricted, for a period of 45 days after the date of this prospectus, such that they will not directly or indirectly (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any of our common units (including, without limitation, common units that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by us or them in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and common units that may be issued upon exercise of any options or warrants) or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for common units (other than (i) the common units being sold in this offering, and (ii) common units issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified option plans, or other employee compensation plans existing on the date hereof), (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the common units, (3) make any demand for or exercise any right or file or cause to be filed a registration statement, including any amendments thereto, with respect to the registration of any common units or securities convertible, exercisable, or exchangeable into common units or any of our other securities (other than any registration statement on Form S-8), or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing.

Barclays Capital Inc., in its sole discretion, may release the common units and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time with or without notice. When determining whether or not to release common units and other securities from lock-up agreements, Barclays Capital Inc. will consider, among other factors, the holder’s reasons for requesting the release, the number of common units and other securities for which the release is being requested, and market conditions at the time.

Offering Price Determination

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our common units. The initial public offering price will be negotiated between the representatives and us. In determining the initial public offering price of our common units, the representatives will consider:

•

the history and prospects for the industry in which we compete;

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•

our financial information;

•

the ability of our management and our business potential and earning prospects;

•

the prevailing securities markets at the time of this offering;

•

the recent market prices of, and the demand for, publicly traded common units of generally comparable companies; and

•

other factors deemed relevant by the underwriters and us.

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and liabilities incurred in connection with the directed unit program referred to below, and to contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make for these liabilities.

Stabilization, Short Positions, and Penalty Bids

The representatives may engage in stabilizing transactions, short sales, purchases to cover positions created by short sales, and penalty bids or purchases for the purpose of pegging, fixing, or maintaining the price of the common units, in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act:

•

Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

•

A short position involves a sale by the underwriters of common units in excess of the number of common units the underwriters are obligated to purchase in the offering, which creates the syndicate short position. This short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of common units involved in the sales made by the underwriters in excess of the number of common units they are obligated to purchase is not greater than the number of common units that they may purchase by exercising their option to purchase additional common units.

In a naked short position, the number of common units involved is greater than the number of common units in their option to purchase additional common units. The underwriters may close out any short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional common units and/or purchasing common units in the open market. In determining the source of common units to close out the short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of common units available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase common units through their option to purchase additional common units. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the common units in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

•

Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the common units in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions.

•

Penalty bids permit the representatives to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the common units originally sold by the syndicate member are purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions, and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common units or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common units. As a result, the price of the common units may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the NYSE or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

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Neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the common units. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters make any representation that the representatives will engage in these stabilizing transactions or that any transaction, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Directed Unit Program

At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to % of the common units being offered by this prospectus (excluding the common units that may be issued upon the underwriters’ exercise of their option to purchase additional common units) for sale at the initial public offering price to persons who are directors, officers, or employees of our general partner, and certain other persons with relationships with us and our affiliates, as designated by us, through a directed unit program. The number of common units available for sale to the general public will be reduced by the number of directed units purchased by participants in the program. Any directed units not purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same basis as all other common units offered by this prospectus. We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities and expenses, including liabilities under the Securities Act, in connection with the sales of the directed units.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the internet sites or through other online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters and/or selling group members participating in this offering, or by their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and, depending upon the particular underwriter or selling group member, prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific number of common units for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any allocation for online distributions will be made by the representatives on the same basis as other allocations.

Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter’s or selling group member’s web site and any information contained in any other web site maintained by an underwriter or selling group member is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter or selling group member in its capacity as underwriter or selling group member and should not be relied upon by investors.

New York Stock Exchange

We have applied to list our common units on the NYSE under the symbol “BSM.” The underwriters have undertaken to sell the minimum number of common units to the minimum number of beneficial owners necessary to meet the NYSE distribution requirements for trading.

Discretionary Sales

The underwriters have informed us that they do not intend to confirm sales to discretionary accounts that exceed 5% of the total number of common units offered by them.

Stamp Taxes

If you purchase common units offered in this prospectus, you may be required to pay stamp taxes and other charges under the laws and practices of the country of purchase, in addition to the offering price listed on the cover page of this prospectus.

Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full-service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage, and other financial

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and non-financial activities and services. The underwriters and their affiliates have in the past, and may in the future, perform investment banking, commercial banking, advisory, and other services for us and our respective affiliates from time to time for which they have received, and may in the future receive, customary fees and expenses.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments, including serving as counterparties to certain derivative and hedging arrangements, and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities), and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investment and securities activities may involve securities and instruments of ours or our affiliates. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of these securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in these securities and instruments.

Affiliates of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. are lenders under our revolving credit facility and, accordingly, will receive a portion of the net proceeds from this offering.

FINRA

Because FINRA is expected to view the common units offered hereby as interests in a direct participation program, the offering is being made in compliance with Rule 2310 of the FINRA Rules. Investor suitability with respect to the common units should be judged similarly to the suitability with respect to other securities that are listed for trading on a national securities exchange.

Selling Restrictions

Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the underwriters that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus. This prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been and will not be registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the common units may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the common units be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”), (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275, of the SFA, or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the common units are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

(1)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

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(2)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor, securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the common units pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

(a)

to an institutional investor or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

(b)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

(c)

where the transfer is by operation of law;

(d)

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

(e)

as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Hong Kong

Our common units may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of this prospectus or any other document other than to (a) professional investors as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance of Hong Kong (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) (“SFO”) and any rules made under the SFO, or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in this prospectus being deemed to be a “prospectus,” as defined in the Companies Ordinance of Hong Kong (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong) (“CO”), or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the CO or the SFO; and no person has issued or had in possession for the purposes of issue, or will issue or has in possession for the purposes of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, any advertisement, invitation or document relating to our common units which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to our common units which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to professional investors as defined in the SFO.

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of our common units and certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A., Wilmington, Delaware. Certain federal income tax matters have been passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Washington, D.C. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the underwriters by Andrews Kurth LLP.

Jerry V. Kyle, Jr., a member of the board of directors of our general partner, is a Partner at Andrews Kurth LLP. For Mr. Kyle’s beneficial ownership of our common units and preferred units following this offering and the other formation transactions, please read “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. and Subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014, included in this prospectus and in the Registration Statement, have been so included in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, appearing elsewhere herein and in the Registration Statement, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The balance sheet of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. as of December 31, 2014 included in this prospectus and Registration Statement has been so included in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm appearing elsewhere herein and in the Registration Statement, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

The consolidated financial statements of Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. and Subsidiaries as of and for the year ended December 31, 2013, included in this prospectus have been audited by UHY LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report, given on the authority of such firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

Information included in this prospectus regarding our estimated quantities of oil and natural gas reserves and the discounted present value of future net cash flows therefrom is based upon estimates of such reserves and present values prepared by Pressler Petroleum Consultants, Inc., a third-party petroleum engineering firm, as of December 31, 2013. This information is included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in these matters.

Information included in this prospectus regarding our estimated quantities of oil and natural gas reserves and the discounted present value of future net cash flows therefrom is based upon estimates of such reserves and present values prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., a third-party petroleum engineering firm, as of December 31, 2014. This information is included herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as experts in these matters.

CHANGE IN ACCOUNTANTS

On December 1, 2014, the Texas based practice of UHY LLP (“UHY”) was acquired by BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”).

On January 13, 2015, the audit committee of BSNR’s board of managers dismissed UHY, our independent auditor, effective as of January 13, 2015.

The audit report of UHY on the consolidated financial statements of BSMC for the year ended December 31, 2013 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the year ended December 31, 2013 and through the subsequent interim period preceding January 13, 2015, there were no disagreements between UHY and us on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedures, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of UHY, would have caused them to make reference thereto in their reports on our financial statements for such years.

190

On January 13, 2015, the audit committee of BSNR’s board of managers engaged BDO as our independent registered public accounting firm. During the year ended December 31, 2013 and the subsequent interim period preceding the engagement of BDO, we did not consult with BDO regarding: (1) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; (2) the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, and BDO did not provide any written report or oral advice that BDO concluded was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to any such accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (3) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement with UHY on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure or the subject of a reportable event.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 (including the exhibits, schedules, and amendments thereto) under the Securities Act with respect to the common units being offered hereunder. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules to the registration statement. For further information with respect to us and our common units, we refer you to the registration statement and the exhibits filed as a part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or any other documents are not necessarily complete. If a contract or document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, we refer you to the copy of the contract or document that has been filed as an exhibit and reference thereto is qualified in all respects by the terms of the filed exhibit.

As a result of this offering, we will become subject to the full informational requirements of the Exchange Act. We will fulfill our obligations with respect to such requirements by filing period reports and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings, including the registration statement and any exhibits and schedules thereto, may be inspected without charge at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of these materials may be obtained from that office after payment of fees prescribed by the SEC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. After this offering, documents filed by us can also be inspected at the offices of the NYSE Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10002.

191

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the information in this prospectus may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition, or forecasts of future events. Words such as “may,” “assume,” “forecast,” “position,” “predict,” “strategy,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “budget,” “potential,” or “continue,” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. They can be affected by assumptions used or by known or unknown risks or uncertainties. Consequently, no forward-looking statements can be guaranteed. When considering these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus. Actual results may vary materially. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. You should also understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and should not consider the following list to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by such forward-looking statements include:

•

our ability to execute our business strategies;

•

the volatility of realized oil and natural gas prices;

•

the level of production on our properties;

•

regional supply and demand factors, delays, or interruptions of production;

•

our ability to replace our oil and natural gas reserves;

•

our ability to identify, complete, and integrate acquisitions;

•

general economic, business, or industry conditions;

•

competition in the oil and natural gas industry;

•

the ability of our operators to obtain capital or financing needed for development and exploration operations;

•

title defects in the properties in which we invest;

•

the availability or cost of rigs, equipment, raw materials, supplies, oilfield services, or personnel;

•

restrictions on the use of water;

•

the availability of transportation facilities;

•

the ability of our operators to comply with applicable governmental laws and regulations and to obtain permits and governmental approvals;

•

federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing;

•

future operating results;

•

exploration and development drilling prospects, inventories, projects, and programs;

•

operating hazards faced by our operators;

•

the ability of our operators to keep pace with technological advancements; and

•

certain factors discussed elsewhere in this prospectus.

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements.

192

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements
Introduction			F-2
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014			F-4
Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2014			F-6
Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements			F-7

HISTORICAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
Balance Sheet
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm			F-8
Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014			F-9
Notes to Balance Sheet			F-10
Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.
Consolidated Financial Statements
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms			F-11
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013			F-13
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013			F-15
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013			F-16
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013			F-17
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements			F-19

F-1

BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Introduction

Set forth below are the unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 and the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014 (together with the notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements, the “pro forma financial statements”), of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. (the “Partnership”). The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements of the Partnership have been derived from the historical consolidated financial statements of Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. (“BSMC,” the “Company” or the “Predecessor”). The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Predecessor’s historical consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement notes, included elsewhere in this prospectus.

The Partnership will own and operate the business of the Predecessor effective with the closing of this offering (the “Offering”). The contribution of the Predecessor’s business to the Partnership will be recorded at cost, as it is a reorganization of entities under common control. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the assumption that Black Stone Minerals, L.P. will continue to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The unaudited pro forma adjustments are based on currently available information and certain estimates and assumptions. The actual effects of the events may differ from the unaudited pro forma adjustments. However, management believes the assumptions utilized to prepare the unaudited pro forma adjustments provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects of the events identified above and as more specifically described below.

The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet assumes the transactions to be effected as if the closing of the offering had taken place as of December 31, 2014, and the unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014 assumes the transactions had taken place as of January 1, 2014.

The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements give pro forma effect to the following transactions:

•

the formation by the Partnership of Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C. (“New GP”), a new wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership to function as the general partner of the Partnership, and the transfer of BSNR’s general partner interest in the Partnership to New GP in exchange for cash;

•

a cash contribution by Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C. (“BSNR”), the general partner and a wholly owned subsidiary of BSMC, to BSMC in exchange for common units representing a 1% limited partner interest in BSMC, and a cash contribution by New GP to the Partnership in exchange for a 1% limited partner interest in the Partnership;

•

the merger of BSMC with and into a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (the “Merger Sub”), with BSMC as the surviving entity;

•

immediately prior to the merger, the conversion of the limited partner interests of BSMC and New GP in the Partnership into common units of the Partnership;

•

in connection with the merger, (i) the redemption of the common units of the Partnership held by BSMC in exchange for a return of its original capital contribution, (ii) the exchange of the common units of BSMC (other than common units of BSMC held by BSNR) for an aggregate of of common units and subordinated units of the Partnership at a conversion ratio of :1 for 0. common units and 0. subordinated units, and the exchange of the preferred units of BSMC for an aggregate of of preferred units of the Partnership at a conversion ratio of one to one, (iii) the common units of BSMC held by BSNR continuing to be outstanding as limited partner interests in

F-2

BSMC, and the retention of New GP’s non-economic general partner interest in the Partnership and common units in the Partnership, (iv) the conversion of the Partnership’s 100% equity interest in Merger Sub into a 99% limited partner interest in BSMC, and (v) the retention of BSNR’s non-economic general partner interest in BSMC;

•

(i) the formation by the Partnership of New BSMC GP, a new wholly owned subsidiary to function as general partner of BSMC, (ii) the removal by the Partnership of BSNR as general partner of BSMC and appointment of New BSMC GP as general partner of BSMC, and (iii) in connection therewith, the transfer of BSNR’s general partner interest in BSMC to New BSMC GP: and

•

the issuance and sale of common units by the Partnership to the public, and the application of the net proceeds therefrom.

Upon completion of the Offering, the Partnership anticipates incurring incremental general and administrative expenses of approximately $1.5 million as a result of being a publicly traded partnership, consisting of costs associated with SEC reporting requirements, including annual and quarterly reports to unitholders, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance, NYSE listing, independent registered public accounting firm fees, legal fees, investor-relations activities, registrar and transfer agent fees, director-and-officer insurance, and additional compensation. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements do not reflect these incremental selling, general, and administrative expenses.

F-3

BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

December 31, 2014

(in thousands)


	Predecessor Historical			Pro Forma Adjustments			Pro Forma
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	14,803		$		(a)(b)	$
Accounts receivable		74,092			—			74,092
Commodity derivative assets		37,471			—			37,471
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		11,051			(7,587	)(c)		3,464

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		137,417

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Oil and natural gas properties, at cost, on the basis of the successful efforts method of accounting, includes unproved properties of $623,863 at December 31, 2014		2,377,030			—			2,377,030
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization, including impairment		(1,191,861	)		—			(1,191,861	)

Oil and natural gas properties, net		1,185,169			—			1,185,169
Other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $12,994 at December 31, 2014		1,664			—			1,664

NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT		1,186,833			—			1,186,833

DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS		2,532			—			2,532

TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,326,782		$			$

F-4

BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

December 31, 2014

(in thousands)


	Predecessor Historical		Pro Forma Adjustments			Pro Forma
LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	$	29,415	$	—		$	29,415
Accrued liabilities		16,252		—			16,252
Accrued partners’ distribution payable		52,905		—			52,905

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		98,572		—			98,572

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Credit facility		394,000		(394,000	)(b)		—
Accrued incentive compensation		6,530		—			6,530
Deferred revenue		3,917		—			3,917
Asset retirement obligations		9,381		—			9,381

TOTAL LIABILITIES		512,400		(394,000	)		118,400

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

MEZZANINE EQUITY
Preferred units		161,165		—			161,165

EQUITY
General partner		—		—			—
Partners’ equity
Common units		650,598			(a)(d)
Subordinated units		—			(d)
Noncontrolling interests		2,619		—			2,619

TOTAL EQUITY		653,217

TOTAL LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND EQUITY	$	1,326,782	$			$

The accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-5

BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

(in thousands, except per unit amounts)


	Predecessor Historical			Pro Forma Adjustments			Pro Forma
REVENUE
Oil and condensate sales	$	257,390		$	—		$	257,390
Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales		207,456			—			207,456
Gain on commodity derivative instruments		37,336			—			37,336
Lease bonus and other income		46,139			—			46,139

TOTAL REVENUE		548,321			—			548,321

OPERATING EXPENSE
Lease operating expense and other		23,288			—			23,288
Production and ad valorem taxes		49,575			—			49,575
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization		111,962			—			111,962
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties		117,930			—			117,930
General and administrative		62,765			—			62,765
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		1,060			—			1,060
Loss on disposal of assets		32			—			32

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSE		366,612			—			366,612

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS		181,709			—			181,709

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and investment income		28			—			28
Interest expense		(13,509	)		9,879	(e)		(3,630	)(f)
Other income		959			—			959

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE		(12,522	)		9,879			(2,643	)

NET INCOME		169,187			9,879			179,066

LESS: NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS		1,164			—			1,164

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.		170,351			9,879			180,230
LESS: DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED UNITS		(15,720	)		—			(15,720	)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO GENERAL PARTNER		—			—			—

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO LIMITED PARTNER UNITS
Common units	$	154,631		$			$
Subordinated units		—

EARNINGS PER UNIT (BASIC AND DILUTED)
Common units	$	0.07		$			$
Subordinated units		—

WEIGHTED AVERAGE UNITS OUTSTANDING (BASIC AND DILUTED)
Common units		2,129,812
Subordinated units		—

The accompanying notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-6

BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1—Basis of Presentation

The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet of the Partnership as of December 31, 2014, and the related unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014 are derived from the historical consolidated financial statements of the Predecessor.

Upon completion of this offering, the Partnership anticipates incurring incremental general and administrative expenses of approximately $1.5 million as a result of being a publicly traded partnership, consisting of costs associated with SEC reporting requirements, including annual and quarterly reports to unitholders, tax return and Schedule K-1 preparation and distribution, Sarbanes-Oxley Act compliance, NYSE listing, independent registered public accounting firm fees, legal fees, investor-relations activities, registrar and transfer agent fees, director-and-officer insurance, and additional compensation. The unaudited pro forma financial statements do not reflect these incremental general and administrative expenses.

The unaudited pro forma adjustments included herein assume no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units. Any net proceeds received from the exercise of this option will be used to fund future capital expenditures.

Note 2—Unaudited Pro Forma Adjustments and Assumptions

A summary of the unaudited pro forma adjustments to effect the transactions is as follows:

(a)

Reflects the issuance and sale of common units by the Partnership at an assumed initial public offering price of $ per common unit, net of an underwriting discount, structuring fee and offering expenses of million, and the receipt of the estimated net proceeds therefrom.

(b)

Reflects the use of the net proceeds from the Offering to repay all of the debt outstanding under the credit facility with any remaining net proceeds reflected as an addition to cash.

(c)

Reflects the elimination of capitalized payments incurred related to the Partnership’s planned initial public offering. These capitalized payments will be netted against proceeds received.

(d)

Reflects adjustments to capital balances as a result of the issuance of common and subordinated units to existing unitholders of the Predecessor related to the formation transactions.

(e)

Reflects the elimination of interest expense after repayment of all of the debt outstanding under the credit facility discussed in (b) above.

(f)

Reflects the commitment fee related to the credit facility of 0.375% on the $700.0 borrowing base as well as the agency fees and amortization of debt issuance costs related to the credit facility. The fees were $ for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Note 3—Unaudited Pro Forma Net Income Per Unit

Pro forma net income per unit is determined by dividing the pro forma net income available to common, subordinated, and preferred unitholders by the number of common and subordinated units to be issued to the limited partners of BSMC prior to the Offering and the number of common and subordinated units expected to be outstanding at the closing of the Offering. For purposes of this calculation, the number of common units, subordinated units and preferred units outstanding at the closing of the Offering was assumed to be , and , respectively. All units were assumed to have been outstanding since the beginning of the period presented.

F-7

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The General Partner of

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

Houston, Texas

We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. (the “Partnership”) as of December 31, 2014. This balance sheet is the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this balance sheet based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the balance sheet is free of material misstatement. The Partnership is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the balance sheet, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall balance sheet presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the balance sheet referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Partnership at December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Houston, Texas

March 18, 2015

F-8

BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

BALANCE SHEET

As of December 31, 2014


ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—

TOTAL ASSETS	$	—

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
Limited partner’s capital	$	100
General partner’s capital		—
Subscription receivable		(100	)

TOTAL PARTNERS’ CAPITAL	$	—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement.

F-9

BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

NOTES TO BALANCE SHEET

Note 1—Organization

Black Stone Minerals, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership formed on September 16, 2014. The Partnership has adopted a fiscal year-end of December 31. In connection with its formation, the Partnership issued a non-economic general partner interest in the Partnership to Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C. (“BSNR”) and a 100% limited partner interest in the Partnership to Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. (“BSMC”). The limited partner interest will be redeemed in connection with the merger of BSMC with and into a subsidiary of the Partnership, with BSMC as the surviving entity. In connection with the merger, the common units and preferred units of BSMC (other than those common units in BSMC held by BSNR) will be exchanged for common units, subordinated units, and preferred units of the Partnership.

The accompanying balance sheet reflects the financial position of the Partnership. As of December 31, 2014, the $100 initial capitalization has not been funded. As a result, the Partnership has presented this as a subscription receivable.

Note 2—Subsequent Events

Subsequent events have been evaluated through the issuance date of the accompanying balance sheet of the Partnership. Any material subsequent events that occurred prior to such date have been properly recognized or disclosed in the balance sheet of the Partnership.

F-10

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The General Partner of

Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.

Houston, Texas

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. and Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2014 and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at December 31, 2014, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Houston, Texas

March 18, 2015

F-11

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The General Partner of

Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.

Houston, Texas

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. and Subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2013, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ UHY LLP

Houston, Texas

October 7, 2014

F-12

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)


	As of December 31,
	2014			2013
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	14,803		$	30,123
Accounts receivable		74,092			91,092
Commodity derivative assets		37,471			38
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		11,051			4,510

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS		137,417			125,763
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Oil and natural gas properties, at cost, on the basis of the successful efforts method of accounting, includes unproved properties of $623,863 and $640,291 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively		2,377,030			2,277,514
Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, including impairment		(1,191,861	)		(965,371	)

Oil and natural gas properties, net		1,185,169			1,312,143
Other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $12,994 and $10,940 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively		1,664			2,891

NET PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT		1,186,833			1,315,034

DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS		2,532			3,616

TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,326,782		$	1,444,413

F-13

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)


	As of December 31,
	2014		2013
LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	$	29,415	$	30,722
Accrued liabilities		16,252		13,198
Commodity derivative liabilities		—		1,552
Accrued partners’ distribution payable		52,905		52,333

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES		98,572		97,805
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Credit facilities		394,000		451,000
Accrued incentive compensation		6,530		2,374
Commodity derivative liabilities		—		315
Deferred revenue		3,917		9,163
Asset retirement obligations		9,381		5,961

TOTAL LIABILITIES		512,400		566,618

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 13)
MEZZANINE EQUITY
Partners’ equity—redeemable preferred units, 157 units outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively		161,165		161,392
EQUITY
Partners’ equity—2,129,488 and 2,124,944 common units outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively		650,598		712,313
Noncontrolling interests		2,619		4,090

TOTAL EQUITY		653,217		716,403

TOTAL LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND EQUITY	$	1,326,782	$	1,444,413

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-14

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per unit amounts)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
REVENUE
Oil and condensate sales	$	257,390		$	252,742
Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales		207,456			184,868
Gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments		37,336			(5,860	)
Lease bonus and other income		46,139			31,809

TOTAL REVENUE		548,321			463,559

OPERATING (INCOME) EXPENSE
Lease operating expense and other		23,288			21,316
Production and ad valorem taxes		49,575			42,813
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		111,962			102,442
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties		117,930			57,109
General and administrative		62,765			59,501
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		1,060			588
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets		32			(18	)

TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSE		366,612			283,751

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS		181,709			179,808

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and investment income		28			90
Interest expense		(13,509	)		(11,342	)
Other income		959			407

TOTAL OTHER EXPENSE		(12,522	)		(10,845	)

NET INCOME		169,187			168,963
LESS: NET (INCOME) LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS		1,164			(373	)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.		170,351			168,590
LESS: DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED UNITS		(15,720	)		(15,742	)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON UNITS	$	154,631		$	152,848

EARNINGS PER UNIT (BASIC AND DILUTED)	$	0.07		$	0.07

WEIGHTED AVERAGE UNITS OUTSTANDING (BASIC AND DILUTED)		2,129,812			2,144,599

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-15

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(in thousands)


	Class A common units			Class B common units			Partners’ equity— common units			Noncontrolling interests			Total
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2012		1,210,473			—		$	(1,158	)	$	327,821		$	326,663
Contributions—cash		—			243,411			412,233			—			412,233
Contributions—limited partner interests		1,306			600,456			1,019,340			—			1,019,340
Issuance of common units for acquisition of oil and natural gas properties		—			134,107			227,119			—			227,119
Repurchases of common units		(44,834	)		(25,204	)		(118,108	)		—			(118,108	)
Restricted common units granted, net of forfeitures		5,229			—			—			—			—
Equity-based compensation		—			—			6,782			—			6,782
Distributions		—			—			(234,311	)		(767	)		(235,078	)
Distributions—property		—			—			—			(19,029	)		(19,029	)
Purchases of noncontrolling interests		—			—			(22,696	)		(14,704	)		(37,400	)
Exchange of noncontrolling interests		—			—			(729,736	)		(289,604	)		(1,019,340	)
Net income		—			—			168,590			373			168,963
Dividends on preferred units		—			—			(15,742	)		—			(15,742	)

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2013		1,172,174			952,770		$	712,313		$	4,090		$	716,403

Conversion of preferred units		—			201			221			—			221
Issuance of common units for acquisition of oil and natural gas properties		—			1,340			2,258			—			2,258
Repurchases of common units		(2,618	)		(476	)		(5,199	)		—			(5,199	)
Restricted common units granted, net of forfeitures		6,097			—			—			—			—
Equity-based compensation		—			—			11,340			—			11,340
Distributions		—			—			(224,966	)		(307	)		(225,273	)
Net income (loss)		—			—			170,351			(1,164	)		169,187
Dividends on preferred units		—			—			(15,720	)		—			(15,720	)

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2014		1,175,653			953,835		$	650,598		$	2,619		$	653,217

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-16

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	169,187		$	168,963
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization		111,962			102,442
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties		117,930			57,109
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		1,060			588
Amortization of debt issue costs		965			968
(Gain) loss on commodity derivative instruments		(37,336	)		5,860
Net cash received (paid) on settlement of commodity instruments		(1,947	)		1,490
Equity-based compensation		11,340			6,782
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets		32			(18	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		17,210			(15,046	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		453			(1,256	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		8,003			(7,085	)
Deferred revenue		(2,589	)		—
Settlement of asset retirement obligations		(145	)		(33	)

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES		396,125			320,764

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Additions to oil and natural gas properties		(74,201	)		(73,650	)
Purchases of other property and equipment		(827	)		(493	)
Proceeds from the sale of oil and natural gas properties		19,470			74
Acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties		(45,552	)		(121,562	)

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES		(101,110	)		(195,631	)

F-17

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Contributions from common equity owners		—			191,611
Distributions to common equity owners		(224,926	)		(225,704	)
Repurchases of common equity units		(5,199	)		(118,108	)
Dividends on preferred units		(15,724	)		(15,732	)
Repayments of revolving credit facilities		—			(46,100	)
Net (repayments) borrowings under senior line of credit		(57,000	)		134,000
Note receivable—officers		101			101
Payments incurred for initial public offering		(7,587	)		—
Debt issue costs		—			(1,660	)
Purchases of noncontrolling interests		—			(60,719	)

NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES		(310,335	)		(142,311	)

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(15,320	)		(17,178	)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—beginning of the year		30,123			47,301

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—end of the year	$	14,803		$	30,123

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE
Interest paid	$	12,754		$	10,344

NON-CASH ACTIVITIES
Property additions financed through accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	13,928		$	23,029
Liabilities assumed as consideration for oil and natural gas properties acquired	$	7,000		$	—
Acquisition of oil and natural gas properties financed through issuance of common units	$	2,258		$	227,119
Deferred revenue (settled) assumed through acquisition of oil and natural gas properties	$	(2,657	)	$	902
Asset retirement obligations incurred and revisions in estimated costs	$	2,505		$	164
Accrued distributions payable	$	347		$	9,374
Conversion of preferred equity	$	(221	)	$	—
Contributions through exchange of noncontrolling interests	$	—		$	1,019,340
Distributions—property	$	—		$	19,029

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

F-18

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1—BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Description of the business: Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “BSMC” or the “Company”) own oil and natural gas mineral interests in the United States (“U.S.”). In addition to mineral interests, the Company’s assets include nonparticipating and overriding royalty interests. These non-cost-bearing interests are collectively referred to as “mineral and royalty interests”. The Company’s mineral and royalty interests are located in most of the major onshore oil and natural gas producing basins spread across 41 states and 62 onshore oil and natural gas producing basins of the continental U.S. The Company also owns non-operated working interests in certain oil and natural gas properties.

During the year ended December 31, 2013, Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C. (“BSNR”), a Delaware limited liability company, was the 1% general partner of BSMC. Effective December 31, 2013, BSMC acquired all shares of BSNR, and BSNR became a wholly owned subsidiary of BSMC. BSNR and BSMC have common ownership and management. This transaction was accounted for as a transaction under common control. The change in the reporting entity has been retrospectively reflected; however, there is no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

Basis of presentation: The accompanying financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the U.S. The financial statements include the consolidated results of the Company. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The Company evaluates significant terms of its investments to determine the method of accounting applied to the investments. Investments in which the Company has less than a 20% ownership interest and does not have control or exercise significant influence are accounted for under the cost method. The Company’s cost method investment is included in deferred charges and other long-term assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Investments in which the Company exercises control are consolidated, and the noncontrolling interests of such investments, which are not attributable directly or indirectly to the Company, are presented as a separate component of net income and equity in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements include undivided interests in oil and natural gas property rights. The Company accounts for its share of oil and natural gas property rights by reporting its proportionate share of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and cash flows within the relevant lines on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, and cash flow statements.

Segment reporting: The Company operates in a single operating and reportable segment. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker allocates resources and assesses performance based upon financial information at the consolidated level.

NOTE 2—SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of estimates: The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are based on a number of significant estimates including oil and natural gas reserve quantities that are the basis for the calculations of depreciation, depletion, and

F-19

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

amortization (“DD&A”) and impairment of oil and natural gas properties. Reservoir engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. As a result, reserve estimates may differ from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered. The Company’s reserve estimates are determined by an independent petroleum engineering firm. Other items subject to significant estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount of oil and natural gas properties, valuation of derivative instruments, revenue accruals, estimated asset retirement obligations (“AROs”), and determination of the fair value of equity-based awards.

The Company evaluates estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic and commodity price environment. The volatility of commodity prices results in increased uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. A significant decline in natural gas or oil prices could result in a reduction in the Company’s fair value estimates and cause the Company to perform analyses to determine if its oil and natural gas properties are impaired. As future commodity prices cannot be determined accurately, actual results could differ significantly from estimates. See Supplemental Oil and Natural Gas Information (Unaudited).

Cash and cash equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Concentration of credit risk: Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalent balances, accounts receivable, and commodity derivative financial instruments. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalent balances with major financial institutions. At times, those balances exceed federally insured limits; however, no losses have been incurred. The Company attempts to limit the amount of credit exposure to any one company through procedures that include credit approvals, credit limits and terms, and prepayments. The Company’s customer base is made up of its lessees, which are primarily major integrated and international oil and natural gas companies and other operators, though the Company’s credit risk may extend to the eventual purchasers of oil and natural gas produced from the Company’s properties. The Company believes the credit quality of its customer base is high and has not experienced significant write-offs in its accounts receivable balances. See Note 9—Significant Customers for further discussion.

Accounts receivable: The Company’s accounts receivable balance results primarily from operators’ sales of oil and natural gas to their customers. Accounts receivable is recorded at the contractual amounts and do not bear interest. Any concentration of customers may impact the Company’s overall credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that these entities may be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions impacting the oil and natural gas industry.

Derivatives and financial instruments: The Company’s ongoing operations expose it to changes in the market price for oil and natural gas. To mitigate the given commodity price risk associated with its operations, the Company uses derivative instruments. From time to time, such instruments may include fixed price contracts, variable to fixed price swaps, costless collars, and other contractual arrangements. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

In accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 815, Derivatives and Hedging, derivative instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value at each reporting date. If a right of offset exists under master netting arrangements and certain other criteria are met, derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty are

F-20

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

netted on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not specifically designate derivative instruments as cash flow hedges, even though they reduce its exposure to changes in oil and natural gas prices; therefore, gains and losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized on a net basis in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations within gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments. Although these derivative instruments may expose the Company to credit risk, the Company monitors the creditworthiness of its counterparties.

Prepaid expenses and other current assets: Prepaid expenses and other current assets include $7.6 million of capitalized issuance costs, including underwriting, legal, and accounting fees, directly related to the Company’s planned initial public offering.

Oil and natural gas properties: The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and natural gas operations. Under this method, costs to acquire interests in oil and natural gas properties, property acquisitions, successful exploratory wells, development costs, and support equipment and facilities are capitalized when incurred. Exploration dry holes are charged to expense when it is determined that no commercial reserves exist. Other exploratory costs, including annual delay rentals and geological and geophysical costs, are expensed when incurred. Acquired mineral and royalty interests and working interests are recorded at cost at the time of acquisition.

The costs of unproved leaseholds and mineral interests are capitalized as unproved properties pending the results of exploration and leasing efforts. As unproved leaseholds are determined to be producing, the related costs are transferred to producing properties. The remaining net book values of unproved leaseholds associated with unsuccessful drilling activities or that have expired, are charged to exploration expense, which is included in lease operating expense and other in the consolidated statements of operations.

As exploration and development work progresses and the reserves associated with the Company’s properties become proven, capitalized costs attributed to the properties are charged as an operating expense through DD&A. DD&A of producing oil and natural gas properties is recorded based on the units of production method. Acquisition costs of proved properties are amortized on the basis of all proved reserves, both developed and undeveloped, and capitalized development costs are amortized on the basis of proved developed reserves. DD&A expense related to the Company’s producing oil and natural gas properties was $109.9 million and $100.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Company evaluates impairment of producing properties whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. See Note 5 – Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties for further discussion.

Upon the sale of complete fields of depreciable or depletable property, the book value thereof, less proceeds or salvage value is charged to income. On sale or retirement of an individual well, the proceeds are credited to accumulated DD&A.

Other property and equipment: Other property and equipment includes furniture, fixtures, office equipment, leasehold improvements, and computer software and is stated at historical cost. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over expected useful lives ranging from three to seven years. Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $2.1 million and $1.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Repairs and maintenance: The cost of normal maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred. Material expenditures that increase the life of an asset are capitalized and depreciated over the shorter of the estimated remaining useful life of the asset or the term of the lease, if applicable.

F-21

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Debt issue costs: Debt issue costs consist of costs directly associated with obtaining credit with financial institutions. These costs are capitalized and are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the credit agreement, which approximates the effective-interest method. Any unamortized debt issue costs are expensed in the year when the associated debt instrument is terminated. Amortization expense for debt issue costs was $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Asset retirement obligations: Fair values of legal obligations to retire and remove long-lived assets are recorded when the obligation is incurred. When the liability is initially recorded, the Company capitalizes this cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related property and equipment. Over time, the liability is accreted for the change in its present value, and the capitalized cost in oil and natural gas properties is depleted based on units of production consistent with the related asset.

Revenue recognition: The Company recognizes revenue when it is realized or realizable and earned. Revenues are considered realized or realizable and earned when: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the seller’s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company recognizes oil and natural gas revenue from its interests in producing wells when the associated production is sold. The volumes of natural gas sold may differ from the volumes to which the Company is entitled based on its interests in the properties. These differences create imbalances that are recognized as a liability only when the properties’ estimated remaining reserves, net to the Company, will not be sufficient to enable the under-produced owner to recoup its entitled share through production; however, such amounts are de minimis at December 31, 2014 and 2013. To the extent actual volumes and prices of oil and natural gas are unavailable for a given reporting period because of timing or information not received from third parties, the expected sales volume and prices for these properties are estimated and recorded within accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Crude oil is priced on the delivery date based upon prevailing prices published by purchasers with certain adjustments related to oil quality and physical location. Natural gas contracts’ pricing provisions are tied to a market index, with certain adjustments based on, among other factors, whether a well delivers to a gathering or transmission line, quality of natural gas, and prevailing supply and demand conditions, so that the price of natural gas fluctuates to remain competitive with other available natural gas supplies. These market indices are determined on a monthly basis.

Other sources of revenue received by the Company includes mineral lease bonuses and delay rentals. The Company generates lease bonus revenue by leasing its mineral interests to other exploration and production companies. The lease agreements generally transfer the rights to any oil or natural gas discovered, grant the Company a right to a specified royalty interest, and require that drilling commence within a specified time period. The Company recognizes such lease bonus revenue at which time the lease agreement has been executed, payment is determined to be collectable, and the Company has no further obligation to refund the payment. The Company also recognizes revenue from delay rentals to the extent drilling has not started within the specified period, payment has been collected, and the Company has no further obligation to refund the payment.

Income taxes: The Company is organized as a pass-through entity for income tax purposes. As a result, the Company’s unitholders are responsible for federal and state income taxes attributable to their share of the Company’s taxable income. The Company is subject to other state-based taxes; however, those taxes are not material.

Limited partnerships that receive at least 90% of their gross income from designated passive sources, including royalties from mineral properties and other non-operated mineral interest income, and do not receive

F-22

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

more than 10% of their income from operating an active trade or business, are classified as “passive entities” and are generally exempt from the Texas margin tax. The Company believes that it meets the requirements for being considered a “passive entity” for Texas margin tax purposes and, therefore, it is exempt from the Texas margin tax. As a result, each unitholder that is considered a taxable entity under the Texas margin tax would generally be required to include its portion of the Company’s revenues in its own Texas margin tax computation. The Texas Administrative Code provides such income is sourced according to the principal place of business of the Company, which would be the state of Texas.

Fair value of financial instruments: The carrying values of the Company’s current financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, approximate their fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013 because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. See Note 7 – Fair Value Measurement for further discussion.

Incentive compensation: Incentive compensation includes both equity-based awards and liability awards. The Company recognizes compensation expense associated with its equity-based compensation awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the awards), based on their fair values on the dates of grant, in general and administrative expense.

Liability awards are awards that are expected to be settled in cash on their vesting dates. Liability awards are recorded as accrued liabilities based on the vested portion of the estimated fair value of the awards as of the grant date, which is subject to revision based on the impact of certain performance conditions associated with the incentive plans. The Company may also recognize liability awards as a result of repurchase options given to the recipients participating in certain incentive plans.

Subsequent events: Subsequent events have been evaluated through the issuance date of the consolidated financial statements. Any material subsequent events that occurred prior to such date have been properly recognized or disclosed in the consolidated financial statements. See Note 18—Subsequent Events for further discussion.

New accounting pronouncements: In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued accounting standards updates to ASC 205, Presentation of Financial Statements, and ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, to change the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. The amendments modify the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have or will have a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. These amendments require additional disclosures about discontinued operations and new disclosures for other disposals of individually material components of an organization that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. In addition, the guidance allows companies to have significant continuing involvement and continuing cash flows with the discontinued operation. These provisions are effective for public companies prospectively for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance, effective January 1, 2015, will not affect the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations; however, it may result in changes to the manner in which future dispositions of operations or assets, if any, are presented in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, or it may require additional disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update on a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that will supersede ASC 605, Revenue Recognition. The new accounting guidance creates a framework under which an entity will allocate the transaction price to separate performance obligations and recognize revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. Under the new standard, entities will be required to use

F-23

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

judgment and make estimates, including identifying performance obligations in a contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation and determining when an entity satisfies its performance obligations. The standard allows for either “full retrospective” adoption, meaning that the standard is applied to all of the periods presented with a cumulative catch-up as of the earliest period presented, or “modified retrospective” adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements with a cumulative catch-up as of the current period. The accounting standard will be effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 for public companies. The Company is evaluating the impact that the new accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows and has not yet determined the method by which it will adopt the standard.

NOTE 3—ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The ARO liability reflects the present value of estimated costs of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation, and similar activities associated with the Company’s oil and natural gas properties. The Company utilizes current retirement costs to estimate the expected cash outflows for retirement obligations. The Company estimates the ultimate productive life of the properties, a risk-adjusted discount rate, and an inflation factor in order to determine the current present value of this obligation. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the present value of the existing ARO liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the oil and natural gas property balance. The following table describes changes to the Company’s ARO liability:


	As of December 31,
	2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Asset retirement obligation at beginning of year	$	5,961		$	5,242
Liabilities incurred		167			164
Liabilities settled		(145	)		(33	)
Accretion expense		1,060			588
Revisions in estimated costs		2,338			—

Asset retirement obligation at end of year	$	9,381		$	5,961

NOTE 4—ACQUISITIONS

Acquisitions of producing oil and natural gas properties are recorded at their estimated fair value as of the acquisition date.

In 2004, the Company and third-party investors acquired an interest in the producing and non-producing oil and natural gas properties of Pure Partners, L.P. and Pure Resources, L.P. (“Pure”). As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned 86.4% of the oil and natural gas properties of Pure. Third-party investors owned the remaining 13.6% of the oil and natural gas properties. Effective January 1, 2013, the Company purchased the remaining ownership interest in the Pure oil and natural gas properties through the issuance of $227.1 million of common units of BSMC.

F-24

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The fair value of the assets acquired was determined based on discounted cash flows, including assumptions as to the estimated ultimate recovery of oil and natural gas reserves, expectations for timing of future development and operating costs, and risk-adjusted discount rates. The following table summarizes the fair values assigned to the assets acquired as of January 1, 2013:


	(in thousands)
Proved oil and natural gas properties	$	51,573
Unproved oil and natural gas properties		169,150
Net working capital		6,396

Total net assets acquired	$	227,119

NOTE 5—IMPAIRMENT OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES

On an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying values may not be recoverable, the Company evaluates its proved oil and natural gas properties to determine whether impairment has occurred. This evaluation is performed on a field-by-field basis.

The Company compares the undiscounted projected future cash flows expected in connection with the field to the carrying amount to determine recoverability. When the carrying amount of a field exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the carrying amount is written down to its fair value, which is measured as the present value of the projected future cash flows of such properties. The factors used to determine fair value include estimates of proved reserves, future commodity prices, timing of future production, future capital expenditures, and a risk-adjusted discount rate.

Impairment of proved oil and natural gas properties was $117.9 million and $57.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The impairment primarily resulted from decreasing commodity prices and changes in cash flow projections based on the recent historical operating characteristics at the field level. The charges are included in impairment of oil and natural gas properties on the consolidated statements of operations and reflected in the net book value of oil and natural gas properties.

The carrying value of unproved properties, including unleased mineral rights, is periodically assessed for impairment using management’s assessment of fair value. The factors used to determine fair value are similar to those previously noted for proved properties. There was no impairment of unproved properties for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

NOTE 6—DERIVATIVES AND FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company’s ongoing operations expose it to changes in the market price for oil and natural gas. To mitigate the given commodity price risk associated with its operations, the Company uses derivative instruments. From time to time, such instruments may include fixed price contracts, variable to fixed price swaps, costless collars, and other contractual arrangements. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

With a costless collar, the counterparty is required to make a payment to the Company if the settlement price for any settlement period is below the exercise price of the purchased put. The Company is required to make a payment to the counterparty if the settlement price for any settlement period is above the exercise price for the sold call of the collar. The settlement paid or received is the difference between the market price on the settlement date and the related exercise price. The Company has also entered into commodity derivative instruments in the form of fixed price swap contracts. A fixed price swap contract between the Company and

F-25

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

counterparty specifies a fixed commodity price and a future settlement date. The Company will receive from, or pay to, the counterparty the difference between the fixed swap price and the market price on the settlement date. All derivative instruments are reflected as either assets or liabilities in the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. See Note 7 – Fair Value Measurement for further discussion.

The table below summarizes the fair value and classification of the Company’s derivative instruments:


As of December 31, 2014 (in thousands)
Classification	Balance Sheet Location	Gross Fair Value		Effect of Counter-party Netting			Net Carrying Value on Balance Sheet
Assets:
Current asset	Commodity derivative asset	$	37,656	$	(185	)	$	37,471
Non-current asset	Deferred charges and other long-term assets		—		—			—

Total assets		$	37,656	$	(185	)	$	37,471

Liabilities:
Current liability	Commodity derivative liability	$	185	$	(185	)	$	—
Non-current liability	Commodity derivative liability		—		—			—

Total liabilities		$	185	$	(185	)	$	—


As of December 31, 2013 (in thousands)
Classification	Balance Sheet Location	Gross Fair Value		Effect of Counter-party Netting			Net Carrying Value on Balance Sheet
Assets:
Current asset	Commodity derivative asset	$	2,888	$	(2,850	)	$	38
Non-current asset	Deferred charges and other long-term assets		1,521		(1,504	)		17

Total assets		$	4,409	$	(4,354	)	$	55

Liabilities:
Current liability	Commodity derivative liability	$	4,402	$	(2,850	)	$	1,552
Non-current liability	Commodity derivative liability		1,819		(1,504	)		315

Total liabilities		$	6,221	$	(4,354	)	$	1,867

F-26

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Changes in the fair values of the Company’s derivative instruments (both assets and liabilities) are presented on a net basis in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Changes in the fair value of the Company’s commodity derivative instruments (both assets and liabilities) are as follows:


	As of December 31,
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815	2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Beginning fair value of commodity derivative instruments	$	(1,812	)	$	5,538
Gain (loss) on oil derivative instruments		27,548			(3,469	)
Gain (loss) on natural gas derivative instruments		9,788			(2,391	)
Net cash paid (received) on settlements of oil derivative instruments		(46	)		505
Net cash paid (received) on settlements of natural gas derivative instruments		1,993			(1,995	)

Net change in fair value of commodity derivative instruments		39,283			(7,350	)

Ending fair value of commodity derivative instruments	$	37,471		$	(1,812	)

The Company had the following open derivative contracts for oil at December 31, 2014:


	Volume in Bbl		Weighted Average		Range
Period and Type of Contract	Volume in Bbl		Weighted Average		Low		High
2015
Collar Contracts:
Call Options		871,000	$	101.71	$	99.05	$	104.00
Put Options		871,000	$	84.14	$	80.00	$	90.00

2015
Swap Contracts		825,000	$	59.46	$	56.49	$	61.71

The Company had the following open derivative contracts for natural gas at December 31, 2014:


	Volume in MMBtu		Weighted Average		Range
Period and Type of Contract	Volume in MMBtu		Weighted Average		Low		High
2015
Collar contracts:
Call Options		11,070,000	$	4.89	$	4.51	$	5.60
Put Options		11,070,000	$	3.80	$	3.50	$	4.50

2015
Swap Contracts		15,680,000	$	3.16	$	2.98	$	3.53

NOTE 7—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement, defines fair value as the amount at which an asset (or liability) could be bought (or incurred) or sold (or settled) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Further, ASC 820 establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value, and includes certain disclosure requirements. Fair value estimates are based on either (i) actual market data or (ii) assumptions that other market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability, including estimates of risk.

F-27

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ASC 820 establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy categorizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2—Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3—Inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement (including the Company’s own assumptions in determining fair value).

A financial instrument’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. There were no transfers into, or out of, the three levels of the fair value hierarchy for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The Company estimated the fair value of derivative instruments using the market approach via a model that uses inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived from, or corroborated by, observable data. See Note 6 – Derivatives and Financial Instruments for further discussion.

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Effect of Counter-party Netting			Total
	(in thousands)
*At December 31, 2014*
Financial Assets
Commodity derivative instruments	$	—	$	37,656	$	—	$	(185	)	$	37,471
Financial Liabilities
Commodity derivative instruments		—		185		—		(185	)	$	—

*At December 31, 2013*
Financial Assets
Commodity derivative instruments	$	—	$	4,409	$	—	$	(4,354	)	$	55
Financial Liabilities
Commodity derivative instruments		—		6,221		—		(4,354	)	$	1,867

Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

The determination of the fair values of proved and unproved properties acquired in purchase transactions are prepared by estimating discounted cash flow projections. The factors used to determine fair value include estimates of: economic reserves, future operating and development costs, future commodity prices, and a market-based weighted average cost of capital.

Oil and natural gas properties are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using the income approach. Proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties are reviewed for impairment when events and circumstances

F-28

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

indicate a possible decline in the recoverability of the carrying value of those properties. ARO estimates are derived from historical costs as well as management’s expectation of future cost environments. Significant Level 3 assumptions used to determine fair value include estimates of proved reserves, future commodity prices, the timing and amount of future production and capital expenditures, AROs and a discount rate commensurate with the risk associated with the respective oil and natural gas properties.

The Company’s estimates of fair value have been determined at discrete points in time based on relevant market data. These estimates involve uncertainty and cannot be determined with precision. There were no significant changes in valuation techniques or related inputs for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

The following table presents information about the Company’s assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis:


	Fair Value Measurements Using (in thousands)						Net Book Value		Total Impairment Loss
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Net Book Value		Total Impairment Loss
Year Ended December 31, 2014
Impaired oil and natural gas properties	$	—	$	—	$	81,864	$	199,794	$	117,930

Year Ended December 31, 2013
Impaired oil and natural gas properties	$	—	$	—	$	56,318	$	113,427	$	57,109

The estimated fair value of all debt as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 approximated the carrying value. These fair values, which are Level 3 measurements, were estimated based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements, when quoted market prices were not available. The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized in a current market exchange.

NOTE 8—RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company executed promissory notes dated April 15, 2010, in the amount of $0.5 million to officers of the Company. The promissory notes related to the acquisition of a partnership interest in Ivory Acquisitions Partners, L.P. by the officers and the notes were collateralized by a security interest in the Company. The promissory notes provided for quarterly payments of interest at a blended rate of 2.73% at December 31, 2013, equal to the rate at which the Company paid interest on its borrowings. At December 31, 2013, less than $0.1 million of interest receivable on the notes was included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2013, the aggregated note balances were $0.1 million, and were included in prepaid expenses and other current assets, on the consolidated balance sheet. These promissory notes were paid in full on the maturity date of April 15, 2014.

NOTE 9—SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS

The Company leases mineral interests to exploration and production companies and participates in non-operated working interests when economic conditions are favorable. One company represented 10.0% and 10.9% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

If the Company lost a significant customer, such loss could impact revenue derived from its mineral and royalty interests and working interests. The loss of any single lessee is mitigated by the Company’s diversified customer base.

F-29

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 10—CREDIT FACILITIES

Senior Line of Credit

In September 2006, the Company entered into a credit agreement (“Senior Line of Credit”) with a syndicate of lenders. During the first quarter of 2012, the current Senior Line of Credit was executed to extend the term of the facility to February 3, 2017, at which time all unpaid principal and interest is due. On June 28, 2013, the terms of the Senior Line of Credit were amended to increase the maximum credit amount from the original $600.0 million to $1.0 billion. The borrowing base was $700.0 million at both December 31, 2014 and 2013. The borrowing base is based on the value of the Company’s oil and natural gas properties. Proceeds from the Senior Line of Credit are used for the acquisition of oil and natural gas properties and for other general business purposes.

Borrowings under the Senior Line of Credit bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin between 1.75% and 2.75%, or prime rate plus a margin between 0.75% and 1.75%, with the margin depending on the borrowing base utilization percentage of the loan. The prime rate is determined to be the higher of the financial institution’s prime rate or the federal funds effective rate plus one-half of 1% per annum. The weighted average interest rate of the Senior Line of Credit was 2.41% and 2.42% as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Accrued interest is payable at the end of each calendar quarter or at the end of each interest period, unless the interest period is longer than 90 days in which case interest is payable at the end of every 90-day period. In addition, a commitment fee is payable at the end of each calendar quarter based on either a rate of 0.375% if the borrowing base utilization percentage is less than 50%, or 0.50% per annum if the borrowing base utilization percentage is equal to or greater than 50%. The Senior Line of Credit is secured by substantially all of the Company’s oil and natural gas production and assets and is guaranteed by certain operating subsidiaries.

The Senior Line of Credit contains various restrictions on future borrowings, leases and sales of assets. Additionally, the Senior Line of Credit requires the Company to maintain a current ratio of not less than 1.0 and a ratio of total debt to EBITDAX (Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization, and Exploration) of not more than 3.5. At December 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants in the Senior Line of Credit.

The aggregate principal balance outstanding was $394.0 million and $451.0 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The unused portion of the available borrowings under the Senior Line of Credit was $306.0 million and $249.0 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

BSNR II-B Revolving Credit Facility

Black Stone Natural Resources II-B, L.P., a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, obtained a $50.0 million five-year revolving credit facility dated November 9, 2005, as amended, on November 3, 2010, (“BSNR II-B Revolving Credit Facility”) with a financial institution as the administrative agent and the lender. The Company repaid the outstanding principal balance of $19.1 million on March 28, 2013, and the BSNR II-B Revolving Credit Facility was terminated on April 30, 2013.

BSNR III-B Revolving Credit Facility

Black Stone Natural Resources III-B, L.P., a consolidated subsidiary of the Company, obtained a $100.0 million revolving credit facility dated October 10, 2008 (“BSNR III-B Revolving Credit Facility”), with a financial institution as the administrative agent and the lender. On December 27, 2012, the BSNR III-B Revolving Credit Facility was amended and extended through November 30, 2017. The Company repaid the outstanding principal balance of $27.0 million and terminated the BSNR III-B Revolving Credit Facility on May 15, 2013.

F-30

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 11—INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

Overview and Valuation Assumptions

The Company created long-term incentive plans for its employees and the Board of Managers (the “Board”) under which awards can be granted in the form of time-based restricted units and cash awards based on the Company’s historical performance. There are no performance criteria or market criteria associated with any of the Company’s equity-based awards. The incentive awards vest based on a predetermined schedule as approved by the Board. Compensation expense is included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations in the year earned. There is no limit to the number of equity awards that are authorized or issued under the plans. The total compensation expense related to the time-based restricted unit grants is measured as the number of units granted multiplied by the grant-date fair value per unit. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period (generally equivalent to the vesting period).

The Company’s limited partnership agreement contains an annual repurchase obligation of 1% of the outstanding common units. An annual valuation of the Company is required to establish a value basis for the repurchase obligation. As the Company is privately held, determining the fair value requires the Company to make complex and subjective judgments. The Board determined the fair value of the equity-based awards’ unit price by considering various objective and subjective factors, along with input from management. To determine the fair value of the Company, the Company considers information provided by third-party consultants and relies on generally accepted valuation techniques, which include, but are not limited to, the net asset value method under the asset approach, the guideline public company method under the market approach, and the dividend discount method of the income approach. These methods are dependent upon various assumptions to develop the estimates in the Company’s operating results, commodity prices, and market-based discount rates. The Company also considers publicly available information on comparable public companies and the Company’s historical transactions and performance in making these estimates. There is inherent uncertainty in making these estimates. The Company utilizes the same valuation for repurchases and issuances of equity, if any, and as the basis for calculating the fair value of its equity awards under its long-term incentive plans.

Prior to December 31, 2013, one unit of the equity-based awards under all effective incentive plans consisted of 1.00 share of BSNR and 0.99 Class A or Class B common units of BSMC. On December 31, 2013, the Company simplified its corporate structure, and BSNR became a 100% owned subsidiary of BSMC. Accordingly, the underlying interest in one unit of the equity-based awards of the Company did not change as a result of the transaction. See Note 1 – Business and Basis of Presentation for further discussion.

Employee Long-Term Incentive Plans

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted an Employee Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, (“ELTI Plan”), in which employees other than management and senior management are entitled to earn cash bonuses based on the growth in the fair value of the Company in the preceding year (the “Incentive Year”). The fair value of the Company is determined by the Board. The ELTI Plan has a service period of five years. Payments under the ELTI Plan are disbursed one-fourth per year over a four-year period on December 31 of each year following the Incentive Year.

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted an amended version of its long-term incentive plan for employees (“New ELTI Plan”). Under the New ELTI Plan, employees are entitled to earn cash bonuses based only on service criteria over a four-year service period. Payments under the New ELTI Plan are disbursed one-third per year over three years beginning on the first anniversary following December 31 of the plan year.

F-31

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Management and Senior Management Long-Term Incentive Plans

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted a Management Employee Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, (“MLTI Plan”), in which members of management other than senior management are eligible to earn cash bonuses based on the growth in the fair value of the Company in the Incentive Year. The fair value of the Company is determined by the Board. The participants may choose to receive up to 20% of their cash bonus in restricted common units in the Company at the end of the Incentive Year, under the condition that the Company has the right to repurchase these restricted common units based on the vesting-date fair value. Election has to be made within 120 days after the last day of an Incentive Year. The number of restricted common units is determined based on the value of the cash bonus elected to be converted to the equity-based awards and the fair value of a common unit of the Company on the date of grant. The equity bonuses under the MLTI Plan vest on a graded schedule over a five-year service period. Payments under the MLTI Plan are disbursed equally over a four-year period, with one-fourth payable every December 31 beginning on the first anniversary of the last day of an Incentive Year.

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted a Senior Management Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended, (“SMLTI Plan”), under which senior management is eligible to earn cash and equity bonuses based on the growth in fair value of the Company during the Incentive Year, the annual total returns during the three-year period preceding the award date, and a Board determined discretionary amount believed to approximate compensation offered to senior executives of comparable companies. Fifty percent of the bonus is immediately expensed upon a lump-sum cash payment, and the remaining fifty percent of the bonus is comprised of restricted common units of the Company that vest ratably over three years. Payments under the SMLTI Plan are disbursed on March 15 immediately following the Incentive Year for such portion of the award.

Effective January 1, 2012, the Company adopted a new long-term incentive plan that combines both its management and senior management long-term incentive plans (“New MLTI Plan”). Under the New MLTI Plan, fifty percent of the incentive compensation is payable in cash and determined based on achieving specific production and reserves targets as set by the Board. The remainder is determined based on continued employment with the Company. Cash award compensation under the New MLTI Plan cliff vests on the third anniversary of the award date, subject to satisfaction of the performance targets. For the awards granted in 2012, the Company made a modification to the vesting terms of the New MLTI Plan to conform the cash vesting schedule to the equity vesting schedule described below.

F-32

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Equity compensation under the New MLTI Plan is paid in the form of restricted common units of BSMC. The restricted common units awarded are subject to restrictions on transferability, customary forfeiture provisions, and time vesting provisions. One-third of each award vests on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the date of grant. Award recipients have all the rights of a unitholder in BSMC with respect to the restricted common units vested, including the right to receive distributions thereon, if and when distributions are made by the BSMC to its limited partners. For awards granted prior to December 31, 2014, recipients may request that the Company, at its discretion, repurchase up to fifty percent of the restricted common units that are scheduled to vest. As a result of the repurchase option, fifty percent of the equity awards to be vested on each vesting date are classified as a liability during the corresponding year prior to the vesting date until a request for the Company to repurchase is made by the recipient, or the repurchase option period ends, which is 30 days prior to the vesting date. The liability is measured periodically at fair value. At year-end, the balance of the liability equals the fair value of the equity awards that have been elected and approved for repurchase on the vesting date. During the year ended December 31, 2014, no election was made to settle the equity-based awards in cash. As of the year ended December 31, 2013, executives elected to settle a portion of the equity-based awards in cash, and the Company made payments in the year ended December 31, 2014 totaling $0.4 million on the equity-based liabilities.


Management and Senior Management Long Term Incentive Plans	Common Units (in millions)			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share(1)
Unvested at December 31, 2012		3.6		$	1.65
Granted(2)		4.6			1.60
Vested		(3.1	)		1.62
Forfeited		(0.6	)		1.61

Unvested at December 31, 2013		4.5		$	1.61

Granted(3)		4.8			1.60
Vested		(4.5	)		1.62
Forfeited		(0.4	)		1.62

Unvested at December 31, 2014		4.4		$	1.60

(1)	Determined by dividing the aggregate grant-date fair value of awards by the number of awards issued.

(2)	The aggregate grant-date fair value of restricted common unit awards issued in 2013 was $7.4 million.

(3)	The aggregate grant-date fair value of restricted common unit awards issued in 2014 was $7.7 million.

Unrecognized compensation cost associated with restricted common unit awards was $7.0 million at December 31, 2014, which the Company expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

F-33

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Board of Managers Long-Term Incentive Plan

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted a Board of Managers Incentive Plan, as amended, (“BMI Plan”), under which the Board is entitled to cash and restricted common unit bonuses for each year of service. The restricted common units awarded after the service year are subject to restrictions on transferability.

The aggregate fair value of the restricted common units awarded to the Board during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $2.1 million. The restricted common units granted are accounted for as equity-based awards. The grant-date fair value is recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the service period (generally equivalent to the vesting period). During the first quarter of 2014, the terms of the BMI Plan were amended to provide immediate vesting of existing unvested awards and future grants.


Board of Managers Long-Term Incentive Plans	Common Units (in millions)			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value per unit(1)
Unvested at December 31, 2012		1.2		$	1.70
Granted(2)		1.3			1.60
Vested		(1.2	)		1.62

Unvested at December 31, 2013		1.3		$	1.60

Granted(3)		1.3			1.60
Vested		(2.6	)		1.60

Unvested at December 31, 2014		—		$	—

(1)	Determined by dividing the aggregate grant date fair value of awards by the number of awards issued.

(2)	The aggregate grant date fair value of restricted common unit awards issued in 2013 was $2.1 million.

(3)	The aggregate grant date fair value of restricted common unit awards issued in 2014 was $2.1 million.

There was no unrecognized compensation costs associated with restricted common unit awards at December 31, 2014.

The table below summarizes incentive compensation expense recorded in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
	(in thousands)
Employee Long-term Incentive Plans	$	7,210	$	5,924
Cash—Management and Senior Management Long-term Incentive Plan		6,717		4,281
Equity-based Compensation—Management and Senior Management Long-term Incentive Plan		7,194		4,754
Board of Managers Long-term Incentive Plans		4,146		2,028

Total compensation expense	$	25,267	$	16,987

F-34

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 12—EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the “Plan”) for the benefit of substantially all employees of the Company. The Plan became effective on January 1, 2001 and allows eligible employees to make tax-deferred contributions up to 100% of their annual compensation, not to exceed annual limits established by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company makes matching contributions of 100% of employee contributions, up to 5% of compensation. These matching contributions are subject to a graded vesting schedule, with 33% vested after one year, 66% vested after two years and 100% vested after three years of employment with the Company. Following three years of employment, future Company matching contributions vest immediately. The Company’s contributions were $0.6 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

NOTE 13—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases

The Company leases certain office space and equipment under cancelable and non-cancelable operating leases that end at various dates through 2018. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Rent expense under such arrangements was $1.9 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Such amounts are included in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

Future minimum lease commitments under non-cancelable leases are as follows:


Year Ending December 31,	(in thousands)
2015	$	1,436
2016		1,406
2017		39
2018		15

	$	2,896

Environmental Matters

The Company’s business includes activities that are subject to U.S. federal, state and local environmental regulations with regard to air, land, and water quality and other environmental matters.

The Company does not consider the estimated remediation costs that could result from any environmental site assessments to be significant to the consolidated balance sheet or statement of operations of the Company. No provision for potential remediation costs is reflected in the consolidated financial statements.

Litigation

From time to time, the Company is involved in legal actions and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company believes these claims will be resolved without material adverse effect to the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, statement of operations or cash flows.

F-35

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 14—REDEEMABLE PREFERRED UNITS

The Company has outstanding 157,203 and 157,424 Series A preferred units (the “Preferred Units”) with a book value of $161.2 million and $161.4 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively (which includes accrued and unpaid dividends of $4.0 million as of both December 31, 2014 and 2013). The Preferred Units are classified as mezzanine equity on the consolidated balance sheets since redemption is outside the control of the Company. The Preferred Units are entitled to an annual dividend coupon of 10% of the funded capital of the Preferred Units payable on a quarterly basis in arrears. For each of the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company paid dividends on preferred units of $15.7 million.

The Preferred Units are convertible into common units at any time at the option of the preferred unitholders. The Preferred Units have an initial conversion price of $1.1020948 and an initial conversion rate of 907.36296 common units per Preferred Unit. In the event the preferred unitholders have not converted all of the Preferred Units by December 31, 2014, the owners of the Preferred Units can elect to have the Company redeem up to 25% per year of its Preferred Units at face value, plus any accrued and unpaid dividends, on December 31 of each year from 2014 to 2017. The Company shall have the right, at its sole option, to redeem an amount of Preferred Units equal to the units being redeemed by an owner of Preferred Units on each December 31. Any amount of a given year’s 25% of Preferred Units not redeemed on December 31 shall automatically convert to common units on January 1 of the following year. Unit holders of the Company’s Preferred Units converted 221 units totaling $0.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2014. No Preferred Units were converted into common units during the year ended December 31, 2013.

NOTE 15—EXCHANGE OFFER AND EQUITY OFFERING

During 2012, the Company presented a proposal to purchase the noncontrolling interests in certain subsidiaries in exchange for cash or common units of BSMC (the “Exchange Offer”). The Exchange Offer resulted in a majority of the noncontrolling investors electing to exchange their interests in the subsidiaries for cash or common units of BSMC. The Exchange Offer consisted of the issuance of $1,017.1 million of Class B common units and $2.2 million of Class A common units. The Company used borrowings under the Senior Line of Credit and proceeds from a concurrent $412.2 million common unit offering (“Equity Offering”), effective January 1, 2013, to fund the purchase of the noncontrolling interests. Cash from the Equity Offering in excess of the amounts needed for the Exchange Offer was used to repay a portion of the Senior Line of Credit and provided additional capital for future acquisitions.

Significant terms for the Class B common units include Board and committee representation, conversion rights to Class A common units upon the occurrence of certain events, and registration rights. Other than Board and committee representation, the Class A common units and Class B common units contain the same economic rights and preferences. As a result, both classes are collectively referred to as the “common units.”

NOTE 16—NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

The Company has ownership interests in multiple partnerships that are consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. At the beginning of 2013, the Company purchased a majority of the interests held by the third-party partners with equity of BSMC as discussed in Note 15 – Exchange Offer and Equity Offering. Equity exchanges and new issuances were effective as of January 1, 2013.

On January 1, 2013, the Company dissolved Black Stone Natural Resources I, L.P. (“BSNR I”) and Black Stone Natural Resources Raptor, L.P. (“BSNR Raptor”) and distributed the underlying assets to unrelated third-party investors on a pro rata basis. In August 2013, BSMC purchased the remaining third-party investors’ interests in Black Stone Natural Resources II, L.P. (“BSNR II”) for $37.4 million.

F-36

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As a result of the aforementioned transactions and the Exchange Offer discussed in Note 15 – Exchange Offer and Equity Offering, BSMC owns all of the limited partnership interests in its consolidated subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, except for an 89.4% interest in O’Connell Partners, L.P., one of the subsidiaries controlled and consolidated by the Company.

The following table summarizes the effects of changes in noncontrolling interests on the Company’s equity for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
	(in thousands)
Net income attributable to common units	$	154,631	$	152,848
Transfers from noncontrolling interests:
Increase in the Company’s ownership due to Exchange Offer (Note 15)		—		289,604
Increase in the Company’s ownership due to purchase of BSNR II noncontrolling interests		—		(22,696	)

Net transfers (to) from noncontrolling interests		—		266,908

Change from net income attributable to unit holders and transfers from noncontrolling interests	$	154,631	$	419,756

NOTE 17—EARNINGS PER UNIT

Class A common units and Class B common units have been combined as a single class for purposes of basic and diluted earnings per unit (“EPU”) as they contain the same economic rights and preferences. The holders of the Company’s restricted common units have all the rights of a unitholder, including non-forfeitable distribution rights. As participating securities, the restricted common units are included in the calculation of basic earnings per unit using the two-class method. For the periods presented, the amount of earnings allocated to the participating restricted common units was not material. The redeemable Preferred Units can be converted into 142.6 million and 142.8 million common units as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, if the redeemable Preferred Units were converted to common units, their effect would be anti-dilutive; therefore, the redeemable Preferred Units are not included in the diluted EPU calculation.

F-37

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per unit:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013
	(in thousands, except per unit amounts)
Net income	$	169,187		$	168,963
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests		1,164			(373	)

Net income attributable to Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.		170,351			168,590
Less: Dividends on preferred units		(15,720	)		(15,742	)

Net income attributable to common units	$	154,631		$	152,848

Weighted average units outstanding (basic and diluted)		2,129,812			2,144,599

Basic and diluted earnings per unit	$	0.07		$	0.07

NOTE 18—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On January 15, 2015, the Company paid distributions totaling $56.3 million to the holders of BSMC common units and $4.0 million to the holders of the Preferred Units.

On January 23, 2015, the Company amended its Senior Line of Credit. Borrowings under the Senior Line of Credit now bear interest at LIBOR plus a margin between 1.50% and 2.50%, or prime rate plus a margin between 0.50% and 1.50% with the margin depending on the borrowing base utilization percentage of the loan. The remaining terms under this amended and restated credit facility were essentially the same as the previous agreement, and the borrowing base was reaffirmed at $700.0 million by the lenders.

On February 23, 2015, the Board granted 7.3 million units at a per-unit fair value of $1.41 under the New MLTI and BMI Plans.

F-38

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND NATURAL GAS DISCLOSURES

Geographic Area of Operation

All of the Company’s proved reserves are located within the continental U.S., with the majority concentrated in Kentucky, Louisiana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming. However, the Company also owns mineral and royalty interests and non-operated working interests in various producing and non-producing oil and natural gas properties in several other areas throughout the United States. Therefore, the following disclosures about the Company’s costs incurred and proved reserves are presented on a consolidated basis.

Costs Incurred in Oil and Natural Gas Property Acquisitions, Exploration, and Development Activities

Costs incurred in oil and natural gas property acquisition, exploration and development, whether capitalized or expensed, are presented below:


	Year ended December 31,
	2014		2013
	(in thousands)
Acquisition Costs of Properties:(1)
Proved	$	13,215	$	77,580
Unproved		35,706		264,710
Exploration Costs		631		357
Development Costs		50,595		50,440

Total	$	100,147	$	393,087

(1)	See Note 4 – Acquisitions for further discussion.

Property acquisition costs include costs incurred to purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire a property. Development costs include costs incurred to gain access to and prepare development well locations for drilling, to drill and equip development wells, and to provide facilities to extract, treat, and gather natural gas. Refer below for total capitalized costs and associated accumulated DD&A, including impairment.

Oil and Natural Gas Capitalized Costs

Aggregate capitalized costs related to oil and natural gas production activities with applicable accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization, including impairments, are presented below:


	Year ended December 31,
	2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Proved properties	$	1,753,167		$	1,637,223
Unproved properties		623,863			640,291

Total		2,377,030			2,277,514
Accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization, including impairment		(1,191,861	)		(965,371	)

Net capitalized costs	$	1,185,169		$	1,312,143

F-39

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Oil and Natural Gas Reserve Information—Unaudited

The following table sets forth estimated net quantities of the Company’s proved, proved developed, and proved undeveloped oil and natural gas reserves. These reserve estimates exclude insignificant natural gas liquid quantities owned by the Company. Estimated reserves for the periods presented are based on the unweighted average of first-day-of-the-month commodity prices over the period January through December for the year in accordance with definitions and guidelines set forth by the SEC and the FASB.


	Crude Oil (MBbl)			Natural Gas (MMcf)			Total(8) (MBoe)
Net proved reserves at December 31, 2012		14,811			273,800			60,444
Revisions of previous estimates(1)		1,616			(16,760	)		(1,177	)
Purchases of minerals in place(2)		883			5,472			1,795
Extensions, discoveries and other additions(3)		4,265			22,848			8,073
Production		(2,626	)		(45,400	)		(10,193	)

Net proved reserves at December 31, 2013		18,949			239,960			58,942
Revisions of previous estimates(1)		(1,904	)		(20,764	)		(5,365	)
Purchases of minerals in place(4)		89			7,439			1,329
Extensions, discoveries and other additions(5)		2,938			19,894			6,254
Production		(3,005	)		(42,273	)		(10,051	)

Net proved reserves at December 31, 2014		17,067			204,256			51,109

Net Proved Developed Reserves(6)
December 31, 2012		14,395			242,814			54,864
December 31, 2013		17,290			232,777			56,086
December 31, 2014		16,700			202,888			50,514
Net Proved Undeveloped Reserves(7)
December 31, 2012		416			30,986			5,580
December 31, 2013		1,659			7,183			2,856
December 31, 2014		367			1,368			595

(1)	Revisions of previous estimates include technical revisions due to changes in commodity prices, historical and projected performance and other factors. The most notable technical revisions are related to well performance in certain Haynesville shale wells.

(2)

Includes the acquisition of Pure mineral interests as part of the Exchange Offer and other mineral acreage located in the Eagle Ford Shale in Texas. Additionally, this line includes adjustments to reserves related to the distribution of the assets in BSNR I and BSNR Raptor to unrelated third-party investors. See Note 4—Acquisitions, Note 15—Exchange Offer and Equity Offering and Note 16—Noncontrolling Interests for further discussion.

(3)	Includes discoveries and additions primarily related to active drilling in the Haynesville, Bakken, Wilcox, Granite Wash, and Fayetteville plays.

(4)	Includes the acquisition of mineral-and-royalty reserves primarily located throughout Texas, including in the Eagle Ford Shale and Wolfcamp Plays and working interest reserves, the substantial majority of which is located in the Haynesville Shale in San Augustine County, Texas.

(5)	Includes discoveries and additions primarily related to active drilling in the Haynesville, Bakken, Eagle Ford, Wilcox, Granite Wash, and Fayetteville plays.

(6)	Proved developed reserves of 87 MBoe, 119 MBoe and 19,534 MBoe as of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, were attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries.

F-40

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(7)	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, no proved undeveloped reserves were attributable to noncontrolling interests. Proved undeveloped reserves of 2,398 MBoe as of December 31, 2012 were attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries.

(8)

The conversion to barrels-of-oil equivalent and cubic-feet equivalent were determined using the energy-equivalent ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil (totals may not compute due to rounding). The energy-equivalent ratio does not assume price equivalency, and the energy-equivalent prices for oil and natural gas may differ significantly.

Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows—Unaudited

Future cash inflows represent expected revenues from production of period-end quantities of proved reserves based on the unweighted average of first-day-of-the-month commodity prices for the periods presented. All prices are adjusted by field for quality, transportation fees, energy content and regional price differentials. Future cash inflows are computed by applying applicable prices relating to the Company’s proved reserves to the year-end quantities of those reserves. Future production, development, site restoration and abandonment costs are derived based on current costs assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. There are no future income tax expenses because the Company is not subject to federal income taxes. The Company is subject to certain state based taxes; however, these amounts are not material. See Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further discussion.


	As of December 31,
	2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Future cash inflows	$	2,493,294		$	2,693,511
Future production costs		(405,833	)		(393,347	)
Future development costs		(64,968	)		(53,160	)

Future net cash flows (undiscounted)		2,022,493			2,247,004
Annual discount 10% for estimated timing		(879,399	)		(1,061,747	)

Total(1)	$	1,143,094		$	1,185,257

(1)	Includes standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows of approximately $1.4 million for both December 31, 2014 and 2013, are attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Company’s consolidated subsidiaries.

F-41

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following summarizes the principal sources of change in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows:


	For the years ended December 31,
	2014			2013
	(in thousands)
Standardized measure, beginning of year	$	1,185,257		$	928,518
Sales, net of production costs		(391,983	)		(373,655	)
Net changes in prices and production costs related to future production		75,284			208,291
Extensions, discoveries and improved recovery, net of future production and development costs		209,651			223,482
Previously estimated development costs incurred during the period		12,162			22,456
Revisions of estimated future development costs		7,854			1,620
Revisions of previous quantity estimates, net of related costs		(110,431	)		(22,687	)
Accretion of discount		118,526			92,852
Purchases of reserves in place, less related costs		24,210			62,887
Other		12,564			41,493

Standardized measure, end of year	$	1,143,094		$	1,185,257

The data presented should not be viewed as representing the expected cash flow from, or current value of, existing proved reserves since the computations are based on a significant amount of estimates and assumptions. The required projection of production and related expenditures over time requires further estimates with respect to pipeline availability, rates of demand and governmental control. Actual future prices and costs are likely to be substantially different from historical prices and costs utilized in the computation of reported amounts. Any analysis or evaluation of the reported amounts should give specific recognition to the computational methods utilized and the limitations inherent therein.

F-42

Appendix A

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS			A-1

Section 1.1	Definitions		A-1
Section 1.2	Construction		A-18

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION			A-18

Section 2.1	Formation		A-18
Section 2.2	Name		A-18
Section 2.3	Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices		A-19
Section 2.4	Purpose and Business		A-19
Section 2.5	Powers		A-19
Section 2.6	Term		A-19
Section 2.7	Title to Partnership Assets		A-19
Section 2.8	Power of Attorney		A-20

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS			A-21

Section 3.1	Limitation of Liability		A-21
Section 3.2	Management of Business		A-21
Section 3.3	Outside Activities of the Limited Partners		A-21
Section 3.4	Rights of Limited Partners		A-21

ARTICLE IV

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS			A-22

Section 4.1	Certificates		A-22
Section 4.2	Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates		A-22
Section 4.3	Record Holders		A-23
Section 4.4	Transfer Generally		A-23
Section 4.5	Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests		A-24
Section 4.6	Transfer of the General Partner Interest		A-25
Section 4.7	Restrictions on Transfers		A-25
Section 4.8	Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders		A-25
Section 4.9	Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders		A-27

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS			A-28

Section 5.1	Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates		A-28
Section 5.2	Contributions by Underwriters		A-28

A-i


		Page
Section 5.3	Interest and Withdrawal		A-28
Section 5.4	Capital Accounts		A-29
Section 5.5	Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests and Derivative Instruments		A-31
Section 5.6	Conversion of Subordinated Units		A-32
Section 5.7	Splits and Combinations		A-32
Section 5.8	Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests		A-33
Section 5.9	Deemed Capital Contributions by Partners		A-33

ARTICLE VI

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS			A-33

Section 6.1	Allocations for Capital Account Purposes		A-33
Section 6.2	Allocations for Tax Purposes		A-39
Section 6.3	Distributions; Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders		A-41
Section 6.4	Distributions from Operating Surplus		A-42
Section 6.5	Distributions from Capital Surplus		A-42
Section 6.6	Distributions of GP Available Cash		A-42
Section 6.7	Adjustment of Common Unit Arrearages, Cumulative Common Arrearages and Minimum Quarterly Distributions		A-42
Section 6.8	Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units		A-42

ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS			A-43

Section 7.1	Management		A-43
Section 7.2	Replacement of Fiduciary Duties		A-45
Section 7.3	Certificate of Limited Partnership		A-46
Section 7.4	Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority		A-46
Section 7.5	Reimbursement of the General Partner		A-60
Section 7.6	Outside Activities		A-47
Section 7.7	Indemnification		A-48
Section 7.8	Limitation of Liability of Indemnitees		A-49
Section 7.9	Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties		A-50
Section 7.10	Other Matters Concerning Standards of Conduct		A-51
Section 7.11	Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests		A-51
Section 7.12	Reliance by Third Parties		A-51

ARTICLE VIII

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS			A-52

Section 8.1	Records and Accounting		A-52
Section 8.2	Fiscal Year		A-52
Section 8.3	Reports		A-52

A-ii


		Page

ARTICLE IX

TAX MATTERS			A-52

Section 9.1	Tax Returns and Information		A-52
Section 9.2	Tax Elections		A-53
Section 9.3	Tax Controversies		A-53
Section 9.4	Withholding		A-53

ARTICLE X

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS			A-53

Section 10.1	Admission of Limited Partners		A-53
Section 10.2	Admission of Successor General Partner		A-54
Section 10.3	Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership		A-54

ARTICLE XI

WITHDRAWAL OF PARTNERS			A-54

Section 11.1	Withdrawal of the General Partner		A-54
Section 11.2	Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner		A-55
Section 11.3	Withdrawal of Limited Partners		A-56

ARTICLE XII

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION			A-56

Section 12.1	Dissolution		A-56
Section 12.2	Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution		A-56
Section 12.3	Liquidator		A-57
Section 12.4	Liquidation		A-57
Section 12.5	Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership		A-57
Section 12.6	Return of Contributions		A-58
Section 12.7	Waiver of Partition		A-58
Section 12.8	Capital Account Restoration		A-58

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE			A-61

Section 13.1	Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner		A-61
Section 13.2	Amendment Procedures		A-62
Section 13.3	Amendment Requirements		A-62
Section 13.4	Amendments to Organizational Documents of General Partner and Other Subsidiaries		A-63
Section 13.5	Special Meetings; Annual Meetings; Election of Directors		A-63
Section 13.6	Notice of a Meeting		A-67
Section 13.7	Record Date		A-67

A-iii


		Page
Section 13.8	Adjournment		A-68
Section 13.9	Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes		A-68
Section 13.10	Quorum and Voting		A-68
Section 13.11	Conduct of a Meeting		A-69
Section 13.12	Action Without a Meeting		A-69
Section 13.13	Right to Vote and Related Matters		A-69

ARTICLE XIV

MERGER			A-70

Section 14.1	Authority		A-70
Section 14.2	Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion		A-70
Section 14.3	Approval by Partners of Merger or Consolidation		A-71
Section 14.4	Certificate of Merger or Conversion		A-72
Section 14.5	Amendment of Partnership Agreement		A-72
Section 14.6	Effect of Merger or Consolidation		A-72

ARTICLE XV

RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS			A-73

Section 15.1	Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests.		A-73

A-ARTICLE XVI

GENERAL PROVISIONS			A-74

Section 16.1	Addresses and Notices; Written Communications		A-74
Section 16.2	Further Action		A-74
Section 16.3	Binding Effect		A-75
Section 16.4	Integration		A-75
Section 16.5	Creditors		A-75
Section 16.6	Waiver		A-75
Section 16.7	Counterparts		A-75
Section 16.8	Applicable Law; Forum, Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury; Attorney Fees		A-75
Section 16.9	Invalidity of Provisions		A-76
Section 16.10	Consent of Partners		A-76
Section 16.11	Facsimile and Email Signatures		A-76
Section 16.12	Third Party Beneficiaries		A-76

A-iv

FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED

PARTNERSHIP OF BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

THIS FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P., dated as of , 2015 and is effective immediately prior to the Effective Time, is entered into by and among BLACK STONE MINERALS GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, as the General Partner, and the Initial Limited Partners together with any other Persons who become Partners in the Partnership or parties hereto as provided herein. In consideration of the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions. The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.

“Adjusted Capital Account” means, with respect to any Partner, the balance in such Partner’s Capital Account at the end of each taxable period of the Partnership, after giving effect to the following adjustments:

(a) Credit to such Capital Account any amounts which such Partner is (x) obligated to restore under the standards set by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) or (y) deemed obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5); and

(b) Debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6).

The foregoing definition of Adjusted Capital Account is intended to comply with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. The “Adjusted Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Adjusted Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.

“Adjusted Operating Surplus” means, with respect to any period, (a) Operating Surplus generated with respect to such period; (b) less (i) the amount of any net increase during such period in Working Capital Borrowings (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net increase in Working Capital Borrowings in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned); and (ii) the amount of any net decrease during such period in cash reserves (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net decrease in cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for Operating Expenditures not constituting Operating Expenditures made during such period; and (c) plus (i) the amount of any net decrease during such period in Working Capital Borrowings (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net decrease in Working Capital Borrowings in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned); (ii) the amount of any net increase during such period in cash reserves (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of any net increase in cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for any Operating Expenditures required by any debt instrument for the repayment of principal, interest or premium; and (iii) the amount of any net decrease made in subsequent periods in cash reserves for any Operating Expenditures initially established during such period to the extent such decrease results in a reduction in Adjusted Operating Surplus in subsequent periods pursuant to clause (b)(ii) above. Adjusted Operating Surplus does not include that portion of Operating Surplus included in clause (a)(i) of the definition of Operating Surplus. To the extent that disbursements made, cash received or cash reserves established, increased or reduced, or Working Capital Borrowings increased or reduced, after the end of a period are included in the determination of Operating Surplus for such period (as contemplated by the proviso in the definition of “Operating Surplus”) such disbursements, cash receipts and changes in cash reserves or Working

Capital Borrowings shall be deemed to have occurred in such period (and not in any future period) for purposes of calculating increases or decreases in Working Capital Borrowings or cash reserves during such period.

“Adjusted Property” means any property the Carrying Value of which has been adjusted pursuant to Sections 5.4(d)(i) or 5.4(d)(ii).

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with, the Person in question.

“Agreed Allocation” means any allocation, other than a Required Allocation, of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1, including a Curative Allocation (if appropriate to the context in which the term “Agreed Allocation” is used).

“Agreed Value” of (a) a Contributed Property means the fair market value of such property at the time of contribution and (b) an Adjusted Property means the fair market value of such Adjusted Property on the date of the Revaluation Event as described in Section 5.4(d), in each case as determined by the General Partner.

“Agreement” means this First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership including the Exhibits and Annexes hereto, as it may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

“Associate” means, when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, (a) any other Person of which such Person is a director, officer, manager, general partner or managing member or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of 20% or more of any class of voting stock or other voting interest; (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a 20% beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (c) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same principal residence as such Person.

“Bad Faith” means, with respect to any determination, action or omission, of any Person, board or committee, that such Person, board or committee reached such determination, or engaged in or failed to engage in such act or omission, with the belief that such determination, act or omission was adverse to the interests of the Partnership.

“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the General Partner.

“Book-Tax Disparity” means with respect to any item of Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, as of the date of any determination, the difference between the Carrying Value of such Contributed Property or Adjusted Property and the adjusted basis thereof for U.S. federal income tax purposes as of such date. A Partner’s share of the Partnership’s Book-Tax Disparities in all of its Contributed Property and Adjusted Property will be reflected by the difference between such Partner’s Capital Account balance as maintained pursuant to Section 5.4 and the hypothetical balance of such Partner’s Capital Account computed as if it had been maintained strictly in accordance with U.S. federal income tax accounting principles.

“Business Day” means Monday through Friday of each week, except that a legal holiday recognized as such by the government of the United States of America or the State of Texas shall not be regarded as a Business Day.

“Capital Account” means the capital account maintained for a Partner pursuant to Section 5.4. The “Capital Account” of a Partner in respect of any Partnership Interest shall be the amount that such Capital Account would be if such Partnership Interest were the only interest in the Partnership held by such Partner from and after the date on which such Partnership Interest was first issued.

A-2

“Capital Contribution” means any cash, cash equivalents or the Net Agreed Value of a Contributed Property that a Partner contributes to the Partnership or that is contributed or deemed contributed to the Partnership on behalf of a Partner (including, in the case of an underwritten offering of Units, the amount of any underwriting discounts or commissions).

“Capital Improvement” means any (a) addition or improvement to the assets owned by any Group Member, (b) acquisition (through an asset acquisition, merger, stock acquisition or other form of investment) of existing, or the construction or development of new, assets by any Group Member, or (c) capital contribution by a Group Member to a Person that is not a Subsidiary of a Group Member, in which a Group Member has, or after such capital contribution will have, an equity interest to fund the Group Member’s Pro Rata share of the cost of the acquisition of existing, or the construction or development of new or the improvement of existing, assets, in each case if such addition, improvement, acquisition, construction or development is made to increase the long-term operating capacity or net income of the Partnership Group from the long-term operating capacity or net income of the Partnership Group, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), or such Person, in the case of clause (c), from that existing immediately prior to such addition, improvement, acquisition or construction.

“Capital Surplus” means cash and cash equivalents distributed by the Partnership in excess of Operating Surplus, as described in Section 6.3(b).

“Carrying Value” means (a) with respect to a Contributed Property or an Adjusted Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced (but not below zero) by all depreciation, Simulated Depletion, amortization and other cost recovery deductions charged to the Partners’ Capital Accounts in respect of such property, and (b) with respect to any other Partnership property, the adjusted basis of such property for U.S. federal income tax purposes, all as of the time of determination and as determined by the General Partner. In the case of any oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code), adjusted basis shall be determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.613A–3(e)(3)(iii)(C). The Carrying Value of any property shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with Section 5.4(d) and to reflect changes, additions or other adjustments to the Carrying Value for dispositions and acquisitions of Partnership properties, as deemed appropriate by the General Partner.

“Cause” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 13.5(b)(vi).

“Certificate” means a Certificate in such form (including in global form if permitted by applicable rules and regulations) as may be adopted by the General Partner, issued by the Partnership evidencing ownership of one or more Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments.

“Certificate of Limited Partnership” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as referenced in Section 7.3, as such Certificate of Limited Partnership may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

“Citizenship Eligibility Trigger” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.8(a)(ii).

“Closing Date” means the first date on which Common Units are issued and delivered by the Partnership to the Underwriters pursuant to the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement in connection with the Initial Offering.

“Closing Price” means, in respect of any class of Limited Partner Interests, as of the date of determination, the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Limited Partner Interests are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Limited Partner Interests are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-

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counter market, as reported by the primary reporting system then in use in relation to such Limited Partner Interests of such class, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined by the General Partner.

“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference herein to a specific section or sections of the Code shall be deemed to include a reference to any corresponding provision of any successor law.

“Commences Commercial Service” means a Capital Improvement or replacement asset is first put into commercial service by a Group Member (or other Person that is not a Subsidiary of a Group Member, as contemplated in the definition of “Capital Improvement”) following, if applicable, completion of construction, acquisition, development and testing.

“Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Common Unit” means an interest in the Partnership having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Common Units in this Agreement. The term “Common Unit” does not refer to or include any Subordinated Unit prior to its conversion into a Common Unit pursuant to the terms hereof.

“Common Unit Arrearage” means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, with respect to any Quarter wholly within the Subordination Period, the excess, if any, of (a) the Minimum Quarterly Distribution with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter over (b) the sum of all cash and cash equivalents distributed with respect to a Common Unit in respect of such Quarter pursuant to or in accordance with Section 6.4(a)(i).

“Conflicts Committee” means a committee of the Board of Directors composed entirely of one or more directors, each of whom is determined by the Board of Directors, after reasonable inquiry, (a) not to be an officer or employee of the General Partner (b) not to be an officer or employee of any Affiliate of the General Partner, or a director of any Affiliate of the General Partner (other than any Group Member), (c) not to be a holder of any ownership interest in any Affiliate of the General Partner, including any Group Member, that would be likely to have an adverse impact on the ability of such director to act in an independent manner with respect to the matter submitted or proposed to be submitted to the Conflicts Committee, other than Common Units, Subordinated Units and awards that are granted to such director under the Long-Term Incentive Plan, and (d) to be independent under the independence standards for directors who serve on an audit committee of a board of directors established by the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and by the National Securities Exchange on which any class of Partnership Interests is listed or admitted to trading.

“Construction Debt” means debt incurred to fund (a) all or a portion of a Capital Improvement, (b) interest payments (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees on other Construction Debt or (c) distributions paid in respect of Construction Equity.

“Construction Equity” means equity issued to fund (a) all or a portion of a Capital Improvement, (b) interest payments (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees on Construction Debt or (c) distributions paid in respect of Construction Equity. Construction Equity does not include equity issued in the Initial Offering.

“Construction Period” means the period beginning on the date that a Group Member (or other Person that is not a Subsidiary of a Group Member, as contemplated in the definition of “Capital Improvement”) enters into a binding obligation to commence a Capital Improvement and ending on the earlier to occur of the date that such Capital Improvement Commences Commercial Service and the date that the Group Member (or other Person that

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is not a Subsidiary of a Group Member, as contemplated in the definition of “Capital Improvement”) abandons or disposes of such Capital Improvement.

“Contributed Property” means each property, in such form as may be permitted by the Delaware Act, but excluding cash, contributed to the Partnership. Once the Carrying Value of a Contributed Property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.4(d), such property shall no longer constitute a Contributed Property, but shall be deemed an Adjusted Property.

“Control” or “control” (including the terms “controlled” and “controlling”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

“Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage” means, with respect to any Common Unit, whenever issued, and as of the end of any Quarter, the excess, if any, of (a) the sum of the Common Unit Arrearages with respect to an Initial Common Unit for each of the Quarters wholly within the Subordination Period ending on or before the last day of such Quarter over (b) the sum of any distributions previously made pursuant to or in accordance with Sections 6.4(a)(ii) and 6.5(b) with respect to an Initial Common Unit (including any distributions to be made in respect of the last of such Quarters).

“Cumulative Majority” means with respect to the removal of a Director by any group of Unitholders, that number of votes determined by the following formula:


(	1	1	)	× B + 1
(	1	A + 1	)	× B + 1

A = The aggregate number of Directors; and

B = The number of votes of the Units then Outstanding that would be entitled to vote for the election of such Director, measured on a Fully Diluted Basis.

“Curative Allocation” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi).

“Current Market Price” means, in respect of any class of Partnership Interests, as of the date of determination, the average of the daily Closing Prices per Partnership Interest of such class for the 20 consecutive Trading Days immediately prior to such date.

“Delaware Act” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. Section 17-101, et seq., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.

“Departing General Partner” means a former General Partner from and after the effective date of any withdrawal of such former General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1.

“Derivative Instruments” means options, rights, warrants, appreciation rights, tracking, profit and phantom interests and other derivative instruments (other than equity interests in the Partnership) relating to, convertible into or exchangeable for Partnership Interests.

“Designated Persons” has the meaning given in Section 7.9(a).

“Director” means a member of the Board of Directors.

“Economic Risk of Loss” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-2(a).

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“Effective Time” means effective time of the merger of the Organizational Limited Partner into Merger Sub pursuant to the Merger and Contribution Agreement.

“Eligibility Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.8(b).

“Eligibility Certification” means a properly completed certificate in such form as may be specified by the General Partner by which a Partner certifies that he (and if he is a nominee holding for the account of another Person, that to the best of his knowledge such other Person) is an Eligible Holder.

“Eligible Holder” means a Person that satisfies the eligibility requirements established by the General Partner for Partners pursuant to Section 4.8.

“Estimated Replacement Capital Expenditures” means an estimate made by the Board of Directors from time to time during the Subordination Period of the average quarterly Replacement Capital Expenditures that the Partnership will need to incur over the long term to maintain the operating capacity or net income of the Partnership Group (including the Partnership’s proportionate share of the average quarterly Replacement Capital Expenditures of its Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) existing at the time the estimate is made. The Board of Directors will be permitted to make such estimate or any adjustments to a previous estimate in any manner it determines. Such estimate will be made no less frequently than annually and whenever an event occurs that the Board of Directors determines is likely to result in a material adjustment to the amount of future Estimated Replacement Capital Expenditures. Any adjustments to Estimated Replacement Capital Expenditures shall be prospective only.

“Event Issue Value” means, with respect to any Common Unit as of any date of determination, (a) in the case of a Revaluation Event that includes the issuance of Common Units pursuant to a public offering and solely for cash, the price paid for such Common Units, or (b) in the case of any other Revaluation Event, the Closing Price of the Common Units on the date of such Revaluation Event or, if the General Partner determines that a value for the Common Unit other than such Closing Price more accurately reflects the Event Issue Value, the value determined by the General Partner.

“Event of Withdrawal” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 11.1(a).

“Excess Distribution” is defined in Section 6.1(d)(iii).

“Excess Distribution Unit” is defined in Section 6.1(d)(iii).

“Expansion Capital Expenditures” means cash expenditures (including transaction expenses) for Capital Improvements, and shall not include Replacement Capital Expenditures or Investment Capital Expenditures. Expansion Capital Expenditures shall include (a) interest payments (including periodic net payments under related interest rate swap agreements) and related fees on Construction Debt and (b) distributions on Construction Equity, in each case paid in respect of the Construction Period. Where cash expenditures are made in part for Expansion Capital Expenditures and in part for other purposes, the General Partner shall determine the allocation between the amounts paid for each.

“Family Member” has the meaning given in Section 4.5(f).

“Final Subordinated Units” is defined in Section 6.1(d)(x)(A).

“Fully Diluted Basis” means, with respect to the Partnership Interests at any time of determination, the number of Common Units that would be issued and Outstanding at such time, assuming that all options, rights, warrants or other convertible or derivative securities or instruments or other rights to acquire Common Units have been exercised or converted, as applicable, in full, regardless of whether any such options, rights, warrants, convertible or derivative securities or instruments or other rights are then vested or exercisable or convertible in accordance with their terms; provided, however, that for purposes of determining the “Fully Diluted Basis” of the Partnership Interests at any time, any redeemable Partnership Interests that are also by their terms convertible

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into or exchangeable for any Partnership Interests shall be treated as being (1) converted if, as of the relevant date, the current value of the Partnership Interests into or for which such redeemable Partnership Interests are convertible or exchangeable is greater than the value of the consideration for which such Partnership Interests may be redeemed or (2) redeemed if the condition in clause (1) is not met.

“Fully Diluted Percentage Interest” means, with respect to any Partner or other holder of Partnership Interests, as of any date, the number of Common Units held by such Partner or other holder (determined on a Fully Diluted Basis) divided by the total number of Common Units that are then Outstanding on a Fully Diluted Basis.

“Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis” means, when calculating the number of Outstanding Units for any period, the sum of (1) the weighted average number of Outstanding Units during such period plus (2) all Partnership Interests and Derivative Instruments (a) that are convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Units or for which Units are issuable, in each case that are senior to or pari passu with the Subordinated Units, (b) whose conversion, exercise or exchange price is less than the Current Market Price on the date of such calculation, (c) that may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units prior to or during the Quarter immediately following the end of the period for which the calculation is being made without the satisfaction of any contingency beyond the control of the holder other than the payment of consideration and the compliance with administrative mechanics applicable to such conversion, exercise or exchange and (d) that were not converted into or exercised or exchanged for such Units during the period for which the calculation is being made; provided, however, that if consideration will be paid to any Group Member in connection with such conversion, exercise or exchange, the number of Units to be included in such calculation shall be that number equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the number of Units issuable upon such conversion, exercise or exchange over (ii) the number of Units that such consideration would purchase at the Current Market Price.

“General Partner” means Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, and its successors and permitted assigns that are admitted to the Partnership as the general partner of the Partnership, in their capacity as the general partner of the Partnership.

“General Partner Interest” means the management interest of the General Partner in the Partnership (in its capacity as general partner and without reference to any Limited Partner Interest held by it), which includes any and all rights, powers and benefits to which the General Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of the General Partner to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. The General Partner Interest does not include any rights to profits or losses or any rights to receive distributions from operations or upon the liquidation or winding-up of the Partnership.

“Good Faith” means, with respect to any determination, action or omission, of any Person, board or committee, that such determination, action or omission was not taken in Bad Faith.

“GP Available Cash” means all cash and cash equivalents on hand derived from or attributable to the Partnership’s ownership of, or sale or other disposition of, the membership interests of the General Partner.

“GP Items” means the income, gains, losses, deductions and credits which are attributable to the Partnership’s ownership of, or sale or other disposition of, the membership interests of the General Partner.

“Gross Liability Value” means, with respect to any Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i), the amount of cash that a willing assignor would pay to a willing assignee to assume such Liability in an arm’s-length transaction.

“Group” means two or more Persons that with or through any of their respective Affiliates or Associates have any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent given to such Person in response to a proxy or consent

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solicitation made to 10 or more Persons), exercising investment power or disposing of any Partnership Interests with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, Partnership Interests.

“Group Member” means a member of the Partnership Group.

“Group Member Agreement” means the partnership agreement of any Group Member, other than the Partnership, that is a limited or general partnership, the limited liability company agreement of any Group Member that is a limited liability company, the certificate of incorporation and bylaws or similar organizational documents of any Group Member that is a corporation, the joint venture agreement or similar governing document of any Group Member that is a joint venture and the governing or organizational or similar documents of any other Group Member that is a Person other than a limited or general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or joint venture, as such may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

“Hedge Contract” means any exchange, swap, forward, cap, floor, collar, option or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into for the purpose of reducing the exposure of the Partnership Group to fluctuations in the price of hydrocarbons, interest rates, basis differentials or currency exchange rates in their operations or financing activities, in each case, other than for speculative purposes.

“Indemnitee” means (a) any General Partner, (b) any Departing General Partner, (c) any Person who is or was an Affiliate of the General Partner or any Departing General Partner, (d) any Person who is or was a manager, managing member, general partner, director, officer, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of any Group Member, a General Partner, any Departing General Partner or any of their respective Affiliates, (e) any Director, and any Person who is or was serving at the request of a General Partner, any Departing General Partner or any of their respective Affiliates as an officer, director, manager, managing member, general partner, employee, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another Person owing a fiduciary or similar duty to any Group Member; provided that a Person shall not be an Indemnitee by reason of providing, on a fee-for-services basis, trustee, fiduciary or custodial services, (f) any Person (other than the Partnership) who controls a General Partner or Departing General Partner and (g) any Person the General Partner designates as an “Indemnitee” for purposes of this Agreement because such Person’s service, status or relationship exposes such Person to potential claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings relating to the Partnership Group’s business and affairs.

“Ineligible Holder” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.8(c).

“Initial Common Units” means the Common Units sold in the Initial Offering.

“Initial Limited Partners” means the limited partners of the Partnership prior to the Initial Offering.

“Initial Offering” means the initial offering and sale of Common Units to the public, as described in the Registration Statement, including any offer and sale of Common Units pursuant to an exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.

“Initial Unit Price” means (a) with respect to the Common Units and the Subordinated Units, the initial public offering price per Common Unit at which the Underwriters first offered the Common Units to the public for sale as set forth on the cover page of the prospectus included as part of the Registration Statement and first issued at or after the time the Registration Statement first became effective or (b) with respect to any other class or series of Units, the price per Unit at which such class or series of Units is initially sold by the Partnership, as determined by the General Partner, in each case adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision or combination of Units.

“Interim Capital Transactions” means the following transactions if they occur prior to the Liquidation Date: (a) borrowings, including sales of debt securities and other incurrences of indebtedness for borrowed money, by any Group Member, other than Working Capital Borrowings; (b) sales of equity interests of any

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Group Member (including the Common Units sold to the Underwriters pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement) and (c) sales or other dispositions of any assets of any Group Member other than (i) sales or other dispositions of inventory, accounts receivable and other assets in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) sales or other dispositions of assets as part of normal retirements or replacements.

“Investment Capital Expenditures” means capital expenditures other than Replacement Capital Expenditures and Expansion Capital Expenditures.

“Lender” has the meaning given in Section 4.5(f).

“Liability” means any liability or obligation of any nature, whether accrued, contingent or otherwise.

“Limited Partner” means, unless the context otherwise requires, the Initial Limited Partners, the General Partner (in its capacity as a limited partner) and each additional Person that becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and any Departing General Partner upon the change of its status from General Partner to Limited Partner pursuant to Section 11.2, in each case in such Person’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership; provided, however, that when the term “Limited Partner” is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including without limitation Articles XIII and XIV, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any Units owned by the General Partner except as may otherwise be required by any non-waivable provision of law.

“Limited Partner Interest” means the ownership interest of a Limited Partner in the Partnership, which may be evidenced by Common Units, Preferred Units, Subordinated Units or other Partnership Interests or a combination thereof or interest therein (but excluding Derivative Instruments), and includes any and all benefits to which such Limited Partner is entitled as provided in this Agreement, together with all obligations of such Limited Partner hereunder; provided, however, that when the term “Limited Partner Interest” is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including without limitation Articles XIII and XIV, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any Units owned by the General Partner except as may otherwise be required by any non-waivable provision of law.

“Liquidation Date” means (a) in the case of an event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership of the type described in clauses (a) and (b) of the first sentence of Section 12.2, the date on which the applicable time period during which the Partners have the right to elect to continue the business of the Partnership has expired without such an election being made, and (b) in the case of any other event giving rise to the dissolution of the Partnership, the date on which such event occurs.

“Liquidation Gain” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Net Termination Gain.

“Liquidation Loss” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Net Termination Loss.

“Liquidator” means one or more Persons selected by the General Partner to perform the functions described in Section 12.4 as liquidating trustee of the Partnership within the meaning of the Delaware Act.

“Long-Term Incentive Plan” means the Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan, as it may be amended, restated or modified from time to time, or any equity compensation plan successor thereto.

“Merger Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.1.

“Merger and Contribution Agreement” means that certain Merger and Contribution Agreement, dated as of , 2015, among the Organizational Limited Partner, the Partnership and the other parties thereto, together with the additional conveyance documents and instruments contemplated or referenced thereunder.

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“Merger Sub” means Black Stone Minerals Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership.

“Minimum Quarterly Distribution” means the amount per Unit per Quarter specified below (or, with respect to periods of less than a full fiscal quarter, it means the product of such amount multiplied by a fraction of which the numerator is the number of days in such period and the denominator is the total number of days in such fiscal quarter), subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 6.5.


Four Quarters Ending June 30	Minimum Quarterly Distribution
2016¹	$	0.
2017	$	0.
2018	$	0.
2019 and thereafter	$	0.

“National Securities Exchange” means an exchange registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act (or any successor to such Section) and any other securities exchange (whether or not registered with the Commission under Section 6(a) of the Securities Exchange Act (or successor to such Section)) that the General Partner shall designate as a National Securities Exchange for purposes of this Agreement.

“Net Agreed Value” means, (a) in the case of any Contributed Property, the Agreed Value of such property reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by the Partnership upon such contribution or to which such property is subject when contributed and (b) in the case of any property distributed to a Partner by the Partnership, the Partnership’s Carrying Value of such property (as adjusted pursuant to Section 5.4(d)(ii)) at the time such property is distributed, reduced by any Liabilities either assumed by such Partner upon such distribution or to which such property is subject at the time of distribution.

“Net Income” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of income and gain for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Income shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.4(b) and shall include Simulated Gain (as provided in Section 6.1(e)(iii)), but shall not include Simulated Depletion, Simulated Loss, or items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).

“Net Loss” means, for any taxable period, the excess, if any, of the Partnership’s items of loss and deduction for such taxable period over the Partnership’s items of income and gain for such taxable period. The items included in the calculation of Net Loss shall be determined in accordance with Section 5.4(b) and shall include Simulated Gain (as provided in Section 6.1(e)(iii)), but shall not include Simulated Depletion, Simulated Loss, or any items specially allocated under Section 6.1(d).

“Net Termination Gain” means, as applicable, (a) the sum, if positive, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction (determined in accordance with Section 5.4) that are recognized (i) after the Liquidation Date (“Liquidation Gain”) or (ii) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a member of the Partnership Group) (“Sale Gain”), or (b) the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of Unrealized Gain over the aggregate amount of Unrealized Loss deemed recognized by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.4(d) on the date of a Revaluation Event (“Revaluation Gain”); provided, however, the items included in the determination of Net Termination Gain shall include Simulated Gain (as provided in Section 6.1(e)(iii)) but shall not include Simulated Depletion, Simulated Loss, or any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); and provided, further, that Sale Gain and Revaluation Gain shall not include any items of income, gain, loss or deduction that are recognized during any portion of the taxable period during which such Sale Gain or Revaluation Gain occurs.

¹	The distribution for these four quarters shall include an amount for the partial quarter commencing with the closing of the Initial Offering and ending at the close of business on June 30, 2015.

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“Net Termination Loss” means, as applicable, (a) the sum, if negative, of all items of income, gain, loss or deduction (determined in accordance with Section 5.4) that are recognized (i) after the Liquidation Date (“Liquidation Loss”) or (ii) upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions (excluding any disposition to a member of the Partnership Group) (“Sale Loss”), or (b) the excess, if any, of the aggregate amount of Unrealized Loss over the aggregate amount of Unrealized Gain deemed recognized by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.4(d) on the date of a Revaluation Event (“Revaluation Loss”); provided, however, items included in the determination of Net Termination Loss shall include Simulated Gain (as provided in Section 6.1(e)(iii)) but shall not include Simulated Depletion, Simulated Loss, or any items of income, gain or loss specially allocated under Section 6.1(d); and provided, further, that Sale Loss and Revaluation Loss shall not include any items of income, gain, loss or deduction that are recognized during any portion of the taxable period during which such Sale Loss or Revaluation Loss occurs.

“Nominating Limited Partner Group” has the meaning given in Section 13.5(b)(vii).

“Nomination Notice” has the meaning given in Section 13.5(b)(vii).

“Nomination Period” has the meaning given in Section 13.5(b)(viii)(A).

“Noncompensatory Option” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.721-2(f).

“Nonrecourse Built-in Gain” means with respect to any Contributed Properties or Adjusted Properties that are subject to a mortgage or pledge securing a Nonrecourse Liability, the amount of any taxable gain that would be allocated to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.2(c) if such properties were disposed of in a taxable transaction in full satisfaction of such liabilities and for no other consideration.

“Nonrecourse Deductions” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code), Simulated Depletion or Simulated Loss that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b), are attributable to a Nonrecourse Liability.

“Nonrecourse Liability” has the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-1(a)(2).

“Notice of Election to Purchase” has the meaning given in Section 15.1(b).

“Operating Expenditures” means all Partnership Group cash expenditures (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of expenditures in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned), including taxes, reimbursements of expenses of the General Partner, payments made under any Hedge Contracts, officer compensation, repayment of Working Capital Borrowings, interest and principal payments on indebtedness and Estimated Replacement Capital Expenditures, subject to the following:

(a) repayments of Working Capital Borrowings deducted from Operating Surplus pursuant to clause (b)(iii) of the definition of “Operating Surplus” shall not constitute Operating Expenditures when actually repaid;

(b) payments (including prepayments and prepayment penalties and the purchase price of indebtedness that is repurchased and cancelled) of principal of and premium on indebtedness other than Working Capital Borrowings shall not constitute Operating Expenditures;

(c) Operating Expenditures shall not include (i) Expansion Capital Expenditures, (ii) Investment Capital Expenditures, (iii) Replacement Capital Expenditures, (iv) payment of transaction expenses (including taxes) relating to Interim Capital Transactions, (v) distributions to Partners except as provided in clause (e) below or (vi) repurchases of Partnership Interests, other than redemptions of priority Partnership Interests (which are addressed in clause (e) below) and repurchases of Partnership Interests to satisfy

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obligations under employee benefit plans, or reimbursements of expenses of the General Partner for such purchases; where cash expenditures are made in part for Replacement Capital Expenditures and in part for other purposes, the General Partner shall determine the allocation between the amounts paid for each;

(d) (i) payments made in connection with the initial purchase of any Hedge Contract shall be amortized over the life of such Hedge Contract and (ii) payments made in connection with the termination of any Hedge Contract prior to its scheduled settlement or termination date shall be included in equal quarterly installments over what would have been the remaining scheduled term of such Hedge Contract had it not been so terminated; and

(e) distributions made prior to the Liquidation Date with respect to Partnership Interests that have a priority right to receive distributions over the Common Units shall be treated as interest payments with respect to such priority Partnership Interests, and other payments, such as payments in redemption of such Partnership Interests, shall be treated as the repayment of indebtedness.

“Operating Surplus” means, with respect to any period ending prior to the Liquidation Date, on a cumulative basis and without duplication,

(a) the sum of (i) $ million, (ii) all cash receipts of the Partnership Group (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash receipts in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period, but excluding cash receipts from Interim Capital Transactions and provided that cash receipts from the termination of any Hedge Contract prior to its scheduled settlement or termination date shall be included in equal quarterly installments over what would have been the remaining scheduled life of such Hedge Contract had it not been so terminated, and (iii) the amount of cash distributions paid in respect of Construction Equity and paid in respect of the Construction Period, less

(b) the sum of (i) Operating Expenditures for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of such period; (ii) the amount of cash reserves established by the General Partner (or the Partnership’s proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to provide funds for future Operating Expenditures; (iii) all Working Capital Borrowings not repaid within twelve (12) months after having been incurred or repaid within such twelve month period with the proceeds of additional Working Capital Borrowings and (iv) any loss realized on disposition of an Investment Capital Expenditure;

provided, however, that disbursements made (including contributions to a Group Member or disbursements on behalf of a Group Member), cash received or cash reserves established, increased or reduced, or Working Capital Borrowings increased or reduced, after the end of such period but on or before the date on which cash or cash equivalents will be distributed with respect to such period shall be deemed to have been made, received, established, increased or reduced, for purposes of determining Operating Surplus, within such period if the General Partner so determines.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) “Operating Surplus” with respect to the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs and any subsequent Quarter shall equal zero; and (y) cash receipts from an Investment Capital Expenditure shall be treated as cash receipts only to the extent they are a return on principal, but in no event shall a return of principal be treated as cash receipts.

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel (who may be regular counsel to the Partnership or the General Partner or any of its Affiliates) acceptable to the General Partner.

“Option Closing Date” means the date or dates on which any Common Units are sold by the Partnership to the Underwriters upon exercise of the Over-Allotment Option.

“Organizational Limited Partner” means Black Stone Minerals Company, LP, in its capacity as the organizational limited partner of the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.

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“Organizational LP Partnership Agreement” has the meaning given in Section 16.9(a).

“Original Director” means a Person who is a Director on the date of the Initial Offering.

“Original General Partner” means Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.

“Other Convertible Unit” means any Unit (other than a Subordinated Unit) issued by the Partnership, which by its terms is convertible into a Common Unit.

“Outstanding” means, with respect to Partnership Interests, all Partnership Interests that are issued by the Partnership and reflected as outstanding on the Partnership’s books and records as of the date of determination; provided, however, that if at any time any Person or Group beneficially owns 15% or more of the Partnership Interests of any class, none of the Partnership Interests owned by such Person or Group shall be entitled to be voted on any matter or be considered to be Outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of Limited Partners to vote on any matter (unless otherwise required by law), calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes under this Agreement (such Partnership Interests shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Interests for purposes of this Agreement or the Delaware Act); provided, further, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (i) Partnership Interests of a class owned by an Initial Limited Partner who, as of the date of the Initial Offering, owned 15% or more of the Partnership Interests of such class, (ii) any Person or Group who acquired 15% or more of the Partnership Interests of a class, which Partnership Interests were owned by an Initial Limited Partner as of the date of the Initial Offering; provided that the Board of Directors shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply, or (iii) any Person or Group who acquired 15% or more of any class of Partnership Interests issued by the Partnership, provided that the Board of Directors shall have notified such Person or Group in writing that such limitation shall not apply; provided, further, however that Restricted Common Units shall not be treated as Outstanding for purposes of Section 6.1.

“Over-Allotment Option” means the over-allotment option granted to the Underwriters by the Partnership pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.

“Partner Nonrecourse Debt” has the meaning given to such term in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(b)(4).

“Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain” has the meaning given to such term in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(2).

“Partner Nonrecourse Deductions” means any and all items of loss, deduction or expenditure (including any expenditure described in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code), Simulated Depletion or Simulated Loss that, in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(1), are attributable to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt.

“Partners” means the General Partner and the Limited Partners.

“Partnership” means Black Stone Minerals, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

“Partnership Group” means the Partnership and its Subsidiaries.

“Partnership Interest” means any class or series of equity interest (or, in the case of the General Partner, management interest) in the Partnership, which shall include any General Partner Interest and Limited Partner Interests but shall exclude Derivative Instruments.

“Partnership Minimum Gain” means that amount determined in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(b)(2) and 1.704-2(d).

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“Per Unit Capital Amount” means, as of any date of determination, the Capital Account, stated on a per Unit basis, underlying any class of Units held by a Person other than the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner who holds Units.

“Percentage Interest” means as of any date of determination, as to any Unitholder with respect to Units, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the number of Units held by such Unitholder by (ii) the total number of Outstanding Units. The Percentage Interest with respect to the General Partner Interest shall at all times be zero.

“Permitted Transferee” has the meaning given in Section 4.5(f).

“Person” means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

“Plan of Conversion” has the meaning given in Section 14.1.

“Pledged Interest” has the meaning given in Section 4.5(f).

“Preferred Unit” means a Partnership Interest, designated as a “Preferred Unit,” which entitles the holder thereof to a preference with respect to the payment of liquidating or nonliquidating distributions over Common Units and Subordinated Units.

“Privately Placed Units” means any Partnership Interests issued for cash or property other than pursuant to a public offering.

“Pro Rata” means when used with respect to (a) Units or any class thereof, apportioned among all designated Units in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (b) all Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, and (c) some but not all Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among such Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests.

“Purchase Date” means the date determined by the General Partner as the date for purchase of all the Common Units pursuant to Article XV.

“Qualified Nominee” means an individual who has an educational background and business experience that, taken together, are reasonably commensurate with, or more extensive than, the educational background and business experience of any of the then-current Directors.

“Quarter” means, unless the context requires otherwise, a fiscal quarter of the Partnership, or, with respect to the fiscal quarter of the Partnership in which the Closing Date occurs, the portion of such fiscal quarter after the Closing Date.

“Rate Eligibility Trigger” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.8(a)(i).

“Recapture Income” means any gain recognized by the Partnership (computed without regard to any adjustment required by Section 734 or Section 743 of the Code) upon the disposition of any property or asset of the Partnership, which gain is characterized as ordinary income because it represents the recapture of deductions previously taken with respect to such property or asset.

“Record Date” means the date established by the General Partner or otherwise in accordance with this Agreement for determining (a) the identity of the Record Holders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of Limited Partners or entitled to vote by ballot or give approval of Partnership action in writing without a meeting or entitled to exercise rights in respect of any lawful action of Limited Partners or (b) the identity of Record Holders entitled to receive any report or distribution or to participate in any offer.

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“Record Holder” means (a) with respect to Partnership Interests of any class for which a Transfer Agent has been appointed, the Person in whose name a Partnership Interest of such class is registered on the books of the Transfer Agent as of the opening of business on a particular Business Day, or (b) with respect to other classes of Partnership Interests, the Person in whose name any such other Partnership Interest is registered on the books that the General Partner has caused to be kept as of the opening of business on such Business Day.

“Redeemable Interests” means any Partnership Interests for which a redemption notice has been given, and has not been withdrawn, pursuant to Section 4.9.

“Registration Statement” means the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333- ) as it has been or as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, filed by the Partnership with the Commission under the Securities Act to register the offering and sale of the Common Units in the Initial Offering, including any related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act.

“Replacement Capital Expenditures” means cash expenditures (including expenditures for the replacement, improvement or expansion of the assets owned by any Group Member or for the acquisition of existing, or the construction or development of new, assets) made or incurred to maintain the long-term operating capacity or net income of the Partnership Group.

“Required Allocations” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, loss and deduction pursuant to Sections 6.1(d)(i), 6.1(d)(ii), 6.1(d)(iv), 6.1(d)(v), 6.1(d)(vi), 6.1(d)(vii) or 6.1(d)(ix), or Section 6.1(e).

“Required Provision” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 16.9(b).

“Restricted Common Unit” means a Common Unit (i) that was granted to the holder thereof in connection with such holder’s performance of services for the Partnership or its Affiliates, (ii) that remains subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code and (iii) with respect to which no election was made pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code. As set forth in the final proviso in the definition of “Outstanding,” Restricted Common Units are not treated as Outstanding for purposes of Section 6.1. Upon the lapse of the “substantial risk of forfeiture” with respect to a Restricted Common Unit, for U.S. federal income tax purposes such Common Unit will be treated as having been newly issued in consideration for the performance of services and will thereafter be considered to be Outstanding for purposes of Section 6.1.

“Revaluation Event” means an event that results in an adjustment of the Carrying Value of each Partnership property pursuant to Section 5.4(d).

“Revaluation Gain” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Net Termination Gain.

“Revaluation Loss” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Net Termination Loss.

“Sale Gain” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Net Termination Gain.

“Sale Loss” has the meaning set forth in the definition of Net Termination Loss.

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.

“Securities Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any successor to such statute.

“Simulated Basis” means the Carrying Value of any oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code).

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“Simulated Depletion” means, with respect to an oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code), a depletion allowance computed in accordance with federal income tax principles set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.611-2(a)(1) (as if the Simulated Basis of the property was its adjusted tax basis) and in the manner specified in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2), applying the cost depletion method. For purposes of computing Simulated Depletion with respect to any oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code), the Simulated Basis of such property shall be deemed to be the Carrying Value of such property, and in no event shall such allowance for Simulated Depletion, in the aggregate, exceed such Simulated Basis. If the Carrying Value of an oil and gas property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.4(d) during a taxable period, following such adjustment Simulated Depletion shall thereafter be calculated under the foregoing provisions based upon such adjusted Carrying Value.

“Simulated Gain” means the excess, if any, of the amount realized from the sale or other disposition of an oil or gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) over the Carrying Value of such property and determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

“Simulated Loss” means the excess, if any, of the Carrying Value of an oil or gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) over the amount realized from the sale or other disposition of such property and determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2).

“Special Approval” means approval by a majority of the members of the Conflicts Committee, whether in the form of approval or approval and recommendation to the Board of Directors.

“Subordinated Unit” means a Partnership Interest having the rights and obligations specified with respect to Subordinated Units in this Agreement. The term “Subordinated Unit” does not refer to or include a Common Unit. A Subordinated Unit that is convertible into a Common Unit shall not constitute a Common Unit until such conversion occurs.

“Subordinated Unitholder” means a Unitholder who holds Subordinated Units.

“Subordination Period” means the period commencing on the Closing Date and ending on the first to occur of (a) the first Business Day following the distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a) in respect of any Quarter beginning with the Quarter ending June 30, 2019, in respect of which (i) (A) aggregate distributions from Operating Surplus on the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units and any other Outstanding Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units (excluding the Preferred Units) with respect to the four-Quarter period immediately preceding such Business Day equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all such Outstanding Common Units, Subordinated Units and other Outstanding Units during such four-quarter period and (B) the Adjusted Operating Surplus for such period equaled or exceeded the sum of the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all of the Common Units, Subordinated Units and any other Units that are senior or equal in right of distribution to the Subordinated Units (excluding the Preferred Units) that were Outstanding during such period on a Fully Diluted Weighted Average Basis, and (ii) there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages, and (b) at any time after June 30, 2019, the date on which the General Partner elects to cause the Subordinated Units to convert into Common Units in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.6.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general partner of such partnership, but only if such Person, directly or by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, controls such partnership at the date of determination or (c) any other Person in which such Person, one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination, has (i) a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

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“Supermajority Vote of the Board of Directors” means the affirmative vote of not less than seventy-five percent (75%) of all Directors.

“Supermajority Vote of the Unitholders” means, subject to the terms of any Supplemental Terms Annex, the affirmative vote of holders of a two-thirds majority of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units, voting as a single class.

“Supplemental Terms Annex” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.5(b).

“Surviving Business Entity” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 14.2(b)(ii).

“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which the referenced Partnership Interests of any class are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if such Partnership Interests are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.

“transfer” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 4.4(a).

“Transfer Agent” means such bank, trust company or other Person (including the General Partner or one of its Affiliates) as may be appointed from time to time by the Partnership to act as registrar and Transfer Agent for any class of Partnership Interests; provided that if no Transfer Agent is specifically designated for any class of Partnership Interests, the General Partner shall act in such capacity.

“Treasury Regulation” means the United States Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code.

“Underwriter” means each Person named as an underwriter in the Underwriting Agreement who purchases Common Units pursuant thereto.

“Underwriting Agreement” means that certain Underwriting Agreement dated , 2015, by and among the representatives of the Underwriters, the Partnership, the General Partner and the other parties thereto, providing for the purchase of Common Units by the Underwriters.

“Unit” means a Partnership Interest that is designated as a “Unit” and shall include Common Units and Subordinated Units; provided, however, that when the term “Units” is used herein in the context of any vote or other approval, including without limitation Articles XIII and XIV, such term shall not, solely for such purpose, include any Unit owned by the General Partner except as may otherwise be required by any non-waivable provision of law.

“Unit Majority” means, subject to the terms of any Supplemental Terms Annex, (i) during the Subordination Period, a majority of the Outstanding Common Units and a majority of the Outstanding Subordinated Units, voting together as a single class, and (ii) after the end of the Subordination Period, a majority of the Outstanding Common Units.

“Unitholders” means the holders of Units.

“Unpaid MQD” is defined in Section 6.1(c)(i)(B).

“Unrealized Gain” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.4(d)) over (b) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.4(d) as of such date).

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“Unrealized Loss” attributable to any item of Partnership property means, as of any date of determination, the excess, if any, of (a) the Carrying Value of such property as of such date (prior to any adjustment to be made pursuant to Section 5.4(d) as of such date) over (b) the fair market value of such property as of such date (as determined under Section 5.4(d)).

“Unrecovered Initial Unit Price” means at any time, with respect to a Unit, the Initial Unit Price less the sum of all distributions constituting Capital Surplus theretofore made in respect of such Unit and any distributions of cash (or the Net Agreed Value of any distributions in kind) in connection with the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership theretofore made in respect of such Unit, adjusted as the General Partner determines to be appropriate to give effect to any distribution, subdivision, or combination of such Units.

“Unrestricted Person” means each Indemnitee, each Partner and each Person who is or was a member, partner, director, officer, employee or agent of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner or any Affiliate of any Group Member, the General Partner or any Departing General Partner and any Person the General Partner designates as an “Unrestricted Person” for purposes of this Agreement but excluding in each case, (a) current Directors who are also employees of the Partnership, the General Partner or any of their respective Controlled Affiliates and (b) any Affiliates of such Directors.

“U.S. GAAP” means United States generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect from time to time, consistently applied.

“Working Capital Borrowings” means borrowings used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to Partners, made pursuant to a credit facility, commercial paper facility or other similar financing arrangement; provided that when incurred it is the intent of the borrower to repay such borrowings within 12 months from sources other than additional Working Capital Borrowings.

Section 1.2 Construction. Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms; (b) references to Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c) the terms “include”, “includes”, “including” and words of like import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (d) the terms “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement and (e) the exhibits and annexes attached to this Agreement constitute a part of this Agreement and are incorporated herein for all purposes. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement. The General Partner has the power to construe and interpret this Agreement and to act upon any such construction or interpretation. Any construction or interpretation of this Agreement by the General Partner and any action taken pursuant thereto and any determination made by the General Partner in good faith shall, in each case, be conclusive and binding on all Record Holders and all other Persons for all purposes.

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATION

Section 2.1 Formation. The Partnership was formed as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act. The parties hereto hereby amend and restate the original Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership (as heretofore amended) in its entirety. This amendment and restatement shall become effective immediately prior to the Effective Time on the date of this Agreement. Except as expressly provided to the contrary in this Agreement, the rights, duties (including fiduciary duties), liabilities and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act.

Section 2.2 Name. The name of the Partnership shall be “Black Stone Minerals, L.P.” The Partnership’s business may be conducted under any other name or names as determined by the General Partner, including the

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name of the General Partner. The words “Limited Partnership,” the letters “LP,” or “Ltd.” or similar words or letters shall be included in the Partnership’s name where necessary for the purpose of complying with the laws of any jurisdiction that so requires. The General Partner may change the name of the Partnership at any time and from time to time and shall notify the Partners of such change in the next regular communication to the Partners.

Section 2.3 Registered Office; Registered Agent; Principal Office; Other Offices. Unless and until changed by the General Partner, the registered office of the Partnership in the State of Delaware shall be located at 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801, and the registered agent for service of process on the Partnership in the State of Delaware at such registered office shall be Corporation Trust Company. The principal office of the Partnership shall be located at 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2100, Houston, Texas 77002 or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Partners. The Partnership may maintain offices at such other place or places within or outside the State of Delaware as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate. The address of the General Partner shall be 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2100, Houston, Texas 77002 or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate by notice to the Partners.

Section 2.4 Purpose and Business. The purpose and nature of the business to be conducted by the Partnership shall be to (a) engage directly in, or enter into or form, hold and dispose of any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other arrangement to engage indirectly in, any business activity that is approved by the General Partner, in its sole discretion, and that lawfully may be conducted by a limited partnership organized pursuant to the Delaware Act and, in connection therewith, to exercise all of the rights and powers conferred upon the Partnership pursuant to the agreements relating to such business activity, and (b) do anything necessary or appropriate to the foregoing, including the making of capital contributions or loans to a Group Member; provided, however, that the General Partner shall not cause the Partnership to engage, directly or indirectly, in any business activity that the General Partner determines would be reasonably likely to cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve, and may, in its sole discretion, decline to propose or approve, the conduct by the Partnership Group of any business.

Section 2.5 Powers. The Partnership shall be empowered to do any and all acts and things necessary, appropriate, proper, advisable, incidental to or convenient for the furtherance and accomplishment of the purposes and business described in Section 2.4 and for the protection and benefit of the Partnership.

Section 2.6 Term. The term of the Partnership commenced upon the filing of the Certificate of Limited Partnership in accordance with the Delaware Act and shall continue in existence until the dissolution of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of Article XII. The existence of the Partnership as a separate legal entity shall continue until the cancellation of the Certificate of Limited Partnership as provided in the Delaware Act.

Section 2.7 Title to Partnership Assets. Title to Partnership assets, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, shall be deemed to be owned by the Partnership as an entity, and no Partner, individually or collectively, shall have any ownership interest in such Partnership assets or any portion thereof. Title to any or all of the Partnership assets may be held in the name of the Partnership, the General Partner, one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees, as the General Partner may determine. The General Partner hereby declares and warrants that any Partnership assets for which record title is held in the name of the General Partner or one or more of its Affiliates or one or more nominees shall be held by the General Partner or such Affiliate or nominee for the use and benefit of the Partnership in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however, that the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to cause record title to such assets (other than those assets in respect of which the General Partner determines that the expense and difficulty of conveyancing makes transfer of record title to the Partnership impracticable) to be vested in the Partnership or one or more of the Partnership’s designated Affiliates as soon as reasonably practicable; provided, further, that,

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prior to the withdrawal of the General Partner or as soon thereafter as practicable, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to effect the transfer of record title to the Partnership and, prior to any such transfer, will provide for the use of such assets in a manner satisfactory to the General Partner. All Partnership assets shall be recorded as the property of the Partnership in its books and records, irrespective of the name in which record title to such Partnership assets is held.

Section 2.8 Power of Attorney.

(a) Each Limited Partner and each Assignee hereby constitutes and appoints the General Partner and, if a Liquidator shall have been selected pursuant to Section 12.3, the Liquidator (and any successor to the Liquidator by merger, transfer, assignment, election or otherwise) and each of their authorized officers and attorneys-in-fact, as the case may be, with full power of substitution, as his true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority in his name, place and stead, to:

(i) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record in the appropriate public offices (A) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments or restatements hereof or thereof) that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to form, qualify or continue the existence or qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware and in all other jurisdictions in which the Partnership may conduct business or own property; (B) all certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect, in accordance with its terms, any amendment, change, modification or restatement of this Agreement; (C) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including conveyances and a certificate of cancellation) that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to the terms of this Agreement; (D) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the admission, withdrawal, removal or substitution of any Partner pursuant to, or other events described in, Article IV, X, XI, or XII; (E) all certificates, documents and other instruments relating to the determination of the rights, preferences and privileges of any class or series of Partnership Interests issued pursuant to Section 5.5; and (F) all certificates, documents and other instruments (including agreements and a certificate of merger) relating to a merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.1(b) or Article XIV; and

(ii) execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record all ballots, consents, approvals, waivers, certificates, documents and other instruments that the General Partner or the Liquidator determines to be necessary or appropriate to (A) make, evidence, give, confirm or ratify any vote, consent, approval, agreement or other action that is made or given by the Partners hereunder or is consistent with the terms of this Agreement or (B) effectuate the terms or intent of this Agreement; provided, that when required by Section 13.3 or any other provision of this Agreement that establishes a percentage of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of any class or series required to take any action, the General Partner and the Liquidator may exercise the power of attorney made in this Section 2.8(a)(ii) only after the necessary vote, consent or approval of the Limited Partners or of the Limited Partners of such class or series, as applicable.

Nothing contained in this Section 2.8(a) shall be construed as authorizing the General Partner to amend this Agreement except in accordance with Article XIII or as may be otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement.

(b) The foregoing power of attorney is hereby declared to be irrevocable and a power coupled with an interest, and it shall survive and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, not be affected by the subsequent death, incompetency, disability, incapacity, dissolution, bankruptcy or termination of any Limited Partner or Assignee and the transfer of all or any portion of such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s Partnership Interest and shall extend to such Limited Partner’s or Assignee’s heirs, successors, assigns and personal representatives. Each such Limited Partner or Assignee hereby agrees to be bound by any representation made by the General Partner

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or the Liquidator acting in Good Faith pursuant to such power of attorney; and each such Limited Partner or Assignee, to the maximum extent permitted by law, hereby waives any and all defenses that may be available to contest, negate or disaffirm the action of the General Partner or the Liquidator taken in Good Faith under such power of attorney. Each Limited Partner or Assignee shall execute and deliver to the General Partner or the Liquidator, within 15 days after receipt of the request therefor, such further designation, powers of attorney and other instruments as the General Partner or the Liquidator may request in order to effectuate this Agreement and the purposes of the Partnership.

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS OF LIMITED PARTNERS

Section 3.1 Limitation of Liability. The Limited Partners shall have no liability under this Agreement except as expressly provided in this Agreement or the Delaware Act.

Section 3.2 Management of Business. No Limited Partner, in its capacity as such, shall participate in the operation, management or control (within the meaning of the Delaware Act) of the Partnership’s business, transact any business in the Partnership’s name or have the power to sign documents for or otherwise bind the Partnership. No action taken by any Affiliate of the General Partner or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, or any officer, director, employee, manager, member, general partner, agent or trustee of a Group Member, in its capacity as such, shall be considered participating in the control of the business of the Partnership by a limited partner of the Partnership (within the meaning of Section 17-303(a) of the Delaware Act) nor shall any such action affect, impair or eliminate the limitations on the liability of the Limited Partners under this Agreement.

Section 3.3 Outside Activities of the Limited Partners. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.6, which shall continue to be applicable to the Persons referred to therein, regardless of whether such Persons shall also be Limited Partners, each Limited Partner shall be entitled to and may have business interests and engage in business activities in addition to those relating to the Partnership, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the Partnership Group. Neither the Partnership nor any of the other Partners shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement in any business ventures of any Limited Partner.

Section 3.4 Rights of Limited Partners.

(a) Each Limited Partner shall have the right, for a purpose that is reasonably related, as determined by the General Partner, to such Limited Partner’s interest as a Limited Partner in the Partnership, upon reasonable written demand stating the purpose of such demand and at such Limited Partner’s own expense to obtain:

(i) true and full information regarding the status of the business and financial condition of the Partnership (provided that the requirements of this Section 3.4(a)(i) shall be satisfied to the extent the Limited Partner is furnished the Partnership’s most recent annual report and any subsequent quarterly or periodic reports required to be filed (or which would be required to be filed) with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act) prior to the date of such written demand;

(ii) a current list of the name and last known business, residence or mailing address of each Record Holder;

(iii) a copy of this Agreement and the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto, together with copies of the executed copies of all powers of attorney pursuant to which this Agreement, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all amendments thereto have been executed; and

(iv) such other information regarding the affairs of the Partnership as the General Partner determines is just and reasonable.

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(b) The rights pursuant to Section 3.4(a) replace in their entirety any rights to information provided for in Section 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act and each of the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have any rights as Partners to receive any information either pursuant to Sections 17-305(a) of the Delaware Act or otherwise except for the information identified in Section 3.4(a) as limited by Sections 3.4(c) and 3.4(d).

(c) The General Partner may keep confidential from the Limited Partners, for such period of time as the General Partner deems reasonable, (i) any information that the General Partner reasonably believes to be in the nature of trade secrets or (ii) other information the disclosure of which the General Partner believes (A) is not in the best interests of the Partnership Group, (B) could damage the Partnership Group or its business, (C) that any Group Member is required by law or by agreement with any third party to keep confidential or (D) could reasonably be expected to materially adversely impact the Partnership.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or Section 17-305 of the Delaware Act, each of the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement hereby agrees to the fullest extent permitted by law that they do not have rights to receive information from the Partnership or any Indemnitee for the purpose of determining whether to pursue litigation or assist in pending litigation against the Partnership or any Indemnitee relating to the affairs of the Partnership except pursuant to the applicable rules of discovery relating to litigation commenced by such Person.

ARTICLE IV

CERTIFICATES; RECORD HOLDERS; TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS; REDEMPTION OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 4.1 Certificates. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, unless the General Partner shall determine otherwise in respect of some or all of any or all classes of Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments, Partnership Interests and Derivative Instruments shall not be evidenced by Certificates. Certificates that are issued shall be executed on behalf of the Partnership by the Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer or any Executive Vice President or Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the General Partner. The signatures of such officers upon a Certificate may, to the extent permitted by law, be facsimiles. In case any officer who has signed or whose signature has been placed upon such Certificate shall have ceased to be such officer before such Certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Partnership with the same effect as if he or she were such officer at the date of its issuance. No Certificate for any class of Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments shall be valid for any purpose until it has been countersigned by the Transfer Agent for such class of Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments, provided, however, that, if the General Partner elects to cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments of such class in global form, the Certificate shall be valid upon receipt of a certificate from the Transfer Agent certifying that the Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments, as the case may be, have been duly registered in accordance with the directions of the Partnership. With respect to any Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments that are represented by physical Certificates, the General Partner may determine that such Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments, as the case may be, will no longer be represented by physical Certificates and may, upon written notice to the holders of such Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments, as the case may be, and subject to applicable law, take whatever actions it deems necessary or appropriate to cause such Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments, as the case may be, to be registered in book entry or global form and may cause such Certificates to be cancelled or deemed cancelled.

Section 4.2 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates.

(a) If any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver in exchange therefor, a new Certificate evidencing the same number and type of Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments as the Certificate so surrendered.

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(b) The appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and the Transfer Agent shall countersign, a new Certificate in place of any Certificate previously issued if the Record Holder of the Certificate:

(i) makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, that a previously issued Certificate has been lost, destroyed or stolen;

(ii) requests the issuance of a new Certificate before the General Partner has notice that the Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;

(iii) if requested by the General Partner, delivers to the General Partner a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the General Partner, with surety or sureties and with fixed or open penalty as the General Partner may direct, to indemnify the Partnership, the Partners, the General Partner and the Transfer Agent against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the Certificate; and

(iv) satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the General Partner or the Transfer Agent.

If a Limited Partner fails to notify the General Partner within a reasonable period of time after such Limited Partner has notice of the loss, destruction or theft of a Certificate, and a transfer of the Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments represented by the Certificate is registered before the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent receives such notification, the Limited Partner shall be precluded from making any claim against the Partnership, the General Partner or the Transfer Agent for such transfer or for a new Certificate.

(c) As a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.2, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith.

Section 4.3 Record Holders. The Partnership and the General Partner shall be entitled to recognize the Record Holder as the Partner with respect to any Partnership Interest and, accordingly, shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to, or interest in, such Partnership Interest on the part of any other Person, regardless of whether the Partnership shall have actual or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law or any applicable rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading. Without limiting the foregoing, when a Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing) is acting as nominee, agent or in some other representative capacity for another Person in acquiring and/or holding Partnership Interests, as between the Partnership on the one hand, and such other Persons on the other, such representative Person shall be (a) the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest and (b) bound by this Agreement and shall have the rights and obligations of a Partner hereunder as, and to the extent, provided herein.

Section 4.4 Transfer Generally.

(a) The term “transfer,” when used in this Agreement with respect to a Partnership Interest, shall mean a transaction (i) by which the General Partner assigns its General Partner Interest to another Person, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, pledge, grant of security interest, encumbrance, hypothecation, mortgage, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise, or (ii) by which the holder of a Limited Partner Interest assigns such Limited Partner Interest to another Person who is or becomes a Limited Partner, and includes a sale, assignment, gift, exchange or any other disposition by law or otherwise (but not the pledge, grant of security interest, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage), including any transfer upon foreclosure or other exercise of remedies of any pledge, security interest, encumbrance, hypothecation or mortgage.

(b) No Partnership Interest shall be transferred, in whole or in part, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Article IV. Any transfer or purported transfer of a Partnership Interest not made in accordance with this Article IV shall be, to the fullest extent permitted by law, null and void.

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(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent a disposition by any stockholder, member, partner or other owner of any Partner of any or all of the shares of stock, membership interests, partnership interests or other ownership interests in such Partner and the term “transfer” shall not mean any such disposition.

Section 4.5 Registration and Transfer of Limited Partner Interests.

(a) The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept on behalf of the Partnership a register in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Partnership will provide for the registration and transfer of Limited Partner Interests in compliance with the terms of this Agreement.

(b) The Partnership shall not recognize any transfer of Limited Partner Interests evidenced by Certificates until the Certificates evidencing such Limited Partner Interests are surrendered for registration of transfer. No charge shall be imposed by the General Partner for such transfer; provided, that as a condition to the issuance of any new Certificate under this Section 4.5, the General Partner may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Transfer Agent) reasonably connected therewith. Upon surrender of a Certificate for registration of transfer of any Limited Partner Interests evidenced by a Certificate, and subject to the provisions hereof, the appropriate officers of the General Partner on behalf of the Partnership shall execute and deliver, and in the case of Certificates evidencing Limited Partner Interests, the Transfer Agent shall countersign and deliver, in the name of the holder or the designated transferee or transferees, as required pursuant to the holder’s instructions, one or more new Certificates evidencing the same aggregate number and type of Limited Partner Interests as was evidenced by the Certificate so surrendered. Upon the proper surrender of a Certificate, such transfer shall be recorded in the Partnership register.

(c) Upon the receipt by the General Partner of proper transfer instructions from the Record Holder of uncertificated Partnership Interests, such transfer shall be recorded in the Partnership register.

(d) Except as provided in Section 4.9, by acceptance of any Limited Partner Interests pursuant to a transfer in accordance with this Article IV, each transferee of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee, or agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person or Group) acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of Section 10.1.

(e) To the fullest extent permitted by law, Initial Limited Partners shall not, for a period of 45 days following the Initial Offering, offer for sale, sell, pledge, transfer, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any Person at any time in the future of) any of the Common Units held by such Person or enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of such Common Units, except as permitted by the General Partner.

(f) Except upon the written approval of the General Partner, no Subordinated Unitholder may offer for sale, sell, pledge, transfer, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition to any Person at any time in the future of) any of the Subordinated Units or interest therein, or contract to do or permit any of the foregoing, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, and any attempt to do so shall be void; provided, however, that any Subordinated Unitholder may dispose of all or part of its Subordinated Units to a Permitted Transferee, but only if (i) the Permitted Transferee shall execute a written agreement acknowledging to the Partnership that it is subject to the terms and provisions hereof, including this Section 4.5(f) and (ii) such disposition shall not have as its principal purpose the intent to circumvent the transfer restrictions under this Section 4.5(f). In addition, a Subordinated Unitholder may encumber, mortgage, pledge, grant a security interest or lien in or hypothecate all or part of its Subordinated Units (“Pledged Interest”) in favor of or to any financial institution or other lender (each a “Lender”), but, with respect to any such encumbrance, mortgage, pledge, grant or lien not existing prior to the Effective Time, only if

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the Lender shall execute a written agreement acknowledging to the Partnership that should it become a Subordinated Unitholder it is subject to the terms and provisions hereof, including this Section 4.5(f). For this purpose, a “Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to any Subordinated Unitholder, (a) any other Subordinated Unitholder; (b) any Family Member of such Subordinated Unitholder; (c) in the case of a Subordinated Unitholder which is an entity, any owner (including a partner, shareholder or member) of such entity; or (d) any Affiliate of such Subordinated Unitholder. “Family Member” means (a) any ancestor or descendent (including any stepchild or adopted child) of a Subordinated Unitholder; (b) any spouse of a Subordinated Unitholder or ancestor or descendent of a Subordinated Unitholder; (c) any descendent of a grandparent of a Subordinated Unitholder; (d) any spouse of any descendent of a grandparent of a Subordinated Unitholder; (e) any trust established for the primary benefit of a Subordinated Unitholder or any of the foregoing Persons; (f) in the case of a Subordinated Unitholder which is a trust, any beneficiary of such trust; (g) an entity which is controlled (whether by ownership of voting securities or contract or other arrangement) by the Subordinated Unitholder or any of the foregoing Persons; or (h) any organization described in Section 170(b)(1)(A), 170(c), 2055(a) or 2522(a) of the Code.

(g) Subject to (i) the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.5, (ii) Section 4.3, (iii) Section 4.7, (iv) Section 4.8, (v) with respect to any class or series of Limited Partner Interests, the provisions of any Supplemental Terms Annex, (vi) any contractual provisions binding on any Limited Partner, and (vii) provisions of applicable law including the Securities Act, Limited Partner Interests shall be freely transferable.

Section 4.6 Transfer of the General Partner Interest.

(a) The General Partner shall not transfer all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person (except a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Partnership) and the Partnership shall not transfer all or any part of its equity interest in the General Partner to another Person (except a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Partnership), in each case, without the consent of a Supermajority Vote of the Unitholders.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no transfer by the General Partner of all or any part of its General Partner Interest to another Person shall be permitted unless (i) the transferee agrees to assume the rights and duties of the General Partner under this Agreement and to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement, (ii) the Partnership receives an Opinion of Counsel that such transfer would not result in the loss of limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed) and (iii) such transferee also agrees to purchase all (or the appropriate portion thereof, if applicable) of the partnership or membership interest held by the General Partner as the general partner or managing member, if any, of each other Group Member. In the case of a transfer pursuant to and in compliance with this Section 4.6, the transferee or successor (as the case may be) shall, subject to compliance with the terms of Section 10.2, be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner effective immediately prior to the transfer of the General Partner Interest, and the business of the Partnership shall continue without dissolution.

Section 4.7 Restrictions on Transfers.

(a) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article IV, no transfer of any Partnership Interests shall be made if such transfer would (i) violate the then applicable U.S. federal or state securities laws or rules and regulations of the Commission, any state securities commission or any other governmental authority with jurisdiction over such transfer, (ii) terminate the existence or qualification of the Partnership under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, or (iii) cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

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(b) The General Partner may impose restrictions on the transfer of Partnership Interests if the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that such restrictions are necessary or advisable to (i) avoid a significant risk of the Partnership becoming taxable as a corporation or otherwise becoming taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) preserve the uniformity of Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may impose such restrictions by amending this Agreement; provided, however, that any amendment that would result in the delisting or suspension of trading of any class of Limited Partner Interests on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such class of Limited Partner Interests is then listed or admitted to trading must be approved, prior to such amendment being effected, by the holders of a majority of the Outstanding Limited Partner Interests of such class.

(c) Nothing contained in this Agreement, other than Section 4.7(a), shall preclude the settlement of any transactions involving Partnership Interests entered into through the facilities of any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.

Section 4.8 Eligibility Certificates; Ineligible Holders.

(a) If at any time the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that:

(i) the Partnership not being treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, coupled with the tax status (or lack of proof thereof) of one or more Limited Partners (or type of Limited Partners) or their owners, has or is reasonably likely to have, a material adverse effect on the maximum applicable rates chargeable to customers by any Group Member (a “Rate Eligibility Trigger”); or

(ii) the nationality, citizenship or other related status (or lack of proof thereof) of one or more Limited Partners (or type of Limited Partners) or their owners creates or is reasonably likely to create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property in which the Group Member has an interest under any federal, state or local law or regulation (a “Citizenship Eligibility Trigger”);

then, the General Partner may adopt such amendments to this Agreement as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to (x) in the case of a Rate Eligibility Trigger, obtain such proof of the U.S. federal income tax status of the Limited Partners and, to the extent relevant, their owners, as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reduce the risk of occurrence of a material adverse effect on the rates that can be charged to customers by any Group Member or (y) in the case of a Citizenship Eligibility Trigger, obtain such proof of the nationality, citizenship or other related status of the Limited Partners and, to the extent relevant, their owners as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to eliminate or mitigate the risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any properties or interests therein.

(b) Such amendments may include provisions requiring all Partners to certify as to their (and their owners’) status as Eligible Holders upon demand and on a regular basis, as determined by the General Partner, and may require transferees of Units to so certify prior to being admitted to the Partnership as Partners (any such required certificate, an “Eligibility Certificate”).

(c) Such amendments may provide that any Partner who fails to furnish to the General Partner within a reasonable period requested proof of its (and its owners’) status as an Eligible Holder or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate or other requested information the General Partner determines that a Limited Partner (or its owner) is not an Eligible Holder (an “Ineligible Holder”), the Partnership Interests owned by such Limited Partner shall be subject to redemption in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.9. In addition, the General Partner shall be substituted and treated as the owner of all Partnership Interests owned by an Ineligible Holder.

(d) The General Partner shall, in exercising voting rights in respect of Partnership Interests held by it on behalf of Ineligible Holders, cast such votes in the same manner and in the same ratios as the votes of Partners (including the General Partner and its Affiliates) in respect of Partnership Interests other than those of Ineligible Holders are cast.

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(e) Upon dissolution of the Partnership, an Ineligible Holder shall have no right to receive a distribution in kind pursuant to Section 12.4 but shall be entitled to the cash equivalent thereof, and the Partnership shall provide cash in exchange for an assignment of the Ineligible Holder’s share of any distribution in kind. Such payment and assignment shall be treated for purposes hereof as a purchase by the Partnership from the Ineligible Holder of the portion of his Partnership Interest representing his right to receive his share of such distribution in kind.

(f) At any time after he can and does certify that he has become an Eligible Holder, an Ineligible Holder may, upon application to the General Partner, request that with respect to any Partnership Interests of such Ineligible Holder not redeemed pursuant to Section 4.9, such Ineligible Holder be admitted as a Partner, and upon approval of the General Partner, such Ineligible Holder shall be admitted as a Partner and shall no longer constitute an Ineligible Holder and the General Partner shall cease to be deemed to be the owner in respect of such Ineligible Holder’s Partnership Interests.

(g) None of the provisions of this Section 4.8 or Section 4.9 apply with respect to the Preferred Units with the terms set forth in the Supplemental Terms Annex attached hereto as Annex A that is in effect as of the Closing Date.

Section 4.9 Redemption of Partnership Interests of Ineligible Holders.

(a) If at any time a Partner fails to furnish an Eligibility Certificate or other information requested within the period of time specified in amendments adopted pursuant to Section 4.8 or if upon receipt of such Eligibility Certificate, the General Partner determines, with the advice of counsel, that a Partner is an Ineligible Holder, the Partnership may, unless the Partner establishes to the satisfaction of the General Partner that such Partner is an Eligible Holder or has transferred his Limited Partner Interests to a Person who is an Eligible Holder and who furnishes an Eligibility Certificate to the General Partner prior to the date fixed for redemption as provided below, redeem the Partnership Interest of such Partner as follows:

(i) The General Partner shall, not later than the 30th day before the date fixed for redemption, give notice of redemption to the Partner, at his or her last address designated on the records of the Partnership or the Transfer Agent, as applicable, by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid. The notice shall be deemed to have been given when so mailed. The notice shall specify the Redeemable Interests, the date fixed for redemption, the place of payment, that payment of the redemption price will be made upon redemption of the Redeemable Interests (or, if later in the case of Redeemable Interests evidenced by Certificates, upon surrender of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests) and that on and after the date fixed for redemption no further allocations or distributions to which the Partner would otherwise be entitled in respect of the Redeemable Interests will accrue or be made.

(ii) The aggregate redemption price for Redeemable Interests shall be an amount equal to the Current Market Price (the date of determination of which shall be the date fixed for redemption) of Partnership Interests of the class to be so redeemed multiplied by the number of Partnership Interests of each such class included among the Redeemable Interests. The redemption price shall be paid, as determined by the General Partner, in cash or by delivery of a promissory note of the Partnership in the principal amount of the redemption price, bearing interest at the rate of 8% annually and payable in three equal annual installments of principal together with accrued interest, commencing one year after the redemption date.

(iii) The Partner or his duly authorized representative shall be entitled to receive the payment for the Redeemable Interests at the place of payment specified in the notice of redemption on the redemption date (or, if later in the case of Redeemable Interests evidenced by Certificates, upon surrender by or on behalf of the Partner at the place specified in the notice of redemption, of the Certificate evidencing the Redeemable Interests, duly endorsed in blank or accompanied by an assignment duly executed in blank).

(iv) After the redemption date, Redeemable Interests shall no longer constitute issued and Outstanding Limited Partner Interests.

(b) The provisions of this Section 4.9 shall also be applicable to Partnership Interests held by a Partner as nominee of a Person determined to be an Ineligible Holder.

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(c) Nothing in this Section 4.9 shall prevent the recipient of a notice of redemption from transferring his Partnership Interest before the redemption date if such transfer is otherwise permitted under this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of such a transfer, the General Partner shall withdraw the notice of redemption, provided that the transferee of such Partnership Interest certifies to the satisfaction of the General Partner that he is an Eligible Holder. If the transferee fails to make such certification, such redemption will be effected from the transferee on the original redemption date.

ARTICLE V

CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND ISSUANCE OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS

Section 5.1 Contributions by the General Partner and its Affiliates.

(a) In connection with the formation of the Partnership under the Delaware Act, Black Stone Natural Limited Resources, L.L.C. (the “Original General Partner”) was admitted as the sole general partner of the Partnership and the Organizational Limited Partner was admitted as the sole Limited Partner in exchange for a Capital Contribution of $ . On , 2015, the Original General Partner transferred its non-economic general partner interest in the Partnership to the General Partner pursuant to that certain Assignment of Partnership Interest, dated as of , 2015 between the Original General Partner and the General Partner (which was consented to by the Organizational Limited Partner) and pursuant to such assignment, the General Partner was admitted as the sole general partner of the Partnership and the Partnership was continued without dissolution. On , 2015, the General Partner made a Capital Contribution to the Partnership in the amount of $ in exchange for a 1% Limited Partner Interest and was admitted as a Limited Partner. At the Effective Time, the General Partner’s 1% Limited Partner Interest is hereby converted into Common Units and the Organizational Limited Partner’s Limited Partner Interest is hereby converted into Common Units.

(b) At the Effective Time, pursuant to this Agreement and/or the Merger and Contribution Agreement, (i) the Common Units held by the Organizational Limited Partner shall be redeemed and cancelled in exchange for a return of the Organizational Limited Partner’s initial Capital Contribution to the Partnership; (ii) the Organizational Limited Partner shall merge with and into Merger Sub; and (iii) the Partnership shall issue an aggregate of Common Units and Subordinated Units to the common unitholders of the Organizational Limited Partner and an aggregate of Preferred Units with the terms set forth on the Supplemental Terms Annex attached hereto as Annex A and dated as of the date hereof to the preferred unitholders of the Organizational Limited Partner.

Section 5.2 Contributions by Underwriters.

(a) On the Closing Date and pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, each Underwriter shall contribute cash to the Partnership in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units to each Underwriter, all as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.

(b) Upon the exercise, if any, of the Over-Allotment Option, each Underwriter shall contribute cash to the Partnership in exchange for the issuance by the Partnership of Common Units to each Underwriter, all as set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.

(c) No Limited Partner will be required to make any additional Capital Contribution to the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement.

Section 5.3 Interest and Withdrawal. No interest on Capital Contributions shall be paid by the Partnership. No Partner shall be entitled to the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution, except to the extent, if any, that distributions made pursuant to this Agreement or upon dissolution of the Partnership may be considered as

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the withdrawal or return of its Capital Contribution by law and then only to the extent provided for in this Agreement. Except to the extent expressly provided in this Agreement, no Partner shall have priority over any other Partner either as to the return of Capital Contributions or as to profits, losses or distributions.

Section 5.4 Capital Accounts.

(a) The Partnership shall maintain for each Partner (or a beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the General Partner) owning a Partnership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). Such Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of all Capital Contributions made by the Partner with respect to such Partnership Interest, (ii) all items of Partnership income and gain computed in accordance with Section 5.4(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and (iii) the portion of any amount realized from the disposition of an oil and gas property that constitutes Simulated Gain allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest in accordance with Section 6.1(e)(iii) and decreased by (x) the amount of cash or Net Agreed Value of all actual and deemed distributions to the Partner of cash or property made with respect to such Partnership Interest, provided that the Capital Account of a Partner shall not be reduced by the amount of any distributions made with respect to Restricted Common Units held by such Partner, (y) all items of Partnership deduction and loss computed in accordance with Section 5.4(b) and allocated with respect to such Partnership Interest pursuant to Section 6.1, and (z) Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss in accordance with Section 6.1(e)(ii).

(b) For purposes of computing the amount of any item of income, gain, loss, deduction, Simulated Depletion, Simulated Gain or Simulated Loss that is to be allocated pursuant to Article VI and is to be reflected in the Partners’ Capital Accounts, the determination, recognition and classification of any such item shall be the same as its determination, recognition and classification for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including any method of depreciation, cost recovery or amortization used for that purpose), provided, that:

(i) Solely for purposes of this Section 5.4, the Partnership shall be treated as owning directly its proportionate share (as determined by the General Partner based upon the provisions of the applicable Group Member Agreement) of all property owned by (x) any other Group Member that is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (y) any other partnership, limited liability company, unincorporated business or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes of which a Group Member is, directly or indirectly, a partner, member or other equity holder.

(ii) All fees and other expenses incurred by the Partnership to promote the sale of (or to sell) a Partnership Interest that can neither be deducted nor amortized under Section 709 of the Code, if any, shall, for purposes of Capital Account maintenance, be treated as an item of deduction at the time such fees and other expenses are incurred and shall be allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1.

(iii) The computation of all items of income, gain, loss, deduction, Simulated Depletion, Simulated Gain and Simulated Loss shall be made (x) except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership, and (y) as to those items described in Section 705(a)(1)(B) or 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, without regard to the fact that such items are not includable in gross income or are neither currently deductible nor capitalized for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

(iv) To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.734-2(b)(l)) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment in the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or loss.

(v) In the event the Carrying Value of Partnership property is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.4(d), any Unrealized Gain resulting from such adjustment shall be treated as an item of gain and any Unrealized Loss resulting from such adjustment shall be treated as an item of loss.

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(vi) Any income, gain, loss, Simulated Gain or Simulated Loss attributable to the taxable disposition of any Partnership property shall be determined as if the adjusted basis of such property as of such date of disposition were equal in amount to the property’s Carrying Value as of such date.

(vii) Any deductions for depreciation, amortization or other cost recovery attributable to any Contributed Property or Adjusted Property shall be determined under the rules prescribed by Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d)(2) as if the adjusted basis of such property were equal to the Carrying Value of such property immediately following such adjustment. Simulated Depletion will be computed in accordance with the provisions of the definition of Simulated Depletion.

(viii) The Gross Liability Value of each Liability of the Partnership described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-7(b)(3)(i) shall be adjusted at such times as provided in this Agreement for an adjustment to Carrying Values. The amount of any such adjustment shall be treated for purposes hereof as an item of loss (if the adjustment increases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership) or an item of gain (if the adjustment decreases the Carrying Value of such Liability of the Partnership).

(c)(i) Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.4(c), a transferee of a Partnership Interest shall succeed to a Pro Rata portion of the Capital Account of the transferor relating to the Partnership Interest so transferred.

(ii) Subject to Section 6.8(b), immediately prior to the transfer of (i) a Subordinated Unit, (ii) a Common Unit that has been converted from a Subordinated Unit pursuant to Section 5.6 or (iii) any Other Convertible Unit that has converted into a Common Unit by a holder thereof (in each case, other than a transfer to an Affiliate unless the General Partner elects to have this Section 5.4(c)(ii) apply), the Capital Account maintained for such Person with respect to its Subordinated Units, Common Units converted from Subordinated Units or Common Units converted from Other Convertible Units, as the case may be, will (A) first, be allocated to the Subordinated Units, Common Units converted from Subordinated Units or Common Units converted from Other Convertible Units to be transferred in an amount equal to the product of (x) the number of such Subordinated Units, Common Units converted from Subordinated Units or Common Units converted from Other Convertible Units to be transferred and (y) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit, and (B) second, any remaining balance in such Capital Account will be retained by the transferor, regardless of whether it has retained any Subordinated Units, Common Units converted from Subordinated Units or Common Units converted from Other Convertible Units. Following any such allocation, the transferor’s Capital Account, if any, maintained with respect to the retained Subordinated Units, retained Common Units converted from Subordinated Units or retained Common Units converted from Other Convertible Units, if any, will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (B) above, and the transferee’s Capital Account established with respect to the transferred Subordinated Units, transferred Common Units converted from Subordinated Units or transferred Common Units converted from Other Convertible Units will have a balance equal to the amount allocated under clause (A) above.

(d)(i) Consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2), on an issuance of additional Partnership Interests for cash or Contributed Property, the issuance of a Noncompensatory Option, the issuance of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services (including upon the lapse of a “substantial risk of forfeiture” with respect to a Restricted Common Unit) or the conversion of any Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments issued pursuant to Section 5.5 to Common Units, the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately prior to such issuance shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property; provided, however, that in the event of the issuance of a Partnership Interest pursuant to the exercise of a Noncompensatory Option where the right to share in Partnership capital represented by such Partnership Interest differs from the consideration paid to acquire and exercise such option, the Carrying Value of each Partnership property immediately after the issuance of such Partnership Interest shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be adjusted in a manner consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s); provided further, however, that in the event of an issuance of Partnership Interests for a de minimis amount of cash or Contributed

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Property, in the event of an issuance of a Noncompensatory Option to acquire a de minimis Partnership Interest, or in the event of an issuance of a de minimis amount of Partnership Interests as consideration for the provision of services, the General Partner may determine that such adjustments are unnecessary for the proper administration of the Partnership. If, upon the occurrence of a Revaluation Event described in this Section 5.4(d), a Noncompensatory Option of the Partnership is Outstanding, the Partnership shall adjust the Carrying Value of each Partnership Property in accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f)(1) and 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(h)(2). In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss, the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to the issuance of additional Partnership Interests (or, in the case of a Revaluation Event resulting from the exercise of a Noncompensatory Option, immediately after the issuance of the Partnership Interest acquired pursuant to the exercise of such Noncompensatory Option) shall be determined by the General Partner using such method of valuation as it may adopt. In making its determination of the fair market values of individual properties, the General Partner may first determine an aggregate value for the assets of the Partnership that takes into account the current trading price of the Common Units, the fair market value of all other Partnership Interests at such time, and the amount of Partnership Liabilities. The General Partner may allocate such aggregate value among the individual properties of the Partnership (in such manner as it determines appropriate). Absent a contrary determination by the General Partner, the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership assets (including, without limitation, cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a Revaluation Event shall be the value that would result in the Capital Account for each Common Unit that is Outstanding prior to such Revaluation Event being equal to the Event Issue Value.

(ii) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f), immediately prior to any distribution to a Partner of any Partnership property (other than a distribution of cash that is not in redemption or retirement of a Partnership Interest), the Carrying Value of all Partnership property shall be adjusted upward or downward to reflect any Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss attributable to such Partnership property. In determining such Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss the aggregate fair market value of all Partnership property (including cash or cash equivalents) immediately prior to a distribution shall (A) in the case of a distribution other than one made pursuant to Section 12.4 be determined in the same manner as that provided in Section 5.4(d)(i) or (B) in the case of a liquidating distribution pursuant to Section 12.4, be determined by the Liquidator using such method of valuation as it may adopt.

Section 5.5 Issuances of Additional Partnership Interests and Derivative Instruments

(a) The Partnership may issue additional Partnership Interests (other than General Partner Interests) and Derivative Instruments for any Partnership purpose at any time and from time to time to such Persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as the General Partner shall determine, all without the approval of any Limited Partner.

(b) Each additional Partnership Interest authorized to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.5(a) may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior or junior to, or pari passu with existing classes and series of Partnership Interests), as shall be fixed by the General Partner, including (i) the right to share in Partnership profits and losses or items thereof; (ii) the right to share in Partnership distributions; (iii) the rights upon dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership; (iv) whether, and the terms and conditions upon which, the Partnership may, or shall be required to, redeem the Partnership Interest (including sinking fund provisions); (v) whether such Partnership Interest is issued with the privilege of conversion or exchange and, if so, the terms and conditions of such conversion or exchange; (vi) the terms and conditions upon which each Partnership Interest will be issued, evidenced by Certificates and assigned or transferred; (vii) the method for determining the Percentage Interest as to such Partnership Interest; and (viii) the right, if any, of each such Partnership Interest to vote on Partnership matters, including matters relating to the relative rights, preferences and privileges of such Partnership Interest. The rights and preferences of any additional class of Partnership Interests issued pursuant to this Section 5.5 shall be set forth in an annex to this Agreement (each, a “Supplemental Terms Annex”), the

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provisions of which shall supplement and, to the extent inconsistent with any other provision of this Agreement, supersede the provisions hereof. To the extent that more than one Supplemental Terms Annex is in effect at any time and the terms of such Supplemental Terms Annexes conflict with each other, then the terms set forth in the most recently adopted Supplemental Terms Annex shall control.

(c) The General Partner shall take all actions that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with (i) each issuance of Partnership Interests and Derivative Instruments pursuant to this Section 5.5, (ii) the conversion of the General Partner’s general partner interest to Common Units (to the extent that the General Partner has an economic general partner interest) pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, or conversion to Common Units or, prior to the end of the Subordination Period, Subordinated Units, (iii) reflecting the admission of such additional Partners in the books and records of the Partnership as the Record Holder of such Partnership Interests, and (iv) all additional issuances of Partnership Interests. The General Partner shall do all things necessary to comply with the Delaware Act and is authorized and directed to do all things that it determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with any future issuance of Partnership Interests or in connection with the conversion of the General Partner’s general partner interest into Common Units pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including compliance with any statute, rule, regulation or guideline of any federal, state or other governmental agency or any National Securities Exchange on which the Units or other Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading.

(d) No fractional Units shall be issued by the Partnership.

Section 5.6 Conversion of Subordinated Units

(a) If the Subordination Period expires in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.6(b), the Subordinated Units shall convert into such number of Common Units as is prescribed by Section 5.6(b) upon such expiration of the Subordination Period. If the Subordination Period expires in accordance with any provisions of this Agreement other than Section 5.6(b), then the Subordinated Units shall convert into Common Units on a one-for-one basis upon such expiration of the Subordination Period.

(b) At any time on or after August 30, 2019, provided that there are no Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages in respect of the Quarter immediately preceding such date and upon the election of the Board of Directors in its sole discretion, the outstanding Subordinated Units shall be converted into a number of Common Units to be determined by multiplying the number of outstanding Subordinated Units by a fraction, (i) the numerator of which is equal to the aggregate amount of distributions from Operating Surplus (not to exceed Adjusted Operating Surplus) on the outstanding Subordinated Units (“Historical Distributions”) for the four fiscal Quarters immediately preceding the date of conversion (the “Measurement Period”) and (ii) the denominator of which is equal to the aggregate amount of distributions that would have been required during the Measurement Period to pay the Minimum Quarterly Distribution on all outstanding Subordinated Units during such four-Quarter period; provided, that if the forecasted distributions to be paid from forecasted Operating Surplus (not to exceed forecasted Adjusted Operating Surplus) on the outstanding Subordinated Units for the four fiscal Quarter period immediately following the Measurement Period (“Forecasted Distributions”), as determined by the Conflicts Committee with the assistance of a nationally-recognized investment bank or financial advisor, is less than Historical Distributions, then the numerator shall be Forecasted Distributions (instead of Historical Distributions); provided, further, however, that the outstanding Subordinated Units may not convert into the Common Units at a ratio that is greater than one-to-one.

Section 5.7 Splits and Combinations

(a) The Partnership may make a distribution of Partnership Interests to all Record Holders or may effect a subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests. Upon any such event, each Partner shall have the same Percentage Interest in the Partnership as before such event (subject to the effect of Section 5.7(d)), and any amounts calculated on a per Unit basis (including any Common Unit Arrearage or Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage) or stated as a number of Units shall be proportionately adjusted retroactively to the beginning of the Partnership.

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(b) Whenever such a distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests is declared, the General Partner shall select a Record Date as of which the distribution, subdivision or combination shall be effective and shall send notice thereof at least 20 days prior to such Record Date to each Record Holder as of a date not less than 10 days prior to the date of such notice.

(c) Promptly following any such distribution, subdivision, or combination, the Partnership may issue Certificates or uncertificated Partnership Interests to the Record Holders of Partnership Interests as of the applicable Record Date representing the new number of Partnership Interests held by such Record Holders, or the General Partner may adopt such other procedures that it determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect such changes. If any such combination results in a smaller total number of Partnership Interests Outstanding, the Partnership shall require, as a condition to the delivery to a Record Holder of Partnership Interests represented by a Certificate, the surrender of any Certificate held by such Record Holder immediately prior to such Record Date.

(d) The Partnership shall not issue fractional Units upon any distribution, subdivision or combination of Partnership Interests. If a distribution, subdivision, combination or reorganization of Partnership Interests would result in the issuance of fractional Units but for the provisions of Section 5.5(d) and this Section 5.7(d), each fractional Unit shall be rounded to the nearest whole Unit (fractional units equal to or greater than a 0.5 Unit shall be rounded to the next higher Unit).

Section 5.8 Fully Paid and Non-Assessable Nature of Limited Partner Interests. All Limited Partner Interests issued pursuant to, and in accordance with the requirements of, this Article V shall be fully paid and non-assessable Limited Partner Interests in the Partnership, except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware Act.

Section 5.9 Deemed Capital Contributions by Partners. Consistent with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.83-6(d), if any Partner (or its successor) transfers property (including cash) to any employee or other service provider of the Partnership Group and such Partner is not entitled to be reimbursed by (or otherwise elects not to seek reimbursement from) the Partnership for the value of such property, then (a) such property shall be treated as having been contributed to the Partnership by such Partner and (b) immediately thereafter the Partnership shall be treated as having transferred such property to the employee or other service provider.

Section 5.9 No Preemptive Rights. Except as may be provided in a separate agreement between the Partnership and another Person, no Person shall have any preemptive, preferential or other similar right with respect to the issuance of any Partnership Interest, whether unissued, held in the treasury or hereafter created.

ARTICLE VI

ALLOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

Section 6.1 Allocations for Capital Account Purposes. Subject to the terms of any Supplemental Terms Annex, for purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss, deduction, amount realized and Simulated Gain (computed in accordance with Section 5.4(b)) for each taxable period shall be allocated among the Partners, and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be adjusted for Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss, as provided herein below. As set forth in the definition of “Outstanding,” Restricted Common Units shall not be considered to be Outstanding Common Units for purposes of this Section 6.1 and references herein to Unitholders holding Common Units shall be to such Unitholders solely with respect to their Common Units other than Restricted Common Units.

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(a) Net Income. After giving effect to the Capital Account adjustments pursuant to Section 6.1(e)(ii), Net Income for each taxable period (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction and, to the extent provided in Section 6.1(e)(iii), Simulated Gain taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable period) shall be allocated as follows:

(i) First, to the General Partner until the aggregate amount of Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Section 6.1(a)(i) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate amount of Net Loss allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Section 6.1(b)(ii) for all previous taxable periods; and

(ii) Second, the balance, if any, 100% to the Unitholders, Pro Rata.

(b) Net Loss. After giving effect to the Capital Account adjustments pursuant to Section 6.1(e)(ii), Net Loss for each taxable period (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction and, to the extent provided in Section 6.1(e)(iii), Simulated Gain taken into account in computing Net Loss for such taxable period) shall be allocated as follows:

(i) First, to the Unitholders, Pro Rata; provided, that Net Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(b)(i) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account); and

(ii) Second, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.

(c) Net Termination Gains and Losses. After giving effect to the Capital Account adjustments pursuant to Section 6.1(e)(ii), Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss occurring during a taxable period shall be allocated in the manner set forth in this Section 6.1(c). All allocations under this Section 6.1(c) shall be made after Capital Account balances have been adjusted by all other allocations provided under this Section 6.1 and after all distributions of cash and cash equivalents provided under Sections 6.4 and 6.5 have been made; provided, however, that solely for purposes of this Section 6.1(c), Capital Accounts shall not be adjusted for distributions made pursuant to Section 12.4; and provided, further, that Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss attributable to (i) Liquidation Gain or Liquidation Loss shall be allocated on the last day of the taxable period during which such Liquidation Gain or Liquidation Loss occurred, (ii) Sale Gain or Sale Loss shall be allocated as of the time of the sale or disposition giving rise to such Sale Gain or Sale Loss and allocated to the Partners consistent with the second proviso set forth in Section 6.2(g) and (iii) Revaluation Gain or Revaluation Loss shall be allocated on the date of the Revaluation Event giving rise to such Revaluation Gain or Revaluation Loss.

(i) Except as provided in Section 6.1(c)(iv) and subject to the provisions set forth in the last sentence of this Section 6.1(c)(i), Net Termination Gain (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction and, to the extent provided in Section 6.1(e)(iii), Simulated Gain taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain) shall be allocated in the following order and priority:

(A) First, to each Partner having a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account, in the proportion that such deficit balance bears to the total deficit balances in the Adjusted Capital Accounts of all Partners, until each such Partner has been allocated Net Termination Gain equal to any such deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account;

(B) Second, to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) if the Net Termination Gain is attributable to Liquidation Gain, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Sections 6.4(a)(i) or 6.4(b) with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2) is hereinafter referred to as the “Unpaid MQD”) and (3) any then existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage with respect to such Common Unit;

(C) Third, if such Net Termination Gain is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit into a Common Unit, to all Unitholders holding

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Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding equals the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, determined for the taxable period (or portion thereof) to which this allocation of gain relates, and (2) if the Net Termination Gain is attributable to Liquidation Gain, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iii) with respect to such Subordinated Unit for such Quarter; and

(D) Finally, 100% to all Unitholders, Pro Rata.

(ii) Except as otherwise provided by Sections 6.1(c)(iii) or 6.1(c)(iv), Net Termination Loss (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction and, to the extent provided in Section 6.1(e)(iii), Simulated Gain taken into account in computing Net Termination Loss) shall be allocated:

(A) First, if Subordinated Units remain Outstanding, to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;

(B) Second, to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; and

(iii) Net Termination Loss attributable to Revaluation Loss and deemed recognized prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit and prior to the Liquidation Date shall be allocated:

(A) First, to the Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding equals the Event Issue Value; provided that Net Termination Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(iii)(A) to the extent such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account);

(B) Second, to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata; provided that Net Termination Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Section 6.1(c)(iii)(B) to the extent such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account); and

(iv) If (A) a Net Termination Loss has been allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(c)(iii), (B) a Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss subsequently occurs (other than as a result of a Revaluation Event) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit and (C) after tentatively making all allocations of such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss provided for in Sections 6.1(c)(i) or 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable, the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding does not equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if Section 6.1(c)(iii) had not been part of this Agreement and all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Sections 6.1(c)(i) or 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable, then items of income, gain, loss and deduction included in such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss, as applicable, shall be specially allocated to the General Partner and all Unitholders in a manner that will, to the maximum extent possible, cause the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding to equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if all allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Sections 6.1(c)(i) or 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable.

(d) Special Allocations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, the following special allocations shall be made for each taxable period in the following order:

(i) Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income, gain and Simulated Gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6),

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1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income, gain and Simulated Gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Sections 6.1(d)(vi) and 6.1(d)(vii)). This Section 6.1(d)(i) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(ii) Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 6.1 (other than Section 6.1(d)(i)), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income, gain and Simulated Gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions. For purposes of this Section 6.1(d), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income, gain and Simulated Gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d), other than Section 6.1(d)(i) and other than an allocation pursuant to Sections 6.1(d)(vi) and 6.1(d)(vii), with respect to such taxable period. This Section 6.1(d)(ii) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(iii) Priority Allocations. If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except cash or property distributed pursuant to Section 12.4) with respect to an Outstanding Unit for a taxable period exceeds the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed with respect to another Outstanding Unit for the same taxable period (the amount of the excess, an “Excess Distribution” and the Unit with respect to which the greater distribution is paid, an “Excess Distribution Unit”), then there shall be allocated gross income and gain to each Unitholder receiving an Excess Distribution with respect to the Excess Distribution Unit until the aggregate amount of such items allocated with respect to such Excess Distribution Unit pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the amount of the Excess Distribution.

(iv) Qualified Income Offset. In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership gross income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(iii) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if this Section 6.1(d)(iii) were not in this Agreement.

(v) Gross Income Allocations. In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income, gain and Simulated Gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(v) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 have been tentatively made as if Section 6.1(d)(iii) and this Section 6.1(d)(v) were not in this Agreement.

(vi) Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Partners, Pro Rata. If the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations

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promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized, upon notice to the other Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.

(vii) Partner Nonrecourse Deductions. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss. This Section 6.1(d)(vii) is intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(viii) Nonrecourse Liabilities. For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Partners, Pro Rata.

(ix) Code Section 754 Adjustments. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.734-2(b)(1)) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution to a Partner in complete liquidation of such Partner’s interest in the Partnership, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or Simulated Gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss or Simulated Loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) taken into account pursuant to Section 5.4, and such item of gain, loss, Simulated Gain or Simulated Loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.

(x) Economic Uniformity; Changes in Law.

(A) At the election of the General Partner with respect to any taxable period ending upon, or after, the termination of the Subordination Period, all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for such taxable period, after taking into account allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(iii), shall be allocated 100% to each Partner holding Subordinated Units that are Outstanding as of the termination of the Subordination Period (“Final Subordinated Units”) in the proportion of the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner to the total number of Final Subordinated Units then Outstanding, until each such Partner has been allocated an amount of gross income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such Final Subordinated Units to an amount that after taking into account the other allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction to be made with respect to such taxable period will equal the product of (i) the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner and (ii) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit. The purpose of this allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital Accounts underlying Final Subordinated Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common Units held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates immediately prior to the conversion of such Final Subordinated Units into Common Units. This allocation method for establishing such economic uniformity will be available to the General Partner only if the method for allocating the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Subordinated Units between the transferred and retained Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.4(c)(ii) does not otherwise provide such economic uniformity to the Final Subordinated Units.

(B) For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (i) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii) make special allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction, Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss; and (iii) amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or

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classes thereof). The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Agreement as provided in this Section 6.1(d)(x) only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests or the Partnership.

(xi) Curative Allocation.

(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1, other than the Required Allocations, the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of gross income, gain, loss, deduction, Simulated Depletion, Simulated Gain and Simulated Loss allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Section 6.1 and Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss had been included in the definition of Net Income and Net Loss. In exercising its discretion under this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A), the General Partner may take into account future Required Allocations that, although not yet made, are likely to offset other Required Allocations previously made. Allocations pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners.

(B) The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Section 6.1(d)(xi)(A) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.

(xii) Special Curative Allocation in Event of Certain Liquidations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 6.1 (other than the Required Allocations), if (1) the Liquidation Date occurs prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit and (2) after having made all other allocations provided for in this Section 6.1 for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs, the Capital Account in respect of each then Outstanding Common Unit does not equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if Sections 6.1(c)(iii) and 6.1(c)(iv) had not been part of this Agreement and all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Sections 6.1(c)(i) or 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable, then items of income, gain, loss and deduction for such taxable period shall be reallocated among all Unitholders in a manner determined appropriate by the General Partner so as to cause, to the maximum extent possible, the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit to equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Sections 6.1(c)(i) or 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, the reallocation of items set forth in the immediately preceding sentence provides that, to the extent necessary to achieve the Capital Account balances described above, (x) items of income and gain that would otherwise be included in Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs shall be reallocated from the Unitholders holding Subordinated Units to Unitholders holding Common Units and (y) items of deduction and loss that would otherwise be included in Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs shall be reallocated from Unitholders holding Common Units to Unitholders holding Subordinated Units. In the event that (1) the Liquidation Date occurs on or before the date (not including any extension of time prescribed by law) for the filing of the Partnership’s federal income tax return for the taxable period immediately prior to the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs and (2) the reallocation of items for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs as set forth above in this Section 6.1(d)(xii) fails to achieve the Capital Account balances described above, items of income, gain, loss and deduction that would otherwise be included in the Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for such prior taxable period shall be reallocated among the General Partner and all Unitholders in a manner that will, to the maximum extent possible and after taking into account all other allocations made pursuant to this Section 6.1(d)(xii), cause the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit to equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Sections 6.1(c)(i) or 6.1(c)(ii), as applicable.

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(xiii) Allocations of GP Items. All GP Items shall, to the maximum extent possible, be allocated to the holders (other than the General Partner) of the Common Units, Pro Rata.

(xiv) Equalization of Capital Accounts With Respect to Privately Placed Units. Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss deemed recognized as a result of a Revaluation Event shall first be allocated to the (A) Unitholders holding Privately Placed Units, Pro Rata, or (B) Unitholders holding Common Units (other than Privately Placed Units), Pro Rata, as applicable, to the extent necessary to cause the Capital Account in respect of each Privately Placed Unit then Outstanding to equal the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit (other than Privately Placed Units) then Outstanding.

(xv) Allocations Regarding Certain Payments Made to Employees and Other Service Providers. Consistent with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.83-6(d), if any Partner (or its successor) transfers property (including cash) to any employee or other service provider of the Partnership Group and such Partner is not entitled to be reimbursed by (or otherwise elects not to seek reimbursement from) the Partnership for the value of such property, then any items of deduction or loss resulting from or attributable to such transfer shall be allocated to the Partner (or its successor) that made such transfer and was deemed to have contributed such property to the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.9.

(e) Simulated Basis; Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss; Simulated Gain; Amount Realized.

(i) Simulated Basis. For purposes of determining and maintaining the Partners’ Capital Accounts, (i) the initial Simulated Basis of each oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) of the Partnership shall be allocated among the Partners, Pro Rata and (ii) if the Carrying Value of an oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.4(d), the Simulated Basis of such property (as adjusted to reflect the adjustment to the Carrying Value of such property), shall be allocated to the Partners, Pro Rata.

(ii) Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss. For purposes of applying clause (z) of the second sentence of Section 5.4(a), Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss with respect to each oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) of the Partnership shall reduce each Partner’s Capital Account in proportion to the manner in which the Simulated Basis of such property is allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1(e)(i).

(iii) Simulated Gain. For purposes of applying clause (iii) of the second sentence of Section 5.4(a), Simulated Gain for any taxable period will be treated as included in either Net Income or Net Loss and allocated pursuant to Sections 6.1(a) and 6.1(b).

(iv) Amount Realized. For purposes of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2) and 1.704-1(b)(4)(iii), the amount realized on the disposition of any oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) of the Partnership shall be allocated (i) first to the Partners in an amount equal to the remaining Simulated Basis of such property in the same proportions as the Simulated Basis of such property was allocated among the Partners pursuant to Section 6.1(e)(i), and (ii) any remaining amount realized shall be allocated to the Partners in the same ratio as Simulated Gain from the disposition of such oil and gas property is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1(a).

Section 6.2 Allocations for Tax Purposes. Subject to the terms of any Supplemental Terms Annex, allocations for U.S. federal income tax purposes shall be made as set forth in this Section 6.2.

(a) Except as otherwise provided herein, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 6.1.

(b) The deduction for depletion with respect to each separate oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) shall be computed for federal income tax purposes separately by the Partners rather than by the Partnership in accordance with Section 613A(c)(7)(D) of the Code. Except as provided in Section 6.2(c), for

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purposes of such computation (before taking into account any adjustments resulting from an election made by the Partnership under Section 754 of the Code), the adjusted tax basis of each oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) that is (i) a Contributed Property shall initially be allocated among the non-contributing Partners, Pro Rata, but not in excess of any such Partner’s share of Simulated Basis as determined pursuant to Section 6.1(e)(i), and (ii) not a Contributed Property or an Adjusted Property shall initially be allocated to the Partners in proportion to each such Partner’s share of Simulated Basis as determined pursuant to Section 6.1(e)(i). If there is an event described in Section 5.4(d), the General Partner shall reallocate the adjusted tax basis of each oil and gas property in a manner (i) consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code and (ii) that maintains the federal income tax fungibility of the Units.

Each Partner shall separately keep records of his share of the adjusted tax basis in each oil and gas property, allocated as provided above, adjust such share of the adjusted tax basis for any cost or percentage depletion allowable with respect to such property, and use such adjusted tax basis in the computation of its cost depletion or in the computation of his gain or loss on the disposition of such property by the Partnership

(c) In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for U.S. federal income tax purposes among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code, as determined appropriate by the General Partner (taking into account the General Partner’s discretion under Section 6.1(d)(x)); provided that, in all events, the General Partner shall apply the “remedial allocation method” in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d). For purposes of applying the “remedial allocation method” to oil and gas properties (i) the amount by which any Partner’s Capital Account is adjusted for Simulated Depletion shall be treated as an amount of book depletion allocated to such Partner and (ii) the amount of cost depletion computed by such Partner under Section 613A(c)(7)(D) of the Code shall be treated as an amount of tax depletion allocated to such Partner.

(d) The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity of such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnership’s property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate method, the General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Units, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.

(e) In accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1245-1(e) and 1.1250-1(f), any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Section 6.2, be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.

(f) All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership; provided, however, that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.

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(g) Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction shall, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be determined for each Quarter and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership’s Units are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of each month; provided, however, such items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the month in which the Closing Date occurs shall be allocated to the Partners who are issued Units as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement; and provided, further, that each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction for the period beginning on the Contribution Date and ending the date immediately before the Closing Date shall be allocated to the Partners holding Units on the date immediately before the Closing Date; and provided, further, that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income, gain, loss or deduction, as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership’s Units are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the month in which such item is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder.

(h) Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Partner under the provisions of this Article VI shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.

(i) If, as a result of an exercise of a Noncompensatory Option, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the General Partner shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).

Section 6.3 Distributions; Characterization of Distributions; Distributions to Record Holders.

(a) The General Partner may adopt a cash distribution policy, which it may change from time to time without amendment to this Agreement.

(b) All amounts of cash and cash equivalents distributed by the Partnership, except for distributions and other payments with respect to Partnership Interests with a right to receive distributions in priority or senior to the Common Units, which in accordance with clause (e) of the definition of Operating Expenditures shall be treated as payment of interest, principal or premium on indebtedness, and not as distributions of Operating Surplus, on any date from any source shall be deemed to be Operating Surplus until the sum of all amounts of cash and cash equivalents theretofore distributed by the Partnership to the Partners pursuant to Section 6.4 equals the Operating Surplus from the Closing Date through the close of the immediately preceding Quarter. Any remaining amounts of cash and cash equivalents distributed by the Partnership on such date shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 6.5, be deemed to be “Capital Surplus.” All distributions required to be made under this Agreement or otherwise made by the Partnership shall be made subject to Sections 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Act.

(c) Notwithstanding Section 6.3(b), in the event of the dissolution and liquidation of the Partnership, cash shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of, Section 12.4.

(d) Each distribution in respect of a Partnership Interest shall be paid by the Partnership, directly or through any Transfer Agent or through any other Person or agent, only to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interest as of the Record Date established for such distribution. Such payment shall constitute full payment and satisfaction of the Partnership’s liability in respect of such payment, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such payment by reason of an assignment or otherwise.

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Section 6.4 Distributions from Operating Surplus.

(a) During Subordination Period. Subject to the terms of any Supplemental Terms Annex, cash and cash equivalents (other than GP Available Cash) distributed in respect of any Quarter wholly within the Subordination Period that is deemed to be Operating Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Sections 6.3 or 6.5 shall be distributed as follows:

(i) First, to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter;

(ii) Second, to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage existing with respect to such Quarter;

(iii) Third, to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for such Quarter; and

(iv) Fourth, to all Unitholders, Pro Rata.

(b) After Subordination Period. Subject to the terms of any Supplemental Terms Annex, cash and cash equivalents (other than GP Available Cash) distributed in respect of any Quarter ending after the Subordination Period has ended shall be distributed to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata.

Section 6.5 Distributions from Capital Surplus. Subject to the terms of any Supplemental Terms Annex, cash and cash equivalents (other than GP Available Cash) that are distributed and deemed to be Capital Surplus pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.3(b) shall be distributed, unless the provisions of Section 6.3 require otherwise:

(a) First, 100% to the Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the Minimum Quarterly Distribution has been reduced to zero;

(b) Second, 100% to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until there has been distributed in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding an amount equal to the Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage; and

(c) Thereafter, all cash and cash equivalents that are distributed shall be distributed as if it were Operating Surplus and shall be distributed in accordance with Section 6.4.

Section 6.6 Distributions of GP Available Cash. Distributions of cash and cash equivalents that are GP Available Cash shall be made in the same manner as set forth above, except that the General Partner shall not be entitled to participate in any such distribution.

Section 6.7 Adjustment of Common Unit Arrearages, Cumulative Common Arrearages and Minimum Quarterly Distributions. The Common Unit Arrearages and Cumulative Common Unit Arrearages shall be proportionately adjusted in the event of any distribution, combination or subdivision (whether effected by a distribution payable in Units or otherwise) of Common Units. In the event of a distribution that is deemed to be from Capital Surplus, the then applicable Minimum Quarterly Distributions shall be reduced in the same proportion that the amount or value of distribution per Unit bears to the Current Market Price per Common Unit immediately prior to the declaration of the distribution.

Section 6.8 Special Provisions Relating to the Holders of Subordinated Units.

(a) Except with respect to the right to vote on or approve matters requiring the vote or approval of a percentage of the holders of Outstanding Common Units and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units, the holder of a Subordinated Unit

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shall have all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder; provided, however, that immediately upon the conversion of Subordinated Units into Common Units pursuant to Section 5.6, the Unitholder holding Common Units converted from Subordinated Units shall possess all of the rights and obligations of a Unitholder holding Common Units hereunder with respect to such Common Units converted from Subordinated Units, including the right to vote as a Common Unitholder and the right to participate in allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction and distributions made with respect to Common Units; provided, however, that such Common Units converted from Subordinated Units shall remain subject to the provisions of Sections 5.4(c)(ii), 6.1(d)(x), 6.8(b) and 6.8(c).

(b) A Unitholder shall not be permitted to transfer (i) a Subordinated Unit, (ii) Common Units converted from Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.5 or (iii) any Common Units converted from Other Convertible Units (other than a transfer to an Affiliate) if the remaining balance in the transferring Unitholder’s Capital Account with respect to the retained Subordinated Units, retained Common Units converted from Subordinated Units or retained Common Units converted from Other Convertible Units, as applicable, would be negative after giving effect to the allocation under Section 5.4(c)(ii)(B).

(c) The Unitholder holding a Common Unit that has resulted from the conversion of either a Subordinated Unit pursuant to Section 5.6 or any Other Convertible Unit shall not be permitted to transfer such Common Unit to a Person that is not an Affiliate of the holder until such time as the General Partner determines, based on advice of counsel, that each such Common Unit should have, as a substantive matter, like intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics, in all material respects, to the intrinsic economic and federal income tax characteristics of an Initial Common Unit. In connection with the condition imposed by this Section 6.8(c), the General Partner may take whatever steps are required to provide economic uniformity to such Common Units in preparation for a transfer of such Common Units, including the application of Sections 5.4(c)(ii) and 6.1(d)(x); provided, however, that no such steps may be taken that would have a material adverse effect on the Unitholders holding Common Units.

ARTICLE VII

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF BUSINESS

Section 7.1 Management.

(a) The General Partner shall conduct, direct and manage all activities of the Partnership. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, but without limitation on the ability of the General Partner to delegate its rights and power to other Persons, all management powers over the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be exclusively vested in the General Partner, and no other Partner shall have any management power over the business and affairs of the Partnership. In addition to the powers now or hereafter granted to a general partner of a limited partnership under applicable law or that are granted to the General Partner under any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner, subject to Section 7.4, shall have full power and authority to do all things and on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct the business of the Partnership, to exercise all powers set forth in Section 2.5 and to effectuate the purposes set forth in Section 2.4, including the following:

(i) the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible or exchangeable into Partnership Interests, and the incurring of any other obligations;

(ii) the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over the business or assets of the Partnership;

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(iii) the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of the assets of the Partnership or the merger or other combination of the Partnership with or into another Person (the matters described in this clause (iii) being subject, however, to any prior approval that may be required by Section 7.4 or Article XIV);

(iv) the use of the assets of the Partnership (including cash on hand) for any purpose consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including the financing of the conduct of the operations of the Partnership Group; the lending of funds to other Persons (including other Group Members); the repayment or guarantee of obligations of any Group Member; the making of capital contributions to any Group Member; and the redemption or repurchase of outstanding Partnership Interests or other securities issued by the Partnership from time to time;

(v) the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments (including instruments that limit the liability of the Partnership under contractual arrangements to all or particular assets of the Partnership, with the other party to the contract to have no recourse against the General Partner or its assets other than its interest in the Partnership, even if the same results in the terms of the transaction being less favorable to the Partnership than would otherwise be the case);

(vi) the distribution of cash or cash equivalents by the Partnership;

(vii) the selection, employment, retention and dismissal of employees (including employees having titles such as “chief executive officer,” “president,” “chief financial officer,” “chief operating officer,” “general counsel,” “vice president,” “secretary” and “treasurer”) and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors of the General Partner or the Partnership Group and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;

(viii) the maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the Partnership Group, the Partners and Indemnitees;

(ix) the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other Persons (including the acquisition of interests in, and the contributions of property to, any Group Member from time to time);

(x) the control of any matters affecting the rights and obligations of the Partnership, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;

(xi) the indemnification of any Person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;

(xii) the entering into of listing agreements with any National Securities Exchange and the delisting of some or all of the Partnership Interests from, or requesting that trading be suspended on, any such exchange;

(xiii) the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of Partnership Interests, or the issuance of Derivative Instruments;

(xiv) the undertaking of any action in connection with the Partnership’s participation in the management of any Group Member;

(xv) the entering into of agreements with any of its Affiliates, including any agreements to render services to a Group Member or to itself in the discharge of its duties as General Partner of the Partnership;

(xvi) the delegation of any of its duties or authority to appoint, employ or contract with any Person for the transaction of the business of the Partnership, which Person may, under the supervision of the General Partner, (i) act as broker, escrow agent or in any other capacity deemed by the General Partner to be necessary or desirable or (ii) perform such other acts or services for the Partnership as the General Partner may approve; and

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(xvii) the dissolution and winding up of the Partnership.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, the Delaware Act or any applicable law, rule or regulation, each of the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement hereby (i) approves, ratifies and confirms the execution, delivery and performance by the parties thereto of this Agreement, the Underwriting Agreement, the Merger and Contribution Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the other agreements described in or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are related to the transactions contemplated by the Registration Statement (in the case of each agreement other than this Agreement, without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or restatements after the date hereof); (ii) agrees that the General Partner (on its own behalf or on behalf of the Partnership) is authorized to execute, deliver and perform the agreements referred to in clause (i) of this sentence and the other agreements, acts, transactions and matters described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement on behalf of the Partnership without any further act, approval or vote of the Partners, the other Persons who may acquire an interest in Partnership Interests or are otherwise bound by this Agreement; and (iii) agrees that the execution, delivery or performance by the General Partner, any Group Member or any Affiliate of any of them of this Agreement or any agreement authorized or permitted under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach by the General Partner of any duty that the General Partner may owe the Partnership or the Partners or any other Persons under this Agreement (or any other agreements) or of any duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise.

Section 7.2 Replacement of Fiduciary Duties. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, to the extent that, at law or in equity, the General Partner or any other Indemnitee would have duties (including fiduciary duties) to the Partnership, to another Partner, to any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or to any other Person bound by this Agreement, all such duties (including fiduciary duties) are hereby eliminated, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and replaced with the duties expressly set forth herein. The elimination of duties (including fiduciary duties) and replacement thereof with the duties expressly set forth herein are approved by the Partnership, each of the Partners, each other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person bound by this Agreement.

In furtherance of this replacement of fiduciary duties, but not by way of limitation, the following provisions shall apply:

(a) It will not constitute a breach of fiduciary or other duty for the General Partner or the Partnership’s or the General Partner’s Officers or employees to engage attorneys, accountants and other advisors on behalf of the Partnership, even though such Persons may also be retained from time to time by the General Partner, any of its officers, members, or the Directors, or any of the Partnership’s or the General Partner’s Officers or employees, and such Persons may be engaged with respect to any matter in which the interest of the Partnership and the General Partner, any of its officers, members, or the Directors, or any of the Partnership’s or the General Partner’s Officers or employees, may differ, or may be engaged by both the Partnership and the General Partner or the Officers or employees of the Partnership or the General Partner with respect to any other matter. The General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such attorney, accountant or other advisor so long as the engagement of such Person was not made in Bad Faith;

(b) It will not constitute a breach of fiduciary or other duty for the General Partner, the Partnership’s or the General Partner’s Officers or employees, or any of their respective Affiliates, to contract or enter into any agreement or arrangement with the Partnership with respect to any Property or any aspect of the operations of the Partnership; and

(c) It will not constitute a breach of fiduciary or other duty for the General Partner or an Officer or employee of the Partnership or the General Partner to devote any amount of time to any other matters not related to the operations of the Partnership, and the General Partner or an Officer or employee of the Partnership or the General Partner may devote such time to the business and affairs of the Partnership as it determines necessary in its sole discretion.

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Section 7.3 Certificate of Limited Partnership. The General Partner has caused the Certificate of Limited Partnership to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act. The General Partner shall use all reasonable efforts to cause to be filed such other certificates or documents that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation, continuation, qualification and operation of a limited partnership (or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability) in the State of Delaware or any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. To the extent the General Partner determines such action to be necessary or appropriate, the General Partner shall file amendments to and restatements of the Certificate of Limited Partnership and do all things to maintain the Partnership as a limited partnership (or a partnership or other entity in which the limited partners have limited liability) under the laws of the State of Delaware or of any other state in which the Partnership may elect to do business or own property. Subject to the terms of Section 3.4(a), the General Partner shall not be required, before or after filing, to deliver or mail a copy of the Certificate of Limited Partnership, any qualification document or any amendment thereto to any Partner.

Section 7.4 Restrictions on the General Partner’s Authority. Except as provided in Articles XII and XIV, the General Partner may not sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions without the approval of a Unit Majority; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude or limit the General Partner’s ability to mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership Group and shall not apply to any sale of any or all of the assets of the Partnership Group pursuant to the foreclosure of, or other realization upon, any such encumbrance.

Section 7.5 Reimbursement of the General Partner.

(a) The General Partner and its Affiliates shall be reimbursed on a monthly basis, or such other basis as the General Partner may determine, for (i) all direct and indirect expenses they incur or payments they make on behalf of the Partnership Group (including salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to any Person (including Affiliates of the General Partner) to perform services for the Partnership Group or for the General Partner in the discharge of its duties to the Partnership Group), and (ii) all other expenses allocable to the Partnership Group or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership Group’s business (including expenses allocated to the General Partner by its Affiliates). The General Partner shall determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership Group. Reimbursements pursuant to this Section 7.5 shall be in addition to any reimbursement to the General Partner as a result of indemnification pursuant to Section 7.7.

(b) The General Partner and its Affiliates may charge any member of the Partnership Group a management fee to the extent necessary to allow the Partnership Group to reduce the amount of any state franchise or income tax or any tax based upon the revenues or gross margin of any member of the Partnership Group if the tax benefit produced by the payment for such management fee of such management fee or fees exceeds the amount of such fee or fees.

(c) The General Partner, without the approval of the Limited Partners (who shall have no right to vote in respect thereof), may propose and adopt on behalf of the Partnership benefit plans, programs and practices (including plans, programs and practices involving the issuance of Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments), or cause the Partnership to issue Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments in connection with, or pursuant to, any benefit plan, program or practice maintained or sponsored by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, any Group Member or their Affiliates, or any of them, in each case for the benefit of employees, officers, consultants and directors of the General Partner or its Affiliates, in respect of services performed, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of the Partnership Group. The Partnership agrees to issue and sell to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates any Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments that the General Partner or such Affiliates are obligated to provide to any employees, officers, consultants and directors pursuant to any such benefit plans, programs or practices. Expenses incurred by the General Partner in connection with

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any such plans, programs and practices (including the net cost to the General Partner or such Affiliates of Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments purchased by the General Partner or such Affiliates, from the Partnership or otherwise, to fulfill awards under such plans, programs and practices) shall be reimbursed in accordance with Section 7.5(a). Any and all obligations of the General Partner under any benefit plans, programs or practices adopted by the General Partner as permitted by this Section 7.5(c) shall constitute obligations of the General Partner hereunder and shall be assumed by any successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner’s General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6.

Section 7.6 Outside Activities.

(a) The General Partner, for so long as it is the General Partner of the Partnership, shall not engage in any business or activity or incur any debts or liabilities except in connection with or incidental to (i) its performance as general partner or managing member, if any, of one or more Group Members or as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement, (ii) the acquiring, owning or disposing of debt securities or equity interests in any Group Member or (iii) the direct or indirect provision of management, advisory, and administrative services to its Affiliates or to other Persons.

(b) Each Unrestricted Person (other than the Persons described in Section 7.6(e)) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by any Group Member, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of any Group Member. No such business interest or activity shall constitute a breach of this Agreement, any fiduciary or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise, or obligation of any type whatsoever to the Partnership or other Group Member, to another Partner, to any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or to any other Person bound by this Agreement.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, shall not apply to any Unrestricted Person (including the Persons described in Section 7.6(e)). No Unrestricted Person (including the Persons described in Section 7.6(e)) who acquires knowledge of a potential transaction, agreement, arrangement or other matter that may be an opportunity for the Partnership, shall have any duty to communicate or offer such opportunity to any Group Member, and such Unrestricted Person (including the Persons described in Section 7.6(e)) shall not be liable to the Partnership or other Group Member, to another Partner, to any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or to any other Person bound by this Agreement for breach of any fiduciary or other duty existing at law, in equity or otherwise by reason of the fact that such Unrestricted Person (including the Persons described in Section 7.6(e)) pursues or acquires such opportunity for itself, directs such opportunity to another Person or does not communicate such opportunity or information to any Group Member.

(d) Subject to the terms of Sections 7.6(a), 7.6(b), 7.6(c), and 7.6(e), but otherwise notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Unrestricted Person in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.6 is hereby approved by the Partnership and all Partners, and (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any fiduciary duty or any other duty or obligation of any type whatsoever of the General Partner or of any other Unrestricted Person for the Unrestricted Person to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Partnership; provided such Unrestricted Person does not engage in such business or activity as a result of or using confidential or proprietary information provided by or on behalf of the Partnership to such Unrestricted Person.

(e) Neither the General Partner nor any Director who is also an employee of the Partnership, the General Partner or any of their respective controlled Affiliates, nor any Affiliate of any such Director, may engage in, conduct or participate in any business or activity which may be competitive in any material respect with the business of the Partnership; provided, however, that any such Director or Affiliate may own a financial interest in

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a competitor of the Partnership if that interest is in the form of ownership of less than 5% of the outstanding stock of a company whose securities are listed on a National Securities Exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an employee who is a Director has presented a business opportunity to the Partnership and the General Partner has determined not to pursue such business opportunity, then such Director, or his or her Affiliates, shall be permitted to pursue and conduct such business opportunity with the approval of the Board of Directors.

Section 7.7 Indemnification.

(a) To the fullest extent permitted by law, all Indemnitees shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Partnership from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities (joint or several), expenses (including legal fees and expenses), judgments, fines, penalties, interest, settlements or other amounts arising from any and all threatened, pending or completed claims, demands, actions, suits or proceedings, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, and whether formal or informal and including appeals, in which any Indemnitee may be involved, or is threatened to be involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of its status as an Indemnitee and acting (or refraining to act) in such capacity; provided, that the Indemnitee shall not be indemnified and held harmless if there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnitee acted in Bad Faith or engaged in willful misconduct or fraud or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the Indemnitee’s conduct was unlawful. Any indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall be made only out of the assets of the Partnership, it being agreed that the General Partner shall not be personally liable for such indemnification and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate such indemnification.

(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred by an Indemnitee who is indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7(a) in appearing at, participating in or defending any claim, demand, action, suit or proceeding shall, from time to time, on a monthly basis be advanced by the Partnership prior to a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that, in respect of the matter for which the Indemnitee is seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 7.7, the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified upon receipt by the Partnership of any undertaking by or on behalf of the Indemnitee to repay such amount if it shall be ultimately determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified as authorized by this Section 7.7.

(c) The indemnification provided by this Section 7.7 shall be in addition to any other rights to which an Indemnitee may be entitled under any agreement, pursuant to any vote of the holders of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests, as a matter of law, in equity or otherwise, both as to actions in the Indemnitee’s capacity as an Indemnitee and as to actions in any other capacity, and shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to serve in such capacity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, successors, assigns and administrators of the Indemnitee.

(d) The Partnership may purchase and maintain (or reimburse the General Partner or its Affiliates for the cost of) insurance, on behalf of the General Partner, its Affiliates, the Indemnitees and such other Persons as the General Partner shall determine, against any liability that may be asserted against, or expense that may be incurred by, such Person in connection with the Partnership’s activities or such Person’s activities on behalf of the Partnership, regardless of whether the Partnership would have the power to indemnify such Person against such liability under the provisions of this Agreement.

(e) For purposes of this Section 7.7, the Partnership shall be deemed to have requested an Indemnitee to serve as fiduciary of an employee benefit plan whenever the performance by it of its duties to the Partnership also imposes duties on, or otherwise involves services by, it to the plan or participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on an Indemnitee with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to applicable law

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shall constitute “fines” within the meaning of Section 7.7(a); and action taken or omitted by an Indemnitee with respect to any employee benefit plan in the performance of its duties for a purpose reasonably believed by it to be in the best interest of the participants and beneficiaries of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose that is in the best interests of the Partnership.

(f) In no event may an Indemnitee subject the Limited Partners to personal liability by reason of the indemnification provisions set forth in this Agreement.

(g) An Indemnitee shall not be denied indemnification in whole or in part under this Section 7.7 because the Indemnitee had an interest in the transaction with respect to which the indemnification applies if the transaction was otherwise permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

(h) The provisions of this Section 7.7 are for the benefit of the Indemnitees and their heirs, successors, permitted assigns, executors and administrators and shall not be deemed to create any rights for the benefit of any other Persons.

(i) No amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.7 or any provision hereof shall in any manner terminate, reduce or impair the right of any past, present or future Indemnitee to be indemnified by the Partnership, nor the obligations of the Partnership to indemnify any such Indemnitee under and in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.7 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

Section 7.8 Limitation of Liability of Indemnitees.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement, or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity, no Indemnitee shall be liable for monetary damages or otherwise to the Partnership, to another Partner, to any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or to any other Person bound by this Agreement, for losses sustained or liabilities incurred, of any kind or character, as a result of its or any of any other Indemnitee’s determinations, act(s) or omission(s) in their capacities as Indemnitees; provided, however, that an Indemnitee shall be liable for losses or liabilities sustained or incurred by the Partnership, the other Partners, any other Persons who acquire an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person bound by this Agreement, if it is determined by a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction that such losses or liabilities were the result of the conduct of that Indemnitee engaged in by it in Bad Faith or engaged in willful misconduct or fraud or, with respect to any criminal conduct, with the knowledge that its conduct was unlawful.

(b) The General Partner may exercise any of the powers granted to it by this Agreement and perform any of the duties imposed upon it hereunder either directly or by or through its agents, and the General Partner shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent appointed by the General Partner if such appointment was not made in Bad Faith.

(c) To the extent that, at law or in equity, an Indemnitee has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating thereto to the Partnership, to the Partners, to any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or to any other Person bound by this Agreement, the General Partner and any other Indemnitee acting in connection with the Partnership’s business or affairs shall not be liable to the Partnership, to any Partner, to any Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or to any other Person bound by this Agreement for its reliance on the provisions of this Agreement.

(d) Any amendment, modification or repeal of this Section 7.8 or any provision hereof shall be prospective only and shall not in any way affect the limitations on the liability of the Indemnitees under this Section 7.8 as in effect immediately prior to such amendment, modification or repeal with respect to claims arising from or relating to matters occurring, in whole or in part, prior to such amendment, modification or repeal, regardless of when such claims may arise or be asserted.

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Section 7.9 Resolution of Conflicts of Interest; Standards of Conduct and Modification of Duties.

(a) Whenever the General Partner, any Director, the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors (including the Conflicts Committee), or any Officer of the General Partner (collectively, the “Designated Persons”) causes the General Partner to make a determination or take or omit to take any action in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership, whether or not under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby, then, unless another lesser standard is provided for in this Agreement, such Designated Person, shall make such determination, or take or omit to take such action, in Good Faith. The foregoing and other lesser standards provided for in this Agreement are the sole and exclusive standards governing any such determinations, actions and omissions of the Designated Persons and no such Person shall be subject to any fiduciary duty or other duty or obligation, or any other, different or higher standard (all of which duties, obligations and standards are hereby waived and disclaimed), under this Agreement, any Group Member Agreement or any other agreement contemplated hereby, or under the Delaware Act or any other law, rule or regulation or at equity. Any such determination, action or omission by a Designated Person, will for all purposes be presumed to have been in Good Faith. In any proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Partnership, any Limited Partner, or any other Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or any other Person who is bound by this Agreement, challenging such determination, act or omission, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of proving that such determination, action or omission was not in Good Faith.

(b) A Designated Person may in its discretion submit any determination, action or omission that would otherwise be decided by such Designated Person pursuant to Section 7.9(a) (i) for Special Approval or (ii) for approval by the vote of a majority of the Common Units (excluding Common Units owned by the General Partner or its Affiliates). If a Designated Person does not submit the determination, action or omission as provided in either clauses (i) or (ii) in the preceding sentence, then any such determination, action or omission shall be governed by Section 7.9(a) above. If any determination, action or omission: (A) receives Special Approval; or (B) receives the approval of a majority of the Common Units, then such determination, action or omission shall be conclusively deemed to be approved by the Partnership, all the Partners, each Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest and each other Person who is bound by this Agreement, and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement, of any Group Member Agreement, of any agreement contemplated herein or therein, or of any fiduciary or other duty or obligation existing at law, in equity or otherwise or obligation of any type whatsoever. If Special Approval is not sought and the Board of Directors of the General Partner determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to a conflict of interest is either on terms no less favorable to the Partnership than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or is fair and reasonable to the Partnership, taking into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to the Partnership), then it shall be presumed that, in making its decision, the General Partner and the Board of Directors acted in Good Faith, and in any proceeding brought by any Limited Partner or Assignee or by or on behalf of such Limited Partner or Assignee or the Partnership challenging such approval, the Person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding shall have the burden of overcoming such presumption. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law or equity, the existence of the conflicts of interest described in the Registration Statement are hereby approved by all Partners and shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement or of any duty or obligation, express or implied, under applicable law.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the General Partner and its Affiliates or any other Indemnitee shall have no duty or obligation, express or implied, to (i) sell or otherwise dispose of any asset of the Partnership Group or (ii) permit any Group Member to use any facilities or assets of the General Partner and its Affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into from time to time specifically dealing with such use. Any determination by the General Partner or any of its Affiliates to enter into such contracts or transactions shall be in its sole discretion.

(d) The Partners, and each Person who acquires an interest in a Partnership Interest or is otherwise bound by this Agreement hereby authorize the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership as a partner or member of a

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Group Member, to approve actions by the general partner or managing member of such Group Member similar to those actions permitted to be taken by the General Partner pursuant to this Section 7.9.

(e) For the avoidance of doubt, whenever any Designated Person makes a determination on behalf of the General Partner, or causes the General Partner to take or omit to take any action, whether in the General Partner’s capacity as the General Partner or in its individual capacity, the standards of care applicable to the General Partner shall apply to such Person, and such Person shall be entitled to all benefits and rights of the General Partner hereunder, including waivers and modifications of duties, protections and presumptions, as if such Person were the General Partner hereunder.

Section 7.10 Other Matters Concerning Standards of Conduct.

(a) Each Designated Person may rely, and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon, any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.

(b) Each Designated Person may consult with legal counsel, accountants, appraisers, management consultants, investment bankers and other consultants and advisers selected by it (collectively, “Experts”), and any act taken or omitted to be taken in reliance upon the advice or opinion (including an Opinion of Counsel) of such Experts as to matters that the Designated Person reasonably believes to be within such Person’s professional or expert competence shall be conclusively presumed to have been done or omitted in Good Faith and in accordance with such advice or opinion.

(c) The General Partner shall have the right, in respect of any of its powers or obligations hereunder, to act through any of its or the Partnership’s duly authorized officers, a duly appointed attorney or attorneys-in-fact.

Section 7.11 Purchase or Sale of Partnership Interests. The General Partner may cause the Partnership to purchase or otherwise acquire Partnership Interests or Derivative Instruments. As long as any Partnership Interests are held by any Group Member, such Partnership Interests shall not be entitled to any vote and shall not be considered to be Outstanding.

Section 7.12 Reliance by Third Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any Person dealing with the Partnership shall be entitled to assume that the General Partner and any officer of the General Partner authorized by the General Partner to act on behalf of and in the name of the Partnership has full power and authority to encumber, sell or otherwise use in any manner any and all assets of the Partnership and to enter into any authorized contracts on behalf of the Partnership, and such Person shall be entitled to deal with the General Partner or any such officer as if it were the Partnership’s sole party in interest, both legally and beneficially. Each Partner hereby waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all defenses or other remedies that may be available to such Partner to contest, negate or disaffirm any action of the General Partner or any such officer in connection with any such dealing. In no event shall any Person dealing with the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives be obligated to ascertain that the terms of this Agreement have been complied with or to inquire into the necessity or expedience of any act or action of the General Partner or any such officer or its representatives. Each and every certificate, document or other instrument executed on behalf of the Partnership by the General Partner or its representatives shall be conclusive evidence in favor of any and every Person relying thereon or claiming thereunder that (a) at the time of the execution and delivery of such certificate, document or instrument, this Agreement was in full force and effect, (b) the Person executing and delivering such certificate, document or instrument was duly authorized and empowered to do so for and on behalf of the Partnership and (c) such certificate, document or instrument was duly executed and delivered in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement and is binding upon the Partnership.

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ARTICLE VIII

BOOKS, RECORDS, ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS

Section 8.1 Records and Accounting. The General Partner shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal office of the Partnership appropriate books and records with respect to the Partnership’s business, including all books and records necessary to provide to the Partners any information required to be provided pursuant to Section 3.4(a). Any books and records maintained by or on behalf of the Partnership in the regular course of its business, including the record of the Record Holders of Units or other Partnership Interests, books of account and records of Partnership proceedings, may be kept on, or be in the form of, computer disks, hard drives, magnetic tape, photographs, micrographics or any other information storage device; provided, that the books and records so maintained are convertible into clearly legible written form within a reasonable period of time. The books of the Partnership shall be maintained, for financial reporting purposes, on an accrual basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Partnership shall not be required to keep books maintained on a cash basis and the General Partner shall be permitted to calculate cash-based measures by making such adjustments to its accrual basis books to account for non-cash items and other adjustments as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

Section 8.2 Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Partnership shall be a fiscal year ending December 31.

Section 8.3 Reports.

(a) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 105 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Partnership, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means, to each Record Holder of a Unit or other Partnership Interest as of a date selected by the General Partner, an annual report containing financial statements of the Partnership for such fiscal year of the Partnership, presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including a balance sheet and statements of operations, Partnership equity and cash flows, such statements to be audited by a firm of independent public accountants selected by the General Partner, and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

(b) As soon as practicable, but in no event later than 50 days after the close of each Quarter except the last Quarter of each fiscal year, the General Partner shall cause to be mailed or made available, by any reasonable means to each Record Holder of a Unit or other Partnership Interest, as of a date selected by the General Partner, a report containing unaudited financial statements of the Partnership and such other information as may be required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, or as the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

(c) The General Partner shall be deemed to have made a report available to each Record Holder as required by this Section 8.3 if it has either (i) filed such report with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system and such report is publicly available on such system or (ii) made such report available on any publicly available website maintained by the Partnership.

ARTICLE IX

TAX MATTERS

Section 9.1 Tax Returns and Information. The Partnership shall timely file all returns of the Partnership that are required for U.S. federal, state and local income tax purposes on the basis of the accrual method and the taxable period or year that it is required by law to adopt, from time to time, as determined by the General Partner. If the Partnership is required to use a taxable period other than a year ending on December 31, the General Partner shall use reasonable efforts to change the taxable period of the Partnership to a year ending on

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December 31. The tax information reasonably required by Record Holders for federal, state and local income tax reporting purposes with respect to a taxable period shall be furnished to them within 90 days of the close of the calendar year in which the Partnership’s taxable period ends. The classification, realization and recognition of income, gain, losses and deductions and other items shall be on the accrual method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Section 9.2 Tax Elections.

(a) The Partnership shall make the election under Section 754 of the Code in accordance with applicable regulations thereunder, subject to the reservation of the right to seek to revoke any such election upon the General Partner’s determination that such revocation is in the best interests of the Partners. Notwithstanding any other provision herein contained, for the purposes of computing the adjustments under Section 743(b) of the Code, the General Partner shall be authorized (but not required) to adopt a convention whereby the price paid by a transferee of a Partnership Interest will be deemed to be the lowest quoted Closing Price of the Partnership Interests on any National Securities Exchange on which such Partnership Interests are listed or admitted to trading during the calendar month in which such transfer is deemed to occur pursuant to Section 6.2(g) without regard to the actual price paid by such transferee.

(b) Except as otherwise provided herein, the General Partner shall determine whether the Partnership should make any other elections permitted by the Code.

Section 9.3 Tax Controversies. Subject to the provisions hereof, the General Partner, or such other Partner as the General Partner shall designate, shall act as the Tax Matters Partner (as defined in the Code) and is authorized and required to represent the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) in connection with all examinations of the Partnership’s affairs by tax authorities, including resulting administrative and judicial proceedings, and to expend Partnership funds for professional services and costs associated therewith. Each Partner agrees to cooperate with the Tax Matters Partner and to do or refrain from doing any or all things reasonably required by the Tax Matters Partner to conduct such proceedings. Each Partner agrees that notice of or updates regarding tax controversies shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made by the Tax Matters Partner if the Partnership has either (i) filed the information for which notice is required with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system and such information is publicly available on such system or (ii) made the information for which notice is required available on any publicly available website maintained by the Partnership, whether or not such Partner remains a Partner in the Partnership at the time such information is made publicly available.

Section 9.4 Withholding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the General Partner is authorized to take any action that may be required to cause the Partnership and other Group Members to comply with any withholding requirements established under the Code or any other U.S. federal, state or local law, including pursuant to Sections 1441, 1442, 1445 and 1446 of the Code. To the extent that the Partnership is required or elects to withhold and pay over to any taxing authority any amount resulting from the allocation or distribution of income to any Partner (including by reason of Section 1446 of the Code), the General Partner may treat the amount withheld as a distribution of cash pursuant to Section 6.3 in the amount of such withholding from such Partner.

ARTICLE X

ADMISSION OF PARTNERS

Section 10.1 Admission of Limited Partners.

(a) By acceptance of the transfer of any Limited Partner Interests or the issuance of any Limited Partner Interests in accordance herewith, and except as provided in Section 4.8, each transferee or other recipient of a Limited Partner Interest (including any nominee holder or an agent or representative acquiring such Limited Partner Interests for the account of another Person) (i) shall be admitted to the Partnership as a Limited Partner

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with respect to the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or issued to such Person when any such transfer or issuance is reflected in the books and records of the Partnership, (ii) shall become bound by the terms of, and shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by, this Agreement, (iii) shall become the Record Holder of the Limited Partner Interests so transferred or issued, (iv) represents that the transferee or other recipient has the capacity, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and (v) makes the consents, acknowledgments and waivers contained in this Agreement, all with or without execution of this Agreement. The transfer of any Limited Partner Interests and/or the admission of any new Limited Partner shall not constitute an amendment to this Agreement. A Person may become a Record Holder without the consent or approval of any of the Partners. A Person may not become a Limited Partner without acquiring a Limited Partner Interest. The rights and obligations of a Person who is an Ineligible Holder shall be determined in accordance with Section 4.8.

(b) The name and mailing address of each Record Holder shall be listed on the books and records of the Partnership maintained for such purpose by the General Partner or the Transfer Agent. The General Partner shall update its books and records from time to time as necessary to reflect accurately the information therein (or shall cause the Transfer Agent to do so, as applicable). A Limited Partner Interest may be represented by a Certificate, as provided in Section 4.1.

(c) Any transfer of a Limited Partner Interest shall not entitle the transferee to share in the profits and losses, to receive distributions, to receive allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit or any similar item or to any other rights to which the transferor was entitled until the transferee becomes a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 10.1(a).

Section 10.2 Admission of Successor General Partner. A successor General Partner approved pursuant to Section 11.1 or the transferee of or successor to all of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6 who is proposed to be admitted as a successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner, effective immediately prior to the withdrawal of the predecessor or transferring General Partner, pursuant to Section 11.1 or the transfer of the General Partner Interest pursuant to Section 4.6, provided, however, that no such successor shall be admitted to the Partnership until compliance with the terms of Section 4.6 has occurred and such successor has executed and delivered such other documents or instruments as may be required to effect such admission. Any such successor shall, subject to the terms hereof, carry on the business of the members of the Partnership Group without dissolution.

Section 10.3 Amendment of Agreement and Certificate of Limited Partnership. To effect the admission to the Partnership of any Partner, the General Partner shall take all steps necessary under the Delaware Act to amend the records of the Partnership to reflect such admission and, if necessary, to prepare as soon as practicable an amendment to this Agreement and, if required by law, the General Partner shall prepare and file an amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership.

ARTICLE XI

WITHDRAWAL OF PARTNERS

Section 11.1 Withdrawal of the General Partner.

(a) The General Partner shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Partnership upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (each such event herein referred to as an “Event of Withdrawal”):

(i) The General Partner transfers all of its rights as General Partner pursuant to Section 4.6;

(ii) The General Partner (A) makes a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (B) files a voluntary bankruptcy petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code; (C) files a petition or answer seeking for itself a liquidation, dissolution or similar relief (but not a reorganization) under any law; (D) files an answer or other pleading admitting or failing to contest the material allegations of a petition filed against the General Partner in a proceeding of the type described in clauses (A) through

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(C) of this Section 11.1(a)(ii); or (E) seeks, consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a trustee (but not a debtor-in-possession), receiver or liquidator of the General Partner or of all or any substantial part of its properties;

(iii) A final and non-appealable order of relief under Chapter 7 of the United States Bankruptcy Code is entered by a court with appropriate jurisdiction pursuant to a voluntary or involuntary petition by or against the General Partner; or

(iv)(A) if the General Partner is a corporation, a certificate of dissolution or its equivalent is filed for the General Partner, or 90 days expire after the date of notice to the General Partner of revocation of its charter without a reinstatement of its charter, under the laws of its state of incorporation; (B) if the General Partner is a limited liability company or a partnership, the dissolution and commencement of winding up of the General Partner; (C) if the General Partner is acting in such capacity by virtue of being a trustee of a trust, the termination of the trust; and (D) if the General Partner is a natural person, his death or adjudication of incompetency.

If an Event of Withdrawal occurs, the withdrawing General Partner shall give notice to the Partners within 30 days after such occurrence. The Partners hereby agree that only the Events of Withdrawal described in this Section 11.1 shall result in the withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership.

(b) Withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. The withdrawal of the General Partner from the Partnership upon the occurrence of an Event of Withdrawal shall also constitute the withdrawal of the General Partner as general partner or managing member, if any, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members. If the General Partner gives notice of withdrawal pursuant to Section 11.1(a), the holders of a Unit Majority, may, prior to the effective date of such withdrawal, elect a successor General Partner. The Person so elected as successor General Partner shall automatically become the successor general partner or managing member, to the extent applicable, of the other Group Members of which the General Partner is a general partner or a managing member. If, prior to the effective date of the General Partner’s withdrawal, a successor is not selected by the Partners as provided herein, the Partnership shall be dissolved in accordance with Section 12.1, unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2. Any successor General Partner elected in accordance with the terms of this Section 11.1 shall be subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.

Section 11.2 Interest of Departing General Partner and Successor General Partner.

(a) If the General Partner withdraws as General Partner (other than by transfer of its general partner interest), it shall become a Limited Partner and any economic general partner interest owned by it shall be converted into Common Units and, prior to the end of the Subordination Period, Subordinated Units with a value equivalent to the value of its general partner interest as agreed between the departing General Partner and the successor General Partner or, if they cannot agree or if there is no successor General Partner, pursuant to a valuation made by an investment banking firm or other independent expert, without reduction in such Partnership Interest (but subject to proportionate dilution by reason of the admission of its successor). For purposes of this Agreement, conversion of a general partner interest to Common Units and Subordination Units will be characterized as if the Departing General Partner (or its Affiliates) contributed the its general partner interest to the Partnership in exchange for the newly issued Common Units and Subordinated Units.

(b) If a successor General Partner is elected in accordance with the terms of Section 11.1 (or if the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2 and the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner), such successor General Partner shall be entitled to its Percentage Interest of all Partnership allocations and distributions to which the Departing General Partner was entitled, if any. In addition, the successor General Partner shall cause this Agreement to be amended to reflect that, from and after the date of such successor General Partner’s admission, the successor General Partner’s interest in all Partnership distributions and allocations, if any, shall be its Percentage Interest.

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Section 11.3 Withdrawal of Limited Partners. No Limited Partner shall have any right to withdraw from the Partnership; provided, however, that when a transferee of a Limited Partner’s Partnership Interest becomes a Record Holder of the Partnership Interest so transferred, such transferring Limited Partner shall cease to be a Limited Partner with respect to the Partnership Interest so transferred.

ARTICLE XII

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

Section 12.1 Dissolution. The Partnership shall not be dissolved by the admission of additional Partners or by the admission of a successor General Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. Upon the withdrawal of the General Partner, if a successor General Partner is elected pursuant to Section 11.1, the Partnership shall not be dissolved and such successor General Partner shall continue the business of the Partnership. The Partnership shall dissolve, and (subject to Section 12.2) its affairs shall be wound up, upon:

(a) an Event of Withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a) or a withdrawal of the General Partner in violation of this Agreement, unless a successor is elected and such successor is admitted to the Partnership pursuant to Section 10.2;

(b) an election to dissolve the Partnership by the General Partner that is approved by the holders of a Unit Majority;

(d) at any time there are no Limited Partners, unless the Partnership is continued without dissolution in accordance with the Delaware Act.

Section 12.2 Continuation of the Business of the Partnership After Dissolution. Upon (a) an Event of Withdrawal caused by the withdrawal of the General Partner as provided in Section 11.1(a)(iv) and (b) the failure of the Partners to select a successor to such Departing General Partner pursuant to Section 11.1 then, to the maximum extent permitted by law, within 180 days thereafter, a Unit Majority may elect to continue the business of the Partnership on the same terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement by appointing as the successor General Partner a Person approved by a Unit Majority. Unless such an election is made within the applicable time period as set forth above, the Partnership shall conduct only activities necessary to wind up its affairs. If such an election is so made, then:

(i) the Partnership shall continue without dissolution unless earlier dissolved in accordance with this Article XII;

(ii) if the successor General Partner is not the former General Partner, then the interest of the former General Partner shall be treated in the manner provided in Section 11.2; and

(iii) the successor General Partner shall be admitted to the Partnership as General Partner, effective as of the Event of Withdrawal, by agreeing in writing to be bound by this Agreement;

provided, that the right of a Unit Majority to approve a successor General Partner and to continue the business of the Partnership shall not exist and may not be exercised unless the Partnership has received an Opinion of Counsel that (x) the exercise of the right would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner under the Delaware Act and (y) neither the Partnership nor any successor limited partnership would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of such right to continue (to the extent not already so treated or taxed).

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Section 12.3 Liquidator. Upon dissolution of the Partnership, unless the business of the Partnership is continued pursuant to Section 12.2, the General Partner shall select one or more Persons to act as Liquidator. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall be entitled to receive such compensation for its services as may be approved by holders of a Unit Majority. The Liquidator (if other than the General Partner) shall agree not to resign at any time without 15 days’ prior notice and may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by notice of removal approved by holders of a Unit Majority. Upon dissolution, removal or resignation of the Liquidator, a successor and substitute Liquidator (who shall have and succeed to all rights, powers and duties of the original Liquidator) shall within 30 days thereafter be approved by holders of a majority of the Outstanding Common Units. The right to approve a successor or substitute Liquidator in the manner provided herein shall be deemed to refer also to any such successor or substitute Liquidator approved in the manner herein provided. Except as expressly provided in this Article XII, the Liquidator approved in the manner provided herein shall have and may exercise, without further authorization or consent of any of the parties hereto, all of the powers conferred upon the General Partner under the terms of this Agreement (but subject to all of the applicable limitations, contractual and otherwise, upon the exercise of such powers, other than the limitation on sale set forth in Section 7.4) necessary or appropriate to carry out the duties and functions of the Liquidator hereunder for and during the period of time required to complete the winding up and liquidation of the Partnership as provided for herein.

Section 12.4 Liquidation. The Liquidator shall proceed to dispose of the assets of the Partnership, discharge its liabilities, and otherwise wind up its affairs in such manner and over such period as determined by the Liquidator, subject to Section 17-804 of the Delaware Act and the following:

(a) The assets may be disposed of by public or private sale or by distribution in kind to one or more Partners on such terms as the Liquidator and such Partner or Partners may agree. If any property is distributed in kind, the Partner receiving the property shall be deemed for purposes of Section 12.4(c) to have received cash equal to its fair market value; and contemporaneously therewith, appropriate cash distributions must be made to the other Partners. The Liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of the Partnership’s assets for a reasonable time if it determines that an immediate sale or distribution of all or some of the Partnership’s assets would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners. The Liquidator may distribute the Partnership’s assets, in whole or in part, in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the Partners.

(b) Liabilities of the Partnership include amounts owed to the Liquidator as compensation for serving in such capacity (subject to the terms of Section 12.3) and amounts to Partners otherwise than in respect of their distribution rights under Article VI. With respect to any liability that is contingent, conditional or unmatured or is otherwise not yet due and payable, the Liquidator shall either settle such claim for such amount as it thinks appropriate or establish a reserve of cash or other assets to provide for its payment. When paid, any unused portion of the reserve shall be distributed as additional liquidation proceeds.

(c) Subject to the terms of any Supplemental Terms Annex, all property and all cash in excess of that required to discharge liabilities as provided in Section 12.4(b) shall be distributed to the Partners in accordance with, and to the extent of, the positive balances in their respective Capital Accounts, as determined after taking into account all Capital Account adjustments (other than those made by reason of distributions pursuant to this Section 12.4(c)) for the taxable period of the Partnership during which the liquidation of the Partnership occurs (with such date of occurrence being determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(g)), and such distribution shall be made by the end of such taxable period (or, if later, within 90 days after said date of such occurrence).

Section 12.5 Cancellation of Certificate of Limited Partnership. Upon the completion of the distribution of Partnership cash and property as provided in Section 12.4 in connection with the liquidation of the Partnership, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and all qualifications of the Partnership as a foreign limited partnership in jurisdictions other than the State of Delaware shall be canceled and such other actions as may be necessary to terminate the Partnership shall be taken.

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Section 12.6 Return of Contributions. The General Partner shall not be personally liable for, and shall have no obligation to contribute or loan any monies or property to the Partnership to enable it to effectuate, the return of the Capital Contributions of the Partners or Unitholders, or any portion thereof, it being expressly understood that any such return shall be made solely from Partnership assets.

Section 12.7 Waiver of Partition. To the maximum extent permitted by law, each Partner hereby waives any right to partition of the Partnership property.

Section 12.8 Capital Account Restoration. No Limited Partner shall have any obligation to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of the Partnership. The General Partner shall be obligated to restore any negative balance in its Capital Account upon liquidation of its interest in the Partnership by the end of the taxable period of the Partnership during which such liquidation occurs, or, if later, within 90 days after the date of such liquidation.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT; MEETINGS; RECORD DATE

Section 13.1 Amendments to be Adopted Solely by the General Partner. Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any other Partner, may amend any provision of this Agreement and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith, to reflect:

(a) a change in the name of the Partnership, the location of the principal place of business of the Partnership, the registered agent of the Partnership or the registered office of the Partnership;

(b) admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of Partners in accordance with this Agreement;

(c) a change that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue the qualification of the Partnership as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that the Group Members will not be treated as associations taxable as corporations or otherwise taxed as entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

(d) a change that the General Partner determines (i) does not adversely affect the Limited Partners (including any particular class of Partnership Interests as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests) in any material respect, (ii) to be necessary, appropriate or desirable to (A) satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute (including the Delaware Act) or (B) facilitate the trading of the Units (including the division of any class or classes of Outstanding Units into different classes to facilitate uniformity of tax consequences within such classes of Units) or comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which any class of Partnership Interests are or will be listed or admitted to trading, (iii) to be necessary or appropriate in connection with action taken by the General Partner pursuant to Section 5.6 or (iv) is required to effect the intent expressed in the Registration Statement or the intent of the provisions of this Agreement or is otherwise contemplated by this Agreement or is required to effect any Required Provision;

(e) a change in the fiscal year or taxable period of the Partnership and any other changes that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate as a result of a change in the fiscal year or taxable period of the Partnership including, if the General Partner shall so determine, a change in the definition of “Quarter” and the dates on which distributions are to be made by the Partnership;

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(f) an amendment that is necessary, in the Opinion of Counsel, to prevent the Partnership, or the General Partner or their directors, officers, trustees or agents from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, regardless of whether such are substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed by the United States Department of Labor;

(g) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate in connection with the creation, authorization or issuance of any class or series of Partnership Interests or any Derivative Instruments pursuant to Section 5.5, including, without limitation, adopting the Supplemental Terms Annex for such class or series;

(h) any amendment expressly permitted in this Agreement to be made by the General Partner acting alone;

(i) an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a Merger Agreement approved in accordance with Section 14.3;

(j) an amendment that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to reflect and account for the formation by the Partnership of, or investment by the Partnership in, any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, in connection with the conduct by the Partnership of activities permitted by the terms of Section 2.4 or Section 7.1(a);

(k) a merger, conveyance or conversion pursuant to Section 14.3(d); or

(l) any other amendments substantially similar to the foregoing.

Section 13.2 Amendment Procedures. Amendments to this Agreement may be proposed only by the General Partner. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner shall have no duty or obligation to propose or approve any amendment to this Agreement and may decline to do so in its sole discretion. An amendment shall be effective upon its approval by the General Partner and, except as otherwise provided by Sections 13.1 or 13.3, a Unit Majority, unless a greater or different percentage is required under this Agreement or by Delaware law. Each proposed amendment that requires the approval of the holders of a specified percentage of Outstanding Units shall be set forth in a writing that contains the text of the proposed amendment. If such an amendment is proposed, the General Partner shall seek the written approval of the requisite percentage of Outstanding Units or call a meeting of the Unitholders to consider and vote on such proposed amendment. The General Partner shall notify all Record Holders upon final adoption of any amendments. The General Partner shall be deemed to have notified all Record Holders as required by this Section 13.2 if it has either (a) filed such amendment with the Commission via its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system and such amendment is publicly available on such system or (b) made such amendment available on any publicly available website maintained by the Partnership.

Section 13.3 Amendment Requirements.

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 (other than Section 13.1(d)(iv)) and Section 13.2, no provision of this Agreement (other than Section 13.5) that establishes a percentage of Outstanding Units (including Units deemed owned by the General Partner) or requires a vote or approval of Partners (or a subset of Partners) holding a specified Percentage Interest to take any action shall be amended, altered, changed, repealed or rescinded in any respect that would have the effect of reducing or increasing such percentage, unless such amendment is approved by the written consent or the affirmative vote of holders of Outstanding Units whose aggregate Outstanding Units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced or increased, as applicable, or the affirmative vote of Partners whose aggregate Percentage Interests constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced or increased, as applicable.

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(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 13.1 (other than Section 13.1(d)(iv)) and Section 13.2, no amendment to this Agreement may (i) enlarge the obligations of (including requiring any holder of a class of Partnership Interests to make additional Capital Contributions to the Partnership) any Limited Partner without its consent, unless such shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of an amendment approved pursuant to Section 13.3(c), or (ii) enlarge the obligations of, restrict, change or modify in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable to, the General Partner or any of its Affiliates without its consent, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.

(c) Except as provided in Sections 13.1 or 14.3, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any class of Partnership Interests in relation to other classes of Partnership Interests must be approved by the holders of not less than a majority of the Outstanding Partnership Interests of the class affected. If the General Partner determines an amendment does not satisfy the requirements of Section 13.1(d)(i) because it adversely affects one or more classes of Partnership Interests, as compared to other classes of Partnership Interests, in any material respect, such amendment shall only be required to be approved by the adversely affected class or classes.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, except for amendments pursuant to Section 13.1 and except as otherwise provided by Section 14.3(b), no amendments shall become effective without the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the Percentage Interests of all Limited Partners voting as a single class unless the Partnership obtains an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such amendment will not affect the limited liability of any Limited Partner under applicable partnership law of the state under whose laws the Partnership is organized.

(e) Except as provided in Section 13.1, this Section 13.3 shall only be amended with the approval of Partners (including the General Partner and its Affiliates) holding at least 90% of the Percentage Interests of all Limited Partners.

Section 13.4 Amendments to Organizational Documents of General Partner and Other Subsidiaries. Each Partner agrees that the General Partner, without the approval of any other Partner, may amend any provision of the organizational documents of any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Partnership (including the General Partner and the Original General Partner) and execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith.

Section 13.5 Special Meetings; Annual Meetings; Election of Directors.

(a) All acts of Limited Partners to be taken pursuant to this Agreement shall be taken in the manner provided in this Article XIII. Special meetings of the Limited Partners may be called by the General Partner or by Limited Partners owning 20% or more of the Outstanding Units of the class or classes for which a meeting is proposed. Limited Partners shall call a special meeting by delivering to the General Partner one or more requests in writing stating that the signing Limited Partners wish to call a special meeting and indicating the specific purposes for which the special meeting is to be called and the class or classes of Units for which the meeting is proposed. No business may be brought by any Limited Partner before such special meeting except the business listed in the related request. Within 60 days after receipt of such a call from Limited Partners or within such greater time as may be reasonably necessary for the Partnership to comply with any statutes, rules, regulations, listing agreements or similar requirements governing the holding of a meeting or the solicitation of proxies for use at such a meeting, the General Partner shall send a notice of the meeting to the Limited Partners either directly or indirectly through the Transfer Agent. A meeting shall be held at a time and place determined by the General Partner on a date not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days after the time notice of the meeting is given as provided in Section 16.1. Limited Partners shall not vote on matters that would cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.

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(b) (i) An annual meeting of the Limited Partners for the election of Directors to the Board of Directors of the General Partner and such other matters as the Board of Directors shall submit to a vote of the Limited Partners shall be held at such date and time as may be fixed from time to time by the General Partner at such place within or without the State of Delaware as may be fixed from time to time by the General Partner and all as stated in the notice of the meeting. Notice of the annual meeting shall be given in accordance with Section 13.6 not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date of such meeting. The first such annual meeting of the Limited Partners for the election of Directors to the Board of Directors of the General Partner shall take place prior to May 31, 2016.

(ii) The Limited Partners entitled to vote at the annual meeting shall vote together as a single class. The Limited Partners entitled to vote shall elect by a plurality of the votes cast at such meeting persons to serve on the Board of Directors of the General Partner who are nominated in accordance with the provisions of this Section 13.5(b). The exercise by a Limited Partner of the right to elect the Directors and any other rights afforded to such Limited Partner under this Section 13.5(b) shall be in such Limited Partner’s capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership and shall not cause a Limited Partner to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize such Limited Partner’s limited liability under the Delaware Act or the law of any other state in which the Partnership is qualified to do business.

(iii) Solely with respect to the election of Directors to the Board of Directors, the General Partner and the Partnership shall not be entitled to vote Units that are otherwise entitled to vote at any meeting of the Unitholders and the foregoing Units shall not be counted when calculating the required votes for such matter and shall not be deemed to be Outstanding for purposes of determining a quorum for such meeting pursuant to Section 13.10 (but such Units shall not, however, be treated as a separate class of Partnership Interests for purposes of this Agreement).

(iv) At all elections of the Board of Directors, each Limited Partner entitled to vote at such an election will be entitled to cumulate his votes and give one candidate, or divide among any number of candidates, a number of votes equal to the product of (x) the number of Units held by such Limited Partner entitled to vote for the election of Board Members, multiplied by (y) the number of Board Members to be elected at such meeting by such class or classes of Unitholders.

(v) The number of Directors that shall constitute the whole Board of Directors of the General Partner shall not be less than nine and not more than thirteen as shall be established from time to time by a resolution adopted by a majority of the Directors, provided that no decrease shall shorten the term of any incumbent Director. At each annual meeting of the Limited Partners, Directors to replace those whose terms expire at such annual meeting shall be elected to hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting.

(vi) Each Director shall hold office for the term for which such Director is elected and thereafter until such Director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such Director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Any vacancies may be filled, until the next annual meeting at which the term of such class expires, by a majority of the remaining Directors then in office. Each Director may, during his or her term of office, be removed at any time, with or without Cause, by the written consent of the holders of record of a Cumulative Majority of the Common Units and Subordinated Units then Outstanding, and any vacancy created by such removal may also be filled by the holders of record of a Cumulative Majority of the Common Units and Subordinated Units then Outstanding pursuant to a written consent or at the next annual or special meeting of Limited Partners. “Cause” means a court of competent jurisdiction has entered a final, non-appealable judgment finding the Director liable to the Partnership or any Limited Partner for actual fraud or willful misconduct in his or her capacity as a Director.

(vii) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the General Partner may be made at an annual meeting of the Limited Partners only (a) pursuant to the General Partner’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto), (b) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (c) if such nominee is a Qualified Nominee, by any Limited Partner or group of Limited Partners (either, a “Nominating Limited Partner Group”) who (x) together hold Units representing at least ten percent

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(10%) of the Fully Diluted Percentage Interests both at the time of giving of notice of such nominations and at the time of the meeting, (y) are each entitled to vote for the election of the class of Director so nominated and (z) comply with the notice procedures set forth in Section 13.5(b)(viii). No Limited Partner may participate in more than one Nominating Limited Partner Group nominating Directors for election by holders of the same class or classes of Units at any annual or special meeting. Nominations by Limited Partners of any individuals for election to the Board shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing and in proper form (the “Nomination Notice”) to the General Partner. Any Nomination Notice shall include information about the Nominating Limited Partner Group and the individuals nominated by such Nominating Limited Partner Group for election to the Board as may reasonably be requested by the Board in policies or procedures delivered to the Limited Partners not less than thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of the Nomination Period. For each election, each Nominating Limited Partner Group may nominate for election to the Board of Directors a number of individuals equal to the number of Directors to be elected at such annual or special meeting. In the event that more than one Nominating Limited Partner Group nominates individuals for election to the Board in accordance with this Section 13.5(b)(vii) for any election, and the total number of individuals nominated for election to the Board by all Nominating Limited Partner Groups exceeds the number of Board Members to be elected at such annual or special meeting, the number of individuals each Nominating Limited Partner Group will be permitted to nominate will be proportionately reduced, based on the relative Fully Diluted Percentage Interests of all such Nominating Limited Partner Groups, until the total number of individuals nominated by Nominating Limited Partner Groups is equal to the number of Directors to be elected at such annual or special meeting. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the number of individuals nominated by any Nominating Limited Partner Group for any election shall not be reduced to less than one nominee. Any Director that has been removed by the Board in accordance with Section 13.5(b)(x) is not eligible to be a Qualified Nominee nominated by any Nominating Limited Partner Group until such time as the Board determines that his or her service on the Board would no longer be detrimental to the interests of the Company or the Partnership.

(viii) (A) For any nominations brought before an annual meeting by a Limited Partner pursuant to Section 13.5(b)(vii), the Limited Partner must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the General Partner. To be timely, a Limited Partner’s notice shall be delivered to the General Partner not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day, nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day, prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting or, in the case of the first annual meeting, prior to [May 31, 2016] (provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is more than thirty (30) days before or more than seventy (70) days after such anniversary date, notice by the Limited Partner must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by the Partnership or the General Partner)(such period, the “Nomination Period”). In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a Limited Partner’s notice as described above. Such Limited Partner’s notice shall set forth: (a) as to each person whom the Limited Partner proposes to nominate for election as a Director (i) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act and (ii) such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a Director if elected; and (b) as to the Limited Partner giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made (i) the name and address of such Limited Partner, as they appear on the Partnership’s books and records, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class or series and number of Units which are owned beneficially and of record by such Limited Partner and such beneficial owner, (iii) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding with respect to the nomination between or among such Limited Partner and such beneficial owner, any of their respective Affiliates or associates,

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and any others acting in concert with any of the foregoing, (iv) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions, and borrowed or loaned Units) that has been entered into as of the date of the Limited Partner’s notice by, or on behalf of, such Limited Partner and such beneficial owners, the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of Unit price changes for, or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Limited Partner and such beneficial owner, with respect to Units, (v) a representation that the Limited Partner is a Record Holder entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such nomination, and (vi) a representation whether the Limited Partner or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends (a) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Partnership’s Outstanding Units required to elect the nominee and/or (b) otherwise to solicit proxies from Limited Partners in support of such nomination. The General Partner may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a Director of the General Partner.

(B) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of Section 13.5(b)(viii)(A) to the contrary, in the event that the number of Directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the General Partner is increased effective at the annual meeting and there is no public announcement by the Partnership or the General Partner naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting or, in the case of the first annual meeting, prior to [May 31, 2016], a Limited Partner’s notice required by this Section 13.5(b)(vi) shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it shall be delivered to the General Partner not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Partnership or the General Partner.

(C) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of Limited Partners at which Directors are to be elected pursuant to the General Partner’s notice of meeting (1) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof or (2) provided that the Board of Directors or the Limited Partners hereof has determined that Directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any Limited Partner who is a Record Holder at the time the notice provided for in this Section 13.5(b)(vi) is delivered to the General Partner, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and upon such election and who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 13.5(b)(vi). In the event the General Partner calls a special meeting of Limited Partners for the purpose of electing one or more Directors to the Board of Directors, any such Limited Partner entitled to vote in such election of Directors may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the General Partner’s notice of meeting, if the Limited Partner’s notice required by paragraph 13.5(b)(vii) shall be delivered to the General Partner not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such special meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment or postponement of a special meeting commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a Limited Partner’s notice as described above.

(D) (1) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 13.5(b)(vi) shall be eligible to be elected at an annual or special meeting of Limited Partners to serve as Directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, the chairman designated by the General Partner pursuant to Section 13.11 shall have the power and duty (a) to determine whether a nomination was made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 13.5(b)(vi) and (b) if any proposed nomination was not made in compliance with this Section 13.5(b)(vi), to declare that such nomination shall be disregarded. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 13.5(b)(vi), unless otherwise required by law, if the Limited Partner (or a qualified representative of the Limited Partner) does not appear at the annual or special meeting of Limited Partners to present a nomination, such nomination shall be disregarded notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have

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been received by the General Partner or the Partnership. For purposes of this Section 13.5(b)(vi), to be considered a qualified representative of the Limited Partner, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such Limited Partner or must be authorized by a writing executed by such Limited Partner or an electronic transmission delivered by such Limited Partner to act for such Limited Partner as proxy at the meeting of Limited Partners and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting of Limited Partners.

(2) For purposes of this Section 13.5(b)(vi), “public announcement” shall include disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or other national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Partnership or the General Partner with the Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act.

(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 13.5(b)(vi), a Limited Partner shall also comply with all applicable requirements of the Securities Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 13.5(b)(vi); provided however, that any references in this Agreement to the Securities Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit any requirements applicable to nominations pursuant to this Section 13.5(b)(vi), and compliance with this Section 13.5(b)(vi) shall be the exclusive means for a Limited Partner to make nominations.

(ix) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 13.5(b), the General Partner and the members of the General Partner are authorized, and shall use their commercially reasonable best efforts, to take such action (including, without limitation, the removal and appointment of Directors) as shall be necessary or appropriate to cause a majority of the Board of Directors of the General Partner to consist of individuals other than individuals who are officers, directors, employees or agents of the General Partner; provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude the election of individuals who are Directors of the General Partner and who are not otherwise affiliated with the General Partner; provided further, however, that this provision shall be subject to the compliance with any rule or listing standard of a National Securities Exchange on which any Units or other Partnership Interests are listed or quoted.

(x) In the event that the Board of Directors determines, by a Supermajority Vote of the Board of Directors, that the service of any Director is detrimental to the interests of the General Partner or the Partnership, including because such Board member or any of his or her controlled Affiliates is actively engaged in a business or activity (as opposed to passive investments) which is detrimentally competitive in any material respect with the business of the General Partner or the Partnership or any of their respective controlled Affiliates, the Board of Directors may remove such Director by Supermajority Vote of the Board of Directors and any vacancy created by such removal shall be filled by the holders of the Units (voting in accordance with the cumulative voting provisions set forth in Section 13.5(b)(iv)) then Outstanding and entitled to elect such Director by written consent or at the next annual or special meeting of Limited Partners.

(xi) This Section 13.5(b) shall not be deemed in any way to limit or impair the ability of the Board of Directors of the General Partner to adopt a “poison pill” or Unitholder or other similar rights plan with respect to the Partnership, whether such poison pill or plan contains “dead hand” provisions, “no hand” provisions or other provisions relating to the redemption of the poison pill or plan, in each case as such terms are used under Delaware common law.

(xii) The General Partner shall use its commercially reasonable best efforts to take such action as shall be necessary or appropriate to give effect to and implement the provisions of this Section 13.5(b), including, without limitation, amending the limited liability company agreement of the General Partner.

(xiii) Except as set forth in Section 13.5(b)(iii), this Section 13.5(b) may not be amended except upon the prior approval of Limited Partners that hold two-thirds of the Outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units, voting as a single class.

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(c) If the General Partner delegates to an existing or newly formed wholly-owned subsidiary the power and authority to manage and control the business and affairs of the Partnership Group, the provisions of Section 13.5(b) shall be applicable with respect to the board of directors or other governing body of such subsidiary.

Section 13.6 Notice of a Meeting. Notice of a meeting called pursuant to Section 13.5 shall be given to the Record Holders of the class or classes of Units for which a meeting is proposed in writing by mail or other means of written communication in accordance with Section 16.1. The notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication.

Section 13.7 Record Date. For purposes of determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners or to give approvals without a meeting as provided in Section 13.12 the General Partner may set a Record Date, which shall not be less than 10 nor more than 60 days before (a) the date of the meeting (unless such requirement conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading or U.S. federal securities laws, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange or U.S. federal securities laws shall govern) or (b) in the event that approvals are sought without a meeting, the date by which Limited Partners are requested in writing by the General Partner to give such approvals. If the General Partner does not set a Record Date, then (a) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of the Limited Partners shall be the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, and (b) the Record Date for determining the Limited Partners entitled to give approvals without a meeting shall be the date the first written approval is deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner in accordance with Section 13.12.

Section 13.8 Adjournment. Prior to the date upon which any meeting of Limited Partners is to be held, the General Partner may postpone such meeting one or more times for any reason by giving notice to each Limited Partner entitled to vote at the meeting so postponed of the place, date and hour at which such meeting would be held. Such notice shall be given not fewer than two days before the date of such meeting and otherwise in accordance with this Article XIII. When a meeting is postponed, a new Record Date need not be fixed unless such postponement shall be for more than 45 days. Any meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned by the General Partner one or more times for any reason, including the failure of a quorum to be present at the meeting with respect to any proposal or the failure of any proposal to receive sufficient votes for approval. No Limited Partner vote shall be required for any adjournment. A meeting of Limited Partners may be adjourned by the General Partner as to one or more proposals regardless of whether action has been taken on other matters. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting and a new Record Date need not be fixed, if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless such adjournment shall be for more than 45 days. At the adjourned meeting, the Partnership may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if a new Record Date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given in accordance with this Article XIII.

Section 13.9 Waiver of Notice; Approval of Meeting; Approval of Minutes. The transaction of business at any meeting of Limited Partners, however called and noticed, and whenever held, shall be as valid as if it had occurred at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy. Attendance of a Limited Partner at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of the meeting, except when the Limited Partner attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened; and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to disapprove the consideration of matters required to be included in the notice of the meeting, but not so included, if the disapproval is expressly made at the meeting.

Section 13.10 Quorum and Voting. The holders of a majority, by Percentage Interest, of Partnership Interests of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Partnership Interests deemed owned by the General Partner) represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of

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Partners of such class or classes unless any such action by the Partners requires approval by holders of a greater Percentage Interest, in which case the quorum shall be such greater Percentage Interest. Abstentions and broker non-votes in respect of such Units shall be deemed to be Units present at such meeting for purposes of establishing a quorum. For all matters presented to the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units at a meeting at which a quorum is present for which no minimum or other vote of Limited Partners is required by any other provision of this Agreement, the rules or regulations of any National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are admitted to trading, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Partnership or its Partnership Interests, a majority of the votes cast by the Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units shall be deemed to constitute the act of all Limited Partners (with abstentions and broker non-votes being deemed to not have been cast with respect to such matter). On any matter where a minimum or other vote of Limited Partners holding Outstanding Units is provided by any other provision of this Agreement or required by the rules or regulations of any National Securities Exchange on which the Common Units are admitted to trading, or applicable law or pursuant to any regulation applicable to the Partnership or its Partnership Interests, such minimum or other vote shall be the vote of Limited Partners required to approve such matter (with the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes to be determined based on the vote of Limited Partners required to approve such matter; provided that if the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes is not specified by such applicable rule, regulation or law, and there is no prevailing interpretation of such effect, then abstentions and broker non-votes shall be deemed to not have been cast with respect to such matter; provided further, that, for the avoidance of doubt, with respect to any matter on which this Agreement requires the approval of a specified percentage of the Outstanding Units, abstentions and broker non-votes shall be counted as votes against such matter). The Partners present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough Partners to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by holders of the required Percentage Interest specified in this Agreement.

Section 13.11 Conduct of a Meeting. The General Partner shall have full power and authority concerning the manner of conducting any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including the determination of Persons entitled to vote, the existence of a quorum, the satisfaction of the requirements of Section 13.5, the conduct of voting, the validity and effect of any proxies and the determination of any controversies, votes or challenges arising in connection with or during the meeting or voting. The General Partner shall designate a Person to serve as chairman of any meeting and shall further designate a Person to take the minutes of any meeting. All minutes shall be kept with the records of the Partnership maintained by the General Partner. The General Partner may make such other regulations consistent with applicable law and this Agreement as it may deem advisable concerning the conduct of any meeting of the Limited Partners or solicitation of approvals in writing, including regulations in regard to the appointment of proxies, the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes and approvals, the submission and examination of proxies and other evidence of the right to vote, and the revocation of approvals in writing.

Section 13.12 Action Without a Meeting. If authorized by the General Partner, any action that may be taken at a meeting of the Limited Partners may be taken without a meeting, without a vote and without prior notice, if an approval in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Limited Partners owning not less than the minimum percentage, by Percentage Interest, of the Partnership Interests of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called (including Partnership Interests deemed owned by the General Partner), as the case may be, that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all the Limited Partners entitled to vote at such meeting were present and voted (unless such provision conflicts with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any National Securities Exchange on which the Units are listed or admitted to trading, in which case the rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of such National Securities Exchange shall govern). Prompt notice of the taking of action without a meeting shall be given to the Limited Partners who have not approved in writing. The General Partner may specify that any written ballot submitted to Limited Partners for the purpose of taking any action without a meeting shall be returned to the Partnership within the time period, which shall be not less than 20 days, specified by the General Partner. If a ballot returned to the Partnership does not vote all of the Units held by the Limited Partners, the Partnership shall be deemed to have failed to receive a

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ballot for the Units that were not voted. If approval of the taking of any action by the Limited Partners is solicited by any Person other than by or on behalf of the General Partner, the written approvals shall have no force and effect unless and until (a) they are deposited with the Partnership in care of the General Partner and (b) an Opinion of Counsel is delivered to the General Partner to the effect that the exercise of such right and the action proposed to be taken with respect to any particular matter (i) will not cause the Limited Partners to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of the business and affairs of the Partnership so as to jeopardize the Limited Partners’ limited liability, and (ii) is otherwise permissible under the state statutes then governing the rights, duties and liabilities of the Partnership and the Partners. Nothing contained in this Section 13.12 shall be deemed to require the General Partner to solicit all Limited Partners in connection with a matter approved by the holders of the requisite percentage of Units acting by written consent without a meeting.

Section 13.13 Right to Vote and Related Matters.

(a) Only those Record Holders of the Outstanding Units on the Record Date set pursuant to Section 13.7 shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, a meeting of Limited Partners or to act with respect to matters as to which the holders of the Outstanding Units have the right to vote or to act. All references in this Agreement to votes of, or other acts that may be taken by, the Outstanding Units shall be deemed to be references to the votes or acts of the Record Holders of such Outstanding Units.

(b) With respect to Units that are held for a Person’s account by another Person (such as a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation, or an agent of any of the foregoing), in whose name such Units are registered, such other Person shall, in exercising the voting rights in respect of such Units on any matter, and unless the arrangement between such Persons provides otherwise, vote such Units in favor of, and at the direction of, the Person who is the beneficial owner, and the Partnership shall be entitled to assume it is so acting without further inquiry. The provisions of this Section 13.13(b) (as well as all other provisions of this Agreement) are subject to the provisions of Section 4.3.

ARTICLE XIV

MERGER

Section 14.1 Authority. The Partnership may merge or consolidate with or into one or more corporations, limited liability companies, business trusts or associations, real estate investment trusts, common law trusts or unincorporated businesses, including a general partnership or limited partnership, or convert into any such entity, formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state of the United States of America, pursuant to a written agreement of merger or consolidation (“Merger Agreement”) or a written plan of conversion (“Plan of Conversion”), as the case may be, in accordance with this Article XIV.

Section 14.2 Procedure for Merger, Consolidation or Conversion.

(a) Merger, consolidation or conversion of the Partnership pursuant to this Article XIV requires the prior consent of the General Partner, provided, however, that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the General Partner, in declining to consent to a merger, consolidation or conversion, may act in its sole discretion.

(b) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the merger or consolidation, the General Partner shall approve the Merger Agreement, which shall set forth:

(i) the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of each of the business entities proposing to merge or consolidate;

(ii) the name and jurisdiction of formation or organization of the business entity that is to survive the proposed merger or consolidation (the “Surviving Business Entity”);

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(iii) the terms and conditions of the proposed merger or consolidation;

(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting the equity interests of each constituent business entity for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity; and (i) if any general or limited partner interests, securities or rights of any constituent business entity are not to be exchanged or converted solely for, or into, cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity, the cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of any limited partnership, corporation, trust or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity) which the holders of such general or limited partner interests, securities or rights are to receive in exchange for, or upon conversion of their general or limited partner interests, securities or rights, and (ii) in the case of equity interests represented by certificates, upon the surrender of such certificates, which cash, property or general or limited partner interests, rights, securities or obligations of the Surviving Business Entity or any general or limited partnership, corporation, trust or other entity (other than the Surviving Business Entity), or evidences thereof, are to be delivered;

(v) a statement of any changes in the constituent documents or the adoption of new constituent documents (the articles or certificate of incorporation, articles of trust, declaration of trust, certificate or agreement of limited partnership or other similar charter or governing document) of the Surviving Business Entity to be effected by such merger or consolidation;

(vi) the effective time of the merger, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of merger pursuant to Section 14.4 or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Merger Agreement (provided, that if the effective time of the merger is to be later than the date of the filing of the certificate of merger, the effective time shall be fixed no later than the time of the filing of the certificate of merger and stated therein); and

(vii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed merger or consolidation that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

(c) If the General Partner shall determine to consent to the conversion, the General Partner shall approve the Plan of Conversion, which shall set forth:

(i) the name of the Partnership and the converted entity;

(ii) a statement that the Partnership is continuing its existence in the organizational form of the converted entity;

(iii) a statement as to the type of entity that the converted entity is to be and the state or country under the laws of which the converted entity is to be incorporated, formed or organized;

(iv) the manner and basis of exchanging or converting Partnership Interests for, or into, cash, property or interests, rights, securities or obligations of the converted entity;

(v) in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership of the Partnership;

(vi) in an attachment or exhibit, the certificate of limited partnership, articles of incorporation or other organizational documents of the converted entity;

(vii) the effective time of the conversion, which may be the date of the filing of the certificate of conversion or a later date specified in or determinable in accordance with the Plan of Conversion (provided, that if the effective time of the conversion is to be later than the date of the filing of such certificate of conversion, the effective time shall be fixed at a date or time certain at or prior to the time of the filing of such certificate of conversion and stated therein); and

(viii) such other provisions with respect to the proposed conversion that the General Partner determines to be necessary or appropriate.

Section 14.3 Approval by Partners of Merger or Consolidation.

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(a) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(e), the General Partner, upon its approval of the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, shall direct that the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion, as applicable, be submitted to a vote of Partners, whether at a special meeting or by written consent, in either case in accordance with the requirements of Article XIII. A copy or a summary of the Merger Agreement or the Plan of Conversion, as applicable, shall be included in or enclosed with the notice of a special meeting or the written consent.

(b) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(e), the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion shall be approved upon receiving the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of a Unit Majority unless the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion provides for an amendment to any provision of this Agreement that, if contained in an amendment to this Agreement adopted pursuant to Article XIII, would require for its approval the vote or consent of a greater percentage of the Outstanding Units or of any class of Limited Partners, in which case such greater percentage vote or consent shall be required for approval of the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion.

(c) Except as provided in Sections 14.3(d) and 14.3(e), after such approval by vote or consent of the Limited Partners, and at any time prior to the filing of the certificate of merger or certificate of conversion pursuant to Section 14.4, the merger, consolidation or conversion may be abandoned pursuant to provisions therefor, if any, set forth in the Merger Agreement or Plan of Conversion.

(d) Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to convert the Partnership or any Group Member into a new limited liability entity, to merge the Partnership or any Group Member into, or convey all of the Partnership’s assets to, another limited liability entity that shall be newly formed and shall have no assets, liabilities or operations at the time of such merger or conveyance other than those it receives from the Partnership or other Group Member if (i) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the conversion, merger or conveyance, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability of any Limited Partner or any Group Member under the Delaware Act or cause the Partnership or any Group Member to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already treated as such), (ii) the sole purpose of such conversion, merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in the legal form of the Partnership into another limited liability entity and (iii) the General Partner determines that the governing instruments of the new entity provide the Limited Partners and the General Partner with substantially the same rights and obligations as are contained in this Agreement.

(e) Additionally, notwithstanding anything else contained in this Article XIV or in this Agreement, the General Partner is permitted, without Limited Partner approval, to merge or consolidate the Partnership with or into another entity if (A) the General Partner has received an Opinion of Counsel that the merger or consolidation, as the case may be, would not result in the loss of the limited liability under the Delaware Act of any Limited Partner or cause the Partnership to be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (to the extent not already treated as such), (B) the merger or consolidation would not result in an amendment to this Agreement, other than any amendments that could be adopted pursuant to Section 13.1, (C) the Partnership is the Surviving Business Entity in such merger or consolidation, (D) each Partnership Interest outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation is to be an identical Partnership Interest of the Partnership after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, and (E) the number of Partnership Interests to be issued by the Partnership in such merger or consolidation does not exceed 20% of the Partnership Interests Outstanding immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation.

Section 14.4 Certificate of Merger or Conversion. Upon the required approval by the General Partner and the Unitholders of a Merger Agreement or a Plan of Conversion, as the case may be, a certificate of merger or certificate of conversion, as applicable, shall be executed and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware in conformity with the requirements of the Delaware Act.

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Section 14.5 Amendment of Partnership Agreement. Pursuant to Section 17-211(g) of the Delaware Act, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved in accordance with this Article XIV may (a) effect any amendment to this Agreement or (b) effect the adoption of a new partnership agreement for the Partnership if it is the Surviving Business Entity. Any such amendment or adoption made pursuant to this Section 14.5 shall be effective at the effective time or date of the merger or consolidation.

Section 14.6 Effect of Merger or Consolidation.

(a) At the effective time of the certificate of merger:

(i) all of the rights, privileges and powers of each of the business entities that has merged or consolidated, and all property, real, personal and mixed, and all debts due to any of those business entities and all other things and causes of action belonging to each of those business entities, shall be vested in the Surviving Business Entity and after the merger or consolidation shall be the property of the Surviving Business Entity to the extent they were of each constituent business entity;

(ii) the title to any real property vested by deed or otherwise in any of those constituent business entities shall not revert and is not in any way impaired because of the merger or consolidation;

(iii) all rights of creditors and all liens on or security interests in property of any of those constituent business entities shall be preserved unimpaired; and

(iv) all debts, liabilities and duties of those constituent business entities shall attach to the Surviving Business Entity and may be enforced against it to the same extent as if the debts, liabilities and duties had been incurred or contracted by it.

(b) A merger or consolidation effected pursuant to this Article shall not, for purposes of this Agreement, be deemed to result in a transfer or assignment of assets or liabilities from one entity to another.

ARTICLE XV

RIGHT TO ACQUIRE LIMITED PARTNER INTERESTS

Section 15.1 Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests.

(a) Subject to the provisions of any Preferred Terms Annex, notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if at any time during the Subordination Period, the Partnership, together with any of its Affiliates, holds in the aggregate more than 80% of the maximum number of Common Units that were Outstanding at any point in time, the Partnership shall then have the right, which right it may assign and transfer in whole or in part to any Affiliate, exercisable in its sole discretion, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Outstanding Common Units, at the greater of (x) the Current Market Price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed and (y) the highest price paid by the Partnership for any Common Units purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice described in Section 15.1(b) is mailed.

(b) If the Partnership or its Affiliate elects to exercise the right to purchase Common Units granted pursuant to Section 15.1(a), then the Partnership shall deliver to the Transfer Agent notice of such election to purchase (the “Notice of Election to Purchase”) and shall cause the Transfer Agent to mail a copy of such Notice of Election to Purchase to the Record Holders of Common Units of such class (as of a Record Date selected by the Partnership) at least 10, but not more than 60, days prior to the Purchase Date. Such Notice of Election to Purchase shall also be filed and distributed as may be required by the Commission or any National Securities Exchange on which such Common Units are listed. The Notice of Election to Purchase shall specify the Purchase Date and the price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) at which Common Units will be purchased and state that the Partnership or its Affiliate, as the case may be, elects to purchase such Common Units, upon

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surrender of Certificates representing such Common Units in the case of Common Units evidenced by Certificates, in exchange for payment, at such office or offices of the Transfer Agent as the Transfer Agent may specify, or as may be required by any National Securities Exchange on which such Common Units are listed or admitted to trading. Any such Notice of Election to Purchase mailed to a Record Holder of Common Units at his address as reflected in the records of the Transfer Agent shall be conclusively presumed to have been given regardless of whether the owner receives such notice. On or prior to the Purchase Date, the Partnership or its Affiliate, as the case may be, shall deposit with the Transfer Agent cash in an amount sufficient to pay the aggregate purchase price of all of such Common Units to be purchased in accordance with this Section 15.1. If the Notice of Election to Purchase shall have been duly given as aforesaid at least 10 days prior to the Purchase Date, and if on or prior to the Purchase Date the deposit described in the preceding sentence has been made for the benefit of the holders of Common Units subject to purchase as provided herein, then from and after the Purchase Date, notwithstanding that any Certificate shall not have been surrendered for purchase, all rights of the holders of such Common Units shall thereupon cease, except the right to receive the purchase price (determined in accordance with Section 15.1(a)) for Common Units therefor, without interest, upon surrender to the Transfer Agent of the Certificates representing such Common Units in the case of Common Units evidenced by Certificates, and such Common Units shall thereupon be deemed to be transferred to the Partnership or its Affiliate, as the case may be, on the record books of the Transfer Agent and the Partnership, and the Partnership or its Affiliate, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be the owner of all such Common Units from and after the Purchase Date and shall have all rights as the owner of such Common Units.

(c) In the case of Common Units evidenced by Certificates, at any time from and after the Purchase Date, a holder of an Outstanding Common Unit subject to purchase as provided in this Section 15.1 may surrender his Certificate evidencing such Common Unit to the Transfer Agent in exchange for payment of the amount described in Section 15.1(a), therefor, without interest thereon.

ARTICLE XVI

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 16.1 Addresses and Notices; Written Communications.

(a) Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials required or permitted to be given or made to a Partner under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given or made when delivered in person or when sent by first class United States mail or by other means of written communication to the Partner at the address described below. Any notice, payment or report to be given or made to a Partner hereunder shall be deemed conclusively to have been given or made, and the obligation to give such notice or report or to make such payment shall be deemed conclusively to have been fully satisfied, upon sending of such notice, payment or report to the Record Holder of such Partnership Interests at his address as shown on the records of the Transfer Agent or as otherwise shown on the records of the Partnership, regardless of any claim of any Person who may have an interest in such Partnership Interests by reason of any assignment or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) a Partner shall consent to receiving notices, demands, requests, reports or proxy materials via electronic mail or by the Internet or (ii) the rules of the Commission shall permit any report or proxy materials to be delivered electronically or made available via the Internet, any such notice, demand, request, report or proxy materials shall be deemed given or made when delivered or made available via such mode of delivery. An affidavit or certificate of making of any notice, payment or report in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1(a) executed by the General Partner, the Transfer Agent or the mailing organization shall be prima facie evidence of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report. If any notice, payment or report given or made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 16.1(a) is returned marked to indicate that such notice, payment or report was unable to be delivered, such notice, payment or report and, in the case of notices, payments or reports returned by the United States Postal Service (or other physical mail delivery mail service outside the United States of America), any subsequent notices, payments and reports shall be deemed to have

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been duly given or made without further mailing (until such time as such Record Holder or another Person notifies the Transfer Agent or the Partnership of a change in his address) or other delivery if they are available for the Partner at the principal office of the Partnership for a period of one year from the date of the giving or making of such notice, payment or report to the other Partners. Any notice to the Partnership shall be deemed given if received by the General Partner at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 16.1(a). The General Partner may rely and shall be protected in relying on any notice or other document from a Partner or other Person if believed by it to be genuine.

(b) The terms “in writing”, “written communications,” “written notice” and words of similar import shall be deemed satisfied under this Agreement by use of e-mail and other forms of electronic communication.

Section 16.2 Further Action. The parties shall execute and deliver all documents, provide all information and take or refrain from taking action as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

Section 16.3 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives and permitted assigns.

Section 16.4 Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

Section 16.5 Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of, or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.

Section 16.6 Waiver. No failure by any party to insist upon the strict performance of any covenant, duty, agreement or condition of this Agreement or to exercise any right or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof shall constitute waiver of any such breach of any other covenant, duty, agreement or condition.

Section 16.7 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the parties hereto, notwithstanding that all such parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each party shall become bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto or, in the case of a Person acquiring a Partnership Interest, pursuant to Section 10.1(a) without execution hereof.

Section 16.8 Applicable Law; Forum, Venue and Jurisdiction; Waiver of Trial by Jury; Attorney Fees.

(a) This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the principles of conflicts of law.

(b) Each of the Partners and each Person holding any beneficial interest in the Partnership (whether through a broker, dealer, bank, trust company or clearing corporation or an agent of any of the foregoing or otherwise):

(i) irrevocably agrees that any claims, suits, actions or proceedings (A) arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement (including any claims, suits or actions to interpret, apply or enforce the provisions of this Agreement or the duties, obligations or liabilities among Partners or of Partners to the Partnership, or the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Partners or the Partnership), (B) brought in a derivative manner on behalf of the Partnership, (C) asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary or other duty owed by any director, officer, or other employee of the Partnership or the General Partner, or owed by the General Partner, to the Partnership or the Partners, (D) asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware Act or (E) asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction), in each case regardless of whether such claims, suits, actions or proceedings sound in contract, tort, fraud or otherwise, are based on common law, statutory, equitable, legal or other grounds, or are derivative or direct claims;

A-72

(ii) irrevocably submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court located in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction) in connection with any such claim, suit, action or proceeding;

(iii) agrees not to, and waives any right to, assert in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding that (A) it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or of any other court to which proceedings in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware may be appealed, (B) such claim, suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, or (C) the venue of such claim, suit, action or proceeding is improper;

(iv) expressly waives any requirement for the posting of a bond by a party bringing such claim, suit, action or proceeding;

(v) consents to process being served in any such claim, suit, action or proceeding by mailing, certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices hereunder, and agrees that such services shall constitute good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof; provided, nothing in this clause (v) shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted by law; and

(vi) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUCH CLAIM, SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING.

Section 16.9 Invalidity of Provisions.

(a) If any provision or part of a provision of this Agreement is or becomes, for any reason, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect (including because the enactment of such provision or part of a provision was prohibited by the agreement of limited partnership of the Organizational Limited Partner that was in effect as of the Effective Time (the “Organizational LP Partnership Agreement”)), the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions and part thereof contained herein shall not be affected thereby, and this Agreement shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reformed and construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of a provision, had never been contained herein, and such provision or part reformed so that it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

(b) If this Agreement, when read together with each Supplemental Terms Annex then in effect, fails to include any provision, or part of a provision, from the Organizational LP Partnership Agreement that was required to be included herein (a “Required Provision”) by virtue of any provision of the Organizational LP Partnership Agreement for the transactions contemplated by the Merger and Contribution Agreement to be duly authorized and adopted without the consent of any limited partner of the Organizational Limited Partner, this Agreement shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reformed and construed as if such Required Provision, or part of a Required Provision, had been included herein, and any provision or part of a provision of this Agreement that conflicts with any such Required Provision shall be reformed and construed as if such conflicting provision had never been contained herein; provided, that the terms of this Agreement shall only be modified by this Section 16.9(b) to the extent necessary to give effect to such Required Provision.

Section 16.10 Consent of Partners. Each Partner hereby expressly consents and agrees that, whenever in this Agreement it is specified that an action may be taken upon the affirmative vote or consent of less than all of the Partners, such action may be so taken upon the concurrence of less than all of the Partners and each Partner shall be bound by the results of such action.

Section 16.11 Facsimile and Email Signatures. The use of facsimile signatures and signatures delivered by email in portable document format (pdf) or other electronic format affixed in the name and on behalf of the Transfer Agent and registrar of the Partnership on Certificates representing Units is expressly permitted by this Agreement.

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Section 16.12 Third Party Beneficiaries. Each Partner agrees that (a) any Indemnitee shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Indemnitee, and (b) any Unrestricted Person shall be entitled to assert rights and remedies hereunder as a third-party beneficiary hereto with respect to those provisions of this Agreement affording a right, benefit or privilege to such Unrestricted Person.

[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.


GENERAL PARTNER:

BLACK STONE MINERALS GP, L.L.C.

By:
		Name:
		Title:

LIMITED PARTNERS:

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, LP

By:		Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., its General Partner

By:
		Name:
		Title:

BLACK STONE MINERALS GP, L.L.C.

By:
		Name:
		Title:

ANNEX A – SERIES A PREFERRED UNITS

1.	Adoption of Annex. This Annex, dated as of , 2015, is adopted pursuant to Section 5.5 of the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. dated as of , 2015, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Partnership Agreement”).

Designation of Series A Units. The General Partner hereby designates and creates a class of Preferred Units to be designated as “Series A Preferred Units” and consisting of Series A Preferred Units. The Series A Preferred Units shall be Limited Partner Interests and shall have the rights and preferences and shall be subject to the duties and obligations set forth in this Annex A. For the avoidance of doubt, the Series A Preferred Units shall be “Units” within the meaning of the Partnership Agreement.

Definitions. The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Annex. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Annex shall have the meanings given in the Partnership Agreement; provided that definitions in the Partnership Agreement that reference a “Section” of the Partnership Agreement are deemed to reference the “Paragraph” reference that corresponds to such Section of the Partnership Agreement.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Person to whom reference is made or (b) any Family Member of the Person to whom reference is made. The term “control” as used herein (including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by,” and “under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power (a) to vote 20% or more of the outstanding voting securities of or voting interest in a Person or (b) to direct the management policies of such Person by contract or otherwise.

“Annual Conversion/Redemption Deadline” has the meaning given in Paragraph 8(a).

“Applicable Law” or “Law” (whether the initial letter of the word or words is capitalized or in lower case type) means all applicable governmental actions, any constitutions, laws, statutes, treaties, rules, codes, ordinances, regulations, certificates, orders, official interpretations, licenses and permits of any applicable governmental authority and judgments, decrees, injunctions, writs, any voluntary restraint, policy or guideline, orders or like action of any court, arbitrator or other administrative, judicial or quasijudicial tribunal or agency of competent jurisdiction (including those pertaining to health and safety and all environmental laws).

“Budgeted Distributions” means, with respect to each calendar year, a schedule of the annual and quarterly budgeted distributions to the holders of Common Units and Subordinated Units in respect of such calendar year, as approved by the Board and as adjusted from time to time by the Board.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday on which national banking associations in the state of Texas are required or permitted to be closed.

“Carter” means Thomas L. Carter, Jr.

“Change of Control” means (i) the transfer by the Limited Partners of beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of a majority of the outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units (including the outstanding Series A Preferred Units on an as-converted basis), or the transfer by the Partnership of beneficial ownership of a majority of the outstanding membership interests in the Company, to any Person (including a “group” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), except that if beneficial ownership would be deemed to occur merely upon the execution of voting agreements to support a merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction to be consummated in the future, then the date of such Change of Control shall instead be the date of such consummation; provided, however, that in no event shall any relationship among any Partners created solely by the ownership of Units be deemed, de facto, to create a group for purposes of this definition; (ii) the Partners of the Partnership prior to any merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction do not continue to own at least 50% of the

Annex A-1

surviving entity following such merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction to which the Partnership is a party; (iii) the Partnership does not continue to own at least 50% of the surviving entity following any merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction to which the Company is a party; or (iv) the Partnership sells, leases or exchanges all or substantially all of the assets of the Partnership and its controlled subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any other Person (other than a direct or indirect controlled subsidiary of the General Partner or the Partnership).

“Closing Price” means for any day the last sale price on such day, regular way, or in case no such sale takes place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day, regular way, in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted for trading on the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Units of such class are listed or admitted to trading or, if such Units of such class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange (other than the Nasdaq Stock Market), the last quoted price on such day or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices on such day in the over-the-counter market, as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market or such other system then in use, or, if on any such day such Limited Partner Interests of such class are not quoted by any such organization, the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day as furnished by a professional market maker making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class selected by the General Partner, or if on any such day no market maker is making a market in such Limited Partner Interests of such class, the fair value of such Limited Partner Interests on such day as determined reasonably and in good faith by the General Partner.

“Company” means the General Partner.

“Consolidated Net Income” shall mean with respect to the Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries, for any period, the aggregate of the net income (or loss) of the Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries after allowances for taxes for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein) the following: (a) the net income of any Person in which the Partnership or any consolidated subsidiary has an interest (which interest does not cause the net income of such other Person to be consolidated with the net income of the Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid in such period or within the 60 day period following such period by such other Person to the Partnership or to a consolidated subsidiary, as the case may be; (b) the net income (but not loss) during such period of any consolidated subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions or transfers or loans by that consolidated subsidiary is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument or Governmental Requirement applicable to such consolidated subsidiary or is otherwise restricted or prohibited, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; (c) any extraordinary gains or losses during such period, including gains or losses attributable to Property sales not in the ordinary course of business, it being acknowledged and agreed that sales of oil and gas properties or interests therein are in the ordinary course of the Partnership’s business; and (d) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and any gains or losses attributable to writeups or writedowns of assets; and provided, further, that if the Partnership or any consolidated subsidiary shall acquire or dispose of any Property during such period, then Consolidated Net Income shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such acquisition, disposition or redesignation, as if such acquisition, disposition or redesignation had occurred on the first day of such period.

“Conversion Date” means:

if a Conversion Notice for any Series A Preferred Unit is given by the holder thereof not later than 15 Business Days following receipt of the Partnership’s annual report pursuant to Section 8.3 of the Partnership Agreement containing financial statements with respect to the previous calendar year, the Conversion Date for such Series A Preferred Unit shall be deemed to be the January 1 immediately preceding the date on which such Conversion Notice is given;

Annex A-2

ii.

if a Conversion Notice for any Series A Preferred Unit is given by the holder thereof following the Liquidation Notice from the Partnership and prior to the making of any liquidating distributions pursuant to Paragraph 13(d), the Conversion Date for such Series A Preferred Unit shall be the day immediately preceding (but conditioned on) the making of any liquidating distributions pursuant to Paragraph 13(d);

iii.

if any Series A Preferred Unit is to be converted on a Mandatory Conversion Date pursuant to Paragraph 6, the Conversion Date for such Series A Preferred Unit shall be deemed to be such Mandatory Conversion Date;

iv.

if any Series A Preferred Unit is to be converted pursuant to Paragraph 8(f), the Conversion Date for such Series A Preferred Unit shall be the day immediately preceding (but conditioned on) the consummation of the Change of Control; and

if a Conversion Notice for any Series A Preferred Unit is provided by its holder and none of the clauses above applies, the Conversion Date for such Series A Preferred Unit shall be the first January 1 that follows the date such Conversion Notice is given; provided, however, that if prior to such date there is a Change of Control or a liquidation, the Conversion Date shall be the day immediately preceding (but conditioned on) the Change of Control or the making of any liquidating distributions pursuant to Paragraph 13(d), as applicable.

“Conversion Notice” has the meaning given in Paragraph 5(c).

“Conversion Prices” has the meaning given in Paragraph 5(a).

“Conversion Rate” means, with respect to any Series A Preferred Unit as of the date of determination, the quotient obtained by dividing the Series A Preferred Investment Amount of such Series A Preferred Unit, as adjusted to such date of determination, by the Conversion Prices of such Series A Preferred Unit then in effect.

“Convertible Securities” means Partnership Securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Common Units and/or Subordinated Units (including, without limitation, the Series A Preferred Units and the Subordinated Units).

“Credit Facility” means the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2015, by and among the Partnership as borrower, Wells Fargo Banks, National Association, as administrative agent and the lenders signatory thereto, and any successor credit agreement governing the senior indebtedness of the Partnership.

“Default” means the Partnership has failed for any reason (a) within 15 days after the last day of each calendar quarter to reduce to zero for all outstanding Series A Preferred Units the aggregate Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield accrued through the last day of such immediately preceding calendar quarter or (b) to redeem the Series A Preferred Units in accordance with and as and when required by Section 8 of this Annex.

“Derivative Instruments” means options, rights, warrants, appreciation rights, tracking, profit and phantom interests and other derivative instruments (other than equity interests in the Partnership) relating to, convertible into or exchangeable for Partnership Interests.

“Dispose,” “Disposing” or “Disposition” means, with respect to any asset (including Partnership Interests or any portion thereof), a sale, assignment, transfer (excluding the grant of a security interest), conveyance, gift, exchange or other disposition of such asset, whether such disposition be voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law, including the following: (a) in the case of an asset owned by a natural person, a transfer of such asset upon the death of its owner, whether by will, intestate succession or otherwise; (b) in the case of an asset owned by an Entity, (i) a change in control of such Entity (“control” being defined as a direct or indirect transfer of 50% or more of the voting securities of such Entity) or (ii) a distribution of such asset in connection with the dissolution, liquidation, winding-up or termination of such Entity (unless, in the case of dissolution, such

Annex A-3

Entity’s business is continued without the commencement of liquidation or winding-up); and (c) disposition in connection with, or in lieu of, a foreclosure of an encumbrance.

“EBITDAX” means, with respect to the Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries, for any period, (1) Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (2) the following expenses or charges to the extent deducted from Consolidated Net Income in such period: interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, impairments and other similar noncash charges, exploration expenses, delay rentals, and dry hole expenses minus (3) all noncash income added to Consolidated Net Income, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Entity” means any Person other than a natural person.

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, supplemented, or restated from time to time.

“Family Member” means (a) any ancestor or descendant (including any stepchild or adopted child) of a Limited Partner; (b) any spouse of a Limited Partner or ancestor or descendant of a Limited Partner; (c) any descendant of a grandparent of a Limited Partner; (d) any spouse of any descendant of a grandparent of a Limited Partner; (e) any trust established for the primary benefit of a Limited Partner or any of the foregoing Persons; (f) in the case of a Limited Partner which is a trust, any beneficiary of such trust; (g) an Entity which is controlled (whether by ownership of voting securities or contract or other arrangement) by the Limited Partner or any of the foregoing Persons; or (h) any organization described in Section 170(b)(1)(A), 170(c), 2055(a) or 2522(a) of the Code.

“GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, applied on a basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Partnership (except for changes concurred with by the Partnership’s independent public accountants).

“Governmental Requirement” shall mean any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, authorization or other directive or requirement, including environmental laws, energy regulations and occupational, safety and health standards or controls, of any governmental authority.

“Holder Redemption Notice” has the meaning given in Paragraph 8(a).

aa.

“Holder Redemption Price” has the meaning given such term in Paragraph 8(a).

bb.

“Interest Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the amount which would be received by the holder of a Common Unit or Subordinated Unit, as applicable, if (a) all of the Series A Preferred Units and other Convertible Securities were converted into or exchanged or exercised for Common Units and, during the Subordination Period, Subordinated Units in accordance with the provision hereof, (b) the fair market value of the assets of the Partnership in excess of its liabilities as of the date of determination of Interest Fair Market Value equaled the Value as of such date, adjusted to reflect any increases in equity value resulting from the deemed conversion, exchange or exercise of Convertible Securities, and (c) an amount equal to such Value, as so adjusted, were distributed to the Partners in accordance with Paragraph 13(d).

cc.

“Junior Redemption Securities” has the meaning given in Paragraph 4(b)(iii).

dd.

“Key Man Event” has the meaning given in Paragraph 8(c).

ee.

“Key Man Objection Notice” has the meaning given in Paragraph 8(c).

ff.

“Liquidation Notice” has the meaning given in Paragraph 10.

gg.

“Management” means Thomas L. Carter, Jr. and any of his controlled Affiliates.

hh.

“Mandatory Conversion Date” means January 1 of each of the years 2016 through 2018.

Annex A-4

ii.

“Maximum Annual Redemption” means, for a Series A Preferred Unitholder on any Scheduled Redemption Date, the excess of (i) 33% of the sum of (A) the number of Series A Preferred Units held by such Series A Preferred Unitholder as of the date of its Holder Redemption Notice plus (B) the number of Series A Preferred Units which, while held by such Series A Preferred Unitholder, were previously redeemed or converted into Common Units and Subordinated Units, over (ii) the aggregate Redemption Adjustment Amounts in respect of all prior Scheduled Redemption Dates.

jj.

“Minimum Conversion/Redemption Amount” means, for a Series A Preferred Unitholder on any Mandatory Conversion Date, the product of (i) the sum of (A) the number of Series A Preferred Units held by such Series A Preferred Holder on the Mandatory Conversion Date plus (B) the number of Series A Preferred Units which, while held by such Series A Preferred Unitholder, were previously redeemed or converted into Common Units and Subordinated Units, times (ii) the percentage specified below with respect to the applicable Mandatory Conversion Date:

Mandatory Conversion Date Percentage


January 1, 2016	33.33	%
January 1, 2017	66.67	%
January 1, 2018	100	%

kk.

“National Securities Exchange” means an exchange registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 6(a) of the Exchange Act, and any successor to such statute, or the Nasdaq Stock Market or any successor thereto.

ll.

“Original General Partner” means Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.

mm.

“Original LP Common Units” means the common units issued by the Original Partnership.

nn.

“Original LP Series A Preferred Units” means the preferred units issued by the Original Partnership pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement.

oo.

“Original Partnership” means Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

pp.

“Partnership” means Black Stone Minerals, L.P..

qq.

“Partnership Act” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended from time to time.

rr.

“Partnership Agreement” has the meaning given in Paragraph 1.

ss.

“Partnership Redemption Price” has the meaning given such term in Paragraph 8(e).

tt.

“Partnership Securities” means Partnership Interests, Derivative Instruments, or any unsecured or secured debt obligations of the Partnership or debt obligations of the Partnership convertible into any class of Partnership Interests.

uu.

“Per Unit Capital Account” means, as of any date of determination, the Capital Account stated on a per Unit basis, underlying any class of Units held by a Person.

vv.

“Permitted Transferee” means, with respect to any Partner, (a) any other Partner; (b) any Family Member of such Partner; (c) in the case of a Limited Partner which is an Entity, any owner (including a partner, shareholder or member) of such Entity; or (d) any Affiliate of such Partner.

ww.

“Person” means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, voluntary association, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or any other form of entity.

xx.

“Property” means all assets, properties and rights of any type owned or acquired by the Partnership.

yy.

“Pro Rata” means when used with respect to (a) Common Units, Subordinated Units or any other class of Partnership Units, apportioned among all designated Units in accordance with their relative

Annex A-5

Percentage Interests, (b) all Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among all Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, (c) some but not all Partners or Record Holders, apportioned among such Partners or Record Holders in accordance with their relative Percentage Interests, and (d) Series A Preferred Units, apportioned among such Units based on the number of Outstanding Series A Preferred Units or, if used with respect to Series A Units being redeemed or converted, apportioned among such Units based on the number of such Units being redeemed or converted.

zz.

“Redemption Adjustment Amount” means, for a Series A Preferred Unitholder, in respect of the Scheduled Redemption Date on December 31, 2015, 33-1/3% of the number of Series A Preferred Units redeemed from such Series A Preferred Unitholder pursuant to Paragraph 8(e) on the Scheduled Redemption Date on December 31, 2014, and in respect of the Scheduled Redemption Date on December 31, 2016, the sum of (i) 33-1/3% of the number of Series A Preferred Units redeemed from such Series A Preferred Unitholder pursuant to Paragraph 8(e) on the Scheduled Redemption Date on December 31, 2014, plus (ii) 50% of the number of Series A Preferred Units redeemed from such Series A Preferred Unitholder pursuant to Paragraph 8(e) on the Scheduled Redemption Date on December 31, 2015.

aaa.

“Redemption Date” means any Scheduled Redemption Date or other date of redemption of Series A Preferred Units pursuant to Paragraph 8(a).

bbb.

“Representation Breach” means one or more inaccuracies in or breaches of the Partnership’s representations and warranties in the Securities Purchase Agreement other than those in Section 3.3(a) of the Securities Purchase Agreement, which inaccuracy or breach will be determined by disregarding any knowledge qualifiers, which have resulted in or would be reasonably expected to result in a reduction in the value of the Partnership’s equity of at least $100,000,000 from what would have been the value of the Partnership’s equity had such representations and warranties been true and correct (disregarding knowledge qualifiers). For purposes of determining whether a Representation Breach has occurred by reason of a breach of the last sentence of Section 3.12(a) of the Securities Purchase Agreement, the $100 million threshold in such sentence shall be disregarded to avoid duplication with the $100,000,000 threshold above in this definition.

ccc.

“Required Allocations” means any allocation of an item of income, gain, loss and deduction pursuant to Paragraphs 13(a)(iii)(1), 13(a)(iii)(2), 13(a)(iii)(4), 13(a)(iii)(5), 13(a)(iii)(6), 13(a)(iii)(7) or 13(a)(iii)(9), or 13(a)(iv).

ddd.

“Scheduled Redemption Date” means December 31 of each of the years 2014 through 2017.

eee.

“Securities Purchase Agreement” means that certain Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 10, 2009 by and among certain of the Series A Preferred Unitholders, the Partnership and the General Partner, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

fff.

“Series A Liquidation Preference Amount” means, with respect to any Series A Preferred Unit outstanding at the time of the liquidation of the Partnership, an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield plus (ii) the Series A Preferred Investment Amount.

ggg.

“Series A Majority” means Series A Preferred Unitholders (other than Management) holding of record a majority of the Series A Preferred Units then outstanding and not held by Management.

hhh.

“Series A Majority Approval” means the affirmative vote at a meeting of Series A Preferred Unitholders, or the written consent, of a Series A Majority.

iii.

“Series A Preferred Investment Amount” means, for any Series A Preferred Unit, the $1,000.00 of Capital Contributions made to the Partnership in respect of such Series A Preferred Unit.

jjj.

“Series A Preferred Unit” means an undivided fractional part of the Partnership Interests of all the Series A Preferred Unitholders and their assignees to the extent such Partnership Interests are attributable to the Units designated as “Series A Preferred Units.”

Annex A-6

kkk.

“Series A Preferred Unitholder” means a holder of a Series Preferred A Unit.

lll.

“Series A Preferred Yield” means, with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit and as of any date of determination, the interest amount that would be accrued as of such determination date on a hypothetical promissory note having the following terms, (a) an original principal amount equal to $1,000, (b) an issuance date on the Closing Date, (c) interest that accrues on a daily basis, based on a 365-day year, at a per annum rate equal to the Yield Rate applicable on each day (i.e., taking into account fluctuations in the Yield Rate when determining each daily accrual), and (d) compounding on any interest accrual that remains unpaid as of the last day of each calendar quarter that occurs on or before the Conversion Date of such Series A Preferred Unit (if it is converted) or the Redemption Date of such Series A Preferred Unit (if it is redeemed); provided, that for purposes of determining compounding under this clause (d), distributions made by the Partnership in respect of such Series A Preferred Unit under Paragraph 13(c)(i) within 15 days after the end of a calendar quarter shall be deemed to have been paid on the day before the last day of such calendar quarter so that compounding does not occur on such distributed amounts.

mmm.

“Series A Super Majority” means Series A Preferred Unitholders (other than Management) holding of record at least 70% of the Series A Preferred Units then outstanding and not held by Management.

nnn.

“Series A Super Majority Approval” means the affirmative vote at a meeting of Series A Preferred Unitholders, or the written consent, of a Series A Super Majority.

ooo.

“Specified Series A Investor” means a Series A Preferred Unitholder party to the Securities Purchase Agreement and any of its transferees.

ppp.

“Threshold Amount” means, at any time, 99% of the difference obtained by subtracting (a) the sum of (i) the reserve-based borrowing base under the Credit Facility in effect at such time, plus (ii) the Unreturned Series A Preferred Investment Amount at such time, plus (iii) the Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield at such time from (b) 70% of the present value of the cash flows from the Partnership’s proved oil and gas reserves reflected in the Partnership’s most recent third party reserve report, discounted at 10% per year.

qqq.

“Trading Day” means a day on which the principal National Securities Exchange on which such Units of any class are listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if Units of a class are not listed or admitted to trading on any National Securities Exchange, a day on which banking institutions in New York City generally are open.

rrr.

“Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield” means, with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit and as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the cumulative Series A Preferred Yield from the Closing Date through such date, over (b) the cumulative amount of distributions made as of such date in respect of such Series A Preferred Unit pursuant to Paragraph 13(c)(i).

sss.

“Unreturned Series A Preferred Investment Amount” means, for any Series A Preferred Unit, as of any time, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (a) the Series A Preferred Investment Amount of such Series A Preferred Unit, over (b) an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate amount of distributions made by the Partnership with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit pursuant to Paragraph 13(d), over (ii) the Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield, if any, with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit at the time of any such distributions.

ttt.

“Value” means, as of any date of determination, (i) the value of the Partnership’s equity as of December 31 of the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which such determination date falls, as determined by the Board in good faith based upon its review of a report of a third party valuation firm selected by the Board, plus (ii) any Capital Contributions made to the Partnership from and after the applicable date in clause (i) to but excluding such determination date, minus (iii) any amounts paid by the Partnership or its subsidiaries (to the extent of the Partnership’s net interest in any such subsidiary) to redeem or repurchase any Partnership Securities (other than convertible debt obligations) from and after the applicable date in clause (i) to but excluding such determination date.

Annex A-7

uuu.

“Yield Rate” means a rate of 10% per annum; provided, however, that from and after the occurrence of a Default and during the continuation of a Default, without any action by the Series A Preferred Unitholders the Yield Rate shall increase 500 basis points, or 5% per annum, on the date of Default and on each 90 day anniversary of the date of Default during which the Partnership remains in Default, to a maximum rate of 30% per annum; provided, further, however, that the Yield Rate shall be 10% per annum at and from such time as the Default is no longer continuing.

4.	Voting; Waiver.

Except with respect to matters requiring Series A Super Majority Approval, Series A Majority Approval or the approval of a Series A Preferred Unitholder pursuant to Paragraphs 4(b), 4(c) or 4(d) of this Annex, at each meeting of the Limited Partners (or pursuant to any action by written consent), with respect to any and all matters presented to the Limited Partners for their action or consideration, each Series A Preferred Unitholder shall be entitled to vote as a single class with the Common Units and Subordinated Units. Each Series A Preferred Unit shall have a number of votes equal to the number of Common Units and, prior to the end of the Subordination Period, Subordinated Units into which such Series A Preferred Unit is convertible at the time of such vote or consent.

Notwithstanding the other provisions of the Partnership Agreement or this Annex, without first obtaining Series A Super Majority Approval, the General Partner shall not, and shall not cause the Partnership to, either directly or indirectly, by amendment, merger, consolidation or otherwise, do any of the following:

amend or modify any provision of the Partnership Agreement or this Annex that has the effect of amending or modifying the rights, preferences or designations of the Series A Preferred Units, except for any amendment or modification described in Paragraph 4(c) or 4(d) of this Annex, which shall be subject to the approval required in such Paragraph;

ii.

create, or authorize the creation of, or issue or obligate itself to issue, any Partnership Securities having preferences or rights with priority over or on a parity with the Series A Preferred Units with respect to rights to share in distributions, including those on liquidation or, except as provided in Paragraph 4(b)(iii), redemption obligations or redemption rights;

iii.

create, or authorize the creation of, or issue or obligate itself to issue, any Partnership Securities having redemption rights arising on a date prior to the last Mandatory Conversion Date contemplated herein (“Junior Redemption Securities”); provided, however, that the Partnership shall have the right to create, authorize the creation of, issue or obligate itself to issue Junior Redemption Securities in an aggregate amount that, together with prior issuances of Junior Redemption Securities, does not exceed the Threshold Amount (measured at the time of issuance (which shall be a positive number)), and provided, further, that in no event shall any such Junior Redemption Securities have redemption rights that permit or require a payment to the holders thereof of more than one-third of the aggregate issuance price of such Junior Redemption Securities (measured at the time of issuance), plus any accrued and unpaid distributions, during the 12-month periods commencing on each of July 1, 2014, July 1, 2015 and July 1, 2016;

iv.

issue or obligate itself to issue any Series A Preferred Units; or

effect any amendment, modification or waiver that by its explicit terms would alter or change the rights of the Series A Preferred Unitholders pursuant to Paragraph 13.

Notwithstanding the other provisions of the Partnership Agreement or this Annex, without first obtaining a Series A Majority Approval, the General Partner shall not, and shall not cause the Partnership to, either directly or indirectly, by amendment, merger, consolidation or otherwise, effect any split, reverse split, subdivision, combination or similar action with respect to the Series A Preferred Units.

Annex A-8

Notwithstanding the other provisions of the Partnership Agreement or this Annex, without first obtaining the written consent or waiver of the affected Series A Preferred Unitholder, the General Partner shall not, and shall not cause the Partnership to, either directly or indirectly, by amendment, merger, consolidation or otherwise, do any of the following:

effect any amendment, modification or waiver that by its explicit terms would alter or change the rights, obligations, powers or preferences of such Series A Preferred Unitholder in its capacity as a holder of Series A Preferred Units in a disproportionate and adverse manner compared to other holders of Series A Preferred Units;

ii.

effect any amendment, modification or waiver that would alter, or result in the alteration of, the limited liability of such Series A Preferred Unitholder;

iii.

effect any amendment, modification or waiver that would impose any additional material obligations or duties on such Series A Preferred Unitholder; or

iv.

amend, modify or waive the provisions of this Paragraph 4(d)(iv).

Any of the rights, powers or preferences of the Series A Preferred Unitholders set forth herein may be waived in writing by any Series A Preferred Unitholder with respect to such holder.

5.	Optional Conversion.

Each Series A Preferred Unit may be converted, at the option of the holder thereof, at any time and from time to time, and without the payment of additional consideration by the holder thereof, into Common Units and, prior to the end of the Subordination Period, Subordinated Units at the then effective Conversion Rate. The Series A Preferred Units shall have an initial Conversion Price of $ in respect of the Common Units and $ in respect of the Subordinated Units (as adjusted as provided herein, the “Conversion Prices”) and an initial Conversion Rate of in respect of the Common Units and in respect of the Subordinated Units per Series A Preferred Unit, each subject to adjustment as provided herein.

The initial Conversion Prices and the initial Conversion Rates for the Series A Preferred Units, each of which is subject to adjustment as provided herein, shall be set forth in one or more written statements signed by the General Partner and maintained at the principal office of the Partnership. The Conversion Rates and Conversion Prices from time to time in effect are subject to adjustment as provided in Paragraph 7.

In order to exercise the conversion privilege, the holder of any Series A Preferred Units to be converted shall give written notice (the “Conversion Notice”) to the Partnership that the holder elects to convert all or a specified number of Series A Preferred Units held. A Conversion Notice may be given at any time but shall only be effective as of the Conversion Date.

Upon any such conversion, no adjustment to the Conversion Rate shall be made for Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield on the Series A Preferred Units surrendered for conversion or any unpaid distributions on the Common Units or Subordinated Units delivered pursuant thereto. The Series A Preferred Unitholder shall remain entitled to receive his Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield accrued through the date prior to the Conversion Date, the Partnership shall pay such amount to such holder promptly following receipt of the Conversion Notice, and any such payment shall be treated as a distribution to such Series A Preferred Unitholder for purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts. Upon each conversion, the Partnership shall make a cash payment to the converting Series A Preferred Unitholder, and the converting Series A Preferred Unitholder shall make a cash payment to the Partnership, to adjust for any distributions declared in respect of the Common Units, the Subordinated Units or the Series A Preferred Units on or after the Conversion Date but prior to the receipt of the Conversion Notice, the intent being to put both the converting Series A Preferred Unitholder and the Partnership in the same position that they would have been if the Conversion Notice had been delivered on or before the Conversion Date. Any cash payment made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be treated as

Annex A-9

(i) a distribution to the Series A Preferred Unitholder if made by the Partnership and (ii) a Capital Contribution if made by the Series A Preferred Unitholder.

The Partnership shall not issue fractions of Common Units or Subordinated Units upon conversion of Series A Preferred Units or scrip in lieu thereof. If any fraction of a Common Unit or Subordinated Unit would, except for the provisions of this Paragraph 5(e), be issuable upon conversion of any Series A Preferred Unit, the Partnership shall in lieu thereof pay to the Person entitled thereto an amount in cash equal to the current value of such fraction, calculated to the nearest one-hundredth (1/100) of a Common Unit or Subordinated Unit, to be computed on the basis of the Interest Fair Market Value of one Common Unit or Subordinated Unit as determined by the General Partner; provided, however, that if the amount payable in respect of any fractional Common Unit or Subordinated Unit would not exceed $10.00, the Partnership may at its option round the number of Common Units or Subordinated Units to be issued in respect of the conversion of Series A Preferred Units to the nearest whole number, with 0.50 Common Unit or Subordinated Unit being rounded up to one Common Unit or Subordinated Unit. As soon as practicable after the effectiveness of any conversion, the Partnership shall cause to be issued and delivered to the converting holder any cash in lieu of a fraction of a Common Unit or Subordinated Unit otherwise issuable upon such conversion. For purposes of determining fractional units, all Common Units or Subordinated Units or fractions thereof being issued to a holder upon conversion as of a particular Conversion Date shall be aggregated so that, under no circumstances, would any particular conversion by a holder result in more than one fractional Common Unit or Subordinated Unit.

The Series A Preferred Units shall cease to be convertible on the day of the first liquidating distribution pursuant to Paragraph 13.

Each Series A Preferred Unit which shall have been surrendered for conversion as herein provided shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding as of the Conversion Date and all rights with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit shall terminate, except only the rights of the holder thereof to receive Common Units and Subordinated Units in exchange therefor (and any payment in lieu of a fractional Common Unit and/or Subordinated Unit pursuant to Paragraph 5(e)) and payment of any Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield thereon.

In the event of an inaccuracy in or breach of the representations and warranties in Section 3.3(a) of the Securities Purchase Agreement, determined without regard to any knowledge qualifiers, the sole and exclusive remedies therefor shall be (i) the recalculation and adjustment of the Conversion Price to what it would have been if there had been no such breach, recalculating such Conversion Price as equal to the lesser of (1) the Conversion Price of $ in respect of the Common Units and in respect of the Subordinated Units, or (2) the quotient obtained by dividing (A) the Value determined immediately before the issuance of the Original LP Series A Preferred Units pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement by (B) the total number of Original LP Common Units outstanding on the date of issuance of such Original LP Series A Preferred Units (assuming (x) the conversion of the then issued and outstanding Original LP Series A Preferred Units into Original LP Common Units at the then applicable Conversion Rate and (y) any issued and outstanding Original LP Common Units held by members of the Board or Officers or employees of the Original Partnership, the Original General Partner or any subsidiary of the Original Partnership or the Original General Partner are outstanding even if subject to forfeiture), (ii) the issuance by the Original Partnership of any additional Original LP Common Units that would have been issued by the Original Partnership upon conversion of Original LP Series A Preferred Units, if necessary, and (iii) the payment of any additional distributions that would have been paid by the Original Partnership, the Original General Partner, the Partnership or the Company, if necessary, in the case of each of clauses (i) through (iii) above as if the initial Conversion Price had been correctly determined.

6.	Mandatory Conversion

Effective as of each Mandatory Conversion Date, there shall automatically be converted into Subordinated Units and Common Units at the then effective Conversion Rates a number of Series A

Annex A-10

Preferred Units held by each Series A Preferred Unitholder (after the provisions of Paragraphs 8(a) and 8(e) are applied with respect to the Scheduled Redemption Date immediately preceding such Mandatory Conversion Date) equal to the amount, if any, by which the applicable Minimum Conversion/Redemption Amount exceeds the number of Series A Preferred Units which, while held by such Series A Preferred Unitholder, were previously redeemed or converted into Subordinated Units and Common Units. If a Series A Preferred Unitholder Disposes of any Series A Preferred Units which are subject to conversion pursuant to this Paragraph 6 on or after the Mandatory Conversion Date and on or before the later of the Annual Redemption/Conversion Deadline or 10 days after the Partnership’s receipt from and such Series A Preferred Unitholder of a Holder Redemption Notice pursuant to Paragraph 8(a), such Series A Preferred Units so Disposed shall, in the hands of the transferee, be subject to conversion pursuant to this Paragraph 6.

Effective as of each Mandatory Conversion Date, any Series A Preferred Unit so converted shall no longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit so converted shall terminate, except only the rights of the holder thereof to receive the number of Subordinated Units and Common Units into which such Series A Preferred Unit has been converted (and any payment in lieu of a fractional Subordinated Unit and Common Unit pursuant to Paragraph 5(e)) and payment of any Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield thereon, which the Partnership shall pay to the holder promptly following the implementation of mandatory conversion pursuant to Paragraph 6, and any such payment shall for purposes of this Annex A be treated as a distribution to such Series A Preferred Unitholder for purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts. Upon each conversion, the Partnership shall make a cash payment to the converting Series A Preferred Unitholder, and the converting Series A Preferred Unitholder shall make a cash payment to the Partnership, to adjust for any distributions declared in respect of the Subordinated Units and Common Units or the Series A Preferred Units on or after the Conversion Date but prior to the implementation of mandatory conversion pursuant to Paragraph 6, the intent being to put both the converting Series A Preferred Unitholder and the Partnership in the same position that they would have been if the mandatory conversion pursuant to Paragraph 6 had been implemented on the Mandatory Conversion Date. Any cash payment made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be treated as (i) a distribution to the Series A Preferred Unitholder if made by the Partnership and (ii) a Capital Contribution if made by the Series A Preferred Unitholder.

7.	Anti-Dilution Provisions

The Conversion Prices and the Conversion Rates shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in accordance with this Paragraph 7.

In case the Partnership shall at any time (i) subdivide the outstanding Subordinated Units or Common Units, (ii) make a distribution on its outstanding Subordinated Units or Common Units payable in the same type of Units or (iii) combine its outstanding Series A Preferred Units, the Conversion Price with respect to the Subordinated Units or Common Units, as applicable in effect immediately prior to such subdivision or distribution shall be proportionately decreased (with appropriate adjustments to the applicable Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to such subdivision or distribution). In case the Partnership shall at any time (i) combine its outstanding Subordinated Units or Common Units, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Series A Preferred Units or (iii) make a distribution on its outstanding Series A Preferred Units payable in Series A Preferred Units, the Conversion Price in effect with respect to the Subordinated Units or Common Units, as applicable immediately prior to such combination shall be proportionately increased (with appropriate adjustments to the applicable Conversion Rate in effect immediately prior to such combination).

If any capital reorganization or reclassification of the Units of the Partnership or consolidation or merger of the Partnership with another Entity shall be effected in such a way that Subordinated Unitholders or Common Unitholders shall be entitled to receive stock, securities, cash or other property with respect to or in exchange for Subordinated Units or Common Units, then, as a condition of such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation or merger, lawful and adequate provision shall be made

Annex A-11

whereby the Series A Preferred Unitholders shall have the right to acquire and receive upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Units, such shares of stock, securities, cash or other property issuable or payable (as part of the reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or sale) with respect to or in exchange for such number of outstanding Subordinated Units or Common Units as would have been received upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Units at the Conversion Rate then in effect with respect to the Subordinated Units or Common Units, as applicable. The Partnership will not effect any such consolidation, merger or sale unless prior to the consummation thereof the successor Entity (if other than the Partnership) resulting from such consolidation or merger or the Person purchasing such assets shall expressly assume by written instrument the obligation to deliver to each such holder such stock, securities, cash or other property as, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, such holder may be entitled to acquire and receive.

If any event occurs as to which, in the good faith opinion of the General Partner, the provisions of this Paragraph 7 are not strictly applicable or if strictly applicable would not fairly protect the rights of the Series A Preferred Unitholders in accordance with the essential intent and principles of such provisions, then the General Partner shall make an adjustment in the application of such provisions, in accordance with such essential intent and principles, so as to protect such rights as aforesaid.

Whenever a Conversion Rate or Conversion Price shall be adjusted as provided in this Paragraph 7, the General Partner shall forthwith file at the principal office of the Partnership a statement, signed by the General Partner, showing in reasonable detail the facts requiring such adjustment and the Conversion Rate that will be effective after such adjustment. Upon written request, the General Partner shall provide the requesting Series A Preferred Unitholder with the then applicable Conversion Prices and Conversion Rates for the Series A Preferred Units.

8.	Redemption

With respect to each Scheduled Redemption Date, each Series A Preferred Unitholder may, upon written notice (the “Holder Redemption Notice”) given to the Partnership not earlier than the November 1 preceding such Scheduled Redemption Date and not later than the later of (i) the March 31 following such Scheduled Redemption Date or (ii) 15 Business Days following the filing of the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (such later date being the “Annual Redemption/Conversion Deadline”), require the Partnership to redeem (to the extent that such redemption shall not violate any applicable provisions of the Partnership Act or other Applicable Laws) from such Series A Preferred Unitholder effective as of each Scheduled Redemption Date, for a cash price per Series A Preferred Unit equal to the sum of the Series A Preferred Investment Amount plus the Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield accrued through the Scheduled Redemption Date (such aggregate amount, the “Holder Redemption Price”), a number of Series A Preferred Units not in excess of the Maximum Annual Redemption of such Series A Preferred Unitholder. As promptly as practicable and in any event not later than the later of the Scheduled Redemption Date or 10 days after the receipt of a Holder Redemption Notice pursuant to this Paragraph 8, the Partnership shall pay to the redeeming Series A Preferred Unitholder the Holder Redemption Price plus, in the event of a payment after the Scheduled Redemption Date, interest on the Holder Redemption Price at the Yield Rate from the Scheduled Redemption Date until the date paid to the redeeming Series A Preferred Unitholder.

If the Partnership has made a Representation Breach, a Specified Series A Investor may notify the General Partner (a “Representation Breach Notice”) of the Representation Breach and each Series A Preferred Unitholder shall have the right to require the Partnership to redeem its Series A Preferred Units for a cash price per Series A Preferred Unit equal to the Holder Redemption Price. If the General Partner disputes the occurrence of a Representation Breach, then an independent third party arbitrator shall determine if a Representation Breach occurred, which arbitrator shall be jointly selected by the General Partner and the Specified Series A Investors holding a majority of the Series A Preferred Units held by the Specified Series A Investors sending a Representation Breach Notice. The expense of the arbitrator shall be borne by the Partnership if the arbitrator determines that a Representation Breach occurred or by the Specified Series A Investors sending a Representation Breach Notice if the arbitrator

Annex A-12

determines that a Representation Breach did not occur. The General Partner shall provide the Series A Preferred Unitholders prompt notice following the final determination of the occurrence of a Representation Breach and for 60 days after such notice each Series A Preferred Unitholder shall have the right to send a Holder Redemption Notice to the General Partner. Upon receipt of a Holder Redemption Notice pursuant to this Paragraph 8(b), the Partnership shall redeem one-third of the number of Series A Preferred Units for which a Series A Preferred Unitholder requests redemption on December 31 of each of the calendar year in which such Holder Redemption Notice is received and the two following calendar years; provided, however, that in the event of a Change of Control or a liquidation occurring prior to redemption of such Series A Preferred Units in full pursuant to this Paragraph 8(b), the Partnership shall redeem 100% of such unredeemed Series A Preferred Units on the date of consummation of such Change of Control or the date of the first liquidating distribution pursuant to Paragraph 13(d), as applicable, at a cash price per Series A Preferred Unit equal to the Holder Redemption Price. For purposes of clarity, the Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield shall continue to accrue at the Yield Rate on each outstanding Series A Preferred Unit until redeemed.

If Carter is no longer chief executive officer of the General Partner or any successor general partner of the Partnership or otherwise actively involved in the investment decisions, management and operations of the Partnership (“Key Man Event”), a Series A Preferred Unitholder may notify the General Partner of its objection (“Key Man Objection Notice”), and each Series A Preferred Unitholder shall have the right to require the Partnership to redeem its Series A Preferred Units for a cash price per Series A Preferred Unit equal to the Holder Redemption Price; provided, however, that if the General Partner disputes the occurrence of a Key Man Event, then an independent third party arbitrator shall determine if a Key Man Event occurred, which arbitrator shall be jointly selected by the General Partner and the Series A Preferred Unitholders holding a majority of the Series A Preferred Units held by the Series A Unitholders sending a Key Man Objection Notice. The expense of the arbitrator shall be borne by the Partnership if the arbitrator determines that a Key Man Event occurred or by the Series A Preferred Unitholders sending a Key Man Objection Notice if the arbitrator determines that a Key Man Event did not occur. The General Partner shall provide the Series A Preferred Unitholders prompt notice following the final determination of the occurrence of a Key Man Event, and for 60 days after such notice, each Series A Preferred Unitholder shall have the right to send a Holder Redemption Notice to the General Partner. Upon receipt of a Holder Redemption Notice pursuant to this Paragraph 8(c), the Partnership shall redeem one-third of the number of Series A Preferred Units for which a Series A Preferred Unitholder requests redemption on December 31 of each of the calendar year in which such Holder Redemption Notice is received and the two following calendar years; provided, however, that in the event of a Change of Control or a liquidation occurring prior to redemption of such Series A Preferred Units in full pursuant to this Paragraph 8(c), the Partnership shall redeem 100% of such unredeemed Series A Preferred Units on the date of consummation of such Change of Control or the date of the first liquidating distribution pursuant to Paragraph 13(d), as applicable, at a cash price per Series A Preferred Unit equal to the Holder Redemption Price. For purposes of clarity, the Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield shall continue to accrue at the Yield Rate on each outstanding Series A Preferred Unit until redeemed.

If on any Redemption Date the Partnership is unable to redeem any Series A Preferred Units designated for redemption in the Holder Redemption Notice for any reason, including because such redemption would violate the Partnership Act or other Applicable Laws, then the Partnership shall redeem, pro rata among the Series A Preferred Unitholders who have given a Holder Redemption Notice (based on the number of Series A Preferred Units held by such redeeming Series A Preferred Unitholders as of such Redemption Date), as many of such Series A Preferred Units as may be redeemed, and as soon thereafter as the Partnership is able the Partnership shall redeem, pro rata among the Series A Preferred Unitholders who have given a Holder Redemption Notice (based on the number of Series A Preferred Units held by such redeeming Series A Preferred Unitholders as of such Redemption Date), such unredeemed Series A Preferred Units for which a Series A Preferred Unitholder has given a Holder Redemption Notice; provided, however, that notwithstanding the provisions of this Paragraph 8(d), the

Annex A-13

Partnership shall be deemed to be in Default if the Partnership is unable to redeem in accordance with this Agreement (without giving effect to this Paragraph 8(d)) all of the Series A Preferred Units designated for redemption in the Holder Redemption Notice.

In the event that a Series A Preferred Unitholder gives a Holder Redemption Notice pursuant to Paragraph 8(a) with respect to any Scheduled Redemption Date, after first complying with Paragraph 10, the Partnership shall have the option to redeem (to the extent that such redemption shall not violate the Partnership Act or other Applicable Laws) from such Series A Preferred Unitholder, for a cash price per Series A Preferred Unit equal to the greater of (i) the Holder Redemption Price or (ii) the Interest Fair Market Value of the Common Units and Subordinated Units into which such Series A Preferred Units so redeemed are convertible on such Scheduled Redemption Date (the “Partnership Redemption Price”), a number of Series A Preferred Units not in excess of the number of Series A Preferred Units designated for redemption by such Series A Preferred Unitholder in such Holder Redemption Notice; provided, however, that the Partnership shall not exercise the redemption rights pursuant to this Paragraph 8(e) while a Default by the Partnership is continuing. The Partnership shall exercise its right to redeem pursuant to this Paragraph 8(e) by notifying such redeeming Series A Preferred Unitholder of the number of additional Series A Preferred Units being redeemed on the applicable Scheduled Redemption Date, which notice need not be provided in advance of the payment of the Partnership Redemption Price therefor. The Partnership shall pay to the redeeming Series A Preferred Unitholder the Partnership Redemption Price plus, in the event of a payment after the Scheduled Redemption Date, interest on the Partnership Redemption Price at the Yield Rate from the Scheduled Redemption Date until the date paid in full to the redeeming Series A Preferred Unitholder, concurrent with the payment to the redeeming Series A Preferred Unitholder pursuant to Paragraph 8(a). In the event that the Partnership elects to redeem a portion but not all of the Series A Preferred Units subject to redemption under this Paragraph 8(e), then the Partnership shall to the maximum extent possible effect such redemption pro rata among the Series A Preferred Unitholders who have given a Holder Redemption Notice (based on the number of Series A Preferred Units requested for redemption by such redeeming Series A Preferred Unitholders in connection with the applicable Scheduled Redemption Date).

In the event of a Change of Control or anticipated Change of Control, except with respect to any Series A Preferred Unit a Series A Preferred Unitholder elects to convert pursuant to Paragraph 5(a), the Partnership shall redeem (to the extent that such redemption shall not violate the Partnership Act or other Applicable Laws) at the Holder Redemption Price (determined by treating the Redemption Date as the Scheduled Redemption Date) the Series A Preferred Units upon the consummation of the Change of Control. The Partnership shall provide at least 15 Business Days prior notice to the Series A Preferred Unitholders of (i) the redemption pursuant to this Paragraph 8(f), (ii) the proposed Change of Control, (iii) the consideration that a holder of one Common Unit would receive in connection with such Change of Control, determined on a fully-diluted basis as if all Convertible Securities were first converted, exchanged or exercised in full, and (iv) if other than cash or marketable securities, the Board’s good faith valuation of any such consideration and any support for such valuation, and (v) the Redemption Date (which will be the closing date of the consummation of the Change of Control), which redemption pursuant to this Paragraph 8(f) shall be conditioned upon and subject to the consummation of the Change of Control.

Unless there has been a Default, no Series A Preferred Unitholder may Dispose of or convert any Series A Preferred Units (i) with respect to which it has given a Holder Redemption Notice or (ii) which are subject to the Partnership’s option to redeem pursuant to Paragraph 8(e).

From and after the redemption of any Series A Preferred Units in full, all rights of the holders with respect to the Series A Preferred Units redeemed (except the right to receive the Holder Redemption Price or Partnership Redemption Price, as the case may be, plus interest if applicable) shall cease with respect to such Series A Preferred Units, and such Series A Preferred Units shall not thereafter be transferred on the books of the Partnership and shall be deemed to no longer be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever.

Annex A-14

Except as provided in Paragraph 8(e), the Partnership shall have no option to redeem the Series A Preferred Units. Nothing contained herein shall prevent or restrict the purchase by the Partnership, from time to time either at public or private sale, of the whole or any part of the Series A Preferred Units at such price or prices as the General Partner may determine, subject to the provisions of the Partnership Act and other Applicable Laws; provided, however, that at least 10 days prior to such sale, each of the Series A Preferred Unitholders shall be offered the right to sell to the Partnership its pro rata portion (based on the number of Series A Preferred Units held) of the Series A Preferred Units being sold to the Partnership for the same price(s) and terms as the Series A Preferred Units are then being sold to the Partnership.

Upon any redemption, the Partnership shall make a cash payment to the redeeming Series A Preferred Unitholder, and the redeeming Series A Preferred Unitholder shall make a cash payment to the Partnership, to adjust for any distributions declared in respect of the Common Units or the Series A Preferred Units after the applicable Redemption Date but prior to the implementation of the redemption, the intent being to put both the redeeming Series A Preferred Unitholder and the Partnership in the same position that they would have been if the redemption had been implemented on the Redemption Date. Any cash payment made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be treated as (i) a distribution to the Series A Preferred Unitholder if made by the Partnership and (ii) a Capital Contribution if made by the Series A Preferred Unitholder.

9.	Additional Information

In addition to the information to be provided to Unitholders pursuant to Section 8.3 of the Partnership Agreement, (i) the General Partner agrees to provide each Unitholder with the annual reserve engineering report regarding not less than a majority of the Partnership producing oil and gas properties prepared by an independent reserve engineering firm selected by the General Partner and (ii) on the request of a Series A Preferred Unitholder, the General Partner shall provide such Series A Preferred Unitholder, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, with a schedule of the Budgeted Distributions in respect of any calendar year for which such information is available. On a Series A Preferred Unitholder’s request, the General Partner agrees to discuss with such Series A Preferred Unitholder the General Partner’s possible exercise of its right to redeem additional Series A Preferred Units from such Series A Preferred Unitholder pursuant to Paragraph 8(e) if such Series A Preferred Unitholder sends a Holder Redemption Notice pursuant to Paragraph 8(a).

10.	Information or Liquidation

The General Partner shall provide the Series A Preferred Unitholders with at least 15 Business Days’ notice of the first liquidating distribution pursuant to Paragraph 13(d) (the “Liquidation Notice”). The Liquidation Notice shall include the General Partner’s good faith estimate of the amount of distributions that a holder of one Subordinated Unit or Common Unit would receive pursuant to Paragraph 13(d), estimated on a fully-diluted basis as if all Convertible Securities were converted, exchanged or exercised in full.

11.	Documents Executed as Attorney-in-Fact

The General Partner shall provide each Series A Preferred Unitholder with a copy of any amendment, certificate, instrument or any other document for which the power of attorney provided for in Section 2.8 of the Partnership Agreement is exercised in respect of such Series A Preferred Unitholder.

12.	Restricted Transferability

No Series A Preferred Unitholder may Dispose of its Series A Preferred Units to a Person other than a Permitted Transferee without the consent of the General Partner, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld. The General Partner shall have the right to cause the Partnership to purchase all of the Series A Preferred Units proposed to be Disposed of by such Series A Preferred Unitholder for the minimum price per Series A Preferred Unit for which such Series A Preferred Unitholder offers to sell its Series A Preferred Units. If the Partnership does not elect to purchase all of the disposing Series A Preferred

Annex A-15

Unitholder’s offered Series A Preferred Units in accordance with this Paragraph 12(a), the disposing Series A Preferred Unitholder shall then have 90 days within which to Dispose of the offered Series A Preferred Units to a Partner or Partners or a third party for a price at least equal to that described in its offer to the Partnership. The Assignee in any such Disposition shall be permitted to assume all of the rights and obligations of the selling Series A Preferred Unitholder. The General Partner must, if it desires to purchase the Series A Preferred Units being offered, exercise its rights pursuant to this Paragraph 12(a) within 15 Business Days following receipt from a Series A Preferred Unitholder of its offer to sell its Series A Preferred Units.

13.	Allocations and Distributions

Allocations for Capital Account Purposes. Notwithstanding Section 6.1 of the Partnership Agreement, for purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts and in determining the rights of the Partners among themselves, the Partnership’s items of income, gain, loss, deduction, amount realized and Simulated Gain (computed in accordance with Section 5.4(b) of the Partnership Agreement) for each taxable period shall be allocated among the Partners, and the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall be adjusted for Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss, as provided herein below. Consistent with Section 5.4(d) of the Partnership Agreement, the taxable periods for which allocations shall be made pursuant to this Paragraph 13 shall include any taxable periods ending on a Redemption Date or a Conversion Date, as applicable, and any Series A Preferred Units being redeemed or converted on such date shall be treated as Outstanding as of the last day of the taxable period ending on such date for purposes of this Paragraph 13.

Net Income and Net Loss.

(1)

Net Income. After giving effect to the Capital Account adjustments pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(iv)(2), Net Income for each taxable period (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction and, to the extent provided in Paragraph 13(a)(iv)(3), Simulated Gain taken into account in computing Net Income for such taxable period) shall be allocated as follows:

(a)

First, to the General Partner until the aggregate amount of Net Income allocated to the General Partner pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(i)(1)(a) for the current and all previous taxable periods is equal to the aggregate amount of Net Loss allocated to the General Partner pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(i)(2)(c) for all previous taxable periods; and

(b)

Second, the balance, if any, 100% to the Unitholders, Pro Rata.

(2)

Net Loss. After giving effect to the Capital Account adjustments pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(iv)(2), Net Loss for each taxable period (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction and, to the extent provided in Paragraph 13(a)(iv)(3), Simulated Gain taken into account in computing Net Loss for such taxable period) shall be allocated as follows:

(a)

First, 100% to all Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the Adjusted Capital Account of each Common Unitholder is equal to zero;

(b)

Second, 100% to all Series A Preferred Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the Adjusted Capital Account of each Series A Preferred Unitholder is equal to zero; and

(c)

Third, the balance, if any, to the General Partner;

provided, that Net Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(i)(2) to the extent that such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account).

ii.

Net Termination Gains and Losses. After giving effect to the Capital Account adjustments pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(iv)(2), Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss occurring

Annex A-16

during a taxable period shall be allocated in the manner set forth in this Paragraph 13(a)(ii). All allocations under this Paragraph 13(a)(ii) shall be made after Capital Account balances have been adjusted by all other allocations provided under this Paragraph 13(a) and after all distributions of cash and cash equivalents provided under Paragraph 13(c) have been made; provided, however, that solely for purposes of this Paragraph 13(a)(ii), Capital Accounts shall not be adjusted for distributions made pursuant Paragraph 13(d); and provided, further, that Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss attributable to (i) Liquidation Gain or Liquidation Loss shall be allocated on the last day of the taxable period during which such Liquidation Gain or Liquidation Loss occurred, (ii) Sale Gain or Sale Loss shall be allocated as of the time of the sale or disposition giving rise to such Sale Gain or Sale Loss and allocated to the Partners consistent with the second proviso set forth in Paragraph 13(b)(vii) and (iii) Revaluation Gain or Revaluation Loss shall be allocated on the date of the Revaluation Event giving rise to such Revaluation Gain or Revaluation Loss.

(1)

Except as provided in Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(4) and subject to the provisions set forth in the last sentence of this Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(1), Net Termination Gain (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction, and, to the extent provided in Paragraph 13(a)(iv)(3), Simulated Gain taken into account in computing Net Termination Gain) shall be allocated in the following order and priority:

(a)

First, to each Partner having a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account, in the proportion that such deficit balance bears to the total deficit balances in the Adjusted Capital Accounts of all Partners, until each such Partner has been allocated Net Termination Gain equal to any such deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account;

(b)

Second, to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding is equal to the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, (2) if the Net Termination Gain is attributable to Liquidation Gain, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Paragraph 13(c)(i) with respect to such Common Unit for such Quarter that is treated as made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(i) or Section 6.4(b) of the Partnership Agreement (the amount determined pursuant to this clause (2) is hereinafter referred to as the “Unpaid MQD”) and (3) any then existing Cumulative Common Unit Arrearage with respect to such Common Unit;

(c)

Third, if such Net Termination Gain is recognized (or is deemed to be recognized) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit into a Common Unit, to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding equals the sum of (1) its Unrecovered Initial Unit Price, determined for the taxable period (or portion thereof) to which this allocation of gain relates, and (2) if the Net Termination Gain is attributable to Liquidation Gain, the Minimum Quarterly Distribution for the Quarter during which the Liquidation Date occurs, reduced by any distribution pursuant to Paragraph 13(c)(iii) with respect to such Subordinated Unit for such Quarter that is treated as made pursuant to Section 6.4(a)(iii) of the Partnership Agreement; and

(d)

Finally, 100% to all Unitholders, Pro Rata.

(2)

Except as otherwise provided by Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(3) or Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(4), Net Termination Loss (including a pro rata part of each item of income, gain, loss, deduction, and, to the extent provided in Paragraph 13(a)(iv)(3), Simulated Gain taken into account in computing Net Termination Loss) shall be allocated:

(a)

First, if Subordinated Units remain Outstanding, to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata, until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Subordinated Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero;

Annex A-17

(b)

Second, to all Unitholders holding Common Units, Pro Rata, until the Adjusted Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding has been reduced to zero; and

(c)

Third, the balance, if any, 100% to the General Partner.

(3)

Net Termination Loss attributable to Revaluation Loss and deemed recognized prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit and prior to the Liquidation Date shall be allocated:

(a)

First, to the Unitholders, Pro Rata, until the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding equals the Event Issue Value; provided that Net Termination Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(3)(a) to the extent such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account);

(b)

Second, to all Unitholders holding Subordinated Units, Pro Rata; provided that Net Termination Loss shall not be allocated pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(3)(b) to the extent such allocation would cause any Unitholder to have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of such taxable period (or increase any existing deficit in its Adjusted Capital Account); and

(c)

Third, the balance, if any, to the General Partner.

(4)

If (A) a Net Termination Loss has been allocated pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(3), (B) a Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss subsequently occurs (other than as a result of a Revaluation Event) prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit and (C) after tentatively making all allocations of such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss provided for in Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(1) or Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(2), as applicable, the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding does not equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(3) had not been part of this Agreement and all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(1) or Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(2), as applicable, then items of income, gain, loss and deduction included in such Net Termination Gain or Net Termination Loss, as applicable, shall be specially allocated to the General Partner and all Unitholders in a manner that will, to the maximum extent possible, cause the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit then Outstanding to equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if all allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(1) or Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(2), as applicable.

iii.

Special Allocations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Paragraph 13(a), the following special allocations shall be made for each taxable period in the following order:

(1)

Partnership Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Paragraph 13(a), if there is a net decrease in Partnership Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, each Partner shall be allocated items of Partnership income, gain and Simulated Gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(f)(6), 1.704-2(g)(2) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(i), or any successor provision. For purposes of this Paragraph 13(a)(iii), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income, gain and Simulated Gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(iii) with respect to such taxable period (other than an allocation pursuant to Paragraphs 13(a)(iii)(6) and 13(a)(iii)(7)). This Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(1) is intended to comply with the Partnership Minimum Gain chargeback requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

Annex A-18

(2)

Chargeback of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Paragraph 13(a) (other than Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(1)), except as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4), if there is a net decrease in Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain during any Partnership taxable period, any Partner with a share of Partner Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain at the beginning of such taxable period shall be allocated items of Partnership income, gain and Simulated Gain for such period (and, if necessary, subsequent periods) in the manner and amounts provided in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(i)(4) and 1.704-2(j)(2)(ii), or any successor provisions. For purposes of this Paragraph 13(a)(iii), each Partner’s Adjusted Capital Account balance shall be determined, and the allocation of income, gain and Simulated Gain required hereunder shall be effected, prior to the application of any other allocations pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(iii), other than Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(1) and other than an allocation pursuant to Paragraphs 13(a)(iii)(6) and 13(a)(iii)(7), with respect to such taxable period. This Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(2) is intended to comply with the chargeback of items of income and gain requirement in Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i)(4) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(3)

Priority Allocations.

(a)

If the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of any property distributed (except cash or property distributed pursuant to Paragraph 13(d)) with respect to an Outstanding Unit for a taxable period exceeds the amount of cash or the Net Agreed Value of property distributed with respect to another Outstanding Unit for the same taxable period (the amount of the excess, an “Excess Distribution” and the Unit with respect to which the greater distribution is paid, an “Excess Distribution Unit”), then there shall be allocated gross income and gain to each Unitholder receiving an Excess Distribution with respect to the Excess Distribution Unit until the aggregate amount of such items allocated with respect to such Excess Distribution Unit pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(3)(a) for the current taxable period and all previous taxable periods is equal to the amount of the Excess Distribution.

(b)

Series A Preferred Unitholder Periodic Allocations. After the application of Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(3)(a), the remaining Partnership items of gross income and gain (including Unrealized Gain and Simulated Gain) for the taxable period shall be allocated to the Series A Preferred Unitholders, Pro Rata, in the following order:

(i)

first, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the cumulative Series A Preferred Yield from the Closing Date through the last day of such taxable period with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit that is Outstanding as of the last day of such taxable period, over (y) the cumulative gross income and gain allocated pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(3)(b)(i) from all prior taxable periods with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit that is Outstanding as of the last day of such taxable period;

(ii)

second, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the cumulative amount of distributions made pursuant to Paragraph 13(c)(iv) from the Closing Date through the last day of such taxable period (including any distributions made with respect to such taxable period within thirty (30) days of the end of such taxable period) with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit that is Outstanding as of the last day of such taxable period, over (y) the cumulative gross income and gain allocated pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(3)(b)(ii) from all prior taxable periods with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit that is Outstanding as of the last day of such taxable period; and

(iii)

third, an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the cumulative amount of Net Loss allocated pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(i)(2) for all prior taxable periods with

Annex A-19

respect to each Series A Preferred Unit that is Outstanding as of the last day of such taxable period, over (y) the cumulative gross income and gain allocated pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(3)(b)(iii) for all prior taxable periods with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit that is Outstanding as of the last day of such taxable period.

(c)

Holder Redemption Allocations. If any Series A Preferred Units are redeemed pursuant to Paragraph 8 (other than Paragraph 8(e)) and the Capital Account with respect to each such Unit does not equal the Holder Redemption Price, then items of gross income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to the Series A Unitholders whose Units are being redeemed, Pro Rata, in a manner such that, to the extent possible, the Capital Account balance with respect to each such Series A Unit equals the Holder Redemption Price; provided that such Capital Account balance shall be determined after giving effect to (x) all Capital Contributions made with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit, including any Capital Contributions made pursuant to Paragraph 8(j), (y) all distributions made with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit, including any distributions made pursuant to Paragraph 13(c) with respect to Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield as of the Redemption Date, and (z) all allocations made pursuant to this Paragraph 13 with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit for all periods. If, after making such allocations, the Capital Account balance with respect to each such Series A Unit does not equal the Holder Redemption Price, then (i) to the extent the Holder Redemption Price exceeds such Capital Account balance, the Partnership will make a guaranteed payment to the Series A Preferred Unitholders whose Series A Preferred Units are being redeemed in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such excess for each Series A Preferred Unit being redeemed, and the deduction with respect to the guaranteed payments will be allocated 100% to the Common Unitholders, Pro Rata, or (ii) to the extent such Capital Account balance exceeds the Holder Redemption Price, the Partnership will make a guaranteed payment to the Common Unitholders, Pro Rata, in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such excess for each Series A Preferred Unit being redeemed, and the deduction with respect to the guaranteed payments will be allocated 100% to the Series A Preferred Unitholders, Pro Rata.

(d)

Partnership Redemption Allocations. If any Series A Preferred Units are redeemed pursuant to Paragraph 8(e) and the Capital Account with respect to each such Unit does not equal the Partnership Redemption Price, then items of gross income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to the Series A Unitholders whose Units are being redeemed, Pro Rata, in a manner such that, to the extent possible, the Capital Account balance with respect to each such Series A Unit equals the Partnership Redemption Price; provided that such Capital Account balance shall be determined after giving effect to (x) all Capital Contributions made with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit, including any Capital Contributions made pursuant to Paragraph 8(j), (y) all distributions made with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit, including any distributions made pursuant to Paragraph 13(c) with respect to Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield as of the Redemption Date, and (z) all allocations made pursuant to this Paragraph 13 with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit for all periods. If, after making such allocations, the Capital Account balance with respect to each such Series A Unit does not equal the Partnership Redemption Price, then (i) to the extent the Partnership Redemption Price exceeds such Capital Account balance, the Partnership will make a guaranteed payment to the Series A Preferred Unitholders whose Series A Preferred Units are being redeemed in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such excess for each Series A Preferred Unit being redeemed, and the deduction with respect to the guaranteed payments will be allocated 100% to the Common Unitholders, Pro Rata, or (ii) to the extent such Capital

Annex A-20

Account balance exceeds the Partnership Redemption Price, the Partnership will make a guaranteed payment to the Common Unitholders, Pro Rata, in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such excess for each Series A Preferred Unit being redeemed, and the deduction with respect to the guaranteed payments will be allocated 100% to the Series A Preferred Unitholders, Pro Rata.

(e)

Liquidation Allocations. If upon the liquidation of the Partnership, the Capital Account with respect to each Series A Preferred Unit (after giving effect to all (i) contributions and distributions and (ii) allocations pursuant to this Paragraph 13 for all periods) does not equal the Series A Liquidation Preference Amount, then items of gross income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to the Series A Unitholders, Pro Rata, in a manner such that, to the extent possible, the Capital Account balance with respect to each such Series A Unit equals the Series A Liquidation Preference. If, after making such allocations, the Capital Account balance with respect to each such Series A Unit does not equal the Series A Liquidation Preference Amount, then (i) to the extent the Series A Liquidation Preference Amount exceeds such Capital Account balance, the Partnership will make a guaranteed payment to the Series A Preferred Unitholders, Pro Rata, in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such excess for each Series A Preferred Unit, and the deduction with respect to the guaranteed payments will be allocated 100% to the Common Unitholders, Pro Rata, or (ii) to the extent such Capital Account balance exceeds the Series A Liquidation Preference Amount, the Partnership will make a guaranteed payment to the Common Unitholders, Pro Rata, in an aggregate amount equal to the amount of such excess for each Series A Preferred Unit, and the deduction with respect to the guaranteed payments will be allocated 100% to the Series A Preferred Unitholders, Pro Rata.

(f)

Interest Yield Payments. Any interest paid on the Holder Redemption Price at the Yield Rate pursuant to Paragraph 8(a) or on the Partnership Redemption Price at the Yield Rate pursuant to Paragraph 8(e) shall be treated as a Code Section 707(c) guaranteed payment and the items of deduction attributable to such guaranteed payment shall be allocated 100% to the Common Unitholders, Pro Rata.

(4)

Qualified Income Offset. In the event any Partner unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Partnership gross income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Partner in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(4) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Paragraph 13(a) have been tentatively made as if this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(4) were not in this Agreement.

(5)

Gross Income Allocations. In the event any Partner has a deficit balance in its Capital Account at the end of any taxable period in excess of the sum of (A) the amount such Partner is required to restore pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and (B) the amount such Partner is deemed obligated to restore pursuant to Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-2(g) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Partner shall be specially allocated items of Partnership gross income, gain and Simulated Gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(5) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Partner would have a deficit balance in its Capital Account after all other allocations provided for in this Paragraph 13(a) have been tentatively made as if Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(4) and this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(5) were not in this Agreement.

Annex A-21

(6)

Nonrecourse Deductions. Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated to the Common Unitholders, Pro Rata. If the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s Nonrecourse Deductions should be allocated in a different ratio to satisfy the safe harbor requirements of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) of the Code, the General Partner is authorized, upon notice to the other Partners, to revise the prescribed ratio to the numerically closest ratio that does satisfy such requirements.

(7)

Partner Nonrecourse Deductions. Partner Nonrecourse Deductions for any taxable period shall be allocated 100% to the Partner that bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to the Partner Nonrecourse Debt to which such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions are attributable in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i). If more than one Partner bears the Economic Risk of Loss with respect to a Partner Nonrecourse Debt, such Partner Nonrecourse Deductions attributable thereto shall be allocated between or among such Partners in accordance with the ratios in which they share such Economic Risk of Loss. This Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(7) is intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.704-2(i)(1) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith.

(8)

Nonrecourse Liabilities. For purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.752-3(a)(3), the Partners agree that Nonrecourse Liabilities of the Partnership in excess of the sum of (A) the amount of Partnership Minimum Gain and (B) the total amount of Nonrecourse Built-in Gain shall be allocated among the Common Unitholders, Pro Rata.

(9)

Code Section 754 Adjustments. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Partnership asset pursuant to Section 734(b) of the Code (including pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.734-2(b)(1)) is required, pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(m), to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts as a result of a distribution to a Partner in complete liquidation of such Partner’s interest in the Partnership, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain or Simulated Gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss or Simulated Loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis) taken into account pursuant to Section 5.4 of the Partnership Agreement, and such item of gain, loss, Simulated Gain or Simulated Loss shall be specially allocated to the Partners in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to such Section of the Treasury Regulations.

(10)

Economic Uniformity; Changes in Law.

(a)

At the election of the General Partner with respect to any taxable period ending upon, or after, the termination of the Subordination Period, all or a portion of the remaining items of Partnership gross income or gain for such taxable period, after taking into account allocations pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(3), shall be allocated 100% to each Partner holding Subordinated Units that are Outstanding as of the termination of the Subordination Period (“Final Subordinated Units”) in the proportion of the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner to the total number of Final Subordinated Units then Outstanding, until each such Partner has been allocated an amount of gross income or gain that increases the Capital Account maintained with respect to such Final Subordinated Units to an amount that after taking into account the other allocations of income, gain, loss and deduction to be made with respect to such taxable period will equal the product of (i) the number of Final Subordinated Units held by such Partner and (ii) the Per Unit Capital Amount for a Common Unit. The purpose of this allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital Accounts underlying Final Subordinated Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common Units held by Persons other than the General Partner and its Affiliates immediately prior to the conversion of such Final Subordinated Units into Common Units. This allocation method for establishing such economic uniformity will be available to the General Partner only if the method for

Annex A-22

allocating the Capital Account maintained with respect to the Subordinated Units between the transferred and retained Subordinated Units pursuant to Section 5.4(c)(ii) of the Partnership Agreement does not otherwise provide such economic uniformity to the Final Subordinated Units.

(b)

For the proper administration of the Partnership and for the preservation of uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof), the General Partner shall (i) adopt such conventions as it deems appropriate in determining the amount of depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions; (ii) make special allocations of income, gain, loss, deduction, Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss; and (iii) amend the provisions of this Agreement as appropriate (x) to reflect the proposal or promulgation of Treasury Regulations under Section 704(b) or Section 704(c) of the Code or (y) otherwise to preserve or achieve uniformity of the Limited Partner Interests (or any class or classes thereof). The General Partner may adopt such conventions, make such allocations and make such amendments to this Annex as provided in this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(10) only if such conventions, allocations or amendments would not have a material adverse effect on the Partners, the holders of any class or classes of Outstanding Limited Partner Interests or the Partnership.

(11)

Curative Allocation.

(a)

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Paragraph 13(a), other than the Required Allocations, the Required Allocations shall be taken into account in making the Agreed Allocations so that, to the extent possible, the net amount of items of gross income, gain, loss, deduction, Simulated Depletion, Simulated Gain and Simulated Loss allocated to each Partner pursuant to the Required Allocations and the Agreed Allocations, together, shall be equal to the net amount of such items that would have been allocated to each such Partner under the Agreed Allocations had the Required Allocations and the related Curative Allocation not otherwise been provided in this Paragraph 13(a) and Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss had been included in the definition of Net Income and Net Loss. In exercising its discretion under this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(11)(a), the General Partner may take into account future Required Allocations that, although not yet made, are likely to offset other Required Allocations previously made. Allocations pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(11)(a) shall only be made with respect to Required Allocations to the extent the General Partner determines that such allocations will otherwise be inconsistent with the economic agreement among the Partners.

(b)

The General Partner shall, with respect to each taxable period, (1) apply the provisions of Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(11)(a) in whatever order is most likely to minimize the economic distortions that might otherwise result from the Required Allocations, and (2) divide all allocations pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(11)(a) among the Partners in a manner that is likely to minimize such economic distortions.

(12)

Special Curative Allocation in Event of Certain Liquidations. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Paragraph 13(a) (other than the Required Allocations), if (1) the Liquidation Date occurs prior to the conversion of the last Outstanding Subordinated Unit and (2) after having made all other allocations provided for in this Paragraph 13(a) for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs, the Capital Account in respect of each then Outstanding Common Unit does not equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(3) and Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(4) had not been part of this Agreement and all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(1) and Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(2), as applicable, then items of income, gain, loss and deduction for such taxable period shall be reallocated among all Unitholders in a manner determined appropriate by the General Partner so as to cause, to the maximum extent possible, the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit to equal the

Annex A-23

amount such Capital Account would have been if all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(1) and Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(2), as applicable. For the avoidance of doubt, the reallocation of items set forth in the immediately preceding sentence provides that, to the extent necessary to achieve the Capital Account balances described above, (x) items of income and gain that would otherwise be included in Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs shall be reallocated from the Unitholders holding Subordinated Units to Unitholders holding Common Units and (y) items of deduction and loss that would otherwise be included in Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs shall be reallocated from Unitholders holding Common Units to Unitholders holding Subordinated Units. In the event that (1) the Liquidation Date occurs on or before the date (not including any extension of time prescribed by law) for the filing of the Partnership’s federal income tax return for the taxable period immediately prior to the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs and (2) the reallocation of items for the taxable period in which the Liquidation Date occurs as set forth above in this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(12) fails to achieve the Capital Account balances described above, items of income, gain, loss and deduction that would otherwise be included in the Net Income or Net Loss, as the case may be, for such prior taxable period shall be reallocated among the General Partner and all Unitholders in a manner that will, to the maximum extent possible and after taking into account all other allocations made pursuant to this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(12), cause the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit to equal the amount such Capital Account would have been if all prior allocations of Net Termination Gain and Net Termination Loss had been made pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(1) and Paragraph 13(a)(ii)(2), as applicable.

(13)

Allocations of GP Items. All GP Items shall, to the maximum extent possible, be allocated to the Series A Preferred Unitholders and the holders (other than the General Partner) of the Common Units in accordance with the provisions of this Paragraph 13(a).

(14)

Equalization of Capital Accounts With Respect to Privately Placed Units. Unrealized Gain or Unrealized Loss deemed recognized as a result of a Revaluation Event shall first be allocated to the (A) Unitholders holding Privately Placed Units, Pro Rata, or (B) Unitholders holding Common Units (other than Privately Placed Units), Pro Rata, as applicable, to the extent necessary to cause the Capital Account in respect of each Privately Placed Unit then Outstanding to equal the Capital Account in respect of each Common Unit (other than Privately Placed Units) then Outstanding.

(15)

Allocations Regarding Certain Payments Made to Employees and Other Service Providers. Consistent with the provisions of Treasury Regulation Section 1.83-6(d), if any Partner (or its successor) transfers property (including cash) to any employee or other service provider of the Partnership Group and such Partner is not entitled to be reimbursed by (or otherwise elects not to seek reimbursement from) the Partnership for the value of such property, then any items of deduction or loss resulting from or attributable to such transfer shall be allocated to the Partner (or its successor) that made such transfer and was deemed to have contributed such property to the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Partnership Agreement.

(16)

Converted Series A Preferred Units; Economic Uniformity. With respect to any taxable period ending upon, or after, a Conversion Date, items of Partnership income, gain, deduction and loss shall be allocated to each Series A Preferred Unitholder holding converted Series A Preferred Units until each such Partner has been allocated an amount of Partnership income, gain, deduction and loss that increases, or decreases, as the case may be, the Capital Account maintained with respect to such converted Series A Preferred Units to an amount equal to the product of (A) the number of converted Series A Preferred Units and (B) the Per Unit Capital Account for a Common Unit. For purposes of this Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(16), the

Annex A-24

Capital Account maintained with respect to a converted Series A Preferred Unit shall give effect to (i) all Capital Contributions made with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit, including any Capital Contributions made pursuant to Paragraph 5(d) or Paragraph 6(b), (ii) all distributions made with respect to such Series A Preferred Unit, including any distributions made pursuant to Paragraph 13(c) with respect to Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield as of the Conversion Date and pursuant to Paragraph 5(d) or Paragraph 6(b) with respect to the Common Unit into which such Series A Preferred Unit was converted, and (iii) all allocations made pursuant to such converted Series A Preferred Unit for all periods. The purpose for this allocation is to establish uniformity between the Capital Accounts underlying converted Series A Preferred Units and the Capital Accounts underlying Common Units.

iv.

Simulated Basis; Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss; Simulated Gain; Amount Realized.

(1)

Simulated Basis. For purposes of determining and maintaining the Partners’ Capital Accounts, (i) the initial Simulated Basis of each oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) of the Partnership shall be allocated among the Common Unitholders, Pro Rata and (ii) if the Carrying Value of an oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) is adjusted pursuant to Section 5.4(d) of the Partnership Agreement, the Simulated Basis of such property (as adjusted to reflect the adjustment to the Carrying Value of such property), shall be allocated to the Common Unitholders, Pro Rata.

(2)

Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss. For purposes of applying clause (z) of the second sentence of Section 5.4(a) of the Partnership Agreement, Simulated Depletion and Simulated Loss with respect to each oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) of the Partnership shall reduce each Partner’s Capital Account in proportion to the manner in which the Simulated Basis of such property is allocated among the Partners pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(iv)(1).

(3)

Simulated Gain. For purposes of applying clause (iii) of the second sentence of Section 5.4(a) of the Partnership Agreement, Simulated Gain for any taxable period will be treated as included in either Net Income or Net Loss and allocated pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(i).

(4)

Amount Realized. For purposes of Treasury Regulation Sections 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(k)(2) and 1.704-1(b)(4)(iii), the amount realized on the disposition of any oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) of the Partnership shall be allocated (i) first to the Partners in an amount equal to the remaining Simulated Basis of such property in the same proportions as the Simulated Basis of such property was allocated among the Partners pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(iv)(1), and (ii) any remaining amount realized shall be allocated to the Partners in the same ratio as Simulated Gain from the disposition of such oil and gas property is allocated pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(i).

Allocations for Tax Purposes

Except as otherwise provided herein, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Partners in the same manner as its correlative item of “book” income, gain, loss or deduction is allocated pursuant to Paragraph 13(a).

ii.

The deduction for depletion with respect to each separate oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) shall be computed for federal income tax purposes separately by the Partners rather than by the Partnership in accordance with Section 613A(c)(7)(D) of the Code. Except as provided in Paragraph 13(b)(iii), for purposes of such computation (before taking into account any adjustments resulting from an election made by the Partnership under Section 754 of the Code), the adjusted tax basis of each oil and gas property (as defined in Section 614 of the Code) that is (i) a Contributed Property shall initially be allocated among the non-contributing

Annex A-25

Common Unitholders, Pro Rata, but not in excess of any such Partner’s share of Simulated Basis as determined pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(iv)(1), and (ii) not a Contributed Property or an Adjusted Property shall initially be allocated to the Partners in proportion to each such Partner’s share of Simulated Basis as determined pursuant to Paragraph 13(a)(iv)(1). If there is an event described in Section 5.4(d) of the Partnership Agreement, the General Partner shall reallocate the adjusted tax basis of each oil and gas property in a manner (i) consistent with the principles of Section 704(c) of the Code and (ii) that maintains the federal income tax fungibility of the Units.

iii.

In an attempt to eliminate Book-Tax Disparities attributable to a Contributed Property or Adjusted Property, items of income, gain, loss, depreciation, amortization and cost recovery deductions shall be allocated for U.S. federal income tax purposes among the Partners in the manner provided under Section 704(c) of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 704(b) and 704(c) of the Code, as determined appropriate by the General Partner (taking into account the General Partner’s discretion under Paragraph 13(a)(iii)(10)); provided that, in all events, the General Partner shall apply the “remedial allocation method” in accordance with the principles of Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-3(d). For purposes of applying the “remedial allocation method” to oil and gas properties (i) the amount by which any Partner’s Capital Account is adjusted for Simulated Depletion shall be treated as an amount of book depletion allocated to such Partner and (ii) the amount of cost depletion computed by such Partner under Section 613A(c)(7)(D) of the Code shall be treated as an amount of tax depletion allocated to such Partner.

iv.

The General Partner may determine to depreciate or amortize the portion of an adjustment under Section 743(b) of the Code attributable to unrealized appreciation in any Adjusted Property (to the extent of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity) using a predetermined rate derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity of such property, despite any inconsistency of such approach with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-l(a)(6) or any successor regulations thereto. If the General Partner determines that such reporting position cannot reasonably be taken, the General Partner may adopt depreciation and amortization conventions under which all purchasers acquiring Limited Partner Interests in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, based upon the same applicable rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in the Partnership’s property. If the General Partner chooses not to utilize such aggregate method, the General Partner may use any other depreciation and amortization conventions to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any Units, so long as such conventions would not have a material adverse effect on the Limited Partners or Record Holders of any class or classes of Limited Partner Interests.

In accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.1245-1(e) and 1.1250-1(f), any gain allocated to the Partners upon the sale or other taxable disposition of any Partnership asset shall, to the extent possible, after taking into account other required allocations of gain pursuant to this Paragraph 13(b), be characterized as Recapture Income in the same proportions and to the same extent as such Partners (or their predecessors in interest) have been allocated any deductions directly or indirectly giving rise to the treatment of such gains as Recapture Income.

vi.

All items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit recognized by the Partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and allocated to the Partners in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be determined without regard to any election under Section 754 of the Code that may be made by the Partnership; provided, however, that such allocations, once made, shall be adjusted (in the manner determined by the General Partner) to take into account those adjustments permitted or required by Sections 734 and 743 of the Code.

Annex A-26

vii.

Each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction shall, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, be determined for each Quarter and prorated on a monthly basis and shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership’s Units are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of each month; provided, however, such items for the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the last day of the month in which the Closing Date occurs shall be allocated to the Partners who are issued Units as a result of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement and the Underwriting Agreement; and provided, further, that each item of Partnership income, gain, loss and deduction for the period beginning on the Contribution Date and ending the date immediately before the Closing Date shall be allocated to the Partners holding Units on the date immediately before the Closing Date; and provided, further, that gain or loss on a sale or other disposition of any assets of the Partnership or any other extraordinary item of income, gain, loss or deduction, as determined by the General Partner, shall be allocated to the Partners as of the opening of the National Securities Exchange on which the Partnership’s Units are listed or admitted to trading on the first Business Day of the month in which such item is recognized for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The General Partner may revise, alter or otherwise modify such methods of allocation to the extent permitted or required by Section 706 of the Code and the regulations or rulings promulgated thereunder.

viii.

Allocations that would otherwise be made to a Partner under the provisions of this Paragraph 13 shall instead be made to the beneficial owner of Partnership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Partnership in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method determined by the General Partner.

ix.

If, as a result of an exercise of a Noncompensatory Option, a Capital Account reallocation is required under Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(s)(3), the General Partner shall make corrective allocations pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-1(b)(4)(x).

Distributions Prior to Liquidation. Notwithstanding Section 6.3(b) of the Partnership Agreement and except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 8, prior to the liquidation of the Partnership in accordance with Section 12.4 of the Partnership Agreement, in the sole discretion of the General Partner, cash or other property of the Partnership shall be distributed to the Partners in the following order and priority; provided, however, that distributions pursuant to clause i below shall be made in cash only:

First, 100% to the Series A Preferred Unitholders (ratably among the Series A Preferred Unitholders based on the aggregate Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield of each such Series A Preferred Unitholder’s Series A Preferred Units accrued through the last day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter), until the aggregate Unpaid Series A Preferred Yield of each such Series A Preferred Unit accrued through the last day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter has been reduced to zero; and then

ii.

Second, in respect of each calendar year, 100% to the Common Unitholders and the Subordinated Unitholders, apportioned in accordance with Sections 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 of the Partnership Agreement, as applicable, until there has been distributed pursuant to this Paragraph 13(c)(ii) an aggregate amount in respect of such calendar year equal to 10% of the aggregate Interest Fair Market Value of the outstanding Common Units and Subordinated Units as of the first day of such calendar year; and then

iii.

Finally, 100% to the Common Unitholders and the Subordinated Unit holders, on the one hand, and the Series A Preferred Unitholders, on the other hand, Pro Rata (with the Percentage Interest of each Series A Preferred Unitholder being determined on an “as converted” basis). Amounts distributed to the Common and Subordinated Unitholders pursuant to Paragraph 13(c)(i) shall be apportioned in accordance with Sections 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 of the Partnership Agreement, as applicable.

Annex A-27

Distributions under this Paragraph 13(c) shall be made to the Partners each calendar quarter no later than thirty (30) days following the last day of each calendar quarter. The General Partner shall be entitled to establish record dates for the payment of distributions and adopt any other procedures deemed by the General Partner to be necessary or appropriate in order to effect the provisions of this Paragraph 13(c).

Subject to the contractual obligations of the Partnership and the Partnership Act and other Applicable Laws, the Partnership shall distribute to the Unitholders an aggregate amount of cash with respect to each calendar year (for purposes of this Paragraph 13(c), any distribution in January being deemed to be a distribution with respect to the previous calendar year unless such distribution is specified by the General Partner as being deemed to be a distribution with respect to a different calendar year) at least equal to fifty percent (50%) of the Partnership’s EBITDAX for such calendar year, unless otherwise determined by the General Partner.

Promptly following the determination of the Partnership’s EBITDAX for each calendar year, the General Partner shall calculate the cash distributions, if any, to be made to the Unitholders in order to comply with this Paragraph 13(c) and shall make any such additional distribution in respect of such calendar year in order to cause the aggregate cash distributions to Unitholders in respect of such calendar year to meet the requirements of this Paragraph 13(c).

The Partnership will make distributions of (i) cash (other than GP Available Cash), if any, to the Unitholders in accordance with this Paragraph 13(c) and (ii) GP Available Cash, if any, to the Series A Preferred Unitholders and the holders (other than the General Partner) of Common Units pursuant to the provisions of this Paragraph 13(c).

Distributions in Liquidation. In connection with the liquidation of the Partnership pursuant to Section 12.4 of the Partnership Agreement, any cash available for distribution in connection with such liquidation shall first be used to make liquidating distributions to the Series A Preferred Unitholders pursuant to and in accordance with Section 12.4(c) of the Partnership Agreement, and any remaining cash of the Partnership shall be distributed to the Common Unitholders pursuant to and in accordance with Section 12.4(c) of the Partnership Agreement.

14.	Right to Acquire Limited Partner Interests. Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Partnership Agreement to the contrary, the terms of Article XV of the Partnership Agreement shall not apply while this Annex remains in effect.

15.

Right to Vote Units. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Partnership Agreement, the restrictions in the definition of “Outstanding” that apply to Persons that beneficially own 15% or more of any class of Partnership Interests shall not restrict a Series A Preferred Unitholder from voting all, and being deemed present with respect to all, of his, her or its Series A Preferred Units on any matter.

16.	Invalidity of Provisions.

If any provision or part of a provision of this Annex is or becomes, for any reason, invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect (including because the enactment of such provision or part of a provision was prohibited by the Organizational LP Partnership Agreement), the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions and part thereof contained herein shall not be affected thereby, and this Annex shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reformed and construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision, or part of a provision, had never been contained herein, and such provision or part reformed so that it would be valid, legal and enforceable to the maximum extent possible.

If this Annex, when read together with the Partnership Agreement, fails to include any provision, or part of a provision, from the Organizational LP Partnership Agreement that was required to be included herein (a “required provision”) by virtue of any provision of the Organizational LP Partnership Agreement, this Annex shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reformed and construed as if such provision, or part

Annex A-28

of a provision, had been included herein (it being understood that any required provision that relates solely to the rights or preferences of the Series A Preferred Units or Unitholders shall be included in this Annex and any other required provision shall be included in the Partnership Agreement). Any provision or part of a provision of this Annex that conflicts with any such required provision shall be reformed and construed as if such conflicting provision had never been contained herein. The terms of this Annex shall only be modified by this Paragraph 14(b) to the extent necessary to give effect to such required provision.

17.	Effectiveness. This Annex shall be deemed to be effective upon execution by the General Partner.

18.	Termination. This Annex shall automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect at such time as no Class A Preferred Units remain outstanding.

Annex A-29

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Agreement as of the day and year first written above.


BLACK STONE MINERALS GP, L.L.C.

By:
		Name:
		Title:

Annex A-30

Appendix B

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The following are definitions of certain terms used in this prospectus.

Basin. A large depression on the earth’s surface in which sediments accumulate.

Bbl. One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume.

Bbl/d. Bbl per day.

Bcf. One billion cubic feet of natural gas.

Bcfe. One billion cubic feet equivalent, determined using a ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of oil, condensate, or natural gas liquids.

Boe. Barrels of oil equivalent, with six thousand cubic feet of natural gas being equivalent to one barrel of oil.

Boe/d. Boe per day.

British Thermal Unit (Btu). The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

Completion. The process of treating a drilling well followed by the installation of permanent equipment for the production of natural gas or oil, or in the case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the appropriate agency.

Condensate. A mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in the gaseous phase at original reservoir temperature and pressure, but that, when produced, is in the liquid phase at surface pressure and temperature.

Crude oil. Liquid hydrocarbons retrieved from geological structures underground to be refined into fuel sources.

Delaware Act. Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act.

Delay rental. Payment made to the lessor under a non-producing oil and natural gas lease at the end of each year to defer a drilling obligation and continue the lease for another year during its primary term.

Deterministic method. The method of estimating reserves or resources under which a single value for each parameter (from the geoscience, engineering, or economic data) in the reserves calculation is used in the reserves estimation procedure.

Developed acreage. The number of acres that are allocated or assignable to productive wells or wells capable of production.

Development costs. Capital costs incurred in the acquisition, exploitation, and exploration of proved oil and natural gas reserves divided by proved reserve additions and revisions to proved reserves.

Development well. A well drilled within the proved area of an oil and natural gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

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Differential. An adjustment to the price of oil or natural gas from an established spot market price to reflect differences in the quality and/or location of oil or natural gas.

Dry gas. A natural gas containing insufficient quantities of hydrocarbons heavier than methane to allow their commercial extraction or to require their removal in order to render the gas suitable for fuel use.

Dry hole or dry well. A well found to be incapable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of such production exceed production expenses and taxes.

Economically producible. A resource that generates revenue that exceeds, or is reasonably expected to exceed, the costs of the operation.

Electrical log. Provide information on porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and fluid content of formations drilled in fluid-filled boreholes.

Exploration. A drilling or other project which may target proven or unproven reserves (such as probable or possible reserves), but which generally has a lower risk than that associated with exploration projects.

Exploratory well. A well drilled to find and produce natural gas or oil reserves not classified as proved to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of natural gas or oil in another reservoir or to extend a known reservoir.

Extension well. A well drilled to extend the limits of a known reservoir.

Field. An area consisting of either a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs, all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition.

Formation. A layer of rock which has distinct characteristics that differs from nearby rock.

Fracturing. The process of creating and preserving a fracture or system of fractures in a reservoir rock typically by injecting a fluid under pressure through a wellbore and into the targeted formation.

Gross acres or gross wells. The total acres or wells, as the case may be, in which a working interest is owned.

Horizontal drilling. A drilling technique used in certain formations where a well is drilled vertically to a certain depth and then drilled at a right angle within a specified interval.

Hydraulic fracturing. A process used to stimulate production of hydrocarbons. The process involves the injection of water, sand, and chemicals under pressure into the formation to fracture the surrounding rock and stimulate production.

Lease bonus. Usually a one-time payment made to a mineral owner as consideration for the execution of an oil and natural gas lease.

Lease operating expense. All direct and allocated indirect costs of lifting hydrocarbons from a producing formation to the surface constituting part of the current operating expenses of a working interest. Such costs include labor, superintendence, supplies, repairs, maintenance, allocated overhead charges, workover, insurance, and other expenses incidental to production, but exclude lease acquisition or drilling or completion expenses.

MBbls. One thousand barrels of oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.

MBoe. One thousand barrels of oil equivalent, determined using a ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of oil.

MBoe/d. MBoe per day.

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Mcf. Thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

Mcf/d. Mcf per day.

Mineral interests. Real-property interests that grant ownership of the oil and natural gas under a tract of land and the rights to explore for, drill for, and produce oil and natural gas on that land or to lease those exploration and development rights to a third party.

MMBtu. Million British Thermal Units.

MMcf. Million cubic feet of natural gas.

Net acres or net wells. The sum of the fractional working interest owned in gross acres.

Net revenue interest. An owner’s interest in the revenues of a well after deducting proceeds allocated to royalty, overriding royalty, and other non-cost-bearing interests.

Natural gas. A combination of light hydrocarbons that, in average pressure and temperature conditions, is found in a gaseous state. In nature, it is found in underground accumulations, and may potentially be dissolved in oil or may also be found in its gaseous state.

NGLs. Natural gas liquids.

Nonparticipating royalty interest (NPRI). A type of non-cost-bearing royalty interest, which is carved out of the mineral interest and represents the right, which is typically perpetual, to receive a fixed cost-free percentage of production or revenue from production, without an associated right to lease.

NYMEX. New York Mercantile Exchange.

Oil. Crude oil and condensate.

Oil and natural gas properties. Tracts of land consisting of properties to be developed for oil and natural gas resource extraction.

Operator. The individual or company responsible for the exploration and/or production of an oil or natural gas well or lease.

Overriding royalty interest (ORRI). A fractional, undivided interest or right of participation in the oil or natural gas, or in the proceeds from the sale of the oil or gas, produced from a specified tract or tracts, which are limited in duration to the terms of an existing lease and which are not subject to any portion of the expense of development, operation or maintenance.

PDP. Proved developed producing.

Play. A set of discovered or prospective oil and/or natural gas accumulations sharing similar geologic, geographic and temporal properties, such as source rock, reservoir structure, timing, trapping mechanism, and hydrocarbon type.

Plugging and abandonment. Refers to the sealing off of fluids in the strata penetrated by a well so that the fluids from one stratum will not escape into another or to the surface. Regulations of all states require plugging of abandoned wells.

Pooling. The majority of our producing acreage is pooled with third-party acreage. Pooling refers to an operator’s consolidation of multiple adjacent leased tracts, which may be covered by multiple leases with

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multiple lessors, in order to maximize drilling efficiency or to comply with state mandated well spacing requirements. Pooling dilutes our royalty in a given well or unit, but it also increases both the acreage footprint and the number of wells in which we have an economic interest. To estimate our total potential drilling locations in a given play, we include third-party acreage that is pooled with our acreage.

Production Costs. The production or operational costs incurred while extracting and producing, storing, and transporting oil and/or natural gas. Typical of these costs are wages for workers, facilities lease costs, equipment maintenance, logistical support, applicable taxes, and insurance.

PUD. Proved undeveloped.

Productive well. A well that is found to be capable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of the production exceed production expenses and taxes.

Proved developed reserves. Reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.

Proved developed producing reserves. Reserves expected to be recovered from existing completion intervals in existing wells.

Proved reserves. The estimated quantities of oil and natural gas which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions.

Proved undeveloped reserves. Proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

Pugh clauses. Provides that a well on a pooled area only maintains that portion of the lease within the pooled area. When an operator is producing from pooled acreage that only includes part of a lease tract, Pugh clauses prevent operators from holding the entire leased tract with the production from the pooled unit. As to the other areas of the lease outside the pooled area, the lessor will have to pay rentals, drill wells, or obtain production as necessary to maintain that outside acreage, or else it terminates. Pugh clauses can also be used to limit the area within a lease that can be maintained by a well on the lease or to provide that a well can only maintain lease rights down to a certain depth, resulting in the release of unexplored deep rights, the latter provision sometimes called a horizontal Pugh clause.

Reliable technology. A grouping of one or more technologies (including computation methods) that have been field tested and have been demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation.

Reserves. Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of oil and natural gas and related substances anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations. In addition, there must exist, or there must be a reasonable expectation that there will exist, the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in the production, installed means of delivering oil and natural gas or related substances to the market, and all permits and financing required to implement the project. Reserves should not be assigned to adjacent reservoirs isolated by major, potentially sealing, faults until those reservoirs are penetrated and evaluated as economically producible. Reserves should not be assigned to areas that are clearly separated from a known accumulation by a non-productive reservoir (i.e., absence of reservoir, structurally low reservoir, or negative test results). Such areas may contain prospective resources (i.e., potentially recoverable resources from undiscovered accumulations).

Reservoir. A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible natural gas and/or oil that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is separate from other reservoirs.

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Resource play. A set of discovered or prospective oil and/or natural gas accumulations sharing similar geologic, geographic, and temporal properties, such as source rock, reservoir structure, timing, trapping mechanism, and hydrocarbon type.

Royalty interest. An interest that gives an owner the right to receive a portion of the resources or revenues without having to carry any costs of development.

Seismic data. Seismic data is used by scientists to interpret the composition, fluid content, extent, and geometry of rocks in the subsurface. Seismic data is acquired by transmitting a signal from an energy source, such as dynamite or water, into the earth. The energy so transmitted is subsequently reflected beneath the earth’s surface and a receiver is used to collect and record these reflections.

Shale. A fine grained sedimentary rock formed by consolidation of clay- and silt-sized particles into thin, relatively impermeable layers. Shale can include relatively large amounts of organic material compared with other rock types and thus has the potential to become rich hydrocarbon source rock. Its fine grain size and lack of permeability can allow shale to form a good cap rock for hydrocarbon traps.

Spacing. The distance between wells producing from the same reservoir and is often established by regulatory agencies.

Standardized measure. The present value of estimated future net revenue to be generated from the production of proved reserves, determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC (using prices and costs in effect as of the date of estimation), less future development, production and income tax expenses, and discounted at 10% per annum to reflect the timing of future net revenue. Because we are a limited partnership, we are generally not subject to federal or state income taxes and thus make no provision for federal or state income taxes in the calculation of our standardized measure. Standardized measure does not give effect to derivative transactions.

Tight formation. A formation with low permeability that produces natural gas with low flow rates for long periods of time.

Trend. A region of oil and/or natural gas production, the geographic limits of which have not been fully defined, having geological characteristics that have been ascertained through supporting geological, geophysical, or other data to contain the potential for oil and/or natural gas reserves in a particular formation or series of formations.

Undeveloped acreage. Lease acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities of oil and natural gas regardless of whether such acreage contains proved reserves.

Working interest. An operating interest that gives the owner the right to drill, produce, and conduct operating activities on the property, and receive a share of production and requires the owner to pay a share of the costs of drilling and production operations.

Workover. Operations on a producing well to restore or increase production.

WTI. West Texas Intermediate oil, which is a light, sweet crude oil, characterized by an American Petroleum Institute gravity, of API gravity, between 39 and 41 and a sulfur content of approximately 0.4 weight percent that is used as a benchmark for the other crude oils.

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LOGO

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

Common Units

Representing Limited Partner Interests

Prospectus

, 2015

Barclays

BofA Merrill Lynch

Citigroup

Credit Suisse

Wells Fargo Securities

J.P. Morgan

Morgan Stanley

Raymond James

Scotia Howard Weil

Simmons & Company

International

Through and including , 2015 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade our common units, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers’ obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS

ITEM 13. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

Set forth below are the expenses (other than the underwriting discount and structuring fee) expected to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby. With the exception of the SEC registration fee, the NYSE listing fee, and the FINRA filing fee, the amounts set forth below are estimates.


SEC registration fee	$	11,620
NYSE listing fee		*
FINRA filing fee		15,500
Printing expenses		400,000
Fees and expenses of legal counsel		3,200,000
Accounting fees and expenses		3,800,000
Transfer agent and registrar fees		4,250
Miscellaneous		1,000,000

Total		*

*	To be provided by amendment.

ITEM 14. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND THE DIRECTORS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF OUR GENERAL PARTNER.

The section of the prospectus entitled “The Partnership Agreement—Indemnification” is incorporated herein by reference and discloses that we will generally indemnify the directors, officers, and affiliates of the general partner against all losses, claims, damages, or similar events. Subject to any terms, conditions, or restrictions set forth in the partnership agreement, Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other person from and against all claims and demands whatsoever.

Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that a Delaware limited liability company may indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. The amended and restated limited liability company agreement of our general partner provides for the indemnification of its directors and executive officers against liabilities they incur in their capacities as such.

The underwriting agreement that we expect to enter into with the underwriters, the form of which will be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement, will contain indemnification and contribution provisions that will indemnify and hold harmless the directors and executive officers of our general partner.

ITEM 15. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES.

In connection with our formation in September 2014, we issued (i) the non-economic general partner interest to BSNR, which interest was transferred to New GP, our general partner, for $100.00, and (ii) all of the limited partner interests in us to BSMC for $100.00, which limited partner interest interests will be redeemed and cancelled in connection with the closing of the initial public offering of common units of the Partnership and the merger of BSMC with and into Merger Sub, with BSMC as the surviving entity. Prior to such initial public offering and merger, we issued a one percent limited partner interest in us to our general partner, which will remain outstanding immediately after our initial public offering. These issuances were exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. There have been no other sales of unregistered securities within the past three years. In connection with the merger, the common units (other than common units held by BSNR) and preferred units of BSMC will be exchanged for common units, subordinated units, and preferred units of the partnership, as applicable.

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ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.

See the Exhibit Index on the page immediately preceding the exhibits for a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement on Form S-1, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described in Item 14 above, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared effective; and

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

The Registrant undertakes to send to each common unitholder, at least on an annual basis, a detailed statement of any transactions with Registrant, our general partner or any of its affiliates, and of fees, commissions, compensation and other benefits paid, or accrued to, Registrant or its affiliates for the fiscal year completed, showing the amount paid or accrued to each recipient and the services performed.

The Registrant undertakes to provide to the common unitholders the financial statements required by Form 10-K for the first full fiscal year of operations of the Registrant.

II-2

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on March 19, 2015.


Black Stone Minerals, L.P.
By:		Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C., its general partner

By:		/s/ Thomas L. Carter, Jr.
Name:		Thomas L. Carter, Jr.
Title:		President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman

Each person whose signature appears below appoints Thomas L. Carter, Jr., Marc Carroll, and Steve Putman, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and re-substitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any Registration Statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them of their or his or her substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and the dates indicated.


Signature	Title	Date

/s/ Thomas L. Carter, Jr. Thomas L. Carter, Jr.	President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman (Principal Executive Officer)		March 19, 2015

/s/ Marc Carroll Marc Carroll	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)		March 19, 2015

/s/ William G. Bardel William G. Bardel	Director		March 19, 2015

/s/ Carin M. Barth Carin M. Barth	Director		March 19, 2015

/s/ D. Mark DeWalch D. Mark DeWalch	Director		March 19, 2015

/s/ Ricky J. Haeflinger Ricky J. Haeflinger	Director		March 19, 2015

II-3


Signature	Title	Date

/s/ Jerry V. Kyle, Jr. Jerry V. Kyle, Jr.	Director		March 19, 2015

/s/ Michael C. Linn Michael C. Linn	Director		March 19, 2015

/s/ John H. Longmaid John H. Longmaid	Director		March 19, 2015

/s/ William N. Mathis William N. Mathis	Director		March 19, 2015

/s/ Richard N. Papert Richard N. Papert	Director		March 19, 2015

/s/ Robert E.W. Sinclair Robert E.W. Sinclair	Director		March 19, 2015

/s/ Alexander D. Stuart Alexander D. Stuart	Director		March 19, 2015

/s/ Allison K. Thacker Allison K. Thacker	Director		March 19, 2015

II-4

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit Number			Description

1.1	**	—	Form of Underwriting Agreement

3.1	*	—	Certificate of Limited Partnership of Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

3.2	*	—	Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Limited Partnership of Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

3.3	*	—	Form of First Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. (included as Appendix A in the prospectus included in this Registration Statement)

3.4	*	—	Agreement of Limited Partnership of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. dated as of September 16, 2014

3.5	*	—	Assignment of Partnership Interest between Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C. and Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C. dated as of November 21, 2014

5.1	*	—	Opinion of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. as to the legality of the securities being registered

8.1	*	—	Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. relating to tax matters

10.1	*	—	Form of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan

10.2	*	—	Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., as Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Bank of America, N.A. and Compass Bank, as Co-Syndication Agents, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Amegy Bank National Association, as Co-Documentation Agents, and a syndicate of lenders dated as of January 23, 2015

10.3	*	—	Employment Agreement by and between Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. and Thomas L. Carter, Jr. effective as of April 1, 2009

10.4	*	—	First Amendment to Employment Agreement by and between Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. and Thomas L. Carter, Jr. effective as of June 25, 2014

10.5	*	—	Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. 2012 Executive Incentive Plan

10.6	*	—	Restricted Unit Award Agreement by and between Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. and Thomas L. Carter, Jr. effective as of January 1, 2012

10.7	*	—	Restricted Unit Award Agreement by and between Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. and Marc Carroll effective as of January 1, 2012

10.8	*	—	Restricted Unit Award Agreement by and between Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. and Holbrook F. Dorn effective as of January 1, 2012

10.9	**	—	Form of Restricted Unit Grant Notice and Award Agreement for Senior Management (IPO Awards)

10.10	**	—	Form of Performance Unit Grant Notice and Award Agreement for Senior Management (IPO Awards)

10.11	**	—	Form of Restricted Unit Grant Notice and Award Agreement for Senior Management (Annual Awards)

10.12	**	—	Form of Non-Employee Director Unit Grant Notice and Award Agreement

10.13	**	—	Form of Severance Agreement

16.1	*	—	Letter from UHY LLP dated March 17, 2015

21.1	*	—	List of Subsidiaries of Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

23.1	*	—	Consent of BDO USA, LLP

23.2	*	—	Consent of UHY LLP

23.3	*	—	Consent of Pressler Petroleum Consultants, Inc.

23.4	*	—	Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.

23.5	*	—	Consent of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. (contained in Exhibit 5.1)

23.6	*	—	Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit 8.1)

24.1	*	—	Powers of Attorney (included on page II-3)

99.1	*	—	Report of Pressler Petroleum Consultants, Inc.

99.2	*	—	Report of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.

*	Provided herewith.

**	To be filed by amendment.

II-5

EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1


		Delaware		PAGE 1
		The First State

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF “BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE SIXTEENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, A.D. 2014, AT 12:16 O’CLOCK P.M.




				Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State
5603974 8100				AUTHENTICATION: 1701037
141183001				DATE: 09-16-14
You may verify this certificate online at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml

Execution Version

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

This Certificate of Limited Partnership of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. (the “Partnership”), dated September 16, 2014, has been duly executed, and is filed pursuant to Sections 17-201 and 17- 204 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (the “Act”) to form a limited partnership under the Act.

1. Name. The name of the Partnership is Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

2. Registered Office; Registered Agent. The address of the registered office required to be maintained by Section 17-104 of the Act is:

c/o The Corporation Trust Company

Corporation Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

New Castle County

The name and address of the registered agent for service of process required to be maintained by Section 17-104 of the Act are:

The Corporation Trust Company

Corporation Trust Center

1209 Orange Street

Wilmington, Delaware 19801

New Castle County

3. General Partner. The name and the business, residence, or mailing address of the general partner are:

Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2020

Houston, Texas 77002

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Limited Partnership as of the date first written above.


Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., as its general partner

By:

Name:		Steve Putman
Title:		Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 12:16 PM 09/16/2014

FILED 12:16 PM 09/16/2014

SRV 141183001 – 5603974 FILE

EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

LOGO

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF “BLACK STONE MINERALS, L. P. ”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE TENTH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 2014, AT 2:09 O’CLOCK P.M.

PAGE 1

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 02:16 PM 12/10/2014

FILED 02:09 PM ON 12/10/2014

SRV 141515598 - 5603974 FILE

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

The undersigned, desiring to amend the Certificate of Limited Partnership of Black Stone Minerals, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), pursuant to Section 17-202 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act does hereby certify that:

1. The name of the Partnership is Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

2. The Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 16, 2014, is hereby amended so that Article 3 is amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

“3. General Partner. The name and the business, residence, or mailing address of the general partner are:

Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C.

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2020

Houston, Texas 77002”

[Signature Page Follows]

Execution Version

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Limited Partnership as of the 21^st day of November, 2014.

SIGNATURE PAGE TO CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT TO

CERTIFICATE OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP OF BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

EX-3.4

Exhibit 3.4

Execution Version

AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

a Delaware limited partnership

THIS AGREEMENT OF LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, dated as of September 16, 2014 (this “Agreement”), is adopted, executed and agreed to by Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, as general partner, and Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, as organizational limited partner.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

The following definitions shall for all purposes, unless otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, apply to the terms used in this Agreement.

“Certificate of Limited Partnership” means the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as described in the first sentence of Section 2.5 as amended or restated from time to time.

“Delaware Act” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, as amended from time to time, and any successor to such act.

“General Partner” means Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, in its capacity as general partner of the Partnership.

“Limited Partner” means the Organizational Limited Partner and any other limited partner admitted to the Partnership from time to time, each in its capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership.

“Organizational Limited Partner” means Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. a Delaware limited partnership, in its capacity as a limited partner of the Partnership.

“Partner” means the General Partner or any Limited Partner.

“Partnership” means Black Stone Minerals, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

“Percentage Interest” means, with respect to any Partner, the percentage of cash contributed by such Partner to the Partnership as a percentage of all cash contributed by all the Partners to the Partnership. The Percentage Interest of the General Partner with respect to its general partner interest shall at all times be zero.

ARTICLE II

ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

2.1 Formation. The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner have formed the Partnership as a limited partnership pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware Act and this Agreement. The General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner hereby enter into this Agreement to set forth the rights and obligations of the Partners and certain matters related thereto. This Agreement shall be deemed to have become effective upon the formation of the Partnership. Except as expressly provided herein to the contrary, the rights and obligations of the Partners and the administration, dissolution and termination of the Partnership shall be governed by the Delaware Act.

2.2 Name. The name of the Partnership shall be, and the business of the Partnership shall be conducted under the name “Black Stone Minerals, L.P.”

2.3 Principal Office; Registered Office.

(a) The principal office of the Partnership shall be at 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2020, Houston, Texas 77002, or such other place as the General Partner may from time to time designate.

(b) The address of the Partnership’s registered office in the State of Delaware shall be 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, and the name of the Partnership’s registered agent for service of process at such address shall be the Corporation Trust Company.

2.4 Term. The term of the Partnership shall continue until (a) the General Partner has elected to dissolve the Partnership; (b) the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership pursuant to Section 17-802 of the Delaware Act; (c) there are no limited partners of the Partnership; or (d) the occurrence of an “event of withdrawal” of the General Partner pursuant to Section 17-402 of the Delaware Act unless the business of the Partnership has continued in accordance with the Delaware Act.

2.5 Organizational Certificate. A Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership has been filed by the General Partner with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the Delaware Act. The General Partner shall cause to be filed such other certificates or documents as may be required for the formation, operation and qualification of a limited partnership in the State of Delaware and any state in which the Partnership may elect to do business. The General Partner shall thereafter file any necessary amendments to the Certificate of Limited Partnership and any such other certificates and documents and do all things requisite to the maintenance of the Partnership as a limited partnership (or as a partnership in which the Limited Partners have limited liability) under the laws of Delaware and any state or jurisdiction in which the Partnership may elect to do business.

2.6 Partnership Interests; Initial Capital Contributions. The General Partner shall have a non-economic general partner interest and the Organizational Limited Partner shall have a 100% limited partner Percentage Interest. On or about the date hereof, the Organizational Limited Partner contributed to the Partnership $100.00 in cash and the General Partner did not make any contribution to the capital of the Partnership.

ARTICLE III

PURPOSE

The purpose and business of the Partnership shall be to engage in any lawful activity permitted to be engaged in by Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. under Section 2.6 of the Sixth Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.

ARTICLE IV

CAPITAL ACCOUNT ALLOCATIONS

4.1 Capital Accounts. The Partnership shall maintain a capital account for each of the Partners in accordance with the regulations issued pursuant to Section 704 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and as determined by the General Partner as consistent therewith.

4.2 Allocations. For federal income tax purposes, each item of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit of the Partnership shall be allocated among the Partners in accordance with their Percentage Interests, except that the General Partner shall have the authority to make such other allocations as are necessary and appropriate to comply with Section 704 of the Code and the regulations pursuant thereto.

4.3 Distributions. From time to time, the General Partner shall review the Partnership’s accounts to determine whether distributions are appropriate. The General Partner may make such cash distribution as it, in its sole discretion, may determine without being limited to current or accumulated income or gains from any Partnership funds, including, without limitation, Partnership revenues, capital contributions or borrowed funds; provided, however, that no such distribution shall be made if, (a) after giving effect thereto, the liabilities of the Partnership exceed the fair market value of the assets of the Partnership or (b) it would violate the Delaware Act or other applicable law. In its sole discretion, the General Partner may, subject to the foregoing proviso, also distribute to the Partners other Partnership property, or other securities of the Partnership or other entities. All distributions by the General Partner shall be made in accordance with the Percentage Interests of the Partners.

ARTICLE V

MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS OF BUSINESS

Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all powers to control and manage the business and affairs of the Partnership shall be vested exclusively in the General Partner; the Limited Partner shall not have any power to control or manage the Partnership. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement or any provision of the Delaware Act, the General Partner is authorized to execute and deliver any document on behalf of the Partnership without any vote or consent of any other person or entity.

ARTICLE VI

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF LIMITED PARTNER

The Limited Partner shall have no liability under this Agreement except as provided in Article IV.

ARTICLE VII

DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION

The Partnership shall be dissolved, and its affairs shall be wound up at the end of the term of the Partnership, as provided in Section 2.4.

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENT OF PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The General Partner may amend any provision of this Agreement without the consent of the Limited Partner and may execute, swear to, acknowledge, deliver, file and record whatever documents may be required in connection therewith.

ARTICLE IX

GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1 Addresses and Notices. Any notice to the Partnership, the General Partner or the Limited Partner shall be deemed given if received by it in writing at the principal office of the Partnership designated pursuant to Section 2.3(a).

9.2 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and assigns.

9.3 Integration. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement among the parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings pertaining thereto.

9.4 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof, or of such provision in other respects, shall not be affected thereby.

9.5 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

[Signature Page Follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed by the General Partner and the Organizational Limited Partner as of the date first set forth above.


GENERAL PARTNER:

BLACK STONE NATURAL RESOURCES, L.L.C.

By:		/s/ Steve Putman
Name:		Steve Putman
Title:		Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

ORGANIZATIONAL LIMITED PARTNER:

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

By:		Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., its
		general partner

By:		/s/ Steve Putman
Name:		Steve Putman
Title:		Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary

Signature Page to Agreement of Limited Partnership of Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

EX-3.5

Exhibit 3.5

Execution Version

ASSIGNMENT OF PARTNERSHIP INTEREST

THIS ASSIGNMENT OF PARTNERSHIP INTEREST (this “Assignment”) is executed and delivered effective as of November 21, 2014, by Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Assignor”), to Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“Assignee”).

WHEREAS, Assignor is the sole general partner (the “General Partner”) of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”) and owns a non-economic general partner interest in the Partnership (the “GP Interest”);

WHEREAS, capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have their respective meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of September 16, 2014 (the “Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, Assignor desires to transfer to Assignee, and Assignee desires to acquire from Assignor, the GP Interest and simultaneously with such transfer, Assignee desires to be admitted to the Partnership as the General Partner and the Parties hereto desire to continue the Partnership without dissolution.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, notwithstanding any provision in the Agreement to the contrary, Assignor hereby sells, transfers, conveys, assigns and delivers to Assignee, all right, title and interest in and to the GP Interest.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD unto Assignee and his successors and assigns forever the GP Interest, together with, all and singular, the rights and appurtenances thereto in any way belonging to Assignor.

Assignor shall execute and deliver from time to time hereafter, upon the Partnership’s or Assignee’s written request, all such further documents and instruments and shall do and perform all such acts as may be reasonably necessary to give full effect to the intent of the this Assignment.

Assignee hereby (i) agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions of the Agreement as the General Partner and (ii) represents that the assignment of the GP Interest was made in accordance with all applicable securities laws and regulations (including suitability standards).

Simultaneously with the assignment described above, notwithstanding any provision in the Agreement to the contrary, Assignor shall cease to be the General Partner, and Assignee shall be admitted as the General Partner and the Partnership shall be continued without dissolution.

This Assignment shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving effect to its choice of law principles.

This Assignment may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

This Assignment shall bind, and inure to the benefit of, Assignor and Assignee and their respective successors and assigns.

Notwithstanding any provision in the Agreement to the contrary, the Agreement is hereby amended to reflect the foregoing. In furtherance of the foregoing, each reference in the Agreement to “Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.” is hereby amended to be a reference to “Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C.” Except as hereby amended, the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

[Signature Page Follows]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Assignor and Assignee have executed this Assignment effective as of the date first set forth above.


ASSIGNOR:

BLACK STONE NATURAL RESOURCES, L.L.C.

By:		/s/ Steve Putman
Name:		Steve Putman
Title:		Senior Vice President, General Counsel
		and Secretary


ASSIGNEE:

BLACK STONE MINERALS GP, L.L.C.

By:		/s/ Steve Putman
Name:		Steve Putman
Title:		Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary


Accepted and Approved: Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.

By:		Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.
Its:		General Partner

By:		/s/ Steve Putman
Name:		Steve Putman
Title:		Senior Vice President, General Counsel
		and Secretary

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

[Letterhead of Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.]

March , 2015

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2020

Houston, Texas 77002

Re:

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as special Delaware counsel for Black Stone Minerals, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), in connection with the matters set forth herein. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you.

We have made such inquiries and examined such documents as we have considered necessary or appropriate for purposes of giving the opinions hereinafter set forth, including the examination of originals or copies of the following:

(a) The Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated September 16, 2014, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Secretary of State”) on September 16, 2014, as amended by the Certificate of Amendment thereto, dated as of November 21, 2014, as filed in the office of the Secretary of State on December 10, 2014 (as so amended the “LP Certificate”);

(b) The Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of September 16, 2014 (the “Original LP Agreement”), executed by Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C. (“BSNR”), as the general partner, and by Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. (“Black Stone Minerals Company”), as the limited partner;

(c) The Assignment of Partnership Interest, dated as of November 21, 2014, between BSNR and Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C. (“Black Stone Minerals GP”), and accepted and approved by Black Stone Minerals Company;

(d) A form of the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership (the “LP Agreement”), to be entered into by and among Black Stone Minerals GP, as the general partner, Black Stone Minerals Company and Black Stone Minerals GP, as the initial limited partners, and the Persons who become Partners in the Partnership as provided therein;

(e) The Certificate of Formation of Black Stone Minerals GP, dated November 17, 2014 (the “LLC Certificate”), as filed in the office of the Secretary of State on November 17, 2014;

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

March , 2015

Page 2

(f) The Limited Liability Company Agreement of Black Stone Minerals GP, dated as of November 21, 2014 (the “Original LLC Agreement”), by the Partnership, as the sole member;

(g) The Written Consent of the Board of Directors of Black Stone Minerals GP, dated November 21, 2014;

(h) The Unanimous Written Consent of the Board of Directors of Black Stone Minerals GP, dated , 2015;

(i) The Unanimous Written Consent of the Board of Directors of Black Stone Minerals GP, dated , 2015;

(j) A form of the First Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Black Stone Minerals GP (the “LLC Agreement”), to be entered into by the Partnership, as the sole member;

(k) The Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333- ), as amended, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on , 2015 (the “Registration Statement”), including a related preliminary prospectus (the “Prospectus”), relating to the registration of common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (each, a “Common Unit” and collectively, the “Common Units”);

(l) A Certificate of the Secretary of Black Stone Minerals GP, dated as of , 2015, with respect to certain matters; and

(m) A Certificate of Good Standing of the Partnership, dated , 2015, obtained from the Secretary of State.

Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined are used as defined in the LP Agreement.

We have obtained or have been furnished with, and have relied upon with respect to factual matters, such certificates, documents, advices and assurances from public officials and others as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion, all of which factual matters we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all material respects.

With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals, (ii) the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or forms, (iii) the genuineness of all signatures, and (iv) all documents submitted to us as a form will not vary from the form submitted to us in any respect material to the opinions set forth herein.

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

March , 2015

Page 3

For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the LP Agreement will be in full force and effect and will not have been amended as of the date on which the Common Units are issued by the Partnership, (ii) that the LLC Agreement will be in full force and effect and will not have been amended as of the date on which the Common Units are issued by the Partnership, (iii) that each of the parties (other than the Partnership, Black Stone Minerals GP, BSNR and Black Stone Minerals Company) to the documents examined by us has been duly created, organized or formed, as the case may be, and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction governing its creation, organization or formation, (iv) the legal capacity of natural persons who are signatories to the documents examined by us, (v) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us (other than the Partnership, Black Stone Minerals GP, BSNR and Black Stone Minerals Company) has the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, such documents, (vi) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us (other than the Partnership, Black Stone Minerals GP, BSNR and Black Stone Minerals Company) has (or, with respect to the LP Agreement, will have as of the date on which Common Units are issued by the Partnership) duly authorized, executed and delivered such documents, (vii) that the books and records of the Partnership will set forth all information required by the LP Agreement and the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (6 Del. C. § 17-101, et seq.) (the “LP Act”), including all information with respect to each holder of a Common Unit (each, a “Common Unit Holder” and collectively, the “Common Unit Holders”), and their contributions to the Partnership, (viii) the payment or exchange by each Common Unit Holder of the full consideration due from it for the Common Units acquired by it, (ix) that the Common Units are issued and sold to the Common Unit Holders in accordance with the LP Agreement and the Registration Statement, and (x) that the Common Unit Holders will fulfill all of their obligations set forth in the Partnership Agreement. We have not participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus and assume no responsibility for their contents, other than this opinion.

This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding the securities and blue sky laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and orders thereunder which are currently in effect.

Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such questions of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1. The Partnership has been duly formed and is validly existing in good standing as a limited partnership under the LP Act.

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

March , 2015

Page 4

2. The Common Units will be duly authorized and will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable limited partner interests in the Partnership. We note, however, that a Common Unit Holder may be obligated to repay any funds wrongfully distributed to it by the Partnership.

With respect to the opinions set forth in paragraph 2 above, the term “Common Unit Holder” does not include a person or entity who is or was a general partner of the Partnership.

We understand that you will rely as to matters of Delaware law upon this opinion in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement. In connection with the foregoing, we hereby consent to your relying as to matters of Delaware law upon this opinion in connection with the filing of the Registration Statement, subject to the understanding that the opinions rendered herein are given on the date hereof and such opinions are rendered only with respect to facts existing on the date hereof and laws, rules and regulations currently in effect.

We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In addition, we hereby consent to the use of our name under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving the foregoing consents, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons or entities whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

Very truly yours,

EX-8.1

Exhibit 8.1

LOGO

March , 2015

Black Stone Minerals L.P.

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2020

Houston, Texas 77002-6760

Re:	Black Stone Minerals L.P. Registration Statement on Form S-1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel for Black Stone Minerals L.P. (“Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership, with respect to certain legal matters in connection with the offer and sale of common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership. We have also participated in the preparation of a Prospectus dated on or about the date hereof (the “Prospectus”), forming part of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333- (the “Registration Statement”).

This opinion is based on various facts and assumptions, and is conditioned upon certain representations made by the Partnership as to factual matters through a certificate of an officer of the Partnership (the “Officer’s Certificate”). In addition, this opinion is based upon the factual representations of the Partnership concerning its business, properties and governing documents as set forth in the Registration Statement.

In our capacity as counsel to the Partnership, we have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including an examination of originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such documents, corporate records and other instruments, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. In our examination, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures thereon, the legal capacity of natural persons executing such documents and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies. For the purpose of our opinion, we have not made an independent investigation or audit of the facts set forth in the above-referenced documents or in the Officer’s Certificate. In addition, in rendering this opinion we have assumed the truth and accuracy of all representations and statements made to us which are qualified as to knowledge or belief, without regard to such qualification.

We hereby confirm that all statements of legal conclusions contained in the discussion in the Prospectus under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” constitute the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. with respect to the matters set forth therein as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, subject to the assumptions, qualifications, and limitations set forth therein. This opinion is based on various statutory provisions, regulations promulgated thereunder and interpretations thereof by the Internal Revenue Service and the courts having jurisdiction over such matters, all of which are subject to change either prospectively or retroactively. Also, any variation or difference in the facts from those set forth in the representations described above, including in the Registration Statement and the Officer’s Certificate, may affect the conclusions stated herein.

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. Attorneys at Law

Abu Dhabi Austin Beijing Dallas Dubai Hong Kong Houston London Moscow

New York Palo Alto Riyadh San Francisco Shanghai Tokyo Washington

First City Tower, 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002-6760

Tel – 713.758.2222 Fax 713.758.2346 www.velaw.com


				March , 2015 Page 2

No opinion is expressed as to any matter not discussed in the Prospectus under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences.” We are opining herein only as to the federal income tax matters described above, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability to, or the effect on, any transaction of other federal laws, foreign laws, the laws of any state or any other jurisdiction or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any other local agencies within any state.

This opinion is rendered to you as of the effective date of the Registration Statement, and we undertake no obligation to update this opinion subsequent to the date hereof. This opinion is furnished to you and may be relied on by you in connection with the transactions set forth in the Registration Statement. In addition, this opinion may be relied on by persons entitled to rely on it pursuant to applicable provisions of federal securities law, including persons purchasing common units pursuant to the Registration Statement. However, this opinion may not be relied upon for any other purpose or furnished to, assigned to, quoted to or relied upon by any other person, firm or other entity, for any purpose, without our prior written consent.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Prospectus and to the use of our name under the captions “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences” and “Legal Matters” in the Registration Statement. By giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

Very truly yours,

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

FORM OF

BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

Section 1. Purpose of the Plan. The Black Stone Minerals, L.P. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) has been adopted by Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “General Partner”), the general partner of Black Stone Minerals, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”). The Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Partnership and its Affiliates and to encourage superior performance by providing incentive compensation awards denominated in or based on Units to Employees, Consultants and Directors. The Plan is also intended to enhance the ability of the General Partner, the Partnership and their respective Affiliates to attract and retain the services of individuals who are essential for the growth and profitability of the Partnership and to encourage such individuals to devote their best efforts to advancing the business of the Partnership and its Affiliates.

Section 2. Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

(b) “ASC Topic 718” means Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, or any successor accounting standard.

(c) “Award” means an Option, Restricted Unit, Phantom Unit, DER, Unit Appreciation Right, Other Unit-Based Award, or Cash Award granted under the Plan.

(d) “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement by which an Award shall be evidenced.

(e) “Board” means the board of directors of the General Partner.

(f) “Bonus Unit” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 6(d) of the Plan.

(g) “Cash Award” means an Award denominated in cash granted under Section 6(e) of the Plan.

(h) “Change of Control” means, and shall be deemed to have occurred upon one or more of the following events, except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement:

(i) any “person” or “group” within the meaning of those terms as used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act shall beneficially own and control, directly or indirectly, a number of Units that would entitle such person or group to vote Units representing, in the aggregate, more than 50% of the total number of outstanding Units that are entitled to vote

and be counted for purposes of calculating the required votes, and that are deemed to be outstanding for purposes of determining a quorum, at any annual meeting of the limited partners of the Partnership or otherwise in the election of the Board;

(ii) the limited partners of the Partnership approve, in one transaction or a series of transactions, a plan of complete liquidation of the Partnership;

(iii) the sale or other disposition by either the General Partner or the Partnership of all or substantially all of the General Partner’s or the Partnership’s assets, respectively, in one or more transactions to any Person other than the General Partner, the Partnership, or any of their respective Affiliates;

(iv) a transaction resulting in a Person other than the General Partner or an Affiliate of the General Partner (as determined immediately prior to such event) being the sole general partner of the Partnership;

(v) individuals who constitute the Incumbent Board cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; or

(vi) the Partnership ceases to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the outstanding equity interests of the General Partner.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change of Control constitutes a payment event with respect to a 409A Award, a “Change of Control” shall not occur unless the transaction or event described in subsection (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above also constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5), as applied to non-corporate entities and as relates to the holder of such Award, to the extent required to comply with Section 409A.

(i) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(j) “Committee” means the Board or such committee of, and appointed by, the Board to administer the Plan; provided, however, that in the absence of the Board’s appointment of a committee to administer the Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Board shall serve as the Committee.

(k) “Consultant” means an individual, other than a Director or Employee, who renders bona fide consulting or advisory services to the General Partner, the Partnership, or any of their respective Affiliates.

(l) “DER” means a distribution-equivalent right representing a contingent right to receive an amount in cash, Units, Restricted Units, or Phantom Units, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, equal in value to the distributions made by the Partnership with respect to a Unit during the period such Award is outstanding.

(m) “Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.

(n) “Employee” means an employee of the General Partner, the Partnership, or any of their respective Affiliates.

(o) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(p) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any given date, (i) if the Units are traded on a national securities exchange on such date, the closing sales price of a Unit on such date during normal trading hours (or, if there are no reported sales on such date, on the last date prior to such date on which there were reported sales) on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Units are not then listed on such exchange, on any other national securities exchange on which the Units are listed or on an inter-dealer quotation system, in any case, as reported in such source as the Committee shall select or (ii) if there is no regular public trading market for the Units at the time a determination of fair market value is required to be made hereunder, the amount determined in good faith by the Committee and, to the extent applicable, in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, to be the fair market value of a Unit as of such date.

(q) “Incumbent Board” means the portion of the Board constituted of the individuals who are Directors as of the effective date of the Plan and any other individual who becomes a Director after the effective date of the Plan and whose election or appointment by the Board or nomination for election by the Partnership’s limited partners was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Directors then comprising the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of Directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Incumbent Board.

(r) “Option” means an option to purchase Units granted pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Plan.

(s) “Other Unit-Based Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 6(e) of the Plan.

(t) “Participant” means an Employee, Consultant or Director granted an Award under the Plan.

(u) “Person” means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, governmental agency, or political subdivision thereof or other entity.

(v) “Phantom Unit” means a notional interest granted under Section 6(b) of the Plan that, to the extent vested, entitles the Participant to receive a Unit (or such greater or lesser number of Units as may be provided pursuant to the applicable Award Agreement), an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of a Unit (or such greater or lesser number of Units as may be provided pursuant to the applicable Award Agreement) or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee in its discretion and as provided in the applicable Award Agreement.

(w) “Qualified Member” means a member of the Committee who is a “nonemployee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

(x) “Restricted Period” means the period established by the Committee with respect to an Award or Unit during which the Award or Unit remains subject to restrictions established by the Committee, including, a period during which an Award or Unit is subject to forfeiture or restrictions on transfer, or is not yet exercisable by or payable to the Participant, as the case may be. As the context requires, the word “vest” and its derivatives refers to the lapse of some or all, as the case may be, of the restrictions imposed on an Award or Unit during such Restricted Period.

(y) “Restricted Unit” means a Unit granted pursuant to Section 6(b) of the Plan that is subject to a Restricted Period.

(z) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation thereto as in effect from time to time.

(aa) “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any successor thereto.

(bb) “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including, without limitation, any such regulations or guidance that may be amended or issued after the effective date of the Plan.

(cc) “UDR” means a distribution made by the Partnership with respect to a Restricted Unit.

(dd) “Unit” means a common unit of the Partnership.

(ee) “Unit Appreciation Right” or “UAR” means an Award that, upon exercise, entitles the holder to receive the excess of the Fair Market Value of a Unit on the exercise date of the UAR over the exercise price established for such UAR. Such excess may be paid in cash or in Units as determined by the Committee in its discretion and as provided in the applicable Award Agreement.

Section 3. Administration.

(a) Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, subject to Section 3(b); provided, however, that in the event that the Board is not also serving as the Committee, the Board, in its sole discretion, may at any time and from time to time exercise any and all rights and duties of the Committee under the Plan. The governance of the Committee shall be subject to the charter, if any, of the Committee as approved by the Board. Subject to the following and applicable law, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may delegate any or all of its powers and duties under the Plan, including the power to grant Awards under the Plan, to the Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner, subject to such limitations on such delegated powers and duties as the Committee may impose, if any. Upon any such delegation all references in the Plan to the “Committee”, other than in Section 7, shall be deemed to include the Chief Executive Officer; provided, however, that such delegation shall not limit the Chief Executive Officer’s right to receive Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Chief

Executive Officer may not grant Awards to, or take any action with respect to any Award previously granted to, a person who is then an officer subject to Rule 16b-3 or a Director. Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable law, and in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Committee by the Plan, the Committee shall have full power and authority to:

(i) designate Participants;

(ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to a Participant;

(iii) determine the number of Units to be covered by Awards;

(iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award, consistent with the terms of the Plan, which terms may include any provision regarding the acceleration of vesting or waiver of forfeiture restrictions or any other condition or limitation regarding an Award, based on such factors as the Committee shall determine, in its sole discretion;

(v) determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be vested, settled, exercised, canceled, or forfeited;

(vi) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to an Award made under the Plan;

(vii) establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and

(viii) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.

The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, in any Award or in any Award Agreement in such manner and to such extent as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations, and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time, and shall be final, conclusive, and binding upon all Persons, including the General Partner, the Partnership, any of their respective Affiliates, any Participant, and any beneficiary of any Award.

(b) Authority of a Subcommittee of the Committee. At any time that a member of the Committee is not a Qualified Member, any action of the Committee relating to an Award granted or to be granted to a Participant who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Partnership may be taken either (i) by a subcommittee, designated by the Committee, composed solely of two or more Qualified Members, (ii) by the Committee but with each such member who is not a Qualified Member abstaining or recusing himself or herself from such action; provided, however, that upon such abstention or recusal the Committee remains composed solely of two or more Qualified Members, or (iii) by the full Board. Any such action described in clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) of the preceding sentence shall be deemed to be the action of the Committee for all purposes of the Plan.

(c) Limitation of Liability. The Committee and each member thereof shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished to him or her by any Employee, the General Partner’s or the Partnership’s legal counsel, independent auditors, consultants, or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee and any Employee acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be indemnified and held harmless by the General Partner with respect to any such action or determination.

Section 4. Units.

(a) Limits on Units Deliverable. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c) and Section 7, the number of Units that may be delivered with respect to Awards under the Plan is [ ]. If any Award is forfeited, cancelled, exercised, settled in cash, or otherwise terminates or expires without the actual delivery of Units pursuant to such Award (the grant of Restricted Units is not a delivery of Units for this purpose unless and until the Restricted Period for such Restricted Units lapses), or if any Units under an Award are held back to cover the exercise price or tax withholding (including the withholding of Units with respect to an Award of Restricted Units), then, in either such case, the Units underlying such Awards that are so forfeited, cancelled, exercised, settled in cash or that otherwise terminate or expire without the actual delivery of Units and Units so held back shall be available to satisfy future Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the aggregate grant date fair value (computed as of the date of grant in accordance with applicable financial accounting rules) of all Awards granted to any Director during any single calendar year shall not exceed $[ ]; provided, however, that such limitation shall be $[ ] in the first year a Person becomes a Director. There shall not be any limitation on the number of Awards that may be paid in cash.

(b) Sources of Units Deliverable under Awards. Any Units delivered pursuant to an Award shall consist, in whole or in part, of (i) Units acquired in the open market; (ii) Units acquired from the Partnership (including newly issued Units), any Affiliate of the Partnership, or any other Person; or (iii) any combination of the foregoing, as determined by the Committee in its discretion.

(i) Certain Restructurings. Upon the occurrence of any “equity restructuring” event that could result in an additional compensation expense to the General Partner or the Partnership pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 718 if adjustments to Awards with respect to such event were discretionary, the Committee shall equitably adjust the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) covered by each outstanding Award and the terms and conditions, including the exercise price and performance criteria (if any), of such Award to equitably reflect such event and shall adjust the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan after such event; provided, however, that no adjustment to any Award shall materially reduce the benefit to a Participant immediately prior to such adjustment without the consent of such Participant. Upon the occurrence of any other similar event that would not result in an accounting charge under

ASC Topic 718 if the adjustment to Awards with respect to such event were subject to discretionary action, the Committee shall have complete discretion to adjust Awards and the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan in such manner as it deems appropriate with respect to such other event. In the event the Committee makes any adjustment pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(c), the Committee shall make a corresponding and proportionate adjustment with respect to the maximum number of Units that may be delivered with respect to Awards under the Plan as provided in Section 4(a) and the kind of Units or other securities available for grant under the Plan.

(ii) Other Adjustments. Subject to, and without limiting the scope of, the provisions of Section 4(c)(i), in the event that the Committee determines that any distribution (whether in the form of cash, Units, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, split, reverse split, reorganization, merger, Change of Control, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Units or other securities of the Partnership, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Units or other securities of the Partnership, or other similar transaction or event affects the Units such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (A) the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) with respect to which Awards may be granted, (B) the number and type of Units (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, and (C) the grant or exercise price with respect to any Award or, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award; provided, that the number of Units subject to any Award shall always be a whole number. Further, upon the occurrence of any event described in the preceding sentence, the Committee, acting in its sole discretion without the consent or approval of any holder, may effect one or more of the following alternatives, which may vary among individual holders and which may vary among Awards:

(A) remove any applicable forfeiture restrictions on any Award;

(B) accelerate the time of exercisability or the time at which the Restricted Period shall lapse to a specific date specified by the Committee;

(C) require the mandatory surrender to the General Partner or the Partnership by selected holders of some or all of the outstanding Awards held by such holders (irrespective of whether such Awards are then subject to a Restricted Period or other restrictions pursuant to the Plan) as of a date specified by the Committee, in which event the Committee shall thereupon cancel such Awards and cause the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates to pay to each holder an amount of cash per Unit equal to the per Unit value as determined by the Committee as of the date determined by the Committee to be the date of cancellation and surrender of such Awards less the exercise price, if any, applicable to such Awards; provided, however, that to the extent the exercise price of an Option or UAR exceeds such per Unit value as determined by the Committee, no consideration will be paid with respect to that Award;

(D) cancel Awards that remain subject to a Restricted Period as of a date specified by the Committee without payment of any consideration to the Participant for such Awards; or

(E) make such adjustments to Awards then outstanding as the Committee deems appropriate to reflect such event (including, without limitation, the substitution of new awards for Awards); provided, however, that the Committee may determine in its sole discretion that no adjustment is necessary to Awards then outstanding.

Section 5. Eligibility. Any Employee, Consultant or Director shall be eligible to be designated a Participant and receive an Award under the Plan.

Section 6. Awards.

(a) Options and UARs. The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants, and Directors to whom Options or UARs shall be granted, the number of Units to be covered by each Option or UAR, the exercise price therefor, the Restricted Period and other conditions and limitations applicable to the exercise of the Option or UAR, including the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and conditions, as the Committee shall determine, that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan.

(i) Exercise Price. The exercise price per Unit purchasable under an Option or subject to a UAR shall be determined by the Committee at the time the Option or UAR is granted but, except with respect to substitute Awards pursuant to Section 6(f)(viii), may not be less than the Fair Market Value of a Unit as of the date of grant of such Option or UAR.

(ii) Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the exercise terms and the Restricted Period, if any, with respect to an Option or UAR, which may include a provision for accelerated vesting upon the achievement of specified performance goals or other events and the method or methods by which payment of the exercise price with respect to an Option or UAR may be made or deemed to have been made, which may include cash, check acceptable to the General Partner, withholding Units having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price from the Award, a “cashless-broker” exercise through procedures approved by the General Partner, other securities or other property, a note (in a form acceptable to the General Partner), or any combination of the foregoing methods.

(iii) Forfeitures. Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the Award Agreement, upon termination of a Participant’s employment with (or service to) the General Partner and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all outstanding Options and UARs awarded to the Participant shall be automatically forfeited on such termination.

(b) Restricted Units and Phantom Units. The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants, and Directors to whom Restricted Units or Phantom Units shall be granted, the number of Restricted Units or Phantom Units to be granted to each such Participant, the applicable Restricted Period, the conditions under which the Restricted Units or Phantom Units may become vested or forfeited, and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may establish with respect to such Awards, including whether DERs are granted with respect to the Phantom Units.

(i) UDRs. To the extent determined by the Committee, in its discretion, the Award Agreement for a grant of Restricted Units may provide that distributions made by the Partnership with respect to the Restricted Units shall be subject to the same forfeiture and other restrictions as the Restricted Unit and, if restricted, such distributions shall be held, with or without interest or other earnings credit (as determined by the Committee), until the Restricted Unit vests or is forfeited with the UDR being paid or forfeited at the same time, as the case may be. Absent such a restriction on the UDRs in the Award Agreement, UDRs shall be paid to the holder of the Restricted Unit without restriction at the same time as cash distributions are paid by the Partnership to its unitholders.

(ii) Forfeitures. Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, upon termination of a Participant’s employment with (or service to) the General Partner and its Affiliates or membership on the Board, whichever is applicable, for any reason during the applicable Restricted Period, all outstanding, unvested Restricted Units and Phantom Units awarded to the Participant shall be automatically forfeited on such termination.

(iii) Lapse of Restrictions.

(A) Phantom Units. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, upon or as soon as reasonably practical following the vesting of each Phantom Unit, subject to Section 8(b), the Participant shall be entitled to settlement of such Phantom Unit and shall receive one Unit (or such greater or lesser number of Units as may be provided pursuant to the applicable Award Agreement) or an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value (for purposes of this Section 6(b)(iii), as calculated on the last day of the Restricted Period) of a Unit (or such greater or lesser number of Units as may be provided pursuant to the applicable Award Agreement) or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee in its discretion and as provided in the applicable Award Agreement.

(B) Restricted Units. Upon or as soon as reasonably practicable following the vesting of each Restricted Unit, subject to Section 8(b), the Participant shall be entitled to have the restrictions removed from his or her Unit certificate (or book entry account, as applicable).

(c) DERs. The Committee shall have the authority to determine the Employees, Consultants, and Directors to whom DERs are granted, whether such DERs are tandem or separate Awards, whether such DERs shall be paid directly to the Participant, be credited to a bookkeeping account (with or without interest or other earnings credit), any vesting restrictions and payment provisions applicable to the DERs, and such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion, all of which shall be specified in the applicable Award Agreements. Distributions in respect of DERs shall be credited as of the distribution dates during the period between the date an Award is granted to a Participant and the date such Award vests, is exercised, is distributed or expires, as determined by the Committee. Such DERs shall be converted to cash, Units, Restricted Units, or Phantom Units by such formula and at such

times and subject to such limitations as may be determined by the Committee. Tandem DERs may be subject to the same or different vesting restrictions as the underlying Award, or be subject to such other provisions or restrictions as determined by the Committee in its discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing, DERs shall only be paid in a manner that is either exempt from or in compliance with Section 409A.

(d) Bonus Units and Awards in Lieu of Obligations. The Committee is authorized to grant Units as a bonus or to grant Units in lieu of obligations to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements to such Employees, Consultants and Directors and in such amounts as the Committee, in its discretion, may select. Bonus Units or Awards granted hereunder shall be subject to such other terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee.

(e) Other Unit-Based Awards; Cash Awards. Other Unit-Based Awards may be granted under the Plan to such Employees, Consultants, and Directors as the Committee, in its discretion, may select. An Other Unit-Based Award shall be an award denominated or payable in, valued in or otherwise based on or related to Units, in whole or in part. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of any Other Unit-Based Award, including, if such Other Unit-Based Award (or any portion thereof) is not fully vested when granted, the conditions under which such Other Unit-Based Award (or the unvested portion thereof) may become vested or forfeited. Other Unit-Based Awards may be paid in cash, Units (including Restricted Units) or any combination thereof as provided in the applicable Award Agreement. Cash Awards, as an element of or supplement to, or independent of any other Award under this Plan, may also be granted pursuant to this Section 6(e).

(f) Certain Provisions Applicable to Awards.

(i) Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together. Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other Award granted under the Plan or any award granted under any other plan of the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner. Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or awards granted under any other plan of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.

(ii) Limits on Transfer of Awards.

(A) Except as provided in Section 6(f)(ii)(C), each Option and UAR shall be exercisable only by the Participant during the Participant’s lifetime, or by the Person to whom the Participant’s rights shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

(B) Except as provided in Section 6(f)(ii)(C), no Award and no right under any such Award may be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by a Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and any such purported assignment, alienation, pledge, attachment, sale, transfer or encumbrance shall be void and unenforceable against the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their respective Affiliates.

(C) The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement or in its discretion that an Award may, on such terms and conditions as the Committee may from time to time establish, be transferred by a Participant without consideration to any “family member” of the Participant, as defined in the instructions to use of the Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any related family trust, limited partnership or other transferee specifically approved by the Committee.

(iii) Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee.

(iv) Issuance of Units. The Units or other securities of the Partnership delivered pursuant to an Award may be evidenced in any manner deemed appropriate by the Committee in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, in the form of a certificate issued in the name of the Participant or by book entry, electronic or otherwise and shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the SEC, any securities exchange upon which such Units or other securities are then listed, and any applicable laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be inscribed on any certificates, if applicable, to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

(v) Consideration for Grants. To the extent permitted by applicable law, Awards may be granted for such consideration, including services, as the Committee shall determine.

(vi) Delivery of Units or other Securities and Payment by Participant of Consideration. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, subject to compliance with Section 409A, the Partnership shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Units pursuant to the exercise or vesting of any Award unless and until the Board or the Committee has determined, with advice of counsel, that (A) the issuance of such Units is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authorities, and, if applicable, the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Units are listed or traded, and (B) the Units are covered by an effective registration statement or applicable exemption from registration. In addition to the terms and conditions provided herein, the Board or the Committee may require that a Participant make such reasonable covenants, agreements, and representations as the Board or the Committee, in its discretion, deems advisable in order to comply with any such laws, regulations, or requirements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the delivery of Units pursuant to the exercise or vesting of an Award may be deferred for any period during which, in the good faith determination of the Committee, the Partnership is not reasonably able to obtain or deliver Units pursuant to such Award without violating applicable law or the applicable rules or regulations of any governmental agency or authority or securities exchange. No Units or other securities shall be delivered pursuant to any Award until payment in full of any amount required to be paid pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement (including any exercise price or tax

withholding) is received by the General Partner. Such payment may be made by such method or methods and in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine, including cash, other Awards, withholding of Units, cashless broker exercises with simultaneous sale, or any combination thereof; provided that the combined value, as determined by the Committee, of all cash and cash equivalents and the Fair Market Value of any such Units or other property so tendered to the General Partner, as of the date of such tender, is at least equal to the full amount required to be paid to the General Partner pursuant to the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement.

(vii) Change of Control. If specifically provided in an Award Agreement, upon a Change of Control the Award may automatically vest and be payable or become exercisable in full, as the case may be.

(viii) Substitute Awards. Awards may be granted under the Plan in substitution of similar awards held by individuals who are or who become Employees, Consultants or Directors in connection with a merger, consolidation or acquisition by the Partnership or one of its Affiliates of another entity or the securities or assets of another entity (including in connection with the acquisition by the Partnership or one of its Affiliates of additional securities of an entity that is an existing Affiliate of the Partnership). To the extent permitted by Section 409A, such substitute Awards that are Options or UARs may have exercise prices less than the Fair Market Value of a Unit on the date of the substitution.

(ix) Prohibition on Repricing of Options and UARs. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(c) and Section 7(c), the terms of outstanding Award Agreements may not be amended without the approval of the Partnership’s unitholders so as to:

(A) reduce the Unit exercise price of any outstanding Options or UARs,

(B) grant a new Option, UAR or other Award in substitution for, or upon the cancellation of, any previously granted Option or UAR that has the effect of reducing the exercise price thereof,

(C) exchange any Option or UAR for Units, cash, or other consideration when the exercise price per Unit under such Option or UAR exceeds the Fair Market Value of the underlying Units, or

(D) take any other action that would be considered a “repricing” of an Option or UAR under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange or, if the Units are not then-listed on such exchange, to the extent applicable, on any other national securities exchange on which the Units are listed.

Subject to Section 4(c), Section 7(c) and Section 8(n), the Committee shall have the authority, without the approval of the Partnership’s unitholders, to amend any outstanding Award to increase the per Unit exercise price of any outstanding Options or UARs or to cancel and replace any outstanding Options or UARs with the grant of Options or UARs having a per Unit exercise price that is equal to or greater than the per Unit exercise price of the original Options or UARs.

Section 7. Amendment and Termination. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law:

(a) Amendments to the Plan. Except as required by applicable law or the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are traded and subject to Section 7(b) below, the Board or the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan in any manner, including increasing the number of Units available for Awards under the Plan, without the consent of any partner, Participant, other holder or beneficiary of an Award, or other Person.

(b) Amendments to Awards. Subject to Section 7(a), the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter any Award theretofore granted (including, without limitation, requiring or allowing for an election to settle an Award in cash), provided no change in any Award shall (i) materially reduce the benefit to a Participant immediately prior to such change without the consent of such Participant or (ii) cause such Award to fail to comply with the requirements of Section 409A (to the extent applicable).

(c) Adjustment of Awards Upon the Occurrence of Certain Unusual or Nonrecurring Events. The Committee is hereby authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including the events described in Section 4(c)) affecting the Partnership or the financial statements of the Partnership, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan or such Award; provided, however, that no such adjustment may be made that (i) would cause the Plan or such Award to fail to comply with the requirements of Section 409A (to the extent applicable), or (ii) would materially reduce the benefit to a Participant immediately prior to such adjustment without the consent of such Participant.

Section 8. General Provisions.

(a) No Rights to Award. No Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

(b) Tax Withholding. Unless other arrangements have been made that are acceptable to the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner is authorized to deduct, withhold, or cause to be deducted or withheld, from any Award, from any payment due or transfer made under any Award, or from any compensation or other amount owing to a Participant the amount (in cash, Units, including Units that would otherwise be issued pursuant to such Award, or other property) of any applicable taxes payable in respect of the grant or settlement of an Award, its exercise, the lapse of restrictions thereon, or any other payment or transfer under an Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner to satisfy its withholding obligations for the payment of such taxes. In the event that Units that would otherwise be issued pursuant to an Award are used to satisfy such withholding obligations, the number of Units that may be withheld or surrendered shall be limited to the number of Units that have a Fair Market Value on the date of withholding equal to the aggregate amount of such liabilities based on the minimum statutory withholding rates for federal, state, local and foreign income tax and payroll tax purposes that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income.

(c) No Right to Employment or Service Relationship. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the General Partner or any of its Affiliates, to continue providing consulting services, or to remain on the Board, as applicable. Furthermore, the General Partner or an Affiliate of the General Partner may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment or his or her service relationship, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, any Award Agreement or other written agreement between any such entity and a Participant.

(d) Governing Law. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

(e) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable law or, if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person, or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(f) Other Laws. The Committee may refuse to issue or transfer any Units or other consideration under an Award if, in its sole discretion, it determines that the issuance or transfer of such Units or such other consideration might violate any applicable law or regulation, the rules of the principal securities exchange on which the Units are then traded, or entitle the Partnership or an Affiliate of the Partnership to recover the same under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, and any payment tendered to the General Partner by a Participant, other holder, or beneficiary in connection with the exercise of such Award shall be promptly refunded to the relevant Participant, holder or beneficiary.

(g) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the General Partner or any Affiliate of the General Partner pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the General Partner or such Affiliate.

(h) No Fractional Units. No fractional Units shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether cash, other securities, or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Units or whether such fractional Units or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated with or without consideration.

(i) Headings. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision hereof.

(j) Facility Payment. Any amounts payable hereunder to any individual under legal disability or who, in the judgment of the Committee, is unable to properly manage his financial affairs, may be paid to the legal representative of such individual, or may be applied for the benefit of such individual in any manner that the Committee may select, and the General Partner, the Partnership and their respective Affiliates shall be relieved of any further liability for payment of such amounts.

(k) Participation by Affiliates. In making Awards to Employees employed by, or Consultants providing services to, an Affiliate of the General Partner, the Committee shall be acting on behalf of the Affiliate of the General Partner, and to the extent the Partnership has an obligation to reimburse the General Partner for compensation paid to Employees or Consultants for services rendered for the benefit of the Partnership, such reimbursement payments may be made by the Partnership directly to the Affiliate of the General Partner, and, if made to the General Partner, shall be received by the General Partner as agent for the Affiliate of the General Partner.

(l) Allocation of Costs. Nothing herein shall be deemed to override, amend, or modify any cost sharing arrangement, omnibus agreement, or other arrangement between the General Partner, the Partnership, and any of their respective Affiliates regarding the sharing of costs between such entities.

(m) Gender and Number. Words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, the plural shall include the singular and the singular shall include the plural.

(n) Compliance with Section 409A. Nothing in the Plan or any Award Agreement shall operate or be construed to cause the Plan or an Award that is subject to Section 409A to fail to comply with the requirements of Section 409A. The applicable provisions of Section 409A are hereby incorporated by reference and shall control over any Plan or Award Agreement provision in conflict therewith or that would cause a failure of compliance thereunder, to the extent necessary to resolve such conflict or obviate such failure. Subject to any other restrictions or limitations contained herein, in the event that a “specified employee” (as defined under Section 409A) becomes entitled to a payment under an Award that constitutes a “deferral of compensation” (as defined under Section 409A) on account of a “separation from service” (as defined under Section 409A), to the extent required by the Code, such payment shall not occur until the date that is six months plus one day from the date of such separation from service. Any amount that is otherwise payable within the six-month period described herein will be aggregated and paid in a lump sum without interest.

(o) No Guarantee of Tax Consequences. None of the Board, the Committee, the Partnership, the General Partner, or any of their respective Affiliates (i) provides or has provided any tax advice to any Participant or any other Person or makes or has made any assurance, commitment or guarantee that any federal, state, local or other tax treatment will (or will not) apply or be available to any Participant or other Person or (ii) assumes any liability with respect to any tax or associated liabilities to which any Participant or other Person may be subject.

(p) Clawback. To the extent required by applicable law or any applicable securities exchange listing standards, or as otherwise determined by the Committee, (i) Awards and amounts paid or payable pursuant to or with respect to Awards shall be subject to the provisions of any applicable clawback policies or procedures adopted by the General Partner or the Partnership, which clawback policies or procedures may provide for forfeiture, repurchase, or recoupment of Awards and amounts paid or payable pursuant to or with respect to Awards, and (ii) notwithstanding any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement to the contrary, the General Partner and the Partnership reserve the right, without the consent of any Participant or beneficiary of any Award, to adopt any such clawback policies and procedures, including such policies and procedures applicable to the Plan or any Award Agreement with retroactive effect.

Section 9. Term of the Plan. The Plan shall be effective on the date on which it is adopted by the Board and shall continue until the earliest of (i) the date terminated by the Board or the Committee, (ii) the date that all Units available under the Plan have been delivered to Participants, or (iii) the 10th anniversary of the date on which the Plan is adopted by the Board. However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award granted prior to such termination, and the authority of the Board or the Committee under the Plan or an Award Agreement to amend, alter, adjust, suspend, discontinue, or terminate any such Award or to waive any conditions or rights under such Award, shall extend beyond such termination date.

EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

Execution Copy

THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

DATED AS OF JANUARY 23, 2015

AMONG

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.,

AS BORROWER,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. AND COMPASS BANK,

AS CO-SYNDICATION AGENTS,

WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. AND AMEGY BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

AS CO-DOCUMENTATION AGENTS

AND

THE LENDERS SIGNATORY HERETO

SOLE LEAD ARRANGER AND BOOKRUNNER

WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page
ARTICLE I
Definitions and Accounting Matters

Section 1.01.	Terms Defined Above	1
Section 1.02.	Certain Defined Terms	1
Section 1.03.	Accounting Terms and Determinations	25
Section 1.04.	Types of Loans	26

ARTICLE II
Commitments

Section 2.01.	Loans and Letters of Credit	26
Section 2.02.	Borrowings, Continuations and Conversions, Letters of Credit	26
Section 2.03.	Changes of Maximum Credit Amount; Increase and Reduction of Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount	29
Section 2.04.	Fees	33
Section 2.05.	Several Obligations	33
Section 2.06.	Notes	33
Section 2.07.	Prepayments	34
Section 2.08.	Borrowing Base	35
Section 2.09.	Assumption of Risks	38
Section 2.10.	Obligation to Reimburse and to Prepay	38
Section 2.11.	Lending Offices	40

ARTICLE III
Payments of Principal and Interest

Section 3.01.	Repayment of Loans	40
Section 3.02.	Interest	40

ARTICLE IV
Payments; Pro Rata Treatment; Computations; Etc.

Section 4.01.	Payments	41
Section 4.02.	Pro Rata Treatment	42
Section 4.03.	Computations	42
Section 4.04.	Non-receipt of Funds by the Administrative Agent	42
Section 4.05.	Set-off, Sharing of Payments, Etc.	43
Section 4.06.	Taxes	44
Section 4.07.	Disposition of Proceeds	47
Section 4.08.	Payments and Deductions to a Defaulting Lender	47



ARTICLE V
Additional Costs and Capital Adequacy

Section 5.01.	Additional Costs	50
Section 5.02.	Limitation on Eurodollar Loans	51
Section 5.03.	Illegality	51
Section 5.04.	Base Rate Loans	52
Section 5.05.	Compensation	52

ARTICLE VI
Conditions Precedent

Section 6.01.	Closing Date	52
Section 6.02.	Subsequent Loans and Letters of Credit	54
Section 6.03.	Termination of Agreement	54

ARTICLE VII
Representations and Warranties

Section 7.01.	Existence	55
Section 7.02.	Financial Condition	55
Section 7.03.	Litigation	56
Section 7.04.	No Breach	56
Section 7.05.	Authority; Enforceability	56
Section 7.06.	Approvals	56
Section 7.07.	Use of Loans and Letters of Credit	56
Section 7.08.	ERISA	57
Section 7.09.	Taxes	58
Section 7.10.	Titles, Etc.	58
Section 7.11.	No Material Misstatements	59
Section 7.12.	Investment Company Act	59
Section 7.13.	Subsidiaries	59
Section 7.14.	Material Personal Property	59
Section 7.15.	Defaults	60
Section 7.16.	Environmental Matters	60
Section 7.17.	Compliance with the Law; Maintenance of Properties	61
Section 7.18.	Insurance	61
Section 7.19.	Hedging Agreements	62
Section 7.20.	Restriction on Liens	62


Section 7.21.	Intellectual Property	62
Section 7.22.	Gas Imbalances	62
Section 7.23.	Marketing of Production	62
Section 7.24.	Solvency	63
Section 7.25.	Location of Business and Offices	63
Section 7.26.	Foreign Corrupt Practices	63
Section 7.27.	OFAC	63

ARTICLE VIII
Affirmative Covenants

Section 8.01.	Reporting Requirements	64
Section 8.02.	Litigation	67
Section 8.03.	Maintenance, Compliance with Laws, Taxes, Inspections, Insurance, Etc.	67
Section 8.04.	Environmental Matters	68
Section 8.05.	Further Assurances	69
Section 8.06.	Performance of Obligations	70
Section 8.07.	Reserve Reports	70
Section 8.08.	Oil & Gas Properties	71
Section 8.09.	Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors	71
Section 8.10.	ERISA Information and Compliance	72
Section 8.11.	Distribution Compliance	73
Section 8.12.	Designated Borrowing Base Entities and Unrestricted Subsidiaries	73
Section 8.13.	Commodity Exchange Act Keepwell Provisions	74
Section 8.14.	Foreign Corrupt Practices	74

ARTICLE IX
Negative Covenants

Section 9.01.	Financial Covenants	74
Section 9.02.	Debt	75
Section 9.03.	Liens	76
Section 9.04.	Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions	77
Section 9.05.	Investments, Loans and Advances	77
Section 9.06.	Change of Name; Etc.	78
Section 9.07.	Nature of Business	78
Section 9.08.	Limitation on Leases	78
Section 9.09.	Proceeds of Notes	79
Section 9.10.	ERISA Compliance	79

iii


Section 9.11.	Sale or Discount of Receivables	80
Section 9.12.	Mergers, Etc.	80
Section 9.13.	Sale of Oil and Gas Properties	80
Section 9.14.	Environmental Matters	81
Section 9.15.	Transactions with Affiliates	81
Section 9.16.	Subsidiaries	81
Section 9.17.	Negative Pledge Agreements	82
Section 9.18.	Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments	82
Section 9.19.	Hedging Agreements	82
Section 9.20.	Sale and Leasebacks	83
Section 9.21.	Foreign Corrupt Practices	83
Section 9.22.	OFAC	83
Section 9.23.	Designation and Conversion of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries; Debt of Unrestricted Subsidiaries	83
Section 9.24.	Parent MLP IPO Transactions	84

ARTICLE X
Events of Default; Remedies

Section 10.01.	Events of Default	84
Section 10.02.	Remedies	86

ARTICLE XI
The Administrative Agent

Section 11.01.	Appointment, Powers and Immunities	87
Section 11.02.	Reliance by Administrative Agent	88
Section 11.03.	Defaults	88
Section 11.04.	Rights as a Lender	88
Section 11.05.	INDEMNIFICATION	88
Section 11.06.	Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent, Arranger and other Lenders	89
Section 11.07.	Action by Administrative Agent	89
Section 11.08.	Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent	90
Section 11.09.	Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Liens	90
Section 11.10.	Arranger	90



ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous

Section 12.01.	Waiver	91
Section 12.02.	Notices	91
Section 12.03.	Payment of Expenses, Indemnities, etc	91
Section 12.04.	Amendments, Etc.	94
Section 12.05.	Successors and Assigns	94
Section 12.06.	Assignments and Participations	94
Section 12.07.	Invalidity	96
Section 12.08.	Counterparts	96
Section 12.09.	References	97
Section 12.10.	Survival	97
Section 12.11.	Captions	97
Section 12.12.	NO ORAL AGREEMENTS	97
Section 12.13.	GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION	97
Section 12.14.	Interest	98
Section 12.15.	Confidentiality	99
Section 12.16.	EXCULPATION PROVISIONS	100
Section 12.17.	Flood Insurance Provisions	101
Section 12.18.	USA Patriot Act Notice	101
Section 12.19.	No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility	101


Annex I		List of Maximum Credit Amounts and Elected Commitments
Exhibit A		Form of Note
Exhibit B		Form of Borrowing, Continuation and Conversion Request
Exhibit C		Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D		Security Instruments
Exhibit E		Form of Assignment Agreement
Exhibit F		Form of Elected Commitment Increase Certificate
Exhibit G		Form of Additional Lender Certificate

Schedule 7.03		Litigation
Schedule 7.13		Subsidiaries
Schedule 7.19		Hedging Agreements
Schedule 7.22		Gas Imbalances
Schedule 7.23		Marketing Contracts
Schedule 9.03		Liens
Schedule 9.05		Investments
Schedule 9.24		Parent MLP IPO Transactions

THIS THIRD AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of January 23, 2015, is among: BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P., a limited partnership formed under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Borrower”); WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION and each of the lenders that is a signatory hereto or which becomes a signatory hereto as provided in Section 12.06 (individually, together with its successors and assigns, a “Lender” and, collectively, the “Lenders”); and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (in its individual capacity, “Wells Fargo”), as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

R E C I T A L S

A. The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are parties to that certain Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 3, 2012, as amended by First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated effective as of November 5, 2012, as amended by Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated effective as of June 28, 2013, and as amended by Third Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated effective as of October 23, 2013 (such agreement, as amended, the “Existing Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the Lenders have made certain credit available to and on behalf of the Borrower.

B. The Borrower has requested and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have agreed to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement subject to the terms of this Agreement.

C. Now, therefore, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and of the loans, extensions of credit and commitments hereinafter referred to, the parties hereto agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions and Accounting Matters

Section 1.01. Terms Defined Above. As used in this Agreement, each term defined above shall have the meaning indicated above.

Section 1.02. Certain Defined Terms. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings (all terms defined in this Article I or in other provisions of this Agreement in the singular to have the same meanings when used in the plural and vice versa):

“Additional Costs” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 5.01(a).

“Additional Lender” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.03(d).

“Additional Lender Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.03(d)(ii)(G).

“Administrative Agent” shall have the meaning assigned such term in the introductory paragraph.

“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

“Affected Loans” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 5.04.

“Affiliate” of any Person shall mean (a) any Person directly or indirectly controlled by, controlling or under common control with such first Person, (b) any director or executive officer of such first Person or of any Person referred to in clause (a) above and (c) if any Person in clause (a) above is an individual, any member of the immediate family (including parents, spouse and children) of such individual and any trust whose principal beneficiary is such individual or one or more members of such immediate family and any Person who is controlled by any such member or trust. For purposes of this definition, any Person that owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body of a corporation or 10% or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of any other Person (other than as a limited partner of such other Person) will be deemed to “control” (including, with its correlative meanings, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) such corporation or other Person.

“Aggregate Commitments” at any time shall equal the sum of the Commitments.

“Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount” at any time shall equal the sum of the Elected Commitments, as the same may be increased, reduced or terminated pursuant to Section 2.03. As of the Closing Date, the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount is $700,000,000.

“Aggregate Elected Commitment Utilization Percentage” shall mean, as of any day, the fraction expressed as a percentage, the numerator of which is the balance of all Loans and the LC Exposure outstanding on such day, and the denominator of which is the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount in effect on such day.

“Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts” at any time shall equal the sum of the Maximum Credit Amounts of the Lenders, as the same may be reduced or terminated pursuant to Section 2.03(b).

“Agreement” means this Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Applicable Lending Office” shall mean, for each Lender and for each Type of Loan, the lending office of such Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender) designated for such Type of Loan on the signature pages hereof or such other offices of such Lender (or of an Affiliate of such Lender) as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the office by which its Loans of such Type are to be made and maintained.

“Applicable Margin” shall mean the following rate per annum as applicable based on the Aggregate Elected Commitment Utilization Percentage in effect from time to time.


Aggregate Elected Commitment Utilization Grid
	<25%			³25% <50%			³50% <75%			³75% <90%			³90%
Eurodollar Margin		1.50	%		1.75	%		2.00	%		2.25	%		2.50	%
Base Rate Margin		0.50	%		0.75	%		1.00	%		1.25	%		1.50	%

(a) Each change in the Applicable Margin resulting from a change in the Aggregate Elected Commitment Utilization Percentage shall take effect at the time of such change, provided, however, that if at any time, the Borrower fails to deliver a Reserve Report pursuant to Section 8.07(a) within 30 days after the date required for such delivery thereunder, then the “Applicable Margin” shall mean the rate per annum set forth on the then applicable grid when the Aggregate Elected Commitment Utilization Percentage is greater than or equal to 90%.

(b) Each change in the Applicable Margin shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next change to the Applicable Margin.

“Approved Counterparty” shall mean: (a) any Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender, (b) any other Person whose long term senior unsecured debt rating is A/A2 by S&P or Moody’s (or their equivalent) or higher, (c) Coral Energy Holding, L.P., or (d) BP Corporation North America, Inc.

“Approved Petroleum Engineers” shall mean (a) Pressler Consultants, Inc., (b) Ryder Scott Company, L.P., and (c) any other independent petroleum engineers reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

“Arranger” shall mean Wells Fargo Securities, LLC.

“Assignment” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 12.06(b).

“Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus ¹⁄₂ of 1%, and (c) the Eurodollar Rate for a one month Interest Period on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1.00%, provided that, in the context of this definition of Base Rate and for the avoidance of doubt, the Eurodollar Rate for any day shall be based on the rate as quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m. London time on such day to the Administrative Agent’s London office for dollar deposits of $5,000,000 having a one-month maturity. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Eurodollar Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Eurodollar Rate, respectively.

“Base Rate Loans” shall mean Loans that bear interest at rates based upon the Base Rate.

“Borrower” shall have the meaning assigned such term in the introductory paragraph.

“Borrowing Base” shall mean at any time an amount equal to the amount determined in accordance with Section 2.08, as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to Sections 8.08 and 9.13.

“Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are authorized or required to close in Houston, Texas; and if such day relates to a borrowing or continuation of, a payment or prepayment of principal of or interest on, or a conversion of or into, or the Interest Period for, a Eurodollar Loan or a notice by the Borrower with respect to any such borrowing or continuation, payment, prepayment, conversion or Interest Period, any day which is also a day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are carried out in the London interbank market.

“Capital Leases” shall mean, in respect of any Person, all leases which shall have been, or should have been, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases on the balance sheet of Person liable (whether contingent or otherwise) for the payment of rent thereunder.

“Cash Management Agreements” shall mean any agreement governing Cash Management Services.

“Cash Management Lender” means any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender that provides a Cash Management Service to the Borrower or any Guarantor, in its capacity as a provider of such service.

“Cash Management Services” means any banking services that are provided to the Borrower or any Guarantor by a Cash Management Lender (other than pursuant to this Agreement), including: (a) credit cards, (b) credit card processing services, (c) debit cards, (d) purchase cards, (e) stored value cards, (f) automated clearing house or wire transfer services, or (g) treasury management, including controlled disbursement, consolidated account, lockbox, overdraft, return items, sweep and interstate depository network services.

“CFC” means a “controlled foreign corporation” as defined in Section 957 of the Code.

“Change of Control” means:

(a) prior to the Parent MLP IPO:

(i) any Person or two or more Persons acting as a group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), other than the Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 35% or more of the outstanding membership interests of the General Partner; (ii) individuals who, as of the Closing Date, constitute the board of managers of the General Partner (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the board of managers of the General Partner; provided, however, that any individual becoming a

manager of the General Partner subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the General Partner’s members, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the managers then comprising the Incumbent Board, shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board; or (iii) the Person who is the General Partner of the Borrower as of the Closing Date shall cease to be a General Partner or any Person shall become a new General Partner of the Borrower; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, and for the avoidance of doubt, neither the Parent MLP IPO nor any of the Parent MLP IPO Transactions shall constitute a Change of Control; and

(b) following the Parent MLP IPO:

(i) any Person or two or more Persons acting as a group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), other than the Parent MLP or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Parent MLP, shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of 35% or more of the outstanding membership interests of the Parent MLP GP; (ii) individuals who, as of the date of the Parent MLP IPO, constitute the board of directors of the Parent MLP GP (the “Parent MLP GP Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the Parent MLP GP; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director of the Parent MLP GP subsequent to such date whose election, or nomination for election by the Parent MLP GP’s board of directors or committee thereof, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Parent MLP GP Incumbent Board, shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Parent MLP GP Incumbent Board; (iii) the General Partner shall cease to be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Parent MLP and a Guarantor; or (iv) the Parent MLP shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, all of Borrower’s outstanding partnership interests.

“Closing Date” shall mean the date of this Agreement.

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time and any successor statute.

“Commitment” shall mean, for any Lender, its obligation to make Loans and participate in the issuance of Letters of Credit as provided in Section 2.01(b) up to the least of (a) such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount, (b) such Lender’s Elected Commitment or (c) such Lender’s Percentage Share of the then effective Borrowing Base.

“Commitment Fee Rate” shall mean (a) 0.375%, if the Aggregate Elected Commitment Utilization Percentage is less than 50% and (b) 0.50% per annum, if the Aggregate Elected Commitment Utilization Percentage is equal to or greater than 50%.

“Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

“Consolidated Net Income” shall mean with respect to the Borrower (or, following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period, the aggregate of the net income (or loss) of the Borrower (or, following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Consolidated Subsidiaries after allowances for taxes for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein) the following: (a) the net income of any Person in which the Borrower (or, following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries) has an interest (which interest does not cause the net income of such other Person to be consolidated with the net income of the Borrower (or, following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid in such period or within the 60 day period following such period by such other Person to the Borrower (or, following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or to a Consolidated Subsidiary thereof, as the case may be; (b) the net income (but not loss) during such period of any Consolidated Subsidiary (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries) to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions or transfers or loans by that Consolidated Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument or Governmental Requirement applicable to such Consolidated Subsidiary or is otherwise restricted or prohibited, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; (c) the net income (or loss) of any Person acquired in a pooling-of-interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such transaction; (d) any extraordinary gains or losses during such period, including gains or losses attributable to Property sales not in the ordinary course of business, it being acknowledged and agreed that sales of Oil and Gas Properties or interests therein are in the ordinary course of the Loan Parties’ business; and (e) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and any gains or losses attributable to writeups or writedowns of assets; and provided further that if the Borrower, the Parent MLP or any Consolidated Subsidiary shall acquire or dispose of any Property during such period, then Consolidated Net Income shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such acquisition, disposition or redesignation, as if such acquisition, disposition or redesignation had occurred on the first day of such period.

“Consolidated Subsidiaries” shall mean for any Person, each subsidiary of such Person (whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired) the financial statements of which shall be (or should have been) consolidated with the financial statements of such Person in accordance with GAAP. Unless otherwise specified, references to “Consolidated Subsidiaries” are to Consolidated Subsidiaries of the Borrower (or, following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP).

“Debt” shall mean, for any Person the sum of the following (without duplication): (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, bankers’ acceptances, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (b) all obligations of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of letters of credit, surety or other bonds and similar instruments; (c) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than for borrowed money); (d) all obligations under Capital Leases; (e) all obligations under Synthetic Leases; (f) all Debt (as described in the other clauses of this definition) of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person; (g) all Debt (as described in the other clauses of this definition) of others guaranteed by such Person or in which such Person otherwise assures a creditor against loss of the debtor to the extent of the lesser of the amount of such Debt and the maximum stated amount of such guarantee or assurance against loss; (h) all obligations or undertakings of such

Person to maintain or cause to be maintained the financial position or covenants of others or to purchase the Debt or Property of others (excluding the purchase of Property funded by equity contributions or capital calls by or on the owners of such Person, as applicable); (i) obligations to deliver goods or services including Hydrocarbons in consideration of advance payments; (j) obligations to pay for goods or services whether or not such goods or services are actually received or utilized by such Person; (k) any Debt of a partnership for which such Person is liable either by agreement or because of a Governmental Requirement but only to the extent of such liability; (l) Disqualified Capital Stock and (m) the undischarged balance of any production payment created by such Person or for the creation of which such Person directly or indirectly received payment.

“Default” shall mean an Event of Default or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default.

“Defaulting Lender” means any Lender, as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent, that has (a) failed to fund any portion of its Loans or participations in Letters of Credit within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, (b) notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm that it will comply with the terms of this Agreement relating to its obligations to fund prospective Loans and participations in then outstanding Letters of Credit, (d) otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute or (e) become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment or has a parent company that has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment.

“Deficiency” shall mean when the balance of all Loans and the LC Exposure exceeds the Aggregate Commitments.

“Designated Borrowing Base Entity” shall mean any Person owning Oil and Gas Properties both (a) either (i) of which the Borrower or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower owns 50% or more of the issued and outstanding equity interests, or (ii) of which the Borrower or the General Partner or a Subsidiary of the Borrower or the General Partner, for so long as such Subsidiary is a Guarantor, is a general partner or managing member and (b) which is (x) designated as such on Schedule 7.13 or in writing furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 8.01(j) and (y) approved as such by all Lenders. As of the Closing Date there are no Designated Borrowing Base Entities.

“Disqualified Capital Stock” shall mean any capital stock or other equity interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable for any consideration other than capital stock or other equity interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is convertible or is exchangeable for Debt or redeemable for any consideration other than capital stock or other equity interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock) at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part on or prior to the date that is one year after the earlier of (a) the Termination Date or (b) the date on which there are no Loans, LC Exposure or other obligations hereunder outstanding and the Commitments are terminated.

“Distributions” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 9.04.

“Dollars” and “$” shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.

“EBITDAX” shall mean, for any period, the sum of Consolidated Net Income for such period plus the following expenses or charges to the extent deducted from Consolidated Net Income in such period: interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, impairments and other noncash charges, exploration expenses, delay rentals, dry hole expenses and costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Parent MLP IPO and the Parent MLP IPO Transactions in an aggregate amount not to exceed $5,000,000 minus all noncash income added to Consolidated Net Income, all as determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Elected Commitment” means, as to each Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Annex I under the caption “Elected Commitment”, as the same may be increased, reduced or terminated from time to time in connection with an increase, reduction or termination of the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount pursuant to Section 2.03.

“Elected Commitment Increase Certificate” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.03(d).

“Elected Oil and Gas Properties” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 8.08.

“Eligible Assignee” shall mean a Person (a) which either: (i) is primarily engaged in the business of commercial banking and is (A) a Lender, (B) a Subsidiary of a Lender, (C) a Subsidiary of a Person of which a Lender is a Subsidiary, (D) a Person of which a Lender is a Subsidiary or (E) a Lender Affiliate, or (ii) is consented to as an Assignee by both the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (b) which can make one of representations contained in Section 4.06(d)(i).

“Engineering Reports” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 2.08(c).

“Environmental Laws” shall mean any and all Governmental Requirements pertaining to health or the environment in effect in any and all jurisdictions in which any Group Member is conducting or at any time has conducted business, or where any Property of any Group Member is located, including without limitation, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”), the Clean Air Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”), as amended, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (“RCRA”), as amended, the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended, and other environmental conservation or protection laws. The term “oil” shall have the meaning specified in OPA, the terms “hazardous substance” and “release” (or “threatened release”) have the meanings specified in CERCLA, and the terms “solid waste” and “disposal” (or “disposed”) have the meanings specified in RCRA; provided, however, that (a) in the event either OPA, CERCLA or RCRA is amended so as to broaden the meaning of any term defined thereby, such broader meaning shall apply subsequent to the effective date of such amendment and (b) to the extent the laws of the state in which any Property of any Group Member is located establish a meaning for “oil,” “hazardous substance,” “release,” “solid waste” or “disposal” which is broader than that specified in either OPA, CERCLA or RCRA, such broader meaning shall apply.

“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time and any successor statute.

“ERISA Affiliate” shall mean each trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which together with any Group Member would be deemed to be a “single employer” within the meaning of section 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or subsections (b), (c), (m) or (o) of section 414 of the Code.

“ERISA Event” shall mean (a) a “Reportable Event” described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder for which reporting has not been waived under such regulations, (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan during a plan year in which it was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (c) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC or (e) any other event or condition which might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan.

“Eurodollar Loans” shall mean Loans the interest rates on which are determined on the basis of rates referred to in the definition of “Eurodollar Rate”.

“Eurodollar Rate” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the rate appearing on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page which displays an average ICE Benchmark Administration Interest Settlement Rate (or on any successor or substitute page of such service, or any successor to or substitute for such service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently

provided on such page of such service, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to dollar deposits in the London interbank market) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for dollar deposits with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the event that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the “Eurodollar Rate” with respect to such Eurodollar Loan shall be the rate (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) at which dollar deposits of an amount comparable to such Eurodollar Loan and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered by the principal London office of the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, in no event shall the Eurodollar Rate be less than 0%.

“Event of Default” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 10.01.

“Excepted Liens” shall mean: (a) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (b) Liens in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security, old age pension or public liability obligations which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (c) operators’, vendors’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’, suppliers’, workers’, materialmen’s, construction or other like Liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business or incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties or statutory landlord’s liens, including lessee or operator obligations under statutes, governmental regulations or instruments related to the ownership, exploration and production of oil, gas and minerals on private, state, federal or foreign lands or waters, each of which is in respect of obligations that have not been outstanding more than 90 days or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (d) Liens which (i) arise in the ordinary course of business under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, oil and gas partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, overriding royalty agreements, marketing agreements, processing agreements, net profits agreements, development agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or other geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and (ii) are for claims which either are not delinquent or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which the Borrower or its Subsidiaries shall have set aside on its books such reserves as may be required pursuant to GAAP, provided that any such Lien referred to in this clause does not materially impair the use of the Property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such Property is held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or materially impair the value of such Property subject thereto; (e) Liens reserved in oil and gas mineral leases, or created by statute, to secure royalty, net profits interests, bonus payments, rental payments or other payments out of or with respect to the production, transportation or processing of Hydrocarbons, and compliance with the terms of such

Hydrocarbon Interests, provided that such Liens secure claims which either not delinquent or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which the Borrower or its Subsidiary shall have set aside on its books such reserves as may be required pursuant to GAAP; (f) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies and burdening only deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution, provided that (i) no such deposit account is a dedicated cash collateral account or is subject to restrictions against access by the depositor in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and (ii) no such deposit account is intended by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to provide collateral to the depository institution; (g) all other non-consensual defects in title (which might otherwise constitute Liens) arising in the ordinary course of the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s business or incidental to the ownership of their respective Properties; provided that no such Liens shall secure the payment of Debt or shall, in the aggregate, materially detract from the value or marketability of the Property subject thereto or materially impair the use or operation thereof in the operation of the business of the Borrower or such Subsidiary; (h) encumbrances (other than to secure the payment of borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of Property or services), easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations in any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary for the purpose of roads, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines for the removal of gas, oil, coal or other minerals or timber, and other like purposes, or for the joint or common use of real estate, rights of way, facilities and equipment, and defects, irregularities, zoning restrictions and deficiencies in title of any Property which in the aggregate do not materially impair the use of such Property for the purposes of which such Property is held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or materially impair the value of such Property subject thereto; (i) Liens on cash or securities pledged to secure performance of tenders, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return of money bonds, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, regulatory obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business; and (j) judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default, provided that (i) any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding may be initiated shall not have expired and (ii) no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced.

“Excluded Subsidiary” means (a) any Foreign Subsidiary, or (b) any Domestic Subsidiary that (i) is a FSHCO or (ii) is owned directly or indirectly by a CFC.

“Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party individually determined on a Loan Party by Loan Party basis, any Indebtedness in respect of any Hedging Agreement if, and solely to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a security interest to secure, such Indebtedness in respect of any Hedging Agreement (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) by virtue of (a) such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act or (b) in the case of any such Indebtedness in respect of any Hedging Agreement subject to a clearing requirement pursuant to Section 2(h) of the Commodity Exchange Act, because such Loan Party is a “financial entity” as defined in Section 2(h)(7)(C)(1) of the Commodity Exchange Act, in either case at the time such guarantee or grant of a security interest becomes effective with respect to such related Indebtedness in respect of any Hedging Agreement.

“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to a Recipient, (a) income or franchise Taxes (including United States state gross receipts Taxes that are imposed in lieu of United States state income or franchise Taxes) imposed on (or measured by) its net income (however denominated), in each case, (i) imposed by the United States of America (or any state (including the District of Columbia) or political subdivision thereof) or such other jurisdiction under the laws of which such Recipient is organized or is resident or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) any branch profits Taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar Tax by any jurisdiction described in (a) above, (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender or Foreign Issuing Bank, any withholding Tax that is imposed by United States of America (or any state (including the District of Columbia) or political subdivision thereof) on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender or Foreign Issuing Bank pursuant to a law in effect at the time such Foreign Lender or Foreign Issuing Bank becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender or Foreign Issuing Bank (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts with respect to such withholding Tax pursuant to Section 4.06(a) or Section 4.06(b), (d) any Taxes attributable to a Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 4.06(f) and (e) any withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

“Existing Credit Agreement” shall have the meaning assigned such term in the Recitals.

“FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version of FATCA that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreement entered into in connection with the implementation of such Sections of the Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to such intergovernmental agreement.

“FCPA” means the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended.

“Federal Funds Rate” shall mean, for any day, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with a member of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that (a) if the date for which such rate is to be determined is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if such rate is not so published for any day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate charged to the Administrative Agent on such day on such transactions as reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent.

“Financial Statements” shall mean the financial statement or statements of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries referred to in Section 7.02(a)(i) as of December 31, 2013.

“First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary” means a Foreign Subsidiary that is a direct Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Guarantor or a Domestic Subsidiary.

“Foreign Issuing Bank” means any Issuing Bank that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is located. For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

“Foreign Lender” means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is located. For purposes of this definition, the United States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.

“Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person which is not a Domestic Subsidiary. Any unqualified reference to any Foreign Subsidiary shall be deemed a reference to a Foreign Subsidiary of the Borrower, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

“FSHCO” means any Domestic Subsidiary (including a disregarded entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) substantially all of whose assets (held directly or through Subsidiaries) consist of equity interests of one or more CFCs or indebtedness of such CFCs.

“GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time subject to the terms and conditions contained in Section 1.03.

“General Partner” shall mean the general partner of the Borrower, which shall be (i) as of the Closing Date and prior to the Parent MLP IPO, Black Stone Natural Resources L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, and (ii) on and after the Parent MLP IPO, a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Parent MLP.

“Governmental Authority” shall mean, in respect of any Person, the country, the state, county, city and political subdivisions in which such Person or such Person’s Property is located or which exercises valid jurisdiction over such Person or such Person’s Property, and any court, agency, department, commission, board, bureau or instrumentality of any of them including monetary authorities which exercises valid jurisdiction over such Person or such Person’s Property. Unless otherwise specified, all references to Governmental Authority herein shall mean a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over, where applicable, the Group Members or any of their Property or the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Applicable Lending Office.

“Governmental Requirement” shall mean any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, authorization or other directive or requirement, including, without limitation, Environmental Laws, energy regulations and occupational, safety and health standards or controls, of any Governmental Authority.

“Group Member” shall mean the General Partner, the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP and each of its Subsidiaries).

“Guarantors” shall mean the General Partner, Black Stone Energy Company, L.L.C., BSML Partnership, TLW Investments, L.L.C., each Designated Borrowing Base Entity that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (for so long as each such Designated Borrowing Base Entity is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary), each other Restricted Subsidiary that guarantees the Indebtedness pursuant to Section 8.09(b), and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP.

“Guarantee Agreement” shall mean the Fourth Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated October 23, 2013 executed by the Guarantors guarantying on a joint and several basis, unconditionally, payment of the Indebtedness, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

“Hedging Agreements” shall mean any commodity, interest rate or currency swap, cap, floor, collar, forward agreement or other exchange or protection agreements or any option with respect to any such transaction.

“Hedge Lender” shall mean any Lender or any of its Affiliates that is party to a Hedging Agreement with the Borrower or any Guarantor.

“Highest Lawful Rate” shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Notes or on other Indebtedness under laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable laws allow as of the date hereof.

“Hydrocarbon Interests” shall mean all rights, titles, interests and estates now or hereafter acquired in and to oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon leases, mineral fee interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profit interests and production payment interests, including any reserved or residual interests of whatever nature.

“Hydrocarbons” shall mean oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all products refined or separated therefrom.

“Indebtedness” shall mean any and all amounts owing or to be owing by the Borrower or any Guarantor (a) to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and/or Lenders under any Loan Document; (b) to any Hedge Lender under any Hedging Agreements entered into while such Person (or its Affiliate) was a Lender hereunder or existing at the time such Person (or its Affiliate) became a Lender hereunder; (c) to any Cash Management Lender under any Cash Management Agreements entered into while such Person (or its Affiliate) was a Lender hereunder or existing at the time such Person (or its Affiliate) became a Lender hereunder; and

(d) all renewals, extensions and/or rearrangements of any of the above provided that, solely with respect to any Guarantor that is not an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, Excluded Swap Obligations of such Guarantor shall in any event be excluded from “Indebtedness” owing by such Guarantor.

“Indemnified Parties” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 12.03(b).

“Indemnified Taxes” means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes imposed on or with respect to any payment made by the Borrower or any Guarantor under any Loan Document.

“Indemnity Matters” shall mean any and all actions, suits, proceedings (including any investigations, litigation or inquiries), claims, demands and causes of action made or threatened against a Person and, in connection therewith, all losses, liabilities, damages (including, without limitation, consequential damages) or reasonable costs and expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever incurred by such Person whether caused by the sole or concurrent negligence of such Person seeking indemnification.

“Interest Period” shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Loan is made and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the first, second, third or sixth calendar month thereafter, as the Borrower may select as provided in Section 2.02, except that each Interest Period which commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on any day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the appropriate subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last Business Day of the appropriate subsequent calendar month.

Notwithstanding the foregoing: (a) no Interest Period for any Loan may commence before and end after the Termination Date; (b) each Interest Period which would otherwise end on a day which is not a Business Day shall end on the next succeeding Business Day (or, if such next succeeding Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar month, on the next preceding Business Day); and (c) no Interest Period shall have a duration of less than one month and, if the Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loans would otherwise be for a shorter period, such Loans shall not be available hereunder.

“Interim Redetermination” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 2.08(b).

“Interim Redetermination Date” shall mean the date on which a Borrowing Base that has been redetermined pursuant to an Interim Redetermination becomes effective as provided in Section 2.08(d).

“Investment” shall mean, for any Person: (a) the acquisition (whether for cash, Property, services or securities or otherwise) of equity interests of any other Person or any agreement to make any such acquisition (including, without limitation, any “short sale” or any sale of any securities at a time when such securities are not owned by the Person entering into such short sale), (b) the making of any deposit with, or advance, loan or other extension of credit to, any other Person (including the purchase of Property from another Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to resell such Property to such Person, but excluding any such advance, loan or extension of credit having a term not exceeding 90 days representing the purchase price of inventory or supplies sold by such Person in the ordinary course of business), or (c) the entering into of any guarantee of, or other contingent obligation with respect to, Debt or other liability of any other Person and (without duplication) any amount committed to be advanced, lent or extended to such Person.

“Issuing Bank” shall mean Wells Fargo or any other Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender agreed to between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to issue Letters of Credit.

“LC Commitment” at any time shall mean $5,000,000.

“LC Disbursement” means a payment made by the Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.

“LC Exposure” means, at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Percentage Share of the total LC Exposure at such time.

“Lender” shall mean each of the lenders that is a signatory hereto or which becomes a signatory hereto as provided in Section 12.06.

“Lender Affiliate” shall mean, (a) with respect to any Lender, (i) an Affiliate of such Lender or (ii) any entity (whether a corporation, partnership, trust or otherwise) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and is administered or managed by a Lender or an Affiliate of such Lender and (b) with respect to any Lender that is a fund which invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit, any other fund that invests in bank loans and similar extensions of credit and is managed by the same investment advisor as such Lender or by an Affiliate of such investment advisor.

“Letter of Credit Agreements” shall mean the written agreements with the Issuing Bank executed in connection with the issuance by the Issuing Bank of the Letters of Credit, such agreements to be on the Issuing Bank’s customary form for letters of credit of comparable amount and purpose as from time to time in effect or as otherwise agreed to by the Borrower and the Issuing Bank.

“Letters of Credit” shall mean the letters of credit issued pursuant to Section 2.01(b) and all reimbursement obligations pertaining to any such letters of credit, and “Letter of Credit” shall mean any one of the Letters of Credit and the reimbursement obligations pertaining thereto.

“Lien” shall mean any interest in Property securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether such interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, and whether such obligation or claim is fixed or contingent, and including but not limited to (a) the lien or security interest arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt or a lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes or (b) production payments and the like payable out of Oil and Gas Properties. The term “Lien” shall include reservations, exceptions, encroachments, easements, rights of way, covenants, conditions, restrictions, leases and other

title exceptions and encumbrances affecting Property. For the purposes of this Agreement, each Loan Party shall be deemed to be the owner of any Property which it has acquired or holds subject to a conditional sale agreement, or leases under a financing lease or other arrangement pursuant to which title to the Property has been retained by or vested in some other Person in a transaction intended to create a financing.

“Loan Documents” shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of Credit Agreements, the Letters of Credit and the Security Instruments.

“Loan Party” shall mean the General Partner, the Borrower and each of its Restricted Subsidiaries and, following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the Parent MLP GP is not a Loan Party.

“Loans” shall mean Loans made pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

“Majority Lenders” shall mean, at any time while no Loans are outstanding, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts; and at any time while Loans or Letters of Credit are outstanding, Lenders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans or participation interests in Letters of Credit (without regard to any sale by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under Section 12.06(c)).

“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any material and adverse effect on (a) the assets, liabilities, financial condition, business, operations or affairs of the Loan Parties taken as a whole different from those reflected in the Financial Statements or from the facts represented or warranted in any Loan Document, (b) the ability of the Loan Parties taken as a whole to carry out their business as at the Closing Date or meet their obligations under the Loan Documents on a timely basis, in each case, exclusive of changes resulting solely from changes in the price of Hydrocarbons or (c) the rights and remedies of the Lenders under the Loan Documents.

“Maximum Credit Amount” shall mean, as to each Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Annex I under the caption “Maximum Credit Amounts”, as the same may be reduced or terminated pursuant to Section 2.03(b) or modified from time to time to reflect any assignments permitted by Section 12.06(b).

“Minimum Collateral Value” shall mean (i) prior to the issuance or incurrence of any Permitted Senior Debt pursuant to Section 9.02(j), an amount equal to the then effective Borrowing Base and (ii) immediately prior to the issuance or incurrence of any such Permitted Senior Debt and at all times thereafter, an amount equal to 75% of the total PV9% value of all of Borrower’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ proved reserves, in each case based upon the Administrative Agent’s then current commodity price projections and assumptions.

“Moody’s” shall mean Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successors thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

“Mortgaged Property” shall mean the Oil and Gas Properties and the equity interests of each Designated Borrowing Base Entity owned by the Borrower or any Guarantor and which is subject to the Liens existing and to exist under the terms of the Security Instruments.

“Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a Plan defined as such in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

“New Borrowing Base Notice” has the meaning assigned such term in Section 2.08(d).

“Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

“Notes” shall mean the promissory notes of the Borrower described in Section 2.06 and being substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, extensions and rearrangements thereof.

“OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

“Oil and Gas Properties” shall mean the Hydrocarbon Interests; the Properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with Hydrocarbon Interests; all presently existing or future unitization, pooling agreements and declarations of pooled units and the units created thereby (including without limitation all units created under orders, regulations and rules of any Governmental Authority) which may affect all or any portion of the Hydrocarbon Interests; all operating agreements, contracts and other agreements, including production sharing contracts and agreements, which relate to any of the Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, purchase, exchange or processing of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to such Hydrocarbon Interests; all Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, including all oil in tanks, the lands covered thereby and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests; all tenements, hereditaments, appurtenances and Properties in any manner appertaining, belonging, affixed or incidental to the Hydrocarbon Interests; and all Properties, rights, titles, interests and estates described or referred to above, including any and all Property, real or personal, now owned or hereinafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or useful in connection with the operating, working or development of any of such Hydrocarbon Interests or Property (excluding drilling rigs, automotive equipment, rental equipment or other personal Property which may be on such premises for the purpose of drilling a well or for other similar temporary uses) and including any and all oil wells, gas wells, injection wells or other wells, buildings, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and servitudes together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing.

“Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan or Loan Document).

“Other Taxes” means any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or Property taxes, charges or similar levies imposed by any Governmental Authority arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement and any other Loan Document including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

“Parent MLP” shall mean a to-be-formed master limited partnership or limited liability company that shall pursuant to the consummation of the Parent MLP IPO Transactions own directly or indirectly all of the outstanding equity interests of (i) the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) the General Partner.

“Parent MLP GP” shall mean the general partner of the Parent MLP.

“Parent MLP IPO” shall mean the consummation of an initial public offering by Parent MLP of certain of its limited equity interests.

“Parent MLP IPO Transactions” shall mean the transactions pursuant to which Parent MLP shall be formed, the ownership of all of Borrower’s partnership interests shall be transferred to Parent MLP and the Parent MLP IPO shall be consummated, as generally set forth on Schedule 9.24 and related transactions and alterations thereto approved by the Administrative Agent.

“Partners” shall mean (i) prior to the Parent MLP IPO, the General Partner and limited partners of the Borrower and (ii) following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP GP and limited partners and other equity holders of the Parent MLP.

“PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions.

“Percentage Share” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts represented by such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount as indicated on Annex I hereto, as modified from time to time to reflect any assignments permitted by Section 12.06(b).

“Permitted Senior Debt” means unsecured Debt of the Borrower issued or incurred after the Closing Date so long as, in each case: (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such issuance or incurrence or would immediately result from such issuance or incurrence; (b) such Debt does not mature or require any scheduled principal payments of the principal amount thereof (other than customary mandatory offers to purchase upon a change of control, and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) prior to the date that is not less than 91 days after the Termination Date as of such issuance or incurrence; (c) no Permitted Senior Debt Document governing such Debt contains (i) maintenance financial covenants or (ii) covenants or events of default, that, taken as a whole, are materially more restrictive on the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries than those contained in this Agreement; (d) after giving effect to the issuance or incurrence of such Debt on a pro forma basis, Borrower shall be in compliance with all covenants set forth in Section 9.01 as of the last day of the applicable period covered by the certificate most recently delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(f) (for purposes of Section 9.01, as if such Debt, and all Permitted Subordinate Debt and other Permitted Senior Debt issued or incurred since the first day of such applicable period, had been issued or incurred on the first day of such applicable period).

“Permitted Senior Debt Documents” means, collectively, notes, all guarantees of any such notes, the indentures for each series or issue of any such notes and all other agreements, documents or instruments executed and delivered by any Group Member in connection with, or pursuant to, the issuance of Permitted Senior Debt, in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time, in compliance with the terms of this Agreement.

“Permitted Subordinate Debt” means subordinated unsecured Debt of the Borrower issued or incurred after the Closing Date so long as, in each case: (a) the Permitted Subordinate Debt Documents governing such Debt shall expressly provide that (i) such Debt is expressly subordinated to the Indebtedness as required by clause (f) of this definition and (ii) such subordination shall continue to be in force and effect notwithstanding any termination or release of any Liens securing the Indebtedness or the unenforceability of any Liens securing the Indebtedness; (b) such Debt bears no greater than a market interest rate as of the time of its issuance or incurrence (as determined in good faith by Borrower); (c) such Debt does not mature or require any scheduled principal payments of the principal amount thereof (other than customary mandatory offers to purchase upon a change of control, and customary acceleration rights after an event of default) prior to the date that is no less than 5 years and 6 months from the date such Debt is issued or incurred; (d) no Permitted Subordinate Debt Document governing such Debt contains (i) maintenance financial covenants or (ii) covenants or events of default, that, taken as a whole, are more materially restrictive on the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries than those contained in this Agreement; (e) after giving effect to the issuance or incurrence of such Debt on a pro forma basis, the Borrower shall be in compliance with all covenants set forth in Section 9.01 as of the last day of the applicable period covered by the certificate most recently delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(f) (for purposes of Section 9.01, as if such Debt, and all Permitted Senior Debt and other Permitted Subordinate Debt issued or incurred since the first day of such applicable period, had been issued or incurred on the first day of such applicable period); and (f) the Permitted Subordinate Debt Documents governing such Debt provide that, (i) during the continuation of an Event of Default (other than pursuant to Section 10.01(a) and other than which has resulted in acceleration pursuant to Section 10.02), the Majority Lenders may prohibit the Borrower from making any payments on such Debt for a period of 179 days after delivery of notice by Administrative Agent electing to block such payments, provided that Majority Lenders may not institute such blockage period more than once every 360 days, and (ii) no payments on such Debt nor repurchase, redemption, retirement or defeasement of such Debt will be permitted if (A) any Indebtedness is outstanding when due or (B) the Loans have been accelerated pursuant to Section 10.02.

“Permitted Subordinate Debt Documents” means, collectively, subordinated notes, all guarantees of any such notes, the indentures for each series or issue of any such notes and all other agreements, documents or instruments executed and delivered by any Group Member in connection with, or pursuant to, the issuance of Permitted Subordinate Debt, in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether upon or after termination or otherwise) or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time, in compliance with the terms of this Agreement.

“Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, voluntary association, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or any other form of entity.

“Plan” shall mean any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, which is subject to Title IV of ERISA or which is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, excluding any such Plan which is a Multiemployer Plan, and which (a) is currently or hereafter sponsored, maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate or (b) was at any time during the preceding six calendar years sponsored, maintained or contributed to, by the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate.

“Post-Default Rate” shall mean, in respect of any principal of any Loan or any other amount payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document which is not paid when due, a rate per annum equal to 2% per annum above the Base Rate as in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin (if any), but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

“Preferred Stock” shall mean (i) prior to the Parent MLP IPO, the 157,565 units of Series A Preferred Units of the Borrower, issue price of $1,000 per share, issued by the Borrower pursuant to that certain subscription agreement dated as of the 10th day of July, 2009 and (ii) after the Parent MLP IPO, the preferred units to be issued in connection with the Parent MLP IPO by the Parent MLP in exchange for and on the same terms and conditions (in all material respects) as the Series A Preferred Units of Borrower described in clause (i) above, as described in Step 8 of the Parent MLP IPO Transactions, to the holders of such Series A Preferred Units.

“Prime Rate” shall mean the rate of interest from time to time announced publicly by the Administrative Agent at the Principal Office as its prime commercial lending rate. Such rate is set by the Administrative Agent as a general reference rate of interest, taking into account such factors as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate, it being understood that many of the Administrative Agent’s commercial or other loans are priced in relation to such rate, that it is not necessarily the lowest or best rate actually charged to any customer and that the Administrative Agent may make various commercial or other loans at rates of interest having no relationship to such rate.

“Principal Office” shall mean the principal office of the Administrative Agent, presently located at 333 Clay Street, Suite 2400, Houston, Texas 77002 or such other location as designated by the Administrative Agent from time to time.

“Property” shall mean any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.

“Proposed Borrowing Base” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.08(c)(i).

“Proposed Borrowing Base Notice” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.08(c)(ii).

“Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Hedging Agreement, each Loan Party that (a) has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time any guaranty of obligations under such Hedging Agreement or grant of the relevant security interest becomes effective or (b) otherwise constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder.

“Quarterly Date” shall mean the last day of each March, June, September and December, in each year provided, however, that if any such day is not a Business Day, such Quarterly Date shall be the next succeeding Business Day.

“Recipient” means (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender (c) any Issuing Bank or (d) any other recipient of a payment under a Loan Document, as applicable.

“Redeem” and “Redemption” shall mean, with respect to any Debt, the repurchase, redemption, prepayment, repayment, refinancing, defeasance or any other acquisition or retirement for value of such Debt.

“Redetermination Date” shall mean, with respect to any Scheduled Redetermination or any Interim Redetermination, the date that the redetermined Borrowing Base related thereto becomes effective pursuant to Section 2.08(d).

“Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.06(g).

“Regulation D” shall mean Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor), as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Regulatory Change” shall mean, with respect to any Lender, any change after the Closing Date in any Governmental Requirement (including Regulation D) or the adoption or making after such date of any interpretations, directives or requests applying to a class of lenders (including such Lender or its Applicable Lending Office) of or under any Governmental Requirement (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith (whether or not having the force of law) or in implementation thereof, and (ii) all requests, rules, regulations, guidelines, interpretations, requirements, interpretations and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities (whether or not having the force of law), in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall, in each case, be deemed to be a Regulatory Change, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

“Required Lenders” shall mean, at any time while no Loans or Letters of Credit are outstanding, Lenders having not less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66.67%) of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts; and at any time while Loans or Letters of Credit are outstanding, Lenders holding not less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66.67%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans or participation interests in such Letters of Credit (without regard to any sale by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under Section 12.06(c)).

“Required Payment” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 4.04.

“Reserve Report” shall mean a report, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth, as of each January 1st or July 1st (or such other date in the event of an Interim Redetermination) the oil and gas reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries, together with a projection of the rate of production and future net income, taxes, operating expenses and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of such date, based upon the Administrative Agent’s pricing assumptions at the time.

“Responsible Officer” shall mean, as to any Person, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references to a Responsible Officer herein shall mean (i) as to the Borrower, a Responsible Officer of the General Partner with respect to the General Partner’s capacity as the general partner of the Borrower and (ii) as to the Parent MLP following the Parent MLP IPO, a Responsible Officer of the Parent MLP GP with respect to the Parent MLP GP’s capacity as the general partner of the Parent MLP.

“Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean the General Partner and (i) prior to the Parent MLP IPO, each other Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (ii) following the Parent MLP IPO, each other Subsidiary of the Parent MLP that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Revolving Credit Exposure” shall mean, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Loans and its LC Exposure at such time.”

“Revolving Credit Period” shall mean, the period from the Closing Date to and ending on the Termination Date.

“Scheduled Redetermination” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 2.08(b).

“Scheduled Redetermination Date” shall mean the date on which a Borrowing Base that has been redetermined pursuant to a Scheduled Redetermination becomes effective as provided in Section 2.08(d).

“SEC” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor Governmental Authority.

“Security Instruments” shall mean the Guarantee Agreement, the mortgages, deeds of trust and other agreements or instruments described or referred to in Exhibit D, and any and all other agreements or instruments now or hereafter executed and delivered by the Borrower or any other Person (including Hedging Agreements with the Hedge Lenders, but excluding participation or similar agreements between any Lender and any other lender or creditor with respect to any Indebtedness pursuant to this Agreement) in connection with, or as security for the payment or performance of the Indebtedness, Notes, this Agreement, or reimbursement obligations under the Letters of Credit, as such agreements may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time.

“S&P” shall mean Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

“Subsidiary” shall mean (a) any Person of which at least a majority of the outstanding shares of stock or other voting interests having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors, manager or other governing body of such Person (irrespective of whether or not at the time stock of any other class or classes of such Person shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or one or more of its Subsidiaries (other than an entity which is deemed to be a “Subsidiary” solely because it is a Designated Borrowing Base Entity), (b) any partnership of which the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any of its Subsidiaries (other than an entity which is deemed to be a “Subsidiary” solely because it is a Designated Borrowing Base Entity) is a general partner, and (c) each Designated Borrowing Base Entity. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each reference to the term “Subsidiary” shall mean (i) prior to the Parent MLP IPO, a Subsidiary of the Borrower and (ii) following the Parent MLP IPO, a Subsidiary of the Parent MLP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the following entities shall not constitute a “Subsidiary” by reason of clauses (a) or (b) of this definition (but shall constitute a “Subsidiary” by reason of clause (c) of this definition):

Black Stone Natural Resources II, L.P.

BSAP II GP, L.L.C.

and (ii) the following entities shall not constitute a “Subsidiary” under this definition:

O’Connell Partners, L.P.

O’Connell Holdings, L.L.C.

BSAP II, Inc.

“Synthetic Leases” shall mean, in respect of any Person, all leases which shall have been, or should have been, in accordance with GAAP, treated as operating leases on the financial statements of the Person liable (whether contingently or otherwise) for the payment of rent thereunder and which were properly treated as indebtedness for borrowed money for purposes of U.S. federal income taxes, if the lessee in respect thereof is obligated to either purchase for an amount in excess of, or pay upon early termination an amount in excess of, 85% of the residual value of the Property subject to such operating lease upon expiration or early termination of such lease.

“Taxes” shall mean all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

“Termination Date” shall mean, unless the Commitments are sooner terminated pursuant to Section 2.03(b) or Section 10.02, February 3, 2017.

“Total Debt” shall mean, at any date, all Debt of the Borrower (or, following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis other than Debt described under clauses (b), (c), (g), (h) and (j) of the definition “Debt.”

“Type” shall have the meaning assigned such term in Section 1.04.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary of the Borrower (or, following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) designated as such on Schedule 7.13 or which the Borrower has designated in writing to the Administrative Agent to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 7.13.

“Unused Amount” shall mean the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount minus the sum of the outstanding Loans and the LC Exposure.

“Wells Fargo” shall have the meaning assigned such term in the introductory paragraph.

“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” shall mean, as to the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP), any Subsidiary of which all of the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests (other than any directors’ qualifying shares mandated by applicable law), on a fully-diluted basis, are owned by the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP), a Guarantor (other than the General Partner) or one or more of the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or by the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and one or more of the Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

Section 1.03. Accounting Terms and Determinations. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial statements of the Borrower (or, following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP), all calculations for compliance with covenants in this Agreement and all calculations of any amounts to be calculated under the definitions in Section 1.02 shall be based upon the consolidated accounts of the Borrower (or, following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP (or in compliance with the regulations promulgated by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission regarding financial reporting) and consistent with the principles applied in preparing the Financial Statements. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Majority Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Majority Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any change in GAAP would recharacterize an operating lease as a Capital Lease, or treat a new lease that except for such change would have been characterized as an operating lease, as a Capital Lease, such change shall be disregarded.

Section 1.04. Types of Loans. Loans hereunder are distinguished by “Type”. The “Type” of a Loan refers to the determination whether such Loan is a Eurodollar Loan or a Base Rate Loan.

ARTICLE II

Commitments

Section 2.01. Loans and Letters of Credit.

(a) Loans. Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms of this Agreement, to make loans to the Borrower during the period from and including (i) the Closing Date or (ii) such later date that such Lender becomes a party to this Agreement as provided in Section 12.06(b), to but excluding, the Termination Date in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding up to but not exceeding the amount of such Lender’s Commitment as then in effect; provided, however, that the aggregate principal amount of all such Loans by all Lenders hereunder at any one time outstanding together with the LC Exposure shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, during the Revolving Credit Period, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow the amount of the Aggregate Commitments.

(b) Letters of Credit. During the Revolving Credit Period, each Lender (or its Affiliates) that has agreed to act as an Issuing Bank agrees to extend credit for the account of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries at any time and from time to time by issuing, renewing, extending or reissuing Letters of Credit; provided, however, that the LC Exposure at any one time outstanding shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the LC Commitment or (ii) the Aggregate Commitments, as then in effect, minus the aggregate principal amount of all Loans then outstanding. The Lenders shall participate in such Letters of Credit according to their respective Percentage Share of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts. Each of the Letters of Credit shall (A) be issued by the Issuing Bank, (B) contain such terms and provisions as are reasonably required by the Issuing Bank, (C) be for the account of the Borrower or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries and (D) expire not later than the earlier of eighteen (18) months from the date of issuance, renewal, extension or reissuance or five (5) days prior to the Termination Date.

(c) Limitation on Types of Loans. Subject to the other terms and provisions of this Agreement, at the option of the Borrower, the Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans; provided that, without the prior written consent of the Majority Lenders, no more than eight (8) Eurodollar Loans may be outstanding at any time to any Lender.

Section 2.02. Borrowings, Continuations and Conversions, Letters of Credit.

(a) Borrowings. The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) advance notice as hereinafter provided of each borrowing of Loans hereunder, which shall specify the aggregate amount of such borrowing, the Type and the date (which shall be a Business Day) of the Loans to be borrowed and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the duration of the Interest Period therefor.

(b) Minimum Amounts. All Base Rate Loan borrowings shall be in amounts of at least $500,000 or the remaining balance of the Aggregate Commitments, if less, or any whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof, and all Eurodollar Loans shall be in amounts of at least $2,500,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof.

(c) Notices. All borrowings, continuations and conversions shall require advance written notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) in the form of Exhibit B hereto (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed by such a written notice), which in each case shall be irrevocable, from the Borrower to be received by the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. Houston, Texas time on the date of each Base Rate Loan borrowing and not later than 12:00 p.m. Houston, Texas time three Business Days prior to the date of each Eurodollar Loan borrowing, continuation or conversion. Without in any way limiting the Borrower’s obligation to confirm in writing any telephonic notice, the Administrative Agent may act without liability upon the basis of telephonic notice believed by the Administrative Agent in good faith to be from the Borrower prior to receipt of written confirmation. In each such case, the Borrower hereby waives the right to dispute the Administrative Agent’s record of the terms of such telephonic notice except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Administrative Agent.

(d) Continuation Options. Subject to the provisions made in this Section 2.02(d), the Borrower may elect to continue all or any part of any Eurodollar Loan beyond the expiration of the then current Interest Period relating thereto by giving advance notice as provided in Section 2.02(c) to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of such election, specifying the amount of such Loan to be continued and the Interest Period therefor. In the absence of such a timely and proper election, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected to convert such Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 2.02(e). All or any part of any Eurodollar Loan may be continued as provided herein; provided that (i) any continuation of any such Loan (or any part thereof) shall be in amounts of at least $2,500,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof and (ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Eurodollar Loan shall be converted to a Base Rate Loan on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto.

(e) Conversion Options. The Borrower may elect to convert all or any part of any Eurodollar Loan on the last day of the then current Interest Period relating thereto to a Base Rate Loan by giving advance notice as provided in Section 2.02(a) to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of such election. Subject to the provisions made in this Section 2.02(e), the Borrower may elect to convert all or any part of any Base Rate Loan at any time and from time to time to a Eurodollar Loan by giving advance notice as provided in Section 2.02(c) to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of such election. All or any part of any outstanding Eurodollar Loan may be converted as provided herein; provided that (i) any conversion of any Base Rate Loan into a Eurodollar Loan (or any part thereof) shall be in amounts of at least $2,500,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof and (ii) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(f) Advances. Not later than 1:00 p.m. Houston, Texas time on the date specified for each borrowing hereunder, each Lender shall make available the amount of the Loan to be made by it on such date to the Administrative Agent, to an account which the Administrative Agent shall specify, in immediately available funds, for the account of the Borrower. The amounts so received by the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, be made available to the Borrower by depositing the same, in immediately available funds, in an account of the Borrower, designated by the Borrower.

(g) Letters of Credit. The Borrower shall give the Issuing Bank (which shall promptly notify the Lenders of such request) advance notice to be received by the Issuing Bank not later than 11:00 a.m. Houston, Texas time not less than three Business Days prior thereto of each request for the issuance and at least three Business Days prior to the date of the renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit hereunder which request shall specify the amount of such Letter of Credit, the date (which shall be a Business Day) such Letter of Credit is to be issued, renewed or extended, the duration thereof, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof, the form of the Letter of Credit and such other information as the Issuing Bank may reasonably request all of which shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Issuing Bank. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, on the date specified for the issuance, renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank shall issue such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof.

In conjunction with the issuance of each Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall execute a Letter of Credit Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Issuing Bank. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between any provision of a Letter of Credit Agreement and this Agreement, the Borrower, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that the provisions of this Agreement shall govern.

The Issuing Bank will send to the Borrower and each Lender, upon issuance of any Letter of Credit, or an amendment thereto, a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit, or such amendment thereto.

(h) Loans and Borrowings under the Existing Credit Agreement. On the Closing Date (or as soon as practicable with respect to (iii)):

(i) the Borrower shall pay all accrued and unpaid commitment fees, break funding fees under Section 5.05 and all other fees that are outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement for the account of each “Lender” under the Existing Credit Agreement;

(ii) each “Base Rate Loan” and “Eurodollar Loan” outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed to be amended and restated with the proceeds of a new Base Rate Loan or Eurodollar Loan, as applicable, and continued as existing Loans under this Agreement and not as a novation;

(iii) the Administrative Agent shall use reasonable efforts to cause each “Lender” under the Existing Credit Agreement to deliver to the Borrower as soon as practicable after the Closing Date the Note issued by the Borrower to it under the Existing Credit Agreement, marked “canceled” or otherwise similarly defaced;

(iv) any letters of credit outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement shall be deemed issued under this Agreement; and

(v) the Existing Credit Agreement and the commitments thereunder shall be superceded by this Agreement and such commitments shall terminate.

It is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement not constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities existing under the Existing Credit Agreement or evidence repayment of any such obligations and liabilities and that this Agreement amend and restate in its entirety the Existing Credit Agreement and re-evidence the obligations of the Borrower outstanding thereunder.

Section 2.03. Changes of Maximum Credit Amount; Increase and Reduction of Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount.

(a) Maximum Credit Amounts. The Aggregate Commitments shall at all times be equal to the least of (i) the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts after adjustments resulting from reductions pursuant to Section 2.03(b), (ii) the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount after adjustments resulting from increases or reductions pursuant to Section 2.03(d), or (iii) the Borrowing Base as determined from time to time.

(b) Voluntary Reduction/Termination. The Borrower shall have the right to terminate in whole or to reduce in part the amount of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts at any time or from time to time upon not less than three Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders) of each such termination or reduction, which notice shall specify the effective date thereof and the amount of any such reduction (which in the case of any partial reduction shall not be less than $2,500,000 or any whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof) and shall be irrevocable and effective only upon receipt by the Administrative Agent; provided, however, that the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts can never be less than the sum of the outstanding Loans and the LC Exposure. Upon any reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount that would otherwise result in the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount being less than the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount, the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount shall be automatically reduced (ratably among the Lenders) so that it equals the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amount as so reduced.

(d) Increase and Reduction of Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount.

(i) Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 2.03(d)(ii), the Borrower may, at its election, increase the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount then in effect by increasing the Elected Commitment of one or more existing Lenders (other than a Defaulting Lender) and/or by causing one or more Persons that are acceptable to the Administrative Agent and that at such time are not Lenders to become a Lender (each an “Additional Lender”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in no case shall an Additional Lender be the Borrower, an Affiliate of the Borrower or a natural person.

(ii) Any increase in the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount shall be subject to the following additional conditions.

(A)

such increase shall not be less than $50,000,000 unless (1) the Administrative Agent otherwise consents or (2) prior to giving effect to such increase, the Borrowing Base exceeds

the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount and after giving effect to such increase, the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount will equal the Borrowing Base; provided that no such increase shall be permitted if after giving effect thereto the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount exceeds the Borrowing Base then in effect;

(B)

following any Scheduled Redetermination Date, the Borrower may not increase the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount more than once before the next Scheduled Redetermination Date unless the Administrative Agent otherwise consents (it being understood that the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount may also be increased on any Scheduled Redetermination Date);

(C)

no Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the effective date of such increase;

(D)

on the effective date of such increase, no Eurodollar Loans shall be outstanding or if any Eurodollar Loans are outstanding, then the effective date of such increase shall be the last day of the Interest Period in respect of such Eurodollar Loans unless the Borrower pays compensation, if any, required by Section 5.05;

(E)

no Lender’s Elected Commitment may be increased without the consent of such Lender;

(F)

subject to Section 2.03(d)(ix) below, if the Borrower elects to increase the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount by increasing the Elected Commitment of one or more Lenders, the Borrower and each such Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F (an “Elected Commitment Increase Certificate”) and the Borrower shall pay any applicable fees as may have been agreed to between the Borrower, such Lender and/or the Administrative Agent; and

(G)

if the Borrower elects to increase the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount by causing one or more Additional Lenders to become a party to this Agreement, then the Borrower and each such Additional Lender shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H (an “Additional Lender Certificate”), together with an Administrative Questionnaire and a processing and recordation fee of

$3,500 for each Additional Lender which shall be payable by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent unless waived by the Administrative Agent, and the Borrower shall (1) if requested by any Additional Lender, deliver a Note payable to such Additional Lender in a principal amount equal to its Maximum Credit Amount, and otherwise duly completed and (2) pay any applicable fees as may have been agreed to between the Borrower, any Additional Lender and/or the Administrative Agent.

(iii) Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to Section 2.03(d)(iv), from and after the effective date specified in the Elected Commitment Increase Certificate or the Additional Lender Certificate (or if any Eurodollar Loans are outstanding, then the last day of the Interest Period in respect of such Eurodollar Loans, unless the Borrower has paid compensation, if any, required by Section 5.05): (A) the amount of the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount shall be increased as set forth therein, and (B) in the case of an Additional Lender Certificate, any Additional Lender party thereto shall be a party to this Agreement and have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. In addition, the Lender or the Additional Lender, as applicable, shall be deemed to have purchased a pro rata portion of the outstanding Loans (and participation interests in Letters of Credit) of each of the other Lenders (and such Lenders hereby agree to sell and to take all such further action to effectuate such sale) such that each Lender (including any Additional Lender, if applicable) shall hold its Percentage Share of the outstanding Loans (and participation interests in Letters of Credit) after giving effect to the increase in the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount and the resulting modification of each Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount pursuant to Section 2.03(d)(v).

(iv) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Elected Commitment Increase Certificate or an Additional Lender Certificate, executed by the Borrower and the Lender or by the Borrower and the Additional Lender party thereto, as applicable, the processing and recording fee referred to in Section 2.03(d)(ii) and the Administrative Questionnaire referred to in Section 2.03(d)(ii), if applicable, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Elected Commitment Increase Certificate or Additional Lender Certificate and record the information contained therein in the Register required to be maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 12.06(g). No increase in the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this Section 2.03(d)(iv).

(v) Upon any increase in the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount pursuant to this Section 2.03(d), (A) each Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount shall be automatically deemed amended to the extent necessary so that each such Lender’s Applicable Percentage equals the percentage of the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount represented by such Lender’s Elected Commitment, in each case after giving effect to such increase, (B) Annex I to this Agreement shall be deemed amended to reflect the Elected Commitment of each Lender (including any Additional Lender) as thereby increased, any changes in the Lenders’ Maximum Credit Amounts pursuant to the foregoing clause (A), and any resulting changes in the Lenders’ Percentage Shares, and (C) the Borrower shall execute and deliver new Notes to the extent required under Section 2.06.

(vi) The Borrower may from time to time reduce the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount; provided that (A) each reduction of the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $5,000,000 and not less than $10,000,000 unless the Administrative Agent otherwise consents and (B) the Borrower shall not reduce the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.07(b), the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans plus the LC Exposure would exceed the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount.

(vii) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount under Section 2.03(d)(vi) at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.03(d)(vii) shall be irrevocable. Any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount shall be permanent and may not be reinstated, except pursuant to Section 2.03(e)(i). Each reduction of the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with each Lender’s Percentage Share.

(viii) Upon any redetermination or other adjustment in the Borrowing Base pursuant to this Agreement that would otherwise result in the Borrowing Base becoming less than the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount, the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount shall be automatically reduced (ratably among the Lenders in accordance with each Lender’s Percentage Share) so that it equals such redetermined Borrowing Base (and Annex I shall be deemed amended to reflect such amendments to each Lender’s Elected Commitment and the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount).

(ix) Contemporaneously with any increase in the Borrowing Base pursuant to this Agreement, if (A) the Borrower elects to increase the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount ratably among the Lenders and (B) each Lender has consented to such increase in its Elected Commitment, then the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount shall be increased (ratably among the Lenders in accordance with each Lender’s Percentage Share) by the amount requested by the Borrower (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 2.03(d)(ii)(A)) without the requirement that any Lender deliver an Elected Commitment Increase Certificate, and Annex I shall be deemed amended to reflect such amendments to each Lender’s Elected Commitment and the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount. The Administrative Agent shall record the information regarding such increases in the Register required to be maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 12.06(g).

Section 2.04. Fees.

(a) Commitment Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, a commitment fee which shall accrue at the applicable Commitment Fee Rate on the daily average amount of the Unused Amount. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Date and on the earlier of the date the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts are terminated or the Termination Date.

(b) Letter of Credit Fees.

(i) The Borrower agrees to pay the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, a quarterly letter of credit fee in respect of all Letters of Credit outstanding during such quarter, at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect from time to time during such quarter for Eurodollar Loans, on such Lender’s Percentage Share of the daily average aggregate stated amount of such Letters of Credit, payable in arrears on each Quarterly Date and on the later of the Termination Date or the date of termination of the last outstanding Letter of Credit.

(ii) The Borrower agrees to pay the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank, with respect to each Letter of Credit a quarterly facing fee in respect of all Letters of Credit outstanding during such quarter, at a per annum rate of 0.125% on the daily average aggregate stated amount of such Letters of Credit payable in arrears on each Quarterly Date and on the later of the Termination Date or the date of termination of the last outstanding Letter of Credit.

(c) Administrative Agent/Arranger/Lender Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders, for each of their own accounts, fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders.

Section 2.05. Several Obligations. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan to be made by it or to provide funds for disbursements or reimbursements under Letters of Credit on the date specified therefor shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation to make its Loan or provide funds on such date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make a Loan to be made by such other Lender or to provide funds to be provided by such other Lender.

Section 2.06. Notes. The Loans made by each Lender shall be evidenced by a single promissory note of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, dated (a) the Closing Date, (b) the effective date of an Assignment pursuant to Section 12.06(b) or (c) the effective date that any Lender that becomes a party hereto in connection with an increase in the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount pursuant to Section 2.03(d), in each case, payable to such Lender in a principal amount equal to its Maximum Credit Amount as in effect and otherwise duly completed. The date, amount, Type, interest rate and, if applicable, Interest Period of each Loan made by each Lender, and all payments made on account of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by such Lender on its books for its Note. Failure to make any such notation or to attach a schedule shall not affect any Lender’s or the Borrower’s rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of its Note.

Section 2.07. Prepayments.

(a) Voluntary Prepayments. The Borrower may prepay the Base Rate Loans on any Business Day by giving notice not later than 11:00 a.m. Houston, Texas time on the date of the proposed prepayment to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders), which notice shall specify the prepayment date (which shall be a Business Day), the Type of Loan being prepaid and the amount of the prepayment (which shall be in increments of $100,000 that are not less than $500,000 or the remaining aggregate principal balance outstanding, if less) and shall be irrevocable and effective only upon receipt by the Administrative Agent. The Borrower may prepay Eurodollar Loans on the same condition as for Base Rate Loans; provided that (i) such notice be given no later than 12:00 noon Houston, Texas time three Business Days prior to the proposed date of prepayment, (ii) the amount of such prepayment is in an increment of $500,000 that is not less than $2,500,000 and (iii) such prepayments of Eurodollar Loans shall be subject to the terms of Section 5.05.

(b) Mandatory Prepayments.

(i) If, after giving effect to (A) any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(b) or (B) any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount, the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans plus the LC Exposure exceeds the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts or the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount, then the Borrower shall (1) prepay the Loans on the date of such termination or reduction in an aggregate principal amount equal to the excess, and (2) if any excess remains after prepaying all of the Loans, pay to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders an amount equal to the excess to be held as cash collateral as provided in Section 2.10(b).

(ii) Upon any redetermination of or adjustment to the amount of the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.08 (other than Section 2.08(e) and (f)), if a Deficiency exists, then the Borrower shall, within thirty (30) days of the effective date of such new Borrowing Base, elect to: (A) prepay the Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Deficiency, (B) pay such Deficiency in five (5) equal installments, the first such installment being due and payable by the first Business Day after such election has been made and the remaining installments due monthly thereafter until such Deficiency is paid in full, (C) provide and pledge as Mortgaged Properties additional Oil and Gas Properties acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in their sole discretion (together with the status of title information with respect thereto) to increase the Borrowing Base by an amount at least equal to such Deficiency, or (D) effect any combination of the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C) in amounts necessary to eliminate such Deficiency; provided that all payments required to be made pursuant to this Section 2.07(b)(ii) must be made on or prior to the Termination Date.

(iii) Upon any adjustment to the amount of the Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.08(e) or (f), Section 8.08 or Section 9.13, if a Deficiency exists, then the Borrower shall: (A) prepay the Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Deficiency, and (B) if a Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Loans as a result of an LC Exposure, provide to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders an amount equal to such Deficiency to be held as cash collateral as provided in Section 2.10(b). The Borrower shall be obligated to make such prepayment and/or deposit of cash collateral upon the effectuation of such termination or sale in accordance with Section 2.08(e), removal of Oil and Gas Properties in accordance with Section 8.08 or of such sale made in accordance with Section 9.13; as applicable, provided that all payments required to be made pursuant to this Section 2.07(b)(iii) must be made on or prior to the Termination Date.

(c) Generally. Prepayments permitted or required under this Section 2.07 shall be without premium or penalty, except as required under Section 5.05 for prepayment of Eurodollar Loans. Any prepayments on the Loans may be reborrowed subject to the then effective Aggregate Commitments.

Section 2.08. Borrowing Base.

(a) Initial Borrowing Base. For the period from and including the Closing Date to but excluding the first Scheduled Redetermination Date thereafter, the amount of the Borrowing Base shall be $700,000,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowing Base may be subject to further adjustments from time to time pursuant to Section 2.08(e), Section 2.08(f), Section 8.08 or Section 9.13.

(b) Scheduled and Interim Redetermination. Subject to Section 2.08(d), the Borrowing Base shall be redetermined (a “Scheduled Redetermination”) on April 1st and October 1st of each year, commencing April 1, 2015. In addition, either the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, may, once between Scheduled Redeterminations, each elect to cause the Borrowing Base to be redetermined (a “Wildcard Interim Redetermination”) in accordance with this Section 2.08. Furthermore, Borrower, may, once during each calendar year, elect to cause the Borrowing Base to be redetermined (in addition to any Wildcard Interim Redetermination) between Scheduled Redeterminations (each such redetermination and Wildcard Interim Redetermination, an “Interim Redetermination”) in connection with a material acquisition (including a drop-down of assets) of Oil and Gas Properties by Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with this Section 2.08.

(i) Each Scheduled Redetermination and each Interim Redetermination shall be effectuated as follows: Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of (A) the applicable Reserve Report and the certificate related thereto in accordance with Section 8.07(c) and (B) the information provided pursuant to Section 8.07(c), the list of Hedging Agreements per Section 8.01(e), and such other reports, data and supplemental information as may, from time to time, be reasonably requested by the Required Lenders (the Reserve Report, such certificate and such other reports, data and supplemental information being the “Engineering Reports”), the Administrative Agent shall evaluate the information contained in the Engineering Reports and shall, in good faith, propose a new Borrowing Base (the “Proposed Borrowing Base”) based upon such information and such other information (including, without limitation, the status of title information with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties as described in the Engineering Reports and the existence of any other Debt) as the Administrative Agent, in good faith, deems appropriate and consistent with its normal oil and gas lending criteria as it exists at the particular time; provided that (x) without the prior written consent of Required Lenders, the assigned value of the Oil and Gas Properties included in the Borrowing Base of all Designated Borrowing Base Entities shall not exceed 0% of the total Borrowing Base and (y) without the prior written consent of each Lender, the assigned value of the Oil and Gas Properties included in the Borrowing Base of all Designated Borrowing Base Entities shall not exceed 25% of the total Borrowing Base.

(ii) The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Proposed Borrowing Base (the “Proposed Borrowing Base Notice”):

(A)

in the case of a Scheduled Redetermination (1) if the Administrative Agent shall have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.07(a) and (c) in a timely and complete manner, then on or before the March 15th and September 15th of such year following the date of delivery of such Engineering Report or (2) if the Administrative Agent shall not have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.07(a) and (c) in a timely and complete manner, then promptly after the Administrative Agent has received complete Engineering Reports from the Borrower and has had a reasonable opportunity to determine the Proposed Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.08(c)(i) and in any event, within fifteen (15) days after the Administrative Agent has received the required Engineering Report; and

(B)

in the case of an Interim Redetermination, promptly, and in any event, within fifteen (15) days after the Administrative Agent has received the required Engineering Reports.

(iii) Any Proposed Borrowing Base that would increase the Borrowing Base then in effect must be approved or deemed to have been approved by all of the Lenders as provided in this Section 2.08(c)(iii); and any Proposed Borrowing Base that would decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base then in effect must be approved or be deemed to have been approved by the Required Lenders as provided in this Section 2.08(c)(iii). Upon receipt of the Proposed Borrowing Base Notice, each Lender shall have fifteen (15) days to agree with the Proposed Borrowing Base or disagree with the Proposed Borrowing Base by proposing an alternate Borrowing Base. If at the end of such fifteen (15) days, any Lender has not communicated its approval or disapproval in writing to the Administrative Agent, such silence shall be deemed to be an approval of the Proposed Borrowing Base. If, at the end of such 15-day period, all of the Lenders, in the case of a Proposed Borrowing Base that would increase the Borrowing Base then in effect, or the Required Lenders, in the case of a Proposed Borrowing Base that would decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base then in effect, have approved or deemed to have approved, as aforesaid, then the Proposed Borrowing Base shall become the new Borrowing Base effective on the date specified in Section 2.08(d). If, however, at the end of such 15-day period, all of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable, have not approved or deemed to have approved, as aforesaid, then the Administrative Agent shall poll the Lenders to ascertain the highest Borrowing Base then acceptable to a number of Lenders sufficient to constitute the Required Lenders and, so long as such amount does not increase the Borrowing Base then in effect, such amount shall become the new Borrowing Base effective on the date specified in Section 2.08(d).

(d) Effectiveness of a Redetermined Borrowing Base. After a redetermined Borrowing Base is approved or is deemed to have been approved by all of the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable, pursuant to Section 2.08(c)(iii), the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders (the “New Borrowing Base Notice”) of the amount of the redetermined Borrowing Base, and such amount shall become the new Borrowing Base effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and the Lenders:

(i) in the case of a Scheduled Redetermination, (A) if the Administrative Agent shall have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.07(a) and (c) in a timely and complete manner, then on the April 1st or October 1st, as applicable, following delivery of the New Borrowing Base Notice, or (B) if the Administrative Agent shall not have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.07(a) and (c) in a timely and complete manner, then on the Business Day next succeeding delivery of the New Borrowing Base Notice; and

(ii) in the case of an Interim Redetermination, on the Business Day next succeeding delivery of the New Borrowing Base Notice.

Such amount shall then become the Borrowing Base until the next Scheduled Redetermination Date, the next Interim Redetermination date or the next adjustment to the Borrowing Base under Section 2.08(e), Section 8.08 or Section 9.13, whichever occurs first.

(e) Potential Adjustment of Borrowing Base Upon Termination of Hedging Agreements or Sale of Oil and Gas Properties. If the Borrower, any Designated Borrowing Base Entity or any Restricted Subsidiary shall (i) terminate or create any off-setting positions which has the economic effect of terminating any Hedging Agreements (regardless of how evidenced), upon which the Lenders relied in determining the Borrowing Base, and which would affect the Borrowing Base (after giving effect to any replacement Hedging Agreements), or (ii) pursuant to Section 9.13(c), sell, assign, farm-out, convey or otherwise transfer any interest in any Oil and Gas Properties, exceeding in the aggregate under clauses (i) and (ii) an amount exceeding 5% of the then current Borrowing Base then, contemporaneous with the consummation of such termination, offset, sale, assignment, farm-out, conveyance or other transfer, the Borrowing Base shall be adjusted in an amount determined by the Administrative Agent equal to the economic value of such Hedging Agreements or interests.

(f) Automatic Reduction of Borrowing Base. Simultaneously with the issuance or incurrence by the Borrower of any Permitted Subordinate Debt in accordance with Section 9.02(i) or any Permitted Senior Debt in accordance with Section 9.02(j), the Borrowing Base shall be automatically reduced, without the need for any additional approval by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, by an amount equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of the principal amount of such Permitted Subordinate Debt or Permitted Senior Debt, respectively, issued or incurred; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowing Base shall not be reduced to the extent that the proceeds from the issuance of such Debt are used to

substantially concurrently Redeem (or if such Redemption is subject to mandatory notice periods or other required time periods, designated (and actually used) to Redeem) other Debt (other than Indebtedness) of the Loan Parties being Redeemed thereby, provided further, that such other Debt is permitted under Section 9.02. Promptly following any such reduction in the Borrowing Base, Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the amount of the Borrowing Base as reduced, which Borrowing Base shall remain in effect for all purposes of this Agreement until the next Redetermination Date of the Borrowing Base in accordance with this Section 2.08 or any additional adjustment of the Borrowing Base in accordance with this Section 2.08.

Section 2.09. Assumption of Risks. The Borrower assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any transferee thereof with respect to its use of such Letter of Credit. None of the Issuing Bank (except in the case of willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Issuing Bank or any of its employees), its correspondents or any Lender shall be responsible for: the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of certificates or other documents or any endorsements thereon, even if such certificates or other documents should in fact prove to be invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged; for errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmissions or delivery of any messages by mail, telex or otherwise, whether or not such messages be in code; for errors in translation or for errors in interpretation of technical terms; the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; the failure of any beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit to comply fully with conditions required in order to draw upon any Letter of Credit; or for any other consequences arising from causes beyond the Issuing Bank’s control or the control of the Issuing Bank’s correspondents. In addition, neither the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible for any error, neglect or default of any of the Issuing Bank’s correspondents; and none of the above shall affect, impair or prevent the vesting of any of the Issuing Bank’s, the Administrative Agent’s or any Lender’s rights or powers hereunder or under the Letter of Credit Agreements, all of which rights shall be cumulative. The Issuing Bank and its correspondents may accept certificates or other documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation of any matter contained therein, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing provisions, the Borrower agrees that any action, inaction or omission taken or not taken by the Issuing Bank or by any correspondent for the Issuing Bank in good faith in connection with any Letter of Credit, or any related drafts, certificates, documents or instruments, shall be binding on the Borrower and shall not put the Issuing Bank or its correspondents under any resulting liability to the Borrower.

Section 2.10. Obligation to Reimburse and to Prepay.

(a) If a disbursement by the Issuing Bank is made under any Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent within two Business Days after notice of any such disbursement is received by the Borrower, the amount of each such disbursement made by the Issuing Bank under the Letter of Credit (if such payment is not sooner effected as may be required under this Section 2.10 or under other provisions of the Letter of Credit), together with interest on the amount disbursed from and including the date of disbursement until payment in full of such disbursed amount at a varying rate per annum equal to (i) the then applicable interest

rate for Base Rate Loans through the second Business Day after notice of such disbursement is received by the Borrower and (ii) thereafter, the Post-Default Rate (but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate) for the period from and including the third Business Day following the date of such disbursement to and including the date of repayment in full of such disbursed amount; provided that any disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to have been reimbursed to the Issuing Bank by the Borrower with the proceeds of a borrowing of a Base Rate Loan from each of the Lenders based upon their Percentage Share of the amount disbursed if the Borrower was otherwise entitled to borrow funds under Section 6.02, but subject to minimum amounts required under Section 2.02(b). The obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement with respect to each Letter of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable and shall be paid or performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances whatsoever, including, without limitation, but only to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the following circumstances: (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any Letter of Credit or any of the Security Instruments; (ii) any amendment or waiver of (including any default), or any consent to departure from this Agreement (except to the extent permitted by any amendment or waiver), any Letter of Credit or any of the Security Instruments; (iii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other rights which the Borrower may have at any time against the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, the Security Instruments, the transactions contemplated hereby or any unrelated transaction; (iv) any statement, certificate, draft, notice or any other document presented under any Letter of Credit proves to have been forged, fraudulent, insufficient or invalid in any respect or any statement therein proves to have been untrue or inaccurate in any respect whatsoever; (v) payment by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate which appears on its face to comply, but does not comply, with the terms of such Letter of Credit; and (vi) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Borrower will not be liable for payment or performance that results from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Bank, except where the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary actually recovers the proceeds for itself or the Issuing Bank of any payment made by the Issuing Bank in connection with such gross negligence or willful misconduct. Nothing herein set forth shall be construed to excuse the Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Bank’s gross negligence or willful misconduct when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof pursuant to the terms hereunder.

(b) In the event of the occurrence of any Event of Default, a payment or prepayment with respect to the LC Exposure is required under Section 2.07(b) or the maturity of the Notes, whether by acceleration or otherwise, an amount equal to the LC Exposure (or the excess attributable to the LC Exposure in the case of Section 2.07(b)) shall be deemed to be forthwith due and owing by the Borrower to the Issuing Bank and the Lenders as of the date of any such occurrence, and the Borrower’s obligation to pay such amount shall be absolute and

unconditional, without regard to whether any beneficiary of any such Letter of Credit has attempted to draw down all or a portion of such amount under the terms of a Letter of Credit, and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall not be subject to any defense or be affected by a right of set-off, counterclaim or recoupment which the Borrower may now or hereafter have against any such beneficiary, the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders or any other Person for any reason whatsoever. Such payments shall be held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders as cash collateral securing the LC Exposure in an account or accounts at the Principal Office, and the Borrower hereby grants to and by its deposit with the Administrative Agent grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Bank and the Lenders, a security interest in such cash collateral. In the event of any such payment by the Borrower of amounts contingently owing under outstanding Letters of Credit and in the event that thereafter drafts or other demands for payment complying with the terms of such Letters of Credit are not made prior to the respective expiration dates thereof, the Administrative Agent agrees, if no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or if no other amounts are outstanding under this Agreement, the Notes or the Loan Documents, to remit to the Borrower amounts for which the contingent obligations evidenced by the Letters of Credit have ceased.

(c) Each Lender severally and unconditionally agrees that it shall promptly reimburse the Issuing Bank, through the Administrative Agent, an amount equal to such Lender’s Percentage Share of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts of any disbursement made by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit that is not reimbursed by the Borrower according to this Section 2.10 or alternatively, to make a Loan for the account of the Borrower equal to its Percentage Share of the amount disbursed.

Section 2.11. Lending Offices. The Loans of each Type made by each Lender shall be made and maintained at such Lender’s Applicable Lending Office for Loans of such Type.

ARTICLE III

Payments of Principal and Interest

Section 3.01. Repayment of Loans. On the Termination Date, the Borrower shall repay the then outstanding aggregate principal on the Notes.

Section 3.02. Interest.

(a) Interest Rates. The Borrower will pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan made by such Lender for the period commencing on the date such Loan is made to but excluding the date such Loan shall be paid in full, at the following rates per annum:

(i) if such a Loan is a Base Rate Loan, the Base Rate (as in effect from time to time) plus the Applicable Margin (as in effect from time to time), but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate; and

(ii) if such a Loan is a Eurodollar Loan, for each Interest Period relating thereto, the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan plus the Applicable Margin (as in effect from time to time), but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

(b) Post-Default Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower will pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, interest at the applicable Post-Default Rate on any principal of any Loan made by such Lender, and (to the fullest extent permitted by law) on any other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder, under any Loan Document or under any Note held by such Lender to or for account of such Lender, for the period commencing on the date such amount was due and payable (after giving effect to any applicable grace periods) until the same is paid in full.

(c) Due Dates. Accrued interest on Base Rate Loans shall be payable on each Quarterly Date and on the Termination Date, and accrued interest on each Eurodollar Loan shall be payable on the last day of the Interest Period therefor and, if such Interest Period is longer than three months at three-month intervals following the first day of such Interest Period, except that interest payable at the Post-Default Rate shall be payable from time to time on demand and interest on any Eurodollar Loan that is converted into a Base Rate Loan (pursuant to Section 5.04) shall be payable on the date of conversion (but only to the extent so converted) and all accrued and unpaid interest shall be due and payable on the Termination Date. In the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than an optional prepayment of a Base Rate Loan prior to the Termination Date), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment.

(d) Determination of Rates. Promptly after the determination of any interest rate provided for herein or any change therein, the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders to which such interest is payable. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall, except in cases of manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding on the parties hereto.

ARTICLE IV

Payments; Pro Rata Treatment; Computations; Etc.

Section 4.01. Payments. Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, all payments of principal, interest and other amounts to be made by the Borrower or any Guarantor under the Loan Documents shall be made in Dollars, in immediately available funds, to the Administrative Agent at such account as the Administrative Agent shall specify by notice to the Borrower from time to time, not later than 1:00 p.m. Houston, Texas time on the date on which such payments shall become due (each such payment made after such time on such due date to be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day). Such payments shall be made without (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) defense, set-off or counterclaim. Each payment received by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any Note for account of a Lender shall be paid promptly to such Lender in immediately available funds. Except as provided in clause (c) of the definition of “Interest Period”, if the due date of any payment under this Agreement or any Note would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Business Day such date shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and interest shall be payable for any principal so extended for the period of such extension. At the time of each payment to the Administrative Agent of any principal of or interest on any borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of the Type of Loans to which such payment shall apply. In the absence of such notice, the Administrative Agent may specify the Type of Loans to which such payment shall apply, but, to the extent possible, such payment or prepayment will be applied first to the Loans comprised of Base Rate Loans.

Section 4.02. Pro Rata Treatment. Except to the extent otherwise provided herein, each Lender agrees that: (a) each borrowing from the Lenders under Section 2.01 and each continuation and conversion under Section 2.02 shall be made from the Lenders pro rata in accordance with their Percentage Share of Loan being so borrowed, continued or converted, each payment of commitment fee or Letter of Credit (other than the facing fee) fees under Section 2.04(b)(i) shall be made for account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance with their Percentage Share of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts, and each termination or reduction of the amount of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts under Section 2.03(b) shall be applied to the Maximum Credit Amount of each Lender, pro rata in accordance with its Percentage Share of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts; (b) each payment of principal of Loans shall be made for account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the respective unpaid principal amount of the Loans held by all Lenders; (c) each payment of interest of Loans shall be made for account of the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the amounts of interest due and payable to all of the Lenders; and (d) each reimbursement by the Borrower of disbursements under Letters of Credit shall be made for account of the Issuing Bank or, if funded by the Lenders, pro rata for the account of the Lenders, in accordance with the amounts of reimbursement obligations due and payable to each respective Lender.

Section 4.03. Computations. Interest on Eurodollar Loans and fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest is payable, unless such calculation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be calculated on the per annum basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be. Interest on Base Rate Loans shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest is payable.

Section 4.04. Non-receipt of Funds by the Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been notified by a Lender or the Borrower prior to the date on which such notifying party is scheduled to make payment to the Administrative Agent (in the case of a Lender) of the proceeds of a Loan or a payment under a Letter of Credit to be made by it hereunder or (in the case of the Borrower) a payment to the Administrative Agent for account of one or more of the Lenders hereunder (such payment being herein called the “Required Payment”), which notice shall be effective upon receipt, that it does not intend to make the Required Payment to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Required Payment has been made and may, in reliance upon such assumption (but shall not be required to), make the amount thereof available to the intended recipient(s) on such date and, if such Lender or the Borrower (as the case may be) has not in fact made the Required Payment to the Administrative Agent, the recipient(s) of such payment shall, on demand, repay to the Administrative Agent the amount so made available together with interest thereon in respect of each day during the period commencing on the date such amount was so made available by the Administrative Agent until but excluding the date the Administrative Agent recovers such amount at a rate per annum which, for any Lender as recipient, will be equal to the Federal Funds Rate, and for the Borrower as recipient, will be equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

Section 4.05. Set-off, Sharing of Payments, Etc.

(a) Right of Set-off. The Borrower agrees that, in addition to (and without limitation of) any right of set-off, bankers’ lien or counterclaim a Lender, Cash Management Lender or Hedge Lender may otherwise have, (i) each Lender shall have the right and be entitled (after consultation with the Administrative Agent), at its option, to offset balances held by it or by any of its Affiliates for account of the Borrower or any Guarantor at any of its offices, in Dollars or in any other currency, (ii) each Cash Management Lender shall have the right and be entitled (after consultation with the Administrative Agent), at its option, to offset amounts due and payable to such Cash Management Lender (or any Affiliate of such Cash Management Lender) under any Cash Management Agreement, and (iii) each Hedge Lender shall have the right and be entitled (after consultation with the Administrative Agent), at its option, to offset amounts due and payable to such Hedge Lender (or any Affiliate of such Hedge Lender) under any Hedging Agreement, each against any principal of or interest on any of such Loans, Cash Management Agreement, Hedging Agreements or any other amount due and payable to such Lender, Cash Management Lender or Hedge Lender hereunder, which is not paid when due (regardless of whether such balances are then due to the Borrower), in which case it shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent thereof, provided that such Lender’s, Cash Management Lender’s or Hedge Lender’s failure to give such notice or to so consult shall not affect the validity thereof.

(b) Sharing. If any Lender shall obtain payment of any principal of or interest on any Loan made by it to the Borrower under this Agreement (or reimbursement as to any Letter of Credit) through the exercise of any right of set-off, banker’s lien or counterclaim or similar right or otherwise, and, as a result of such payment, such Lender shall have received a greater percentage of the principal or interest (or reimbursement) then due hereunder by the Borrower to such Lender than the percentage received by any other Lenders, it shall promptly (i) notify the Administrative Agent and each other Lender thereof and (ii) purchase from such other Lenders participations in (or, if and to the extent specified by such Lender, direct interests in) the Loans (or participations in Letters of Credit) made by such other Lenders (or in interest due thereon, as the case may be) in such amounts, and make such other adjustments from time to time as shall be equitable, to the end that all the Lenders shall share the benefit of such excess payment (net of any expenses which may be incurred by such Lender in obtaining or preserving such excess payment) pro rata in accordance with the unpaid principal and/or interest on the Loans held by each of the Lenders (or reimbursements of Letters of Credit). To such end all the Lenders shall make appropriate adjustments among themselves (by the resale of participations sold or otherwise) if such payment is rescinded or must otherwise be restored. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation (or direct interest) in the Loans made by other Lenders (or in interest due thereon, as the case may be) may exercise all rights of set-off, banker’s lien, counterclaim or similar rights with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct holder of Loans (or Letters of Credit) in the amount of such participation. Nothing contained herein shall require any Lender to exercise any such right or shall affect the right of any Lender to exercise, and retain the benefits of exercising, any such right with respect to any other indebtedness or obligation of the Borrower. If under any applicable bankruptcy,

insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 4.05 applies, such Lender shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders entitled under this Section 4.05 to share the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.

Section 4.06. Taxes.

(a) Payments Free and Clear. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any Guarantor under any Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; provided that if the Borrower or any Guarantor shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 4.06(a)), the Administrative Agent, Lender or Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower or such Guarantor shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower or such Guarantor shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. The Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.

(c) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Bank, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower or any Guarantor hereunder or any Loan Document (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 4.06) and any penalties, interest and reasonable out of pocket expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority, other than any amounts arising as a result of such party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct. A certificate prepared in good faith of the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Bank as to the amount of such payment or liability under this Section 4.06 and reasonably detailed calculations therefor shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

(d) Indemnification by the Lenders and Issuing Banks. Each Lender and Issuing Bank shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent for any Taxes (but, in the case of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes, only to the extent that the Borrower has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so) attributable to such Lender or Issuing Bank that are paid or payable by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document and any reasonable out of pocket expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. The indemnity under this Section 4.06(d) shall be paid within 10 days after the Administrative Agent delivers to the applicable Lender or Issuing Bank a certificate stating the amount of Taxes so paid or payable by the Administrative Agent. Such certificate shall be conclusive of the amount so paid or payable absent manifest error.

(e) Evidence of Payments. As soon as reasonably practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Borrower or a Guarantor to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(f) Foreign Lenders and Foreign Issuing Bank.

(i) Any Foreign Lender or Foreign Issuing Bank that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located or is resident for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of any such non-United States documentation (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the documentation described in subparagraph (ii) of this section (f)) shall not be required if in the Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender or Issuing Bank to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender or Issuing Bank. Upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, any Lender or Issuing Bank shall update any form or certification previously delivered pursuant to this Section 4.06(f) if it is legally eligible to do so. If any form or certification previously delivered pursuant to this Section expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect with respect to a Lender or Issuing Bank, such Lender or Issuing Bank shall promptly (and in any event within 10 days after such expiration, obsolescence or inaccuracy) notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of such expiration, obsolescence or inaccuracy and update the form or certification if it is legally eligible to do so.

(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Lender and Issuing Bank, if it is legally eligible to do so, shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender or Issuing Bank becomes a Lender or Issuing Bank under this Agreement, whichever of the following is applicable:

(A)

two (2) properly completed and executed IRS Forms W-8BEN, IRS Forms W-8BEN-E or any successor form claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States of America is a party;

(B)

two (2) properly completed and executed IRS Forms W-8ECI or any successor form claiming exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax because the applicable income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business;

(C)

in the case of a Foreign Lender or Foreign Issuing Bank claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a “controlled foreign corporation” described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) two (2) properly completed and executed IRS Forms W-8BEN, IRS Forms W-8BEN-E or applicable successor form;

(D)

two (2) properly completed and executed IRS Forms W-8IMY or applicable successor form (together with forms listed under clauses (A) through (C) or (E) hereof, as may be required under this Section 4.06(f));

(E)

two (2) properly completed and executed IRS Forms W-9 or any successor form establishing an exemption from withholding; or

(F)

any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax properly completed and executed together with any supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.

(iii) If a payment made to a Recipient under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Recipient were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Recipient shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and/or the Borrower, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Administrative Agent and/or the Borrower to comply with its obligations under FATCA, to determine that such Recipient has or has not complied with such Recipient’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this Section 4.06(f)(iii), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

(g) For purposes of determining withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA, from and after the effective date of the Agreement, the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall treat (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to treat) this Agreement as not qualifying as a “grandfathered obligation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i).

Section 4.07. Disposition of Proceeds. The Security Instruments contain an assignment by the Borrower unto and in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders of all of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ interest in and to production and all proceeds attributable thereto which may be produced from or allocated to the Mortgaged Property, and the Security Instruments further provide in general for the application of such proceeds to the satisfaction of the Indebtedness and other obligations described therein and secured thereby. Notwithstanding the assignment contained in such Security Instruments, until the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Lenders (a) agree that they will neither notify the purchaser or purchasers of such production nor take any other action to cause such proceeds to be remitted to the Lenders, but the Lenders will instead permit such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (b) hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to take such actions as may be necessary to cause such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and/or such Subsidiaries.

Section 4.08. Payments and Deductions to a Defaulting Lender.

(a) If any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid in cash.

(b) If a Defaulting Lender (or a Lender who would be a Defaulting Lender but for the expiration of the relevant grace period) as a result of the exercise of a set-off shall have received a payment in respect of its Revolving Credit Exposure which results in its Revolving Credit Exposure being less than its Percentage Share, then no payments will be made to such Defaulting Lender until such time as such Defaulting Lender shall have complied with Section 4.08(c) and all amounts due and owing to the Lenders have been equalized in accordance with each Lender’s respective pro rata share of the Indebtedness. Further, if at any time prior to the acceleration or maturity of the Loans, the Administrative Agent shall receive any payment in respect of principal of a Loan or a reimbursement of an LC Disbursement while one or more Defaulting Lenders shall be party to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall apply such payment first to the Borrowing(s) for which such Defaulting Lender(s) shall have failed to fund its pro rata share until such time as such Borrowing(s) are paid in full or each Lender (including each Defaulting Lender) is owed its Percentage Share of all Loans then outstanding. After acceleration or maturity of the Loans, subject to the first sentence of this Section 4.08(b), all principal will be paid ratably as provided in Section 10.02(d).

(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply for so long as such Lender is a Defaulting Lender:

(i) Fees shall cease to accrue on the unfunded portion of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.04.

(ii) The Commitment and Revolving Credit Exposure of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether all Lenders or the Majority Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder (including any consent to any amendment or waiver pursuant to Section 12.04); provided that (A) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders pursuant to Section 12.04 or requiring the consent of each affected Lender with respect to any change to the Termination Date applicable to such Defaulting Lender, decreasing or forgiving any principal or interest due to such Defaulting Lender, any decrease of any interest rate applicable to Loans made by such Defaulting Lender (other than the waiving of post-default or Borrowing Base Deficiency interest rates) and any increase in such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment, shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender and (B) any redetermination, whether an increase, decrease or affirmation, of the Borrowing Base shall occur without the participation of a Defaulting Lender, but the Commitment (i.e., the Percentage Share of the Borrowing Base) of a Defaulting Lender may not be increased without the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

(iii) If any LC Exposure exists at the time a Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender then:

(A)

all or any part of such LC Exposure shall be reallocated among the Non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Percentage Shares (for the purposes of such reallocation the Defaulting Lender’s Commitment shall be disregarded in determining each Non-Defaulting Lender’s Percentage Share) but only to the extent (I) the sum of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Revolving Credit Exposures plus such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure does not exceed the total of all Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitments, (II) the conditions set forth in Section 6.02 are satisfied at such time and (III) the sum of each Non-Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure plus its reallocated share of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure does not exceed such Non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment;

(B)

if the reallocation described in clause (A) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, then the Borrower shall within three (3) Business Days following notice by the Administrative Agent cash collateralize such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (after giving effect to any partial reallocation pursuant to clause (A) above) in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.10(b) for so long as such LC Exposure is outstanding, or if such Defaulting Lender becomes a Non-Defaulting Lender or is replaced, until such LC Exposure is allocated to such Lender or replacement Lender, as applicable;

(C)

if the Borrower cash collateralizes any portion of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure pursuant to this Section 4.08 then the Borrower shall not be required to pay any fees to such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure during the period such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is cash collateralized;

(D)

if the LC Exposure of the Non-Defaulting Lenders is reallocated pursuant to Section 4.08(c)(iii)(A), then the fees payable to the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.04(a) and Section 2.04(b) shall be adjusted in accordance with such Non-Defaulting Lenders’ Percentage Share; or

(E)

if any Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure is neither cash collateralized nor reallocated pursuant to Section 4.08(c)(iii), then, without prejudice to any rights or remedies of the Issuing Bank or any Lender hereunder, all commitment fees that otherwise would have been payable to such Defaulting Lender (solely with respect to the portion of such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment that was utilized by such LC Exposure) and letter of credit fees payable under Section 2.04(b) with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be payable to the Issuing Bank until such LC Exposure is cash collateralized and/or reallocated.

(d) So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the Non-Defaulting Lenders and/or cash collateral will be provided by the Borrower (in any combination thereof) in accordance with Section 4.08(c), and participating interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among Non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 4.08(c)(i) (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein).

(e) In the event that the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and the Issuing Bank each agrees that a Defaulting Lender has adequately remedied all matters that caused such Lender to be a Defaulting Lender, then the LC Exposure of the Lenders shall be readjusted to reflect the inclusion of such Lender’s Commitment and on such date, if necessary such Lender shall purchase at par such of the Loans of the other Lenders as the Administrative shall determine may be necessary in order for such Lender to hold such Loans in accordance with its Percentage Share, and such cash collateral shall be returned to the Borrower.

ARTICLE V

Additional Costs and Capital Adequacy

Section 5.01. Additional Costs.

(a) Eurodollar Regulations, etc. The Borrower shall pay directly to each Lender from time to time such amounts as such Lender may reasonably determine to be necessary to compensate such Lender for any costs which it determines are attributable to its making or maintaining any Eurodollar Loans or its obligation to make any Eurodollar Loans hereunder, or any reduction in any amount receivable by such Lender hereunder in respect of any of such Eurodollar Loans or such obligation (such increases in costs and reductions in amounts receivable being herein called “Additional Costs”), resulting from any Regulatory Change which: (i) changes the basis of taxation of any amounts payable to such Lender under this Agreement or any Note in respect of any of such Eurodollar Loans or subjects any Recipient to any Taxes (other than Taxes that are Indemnified Taxes or Excluded Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or (ii) imposes or modifies any reserve, special deposit, minimum capital, capital ratio or similar requirements relating to any extensions of credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities of such Lender, or any portion of the Aggregate Commitments or Loans of such Lender or the Eurodollar interbank market; or (iii) imposes any other condition affecting this Agreement or any Note (or any of such extensions of credit or liabilities) or such Lender’s Commitment or Loans. Each Lender will notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower of any event occurring after the Closing Date which will entitle such Lender to compensation pursuant to this Section 5.01(a) as promptly as practicable after it obtains knowledge thereof and determines to request such compensation, and will designate a different Applicable Lending Office for the Loans of such Lender affected by such event if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the sole opinion of such Lender, be disadvantageous to such Lender, provided that such Lender shall have no obligation to so designate an Applicable Lending Office located in the United States. If any Lender requests compensation from the Borrower under this Section 5.01(a), the Borrower may, by notice to such Lender, suspend the obligation of such Lender to make additional Eurodollar Loans until the Regulatory Change giving rise to such request ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 5.04 shall be applicable).

(b) Regulatory Change. Without limiting the effect of the provisions of Section 5.01(a), in the event that, by reason of any Regulatory Change or any other circumstances arising after the Closing Date affecting such Lender, the Eurodollar interbank market or such Lender’s position in such market, any Lender either (i) incurs Additional Costs based on or measured by the excess above a specified level of the amount of a category of deposits or other liabilities of such Lender which includes deposits by reference to which the interest rate on Eurodollar Loans is determined as provided in this Agreement or a category of extensions of credit or other assets of such Lender which includes Eurodollar Loans or (ii) becomes subject to restrictions on the amount of such a category of liabilities or assets which it may hold, then, if such Lender so elects by notice to the Borrower, the obligation of such Lender to make additional Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended until such Regulatory Change or other circumstances ceases to be in effect (in which case the provisions of Section 5.04 shall be applicable).

(c) Capital Adequacy. Without limiting the effect of the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.01 (but without duplication), the Borrower shall pay directly to any Lender from time to time on request such amounts as such Lender may reasonably determine to be necessary to compensate such Lender or its parent or holding company for any costs which it determines are attributable to the maintenance by such Lender or its parent or holding company (or any

Applicable Lending Office), pursuant to any Governmental Requirement following any Regulatory Change, of capital in respect of its Commitment, its Notes, its Loans or any interest held by it in any Letter of Credit, such compensation to include, without limitation, an amount equal to any reduction of the rate of return on assets or equity of such Lender or its parent or holding company (or any Applicable Lending Office) to a level below that which such Lender or its parent or holding company (or any Applicable Lending Office) could have achieved but for such Governmental Requirement. Such Lender will notify the Borrower that it is entitled to compensation pursuant to this Section 5.01(c) as promptly as practicable after it determines to request such compensation.

(d) Compensation Procedure. Any Lender notifying the Borrower of the incurrence of Additional Costs under this Section 5.01 shall in such notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent set forth in reasonable detail the basis and amount of its request for compensation. Determinations and allocations by each Lender for purposes of this Section 5.01 of the effect of any Regulatory Change pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), or of the effect of capital maintained pursuant to Section 5.01(c), on its costs or rate of return of maintaining Loans or its obligation to make Loans or issue Letters of Credit, or on amounts receivable by it in respect of Loans or Letters of Credit, and of the amounts required to compensate such Lender under this Section 5.01, shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error for all purposes, provided that such determinations and allocations are made on a reasonable basis. Any request for additional compensation under this Section 5.01 shall be paid by the Borrower within 30 days of the receipt by the Borrower of the notice described in this Section 5.01(d).

Section 5.02. Limitation on Eurodollar Loans. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if, on or prior to the determination of any Eurodollar Rate for any Interest Period:

(a) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive, absent manifest error) that quotations of interest rates for the relevant deposits referred to in the definition of “Eurodollar Rate” in Section 1.02 are not being provided in the relevant amounts or for the relevant maturities for purposes of determining rates of interest for Eurodollar Loans as provided herein; or

(b) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive, absent manifest error) that the relevant rates of interest referred to in the definition of “Eurodollar Rate” in Section 1.02 upon the basis of which the rate of interest for Eurodollar Loans for such Interest Period is to be determined are not sufficient to adequately cover the cost to the Lenders of making or maintaining Eurodollar Loans;

then the Administrative Agent shall give the Borrower prompt notice thereof, and so long as such condition remains in effect, the Lenders shall be under no obligation to make additional Eurodollar Loans.

Section 5.03. Illegality. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for any Lender or its Applicable Lending Office to honor its obligation to make or maintain Eurodollar Loans hereunder, then such Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower thereof and such Lender’s obligation to make Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended until such time as such Lender may again make and maintain Eurodollar Loans (in which case the provisions of Section 5.04 shall be applicable).

Section 5.04. Base Rate Loans. Pursuant to Sections 5.01, 5.02 and 5.03. If the obligation of any Lender to make Eurodollar Loans shall be suspended pursuant to Sections 5.01, 5.02 or 5.03 (“Affected Loans”), all Affected Loans which would otherwise be made by such Lender shall be made instead as Base Rate Loans (and, if an event referred to in Section 5.01(b) or Section 5.03 has occurred and such Lender so requests by notice to the Borrower, all Affected Loans of such Lender then outstanding shall be automatically converted into Base Rate Loans on the date specified by such Lender in such notice) and, to the extent that Affected Loans are so made as (or converted into) Base Rate Loans, all payments of principal which would otherwise be applied to such Lender’s Affected Loans shall be applied instead to its Base Rate Loans.

Section 5.05. Compensation. The Borrower shall pay to each Lender within 30 days of receipt of written request of such Lender (which request shall set forth, in reasonable detail, the basis for requesting such amounts and which shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error for all purposes, provided that such determinations are made on a reasonable basis), such amount or amounts as shall compensate it for any loss, cost, expense or liability (other than loss of profit) which such Lender determines are attributable to:

(a) any payment, prepayment or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan properly made by such Lender or the Borrower for any reason (including, without limitation, the acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Section 10.02) on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan; or

(b) any failure by the Borrower for any reason (including, without limitation, the failure of any of the conditions precedent specified in Article VI to be satisfied) to borrow, continue or convert a Eurodollar Loan from such Lender on the date for such borrowing, continuation or conversion specified in the relevant notice given pursuant to Section 2.02(c).

ARTICLE VI

Conditions Precedent

Section 6.01. Closing Date. The obligation of the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make Loans and of any Issuing Bank to Issue Letters of Credit hereunder is subject to the receipt by the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders of all fees payable pursuant to Section 2.04 on or before the Closing Date or as otherwise agreed to in writing among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Arranger and the receipt by the Administrative Agent of the following documents and satisfaction of the other conditions provided in this Section 6.01, each of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in form and substance:

(a) a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the General Partner of the Borrower and of each Guarantor setting forth (i) resolutions of its board of managers, board of directors or other appropriate governing body with respect to the authorization of the Borrower or such Guarantor to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the transactions contemplated in those documents, (ii) the officers of the

General Partner and each Guarantor (y) who are authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which the Borrower or each Guarantor, as applicable, is a party and (z) who will, until replaced by another officer or officers duly authorized for that purpose, act as its representative for the purposes of signing documents and giving notices and other communications in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) specimen signatures of such authorized officers, and (iv) the articles, certificate of incorporation, limited partnership agreement and bylaws, as applicable, of the Borrower and each Guarantor, certified as being true and complete. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders may conclusively rely on such certificate until the Administrative Agent receives notice in writing from the Borrower to the contrary.

(b) certificates of the appropriate state agencies with respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of the Borrower and each Guarantor.

(c) a compliance certificate which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C, duly and properly executed by a Responsible Officer and dated as of the date of this Agreement;

(d) this Agreement and the Notes, duly completed and executed.

(e) the Guarantee Agreement and the other Security Instruments, including those described on Exhibit D, duly completed and executed in a sufficient number of counterparts for recording, if necessary. In connection with the execution and delivery of the Security Instruments, the Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied that the Security Instruments:

(i) create first priority, perfected Liens (subject only to Excepted Liens identified in clauses (a) to (e), (g) and (h) of the definition thereof) on the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recent Reserve Report having a total PV9% based upon the Administrative Agent’s commodity price projections and assumptions of not less than the effective Borrowing Base as of the Closing Date; and

(ii) pledge all of the stock or other equity interests owned by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries (provided that equity interests owned by the Borrower in and to TLW Partners, L.P. which do not constitute Mortgaged Property shall not be pledged).

(f) an opinion of counsel to the Borrower reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

(g) a certificate of insurance coverage of the Borrower evidencing that the Borrower is carrying insurance in accordance with Section 7.18.

(h) a certificate of a Responsible Officer certifying that the Borrower has received all consents and approvals required by Section 7.06 of this Agreement.

(i) the most recent Reserve Report accompanied by a certificate concerning the matters described in Section 8.07(c).

(j) appropriate UCC search certificates reflecting no prior liens or security interests encumbering the Mortgaged Properties for each of Delaware and Texas other than those naming the Administrative Agent as the secured party or Liens permitted by Section 9.03.

(k) Schedule 7.19 setting forth the commodity swap positions of the Borrower.

(l) such other documents as the Administrative Agent or special counsel to the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

Section 6.02. Subsequent Loans and Letters of Credit. The obligation of the Lenders to make Loans to the Borrower upon the occasion of each borrowing hereunder and to issue, renew, extend or reissue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower is subject to the further conditions precedent that, as of the date of such Loans or such issuance, renewal, extension or reissuance and after giving effect thereto:

(a) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(b) no Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred;

(c) the representations and warranties made by the Borrower and the Guarantors (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) in Article VII and in the other Loan Documents shall be true in all material respects (unless otherwise qualified as to materiality) on and as of the date of the making of such Loans or issuance, renewal, extension or reissuance of a Letter of Credit with the same force and effect as if made on and as of such date and following such new borrowing, except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date;

(d) the making of such Loan or the issuance, renewal, extension or reissuance of any Letter of Credit would not conflict with, or cause any Lender to, exceed any applicable Governmental Requirements; and

(e) the receipt by the Administrative Agent of a timely request therefor under Section 2.02.

Each request for a Loan or issuance, renewal, extension or reissuance of a Letter of Credit by the Borrower hereunder shall constitute a certification by the Borrower to the effect set forth in the preceding sentence as of both the date of such notice and the date immediately following such Loan or issuance, renewal, extension or reissuance of a Letter of Credit.

Section 6.03. Termination of Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligation of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 12.04) on or prior to 5:00 p.m. Houston time on January 30, 2015 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Aggregate Commitments shall terminate).

ARTICLE VII

Representations and Warranties

The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that each representation and warranty herein is given as of the Closing Date and shall be deemed repeated and reaffirmed on the dates of each Loan and issuance, renewal, extension or reissuance of a Letter of Credit as provided in Section 6.02:

Section 7.01. Existence. The Borrower is a Delaware limited partnership. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and each Restricted Subsidiary: (a) is duly organized or formed, legally existing and in good standing, if applicable, under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, except where failure to so exist or remain in good standing could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) has all requisite power, and has all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary to own its assets and carry on its business as now being or as proposed to be conducted, except where failure to have such power could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (c) is qualified to do business in all jurisdictions in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary and where failure so to qualify could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 7.02. Financial Condition.

(a) The (i) audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2013 and the related consolidated statement of income, partners’ capital and cash flow of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended on said date, with the opinion thereon of UHY Mann Frankfort Stein & Lipp CPAs, LLP and (ii) consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2014 and the related consolidated statement of income, partners’ capital and cash flow of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter ended on said date, heretofore furnished to each of the Lenders are complete and correct and fairly present in all material respects the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at said dates and the results of its operations for the fiscal year or fiscal quarter ending on said dates, all in accordance with GAAP, as applied on a consistent basis.

(b) Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has on the Closing Date any material Debt (including Disqualified Capital Stock), contingent liabilities, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments, except as referred to or reflected or provided for in the Financial Statements. Since the date of the Financial Statements, (i) there has been no material adverse change in or affecting the business, assets, operations or financial condition of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (exclusive of changes resulting solely from changes in the price of Hydrocarbons), and (ii) the business of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Restricted Subsidiaries has been conducted only in the ordinary course consistent with past business practices.

Section 7.03. Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.03, at the Closing Date, there is no litigation, legal, administrative or arbitral proceeding, investigation or other action of any nature pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting any Group Member which involves the possibility of any judgment or liability against such Group Member not fully covered by insurance (except for normal deductibles) and which if adversely determined could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 7.04. No Breach. Neither the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents nor compliance with the terms and provisions hereof will conflict with or result in a breach of, or require any consent which has not been obtained as of the Closing Date under, the respective charter or by-laws of any Loan Party, any Governmental Requirement or any material agreement or instrument to which a Loan Party is a party or by which it is bound or to which it or its Properties are subject, or constitute a default under any such agreement or instrument, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the revenues or assets of any Loan Party pursuant to the terms of any such agreement or instrument other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents.

Section 7.05. Authority; Enforceability. Each Loan Party has all necessary power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party. The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on its part, and the Loan Documents constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each Loan Party party thereto, enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and general principles of equity.

Section 7.06. Approvals. No authorizations, approvals or consents of, and no filings or registrations with, any Governmental Authority or any third Person are necessary for the execution, delivery or performance by any Loan Party of the Loan Documents or for the validity or enforceability thereof, except for the recording and filing of the Security Instruments as required by this Agreement.

Section 7.07. Use of Loans and Letters of Credit. The proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit shall be used to provide working capital for exploration and production operations, for acquisitions of Oil and Gas Properties, and for general corporate purposes. The Borrower is not engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System). No part of the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit will be used for any purpose which violation the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

Section 7.08. ERISA. Except where the taking of such action (or where the failure to take such action, as applicable) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

(a) the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and each ERISA Affiliate have complied with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code regarding each Plan;

(b) each Plan is, and has been, maintained in substantial compliance with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code;

(c) no act, omission or transaction has occurred with respect to any Plan which could result in imposition on the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any ERISA Affiliate (whether directly or indirectly) of (i) either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to section 502(c), (i) or (l) of ERISA or a tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code or (ii) breach of fiduciary duty liability damages under section 409 of ERISA;

(d) no Plan (other than a defined contribution plan) or any trust created under any such Plan has been terminated in the last six years. No liability to the PBGC (other than for the payment of current premiums which are not past due) by the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any ERISA Affiliate has been or is expected by the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any ERISA Affiliate to be incurred with respect to any Plan. No ERISA Event with respect to any Plan has occurred;

(e) full payment when due has been made of all amounts which the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any ERISA Affiliate is required under the terms of each Plan or applicable law to have paid as contributions to such Plan, and no accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in section 302 of ERISA and section 412 of the Code), whether or not waived, exists with respect to any Plan;

(f) the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under each Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA does not, as of the end of the Borrower’s most recently ended fiscal year, exceed the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities by an amount in excess of $100,000. The term “actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities” shall have the meaning specified in section 4041 of ERISA;

(g) neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or contributes to an employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in section 3(1) of ERISA, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities, other than as required under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, that may not be terminated by the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any ERISA Affiliate in its sole discretion at any time without any material liability;

(h) none of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has at any time in the preceding six calendar years, sponsored, maintained or contributed to, any Multiemployer Plan; and

(i) none of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security under section 401(a)(29) of the Code due to a Plan amendment that results in an increase in current liability for the Plan.

Section 7.09. Taxes. Each of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Subsidiaries has filed all United States Federal income tax returns and all other tax returns which are required to be filed by them and have paid all material taxes due pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any Subsidiary, except any such taxes which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Subsidiaries in respect of taxes and other governmental charges are, in the opinion of the Borrower (or, as to Parent MLP, Parent MLP), adequate. No tax lien has been filed and, to the knowledge of the Borrower (and, following the Parent MLP IPO, Parent MLP), no claim is being asserted with respect to any such tax or other such governmental charge.

Section 7.10. Titles, Etc.

(a) Each of the Borrower (and following the parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and the Restricted Subsidiaries has good and defensible title to its material Oil and Gas Properties and the equity interests owned by it in each Designated Borrowing Base Entity and good title to its other material personal Properties, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except Liens permitted by Section 9.03. After giving full effect to the Excepted Liens, the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiary specified as the owner owns the net interests in production attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests as reflected in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, and the ownership of such Properties shall not in any material respect obligate the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations of each such Property in an amount in excess of the working interest of each Property set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report that is not offset by a corresponding proportionate increase in the Borrower’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s net revenue interest in such Property.

(b) All material leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect, and there exists no default or event or circumstance which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would give rise to a default under any such lease or leases, which would affect in any material respect the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole.

(c) The rights, Properties and other assets presently owned, leased or licensed by the Loan Parties including, without limitation, all easements and rights of way, include all rights, Properties and other assets necessary to permit them to conduct their business in all material respects in the same manner as its business has been conducted prior to the Closing Date.

(d) All of the assets and Properties of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and the Restricted Subsidiaries which are reasonably necessary for the operation of its business are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance with prudent business standards.

Section 7.11. No Material Misstatements. No written information, statement, exhibit, certificate, document or report (other than projections, forward looking information and information of a general economic or industry specific nature) furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (or any of them) by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary or any of their Affiliates in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state a material fact or any fact necessary to make the statement contained therein not materially misleading in the light of the circumstances in which made and with respect to the Borrower and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole. All financial projections concerning the Loan Parties furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (or any of them) by any Loan Party in connection with the negotiation or this Agreement have been prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed by the Loan Parties to be reasonable at the time made, it being understood that actual results may vary materially from such projections. There is no fact peculiar to the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any Restricted Subsidiary which has a Material Adverse Effect or in the future is reasonably likely to have (so far as the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) can now foresee) a Material Adverse Effect and which has not been set forth in this Agreement or the other documents, certificates and statements furnished to the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary prior to, or on, the Closing Date in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. There are no statements or conclusions in any Reserve Report which are based upon or include misleading information or fail to take into account material information regarding the matters reported therein, it being understood that each Reserve Report is necessarily based upon professional opinions, estimates and projections and that Borrower does not warrant that such opinions, estimates and projections will ultimately prove to have been accurate. No representation or warranty is made with respect to any Hydrocarbon Interest to which no proved oil or gas reserves are properly attributed.

Section 7.12. Investment Company Act. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Subsidiary is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 7.13. Subsidiaries. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) has no Subsidiaries other than those listed in Schedule 7.13, as supplemented from time to time by the Borrower by written notice to the Administrative Agent. Schedule 7.13, as supplemented from time to time by the Borrower by written notice to the Administrative Agent identifies each Subsidiary as either Restricted or Unrestricted or Foreign and its state or country of organization. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) has no Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors except as permitted by Section 8.09(b).

Section 7.14. Material Personal Property. All pipelines, wells, gas processing plants, platforms and other material improvements, fixtures and equipment owned in whole or in part by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that are necessary to conduct normal operations are being maintained in a state adequate to conduct normal operations, and with respect to such of the foregoing which are operated by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a manner consistent with the Borrower’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries’ past practices (other than those the failure of which to maintain in accordance with this Section 7.14 could not reasonably be expect to have a Material Adverse Effect).

Section 7.15. Defaults. No Loan Party is in default and no event or circumstance occurred which, but for the expiration of any applicable grace period or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument to which a Loan Party is a party or by which the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any Restricted Subsidiary is bound which default could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default hereunder has occurred and is continuing.

Section 7.16. Environmental Matters. Except as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect (or with respect to (c), (d) and (e) below, where the failure to take such actions could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect):

(a) neither any Property of the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Subsidiary nor the operations conducted thereon violate any order or requirement of any court or Governmental Authority or any Environmental Laws;

(b) no Property of the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Subsidiary nor the operations currently conducted thereon or, to the knowledge of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP), by any prior owner or operator of such Property or operation, are in violation of or subject to any existing, pending or threatened action, suit, investigation, inquiry or proceeding by or before any court or Governmental Authority or to any remedial obligations under Environmental Laws;

(c) all notices, permits, licenses or similar authorizations, if any, required to be obtained or filed in connection with the operation or use of any and all Property of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and each Subsidiary, including, without limitation, past or present treatment, storage, disposal or release of a hazardous substance or solid waste into the environment, have been duly obtained or filed, and the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and each Subsidiary) are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such notices, permits, licenses and similar authorizations;

(d) all hazardous substances, solid waste and oil and gas exploration and production wastes, if any, generated at any and all Property of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any Subsidiary have in the past been transported, treated and disposed of in accordance with Environmental Laws and so as not to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP), all such transport carriers and treatment and disposal facilities have been and are operating in compliance with Environmental Laws and so as not to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment, and are not the subject of any existing, pending or threatened action, investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority in connection with any Environmental Laws;

(e) the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) has taken all steps reasonably necessary to determine and has determined that no hazardous substances, solid waste or oil and gas exploration and production wastes, have been disposed of or otherwise released and there has been no threatened release of any hazardous substances on or to any Property of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any Subsidiary except in compliance with Environmental Laws and so as not to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment;

(f) to the extent applicable, all Property of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and each Subsidiary currently satisfies all design, operation, and equipment requirements imposed by the OPA, and the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) does not have any reason to believe that such Property, to the extent subject to the OPA, will not be able to maintain compliance with the OPA requirements during the term of this Agreement; and

(g) neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Subsidiary has any known contingent liability in connection with any release or threatened release of any oil, hazardous substance or solid waste into the environment.

Section 7.17. Compliance with the Law; Maintenance of Properties. No Loan Party has violated any applicable Governmental Requirement binding upon it or its Properties or failed to obtain any license, permit, franchise or other governmental authorization necessary for the ownership of any of its Properties or the conduct of its business, which violation or failure would have (in the event such violation or failure were asserted by any Person through appropriate action) a Material Adverse Effect. Except for such acts or failures to act as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Oil and Gas Properties (and properties unitized therewith) have been maintained, operated and developed in a good and workmanlike manner and in conformity with all applicable laws and all rules, regulations and orders of all duly constituted authorities having jurisdiction and in conformity with the provisions of all leases, subleases or other contracts comprising a part of the Hydrocarbon Interests and other contracts and agreements forming a part of the Oil and Gas Properties; specifically in this connection, except for those as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (a) after the Closing Date, no Oil and Gas Property is subject to having allowable production reduced below the full and regular allowable (including the maximum permissible tolerance) because of any overproduction (whether or not the same was permissible at the time) prior to the Closing Date and (b) none of the wells comprising a part of the Oil and Gas Properties (or properties unitized therewith) is deviated from the vertical more than the maximum permitted by applicable laws, regulations, rules and orders, and such wells are, in fact, bottomed under and are producing from, and the well bores are wholly within, the Oil and Gas Properties (or in the case of wells located on properties unitized therewith, such unitized properties).

Section 7.18. Insurance. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) has, and has caused all its Restricted Subsidiaries to have (a) all insurance policies sufficient for the compliance by each of them with all material Governmental Requirements and all material agreements and (b) insurance coverage in at least amounts and against such risk (including, without limitation, public liability) that are usually insured against by companies similarly situated and engaged in the same or a similar business for the assets and operations of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Restricted Subsidiaries. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders have been named as additional insureds in respect of such liability insurance policies that are maintained by the Borrower and/or the Parent MLP and/or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Section 7.19. Hedging Agreements. Schedule 7.19 sets forth, as of the Closing Date, and after the Closing Date, each report required to be delivered by the Borrower (and/or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) pursuant to Section 8.01(e), a true and complete list of all Hedging Agreements (including commodity price swap agreements, forward agreements or contracts of sale which provide for prepayment for deferred shipment or delivery of oil, gas or other commodities) of the Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied) and the counterparty to each such agreement.

Section 7.20. Restriction on Liens. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any of the Restricted Subsidiaries is a party to any material agreement or arrangement (other than (a) instruments creating Liens permitted by Sections 9.03(c), but then only on the Property subject of such Capital Lease and (b) in the case of each Designated Borrowing Base Entity, its constituent documents), or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or in respect of their respective assets or Properties to secure the Indebtedness and the Loan Documents.

Section 7.21. Intellectual Property. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Restricted Subsidiaries either own or have valid licenses or other rights to use all databases, geological data, geophysical data, engineering data, maps, interpretations and other technical information used in their businesses as presently conducted, subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing the use of the same, which limitations are customary for companies engaged in the business of the exploration and production of Hydrocarbons, with such exceptions as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 7.22. Gas Imbalances. As of the Closing Date, except as set forth on Schedule 7.22 or on the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to Section 8.07(c), on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties which would require the delivery of Hydrocarbons produced from the Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor exceeding $1,000,000 in the aggregate.

Section 7.23. Marketing of Production. Except for contracts listed on Schedule 7.23 (with respect to all of which contracts the Borrower represents that it or its Restricted Subsidiaries are receiving a price for all production sold thereunder which is computed substantially in accordance with the terms of the relevant contract and are not having deliveries curtailed substantially below the subject Property’s delivery capacity), as of the Closing Date, there exist no material agreements which are not cancelable on 60 days notice or less without penalty or detriment for the sale of production from the Borrower’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Hydrocarbons (including, without limitation, calls on, or other rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (a) pertain to the sale of production at a fixed price and (b) have a maturity or expiry date of longer than six months from the Closing Date.

Section 7.24. Solvency. After giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereby, (a) the aggregate assets (after giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement), at a fair valuation, of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and the Guarantors, taken as a whole, will exceed the aggregate Debt of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and the Guarantors on a consolidated basis, as the Debt becomes absolute and matures, (b) each of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and the Guarantors will not have incurred or intended to incur, and will not believe that it will incur, Debt beyond its ability to pay such Debt (after taking into account the timing and amounts of cash to be received by each of the Borrower, the Parent MLP and the Guarantors and the amounts to be payable on or in respect of its liabilities, and giving effect to amounts that could reasonably be received by reason of indemnity, offset, insurance or any similar arrangement) as such Debt becomes absolute and matures and (c) each of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and the Guarantors will not have (and will have no reason to believe that it will have thereafter) unreasonably small capital for the conduct of its business.

Section 7.25. Location of Business and Offices. The Borrower’s jurisdiction of organization is Delaware; the name of the Borrower as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.; and the organizational identification number of the Borrower in its jurisdiction of organization is 2933632. The Borrower’s principal place of business and chief executive offices are located at the address specified on the appropriate signature page hereof (or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(l)). Each Subsidiary’s jurisdiction of organization, name as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization, organizational identification number in its jurisdiction of organization, and the location of its principal place of business and chief executive office is stated on Schedule 7.13 (or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(l)).

Section 7.26. Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any of its Subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a material violation by such Persons of the FCPA; and, the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Subsidiaries have conducted their business in material compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.

Section 7.27. OFAC. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any of its Subsidiaries is currently subject to any material United States sanctions administered by OFAC, and the Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds from the Loans or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to the Parent MLP, any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to any United States sanctions administered by OFAC.

ARTICLE VIII

Affirmative Covenants

The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) covenants and agrees that, so long as any of the Aggregate Commitments is in effect and until payment in full of all Loans hereunder, all interest thereon and all other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents:

Section 8.01. Reporting Requirements. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Borrower or the Parent MLP, as applicable) shall deliver, or shall cause to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent (and, with respect to the financial statements delivered pursuant to Sections 8.01(a) and (b), with sufficient copies of each for the Lenders):

(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event within 95 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP), the audited consolidated balance sheets, statements of income, partners’ capital, and cash flow of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, and the related consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding fiscal year, together with separate unaudited consolidated statements for the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and the Restricted Subsidiaries, and accompanied by the related opinion of BDO USA, LLP or any other independent public accountants of recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent which opinion shall state that said financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of, and for, such fiscal year and that such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP except for such changes in such principles with which the independent public accountants shall have concurred and such opinion shall not contain a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, and a certificate of such accountants stating that, in making the examination necessary for their opinion, they obtained no knowledge, except as specifically stated, of any Default.

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event within 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarterly periods of each fiscal year of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP), consolidated balance sheets, statements of income, partners’ capital, and cash flow of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period and for the period from the beginning of the respective fiscal year to the end of such period, and the related consolidated balance sheets as at the end of such period, together with separate consolidated statements for the Borrower (or the Parent MLP, as applicable) and the Restricted Subsidiaries, and setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding period in the preceding fiscal year, accompanied by the certificate of a Responsible Officer, which certificate shall state that said financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, as at the end of, and for, such period (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments).

(c) Notice of Default, Etc. Promptly after the Borrower (and, following the Parent MLP IPO, the Borrower or the Parent MLP) knows that any Default or any Material Adverse Effect has occurred, a notice of such Default or Material Adverse Effect, describing the same in reasonable detail and the action the Borrower (or the Parent MLP) proposes to take with respect thereto.

(d) Other Accounting Reports. Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of each other report or letter submitted to the General Partner, the Borrower, the Parent MLP or any Subsidiary by independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of the Borrower, the Parent MLP or any Subsidiary, and a copy of any response by the Borrower, the Parent MLP or any such Subsidiary of the Borrower, or the Board of Directors of the Borrower, the Parent MLP or any such Subsidiary of the Borrower or the Parent MLP, to such letter or report.

(e) Hedging Agreements. Together with the delivery of the financial information to be supplied under Sections 8.01(a) and (b), a report, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth as of the last Business Day of such fiscal quarter or fiscal year, a true and complete list of all Hedging Agreements (including commodity price swap agreements, forward agreements or contracts of sale which provide for prepayment for deferred shipment or delivery of oil, gas or other commodities) of the Borrower and each Restricted Subsidiary, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value therefor, any new credit support agreements relating thereto not listed on Schedule 7.19, any margin required or supplied under any credit support document, and the counterparty to each such agreement.

(f) Compliance Certificates. At the time it furnishes each set of financial statements under Sections 8.01(a) and (b) above, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto executed by a Responsible Officer (i) certifying as to the matters set forth therein and stating that no Default has occurred and is continuing (or, if any Default has occurred and is continuing, describing the same in reasonable detail), and (ii) setting forth in reasonable detail the computations necessary to determine whether the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) is in compliance with Section 9.01 and Section 8.09(b) as of the end of the respective fiscal quarter or fiscal year.

(g) Notice of Sales. In the event the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary intends to sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of (i) any Oil or Gas Properties in accordance with this Agreement (but only if such transaction involves the disposition of Oil and Gas Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report for a value in excess of $1,000,000) or (ii) any Properties in accordance with this Agreement (but only if such transaction involves the disposition of Properties for an aggregate value in excess of $10,000,000), prior written notice of such disposition, the price thereof and the anticipated date of closing. In the event the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary intends to sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of any equity interest in a Designated Borrowing Base Entity, prior written notice of such disposition, the price thereof and the anticipated date of closing.

(h) Lists of Purchasers. Promptly following the written request from the Administrative Agent thereof, a list of all Persons disbursing proceeds to the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary from its Oil and Gas Properties.

(i) Financial Statements of Designated Borrowing Base Entities. If at any time a Designated Borrowing Base Entity is a Consolidated Subsidiary, but not a Guarantor, consolidated financial statements in such form as would be presented by the auditors of the Borrower. If at any time, a Designated Borrowing Base Entity is not a Consolidated Subsidiary, the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) shall also furnish at the time it furnishes its financial statements under Sections 8.01(a) and (b), annual and quarterly financial statements (balance sheets, statements of income, partners’ capital, and cash flow) of such Designated Borrowing Base Entity.

(j) Additional Designated Borrowing Base Entities. Prompt written notice at any time it forms, acquires or redesignates a Designated Borrowing Base Entity.

(k) Other Matters. From time to time, such other information regarding the business, affairs or financial condition of the Borrower, the Parent MLP or any Subsidiary (including, without limitation, any Plan or Multiemployer Plan and any reports or other information required to be filed under ERISA) as the Administrative Agent (at the request of any Lender) may reasonably request.

(l) Information Regarding Borrower, Parent MLP and Guarantors. Prompt written notice (and in any event within thirty (30) days upon becoming aware thereof) of any change (other than such changes described in Schedule 9.24 attached hereto) (i) in the Borrower, the Parent MLP or any Guarantor’s corporate name or in any trade name used to identify such Person in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its Properties, (ii) in the location of the Borrower, the Parent MLP or any Guarantor’s chief executive office or principal place of business, (iii) in the Borrower, the Parent MLP or any Guarantor’s identity or corporate structure or in the jurisdiction in which such Person is incorporated or formed, (iv) in the Borrower, the Parent MLP or any Guarantor’s jurisdiction of organization or such Person’s organizational identification number in such jurisdiction of organization, and (v) in the Borrower, the Parent MLP or any Guarantor’s federal taxpayer identification number.

(m) Amendments to Partnership Agreements. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, within a reasonable period after the effectiveness thereof, each amendment to the limited partnership agreements of the Borrower, the Parent MLP and each Designated Borrowing Base Entity.

(n) Incurrence or Issuance of Permitted Subordinate Debt or Permitted Senior Debt. The Borrower will provide notice to the Administrative Agent five (5) Business Days prior to the incurrence or issuance of Permitted Subordinate Debt or Permitted Senior Debt.

(o) Permitted Subordinate Debt Documents; Permitted Senior Debt Documents. Borrower will promptly upon the issuance or incurrence of any Permitted Subordinate Debt or Permitted Senior Debt provide to Administrative Agent a true, correct and complete copy of all material Permitted Subordinate Debt Documents or Permitted Senior Debt Documents, as applicable, executed and delivered in connection with, governing and/or evidencing such Permitted Subordinate Debt or Permitted Senior Debt, as applicable.

Section 8.02. Litigation. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) shall promptly give to the Administrative Agent notice of all legal or arbitral proceedings, and of all proceedings before any Governmental Authority filed against any Group Member, except proceedings which could not reasonably be expected to result in liability not fully covered by insurance, subject to normal deductibles, in excess of $5,000,000 (whether individually or in the aggregate).

Section 8.03. Maintenance, Compliance with Laws, Taxes, Inspections, Insurance, Etc.

(a) The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) shall, and shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary to: (i) except as permitted in Sections 9.12 or 9.13, preserve and maintain its existence and all of its material rights, privileges and franchises and maintain, if necessary, its qualification to do business in each other jurisdiction in which its Oil and Gas Properties is located or the ownership of its Properties requires such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) keep books of record and account in accordance with GAAP; (iii) comply with all Governmental Requirements if failure to comply with such requirements could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) pay and discharge all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed on it or on its income or profits or on any of its Property prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, except for any such tax, assessment, charge or levy the payment of which is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and against which adequate reserves are being maintained; (v) upon reasonable notice, permit representatives of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, during normal business hours, to examine, copy and make extracts from its books and records, to inspect its Properties, and to discuss its business and affairs with its officers, all to the extent reasonably requested by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be); and (vi) keep, or cause to be kept, insured by financially sound and reputable insurers all Property of a character usually insured by Persons engaged in the same or similar business similarly situated against loss or damage of the kinds and in the amounts customarily insured against by such Persons and carry such other insurance against risks as is usually carried by such Persons. The loss payable clauses or provisions in said insurance policy or policies insuring any of the collateral for the Loans shall be endorsed in favor of and made payable to the Administrative Agent as its interests may appear and naming the Administrative Agent and the Lenders as “additional insureds” and shall provide that the insurer will endeavor to give at least 30 days prior notice of any cancellation to the Administrative Agent.

(b) Contemporaneously with the delivery of the financial statements required by Section 8.01(a) to be delivered for each year, the Borrower (or the Parent MLP, as applicable) will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent a certificate of insurance coverage from the insurer in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and, if requested, will furnish the Administrative Agent and the Lenders copies of the applicable policies.

(c) The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, operate its Properties or cause such Properties to be operated in a careful and efficient manner in accordance with the practices of the industry and in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance with all Governmental Requirements, including, without limitation, applicable pro ration and Environmental Laws and all applicable laws, rules and regulations of every other Governmental Authority from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operation of its Oil and Gas Properties and the production and sale of Hydrocarbons and other minerals therefrom, except, in each case, where the failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP), at its own expense, will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, do or cause to be done all things reasonably necessary to preserve and keep in good repair, working order and efficiency (ordinary wear and tear excepted) all of its material Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties, including, without limitation, all equipment, machinery and facilities, and from time to time will make all the reasonably necessary repairs, renewals and replacements so that at all times the state and condition of its material Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties will be preserved and maintained, except to the extent a portion of such Properties is no longer capable of commercially producing Hydrocarbons. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, promptly: (i) pay and discharge, or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be paid and discharged, all delay rentals, royalties, expenses and indebtedness accruing under the leases or other agreements affecting or pertaining to its Oil and Gas Properties and will do all other things necessary to keep unimpaired their rights with respect thereto and prevent any forfeiture thereof or default thereunder, and (ii) perform or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be performed, in accordance with industry standards, the obligations required by each and all of the assignments, deeds, leases, sub-leases, contracts and agreements affecting its interests in its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties, except in each case of clauses (i) and (ii) to the extent a portion of such Properties is no longer capable of producing Hydrocarbons in economically reasonable amounts and except for dispositions permitted by Section 9.13. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to operate its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties or cause or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties to be operated in accordance with the practices of the industry and in material compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance in all material respects with all Governmental Requirements. To the extent the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) is not the operator of such Property, the Borrower (or the Parent MLP, as applicable) shall use reasonable efforts to cause the operator to comply with this Section 8.03(d).

Section 8.04. Environmental Matters.

(a) The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, establish and implement such procedures as may be reasonably necessary to continuously determine and assure that any failure of the following could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) all Property of the Borrower (and

following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and the Subsidiaries and the operations conducted thereon and other activities of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and the Subsidiaries are in compliance with and do not violate the requirements of any Environmental Laws, (ii) no oil, oil and gas production or exploration wastes, hazardous substances or solid wastes are disposed of or otherwise released on or to any Property owned by any such party except in compliance with Environmental Laws, (iii) no hazardous substance will be released on or to any such Property in a quantity equal to or exceeding that quantity which requires reporting pursuant to Section 103 of CERCLA and (iv) no oil, oil and gas exploration and production wastes or hazardous substances or solid wastes are released on or to any such Property so as to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment.

(b) The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in writing of any threatened action, investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority against the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or its Subsidiaries or their Properties which the Borrower (or the Parent MLP as applicable) has knowledge in connection with any Environmental Laws (excluding routine testing and corrective action) if the Borrower (or Parent MLP as applicable) reasonably anticipates that such action will result in liability, not fully covered by insurance, subject to normal deductibles, (whether individually or in the aggregate) in excess of $5,000,000.

Section 8.05. Further Assurances.

(a) The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) at its expense will, and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to, promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to comply with, cure any defects or accomplish the covenants and agreements of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, in the Security Instruments, the Notes and this Agreement, or to further evidence and more fully describe the collateral intended as security for the Notes, or to correct any omissions in the Security Instruments, or to state more fully the security obligations set out herein or in any of the Security Instruments, or to perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to any of the Security Instruments or the priority thereof, or to make any recordings, file any notices or obtain any consents, all as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection therewith.

(b) The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property without the signature of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any other Guarantor where permitted by law. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of the Security Instruments or any financing statement covering the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law. The Administrative Agent will promptly send the Borrower any financing or continuation statements it files without the signature of the Borrower or any other Guarantor and the Administrative Agent will promptly send the Borrower the filing or recordation information with respect thereto.

Section 8.06. Performance of Obligations. The Borrower will pay the Notes according to the reading, tenor and effect thereof, and the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will and will cause each Restricted Subsidiary to do and perform every act and discharge all of the obligations to be performed and discharged by them under the Loan Documents and this Agreement, at the time or times and in the manner specified.

Section 8.07. Reserve Reports.

(a) On or before March 1st and September 1st of each year, commencing March 1, 2015, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a Reserve Report as of the immediately preceding January 1st or July 1st. The Reserve Report as of January 1st of each year shall be prepared by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers, and the July 1st Reserve Report of each year shall be prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower who shall certify such Reserve Report to be true and accurate to the best of his or her knowledge in all material respects and to have been prepared in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding January 1st Reserve Report.

(b) In the event of an Interim Redetermination, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a Reserve Report prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower who shall certify such Reserve Report to be true and accurate to the best of his or her knowledge in all material respects and to have been prepared in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding Reserve Report. For any Interim Redetermination requested by the Majority Lenders or the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.08(b), the Borrower shall provide such Reserve Report with an “as of” date as required by the Administrative Agent as soon as possible, but in any event no later than 45 days following the receipt of such request.

(c) With the delivery of each Reserve Report, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, a certificate from a Responsible Officer certifying that, to the best of his knowledge and in all material respects: (i) the information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct, (ii) the Borrower or its Restricted Subsidiaries owns good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report and such Properties are free of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 9.03, (iii) except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in Section 7.22 with respect to its Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report which would require the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to deliver Hydrocarbons produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor, (iv) none of its Oil and Gas Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report have been sold since the date of the last Borrowing Base determination except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, which certificate shall list all of its Oil and Gas Properties sold and in such detail as reasonably required by the Majority Lenders, (v) attached to the certificate is a list of all marketing agreements entered into subsequent to the later of the Closing Date or the most recently delivered Reserve Report which the Borrower would have been obligated to list on Schedule 7.23 had such agreement been in effect on the Closing Date and (vi) attached thereto is a schedule of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that are Mortgaged Property.

Section 8.08. Oil & Gas Properties. The Borrower may, by written notice to the Administrative Agent, elect to remove Oil and Gas Properties (the “Elected Oil and Gas Properties”) from the Borrowing Base. Promptly thereafter, the Administrative Agent shall execute and deliver to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s expense, any releases, terminations or other amendments to the Security Instruments to effectuate a release of Liens on the Elected Oil and Gas Properties, and at such time and without any further action by any Person except as expressly set forth below (a) such Elected Oil and Gas Properties shall be deemed to not be included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, and (b) the then outstanding Borrowing Base shall be reduced by an amount equal to the value of such Elected Oil and Gas Properties as reasonably determined by the Majority Lenders.

Section 8.09. Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors.

(a) In connection with each redetermination of the Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall review the Reserve Report and the list of current Mortgaged Properties to ascertain whether the Mortgaged Properties have a PV9% of not less than the Minimum Collateral Value, based upon the Administrative Agent’s then current commodity price projections and assumptions. In connection with such review, the Borrower shall supply the Administrative Agent with a written report of the calculations used to determine such PV9% value of the Mortgaged Properties certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. In the event that the Mortgaged Properties do not have a PV9% of at least the Minimum Collateral Value, then the Borrower shall, and shall cause its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Designated Borrowing Base Entities) to, grant to the Administrative Agent as security for the Indebtedness a first-priority Lien interest (subject only to Excepted Liens of the type described in clauses (a) to (e), (g) and (h) of the definition thereof) on additional Oil and Gas Properties (other than those owned by Designated Borrowing Base Entities or not included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report) such that after giving effect thereto, the Mortgaged Properties will have a PV9% value, based upon such projections and assumptions, of not less than the Minimum Collateral Value. All such Liens will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of deeds of trust, security agreements and financing statements, or other Security Instruments, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and in sufficient executed (and acknowledged where necessary or appropriate) counterparts for recording purposes. In order to comply with the foregoing, if any Restricted Subsidiary places a Lien on its Oil and Gas Properties that are included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and such Restricted Subsidiary is not a Guarantor, then it shall become a Guarantor and comply with Section 8.09(b).

(b) In connection with the consummation of the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP and new General Partner shall guarantee the Indebtedness pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement and shall join this Agreement pursuant to a joinder in such form as Administrative Agent may reasonably request. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) shall notify the Administrative Agent at the time that any Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, and promptly thereafter (and in any event within 30 days) cause any such Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Excluded Subsidiary to guarantee the Indebtedness pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement; provided (w) any Designated Borrowing Base Entity which is not then a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall not be required to guarantee the Indebtedness, (x) BSAP II GP, L.L.C and the Parent MLP GP shall not be required to guarantee the Indebtedness, (y) Black Stone Natural Resources Management Company shall not be required to guarantee the Indebtedness

unless it shall have consolidated net tangible assets (other than any such assets to be used for the purpose of funding payroll, compensation and benefits and other disbursements) in excess of $5,000,000, and (z) any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be required to guarantee the Indebtedness unless it shall have either (x) consolidated net tangible assets (other than any such assets to be used for the purpose of funding payroll, compensation and benefits and other disbursements) in excess of $5,000,000 or (y) Oil and Gas Properties included in the Borrowing Base. In connection with any such guarantee by the Parent MLP and/or such Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Excluded Subsidiary, the Borrower (and/or the Parent MLP, as applicable) shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary to, (i) execute and deliver a supplement to the Guarantee Agreement executed by such Subsidiary, (ii) pledge all of the capital stock of such new Subsidiary (including, without limitation, delivery of original stock certificates evidencing the capital stock of such Subsidiary, together with an appropriate undated stock powers for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof) and (iii) execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, certificates and legal opinions as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent. In the event that the Borrower and/or one or more Guarantors forms or acquires any interests in a Designated Borrowing Base Entity which is not then a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary and which is a Restricted Subsidiary that is not an Excluded Subsidiary, the Borrower or such Guarantor (as applicable) shall, or shall cause such Subsidiary to, (i) pledge all of the capital stock owned by the Borrower and/or a Guarantor of such new Designated Borrowing Base Entity (including, without limitation, delivery of original stock certificates evidencing the capital stock of such Person, together with an appropriate undated stock powers for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof) and (ii) execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, certificates and legal opinions as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent. In the event that the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and/or one or more Guarantors forms or acquires any interests in a Restricted Subsidiary that is a First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary or FSHCO, the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) shall, or shall cause such Guarantor to, (iii) pledge 65% of the voting capital stock and all of the non-voting capital stock owned by the Borrower (or the Parent MLP, as applicable) and/or a Guarantor of such new First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary or FSHCO (including, without limitation, if applicable, delivery of original stock certificates evidencing the capital stock of such Person, together with an appropriate undated stock powers for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof) and (iv) execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, certificates and legal opinions as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent. For the avoidance of doubt, none of the capital stock of a Foreign Subsidiary that is not a First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary shall be pledged.

(c) In the event that an Event of Default occurs or a Deficiency continues beyond any applicable cure period, the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) shall, and shall cause each of its Guarantors to, immediately execute and deliver documentation in the form requested by the Administrative Agent granting a first priority Lien on all of the Borrower’s and its Guarantors’ Property that is not then Mortgaged Property.

Section 8.10. ERISA Information and Compliance. As soon as available, and in any event, within ten days after the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) obtains knowledge of any of the following, the Borrower (or the Parent MLP, as applicable) will furnish and will cause each ERISA Affiliate to promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent

with sufficient copies to the Lenders (a) a written notice signed by a Responsible Officer describing the occurrence of any ERISA Event or of any material “prohibited transaction,” as described in section 406 of ERISA or in section 4975 of the Code, in connection with any Plan or any trust created thereunder, and specifying what action the Borrower (or the Parent MLP, as applicable) or the ERISA Affiliate is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when known, any action taken or proposed by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto, (b) copies of any notice of the PBGC’s intention to terminate or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Plan and (c) a written notice of the Borrower’s (or the Parent MLP’s, if applicable) or an ERISA Affiliate’s participation in a Multiemployer Plan. With respect to each Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan), the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will, and will cause each ERISA Affiliate to, (i) satisfy in full and in a timely manner, without incurring any material late payment or underpayment charge or penalty and without giving rise to any Lien, all of the contribution and funding requirements of section 412 of the Code (determined without regard to subsections (d), (e), (f) and (k) thereof) and of section 302 of ERISA (determined without regard to sections 303, 304 and 306 of ERISA), and (ii) pay, or cause to be paid, to the PBGC in a timely manner, without incurring any material late payment or underpayment charge or penalty, all premiums required pursuant to sections 4006 and 4007 of ERISA.

Section 8.11. Distribution Compliance. The Borrower shall cause each Designated Borrowing Base Entity to make distributions of all net income and/or net profits as required by its partnership agreement as in effect on the Closing Date without regard to amendments that regard such distributions. Each Designated Borrowing Base Entity formed or acquired after the Closing Date shall have a distribution policy substantially similar to Black Stone Natural Resources I, LP’s policy and the Borrower shall cause each such Person to comply with such policy.

Section 8.12. Designated Borrowing Base Entities and Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP):

(a) will cause the management, business and affairs of each of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Restricted Subsidiaries to be conducted in such a manner (including, without limitation, by keeping separate books of account, furnishing separate financial statements of each Designated Borrowing Base Entity and Unrestricted Subsidiary to creditors and potential creditors thereof and by not permitting Properties of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Restricted Subsidiaries to be commingled with Properties of the Designated Borrowing Base Entities and Unrestricted Subsidiaries) so that each Designated Borrowing Base Entity and Unrestricted Subsidiary will be treated as an entity separate and distinct from the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its other Subsidiaries.

(b) will not, and will not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, incur, assume, guarantee or be or become liable for (whether as general partner, managing member or otherwise) any Debt of any other Subsidiary at any time such Person is not also a Restricted Subsidiary.

(c) will not permit any Designated Borrowing Base Entity or Unrestricted Subsidiary to purchase or hold any equity interest in, or any Debt of, the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any Restricted Subsidiary.

(d) will not create or suffer to exist any Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary is a Designated Borrowing Base Entity or an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Section 8.13. Commodity Exchange Act Keepwell Provisions. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) shall, and shall cause each Qualified ECP Guarantor, jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its obligations under the Security Instruments in respect of Hedging Agreements (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section 8.13 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 8.13, or otherwise under any Security Instrument, as it relates to such other Loan Party, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section 8.13 shall remain in full force and effect until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents shall have been paid in full in immediately available funds and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated or been cash collateralized and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section 8.13 constitute, and this Section 8.13 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Section 8.14. Foreign Corrupt Practices. Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Subsidiaries have instituted and will maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance with the FCPA.

ARTICLE IX

Negative Covenants

The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) covenants and agrees that, so long as any of the Aggregate Commitments is in effect and until payment in full of Loans hereunder, all interest thereon and all other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder and under the other Loan Documents:

Section 9.01. Financial Covenants.

(a) Ratio of Total Debt to EBITDAX. The Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will not, at any time, permit its ratio of Total Debt (excluding the Preferred Stock) as of such time to EBITDAX for the four fiscal quarters ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of determination for which financial statements are available to be greater than 3.5 to 1.0.

(b) Current Ratio. The Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will not permit, as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, its ratio of (i) consolidated current assets (including the Unused Amount but excluding any non-cash assets under ASC 815) to (ii) consolidated current liabilities (excluding (x) non-cash obligations under ASC 815, (y) current maturities of the Indebtedness under the Notes, and (z) Redemption of the Preferred Stock) to be less than 1.0 to 1.0.

Section 9.02. Debt. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Restricted Subsidiary will incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except:

(a) the Notes or other Indebtedness arising under the Loan Documents or any guaranty of or suretyship arrangement for the Notes or other Indebtedness arising under the Loan Documents;

(b) Debt of the Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date that is reflected in the Financial Statements or on Schedule 9.02(b), and any refinancings, renewals or extensions (but not increases) thereof;

(c) accounts payable (for the deferred purchase price of Property or services) from time to time incurred in the ordinary course of business which, if greater than 90 days past the invoice or billing date, are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings if reserves adequate under GAAP shall have been established therefor;

(d) Debt under Capital Leases (as required to be reported on the financial statements of the Borrower pursuant to GAAP) not to exceed $5,000,000;

(e) Debt associated with bonds or surety obligations required by Governmental Requirements in connection with the operation of the Oil and Gas Properties;

(f) intercompany Debt among the Borrower, the Parent MLP and any Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent permitted by Section 9.05(h); provided that such Debt is not held, assigned, transferred, negotiated or pledged to any Person other than the Borrower or one of the Guarantors, and, provided further, that any such Debt owed by either the Borrower or a Guarantor shall be subordinated to the Indebtedness on terms set forth in the Guarantee Agreement;

(g) endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

(h) purchase money Debt in respect of property acquired by the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the aggregate principal or face amount of all Debt secured under this Section 9.02(h) shall not exceed $5,000,000 at any time;

(i) Permitted Subordinate Debt; provided, that contemporaneously with any issuance or incurrence thereof (i) the Borrowing Base shall be automatically reduced pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2.08(f) and (ii) the Borrower shall make any mandatory prepayment required by Section 2.07(b)(iii), if applicable;

(j) Permitted Senior Debt; provided, that immediately prior to the issuance or incurrence thereof the Mortgaged Properties shall have a PV9% of not less than the required Minimum Collateral Value; provided further, contemporaneously with any issuance or incurrence thereof (i) the Borrowing Base shall be automatically reduced pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2.08(f) and (ii) the Borrower shall make any mandatory prepayment required by Section 2.07(b)(iii), if applicable;

(k) other Debt not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding; and

(l) the Preferred Stock.

provided, however that notwithstanding the forgoing, no Designated Borrowing Base Entity that is not a Guarantor may incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any Debt other than Debt under Sections 9.02(a), (c), (e) and (g).

Section 9.03. Liens. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Restricted Subsidiary will create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any of its Properties (now owned or hereafter acquired), except:

(a) Liens securing the payment of any Indebtedness;

(b) Excepted Liens;

(d) Liens disclosed on Schedule 9.03;

(e) any Lien arising out of the refinancing, extension, renewal or refunding of any Debt secured by any Lien permitted by any of the foregoing clauses in this Section 9.03; provided that any such Debt is not increased beyond the amount thereof outstanding on the Closing Date (other than increases associated with the capitalization of refinancing costs) and is not secured by any additional assets;

(f) purchase money Liens in respect of Debt permitted by Section 9.02(h); and

(g) Liens not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses of this Section 9.03; provided that the aggregate principal or face amount of all Debt secured under this Section 9.03(g) shall not exceed $2,500,000 at any time;

provided, however that notwithstanding the forgoing, (i) no Designated Borrowing Base Entity that is not a Guarantor may incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any Lien other than Excepted Liens, and (ii) any Designated Borrowing Base Entity may create Liens in favor of a Hedge Lender to secure its obligations under Hedging Agreements with such Hedge Lender.

Section 9.04. Dividends, Distributions and Redemptions. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, declare or pay any dividend, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any of its capital or partnership interests now or hereafter outstanding, return any capital to its Partners or make any distribution of its assets to its Partners, except for any such dividend, distribution or redemption (collectively, “Distributions”) (a) by any Restricted Subsidiary to the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, to the Parent MLP) or to any other Restricted Subsidiary (or in the case of Designated Borrowing Base Entities, by such Person to all of the owners of its equity interests on a pro rata basis or on a basis which is more favorable to the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and the Restricted Subsidiaries), and (b) prior to the Parent MLP IPO, by the Borrower, and following the Parent MLP IPO, by the Parent MLP, other than a redemption of the Preferred Stock, so long as no Default, Event of Default or Deficiency has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, and (c) by the Borrower of a redemption of the Preferred Stock, so long as (i) no Default, Event of Default or Deficiency has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, (ii) after giving effect to such redemption of Preferred Stock on a pro forma basis, the Borrower shall be in compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 9.01 as of the last day of the applicable period covered by the certificate most recently delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(f) (for purposes of Section 9.01, as if such redemption of the Preferred Stock, and all other redemption of Preferred Stock since the first day of such applicable period, had been redeemed on the first day of such applicable period), and (iii) after giving effect to such redemption of Preferred Stock, the Borrower shall have demonstrated that it will have unrestricted cash liquidity (including, for purposes of this computation, the Unused Amount that is then available for borrowing) in an amount not less than 10% of the Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount.

Section 9.05. Investments, Loans and Advances. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Restricted Subsidiary will make or permit to remain outstanding any Investments in any Person, except that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to:

(a) Investments reflected in the Financial Statements or which are disclosed to the Lenders in Schedule 9.05;

(b) accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business;

(c) direct obligations of the United States or any agency thereof, or obligations guaranteed by the United States or any agency thereof, in each case maturing within one year from the date of creation thereof;

(d) commercial paper maturing within one year from the date of creation thereof rated in the highest grade by S&P or Moody’s;

(e) deposits maturing within one year from the date of creation thereof, including certificates of deposit issued by, any Lender or any office located in the United States of any other bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating at least $100,000,000 (as of the date of such Lender’s or bank or trust company’s most recent financial reports) and has a short term deposit rating of no lower than A2 or P2, as such rating is set forth from time to time, by S&P or Moody’s, respectively;

(f) deposits in money market funds investing exclusively in Investments described in Section 9.05(c), 9.05(d) or 9.05(e);

(g) Investments in direct ownership interests in additional Oil and Gas Properties and gas gathering systems related thereto or related to farm-out, farm-in, joint operating, joint venture or area of mutual interest agreements, gathering systems, pipelines or other similar arrangements which are usual and customary in the oil and gas exploration and production business;

(h) Investments in Loan Parties;

(i) Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries not to exceed $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time;

(j) Cash Investments in Designated Borrowing Base Entities so long as the Unused Amount is, and would be following such cash Investment, greater than $5,000,000;

(k) Investments made with the proceeds of the issuance of new equity interests of (i) prior to the Parent MLP IPO, the Borrower and (ii) following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP;

(l) Investments in Persons primarily engaged in the oil and gas business made with cash permitted to be used as Distributions pursuant to Section 9.04; and

(m) other Investments not to exceed $1,000,000 in the aggregate at any time.

Section 9.06. Change of Name; Etc. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Guarantor shall change (a) its corporate name or any trade name used to identify such Person in the conduct of its business or in the ownership of its Properties, (b) the location of its chief executive office or principal place of business, (c) its identity or jurisdiction of formation, or (d) its federal taxpayer identification number.

Section 9.07. Nature of Business. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Restricted Subsidiary will allow any material change to be made in the character of its business as an independent, domestic oil and gas ownership, exploration and production company and processing of oil and gas.

Section 9.08. Limitation on Leases. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Restricted Subsidiary will create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any obligation for the payment of rent or hire of Property of any kind whatsoever (real or personal but excluding Capital Leases and leases of Hydrocarbon Interests), under leases or lease agreements which would cause the aggregate amount of all payments made by the Borrower and the Parent MLP and the Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to all such leases or lease agreements, including, without limitation, any residual payments at the end of any lease, to exceed $2,500,000 in any period of twelve consecutive calendar months during the life of such leases.

Section 9.09. Proceeds of Notes. The Borrower will not permit the proceeds of the Notes to be used for any purpose other than those permitted by Section 7.07. Neither the Borrower nor any Person acting on behalf of the Borrower has taken or will take any action which might cause any of the Loan Documents to violate Regulations T, U or X or any other regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or to violate Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any rule or regulation thereunder, in each case as now in effect or as the same may hereinafter be in effect.

Section 9.10. ERISA Compliance. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will not at any time:

(a) engage in, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to engage in, any transaction in connection with which the Borrower or the Parent MLP or any ERISA Affiliate could be subjected to either a material civil penalty assessed pursuant to section 502(c), (i) or (l) of ERISA or a material tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code with respect to a Plan;

(b) terminate, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to terminate, any Plan in a manner, or take any other action with respect to any Plan, which could result in any liability to the Borrower or the Parent MLP or any ERISA Affiliate to the PBGC which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) fail to make, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to fail to make, full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Plan, agreement relating thereto or applicable law, the Borrower or the Parent MLP or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions thereto if such failure could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) permit to exist, or allow any ERISA Affiliate to permit to exist, any accumulated funding deficiency within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, with respect to any Plan which exceeds $100,000;

(e) except as provided in Section 9.10(g), permit, or allow any ERISA Affiliate to permit, the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under any Plan maintained by the Borrower or the Parent MLP or any ERISA Affiliate which is regulated under Title IV of ERISA to exceed the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities by more than $100,000 with the term “actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities” having the meaning specified in section 4041 of ERISA;

(f) contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, or permit any Restricted Subsidiary or ERISA Affiliate to contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, any Multiemployer Plan if such action could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(g) acquire, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to acquire, an interest in any Person that causes such Person to become an ERISA Affiliate with respect to the Borrower or the Parent MLP or any ERISA Affiliate if such Person sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or at any time in the six-year period preceding such acquisition has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, (i)

any Multiemployer Plan if the funding status of such Multiemployer Plan is such that a total or partial withdrawal from it by such Person could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) any other Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA under which the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under such Plan exceeds the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities by an amount in excess of $100,000;

(h) incur, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to incur, a liability to or on account of a Plan under sections 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA in excess of $100,000; or

(i) amend, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to amend, a Plan resulting in an increase in current liability such that the Borrower or the Parent MLP or any ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security to such Plan under section 401(a)(29) of the Code.

Section 9.11. Sale or Discount of Receivables. Except for receivables obtained by the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary out of the ordinary course of business or the settlement of joint interest billing accounts in the ordinary course of business or discounts granted to settle collection of accounts receivable, neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Restricted Subsidiary will discount or sell (with or without recourse) any of its notes receivable or accounts receivable.

Section 9.12. Mergers, Etc. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Restricted Subsidiary will merge into or with or consolidate with any other Person, or sell, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its Property or assets to any other Person (any such transaction, a “consolidation”); provided that (a) any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may participate in a consolidation (i) with another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary if the surviving Person is a Guarantor or (ii) with the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) if the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) is the surviving Person; (b) any non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary may participate in a consolidation (i) with a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary if the surviving Person is a Guarantor, (ii) with the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) if the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) is the surviving Person or (iii) with another Person so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result; (c) the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) may participate in a consolidation with any other Person so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result and (ii) the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) is the surviving Person (provided that a merger or consolidation between the Borrower and the Parent MLP, the Borrower is the surviving Person); and (d) the General Partner may merge with a Subsidiary of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) provided that such Subsidiary does not own any Oil and Gas Properties or assets pledged as collateral for the Indebtedness.

Section 9.13. Sale of Oil and Gas Properties. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, sell, assign, farm-out, convey or otherwise transfer any interest in any Oil and Gas Property included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report except for (a) the sale of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business; (b) the sale or transfer of equipment that is no longer necessary for

the business of the Borrower or such Restricted Subsidiary or is replaced by equipment of at least comparable value and use; and (c) sales or other dispositions (including dispositions resulting from the exercise of eminent domain, condemnation or nationalization) of (i) Oil and Gas Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report or any interest therein or (ii) Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Designated Borrowing Base Entities) owning Oil and Gas Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report; provided that such sales or other dispositions of Oil and Gas Properties or Restricted Subsidiaries during any period between two successive Scheduled Redetermination Dates exceeding in the aggregate 5% of the then current Borrowing Base (inclusive of any unwinding of Hedging Agreements during such period), shall result in an adjustment to the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 2.08(e); and provided further that if any such sale or other disposition is of a Restricted Subsidiary owning Oil and Gas Properties included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (other than a Designated Borrowing Base Entity), such sale or other disposition shall include all the capital stock or other equity of such Restricted Subsidiary. The Borrower and its Restricted Subsidiaries may (i) sell, assign, convey or otherwise dispose of proportional shares of Oil and Gas Properties held by Designated Borrowing Base Entities that are owned by third parties (and not included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base) to such third parties, to the extent such proportional share of Oil and Gas Property is exchanged for a related partnership interest in one or more Designated Borrowing Base Entities and (ii) sell, assign, convey or otherwise transfer any equity interests in a Designated Borrowing Base Entity provided that with respect to any such equity interests that constitute Mortgaged Property, (A) the Borrower shall have given the Administrative Agent prior written notice thereof, and (B) the then outstanding Borrowing Base shall be reduced by an amount equal to the value of such equity interests as reasonably determined by the Majority Lenders.

Section 9.14. Environmental Matters. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Subsidiary will cause or permit any of its Property to be in violation of, or do anything or permit anything to be done which will subject any such Property to any remedial obligations under any Environmental Laws, assuming disclosure to the applicable Governmental Authority of all relevant facts, conditions and circumstances, if any, pertaining to such Property where such violations or remedial obligations could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 9.15. Transactions with Affiliates. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Restricted Subsidiary will enter into any transaction, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of Property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate (other than the Guarantors and Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower or the Parent MLP) unless such transactions are otherwise permitted under this Agreement and are upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to it than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Designated Borrowing Base Entities may enter into collection agreements with Affiliates acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Section 9.16. Subsidiaries. The Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) shall not create any additional Subsidiary or re-designate an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary unless the Borrower (or the Parent MLP, as applicable) gives written notice to the Administrative Agent of such creation or re-designation and complies with Section 8.09(b).

Section 9.17. Negative Pledge Agreements. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Restricted Subsidiary will create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any contract, agreement or understanding (other than (a) this Agreement, the Security Instruments, or other instruments creating Liens permitted by Section 9.03(c); and (b) in the case of each Designated Borrowing Base Entity, its constituent documents) which in any way prohibits or restricts the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its Oil and Gas Property in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or restricts any Restricted Subsidiary from paying dividends to the Borrower, or which requires the consent of or notice to other Persons in connection therewith.

Section 9.18. Gas Imbalances, Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Restricted Subsidiary will allow gas imbalances, take-or-pay or other prepayments with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any Restricted Subsidiary that would require the Borrower (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) or any Restricted Subsidiary to deliver Hydrocarbons produced on Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor to exceed the maximum amount allowed in Section 7.22.

Section 9.19. Hedging Agreements. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Person which is deemed to constitute a “Subsidiary” solely by reason of it being a Designated Borrowing Base Entity) will enter into any Hedging Agreements with any Person other than (a) Hedging Agreements (other than collars or swaps) in respect of commodities with Approved Counterparties (b) collars or swaps in respect of commodities (i) with an Approved Counterparty for a term of not more than 4 years, and (ii) the notional volumes for which (when aggregated with other commodity collars or swaps then in effect) do not exceed, as of the date such collar or swap is executed, (A) 100% of the reasonably anticipated projected production for the first 36 months thereof (and 90% of the reasonably anticipated projected production for the 37th through 48th months thereof) from proved, developed, producing Oil and Gas Properties as outlined in the most recently delivered Reserve Report (or acquired after the date of such Reserve Report and outlined in reserve reporting information reviewed by a third party engineer in form and substance similar to such Reserve Report), plus (B) 90% of Qualified New Production for the first 36 months thereof (and 85% of Qualified New Production for the 37th through 48th months thereof), each for the period during which such collar or swap is in effect for each of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately, (c) Hedging Agreements in respect of interest rates (i) with an Approved Counterparty and (ii) the notional amounts of which (when aggregated with other interest rate Hedging Agreements then in effect) do not exceed 75% of principal amount of the Borrower’s floating rate Debt in respect of borrowed money, and (d) Hedging Agreements in respect of currencies (i) with an Approved Counterparty, (ii) such transactions are to hedge actual or expected fluctuations in currencies and are not for speculative purposes and (iii) such transactions do not involve termination or expiry dates longer than six months after the trade date in respect thereof. As used herein, “Qualified New Production” means the reasonably anticipated projected production for the applicable months from new wells

on proved, developed, producing Oil and Gas Properties completed after the most recently delivered Reserve Report and outlined in reserve reporting information reviewed by a third party engineer in form and substance similar to such Reserve Report. A Designated Borrowing Base Entity will not enter into any Hedging Agreements with any Person other than Hedging Agreements in respect of commodities (i) with an Approved Counterparty for a term of not more than 4 years, and (ii) the notional volumes for which (when aggregated with other commodity Hedging Agreements then in effect) do not exceed, as of the date such Hedging Agreement is executed, 100% of the reasonably anticipated projected production for the first 36 months thereof (and 90% of the reasonably anticipated projected production for the 37th through 48th months thereof) from proved, developed, producing Oil and Gas Properties of such Designated Borrowing Base Entity as outlined in the most recently delivered Reserve Report for the period during which such Hedging Agreement is in effect for each of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Hedging Agreement unless the Borrower (or the Parent MLP, as applicable) or such Restricted Subsidiary is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at such time.

Section 9.20. Sale and Leasebacks. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any Restricted Subsidiary will enter into any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Borrower or the Parent MLP or any Subsidiary of real or personal property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Borrower or the Parent MLP or any Restricted Subsidiary to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental obligations of the Borrower or the Parent MLP or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Section 9.21. Foreign Corrupt Practices. Neither the Borrower (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) nor any of its Subsidiaries will take any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a material violation by such Persons of the FCPA.

Section 9.22. OFAC. Borrower will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds from the Loans or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to any United States sanctions administered by OFAC.

Section 9.23. Designation and Conversion of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries; Debt of Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Borrower will not (nor following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP), nor shall it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, at any time:

(a) Unless designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary on Schedule 7.13 as of the Closing Date, designate any Person that becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower or the Parent MLP or any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, except the Borrower or the Parent MLP may designate by written notification thereof to the Administrative Agent, any Restricted Subsidiary, including a newly formed or newly acquired Subsidiary, as an Unrestricted Subsidiary if (i) prior, and after giving effect, to such designation, no Default would exist and (ii) such designation is deemed to be an Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount equal to the fair market value as of the date of such designation of the Borrower’s (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP’s) direct and indirect ownership interest in such Subsidiary and such Investment would be permitted to be made at the time of such designation under Section 9.05.

(b) Designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary, except if after giving effect to such designation, which shall be deemed to be a cash dividend to the direct owners of such Subsidiary’s equity interests in an amount equal to the lesser of the fair market value of the Borrower’s (or following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP’s) direct and indirect ownership interest in such Subsidiary or the amount of the Borrower’s (or the Parent MLP’s, as applicable) cash investment previously made for purposes of the limitation on Investments under Section 9.05, (i) the representations and warranties of the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and its Restricted Subsidiaries contained in each of the Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of such date as if made on and as of the date of such re-designation (or, if stated to have been made expressly as of an earlier date, were true and correct as of such date), (ii) no Default would exist, and (iii) the Borrower (and following the Parent MLP IPO, the Parent MLP) and such newly-designated Restricted Subsidiary complies with the requirements of Section 8.09.

Section 9.24. Parent MLP IPO Transactions. The Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereby consent to the Parent MLP IPO Transactions and the consummation thereof, and hereby waive any provision of any Loan Document that might otherwise frustrate the consummation thereof to the limited extent necessary for the consummation thereof.

ARTICLE X

Events of Default; Remedies

Section 10.01. Events of Default. One or more of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

(a) the Borrower shall default in the payment or prepayment when due of any principal of or interest on any Loan, or any reimbursement obligation for a disbursement made under any Letter of Credit, or any fees or other amount payable by it hereunder or under any Loan Document and such default, other than a default of a payment or prepayment of principal (which shall have no cure period), shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days;

(b) (i) any Loan Party shall default in the payment when due (after giving effect to all grace periods) of any principal of or interest on any of its other Debt aggregating $10,000,000 or more, or any event specified in any note, agreement, indenture or other document evidencing or relating to any such Debt shall occur if the effect of such event is to cause, or (with the giving of any notice or the lapse of time or both, but after giving effect to all grace periods) to permit, the holder or holders of such Debt (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, such Debt to become due prior to its stated maturity or (ii) a default or early termination event shall occur and be continuing under any Hedging Agreement between any Loan Party and any other Person which results in a net payment being due by such Loan Party in excess of $10,000,000 and such payment is not paid when due (after giving effect to all grace periods) or within three Business Days thereafter;

(c) any material representation or warranty made or deemed made herein or in any Loan Document by any Loan Party, or any certificate furnished to any Lender or the Administrative Agent pursuant to the provisions hereof or any Loan Document, shall prove to have been false or misleading as of the time made or furnished in any material respect;

(d) (i) any Loan Party shall default in the performance of any of its obligations under Article IX or (ii) any Loan Party shall default in the performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement (other than Article IX) or any other Loan Document (other than the payment of amounts due which shall be governed by Section 10.01(a)) and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier to occur of (A) notice thereof to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or any Lender (through the Administrative Agent) or (B) a Responsible Officer otherwise becoming aware of such default;

(e) any Loan Party shall admit in writing its inability to, or be generally unable to, pay its debts as such debts become due;

(f) any Loan Party shall (i) apply for or consent to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part of its Property, (ii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, (iii) commence a voluntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect), (iv) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any other law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up, liquidation or composition or readjustment of debts, (v) fail to controvert in a timely and appropriate manner, or acquiesce in writing to, any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

(g) a proceeding or case shall be commenced, without the application or consent of any Loan Party in any court of competent jurisdiction, seeking (i) its liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or winding-up, or the composition or readjustment of its debts, (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like of such Person of all or any substantial part of its assets, (iii) similar relief in respect of such Person under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding-up, or composition or adjustment of debts, and such proceeding or case shall continue undismissed, or an order, judgment or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered and continue unstayed and in effect, for a period of 60 days or (iv) an order for relief against such Person shall be entered in an involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code;

(h) a judgment or judgments for the payment of money in excess of $10,000,000 (net of insurance) in the aggregate less any amount payable because of insurance shall be rendered by a court against any Loan Party and the same shall not be discharged (or provision shall not be made for such discharge), or a stay of execution thereof shall not be procured, within 30 days from the date of entry thereof and such Loan Party shall not, within said period of 30 days, or such longer period during which execution of the same shall have been stayed, appeal in good faith therefrom and cause the execution thereof to be stayed during such appeal;

(i) the Loan Documents after delivery thereof shall for any reason, except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, cease to be in full force and effect and valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms against the Borrower, the Parent MLP or a Guarantor party thereto, or cease to create a valid and perfected Lien of the priority required thereby on any of the collateral purported to be covered thereby, except to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement, or any Loan Party or any of their Affiliates shall so state in writing; or

(j) the occurrence of a Change of Control.

Section 10.02. Remedies.

(a) In the case of an Event of Default other than one referred to in Section 10.01 (e), (f) or (g), the Administrative Agent shall, upon request of the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, cancel the Commitments and/or declare the principal amount then outstanding of, and the accrued interest on, the Loans and all other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder and under the Notes (including, without limitation, the payment of cash collateral to secure the LC Exposure as provided in Section 2.10(b)) to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon such amounts shall be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other formalities of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

(b) In the case of the occurrence of an Event of Default referred to in Section 10.01 (e), (f) or (g), the Commitments shall be automatically canceled and the principal amount then outstanding of, and the accrued interest on, the Loans and all other amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder and under the Notes (including, without limitation, the payment of cash collateral to secure the LC Exposure as provided in Section 2.10(b)) shall become automatically immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other formalities of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

(c) In the case of the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will have all other rights and remedies available at law and equity.

(d) All proceeds realized from the liquidation or other disposition of collateral or otherwise received after maturity of the Notes, whether by acceleration or otherwise, shall be applied:

(i) first, to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Indebtedness constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

(ii) second, pro rata to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Indebtedness constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Lenders;

(iii) third, pro rata to payment of accrued interest on the Loans;

(iv) fourth, pro rata to payment of principal outstanding on the Loans and Indebtedness referred to in Clause (b) of the definition of Indebtedness owing to a Hedge Lender;

(v) fifth, pro rata to any other Indebtedness;

(vi) sixth, to serve as cash collateral to be held by the Administrative Agent to secure the LC Exposure; and

(vii) seventh, any excess, after all of the Indebtedness shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, shall be paid to the Borrower or as otherwise required by any Governmental Requirement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, amounts received from the Borrower or any Guarantor that is not an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligations (it being understood, that in the event that any amount is applied to Indebtedness other than Excluded Swap Obligations as a result of this clause, the Administrative Agent shall make such adjustments as it determines are appropriate to distributions pursuant to clause fourth above from amounts received from “eligible contract participants” under the Commodity Exchange Act to ensure, as nearly as possible, that the proportional aggregate recoveries with respect to Indebtedness described in clause fourth above by the holders of any Excluded Swap Obligations are the same as the proportional aggregate recoveries with respect to other Indebtedness pursuant to clause fourth above).

ARTICLE XI

The Administrative Agent

Section 11.01. Appointment, Powers and Immunities. Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes Wells Fargo to act as its administrative agent hereunder and under the Loan Documents with such powers as are specifically delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any agent (which term as used in this sentence and in Section 11.05 and the first sentence of Section 11.06 shall include reference to each of their Affiliates and its and its Affiliates’ officers, directors, employees, attorneys, accountants, experts and agents): (a) shall have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in the Loan Documents, and shall not by reason of the Loan Documents be a trustee or fiduciary for any Lender; (b) makes any representation or warranty to any Lender and shall not be responsible to the Lenders for any recitals, statements, representations or warranties contained in this Agreement, or in any certificate or other document referred to or provided for herein, or received by any of them under, this Agreement, or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, execution, effectiveness, legality, enforceability or sufficiency of this Agreement, any Note or any other document referred to or provided for herein or for any failure by the Borrower or any other Person (other than itself) to perform any of its obligations hereunder or thereunder or for the existence, value, perfection or priority of any collateral security or the financial or other condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any other obligor or guarantor; (c) except pursuant to Section 11.07, shall be required to initiate or conduct any litigation or collection proceedings hereunder; and (d) shall be responsible for any action

taken or omitted to be taken by it hereunder or under any other document or instrument referred to or provided for herein or in connection herewith INCLUDING ITS OWN ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent may employ agents, accountants, attorneys and experts and shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents, accountants, attorneys or experts selected by it in good faith or any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such agents, accountants, attorneys or experts. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the assignment or transfer thereof permitted hereunder shall have been filed with the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent is authorized to release any collateral that is permitted to be sold or released pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents.

Section 11.02. Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any certification, notice or other communication (including any thereof by telephone, telex, telecopier, telegram or cable) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by or on behalf of the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel, independent accountants and other experts selected by it.

Section 11.03. Defaults. The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of the occurrence of a Default (other than the non-payment of principal of or interest on Loans or of fees or failure to reimburse for Letter of Credit drawings) unless the Administrative Agent has received notice from a Lender or the Borrower specifying such Default and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default.” In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a Default, the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders. In the event of a payment Default, the Administrative Agent shall give each Lender prompt notice of each such payment Default.

Section 11.04. Rights as a Lender. With respect to its Commitment and the Loans made by it and its participation in the issuance of Letters of Credit, Wells Fargo (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent), in its capacity as a Lender hereunder shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not acting as Administrative Agent, and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, include Administrative Agent in its individual capacity. Wells Fargo (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) and their respective Affiliates may (without having to account therefor to any Lender) accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust or other business with the Borrower (and any of its Affiliates) as if it were not acting as Administrative Agent, and Wells Fargo and its respective Affiliates may accept fees and other consideration from the Borrower for services in connection with this Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the same to the Lenders.

Section 11.05. INDEMNIFICATION. THE LENDERS AGREE TO INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ARRANGER AND THE ISSUING BANK RATABLY FOR THE INDEMNITY MATTERS AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 12.03 TO THE EXTENT NOT INDEMNIFIED OR REIMBURSED BY THE BORROWER UNDER SECTION 12.03, BUT WITHOUT LIMITING THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE BORROWER UNDER SAID SECTION 12.03 AND FOR ANY AND ALL OTHER LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES

OR DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY KIND AND NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON, INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ARRANGER OR ANY ISSUING BANK IN ANY WAY RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF: (I) THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS CONTEMPLATED BY OR REFERRED TO HEREIN OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, BUT EXCLUDING, UNLESS A DEFAULT HAS OCCURRED AND IS CONTINUING, NORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND EXPENSES INCIDENT TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR AGENCY DUTIES HEREUNDER OR (II) THE ENFORCEMENT OF ANY OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR OF ANY SUCH OTHER DOCUMENTS; WHETHER OR NOT ANY OF THE FOREGOING SPECIFIED IN THIS SECTION 11.05 ARISES FROM THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ARRANGER OR THE ISSUING BANK, PROVIDED THAT NO LENDER SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY OF THE FOREGOING TO THE EXTENT THEY ARISE FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE PERSON SEEKING SUCH INDEMNIFICATION.

Section 11.06. Non-Reliance on the Administrative Agent, Arranger and other Lenders. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Arranger or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and its own decision to enter into this Agreement, and that each Lender will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Arranger or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own analysis and decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall not be required to keep themselves informed as to the performance or observance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of this Agreement, the Notes, the Loan Documents or any other document referred to or provided for herein or to inspect the properties or books of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries. Except for notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, neither the Administrative Agent nor the Arranger shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of the Borrower (or any of its Affiliates) which may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent, the Arranger nor any of their respective Affiliates. In this regard, each Lender acknowledges that Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is acting in this transaction as special counsel to the Administrative Agent only, except to the extent otherwise expressly stated in any legal opinion or any Loan Document. Each other party hereto will consult with its own legal counsel to the extent that it deems necessary in connection with the Loan Documents and the matters contemplated therein.

Section 11.07. Action by Administrative Agent. Except for action or other matters expressly required of the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder unless it shall (a) receive written instructions from the Majority Lenders, the Majority Lenders or the Majority Lenders, as applicable, (or all of the Lenders as expressly required by Section 12.04) specifying the action to be taken, and (b) be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expenses which

may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The instructions as aforesaid and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto by the Administrative Agent shall be binding on all of the Lenders. If a Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default as shall be directed by the requisite Lenders in the written instructions (with indemnities) described in this Section 11.07, provided that, unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders. In no event, however, shall the Administrative Agent be required to take any action which exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or which is contrary to this Agreement, the Loan Documents or applicable law.

Section 11.08. Resignation or Removal of Administrative Agent. Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as provided below, Administrative Agent may resign at any time by giving notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower, and Administrative Agent may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Majority Lenders. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Majority Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent; provided that the successor shall have a combined capital and surplus of not less than $200,000,000 or its equivalent in other currencies. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent’s giving of notice of resignation or the Majority Lenders’ removal of the retiring Administrative Agent, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint its successor; provided that the successor shall have a combined capital and surplus of not less than $200,000,000 or its equivalent in other currencies. Upon the acceptance of such appointment hereunder by a successor, such successor shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder. After any retiring Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder as the Administrative Agent, the provisions of this Article XI and Section 12.03 shall continue in effect for its benefit in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as the Administrative Agent.

Section 11.09. Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Liens. The Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to execute and deliver to the Borrower, at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, any and all releases of Liens, termination statements, assignments or other documents reasonably requested by the Borrower in connection with any sale or other disposition of Property to the extent such sale or other disposition is permitted by the terms of Section 9.13 or is otherwise authorized by the terms of the Loan Documents.

Section 11.10. Arranger. The Arranger shall have no duties, responsibilities or liabilities under this Agreement.

ARTICLE XII

Miscellaneous

Section 12.01. Waiver. No failure on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to, any right, power or privilege under any of the Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under any of the Loan Documents preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The remedies provided herein are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

Section 12.02. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for herein and in the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, any modifications of, or waivers or consents under, this Agreement or the other Loan Documents) shall be given or made by telecopy, courier or U.S. Mail or in writing and telecopied, mailed or delivered to the intended recipient at the “Address for Notices” specified below its name on the signature pages hereof or in the Loan Documents or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be designated by such party in a notice to each other party. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or in the other Loan Documents, all such communications shall be deemed to have been duly given when transmitted, if transmitted before 5:00 p.m. local time on a Business Day (otherwise on the next succeeding Business Day) by telecopier and evidence or confirmation of receipt is obtained, or personally delivered or, in the case of a mailed notice, three Business Days after the date deposited in the mails, postage prepaid, in each case given or addressed as aforesaid.

Section 12.03. Payment of Expenses, Indemnities, etc. The Borrower agrees:

(a) whether or not the transactions hereby contemplated are consummated, to pay all reasonable expenses of the Administrative Agent in the administration (both before and after the execution hereof and including advice of counsel for the Administrative Agent as to the rights and duties of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect thereto) of, and in connection with the negotiation, syndication, investigation, preparation, execution and delivery of, recording or filing of, preservation of rights under, enforcement of, and refinancing, renegotiation or restructuring of, the Loan Documents and any amendment, waiver or consent relating thereto (including, without limitation, travel, photocopy, mailing, courier, telephone and other similar expenses of the Administrative Agent, the cost of environmental audits, surveys and appraisals at reasonable intervals, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and other outside consultants for the Administrative Agent and, in the case of enforcement, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and any of the Lenders); and promptly reimburse the Administrative Agent for all amounts expended, advanced or incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in accordance with this Agreement to satisfy any obligation of the Borrower under this Agreement or any Loan Document, including without limitation, all costs and expenses of foreclosure;

(b) TO INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ARRANGER AND EACH LENDER AND EACH OF THEIR AFFILIATES AND EACH OF THEIR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES, AGENTS, ATTORNEYS, ACCOUNTANTS AND EXPERTS (“INDEMNIFIED PARTIES”) FROM, HOLD EACH OF

THEM HARMLESS AGAINST AND PROMPTLY UPON DEMAND PAY OR REIMBURSE EACH OF THEM FOR, THE INDEMNITY MATTERS WHICH MAY BE INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST OR INVOLVE ANY OF THEM (WHETHER OR NOT ANY OF THEM IS DESIGNATED A PARTY THERETO) AS A RESULT OF, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO (I) ANY ACTUAL OR PROPOSED USE BY THE BORROWER OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OF THE PROCEEDS OF ANY OF THE LOANS OR LETTERS OF CREDIT, (II) THE EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, (III) THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS OF THE BORROWER AND THE SUBSIDIARIES BY THE BORROWER AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (IV) THE FAILURE OF THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, INCLUDING THIS AGREEMENT, OR WITH ANY GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENT, (V) ANY INACCURACY OF ANY REPRESENTATION OR ANY BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY OF THE BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR SET FORTH IN ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, (VI) THE ISSUANCE, EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OR TRANSFER OF OR PAYMENT OR FAILURE TO PAY UNDER ANY LETTER OF CREDIT, (VII) THE PAYMENT OF A DRAWING UNDER ANY LETTER OF CREDIT NOTWITHSTANDING THE NON-COMPLIANCE, NON-DELIVERY OR OTHER IMPROPER PRESENTATION OF THE MANUALLY EXECUTED DRAFT(S) AND CERTIFICATION(S), (VIII) ANY ASSERTION THAT THE LENDERS WERE NOT ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE PROCEEDS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THE SECURITY INSTRUMENTS OR (IX) ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE REASONABLE FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF COUNSEL AND ALL OTHER EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH INVESTIGATING, DEFENDING OR PREPARING TO DEFEND ANY SUCH ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING (INCLUDING ANY INVESTIGATIONS, LITIGATION OR INQUIRIES) OR CLAIM AND INCLUDING ALL INDEMNITY MATTERS ARISING BY REASON OF THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY, BUT EXCLUDING ALL INDEMNITY MATTERS ARISING SOLELY BY REASON OF CLAIMS BETWEEN THE LENDERS OR ANY LENDER AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR A LENDER’S SHAREHOLDERS AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR LENDER OR BY REASON OF THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT ON THE PART OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY; AND

(c) TO INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS FROM TIME TO TIME THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS, COST RECOVERY ACTIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS OR PROCEEDINGS, DAMAGES AND LIABILITIES TO WHICH ANY SUCH PERSON MAY BECOME SUBJECT (I) UNDER ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OR ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE TREATMENT OR DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ON ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES, (II) AS A RESULT OF THE BREACH OR NON-COMPLIANCE BY THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY WITH ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY, (III) DUE TO PAST OWNERSHIP BY THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OF ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES OR PAST ACTIVITY ON ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES WHICH, THOUGH LAWFUL AND FULLY PERMISSIBLE AT THE TIME, COULD RESULT IN PRESENT LIABILITY, (IV) THE

PRESENCE, USE, RELEASE, STORAGE, TREATMENT OR DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ON OR AT ANY OF THE PROPERTIES OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY, OR (V) ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH OR SAFETY CONDITION IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, NO INDEMNITY SHALL BE AFFORDED UNDER THIS SECTION 12.03(C) IN RESPECT OF ANY PROPERTY FOR ANY OCCURRENCE ARISING FROM THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER DURING THE PERIOD AFTER WHICH SUCH PERSON, ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS SHALL HAVE OBTAINED POSSESSION OF SUCH PROPERTY (WHETHER BY FORECLOSURE OR DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE, AS MORTGAGEE-IN-POSSESSION OR OTHERWISE).

(d) No Indemnified Party may settle any claim to be indemnified without the consent of the indemnitor, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. For purposes of this Section 12.03(d), the parties acknowledge that an indemnitor may not reasonably withhold or delay consent to any settlement that an Indemnified Party proposes, if the indemnitor does not have the financial ability to pay all its obligations outstanding and asserted against the indemnitor at that time, including the maximum potential liability that may be assessed against the Indemnified Party and for which indemnification pursuant to this Section 12.03 would be required, the amount of such liability to be determined by a nationally recognized defense counsel selected by the Indemnified Party to be substantially likely to be due assuming litigation on the merits of the claim against the Indemnified Party.

(e) In the case of any indemnification hereunder, the Administrative Agent or Lender, as appropriate shall give notice to the Borrower of any such claim or demand being made against the Indemnified Party and the Borrower shall have the non-exclusive right to join in the defense against any such claim or demand, provided that if the Borrower provides a defense, the Indemnified Party shall bear its own cost of defense unless there is a conflict between the Borrower and such Indemnified Party.

(f) THE FOREGOING INDEMNITIES SHALL EXTEND TO THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES NOTWITHSTANDING THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF EVERY KIND OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, WHETHER AN AFFIRMATIVE ACT OR AN OMISSION, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL TYPES OF NEGLIGENT CONDUCT IDENTIFIED IN THE RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS OF ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES OR BY REASON OF STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED WITHOUT FAULT ON ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTIES. TO THE EXTENT THAT AN INDEMNIFIED PARTY IS FOUND TO HAVE COMMITTED AN ACT OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, THIS CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION OF INDEMNIFICATION SHALL CONTINUE BUT SHALL ONLY EXTEND TO THE PORTION OF THE CLAIM THAT IS DEEMED TO HAVE OCCURRED BY REASON OF EVENTS OTHER THAN THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY.

(g) The Borrower’s obligations under this Section 12.03 shall survive any termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Notes and shall continue thereafter in full force and effect.

(h) The Borrower shall pay any amounts due under this Section 12.03 within 30 days of the receipt by the Borrower of notice of the amount due.

(i) This Section 12.03 shall not apply to Taxes other than Taxes attributable to a non-Tax claim.

Section 12.04. Amendments, Etc. Any provision of this Agreement or any Security Instrument may be amended, modified or waived with the Borrower’s (as evidenced by a board of director resolution or consent) and the Majority Lenders’ prior written consent; provided that (a) no amendment, modification or waiver which extends the Termination Date, increases the Borrowing Base, modifies Section 2.03(a), Section 2.08, the definition of “Majority Lenders” or “Required Lenders”, the definition of “Minimum Collateral Value” or Section 8.09 shall be effective without the consent of all of the Lenders; (b) no amendment, modification or waiver which forgives the principal amount of any Indebtedness under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, releases any Guarantor (except as set forth in the Guarantee Agreement) or releases all or substantially all of the collateral (other than as provided in Section 11.09), reduces the interest rate applicable to the Loans or the fees payable to the Lenders generally, or modifies this Section 12.04 or Section 12.06(a) shall be effective without consent of all Lenders; (c) no amendment, modification or waiver which modifies Section 10.02(d) shall be effective without the consent of all the Lenders and Hedge Lenders; (d) no amendment, modification or waiver which increases the Maximum Credit Amount or Elected Commitment of any Lender shall be effective without the consent of such Lender; (e) no amendment, modification or waiver which modifies the rights, duties or obligations of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank shall be effective without the consent of the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, as applicable; and (f) any supplement to Schedule 7.13 (Subsidiaries) shall be effective simply by delivering to the Administrative Agent a supplemental schedule clearly marked as such and, upon receipt, the Administrative Agent will promptly deliver a copy thereof to the Lenders.

Section 12.05. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

Section 12.06. Assignments and Participations.

(a) Neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor may assign its rights or obligations hereunder or under the Notes or any Letters of Credit without the prior written consent of all of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

(b) Any Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement pursuant to an Assignment Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit E (an “Assignment”); provided, however, that (i) after giving effect to any such assignment, both the assignee and the assignor shall have Maximum Credit Amounts of at least $5,000,000 (unless the Borrower shall have consented to a smaller amount) and (ii) the assignee or assignor shall pay to the Administrative Agent a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 for each assignment. Any such assignment will become effective upon the execution and

delivery to the Administrative Agent of the Assignment and the consent of the Administrative Agent. Promptly after receipt of an executed Assignment under this Section 12.06(b), the Administrative Agent shall send to the Borrower a copy of such executed Assignment. Upon receipt of such executed Assignment, the Borrower, will, at its own expense, execute and deliver new Notes to the assignor and/or assignee, as appropriate, in accordance with their respective interests as they appear. Upon the effectiveness of any assignment pursuant to this Section 12.06(b), the assignee will become a “Lender,” if not already a “Lender,” for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The assignor shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder to the extent of such assignment (and if the assigning Lender no longer holds any rights or obligations under this Agreement, such assigning Lender shall cease to be a “Lender” hereunder except that its rights under Sections 4.06, 5.01, 5.05 and 12.03 shall not be affected). The Administrative Agent will prepare on the last Business Day of each month during which an assignment has become effective pursuant to this Section 12.06(b), a new Annex I giving effect to all such assignments effected during such month, and will promptly provide the same to the Borrower and each of the Lenders.

(c) Each Lender may transfer, grant or assign participations in all or any part of such Lender’s interests hereunder pursuant to this Section 12.06(c) to any Person, provided that: (i) such Lender shall remain a “Lender” for all purposes of this Agreement and the transferee of such participation shall not constitute a “Lender” hereunder; and (ii) no participant under any such participation shall have rights to approve any amendment to or waiver of any of the Loan Documents except to the extent such amendment or waiver would (x) forgive any principal owing on any Indebtedness or extend the final maturity of the Loans, (y) reduce the interest rate or fees applicable to any of the Commitments or the Loans or Letters of Credit in which such participant is participating, or postpone the payment of any thereof, or (z) release any guarantor of the Indebtedness (except as provided in the Loan Documents) or release all or substantially all of the collateral (except as provided in the Loan Documents) supporting any of the Aggregate Commitments or Loans or Letters of Credit in which such participant is participating. In the case of any such participation, the participant shall not have any rights under this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents (the participant’s rights against the granting Lender in respect of such participation to be those set forth in the agreement with such Lender creating such participation), and all amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such participation, provided that such participant shall be entitled to receive additional amounts under Article V on the same basis as if it were a Lender and be indemnified under Section 12.03 as if it were a Lender. In addition, each agreement creating any participation must include an agreement by the participant to be bound by the provisions of Section 12.15 and shall require each Participant to deliver the documentation required under Section 4.06(f) to the participating Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a limited fiduciary agent of the Borrower (and such agency being solely for tax purposes), maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury

Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, neither the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) nor any Loan Party shall have any responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

(d) The Lenders may furnish any information concerning the Borrower in the possession of the Lenders from time to time to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and participants); provided that, such Persons agree in writing to be bound by the provisions of Section 12.15.

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 12.06 to the contrary, any Lender may assign and pledge all or any of its Notes to any Federal Reserve Bank or the United States Treasury as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any operating circular issued by such Federal Reserve System and/or such Federal Reserve Bank. No such assignment and/or pledge shall release the assigning and/or pledging Lender from its obligations hereunder.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 12.06, no transfer or assignment of the interests or obligations of any Lender or any grant of participations therein shall be permitted if such transfer, assignment or grant would require the Borrower to file a registration statement with the SEC or to qualify the Loans under the “Blue Sky” laws of any state.

(g) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Maximum Credit Amount and Elected Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice

Section 12.07. Invalidity. In the event that any one or more of the provisions contained in any of the Loan Documents or the Letters of Credit, the Letter of Credit Agreements shall, for any reason, be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of the Notes, this Agreement or any Loan Document.

Section 12.08. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument and any of the parties hereto may execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.

Section 12.09. References. The words “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import when used in this Agreement refer to this Agreement as a whole, and not to any particular article, section or subsection. Any reference herein to a Section shall be deemed to refer to the applicable Section of this Agreement unless otherwise stated herein. Any reference herein to an exhibit or schedule shall be deemed to refer to the applicable exhibit or schedule attached hereto unless otherwise stated herein.

Section 12.10. Survival. The obligations of the parties under Section 4.06, Article V, and Sections 11.05 and 12.03 shall survive the repayment of the Loans and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments. To the extent that any payments on the Indebtedness or proceeds of any collateral are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver or other Person under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then to such extent, the Indebtedness so satisfied shall be revived and continue as if such payment or proceeds had not been received and the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ Liens, security interests, rights, powers and remedies under this Agreement and each Loan Document shall continue in full force and effect. In such event, each Loan Document shall be automatically reinstated and the Borrower shall take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to effect such reinstatement.

Section 12.11. Captions. Captions and section headings appearing herein are included solely for convenience of reference and are not intended to affect the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

Section 12.12. NO ORAL AGREEMENTS. THE LOAN DOCUMENTS (OTHER THAN THE LETTERS OF CREDIT) EMBODY THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND SUPERSEDE ALL OTHER AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN SUCH PARTIES RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF. THE LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

Section 12.13. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.

(a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT UNITED STATES FEDERAL LAW PERMITS ANY LENDER TO CONTRACT FOR, CHARGE, RECEIVE, RESERVE OR TAKE INTEREST AT THE RATE ALLOWED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE WHERE SUCH LENDER IS LOCATED. CHAPTER 346 OF THE TEXAS FINANCE CODE (WHICH REGULATES CERTAIN REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN ACCOUNTS AND REVOLVING TRI-PARTY ACCOUNTS) SHALL NOT APPLY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE NOTES.

(b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS OR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY HEREBY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW) IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS. THIS SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION IS NON-EXCLUSIVE AND DOES NOT PRECLUDE A PARTY FROM OBTAINING JURISDICTION OVER ANOTHER PARTY IN ANY COURT OTHERWISE HAVING JURISDICTION.

(c) EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO IT AT THE ADDRESS SPECIFIED ON ITS SIGNATURE PAGE OF THIS AGREEMENT, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF A PARTY OR ANY HOLDER OF A NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST ANOTHER PARTY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

(d) EACH PARTY HEREBY (I) IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN; (II) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR RECOVER IN ANY SUCH LITIGATION ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES; (III) CERTIFIES THAT NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY REPRESENTATIVE OR AGENT OF COUNSEL FOR ANY PARTY HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, OR IMPLIED THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVERS, AND (IV) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, THE LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION 12.13.

Section 12.14. Interest. It is the intention of the parties hereto that each Lender shall conform strictly to usury laws applicable to it. Accordingly, if the transactions contemplated hereby would be usurious as to any Lender under laws applicable to it (including the laws of the United States of America and the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable to such Lender notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement), then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of the Loan Documents or any agreement entered into in connection with or as security for the Notes, it is agreed as

follows: (a) the aggregate of all consideration which constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender that is contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by such Lender under any of the Loan Documents or agreements or otherwise in connection with the Notes shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and any excess shall be canceled automatically and if theretofore paid shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Indebtedness (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Indebtedness shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower); and (b) in the event that the maturity of the Notes is accelerated by reason of an election of the holder thereof resulting from any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender may never include more than the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall be canceled automatically by such Lender as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Indebtedness (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Indebtedness shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower). All sums paid or agreed to be paid to any Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of sums due hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by law applicable to such Lender, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the stated term of the Loans evidenced by the Notes until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of any Loans hereunder does not exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law. If at any time and from time to time (i) the amount of interest payable to any Lender on any date shall be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender pursuant to this Section 12.14 and (ii) in respect of any subsequent interest computation period the amount of interest otherwise payable to such Lender would be less than the amount of interest payable to such Lender computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender, then the amount of interest payable to such Lender in respect of such subsequent interest computation period shall continue to be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender until the total amount of interest payable to such Lender shall equal the total amount of interest which would have been payable to such Lender if the total amount of interest had been computed without giving effect to this Section 12.14. To the extent that Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code is relevant for the purpose of determining the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to a Lender, such Lender elects to determine the applicable rate ceiling under such Chapter by the weekly ceiling from time to time in effect. Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code does not apply to the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

Section 12.15. Confidentiality. In the event that the Borrower provides to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders confidential information belonging to the Borrower, if the Borrower shall denominate such information as “confidential”, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall thereafter maintain such information in confidence in accordance with the standards of care and diligence that each utilizes in maintaining its own confidential information. This obligation of confidence shall not apply to such portions of the information which (a) are in the public domain, (b) hereafter become part of the public domain without the Administrative Agent or the Lenders breaching their obligation of confidence to the Borrower, (c) are previously known by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders from some source other than the Borrower, (d) are hereafter developed by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders without using the Borrower’s information, (e) are hereafter obtained by or available to the Administrative Agent or

the Lenders from a third party who owes no obligation of confidence to the Borrower with respect to such information or through any other means other than through disclosure by the Borrower, (f) are disclosed with the Borrower’s consent, (g) must be disclosed either pursuant to any Governmental Requirement or to Persons regulating the activities of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders or by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in any suit, action or proceeding for the purpose of defending itself, reducing its liability or protecting or exercising any claim, right, remedy or interest under or in connection with the Loan Documents or the Hedging Agreements with any Lender (or an Affiliate of such Lender), or (h) as may be required by law or regulation or order of any Governmental Authority in any judicial, arbitration or governmental proceeding. Further, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may disclose any such information to any of its Affiliates and the directors, officers, employees, administrators, or managers of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates. Further, the Administrative Agent or a Lender may disclose any such information to any other Person engaged by it or other Lender, any independent petroleum engineers or consultants, any independent certified public accountants, any legal counsel employed by such Person in connection with this Agreement or any Loan Document, including without limitation, the enforcement or exercise of all rights and remedies thereunder, or any assignee or participant (including prospective assignees and participants) in the Loans; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent or the Lenders shall receive a confidentiality agreement from the Person to whom such information is disclosed such that said Person shall have the same obligation to maintain the confidentiality of such information as is imposed upon the Administrative Agent or the Lenders hereunder. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Administrative Agent, the Co-Syndication Agents, the Co-Documentation Agents, and the Lenders in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Commitments.

Section 12.16. EXCULPATION PROVISIONS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO SPECIFICALLY AGREES THAT IT HAS A DUTY TO READ THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND AGREES THAT IT IS CHARGED WITH NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; THAT IT HAS IN FACT READ THIS AGREEMENT AND IS FULLY INFORMED AND HAS FULL NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERMS, CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS OF THIS AGREEMENT; THAT IT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF ITS CHOICE THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS PRECEDING ITS EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; AND HAS RECEIVED THE ADVICE OF ITS ATTORNEY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; AND THAT IT RECOGNIZES THAT CERTAIN OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS RESULT IN ONE PARTY ASSUMING THE LIABILITY INHERENT IN SOME ASPECTS OF THE TRANSACTION AND RELIEVING THE OTHER PARTY OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH LIABILITY. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT CONTEST THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY EXCULPATORY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ON THE BASIS THAT THE PARTY HAD NO NOTICE OR KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH PROVISION OR THAT THE PROVISION IS NOT “CONSPICUOUS.”

100

Section 12.17. Flood Insurance Provisions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, in no event is any Building (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) or Manufactured (Mobile) Home (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) included in the definition of “Mortgaged Property” and no Building or Manufactured (Mobile) Home is hereby encumbered by this Agreement or any other Loan Document. As used herein, “Flood Insurance Regulations” means the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 and the regulations issued in connection therewith by the Office of the Controller of the Currency, the Federal Reserve Board and other Governmental Authorities, each as it may be amended, reformed or otherwise modified from time to time.

Section 12.18. USA Patriot Act Notice. Each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Patriot Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower and the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

Section 12.19. No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated by this Agreement, Borrower and each other Loan Party acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (i) the credit facilities provided for hereunder and any related services in connection therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) are an arm’s-length commercial transaction between Borrower, each other Loan Party and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and Administrative Agent and each Lender, on the other hand, and Borrower and each other Loan Party is capable of evaluating and understanding and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or thereof); (ii) in connection with the process leading to such transaction, each of the Administrative Agent and Lenders is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial advisor, agent or fiduciary, for Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other Person; (iii) each of the Administrative Agent and Lenders has neither assumed nor will assume an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of Borrower or any other Loan Party with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document (irrespective of whether each of the Administrative Agent and Lenders has advised or is currently advising Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates on other matters) and each of the Administrative Agent and Lenders has no obligation to Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; (iv) Administrative Agent, the Lenders and their Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of Borrower, the other Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, and each of the Administrative Agent and Lenders has no obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory, agency or fiduciary relationship; and (v) each of the Administrative Agent and Lenders will not provide any legal,

101

accounting, regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) and each of Borrower and the other Loan Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate. Each of Borrower and the other Loan Parties hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any claims that it may have against Administrative Agent or any Lender with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty.

[SIGNATURES BEGIN NEXT PAGE]

102

The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.


BORROWER:	BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

	By:	Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.
		its General Partner

	By:	/s/ Richard M. Carroll
		Richard M. Carroll
		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

	Address for Notices:

	1001 Fannin, Suite 2020
	Houston, Texas 77002

	Telecopier No.: (713) 658-0943
	Telephone No.: (713) 658-0647
	Attention: Marc Carroll

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


LENDERS:	WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.,
	as Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and a Lender

	By:	/s/ Lila Jordan
		Lila Jordan
		Managing Director

	Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

	1000 Louisiana St., 9^th Floor Houston, Texas 77002 Telecopier No.: 713-319-1925 Telephone No.: 713-319-1880 Attention: Lila Jordan

	Address for Notices:
	1000 Louisiana St., 9^th Floor Houston, Texas 77002 Telecopier No.: 713-319-1925 Telephone No.: 713-319-1880 Attention: Lila Jordan

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.

By:		/s/ Joseph Scott
		Name: Joseph Scott
		Title: Managing Director

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

150 N. College St. NC1-028-17-06 Charlotte, NC 28255 Telecopier No.: 214-290-8379 Telephone No.: 415-436-3685 / 415-436-3685 Attention: Narender Vamani / Santosh Kumar

Address for Notices:

700 Louisiana, 13th Floor Houston, TX 77002 Telecopier No.: 713-247-7286 Telephone No.: 713-247-7269 Attention: Joe Scott, Managing Director

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


COMPASS BANK

By:		/s/ Les Werme
		Name: Less Werme
		Title: Vice President

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

2300 Post Oak Blvd., 16^th Floor Houston, Texas 77056 Telecopier No.: 866-327-4936 Telephone No.: 713-993-8580 Attention: Stacey Box

Address for Notices:

2300 Post Oak Blvd., 16^th Floor Houston, Texas 77056 Telecopier No.: 866-327-4936 Telephone No.: 713-993-8580 Attention: Stacey Box

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK N.A.

By:		/s/ Theresa M. Benson
		Name: Theresa M. Benson
		Title: Authorized Officer

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

10 S. Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60603
Telecopier No.: 312-256-2608
Telephone No.: 312-385-7072
Attention: Non Agented Servicing Team

Address for Notices:

10 S. Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60603
Telecopier No.: 312-256-2608
Telephone No.: 312-385-7072
Attention: Non Agented Servicing Team

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


COMERICA BANK

By:		/s/ William Robinson
		Name: William Robinson
		Title: Vice President

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

39200 Six Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48152
Telecopier No.: 734-632-2993
Telephone No.: 734-632-3059
Attention:

Address for Notices:

39200 Six Mile Road
Livonia, MI 48152
Telecopier No.: 734-632-2993
Telephone No.: 734-632-3059
Attention:

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


AMEGY BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By:		/s/ Thomas Kleiderer
		Name: Thomas Kleiderer
		Title: Vice President

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 400
Houston, Texas 77027
Telecopier No.: (713) 693-7467
Telephone No.: (713) 232-6395
Attention: Special Processing

Address for Notices

PO Box 27459
Houston, Texas 77227
Telecopier No.: (713) 693-7467
Telephone No.: (713) 232-6395
Attention: Special Processing

With copy to:

5 Post Oak Park
4400 Post Oak Parkway, Suite 400
Telecopier No.: (713) 561-0345
Telephone No.: (713) 232-2102
Attention:

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


MUFG UNION BANK, N.A.

By:		/s/ Rachel Bowman
		Name: Rachel Bowman
		Title: Vice President

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

19890 Saturn Street
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Telecopier No.: (800) 446-9951 or (323) 724-6198
Telephone No.: (323) 720-2113
Attention: Commercial Loan Operations

Address for Notices:

19890 Saturn Street
Monterey Park, CA 91754
Telecopier No.: (800) 446-9951 or (323) 724-6198
Telephone No.: (323) 720-2113
Attention: Commercial Loan Operations

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


NATIXIS

By:		/s/ Stuart Murray
		Name: Stuart Murray
		Title: Managing Director


By:		/s/ Andrew Keene
		Name: Andrew Keene
		Title: Vice President


Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Telecopier No.: 201-761-6931
Telephone No.: 212-872-5031
Attention:		Martha Seely

Address for Notices:

1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
Telecopier No.: 201-761-6931
Telephone No.: 212-872-5031
Attention:		Martha Seely

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


IBERIABANK

By:		/s/ Cameron D. Jones
		Name: Cameron D. Jones
		Title: Senior Vice President

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

11 E. Greenway Plaza, Suite 2900
Houston, Texas 77046
Telecopier No.: 281-754-4038
Telephone No.: 713-624-7864
Attention: CLO-Houston

Address for Notices:

11 E. Greenway Plaza, Suite 2900
Houston, Texas 77046
Telecopier No.: 281-754-4038
Telephone No.: 713-624-7763
Attention: CLO-Houston

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

By:		/s/ Alan Dawson
		Name: Alan Dawson
		Title: Director

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

720 King Street West, 2^nd floor
Toronto, ON Canada M5V 2T3
Telecopier No.: 212-225-5709
Telephone No.: 416-645-6896
Attention: GWS Loan Ops / Amanda Seuradge

Address for Notices:

720 King Street West, 2^nd floor
Toronto, ON Canada M5V 2T3
Telecopier No.: 212-225-5709
Telephone No.: 416-645-6896
Attention: GWS Loan Ops / Amanda Seuradge

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


TEXAS CAPITAL BANK, N.A.

By:		/s/ Jason Fowler
		Name: Jason Fowler
		Title: Senior Vice President

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

[ ]
[ ]
Telecopier No.:
Telephone No.:
Attention:

Address for Notices:

[ ]
[ ]
Telecopier No.:
Telephone No.:
Attention:

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


KEYBANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

By:		/s/ John Dravenstott
		Name: John Dravenstott
		Title: Vice President

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

Paula Gordon, KAS Servicing
4900 Tiedeman Road
Mail Code – OH-01-49-0114
Telecopier No.: 216.370.5997
Telephone No.: 216.813.6735
Attention:

Address for Notices:

Paula Gordon, KAS Servicing
4900 Tiedeman Road
Mail Code – OH-01-49-0114
Telecopier No.: 216.370.5997
Telephone No.: 216.813.6735
Attention:

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


CADENCE BANK, N.A.

By:		/s/ Steven Taylor
		Name: Steven Taylor
		Title: Vice President

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

2800 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite 3800
Houston, TX 77056
Telecopier No.: 713-634-4932
Telephone No.: 713-871-3947
Attention: Steven Taylor

Address for Notices:

3500 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 600
Birmingham, AL 35243-0467
Telecopier No.: 205-488-3320
Telephone No.: 205-488-3367
Attention: Tonya Grimes

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement


BOKF, N.A. DBA BANK OF TEXAS

By:		/s/ Mari Salazar
		Name: Mari Salazar
		Title: SVP, Energy Lending

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

Lending Office for Eurodollar and Base Rate Loans:

Jacob Berry VP
Telecopier No.: 713-289-5817
Telephone No.: 713-289-5919
Attention: Jacob Berry

Address for Notices:

Bank of Texas
Attn: Jacob Berry
1401 Mckinney, Ste. 1000
Houston, TX 77010

Signature Page to Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement

ANNEX I

LIST OF MAXIMUM CREDIT AMOUNTS AND ELECTED COMMITMENTS


Name of Lender	Percentage Share			Maximum Credit Amount		Elected Commitment
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.		18.333333334	%	$	183,333,333.34	$	128,333,333.34
Bank of America, N.A.		12.500000000	%	$	125,000,000.00	$	87,500,000.00
Compass Bank		12.500000000	%	$	125,000,000.00	$	87,500,000.00
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.		10.000000000	%	$	100,000,000.00	$	70,000,000.00
Comerica Bank		8.333333333	%	$	83,333,333.33	$	58,333,333.33
Amegy Bank, National Association		6.666666667	%	$	66,666,666.67	$	46,666,666.67
MUFG Union Bank, N.A.		5.000000000	%	$	50,000,000.00	$	35,000,000.00
Natixis		5.000000000	%	$	50,000,000.00	$	35,000,000.00
IBERIABANK		5.000000000	%	$	50,000,000.00	$	35,000,000.00
The Bank of Nova Scotia		4.166666667	%	$	41,666,666.67	$	29,166,666.67
Texas Capital Bank, N.A.		3.333333333	%	$	33,333,333.33	$	23,333,333.33
KeyBank, National Association		3.333333333	%	$	33,333,333.33	$	23,333,333.33
Cadence Bank, N.A.		3.333333333	%	$	33,333,333.33	$	23,333,333.33
BOKF, N.A. dba Bank of Texas		2.500000000	%	$	25,000,000.00	$	17,500,000.00
TOTAL		100.000000000	%	$	1,000,000,000.00	$	700,000,000.00

Annex I

EXHIBIT A

FORM OF NOTE


$[ ]				January 23, 2015

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Borrower”) hereby promises to pay to [ ] (the “Lender”) or its registered assigns, at the principal office of WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (the “Administrative Agent”), at 1000 Louisiana St., 9^th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, the principal sum of [ ] Dollars ($[ ]) (or such lesser amount as shall equal the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement, as hereinafter defined, in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, on the dates and in the principal amounts provided in the Credit Agreement, and to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each such Loan, at such office, in like money and funds, for the period commencing on the date of such Loan until such Loan shall be paid in full, at the rates per annum and on the dates provided in the Credit Agreement.

The date, amount, Type, interest rate, Interest Period and maturity of each Loan made by the Lender to the Borrower, and each payment made on account of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender on its books and, prior to any transfer of this Note, may be endorsed by the Lender on the schedules attached hereto or any continuation thereof or on any separate record maintained by the Lender. Failure to make any such notation or to attach a schedule shall not affect any Lender’s or the Borrower’s rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of this Note.

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 23, 2015 among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and the other agents and lenders signatory thereto (including the Lender), and evidences Loans made by the Lender thereunder (such Credit Agreement as the same may be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). Capitalized terms used in this Note have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

This Note is issued pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in, the Credit Agreement and is entitled to the benefits provided for in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Credit Agreement provides for the acceleration of the maturity of this Note upon the occurrence of certain events, for prepayments of Loans upon the terms and conditions specified therein and other provisions relevant to this Note.

[Signature on next page.]

Exhibit A – Page 1

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.


BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.
By:	Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., its general partner

	By:
		Richard M. Carroll
		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Exhibit A – Page 2

EXHIBIT B

FORM OF BORROWING, CONTINUATION AND CONVERSION REQUEST

, 201

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Borrower”), pursuant to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 23, 2015 (together with all amendments or supplements thereto, the “Credit Agreement”) among the Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent and the other agents and lenders (the “Lenders”) which are or become parties thereto, and such Lenders makes the requests indicated below (unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms are defined in the Credit Agreement):

1.	Borrowings:

(a)	Aggregate amount of new Loans to be $ ;

(b)	Requested funding date is , 201 ;

(c)	$ of such borrowings are to be Eurodollar Loans;

of such borrowings are to be Base Rate Loans; and

(d)	Length of Interest Period for Eurodollar Loans is:

(e)	Amount of Borrowing Base currently in effect: $

(f)	Amount of Aggregate Elected Commitment Amount in effect: $

(g)	Amount of outstanding

Loans

and LC exposure $

(h)	Available Amount [least of (e), (f) or Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts, minus (g)] $

[amount requested in (a) cannot exceed (h)]

2.	Continuation for Eurodollar Loans maturing on :

(a)	Aggregate amount to be continued as Eurodollar Loans is $ ;

(b)	Aggregate amount to be converted to Base Rate Loans is $ ;

(c)	Length of Interest Period for continued Eurodollar Loans is .

Exhibit B – Page 1

3.	Conversion of Outstanding Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans:

Convert $ of the outstanding Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans on with an Interest Period of .

4.	Conversion of outstanding Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans:

Convert $ of the outstanding Eurodollar Loans with Interest Period maturing on , 201 , to Base Rate Loans.

The undersigned certifies that he/she is the of the General Partner, and that as such he is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower. The undersigned further certifies, represents and warrants on behalf of the Borrower that the Borrower is entitled to receive the requested borrowing, continuation or conversion under the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement.


BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

By:		Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.
		general partner

		By:
		Name:
		Title:

Exhibit B – Page 2

EXHIBIT C

FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

The undersigned hereby certifies that he is the of BLACK STONE NATURAL RESOURCES, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company that is the general partner of BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Borrower”), and that as such he is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower. With reference to the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 23, 2015 (together with all amendments, supplements or restatements thereto being the “Agreement”) among the Borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the other lenders (the “Lenders”) which are or become a party thereto, and such Lenders, the undersigned represents and warrants as follows (each capitalized term used herein having the same meaning given to it in the Agreement unless otherwise specified):

(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article VII of the Agreement and in the Loan Documents and otherwise made in writing by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to the Agreement and the Loan Documents were true and correct in all material respects when made, and are repeated at and as of the time of delivery hereof and are true and correct in all material respects at and as of the time of delivery hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date.

(b) The Borrower has performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in the Agreement and in the Loan Documents required to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the time of delivery hereof [or specify default and describe].

(c) Since December 31, 2013, no change has occurred, either in any case or in the aggregate, in the condition, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower or any Subsidiary which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect [or specify event].

(d) There exists no Event of Default.

(e) Attached hereto are the detailed computations necessary to determine whether the Borrower is in compliance with Section 9.01 and Section 8.09(b) as of the end of the [fiscal quarter][fiscal year] ending.

EXECUTED AND DELIVERED this day of .


BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

By:		Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.
		general partner

		By:
		Name:
		Title:

Exhibit C – Page 1

EXHIBIT D-1

SECURITY INSTRUMENTS

Mortgage, Deed of Trust, Assignment of As-Extracted Collateral, Security Agreement and Financing Statement dated as of February 3, 2012, from the Borrower to Brian Malone, as Trustee, for the benefit of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor administrative agent to BNP Paribas), as Administrative Agent, and others (the “Deed of Trust”).

UCC-3 Financing Statement, amending the existing UCC-1 Financing Statement, and naming the Borrower, as Debtor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor administrative agent to BNP Paribas), as Administrative Agent, as Secured Party, covering the personal property collateral described in the Deed of Trust referenced in Item 1.

3.	Third Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated as of February 3, 2012, by the Grantors (as defined therein) in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor administrative agent to BNP Paribas), as Administrative Agent.

UCC-3 Financing Statement, amending the existing UCC-1 Financing Statement, and naming the Borrower, as Debtor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor administrative agent to BNP Paribas), as Administrative Agent, as Secured Party, covering the collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

5.	UCC-1 Financing Statement naming BSNR Overline GP, L.L.C., as Debtor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor administrative agent to BNP Paribas), as Administrative Agent, as Secured Party, covering the collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

6.	UCC-1 Financing Statement naming BSIWI GP, L.L.C., as Debtor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor administrative agent to BNP Paribas), as Administrative Agent, as Secured Party, covering the collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

UCC-3 Financing Statement, amending the existing UCC-1 Financing Statement, and naming BSAPI GP, L.L.C., as Debtor and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor administrative agent to BNP Paribas), as Administrative Agent, as Secured party, covering the collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

UCC-3 Financing Statement, amending the existing UCC-1 Financing Statement, and naming BSAP II GP, L.L.C., as Debtor and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor administrative agent to BNP Paribas), as Administrative Agent, as Secured party, covering the collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

UCC-3 Financing Statement, amending the existing UCC-1 Financing Statement, and naming BSNR III GP, L.L.C., as Debtor and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor administrative agent to BNP Paribas), as Administrative Agent, as Secured party, covering the collateral described in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement.

Exhibit D – Page 1

EXHIBIT E

FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

This Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment and Assumption”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [Insert name of Assignor] (the “Assignor”) and [Insert name of Assignee] (the “Assignee”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and Assumption as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities identified below (including any letters of credit and guarantees included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned Interest”). Such sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty by the Assignor.


1. Assignor:

2. Assignee:		[and is an Affiliate of [identify Lender¹]

3. Borrower:		Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.

4. Administrative Agent:		Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement

5. Credit Agreement:		The Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of January 23, 2015 among Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., the Lenders parties thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, and the other agents parties thereto.

¹	Select as applicable.

Exhibit E - 1

6. Assigned Interest:

Commitment Assigned

Aggregate Maximum
Credit Amount for all
Lenders

Maximum Credit
Amount Assigned

Applicable Percentage
Assigned of
Commitment/Loans²

Effective Date: , 201 [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

The terms set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:


ASSIGNOR

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]

By:
		Title:

ASSIGNEE

[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]

By:
		Title:

²	Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.

Exhibit E - 2


[Consented to and³ Accepted:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent

By
		Title:

By
		Title:

[Consented to:⁴

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

By:		Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.

By
		Richard M. Carroll
		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

³	To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

⁴	To be added only if the consent of the Borrower and/or other parties (e.g. Issuing Bank) is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.

Exhibit E - 3

ANNEX 1

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION

1. Representations and Warranties.

1.1 Assignor. The Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if any, specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 8.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and (v) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached to the Assignment and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but excluding the Effective Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the Effective Date.

Exhibit E - 4

3. General Provisions. This Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of Texas.

Exhibit E - 5

EXHIBIT F

FORM OF ELECTED COMMITMENT INCREASE CERTIFICATE

[ ], 20[ ]

To:	Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

The Borrower, the Administrative Agent and certain Lenders and other agents have heretofore entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of January 23, 2015 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

This Elected Commitment Increase Certificate is being delivered pursuant to Section 2.03(d) of the Credit Agreement.

Please be advised that the undersigned Lender has agreed (a) to increase its Elected Commitment under the Credit Agreement effective [ ], 20[ ] from $[ ] to $[ ] and (b) that it shall continue to be a party in all respects to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.


Very truly yours,

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.
By:		Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.
		general partner

		By:
		Name:
		Title:

Exhibit F - 1


Accepted and Agreed:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent

By:
Name:
Title:

[NAME OF INCREASING LENDER]

By:
Name:
Title:

Exhibit F - 2

EXHIBIT G

FORM OF ADDITIONAL LENDER CERTIFICATE

[ ], 20[ ]

To:	Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,

as Administrative Agent

This Additional Lender Certificate is being delivered pursuant to Section 2.03(d) of the Credit Agreement.

Please be advised that the undersigned Additional Lender has agreed (a) to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement effective [ ], 20[ ] with a Maximum Credit Amount of $[ ] and an Elected Commitment of $[ ] and (b) that it shall be a party in all respects to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

This Additional Lender Certificate is being delivered to the Administrative Agent together with (i) if the Additional Lender is a Foreign Lender, any documentation required to be delivered by such Additional Lender pursuant to Section 4.06(f) of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Additional Lender, and (ii) an Administrative Questionnaire in the form supplied by the Administrative Agent, duly completed by the Additional Lender. [The Borrower shall pay the fee payable to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.03(d)(ii)(G) of the Credit Agreement.]


Very truly yours,

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.
By:		Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.
		general partner

By:
Name:
Title:

Exhibit G - 1


Accepted and Agreed:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent

By:
Name:
Title:

[NAME OF INCREASING LENDER]

By:
Name:
Title:

Exhibit G - 2

SCHEDULE 7.03

LITIGATION

None.

Schedule 7.03- Page 1

SCHEDULE 7.13

SUBSIDIARIES AND DESIGNATED BORROWING

BASE ENTITIES

Note: each of the following is a Consolidated Subsidiary.


Name	Jurisdiction of Organization	Restricted/Unrestricted/Foreign

Black Stone Energy Company, L.L.C.	Texas	Restricted

BSAP II GP, L.L.C.	Delaware	Restricted

TLW Investments, L.L.C.	Oklahoma	Restricted

Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.	Delaware	Restricted

BSML Partnership	Texas	Restricted

Black Stone Natural Resources Management Company	Texas	Restricted

Schedule 7.13- Page 1

SCHEDULE 7.19

HEDGING AGREEMENTS

Attached.

Schedule 7.19- Page 1


BSMC Hedging Status		CRUDE		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


Month	Quarter	Days		Contract		Contract Date		Start Date		End Date		Settlement	BBLs/d		BBLs/month		Floor		Ceiling		Low Notional		High Notional
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		870671_870619		17-Jul-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		258		8,000	$	80.00	$	100.50	$	640,000.00	$	804,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		871015_871014		17-Jul-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		258		8,000	$	80.00	$	100.00	$	640,000.00	$	800,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		292371_292372		17-Jul-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		258		8,000	$	80.00	$	100.00	$	640,000.00	$	800,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		18665688_18665691		18-Jul-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		258		8,000	$	80.00	$	100.35	$	640,000.00	$	802,800.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		16287122_16287123		1-Aug-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.25	$	400,000.00	$	501,250.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		16286642_16286643		1-Aug-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.25	$	400,000.00	$	501,250.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		N3920703		1-Aug-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.40	$	400,000.00	$	502,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		85000F9-N17D		16-Aug-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.00	$	400,000.00	$	500,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		N3937698		16-Aug-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	101.00	$	400,000.00	$	505,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		85000F9-O9G6		5-Sep-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.45	$	400,000.00	$	502,250.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		19203165_19203147		6-Sep-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	81.00	$	100.25	$	405,000.00	$	501,250.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		19207458_19207462		6-Sep-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.00	$	400,000.00	$	500,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		85000F9-QG0Q		8-Oct-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		258		8,000	$	80.00	$	100.90	$	640,000.00	$	807,200.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		972819_972820		15-Oct-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	101.25	$	400,000.00	$	506,250.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		973762_973761		16-Oct-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	101.00	$	400,000.00	$	505,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		1183708_1183709		16-Apr-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	90.00	$	100.40	$	450,000.00	$	502,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		1207769_1207624		19-May-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	425,000.00	$	510,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		1207623_1207770		19-May-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	425,000.00	$	510,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		85000F9-15LNR		19-May-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	425,000.00	$	510,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		21813058_21513056		20-May-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	102.25	$	425,000.00	$	511,250.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		1212188_1212187		21-May-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	87.00	$	101.00	$	435,000.00	$	505,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		21848462_21848463		23-May-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	88.00	$	102.00	$	440,000.00	$	510,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		1218969_1218970		29-May-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		97		3,000	$	88.00	$	101.50	$	264,000.00	$	304,500.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		299455_299456		10-Jun-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	Cal Avg		97		3,000	$	90.00	$	103.30	$	270,000.00	$	309,900.00
												Collars		4,226		131,000	$	82.17	$	100.85
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		871015_871014		17-Jul-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		286		8,000	$	80.00	$	100.00	$	640,000.00	$	800,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		16287122_16287123		1-Aug-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.25	$	400,000.00	$	501,250.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		16286642_16286643		1-Aug-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.25	$	400,000.00	$	501,250.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		N3920703		1-Aug-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.40	$	400,000.00	$	502,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		85000F9-N17D		16-Aug-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.00	$	400,000.00	$	500,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		N3937698		16-Aug-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	80.00	$	101.00	$	400,000.00	$	505,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		85000F9-NJUO		27-Aug-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		286		8,000	$	80.00	$	100.25	$	640,000.00	$	802,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		85000F9-O9G6		5-Sep-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.45	$	400,000.00	$	502,250.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		19203165_19203147		6-Sep-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	81.00	$	100.25	$	405,000.00	$	501,250.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		19207458_19207462		6-Sep-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.00	$	400,000.00	$	500,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		85000F9-QG0Q		8-Oct-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		286		8,000	$	80.00	$	100.90	$	640,000.00	$	807,200.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		972819_972820		15-Oct-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	80.00	$	101.25	$	400,000.00	$	506,250.00

1 of 7


BSMC Hedging Status		CRUDE		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


Month	Quarter	Days		Contract		Contract Date		Start Date		End Date		Settlement	BBLs/d		BBLs/month		Floor		Ceiling		Low Notional		High Notional
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		973762_973761		16-Oct-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	80.00	$	101.00	$	400,000.00	$	505,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		1207769_1207624		19-May-14		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	425,000.00	$	510,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		1207623_1207770		19-May-14		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	425,000.00	$	510,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		85000F9-15LNR		19-May-14		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	425,000.00	$	510,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		21813058_21513056		20-May-14		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	85.00	$	102.25	$	425,000.00	$	511,250.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		1212188_1212187		21-May-14		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	87.00	$	101.00	$	435,000.00	$	505,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		21848462_21848463		23-May-14		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	88.00	$	102.00	$	440,000.00	$	510,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		21850052_21850053		23-May-14		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		179		5,000	$	88.00	$	102.00	$	440,000.00	$	510,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		1218969_1218970		29-May-14		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		107		3,000	$	88.00	$	101.50	$	264,000.00	$	304,500.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		299455_299456		10-Jun-14		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		107		3,000	$	90.00	$	103.30	$	270,000.00	$	309,900.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		151245406		23-Dec-14		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		536		15,000	$	56.49	$	56.49	$	847,350.00	$	847,350.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		151245825		23-Dec-14		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		357		10,000	$	56.61	$	56.61	$	566,100.00	$	566,100.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		85000F9-1HFF9		23-Dec-14		2/1/15		2/28/15	Cal Avg		357		10,000	$	56.64	$	56.64	$	566,400.00	$	566,400.00
												Collars		5,357		115,000	$	82.38	$	100.99
												Fixed Price		1,250		35,000			$	56.57
												Total Vol.		6,607		150,000
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		16287122_16287123		1-Aug-13		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.25	$	400,000.00	$	501,250.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		16286642_16286643		1-Aug-13		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.25	$	400,000.00	$	501,250.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		85000F9-N17D		16-Aug-13		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.00	$	400,000.00	$	500,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		N3937698		16-Aug-13		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	101.00	$	400,000.00	$	505,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		85000F9-NJUO		27-Aug-13		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		258		8,000	$	80.00	$	100.25	$	640,000.00	$	802,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		85000F9-O9G6		5-Sep-13		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.45	$	400,000.00	$	502,250.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		19203165_19203147		6-Sep-13		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	81.00	$	100.25	$	405,000.00	$	501,250.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		19207458_19207462		6-Sep-13		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.00	$	400,000.00	$	500,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		85000F9-QG50		8-Oct-13		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		194		6,000	$	80.00	$	99.05	$	480,000.00	$	594,300.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		972819_972820		15-Oct-13		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	101.25	$	400,000.00	$	506,250.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		973762_973761		16-Oct-13		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	80.00	$	101.00	$	400,000.00	$	505,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		1207769_1207624		19-May-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	425,000.00	$	510,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		1207623_1207770		19-May-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	425,000.00	$	510,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		85000F9-15LNR		19-May-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	425,000.00	$	510,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		21813058_21513056		20-May-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	102.25	$	425,000.00	$	511,250.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		T102906332_T102906335		21-May-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	100.40	$	425,000.00	$	502,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		299066_299067		21-May-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	100.40	$	425,000.00	$	502,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		1212188_1212187		21-May-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	87.00	$	101.00	$	435,000.00	$	505,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		21848462_21848463		23-May-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	88.00	$	102.00	$	440,000.00	$	510,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		1218969_1218970		29-May-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		97		3,000	$	88.00	$	101.50	$	264,000.00	$	304,500.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		1222136_1222137		4-Jun-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	84.00	$	102.10	$	420,000.00	$	510,500.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		299455_299456		10-Jun-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		97		3,000	$	90.00	$	103.30	$	270,000.00	$	309,900.00

2 of 7


BSMC Hedging Status		CRUDE		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


Month	Quarter	Days		Contract		Contract Date		Start Date		End Date		Settlement	BBLs/d		BBLs/month		Floor		Ceiling		Low Notional		High Notional
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		144417647_144417649		13-Jun-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	87.00	$	103.80	$	435,000.00	$	519,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		22041189_22041190		13-Jun-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	87.00	$	102.45	$	435,000.00	$	512,250.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		1273792_1273793		22-Jul-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	87.00	$	103.00	$	435,000.00	$	515,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		151245406		23-Dec-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	56.92	$	56.92	$	853,800.00	$	853,800.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		151245825		23-Dec-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	57.02	$	57.02	$	570,200.00	$	570,200.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15		31		85000F9-1HFF9		23-Dec-14		3/1/15		3/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	57.09	$	57.09	$	570,900.00	$	570,900.00
												Collars		4,032		125,000	$	83.27	$	101.20
												Fixed Price		1,129		35,000			$	57.00
												Total Vol.		5,161		160,000
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		N3937698		16-Aug-13		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	80.00	$	101.00	$	400,000.00	$	505,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		19203165_19203147		6-Sep-13		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	81.00	$	100.25	$	405,000.00	$	501,250.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		19207458_19207462		6-Sep-13		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	80.00	$	100.00	$	400,000.00	$	500,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		85000F9-QG50		8-Oct-13		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		200		6,000	$	80.00	$	99.05	$	480,000.00	$	594,300.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		973762_973761		16-Oct-13		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	80.00	$	101.00	$	400,000.00	$	505,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		T102906332_T102906335		21-May-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	85.00	$	100.40	$	425,000.00	$	502,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		299066_299067		21-May-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	85.00	$	100.40	$	425,000.00	$	502,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		1212188_1212187		21-May-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	87.00	$	101.00	$	435,000.00	$	505,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		143762820_143762824		23-May-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	85.00	$	101.51	$	850,000.00	$	1,015,100.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		143763369_143763371		23-May-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		267		8,000	$	85.00	$	101.61	$	680,000.00	$	812,880.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		21880700_21880699		29-May-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		267		8,000	$	85.00	$	101.50	$	680,000.00	$	812,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		1218930_1218931		29-May-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		267		8,000	$	85.00	$	101.50	$	680,000.00	$	812,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		1222136_1222137		4-Jun-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	84.00	$	102.10	$	420,000.00	$	510,500.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		144417647_144417649		13-Jun-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	87.00	$	103.80	$	435,000.00	$	519,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		22041189_22041190		13-Jun-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	87.00	$	102.45	$	435,000.00	$	512,250.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		144500061_144500059		17-Jun-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	85.00	$	103.55	$	425,000.00	$	517,750.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		1238396_1238395		17-Jun-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	87.00	$	104.00	$	435,000.00	$	520,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		20148619_20148627		18-Jun-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	90.00	$	101.60	$	900,000.00	$	1,016,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		1273792_1273793		22-Jul-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	87.00	$	103.00	$	435,000.00	$	515,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		151245406		23-Dec-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		500		15,000	$	57.34	$	57.34	$	860,100.00	$	860,100.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		151245825		23-Dec-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	57.45	$	57.45	$	574,500.00	$	574,500.00
APR-2015	Q2 15		30		85000F9-1HFF9		23-Dec-14		4/1/15		4/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	57.53	$	57.53	$	575,300.00	$	575,300.00
												Collars		3,833		115,000	$	84.74	$	101.54
												Fixed Price		1,167		35,000			$	57.43
												Total Vol.		5,000		150,000

3 of 7


BSMC Hedging Status		CRUDE		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


Month	Quarter	Days		Contract		Contract Date		Start Date		End Date		Settlement	BBLs/d		BBLs/month		Floor		Ceiling		Low Notional		High Notional
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		T102906332_T102906335		21-May-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	100.40	$	425,000.00	$	502,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		299066_299067		21-May-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	100.40	$	425,000.00	$	502,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		1212188_1212187		21-May-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	87.00	$	101.00	$	435,000.00	$	505,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		1218937_1218932		29-May-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	84.00	$	101.00	$	840,000.00	$	1,010,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		21882156_21882153		29-May-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	84.00	$	101.50	$	840,000.00	$	1,015,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		1222136_1222137		4-Jun-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	84.00	$	102.10	$	420,000.00	$	510,500.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		21974495_21974496		9-Jun-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		258		8,000	$	84.00	$	102.00	$	672,000.00	$	816,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		22031357_22031361		12-Jun-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	85.00	$	103.65	$	850,000.00	$	1,036,500.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		144417647_144417649		13-Jun-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	87.00	$	103.80	$	435,000.00	$	519,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		22041189_22041190		13-Jun-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	87.00	$	102.45	$	435,000.00	$	512,250.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		N4457967		16-Jun-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		226		7,000	$	85.00	$	102.35	$	595,000.00	$	716,450.00
MAY-2016	Q2 15		31		144500061_144500059		17-Jun-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	103.55	$	425,000.00	$	517,750.00
MAY-2016	Q2 15		31		1238396_1238395		17-Jun-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	87.00	$	104.00	$	435,000.00	$	520,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		20148619_20148627		18-Jun-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	90.00	$	101.60	$	900,000.00	$	1,016,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		1273792_1273793		22-Jul-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	87.00	$	103.00	$	435,000.00	$	515,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		20713144_20713145		23-Jul-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	86.00	$	103.25	$	860,000.00	$	1,032,500.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		151245406		23-Dec-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	57.75	$	57.75	$	866,250.00	$	866,250.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		151245825		23-Dec-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	57.83	$	57.83	$	578,300.00	$	578,300.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		85000F9-1HFF9		23-Dec-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	57.94	$	57.94	$	579,400.00	$	579,400.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15		31		1425008		23-Dec-14		5/1/15		5/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	57.93	$	57.93	$	579,300.00	$	579,300.00
												Collars		3,548		110,000	$	85.70	$	102.24
												Fixed Price		1,452		45,000			$	57.85
												Total Vol.		5,000		155,000
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		1212188_1212187		21-May-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	87.00	$	101.00	$	435,000.00	$	505,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		1222136_1222137		4-Jun-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	84.00	$	102.10	$	420,000.00	$	510,500.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		22031357_22031361		12-Jun-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	85.00	$	103.65	$	850,000.00	$	1,036,500.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		N4455587		13-Jun-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,020,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		144417647_144417649		13-Jun-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	87.00	$	103.80	$	435,000.00	$	519,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		22041189_22041190		13-Jun-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	87.00	$	102.45	$	435,000.00	$	512,250.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		N4457967		16-Jun-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		233		7,000	$	85.00	$	102.35	$	595,000.00	$	716,450.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		1238053_1238052		16-Jun-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	85.00	$	103.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,030,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		144500061_144500059		17-Jun-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	85.00	$	103.55	$	425,000.00	$	517,750.00

4 of 7


BSMC Hedging Status		CRUDE		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


Month	Quarter	Days		Contract		Contract Date		Start Date		End Date		Settlement	BBLs/d		BBLs/month		Floor		Ceiling		Low Notional		High Notional
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		1238396_1238395		17-Jun-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	87.00	$	104.00	$	435,000.00	$	520,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		20148619_20148627		18-Jun-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	90.00	$	101.60	$	900,000.00	$	1,016,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		1273792_1273793		22-Jul-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	87.00	$	103.00	$	435,000.00	$	515,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		20713144_20713145		23-Jul-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	86.00	$	103.25	$	860,000.00	$	1,032,500.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		151245406		23-Dec-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		500		15,000	$	58.07	$	58.07	$	871,050.00	$	871,050.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		151245825		23-Dec-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	58.19	$	58.19	$	581,900.00	$	581,900.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		85000F9-1HFF9		23-Dec-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	58.30	$	58.30	$	583,000.00	$	583,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		85000F9-1HFAW		23-Dec-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	58.00	$	58.00	$	580,000.00	$	580,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15		30		1425008		23-Dec-14		6/1/15		6/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	58.28	$	58.28	$	582,800.00	$	582,800.00
												Collars		3,067		92,000	$	86.14	$	102.73
												Fixed Price		1,833		55,000			$	58.16
												Total Vol.		4,900		147,000
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		22037444_22037445		13-Jun-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	84.00	$	102.00	$	840,000.00	$	1,020,000.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		N4455587		13-Jun-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,020,000.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		22041189_22041190		13-Jun-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	87.00	$	102.45	$	435,000.00	$	512,250.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		N4457967		16-Jun-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		226		7,000	$	85.00	$	102.35	$	595,000.00	$	716,450.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		1238053_1238052		16-Jun-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	85.00	$	103.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,030,000.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		144500061_144500059		17-Jun-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	103.55	$	425,000.00	$	517,750.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		20172407_20172408		19-Jun-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	85.00	$	103.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,030,000.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		20174509_20174517		19-Jun-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,020,000.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		151245406		23-Dec-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	58.57	$	58.57	$	878,550.00	$	878,550.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		151245409		23-Dec-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	58.55	$	58.55	$	878,250.00	$	878,250.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		85000F9-1HFAW		23-Dec-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	58.48	$	58.48	$	584,800.00	$	584,800.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		151246747		23-Dec-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	59.26	$	59.26	$	592,600.00	$	592,600.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		1425008		23-Dec-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	58.80	$	58.80	$	588,000.00	$	588,000.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15		31		1424853		23-Dec-14		7/1/15		7/31/15	Cal Avg		645		20,000	$	58.92	$	58.92	$	1,178,400.00	$	1,178,400.00
												Collars		2,161		67,000	$	85.00	$	102.48
												Fixed Price		2,581		80,000			$	58.76
												Total Vo.		4,742		147,000
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		22037444_22037445		13-Jun-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	84.00	$	102.00	$	840,000.00	$	1,020,000.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		N4455587		13-Jun-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,020,000.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		N4457967		16-Jun-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		226		7,000	$	85.00	$	102.35	$	595,000.00	$	716,450.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		144500061_144500059		17-Jun-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		161		5,000	$	85.00	$	103.55	$	425,000.00	$	517,750.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		20172407_20172408		19-Jun-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	85.00	$	103.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,030,000.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		20174509_20174517		19-Jun-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,020,000.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		151245406		23-Dec-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	59.07	$	59.07	$	886,050.00	$	886,050.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		151245409		23-Dec-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	59.05	$	59.05	$	885,750.00	$	885,750.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		85000F9-1HFAW		23-Dec-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	58.95	$	58.95	$	589,500.00	$	589,500.00

5 of 7


BSMC Hedging Status		CRUDE		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


Month	Quarter	Days		Contract		Contract Date		Start Date		End Date		Settlement	BBLs/d		BBLs/month		Floor		Ceiling		Low Notional		High Notional
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		85000F9-1HFF8		23-Dec-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	59.06	$	59.06	$	590,600.00	$	590,600.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		151246747		23-Dec-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	59.74	$	59.74	$	597,400.00	$	597,400.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		1425008		23-Dec-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	59.27	$	59.27	$	592,700.00	$	592,700.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15		31		1424853		23-Dec-14		8/1/15		8/31/15	Cal Avg		645		20,000	$	59.41	$	59.41	$	1,188,200.00	$	1,188,200.00
												Collars		1,677		52,000	$	84.81	$	102.39
												Fixed Price		2,903		90,000			$	59.22
												Total Vol.		4,581		142,000
SEPT-2015	Q3 15		30		22037444_22037445		13-Jun-14		9/1/15		9/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	84.00	$	102.00	$	840,000.00	$	1,020,000.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15		30		N4457967		16-Jun-14		9/1/15		9/30/15	Cal Avg		233		7,000	$	85.00	$	102.35	$	595,000.00	$	716,450.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15		30		144500061_144500059		17-Jun-14		9/1/15		9/30/15	Cal Avg		167		5,000	$	85.00	$	103.55	$	425,000.00	$	517,750.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15		30		20172407_20172408		19-Jun-14		9/1/15		9/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	85.00	$	103.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,030,000.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15		30		20174509_20174517		19-Jun-14		9/1/15		9/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,020,000.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15		30		151245406		23-Dec-14		9/1/15		9/30/15	Cal Avg		500		15,000	$	59.57	$	59.57	$	893,550.00	$	893,550.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15		30		151245409		23-Dec-14		9/1/15		9/30/15	Cal Avg		500		15,000	$	59.55	$	59.55	$	893,250.00	$	893,250.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15		30		85000F9-1HFAW		23-Dec-14		9/1/15		9/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	59.45	$	59.45	$	594,500.00	$	594,500.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15		30		85000F9-1HFF8		23-Dec-14		9/1/15		9/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	59.55	$	59.55	$	595,500.00	$	595,500.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15		30		151246747		23-Dec-14		9/1/15		9/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	60.22	$	60.22	$	602,200.00	$	602,200.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15		30		1425008		23-Dec-14		9/1/15		9/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	59.75	$	59.75	$	597,500.00	$	597,500.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15		30		1424853		23-Dec-14		9/1/15		9/30/15	Cal Avg		667		20,000	$	59.92	$	59.92	$	1,198,400.00	$	1,198,400.00
												Collars		1,400		42,000	$	84.76	$	102.48
												Fixed Price		3,000		90,000			$	59.72
												Total Vol.		4,400		132,000
OCT-2015	Q4 15		31		20174509_20174517		19-Jun-14		10/1/15		10/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,020,000.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15		31		151245406		23-Dec-14		10/1/15		10/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	60.16	$	60.16	$	902,400.00	$	902,400.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15		31		151245409		23-Dec-14		10/1/15		10/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	60.14	$	60.14	$	902,100.00	$	902,100.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15		31		151245827		23-Dec-14		10/1/15		10/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	60.23	$	60.23	$	903,450.00	$	903,450.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15		31		85000F9-1HFAW		23-Dec-14		10/1/15		10/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	60.00	$	60.00	$	600,000.00	$	600,000.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15		31		85000F9-1HFF8		23-Dec-14		10/1/15		10/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	60.13	$	60.13	$	601,300.00	$	601,300.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15		31		151246747		23-Dec-14		10/1/15		10/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	60.81	$	60.81	$	608,100.00	$	608,100.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15		31		1425008		23-Dec-14		10/1/15		10/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	60.35	$	60.35	$	603,500.00	$	603,500.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15		31		1424853		23-Dec-14		10/1/15		10/31/15	Cal Avg		645		20,000	$	60.51	$	61.51	$	1,210,200.00	$	1,230,200.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15		31		1424850		23-Dec-14		10/1/15		10/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	60.27	$	60.27	$	904,050.00	$	904,050.00
												Collars		323		10,000	$	85.00	$	102.00
												Fixed Price		3,871		120,000			$	60.46
												Total Vol.		4,194		130,000

6 of 7


BSMC Hedging Status		CRUDE		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


Month	Quarter	Days		Contract		Contract Date		Start Date		End Date		Settlement	BBLs/d		BBLs/month		Floor		Ceiling		Low Notional		High Notional
NOV-2015	Q4 15		30		20174509_20174517		19-Jun-14		11/1/15		11/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,020,000.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15		30		151245406		23-Dec-14		11/1/15		11/30/15	Cal Avg		500		15,000	$	60.55	$	60.55	$	908,250.00	$	908,250.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15		30		151245409		23-Dec-14		11/1/15		11/30/15	Cal Avg		500		15,000	$	60.53	$	60.53	$	907,950.00	$	907,950.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15		30		151245827		23-Dec-14		11/1/15		11/30/15	Cal Avg		500		15,000	$	60.67	$	60.67	$	910,050.00	$	910,050.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15		30		85000F9-1HFAW		23-Dec-14		11/1/15		11/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	60.42	$	60.42	$	604,200.00	$	604,200.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15		30		85000F9-1HFF8		23-Dec-14		11/1/15		11/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	60.54	$	60.54	$	605,400.00	$	605,400.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15		30		151246747		23-Dec-14		11/1/15		11/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	61.26	$	61.26	$	612,600.00	$	612,600.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15		30		1425008		23-Dec-14		11/1/15		11/30/15	Cal Avg		333		10,000	$	60.79	$	60.79	$	607,900.00	$	607,900.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15		30		1424853		23-Dec-14		11/1/15		11/30/15	Cal Avg		667		20,000	$	60.94	$	60.94	$	1,218,800.00	$	1,218,800.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15		30		1424850		23-Dec-14		11/1/15		11/30/15	Cal Avg		500		15,000	$	60.69	$	60.69	$	910,350.00	$	910,350.00
												Collars		333		10,000	$	85.00	$	102.00
												Fixed Price		4,000		120,000			$	60.71
												Total Vol.		4,333		130,000
DEC-2015	Q4 15		31		20174509_20174517		19-Jun-14		12/1/15		12/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	85.00	$	102.00	$	850,000.00	$	1,020,000.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15		31		151245406		23-Dec-14		12/1/15		12/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	60.98	$	60.98	$	914,700.00	$	914,700.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15		31		151245409		23-Dec-14		12/1/15		12/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	60.98	$	60.98	$	914,700.00	$	914,700.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15		31		151245827		23-Dec-14		12/1/15		12/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	61.11	$	61.11	$	916,650.00	$	916,650.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15		31		85000F9-1HFAW		23-Dec-14		12/1/15		12/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	60.86	$	60.86	$	608,600.00	$	608,600.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15		31		85000F9-1HFF8		23-Dec-14		12/1/15		12/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	60.98	$	60.98	$	609,800.00	$	609,800.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15		31		151246747		23-Dec-14		12/1/15		12/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	61.71	$	61.71	$	617,100.00	$	617,100.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15		31		1425008		23-Dec-14		12/1/15		12/31/15	Cal Avg		323		10,000	$	61.23	$	61.23	$	612,300.00	$	612,300.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15		31		1424853		23-Dec-14		12/1/15		12/31/15	Cal Avg		645		20,000	$	61.38	$	61.38	$	1,227,600.00	$	1,227,600.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15		31		1424850		23-Dec-14		12/1/15		12/31/15	Cal Avg		484		15,000	$	61.14	$	61.14	$	917,100.00	$	917,100.00
												Collars		323		10,000	$	85.00	$	102.00
												Fixed Price		3,871		120,000			$	61.15
												Total Vol.		4,194		130,000

7 of 7


BSMC Hedging Status		NATURAL GAS		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


Month	Quarter	Days		Contract		Contract Date		Start Date		End Date		Settlement	Mmbtu/d		Mmbtu/month		Floor		Ceiling		Low Notional		High Notional
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		7424471_7424470		22-Aug-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.00	$	370,000.00	$	500,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		19036295_19036294		22-Aug-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.00	$	370,000.00	$	500,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		16531962_16531963		22-Aug-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		2,581		80,000	$	3.70	$	5.01	$	296,000.00	$	400,800.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		928697_929034		22-Aug-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.02	$	370,000.00	$	502,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		8500012F-1GD4		22-Aug-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		2,581		80,000	$	3.70	$	5.02	$	296,000.00	$	401,600.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		954272_954273		16-Sep-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.00	$	370,000.00	$	500,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		7467035_7467036		16-Sep-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.01	$	370,000.00	$	501,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		8500012F-1HXF		16-Sep-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.01	$	370,000.00	$	501,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		954614_954615		17-Sep-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	3.60	$	5.00	$	360,000.00	$	500,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		954503_954504		17-Sep-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	3.60	$	5.00	$	360,000.00	$	500,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		131239404_131239382		17-Sep-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	3.50	$	5.00	$	350,000.00	$	500,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		7508565_7508566		8-Oct-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	3.60	$	5.02	$	360,000.00	$	502,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		N4021766		8-Oct-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.05	$	370,000.00	$	505,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		132540172_132540174		10-Oct-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	3.60	$	5.03	$	360,000.00	$	503,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		20257832_20257840		5-Dec-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		6,452		200,000	$	3.70	$	4.74	$	740,000.00	$	948,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		8500012F-1Q0J		19-Dec-13		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		2,581		80,000	$	3.80	$	5.05	$	304,000.00	$	404,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		1087350_1087351		22-Jan-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		2,581		80,000	$	4.10	$	4.75	$	328,000.00	$	380,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		7721169_7721170		22-Jan-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		2,581		80,000	$	4.00	$	4.80	$	320,000.00	$	384,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		F14499871-1_F14499868-1		6-May-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		1,935		60,000	$	4.50	$	5.60	$	270,000.00	$	336,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		8023797_8023799		5-Jun-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		2,581		80,000	$	4.00	$	5.10	$	320,000.00	$	408,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		1223350_1223349		5-Jun-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		1,935		60,000	$	4.00	$	5.10	$	240,000.00	$	306,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		1223441_1223442		5-Jun-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		1,290		40,000	$	4.20	$	5.38	$	168,000.00	$	215,200.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		8024981_8024983		5-Jun-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		1,935		60,000	$	4.00	$	5.13	$	240,000.00	$	307,800.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		22646180_22646187		17-Nov-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	4.00	$	4.51	$	400,000.00	$	451,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		22647313_22647330		17-Nov-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		3,226		100,000	$	4.00	$	4.55	$	400,000.00	$	455,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		8386923_8386925		19-Nov-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		2,581		80,000	$	3.90	$	4.65	$	312,000.00	$	372,000.00
JAN-2015	Q1 15		31		1391308_1391309		19-Nov-14		1/1/15		1/31/15	NYMEX		6,452		200,000	$	3.90	$	4.65	$	780,000.00	$	930,000.00
												Collars		83,226		2,580,000	$	3.80	$	4.93
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		7424471_7424470		22-Aug-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	NYMEX		3,571		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.00	$	370,000.00	$	500,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		19036295_19036294		22-Aug-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	NYMEX		3,571		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.00	$	370,000.00	$	500,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		16531962_16531963		22-Aug-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	NYMEX		2,857		80,000	$	3.70	$	5.01	$	296,000.00	$	400,800.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		928697_929034		22-Aug-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	NYMEX		3,571		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.02	$	370,000.00	$	502,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		8500012F-1GD4		22-Aug-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	NYMEX		2,857		80,000	$	3.70	$	5.02	$	296,000.00	$	401,600.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		954272_954273		16-Sep-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	NYMEX		3,571		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.00	$	370,000.00	$	500,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		7467035_7467036		16-Sep-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	NYMEX		3,571		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.01	$	370,000.00	$	501,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		8500012F-1HXF		16-Sep-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	NYMEX		3,571		100,000	$	3.70	$	5.01	$	370,000.00	$	501,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		954614_954615		17-Sep-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	NYMEX		3,571		100,000	$	3.60	$	5.00	$	360,000.00	$	500,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		954503_954504		17-Sep-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	NYMEX		3,571		100,000	$	3.60	$	5.00	$	360,000.00	$	500,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		131239404_131239382		17-Sep-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	NYMEX		3,571		100,000	$	3.50	$	5.00	$	350,000.00	$	500,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15		28		7508565_7508566		8-Oct-13		2/1/15		2/28/15	NYMEX		3,571		100,000	$	3.60	$	5.02	$	360,000.00	$	502,000.00

1 of 6


BSMC Hedging Status		NATURAL GAS		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


FEB-2015	Q1 15	28	132540172_132540174	10-Oct-13	2/1/15	2/28/15	NYMEX	3,571	100,000	$	3.60	$	5.03	$	360,000.00	$	503,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15	28	20257832_20257840	5-Dec-13	2/1/15	2/28/15	NYMEX	7,143	200,000	$	3.70	$	4.74	$	740,000.00	$	948,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15	28	8500012F-1Q0J	19-Dec-13	2/1/15	2/28/15	NYMEX	2,857	80,000	$	3.80	$	5.05	$	304,000.00	$	404,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15	28	7721169_7721170	22-Jan-14	2/1/15	2/28/15	NYMEX	2,857	80,000	$	4.00	$	4.80	$	320,000.00	$	384,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15	28	F14499871-1_F14499868-1	6-May-14	2/1/15	2/28/15	NYMEX	2,143	60,000	$	4.50	$	5.60	$	270,000.00	$	336,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15	28	8023797_8023799	5-Jun-14	2/1/15	2/28/15	NYMEX	2,857	80,000	$	4.00	$	5.10	$	320,000.00	$	408,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15	28	1223350_1223349	5-Jun-14	2/1/15	2/28/15	NYMEX	2,143	60,000	$	4.00	$	5.10	$	240,000.00	$	306,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15	28	8024981_8024983	5-Jun-14	2/1/15	2/28/15	NYMEX	2,143	60,000	$	4.00	$	5.13	$	240,000.00	$	307,800.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15	28	22646180_22646187	17-Nov-14	2/1/15	2/28/15	NYMEX	3,571	100,000	$	4.00	$	4.51	$	400,000.00	$	451,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15	28	22647313_22647330	17-Nov-14	2/1/15	2/28/15	NYMEX	3,571	100,000	$	4.00	$	4.55	$	400,000.00	$	455,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15	28	8386923_8386925	19-Nov-14	2/1/15	2/28/15	NYMEX	2,857	80,000	$	3.90	$	4.65	$	312,000.00	$	372,000.00
FEB-2015	Q1 15	28	1391308_1391309	19-Nov-14	2/1/15	2/28/15	NYMEX	7,143	200,000	$	3.90	$	4.65	$	780,000.00	$	930,000.00
							Collars	84,286	2,360,000	$	3.78	$	4.92
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	7424471_7424470	22-Aug-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.70	$	5.00	$	370,000.00	$	500,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	19036295_19036294	22-Aug-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.70	$	5.00	$	370,000.00	$	500,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	16531962_16531963	22-Aug-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	2,581	80,000	$	3.70	$	5.01	$	296,000.00	$	400,800.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	928697_929034	22-Aug-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.70	$	5.02	$	370,000.00	$	502,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	8500012F-1GD4	22-Aug-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	2,581	80,000	$	3.70	$	5.02	$	296,000.00	$	401,600.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	954272_954273	16-Sep-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.70	$	5.00	$	370,000.00	$	500,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	7467035_7467036	16-Sep-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.70	$	5.01	$	370,000.00	$	501,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	8500012F-1HXF	16-Sep-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.70	$	5.01	$	370,000.00	$	501,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	954614_954615	17-Sep-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.60	$	5.00	$	360,000.00	$	500,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	954503_954504	17-Sep-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.60	$	5.00	$	360,000.00	$	500,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	131239404_131239382	17-Sep-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.50	$	5.00	$	350,000.00	$	500,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	7508565_7508566	8-Oct-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.60	$	5.02	$	360,000.00	$	502,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	132540172_132540174	10-Oct-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.60	$	5.03	$	360,000.00	$	503,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	20257832_20257840	5-Dec-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.70	$	4.74	$	740,000.00	$	948,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	8500012F-1Q0J	19-Dec-13	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	2,581	80,000	$	3.80	$	5.05	$	304,000.00	$	404,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	7721169_7721170	22-Jan-14	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	2,581	80,000	$	4.00	$	4.80	$	320,000.00	$	384,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	F14499871-1_F14499868-1	6-May-14	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	1,935	60,000	$	4.50	$	5.60	$	270,000.00	$	336,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	8023797_8023799	5-Jun-14	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	2,581	80,000	$	4.00	$	5.10	$	320,000.00	$	408,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	1223350_1223349	5-Jun-14	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	1,935	60,000	$	4.00	$	5.10	$	240,000.00	$	306,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	8024981_8024983	5-Jun-14	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	1,935	60,000	$	4.00	$	5.13	$	240,000.00	$	307,800.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	F14533118-1_F14533121-1	6-Jun-14	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	2,581	80,000	$	3.90	$	5.00	$	312,000.00	$	400,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	8027057_8027059	6-Jun-14	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	1,613	50,000	$	3.90	$	5.00	$	195,000.00	$	250,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	22646180_22646187	17-Nov-14	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	4.00	$	4.51	$	400,000.00	$	451,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	22647313_22647330	17-Nov-14	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	4.00	$	4.55	$	400,000.00	$	455,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	8386923_8386925	19-Nov-14	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	2,581	80,000	$	3.90	$	4.65	$	312,000.00	$	372,000.00
MAR-2015	Q1 15	31	1391308_1391309	19-Nov-14	3/1/15	3/31/15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.90	$	4.65	$	780,000.00	$	930,000.00
							Collars	80,323	2,490,000	$	3.79	$	4.92

2 of 6


BSMC Hedging Status		NATURAL GAS		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


APR-2015	Q2 15	30	954614_954615	17-Sep-13	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	3.60	$	5.00	$	360,000.00	$	500,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	131239404_131239382	17-Sep-13	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	3.50	$	5.00	$	350,000.00	$	500,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	132540172_132540174	10-Oct-13	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	3.60	$	5.03	$	360,000.00	$	503,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	20257832_20257840	5-Dec-13	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.70	$	4.74	$	740,000.00	$	948,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	136437162_136437124	5-Dec-13	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	4,000	120,000	$	3.65	$	4.60	$	438,000.00	$	552,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	8500012F-1Q0J	19-Dec-13	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	2,667	80,000	$	3.80	$	5.05	$	304,000.00	$	404,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	7721169_7721170	22-Jan-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	2,667	80,000	$	4.00	$	4.80	$	320,000.00	$	384,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	8023797_8023799	5-Jun-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	2,667	80,000	$	4.00	$	5.10	$	320,000.00	$	408,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	1223350_1223349	5-Jun-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	2,000	60,000	$	4.00	$	5.10	$	240,000.00	$	306,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	8024981_8024983	5-Jun-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	2,000	60,000	$	4.00	$	5.13	$	240,000.00	$	307,800.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	F14533084-1_F14533086-1	6-Jun-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	3.80	$	4.60	$	380,000.00	$	460,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	F14533118-1_F14533121-1	6-Jun-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	2,667	80,000	$	3.90	$	5.00	$	312,000.00	$	400,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	8027057_8027059	6-Jun-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	1,667	50,000	$	3.90	$	5.00	$	195,000.00	$	250,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	22037451_22037452	13-Jun-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	3.80	$	4.75	$	380,000.00	$	475,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	8039954_8039953	13-Jun-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	3.80	$	4.75	$	380,000.00	$	475,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	22646180_22646187	17-Nov-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	4.00	$	4.51	$	400,000.00	$	451,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	22647313_22647330	17-Nov-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	4.00	$	4.55	$	400,000.00	$	455,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	8386923_8386925	19-Nov-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	2,667	80,000	$	3.90	$	4.65	$	312,000.00	$	372,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	1391308_1391309	19-Nov-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.90	$	4.65	$	780,000.00	$	930,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	23940755	29-Dec-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.05	$	3.05	$	610,000.00	$	610,000.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	8500012F-2CVG	29-Dec-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	5,000	150,000	$	3.04	$	3.04	$	455,250.00	$	455,250.00
APR-2015	Q2 15	30	1427873	29-Dec-14	4/1/15	4/30/15	NYMEX	5,000	150,000	$	3.06	$	3.06	$	459,300.00	$	459,300.00
							Collars	63,000	1,890,000	$	3.82	$	4.80
							Fixed Price	16,667	500,000			$	3.05
							Total Vol.	79,667	2,390,000
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	131239404_131239382	17-Sep-13	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.50	$	5.00	$	350,000.00	$	500,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	136437162_136437124	5-Dec-13	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	3,871	120,000	$	3.65	$	4.60	$	438,000.00	$	552,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	8023797_8023799	5-Jun-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	2,581	80,000	$	4.00	$	5.10	$	320,000.00	$	408,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	1223350_1223349	5-Jun-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	1,935	60,000	$	4.00	$	5.10	$	240,000.00	$	306,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	8024981_8024983	5-Jun-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	1,935	60,000	$	4.00	$	5.13	$	240,000.00	$	307,800.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	F14533084-1_F14533086-1	6-Jun-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.80	$	4.60	$	380,000.00	$	460,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	F14533118-1_F14533121-1	6-Jun-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	2,581	80,000	$	3.90	$	5.00	$	312,000.00	$	400,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	8027057_8027059	6-Jun-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	1,613	50,000	$	3.90	$	5.00	$	195,000.00	$	250,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	22037451_22037452	13-Jun-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.80	$	4.75	$	380,000.00	$	475,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	8039954_8039953	13-Jun-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.80	$	4.75	$	380,000.00	$	475,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	8386923_8386925	19-Nov-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	2,581	80,000	$	3.90	$	4.65	$	312,000.00	$	372,000.00

3 of 6


BSMC Hedging Status		NATURAL GAS		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	1391308_1391309	19-Nov-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.90	$	4.65	$	780,000.00	$	930,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	1427157	26-Dec-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	2.98	$	2.98	$	298,100.00	$	298,100.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	1427128	26-Dec-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	2.98	$	2.98	$	596,200.00	$	596,200.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	8500012F-2CRK	26-Dec-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	2.98	$	2.98	$	595,400.00	$	595,400.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	N4853275	26-Dec-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	12,903	400,000	$	3.00	$	3.00	$	1,200,000.00	$	1,200,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	23940755	29-Dec-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.05	$	3.05	$	610,000.00	$	610,000.00
MAY-2015	Q2 15	31	1427873	29-Dec-14	5/1/15	5/31/15	NYMEX	4,839	150,000	$	3.06	$	3.06	$	459,300.00	$	459,300.00
							Collars	36,452	1,130,000	$	3.83	$	4.81
							Fixed Price	40,323	1,250,000			$	3.01
							Total Vol.	76,774	2,380,000
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	131239404_131239382	17-Sep-13	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	3.50	$	5.00	$	350,000.00	$	500,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	136437162_136437124	5-Dec-13	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	4,000	120,000	$	3.65	$	4.60	$	438,000.00	$	552,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	8023797_8023799	5-Jun-14	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	2,667	80,000	$	4.00	$	5.10	$	320,000.00	$	408,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	1223350_1223349	5-Jun-14	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	2,000	60,000	$	4.00	$	5.10	$	240,000.00	$	306,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	8024981_8024983	5-Jun-14	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	2,000	60,000	$	4.00	$	5.13	$	240,000.00	$	307,800.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	22037451_22037452	13-Jun-14	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	3.80	$	4.75	$	380,000.00	$	475,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	8039954_8039953	13-Jun-14	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	3.80	$	4.75	$	380,000.00	$	475,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	8500012F-2CRK	26-Dec-14	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.02	$	3.02	$	604,800.00	$	604,800.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	N4853275	26-Dec-14	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	13,333	400,000	$	3.03	$	3.03	$	1,211,080.00	$	1,211,080.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	N4853274	26-Dec-14	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	13,333	400,000	$	3.06	$	3.06	$	1,223,640.00	$	1,223,640.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	1427157	26-Dec-14	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	3.03	$	3.03	$	302,800.00	$	302,800.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	1427128	26-Dec-14	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.03	$	3.03	$	605,600.00	$	605,600.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	23940755	29-Dec-14	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.05	$	3.05	$	610,000.00	$	610,000.00
JUN-2015	Q2 15	30	1427873	29-Dec-14	6/1/15	6/30/15	NYMEX	5,000	150,000	$	3.06	$	3.06	$	459,300.00	$	459,300.00
							Collars	20,667	620,000	$	3.79	$	4.88
							Fixed Price	55,000	1,650,000			$	3.04
							Total Vol.	75,667	2,270,000
JUL-2015	Q3 15	31	N4851665	23-Dec-14	1-Jul-15	31-Jul-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.20	$	3.20	$	640,200.00	$	640,200.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15	31	1425889	23-Dec-14	1-Jul-15	31-Jul-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.21	$	3.21	$	641,600.00	$	641,600.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15	31	23922666	23-Dec-14	1-Jul-15	31-Jul-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.20	$	3.20	$	640,200.00	$	640,200.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15	31	N4853275	26-Dec-14	7/1/15	7/31/15	NYMEX	12,903	400,000	$	3.08	$	3.08	$	1,231,080.00	$	1,231,080.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15	31	N4853274	26-Dec-14	7/1/15	7/31/15	NYMEX	12,903	400,000	$	3.10	$	3.10	$	1,239,640.00	$	1,239,640.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15	31	8500012F-2CRK	26-Dec-14	1-Jul-15	31-Jul-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.08	$	3.08	$	615,000.00	$	615,000.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15	31	1427157	26-Dec-14	1-Jul-15	31-Jul-15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.08	$	3.08	$	307,800.00	$	307,800.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15	31	1427128	26-Dec-14	1-Jul-15	31-Jul-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.08	$	3.08	$	615,600.00	$	615,600.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15	31	1427559	26-Dec-14	1-Jul-15	31-Jul-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.11	$	3.11	$	622,500.00	$	622,500.00
JUL-2015	Q3 15	31	23944405	29-Dec-14	1-Jul-15	31-Jul-15	NYMEX	3,871	120,000	$	3.17	$	3.17	$	380,400.00	$	380,400.00
							Fixed Price	71,613	2,220,000	$	3.12	$	3.12
AUG-2015	Q3 15	31	1425889	23-Dec-14	1-Aug-15	31-Aug-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.22	$	3.22	$	643,400.00	$	643,400.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15	31	N4851665	23-Dec-14	1-Aug-15	31-Aug-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.21	$	3.21	$	642,400.00	$	642,400.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15	31	23922666	23-Dec-14	1-Aug-15	31-Aug-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.21	$	3.21	$	642,000.00	$	642,000.00

4 of 6


BSMC Hedging Status		NATURAL GAS		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


AUG-2015	Q3 15	31	8500012F-2CRK	26-Dec-14	1-Aug-15	31-Aug-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.09	$	3.09	$	617,000.00	$	617,000.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15	31	N4853275	26-Dec-14	1-Aug-15	31-Aug-15	NYMEX	12,903	400,000	$	3.09	$	3.09	$	1,234,680.00	$	1,234,680.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15	31	N4853274	26-Dec-14	1-Aug-15	31-Aug-15	NYMEX	12,903	400,000	$	3.11	$	3.11	$	1,243,240.00	$	1,243,240.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15	31	1427157	26-Dec-14	1-Aug-15	31-Aug-15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.09	$	3.09	$	308,700.00	$	308,700.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15	31	1427128	26-Dec-14	1-Aug-15	31-Aug-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.09	$	3.09	$	617,400.00	$	617,400.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15	31	1427559	26-Dec-14	1-Aug-15	31-Aug-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.11	$	3.11	$	622,500.00	$	622,500.00
AUG-2015	Q3 15	31	23944405	29-Dec-14	1-Aug-15	31-Aug-15	NYMEX	3,871	120,000	$	3.17	$	3.17	$	380,400.00	$	380,400.00
							Fixed Price	71,613	2,220,000	$	3.13	$	3.13
SEPT-2015	Q3 15	30	1425889	23-Dec-14	1-Sep-15	30-Sep-15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.20	$	3.20	$	640,400.00	$	640,400.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15	30	N4851665	23-Dec-14	1-Sep-15	30-Sep-15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.20	$	3.20	$	639,600.00	$	639,600.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15	30	23922666	23-Dec-14	1-Sep-15	30-Sep-15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.20	$	3.20	$	639,200.00	$	639,200.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15	30	8500012F-2CRK	26-Dec-14	1-Sep-15	30-Sep-15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.07	$	3.07	$	614,600.00	$	614,600.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15	30	N4853275	26-Dec-14	9/1/15	9/30/15	NYMEX	13,333	400,000	$	3.07	$	3.07	$	1,229,080.00	$	1,229,080.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15	30	N4853274	26-Dec-14	1-Sep-15	30-Sep-15	NYMEX	13,333	400,000	$	3.09	$	3.09	$	1,237,640.00	$	1,237,640.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15	30	1427157	26-Dec-14	1-Sep-15	30-Sep-15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	3.07	$	3.07	$	307,300.00	$	307,300.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15	30	1427128	26-Dec-14	1-Sep-15	30-Sep-15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.07	$	3.07	$	614,600.00	$	614,600.00
SEPT-2015	Q3 15	30	23944405	29-Dec-14	1-Sep-15	30-Sep-15	NYMEX	4,000	120,000	$	3.17	$	3.17	$	380,400.00	$	380,400.00
							Fixed Price	67,333	2,020,000	$	3.12	$	3.12
OCT-2015	Q4 15	31	1425889	23-Dec-14	1-Oct-15	31-Oct-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.23	$	3.23	$	645,600.00	$	645,600.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15	31	N4851665	23-Dec-14	1-Oct-15	31-Oct-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.22	$	3.22	$	644,800.00	$	644,800.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15	31	23922666	23-Dec-14	1-Oct-15	31-Oct-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.22	$	3.22	$	644,400.00	$	644,400.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15	31	8500012F-2CRK	26-Dec-14	1-Oct-15	31-Oct-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.10	$	3.10	$	620,200.00	$	620,200.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15	31	N4853275	26-Dec-14	10/1/15	10/31/15	NYMEX	12,903	400,000	$	3.10	$	3.10	$	1,240,280.00	$	1,240,280.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15	31	N4853274	26-Dec-14	10/1/15	10/31/15	NYMEX	12,903	400,000	$	3.12	$	3.12	$	1,248,840.00	$	1,248,840.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15	31	1427128	26-Dec-14	1-Oct-15	31-Oct-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.10	$	3.10	$	620,200.00	$	620,200.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15	31	1427157	26-Dec-14	1-Oct-15	31-Oct-15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.10	$	3.10	$	310,100.00	$	310,100.00
OCT-2015	Q4 15	31	23944405	29-Dec-14	1-Oct-15	31-Oct-15	NYMEX	3,871	120,000	$	3.17	$	3.17	$	380,400.00	$	380,400.00
							Fixed Price	65,161	2,020,000	$	3.15	$	3.15

5 of 6


BSMC Hedging Status		NATURAL GAS		AS OF Dec. 31, 2014


NOV-2015	Q4 15	30	1425889	23-Dec-14	1-Nov-15	30-Nov-15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.34	$	3.34	$	667,400.00	$	667,400.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15	30	N4851665	23-Dec-14	1-Nov-15	30-Nov-15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.33	$	3.33	$	666,400.00	$	666,400.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15	30	23922666	23-Dec-14	1-Nov-15	30-Nov-15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.33	$	3.33	$	666,600.00	$	666,600.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15	30	8500012F-2CRK	26-Dec-14	1-Nov-15	30-Nov-15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.21	$	3.21	$	642,600.00	$	642,600.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15	30	N4853275	26-Dec-14	11/1/15	11/30/15	NYMEX	13,333	400,000	$	3.21	$	3.21	$	1,285,480.00	$	1,285,480.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15	30	N4853274	26-Dec-14	11/1/15	11/30/15	NYMEX	13,333	400,000	$	3.24	$	3.24	$	1,294,040.00	$	1,294,040.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15	30	1427157	26-Dec-14	1-Nov-15	30-Nov-15	NYMEX	3,333	100,000	$	3.22	$	3.22	$	321,500.00	$	321,500.00
NOV-2015	Q4 15	30	1427128	26-Dec-14	1-Nov-15	30-Nov-15	NYMEX	6,667	200,000	$	3.22	$	3.22	$	643,000.00	$	643,000.00
							Fixed Price	63,333	1,900,000	$	3.26	$	3.26
DEC-2015	Q4 15	31	1425889	23-Dec-14	1-Dec-15	31-Dec-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.53	$	3.53	$	706,600.00	$	706,600.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15	31	N4851665	23-Dec-14	1-Dec-15	31-Dec-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.53	$	3.53	$	705,600.00	$	705,600.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15	31	23922666	23-Dec-14	1-Dec-15	31-Dec-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.53	$	3.53	$	705,800.00	$	705,800.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15	31	8500012F-2CRK	26-Dec-14	1-Dec-15	31-Dec-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.41	$	3.41	$	682,600.00	$	682,600.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15	31	N4853274	26-Dec-14	12/1/15	12/31/15	NYMEX	12,903	400,000	$	3.44	$	3.44	$	1,374,840.00	$	1,374,840.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15	31	N4853275	26-Dec-14	12/1/15	12/31/15	NYMEX	12,903	400,000	$	3.42	$	3.42	$	1,366,280.00	$	1,368,000.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15	31	1427157	26-Dec-14	1-Dec-15	31-Dec-15	NYMEX	3,226	100,000	$	3.42	$	3.42	$	341,700.00	$	341,700.00
DEC-2015	Q4 15	31	1427128	26-Dec-14	1-Dec-15	31-Dec-15	NYMEX	6,452	200,000	$	3.42	$	3.42	$	683,400.00	$	683,400.00
							Fixed Price	61,290	1,900,000	$	3.46	$	3.46

6 of 6

SCHEDULE 7.22

GAS IMBALANCES

None.

Schedule 7.22- Page 1

SCHEDULE 7.23

MARKETING CONTRACTS

No contracts over 1,000 CFPD.

Schedule 7.23- Page 1

SCHEDULE 9.02(b)

DEBT

None.

Schedule 9.02(b)- Page 1

SCHEDULE 9.03

LIENS

None.

Schedule 9.03- Page 1

SCHEDULE 9.05

INVESTMENTS

None.

Schedule 9.05- Page 1

SCHEDULE 9.24

PARENT MLP IPO TRANSACTIONS

The following are the general steps by which Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. (“BSMC”) plans to effect an MLP IPO (the “IPO”).


Step 1:		BSMC (as sole limited partner) and Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C. (“BSNR”) (as sole general partner) have formed Black Stone Minerals, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “MLP”).

		BSMC has made a nominal cash contribution to the MLP (the “Original Cash Contribution”).

		The MLP has formed Black Stone Minerals Merger Sub LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “Merger Sub”). The Merger Sub will have nominal assets and will not guarantee the bank credit facility, nor will it pledge its assets to secure the bank credit facility, and will be dissolved or rolled up in connection with IPO.

Step 2:		The MLP will form a new wholly-owned subsidiary to be the general partner of the MLP (the “New GP”). The New GP will not guarantee the bank credit facility, nor will it pledge its assets to secure the bank credit facility. The equity of New GP owned by the MLP will not be pledged to secure the bank credit facility.

		BSMC will make a cash contribution to the MLP, and the MLP will contribute such cash to the New GP.

		BSNR will transfer its general partner interest in the MLP to the New GP in exchange for such cash.

Step 3:		The limited liability company agreement of BSNR will be amended to permit BSNR to make a “check-the-box” election to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

		The limited partnership agreement of BSMC will be amended to permit BSNR to hold units of BSMC.

Step 4:		BSMC will contribute cash to BSNR in an amount sufficient to allow BSNR to acquire a 1% limited partner interest in BSMC.

		BSMC will contribute cash to the MLP, and the MLP will contribute such cash to the New GP, in an amount sufficient to allow the New GP to acquire a 1% limited partner interest in the MLP (the “Returned Cash Contribution”).

Schedule 9.24- Page 1



Step 5:		BSNR and the New GP will elect to be treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Step 6:		BSNR will contribute cash to BSMC in exchange for a 1% limited partner interest in BSMC.

Step 7:		The New GP will contribute to the MLP the Returned Cash Contribution in exchange for a 1% limited partner interest in the MLP.

Step 8:		The limited partnership agreement of the MLP will be amended and restated in anticipation of the IPO.

		The limited partner interests of BSMC and the New GP in the MLP will be converted into common units of the MLP.

		BSMC will merge into the Merger Sub, with BSMC surviving.

		In connection with such merger: (i) BSMC will redeem its common units in the MLP for a return of the Original Cash Contribution; (ii) all common units in BSMC (other than Class A common units held by BSNR) will be exchanged for common units of the MLP at a conversion ratio to be determined; (iii) the preferred units in BSMC will be exchanged for preferred units in the MLP at a conversion ratio of 1:1; (iv) the BSMC Class A common units held by BSNR will remain outstanding; (v) the New GP will retain its general partner interest in the MLP and its common units in the MLP; (vi) the MLP’s equity interest in the Merger Sub will be converted into common units of BSMC with a value equal to a 99% limited partner interest in BSMC; and (vii) BSNR will retain its general partner interest in BSMC.

		Immediately following the merger, the limited partnership agreement of BSMC will be amended and restated.

Step 9:		The MLP will form a new wholly-owned Delaware limited liability company to be the general partner of BSMC (the “New BSMC GP”). The MLP will remove BSNR as general partner of BSMC and will appoint the New BSMC GP as general partner of BSMC.

		The limited liability company agreement of the New GP will be amended and restated into the form that is desired at the time of the IPO.

Schedule 9.24- Page 2



Step 10:		The MLP will conduct an initial public offering of common units (currently targeting approximately $500 million), which will represent a percentage limited partner interest in the MLP.

Step 11:		The MLP will contribute all of the net proceeds of such initial public offering to BSMC in exchange for an additional limited partner interest in BSMC.

Schedule 9.24- Page 3

If consummated, the foregoing Steps 1 through 11 will result in the following structure:

LOGO

Schedule 9.24- Page 4

EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

Execution Copy

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

2009 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This 2009 Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of December 9, 2008, but effective as of April 1, 2009, by and between Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“BSMC”), and Thomas L. Carter, Jr. (“Employee”).

The parties agree as follows:

1. Employment; Term; Duties; Compensation and Benefits.

(a) Unless terminated pursuant to Section 2 hereof, BSMC hereby agrees to employ Employee, and Employee hereby agrees to remain an employee of BSMC, for a three year period commencing on April 1, 2009 and expiring on March 31, 2012 (the “Employment Term”). On March 31, 2010, and each successive March 31 thereafter, the Employment Term shall automatically be extended for one additional year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon written notice by either party the Employment Term shall cease to be extended as provided in the preceding sentence. Following the expiration of the Employment Term, Employee shall be employed at will by BSMC and his employment shall continue under the terms of this Agreement until terminated upon written notice at any time by either party.

(b) Employee serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Employee will be responsible for the general oversight, supervision and management of BSMC. Employee will also have such other responsibilities and duties as are customarily associated with the position of chairman or chief executive officer or as may be from time to time assigned to Employee by the Board of Managers (the “Board”) of Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., the general partner of BSMC (the “General Partner”).

(c) Employee agrees that he will serve BSMC faithfully, diligently and to the best of his ability during the period of his employment with BSMC, and that he will devote substantially all of his full time and efforts during business hours to the business of BSMC, reasonable vacations and sick leaves in accordance with BSMC’s policies excluded. BSMC acknowledges that, consistent with Employee’s obligations under this Agreement, from time to time Employee has fulfilled his responsibilities to the Company and performed his duties at locations other than BSMC’s principal place of business, and BSMC agrees that Employee may continue this practice so long as and to the extent that the performance of his obligations to BSMC is not adversely affected. This Section 1(c) shall not prevent Employee from (i) investing personal assets in such form or manner as may require occasional or incidental services on the part of Employee in the management, conservation and protection of such investments, provided that such investments and actions are not competitive or in conflict with BSMC or its business or any business of its affiliates or (ii) participating in social, civic, charitable, religious, educational or professional associations; provided, that in both (i) and (ii) such participation in such activities will not prevent Employee from devoting substantially all of his full time and efforts to BSMC.

(d) (i) BSMC shall pay Employee an annual base salary of $575,000 per year, which shall be payable in accordance with BSMC’s customary payroll practices with respect to amount, time and manner of payment, subject to such withholdings and deductions as may be required under applicable law. Such base salary may not be decreased during the Employment Term, but, although not required, may be increased in accordance with the general practices of BSMC.

(ii) Not later than March 30 of each year during the Employment Term, BSMC shall pay Employee an annual performance bonus with respect to the previous calendar year as provided below. The targeted performance bonus is 120% of Employee’s annual base salary (the “Target Bonus”). With respect to each calendar year ending during the Employment Term, the annual performance bonus shall equal the product of the EBITDA Achievement Ratio times the Target Bonus. “EBITDA Achievement Ratio” means, for any calendar year, the ratio of BSMC’s Contract EBITDA for such calendar year to Budgeted Contract EBITDA for such calendar year; provided, however, that if the foregoing ratio of Contract EBITDA to Budgeted Contract EBITDA is less than 50%, the EBITDA Achievement Ratio for such calendar year shall be deemed to equal 0%. “Contract EBITDA” means, for any calendar year, the sum of BSMC’s (A) net income, plus (B) interest expense, plus (C) income tax expense, plus (D) depreciation, depletion or amortization expense for such calendar year, plus (E) compensation expense associated with grants or issuances of equity interests (including carried interests in real property) to employees or members of the Board or associated with BSMC’s incentive or retention plans or agreements (whether cash or equity) plus (F) dry hole expense, as determined in accordance with United Stated general accepted accounting principles, consistently applied. “Budgeted Contract EBITDA” means, for any calendar year, the Contract EBITDA projected for such calendar year in the annual budget approved by the Board. Employee shall not be entitled to receive an annual performance bonus unless Employee is employed by BSMC on the earlier of the date of payment of the annual performance bonus or the due date thereof, except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 2(d)(i) or 2(d)(ii).

(ii) Employee shall be entitled to participate in BSMC’s Senior Executive Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”).

(iii) Upon the formation by BSMC or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities during the Employment Term of any additional co-investment entity or investment fund for the primary purpose of investing in fee mineral properties, royalty interests (including overriding royalty interests), working interests or other natural resource assets, Employee will be entitled to acquire a beneficial interest in any carried or reversionary interest in any such additional co-investment entity or investment fund in an amount and on terms consistent with BSMC’s past practices as determined by the Board in good faith. In furtherance of the foregoing, BSMC agrees to transfer, or cause to be transferred, to Employee for nominal consideration a beneficial interest in 15% of the carried interest in Black Stone Natural Resources III, L.P. and Black Stone Natural Resources III-B, L.P. and 20% of the carried interest in O’Connell Partners, L.P., subject to vesting, forfeiture or repurchase terms similar to those applicable to other senior

officers of BSMC. It is presently anticipated that any such carried or reversionary interests may be held in an entity structured in a manner substantially similar to those previously organized by BSMC to hold such interests. Any unvested beneficial interest of Employee in the carried or reversionary interest shall, at the option of BSMC, be subject to forfeiture or repurchase by BSMC or its designee for nominal consideration of $1.00 upon termination of Employee’s employment.

(e) BSMC shall reimburse Employee for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties to BSMC, including monthly health club and country club membership dues, provided that Employee presents to BSMC written accounts thereof and appropriate evidence of payment in accordance with BSMC’s normal policies.

(f) During the Employment Term, Employee shall be entitled to receive all welfare benefits generally available to other similarly situated employees of BSMC.

2. Termination of Employment. Employee’s employment shall be terminated upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:

(a) BSMC terminates Employee for cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “cause” shall include the following:

(i) Employee has failed or refused to perform or observe any material term or provision hereof (including voluntarily terminating his employment with BSMC) or to materially follow and satisfactorily perform (in BSMC’s reasonable discretion) any lawful directions of the Board;

(ii) Employee has been indicted for or convicted of, or has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to a charge that he committed, a felony or other crime of moral turpitude;

(iii) Employee has perpetrated an act of fraud or dishonesty against or involving, or theft of property of, BSMC or any subsidiary or affiliate of BSMC;

(iv) Employee has violated any applicable federal, state or local law or regulation and, as a result of such violation, has become, or has caused BSMC or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to become the subject of any legal action or administrative proceeding or a suspension of any right or privilege;

(v) Employee has committed any act that causes, or shall knowingly or recklessly fail to take reasonable and appropriate action to prevent, any material injury to the financial condition or business reputation of BSMC or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; or

(vi) Chronic alcoholism, drug addiction or any other form of addiction that materially impairs Employee’s ability to perform the terms and provisions of this Agreement, as determined by a physician retained by BSMC (and the conclusion of such physician shall be determinative).

Based on the Board’s knowledge of the manner in which Employee fulfills his responsibilities to BSMC and performs his duties, BSMC agrees that it is not now aware of any circumstance that would constitute cause under this Agreement.

(b) Death of Employee.

(c) Disability of Employee. For purposes of this Agreement, “disability” shall mean a mental or physical condition resulting from an injury or illness that renders Employee incapable of performing the essential functions of his position with reasonable accommodations from BSMC for 90 days out of any 120 day period.

(d) BSMC terminates Employee without cause during the Employment Term or Employee terminates his employment for Good Reason.

(i) Subject to the provisions of Section 2(d)(ii), upon BSMC’s termination of Employee without cause during the Employment Term, Employee’s employment under this Agreement shall thereupon terminate and BSMC shall pay to Employee promptly following such termination that portion of the base salary and the Target Bonus (prorating the Target Bonus for the calendar year in which the termination occurs without regard to actual performance) to be paid to him under Section 1 hereof that has accrued to the date of such termination. In addition, upon BSMC’s termination of this Agreement without cause BSMC shall pay to Employee an amount (the “Severance Payment”) equal to the sum of (i) any unpaid annual performance bonus for the year prior to the year in which the termination occurs and (ii) his base salary and his Target Bonus for the remainder of the Employment Term (as in effect immediately prior to the termination of employment and prorated as appropriate), which Severance Payment shall not be less than the sum of his annual base salary plus his Target Bonus, or such pay in lieu of notice as may be required under applicable law, whichever is greater, in full and final satisfaction of any and all obligations of BSMC and its affiliates to Employee, whether statutory or otherwise. BSMC shall make the payments to Employee required by this Section 2(d)(i) within 60 days of the effective date of the termination of this Agreement, except as may be otherwise required by applicable law or in order to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (as amended, the “Code”), including regulations or other guidance issued with respect thereto, such that the payment shall not be subject to excise tax under Section 409A of the Code. Upon termination without cause, Employee shall deliver to BSMC, within 10 days of the effective date of termination, his release of BSMC and its affiliates from any and all claims, both present and future, that he may have against BSMC or its affiliates, which release shall be satisfactory in form and substance to BSMC in its sole discretion. In the event that such release is not delivered to BSMC in the manner described, Employee will be in breach of this Agreement and be deemed to have forfeited his right to receive the payments otherwise required by the third sentence of this Section 2(d)(i).

(ii) Upon BSMC’s termination of Employee without cause during the Employment Term after a Change of Control, or Employee’s termination of his employment for Good Reason, BSMC shall pay to Employee promptly following any such termination by BSMC or Employee that portion of the base salary and the Target Bonus (prorating the Target Bonus for the calendar year in which the termination occurs without regard to actual performance) to be paid to him under Section 1 hereof that has accrued to the date of such termination. In addition, following any such termination of this Agreement after a Change of Control, BSMC shall pay to Employee the greater of the amount that is payable to Employee pursuant to the second sentence of Section 2(d)(i) or an amount equal to the product of two times the sum of his annual base salary and his Target Bonus in effect at the time of the termination. BSMC shall make the payments to Employee required by this Section 2(d)(ii) within 60 days of the effective date of the termination of this Agreement, except as may be otherwise required by applicable law or in order to comply with Section 409A of the Code, including regulations or other guidance issued with respect thereto, such that the payment shall not be subject to excise tax under Section 409A of the Code. Upon any termination of Employee pursuant to this Section 2(d)(ii), Employee shall deliver to BSMC, within 10 days of the effective date of termination, his release of BSMC and its affiliates from any and all claims, both present and future, that he may have against BSMC or its affiliates, which release shall be satisfactory in form and substance to BSMC in its sole discretion. In the event that such release is not delivered to BSMC in the manner described, Employee will be in breach of this Agreement and be deemed to have forfeited his right to receive the payments otherwise required by the second sentence of this Section 2(d)(ii). “Change of Control” means (i) the transfer of beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) of a majority of the outstanding units of BSMC or a majority of the outstanding shares of the General Partner to any person or entity (including a “group” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), except that if beneficial ownership would be deemed to occur merely upon the execution of voting agreements to support a merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction to be consummated in the future, then the Board may in its sole discretion determine that the date of such Change of Control shall instead be the date of such consummation; (ii) the partners of BSMC or the members of the General Partner prior to any merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction do not continue to own at least fifty percent (50%) of the surviving entity following such merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction; (iii) other than in the ordinary course of business, BSMC sells, leases or exchanges all or substantially all of the assets of BSMC and its controlled subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any other person or entity (other than a direct or indirect controlled subsidiary of BSMC); (iv) BSMC is materially or completely liquidated; (v) on or after the first public equity offering of partnership interests or other equity securities of BSMC, the General Partner or any controlled subsidiary thereof or successor thereto registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (“IPO”), if any person or entity (including a “group” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of 30% or more of the units, shares or other equity securities of BSMC, the General Partner or any such subsidiary or successor; or (vi) during any consecutive two-year period, individuals who constituted the Board

(together with any new managers whose election by the Board or whose nomination for election by the members of the General Partner was approved by a vote of at least three quarters of the managers still in office who were either managers at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board. “Good Reason” shall mean at any time subsequent to a Change of Control or IPO BSMC assigns to Employee any duties materially inconsistent with Employee’s positions, duties, responsibilities and status with BSMC immediately prior to the Change of Control or IPO or BSMC changes Employee’s reporting responsibilities, titles or offices as in effect immediately prior to such Change of Control or IPO.

(e) Employee resigns or otherwise voluntarily terminates his employment other than for Good Reason.

(f) In the case of termination of Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 2(a), 2(b), 2(c) or 2(e), BSMC shall pay to Employee promptly following such termination that portion of the base salary to be paid to him under Section 1 hereof that has accrued to the date of such termination.

(g) BSMC acknowledges that the termination of Employee’s employment by BSMC shall not, in and of itself, affect Employee’s status as a member of the Board.

3. Confidentiality; Non-Solicitation.

(a) In the course of performing his duties for BSMC, Employee acknowledges that he has had in the past, and will continue to have in the future, access to certain proprietary information of BSMC (for the purposes of this Section 3 only, “BSMC” shall mean collectively BSMC and its subsidiaries and affiliated entities) concerning the properties, customers, pricing, suppliers, methods, processes, techniques, finances, administration, devices, trade secrets and operations of BSMC, including, but not limited to ownership, production, engineering, seismic and geologic information about the oil and gas properties and acquisition targets of BSMC; information regarding sales and hedging activities and strategies of BSMC; trade secrets of BSMC; data regarding technology of BSMC; information regarding pricing, pricing techniques and procurement by BSMC; financial data regarding BSMC; software programs; and other property, sales, technical and financial information and know-how (collectively “Confidential Information”). Employee further acknowledges that this Confidential Information is a valuable, special and unique asset of BSMC and that his access to and knowledge of the Confidential Information is essential to the performance of his duties as an employee of BSMC. In light of the competitive nature of the business in which BSMC is engaged, Employee agrees that, so long as such information is not otherwise available to the public (through no fault or breach of confidence by Employee or any other party) or required by a governmental authority to be disclosed, he will maintain the strict confidentiality of all Confidential Information known or obtained by him or to which he has (or had) access in connection with his past and future employment by BSMC and that he will not (i) disclose any Confidential Information to any person or entity or (ii) make any use of any Confidential Information for his own purposes or for the direct or indirect benefit of any person or entity other than BSMC without the express prior written consent of BSMC. This provision shall not restrict Employee from disclosing a general description of his job and his job duties for BSMC which does not include reference to any specific Confidential Information of BSMC.

(b) Employee agrees that all documents, records, notes, forms, manuals, notebooks, drawings, reports, books and other documents of any nature, or copies thereof, pertaining to the business or operations of BSMC and received or made by Employee or made known to him in any manner in connection with his past or future employment by BSMC and any other Confidential Information are and will be the exclusive property of BSMC. Employee agrees not to copy or remove any of such Confidential Information from the premises and custody of BSMC except as expressly agreed by BSMC, or in the course of the performance of his duties hereunder, or to disclose the contents thereof to any person or entity. Employee acknowledges that all such Confidential Information will be subject to the control of BSMC, and Employee agrees to surrender same upon the request of BSMC and that he will surrender same immediately upon any termination of his employment with BSMC for any or no reason.

(c) In furtherance of the agreements contained in this Section 3, from the date hereof and for a period of two years after Employee’s employment with BSMC is terminated for any or no reason, Employee, on behalf of himself and his present and future affiliates and employers, agrees not to and shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit any employee of BSMC or independent contractor working in the land administration department of BSMC (“Independent Contractor”) to terminate his or her employment or other contractual relationship with BSMC, and Employee further agrees not to, and shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, recruit, hire or engage, assist others in soliciting, recruiting, hiring or engaging, discuss employment or engagement of, or refer others concerning employment or engagement of, any person who is or was an employee or Independent Contractor of BSMC.

(d) In the event of a breach or threatened breach by Employee of any provision of this Section 3, BSMC shall be entitled to temporary or permanent injunctions and other appropriate relief restraining Employee from using, disclosing or retaining, in whole or in part, Confidential Information and from violating the terms of Section 3(c) of this Agreement. Employee hereby waives any requirement that BSMC post any bond in connection with obtaining any such relief. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting BSMC from pursuing any other remedies available to it.

(e) Employee recognizes, agrees and represents that BSMC would not permit Employee access to the Confidential Information unless Employee agrees to the restrictions contained herein, and that BSMC is relying on the agreements of Employee contained in this Agreement in permitting Employee access to the Confidential Information. Employee represents that being permitted access to the Confidential Information and the compensation described in this Agreement constitutes significant and valuable consideration for his agreements hereunder. In the event a court of competent jurisdiction determines as a matter of law that any of the terms of this Section 3 are unreasonable or overbroad, the parties expressly allow such court to reform this Agreement to the extent necessary to make it reasonable as a matter of law and to enforce it as so reformed.

(f) The agreements contained in this Section 3 shall survive the termination of this Agreement and Employee’s employment hereunder.

4. Inventions and Patent Rights, Computer Programs and Copyrights.

(a) Employee will immediately fully inform and disclose to BSMC all inventions, designs, improvements, discoveries, computer programs or other works that he may create or originate during the term of this Agreement that pertain or relate to his employment with BSMC and its affiliates or to the business or activities of BSMC or its affiliates, whether conceived by Employee alone or with others and whether or not conceived during normal working hours. All such inventions, designs, improvements and discoveries shall be the sole and exclusive property of BSMC and its affiliates.

(b) Employee shall assist BSMC and its affiliates to obtain patents on all such inventions, designs, improvements and discoveries and shall execute all documents and do all things necessary, whether during the term of this Agreement or after its termination, to obtain letters patent, vest BSMC and its affiliates with full and exclusive title thereto and protect the same against infringement by others.

(c) Employee further agrees that the copyright to any computer program or other work originated by Employee during the term of this Agreement is granted and assigned to BSMC where such computer program or other work relates in any way to his employment with BSMC and its affiliates or to the business or activities of BSMC or its affiliates.

(d) The obligations of Employee set forth in this Section 4 shall continue beyond the termination of this Agreement with respect to any and all inventions, designs, improvements, discoveries, computer programs or other works conceived or made by him during the term of this Agreement and such obligation shall be binding upon the assigns, executors, administrators and other legal representatives of Employee.

5. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties regarding the employment of Employee by BSMC after April 1, 2009, but does not affect any rights and obligations under that certain Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated effective as of January 1, 2006 or the Second Amended and Restated Incentive Award Agreement dated effective as of January 1, 2006 (the “Incentive Award Agreement”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the parties hereby agree that all rights of BSMC under Section 4 or 5 of the Incentive Award Agreement to purchase Tier 2 Units (as defined in the Incentive Award Agreement) or interests in certain joint ventures holding carried or reversionary interests in certain co-investment entities or investment funds formed by BSMC or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated entities are hereby waived and Sections 4 and 5 of the Incentive Award Agreement shall have no further force or effect.

6. Acknowledgments. Employee recognizes and agrees that the enforcement of this Agreement is necessary and essential to ensure the preservation and continuity of the business and good will of BSMC and its affiliates and to realize and derive all of the benefits, rights and expectations of conducting such business. Employee agrees that, due to the nature of BSMC’s

business, the scope and the duration of the covenants set forth in this Agreement are in all respects reasonable. BSMC acknowledges that any amounts which Employee is entitled to receive under this Agreement at or subsequent to the date of termination of Employee’s employment shall be payable in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

7. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when (a) delivered personally, (b) sent by telecopier (with receipt confirmed), provided that a copy is mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or (c) received by the addressee, if sent by Express Mail, Federal Express or other express delivery service (receipt requested) or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, in each case to the other party at the following addresses and telecopier numbers (or to such other address or telecopier number for a party as shall be specified by like notice; provided that notices of a change of address or telecopier number shall be effective only upon receipt thereof):

If to Employee:

Mr. Thomas L. Carter, Jr.

2221 River Oaks Boulevard

Houston, TX 77019

If to BSMC:

Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.

1001 Fannin Suite 2020

Houston, Texas 77002

Facsimile No.: (713) 658-0943

Attention: President and Chief Operating Officer

8. Assignments. The rights and obligations under this Agreement of BSMC and Employee may not be assigned, except that BSMC may, at its option, assign one or more of its rights or obligations under this Agreement to any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, or in connection with a transfer of all or substantially all of the assets or stock of BSMC or a merger or consolidation of BSMC with and into another partnership or other entity.

9. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in several identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

10. Modification; Waiver. This Agreement may be modified only by a written agreement signed by Employee and BSMC. The failure to insist upon compliance with any provision hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of such provision or any other provision hereof.

11. Governing Law. The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed In accordance with the internal laws (and not the laws of conflict) of the State of Texas.

12. Resolution of Disputes.

(a) Except for exercise of any legal or equitable remedies which may be necessary to enforce the obligations of the parties under Section 3, the parties shall attempt in good faith to resolve promptly by negotiations any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement. Any party may give the other party notice of any dispute not resolved in the normal course of business. Within 10 days after the giving of such notice, Employee and BSMC shall meet at a mutually acceptable location in Houston, Texas to exchange relevant information and to attempt to resolve the dispute. If the matter has not been resolved within 30 days of the disputing party’s notice, or if the parties fail to meet within 10 days after their initial meeting, either party may initiate arbitration proceedings (as hereinafter provided) to resolve the dispute. If a party intends to be accompanied at a meeting by an attorney, the other party shall be given at least 3 business days’ notice of such intention and may also be accompanied by an attorney. All negotiations pursuant to this Section 12(a) shall be treated as compromise and settlement negotiations for the purposes of the federal and state rules of evidence and procedure.

(b) Except for exercise of any legal or equitable remedies which may be necessary to enforce the obligations of the parties under Section 3, any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach, termination or validity hereof, and which has not been resolved as provided in Section 12(a), shall be finally settled by arbitration conducted expeditiously in accordance with the rules and regulations of the American Arbitration Association. The parties shall mutually agree on a single arbitrator sitting in Houston, Texas and the parties hereto agree to be bound by the arbitrator’s decision. Judgment of the award decided upon by the arbitrator may be entered in any state or federal court having jurisdiction thereof.

(c) BSMC shall promptly pay or reimburse Employee for all costs and expenses, including, without limitation, costs and attorneys’ fees, incurred by Employee as a result of any claim, action or proceeding (including, without limitation a claim, action or proceeding by Employee against BSMC) arising out of, or challenging the validity or enforceability of, this Agreement or any provision hereof which the court or arbitrator determines was decided substantially in favor of Employee.

13. Severability. The unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

14. Waivers. No delay of omission by BSMC in exercising any right of BSMC under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of that or any other right. A waiver by BSMC on any one occasion of any particular right shall be effective only in that particular instance and shall not be construed as a waiver of that or any other right on any other occasion.

15. No Mitigation or Set-off. The provisions of this Agreement are not intended to, nor shall they be construed to, require that Employee mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking or accepting other employment, nor shall the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement be reduced by any compensation earned by Employee as a result of his employment by another employer or otherwise. A party’s obligations to make payments to the other party under this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action that such party may have against the other party.

16. Captions; Interpretation; Code Section 409A.

(a) The captions contained herein are for convenience only, form no part of this Agreement and shall not in any way affect its interpretation. As used in this Agreement, the masculine, feminine or neuter gender and the singular or plural number shall be deemed to include the others whenever the context so requires. The language used in this Agreement has been chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent and understanding, and no rule of strict construction shall be applied against any party.

(b) This Agreement is intended to meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and may be administered in a manner that is intended to meet those requirements and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. To the extent that a payment, or the settlement or deferral thereof, is subject to Section 409A of the Code, except as the Company otherwise determines in writing, the amount shall be paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, including regulations or other guidance issued with respect thereto, such that the payment, settlement or deferral shall not be subject to the excise tax applicable under Section 409A of the Code. Any provision of this Agreement that would cause the payment, settlement or deferral thereof to fail to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall be amended (in a manner that as closely as practicable achieves the original intent of this Agreement) to comply with Section 409A of the Code on a timely basis, which may be made on a retroactive basis, in accordance with regulations and other guidance issued under Section 409A of the Code. Any payments made under this Agreement due to the termination of this Agreement are intended to be payments made upon a “separation from service” as described in Section 409A of the Code.

[SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement is executed by the parties as of the day and year first above written.


BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

By:	Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.
	General Partner

	By:	/s/ Hallie A. Vanderhider
		Hallie A. Vanderhider
		President and Chief Operating Officer

/s/ Thomas L. Carter, Jr.
Thomas L. Carter, Jr.

APPROVED:

/s/ Risher Randall

Risher Randall

Chairman of the Compensation Committee

EX-10.4

Exhibit 10.4

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

FIRST AMENDMENT TO 2009 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This First Amendment (the “First Amendment”) to the 2009 Employment Agreement between Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. (“BSMC”) and Thomas L. Carter, Jr. (“Employee”) effective as of April 1, 2009 (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into effective as of June 25, 2014.

RECITALS

BSMC and Employee entered into the Agreement on December 9, 2008, but effective as of April 1, 2009, and the Agreement remains in effect.

BSMC and Employee wish to amend the Agreement to:

a. Conform the definition of “Target Bonus” to the definition used for other senior executives of BSMC; and

b. Update the definition of “cause.”

AGREEMENT

In consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, BSMC and Employee, intending to be bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this First Amendment (including in the recitals) have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.

2. Amendments to the Agreement.

2.1. Section 1(d)(ii) of the Agreement is amended and restated as follows:

“(ii) Not later than March 30 of each year during the Employment Term, BSMC shall pay Employee an annual performance bonus with respect to the previous calendar year, equal to the product of Employee’s Target Bonus and EBITDAX Achievement Percentage, defined as follows:

(A)

Target Bonus means 120% of Employee’s annual base salary.

(B)

EBITDAX Achievement Percentage means, for any calendar year, the percentage set forth on Appendix A corresponding to the EBITDAX Achievement Ratio achieved for the calendar year.

(C)

EBITDAX Achievement Ratio means, for any calendar year, the ratio of BSMC’s Contract EBITDAX for such calendar year to Budgeted Contract EBITDAX for such calendar year.

(D)

Contract EBITDAX means, for any calendar year, the sum of BSMC’s (i) net income, plus (ii) interest expense, plus (iii) income tax expense, plus (iv) depreciation, depletion or amortization expense for such calendar year, plus (v) targeted compensation associated with grants or issuances of equity interests (including carried interests in real property) to employees or members of the Board or associated with BSMC’s incentive or retention plans or agreements (whether cash or equity) plus (vi) dry hole expense, as determined in accordance with United Stated generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

(E)

Budgeted Contract EBITDAX means, for any calendar year, the Contract EBITDAX projected for such calendar year in the annual budget approved by the Board.

Employee shall not be entitled to receive an annual performance bonus unless Employee is employed by BSMC on the earlier of the date of payment of the annual performance bonus or the due date thereof, except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 2(d)(i) or 2(d)(ii).”

2.2. Section 2(a) of the Agreement is amended as follows:

2.2.1. The word “or” is appended to the end of subsection (iv).

2.2.2. At the end of subsection (v), “;or” is deleted and replaced with a period.

2.2.3. Subsection (vi) is deleted in its entirety.

2.3 Appendix A to this First Amendment is appended as Appendix A to the Agreement:

3. Agreement. Except as expressly amended by this First Amendment, the Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and is hereby ratified and affirmed by BSMC and Employee.

4. General Provisions. This First Amendment may be executed in duplicate counterparts and each such counterpart shall be deemed an original agreement for all purposes. All signatures hereto may be transmitted by facsimile or scanned email, and such facsimile or scanned email will, for all purposes, be deemed to be the original signature of the party whose signature it reproduces, and will be binding upon such party. This First Amendment is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the law of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflicts-of-law principles.

(signature page follows)

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this First Amendment is entered into as of the date first set forth above.


BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

By:	Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.
	General Partner

	By:	/s/ Allan Skov
		Allan Skov
		Senior Vice President, Corporate Services and Chief Information Officer

THOMAS L. CARTER, JR.

/s/ Thomas L. Carter, Jr.

APPROVED:

/s/ William G. Bardel

William G. Bardel

Chairman of the Compensation Committee

APPENDIX A

DETERMINATION OF EBITDAX ACHIEVEMENT PERCENTAGE


If EBITDAX Achievement Ratio is	EBITDAX Achievement Percentage	If EBITDAX Achievement Ratio is	EBITDAX Achievement Percentage
Less than 70%	0.00%	101%	103.33333%
70%	50.00000%	102%	106.66667%
71%	51.66667%	103%	110.00000%
72%	53.33333%	104%	113.33333%
73%	55.00000%	105%	116.66667%
74%	56.66667%	106%	120.00000%
75%	58.33333%	107%	123.33333%
76%	60.00000%	108%	126.66667%
77%	61.66667%	109%	130.00000%
78%	63.33333%	110%	133.33333%
79%	65.00000%	111%	136.66667%
80%	66.66667%	112%	140.00000%
81%	68.33333%	113%	143.33333%
82%	70.00000%	114%	146.66667%
83%	71.66667%	115%	150.00000%
84%	73.33333%	116%	153.33333%
85%	75.00000%	117%	156.66667%
86%	76.66667%	118%	160.00000%
87%	78.33333%	119%	163.33333%
88%	80.00000%	120%	166.66667%
89%	81.66667%	121%	170.00000%
90%	83.33333%	122%	173.33333%
91%	85.00000%	123%	176.66667%
92%	86.66667%	124%	180.00000%
93%	88.33333%	125%	183.33333%
94%	90.00000%	126%	186.66667%
95%	91.66667%	127%	190.00000%
96%	93.33333%	128%	193.33333%
97%	95.00000%	129%	196.66667%
98%	96.66667%	130%	200.00000%
99%	98.33333%	Greater than 130%	200.00000%
100%	100.00000%

EX-10.5

BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

2012 EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE PLAN

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. desires to establish the Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. 2012 Executive Incentive Plan as an unfunded bonus plan to advance the best interests of the Company, its affiliates and its partners by providing eligible executives of the Company with additional performance incentives, thereby encouraging them to continue in their employment with the Company;

WHEREAS, it is intended that the Plan shall constitute a bonus program within the meaning of Department of Labor Regulation § 2510.3-2(c);

NOW THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby established, effective January 1, 2012, as follows.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.1 Definitions. The words and phrases defined in this ARTICLE I shall have the meaning set forth below throughout the Plan, unless the context in which any such word or phrase appears reasonably requires a broader, narrower or different meaning.

(a) “Affiliate” means any person which, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company. For purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, the term “control” (and derivations thereof) when used with respect to any person means the power to direct the management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of securities that ordinarily (apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) have the right to vote at elections of managers of a limited liability company or directors of a corporation or persons performing functions similar to members of the board of directors of a corporation, by contract or otherwise.

(b) “Base Salary” means a Participant’s base salary or wages from the Company (as defined in section 3401(a) of the Code for purposes of federal income tax withholding), modified by including any portion thereof that such Participant could have received in cash in lieu of any elective deferrals made by the Participant pursuant to a nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement or pursuant to a qualified cash or deferred arrangement described in section 401(k) of the Code and any elective contributions under a cafeteria plan described in section 125 of the Code, and modified further by excluding any bonus, incentive compensation (including but not limited to equity-based compensation), commissions, expense reimbursements or other expense allowances, fringe benefits (cash and noncash), moving expenses, deferred compensation (other than elective deferrals by the Participant under a qualified cash or deferred arrangement described in section 401(k) of the Code or a nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement that are expressly included in “Base Compensation” under the foregoing provisions of this definition), welfare benefits as defined in ERISA, overtime pay, special performance compensation amounts and severance compensation.

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(d) “BOE” means a barrel of oil equivalent which is one barrel (42 US gallons) of crude oil or six thousand (6,000) cubic feet of natural gas.

(e) “Budget” means the Company’s annual budget for a Performance Period Year that was adopted by the Board for such Performance Period Year.

(f) “Cause” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.

(g) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(h) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or in the event there is no Compensation Committee, the entire Board.

(i) “Company” means Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and any successor thereto.

(j) “Disability” means a mental or physical condition resulting from an injury or illness that renders a Participant incapable of performing the essential functions of his or her position with reasonable accommodations from the Company for 90 days out of any 120 day period.

(k) “Employment” or “employed,” when used with respect to any Participant, refers to such Participant’s employment by the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(l) “Employment Agreement” means a written employment agreement in effect between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate.

(m) “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

(n) “General Partner” means Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Company.

(o) “Good Reason” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Participant’s Employment Agreement, if any.

(p) “Incentive Bonus” means a bonus calculated under Section 4.1 and payable to a Participant under the Plan.

(q) “LTI Target Award Level” means, with respect to a Participant, the amount designated as the LTI Target Award Level for the Participant in the Notice of Award issued by the Committee to the Participant for a Performance Period.

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(r) “Notice of Award” means the Notice of Award of Target Incentive Bonus issued by the Committee under the Plan to the Participant for a Performance Period.

(s) “Participant” means an executive of the Company who is listed in Section 2.1, has been issued a Notice of Award with respect to the applicable Performance Period, and is participating in the Plan for such Performance Period.

(t) “Performance Award Allocation Percentage” means fifty percent (50%).

(u) “Performance Period” means the three (3) year period that begins on the first day of the first calendar year with respect to which a Target Incentive Bonus is awarded to a Participant under Article III as designated in the Notice of Award issued to such Participant and ending on the last day of the second year following the first calendar year with respect to which such Target Incentive Bonus is awarded.

(v) “Performance Period Year” means a calendar year during an applicable Performance Period.

(w) “Plan” means the Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. 2012 Executive Incentive Plan set forth herein, as it may be amended from time to time.

(x) “Production Payout Percentage of Target” means, with respect to a Performance Period Year, the amount set forth on Appendix A next to the Production Performance Percentage achieved for such Performance Period Year.

(y) “Production Performance Percentage” means the quotient of (i) the amount of production (expressed as BOE) achieved by the Company for the applicable Performance Period Year divided by (ii) the Production Target for the applicable Performance Period Year.

(z) “Production Target” means the budgeted amount of the Company’s production (expressed as BOE) for the applicable Performance Period Year set forth in the Budget for such Performance Period Year, adjusted for changes in the number of Units outstanding during the Performance Period Year by dividing such budgeted amount of the Company’s production by the number of Units outstanding effective as of the first day of such Performance Period Year (including all Units that were issued to a member of the Board or an employee of the Company as compensation effective as of the first day of such Performance Period Year) and then multiplying such amount by the arithmetic mean of the number of Units outstanding on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1 of such Performance Period Year (provided, however, that for purposes of calculating the “Production Target” for a Performance Period Year, any Units that are repurchased by the Company at any time during such Performance Period Year will reduce the number of Units outstanding during such Performance Period Year as of the date on which such Units are repurchased and not as of the date the repurchase is effective if the repurchase is effective retroactive to a date prior to the date of purchase).

- 3 -

(aa) “Reserve Payout Percentage of Target” means, with respect to a Performance Period Year, the amount set forth on Appendix B next to the Reserve Performance Percentage achieved for such Performance Period Year.

(bb) “Reserve Performance Percentage” means the quotient of (i) the amount of the Company’s reserves (expressed as BOE) as of the last day of the applicable Performance Period Year divided by (ii) the Reserve Target for such Performance Period Year.

(cc) “Reserve Target” means the budgeted amount of the Company’s reserves (expressed as BOE) as of the last day of the applicable Performance Period Year set forth in the Budget for such Performance Period Year, adjusted for changes in the number of Units outstanding during the Performance Period Year by dividing such budgeted amount of the Company’s reserves by the number of Units outstanding effective as of the first day of such Performance Period Year (including all Units that were granted to a member of the Board or an employee of the Company as compensation effective as of the first day of such Performance Period Year) and then multiplying such amount by the number of Units outstanding effective as of the close of business on the last day of such Performance Period Year (provided, however, that for purposes of calculating the “Reserve Target” for a Performance Period Year any Units that are repurchased by the Company after the first day of such Performance Period Year but effective as of the first day of such Performance Period Year will not reduce the number of Units outstanding effective as of the first day of such Performance Period Year).

(dd) “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the Department of the Treasury rules and regulations issued thereunder.

(ee) “Target Incentive Bonus” means an Incentive Bonus opportunity awarded by the Committee to a Participant under the Plan.

(ff) “Unit” means a Class A Common Unit of the Company.

- 4 -

ARTICLE II

ELIGIBILITY

Section 2.1 Eligibility to Participate. The executives of the Company who are eligible to receive Incentive Bonus awards under the Plan are:

Name of Executive

Thomas L. Carter, Jr.

Mark Carroll

Holbrook Dorn

Mark Harmon

Allan Skov

William Tom

Mark Robinson

Samuel Crabb

Section 2.2 Termination of Participation. If a Participant’s employment terminates during a Performance Period for any reason other than the Participant’s death or Disability or the termination of the Participant’s employment by the Company without Cause or termination by the Participant under the Participant’s Employment Agreement for Good Reason, the Participant shall cease to participate in the Plan on the date such Participant’s employment terminates and such Participant shall not be entitled to receive an Incentive Bonus (or any unpaid 2012 Payment or 2013 Payment as those terms are defined in Section 4.1) for such Performance Period or any subsequent Performance Period.

ARTICLE III

AWARD OF INCENTIVE BONUS OPPORTUNITY UNDER THE PLAN

During the term of the Plan, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, award, for a Performance Period, to an individual listed in Section 2.1 who is then employed by the Company or an Affiliate a Target Incentive Bonus under the Plan in an amount equal to:

A x B x C

where “A” is the amount of the Participant’s Base Salary in effect on the first day of the applicable Performance Period, “B” is the Participant’s LTI Target Award Level for such Performance Period, and “C” is the Performance Award Allocation Percentage.

- 5 -

ARTICLE IV

CALCULATION AND PAYMENT OF INCENTIVE BONUS UNDER THE PLAN

Section 4.1 Incentive Bonus Amount. If a Participant who was awarded an opportunity to receive an Incentive Bonus under Article III for a Performance Period has remained employed by the Company throughout the applicable Performance Period then the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Company an Incentive Bonus with respect to such Performance Period in an amount equal to:

((A + B) ÷ C) x D

where “A” is the average of the Production Payout Percentage of Target for the three (3) Performance Period Years included in the applicable Performance Period, “B” is the average of the Reserve Payout Percentage of Target for the three (3) Performance Period Years included in the applicable Performance Period, “C” is the number two (2), and “D” is the amount of the Target Incentive Bonus awarded to the Participant for such Performance Period under ARTICLE III. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.1 or any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Incentive Bonus amount for the Performance Period beginning January 1, 2012, and ending December 31, 2014 (the “2012-14 Performance Period”), shall be the positive excess, if any, of the amount determined under the first sentence of this Section 4.1 for the 2012-14 Performance Period minus the aggregate amounts set forth on the Participant’s Notice of Award for the 2012-14 Performance Period that are designated as the 2012 Payment (the “2012 Payment”) and the 2013 Payment (the “2013 Payment”).

Section 4.2 Incentive Bonus Amount Payable For Year of Termination of Employment.

(a) Death, Disability, Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. Notwithstanding Section 4.1, if during a Performance Period a Participant’s employment terminates due to the Participant’s death, Disability, termination by the Company without Cause or termination by the Participant under the Participant’s Employment Agreement for Good Reason, the Participant’s estate or the Participant, as the case may be, shall nevertheless be entitled to receive from the Company an Incentive Bonus for a Performance Period that includes the calendar year in which the Participant’s employment terminates due to the Participant’s death, Disability, termination by the Company without Cause or termination by the Participant under the Participant’s Employment Agreement for Good Reason, payable on the date provided in Section 4.3, with respect to such Performance Period equal to the product of (i) the quotient of (A) the number of days the Participant was employed during such Performance Period divided by (B) the number of days in such Performance Period, times (ii) the amount of the Incentive Bonus that would have been payable to the Participant under Section 4.1 if the Participant had been employed for the entire Performance Period. Notwithstanding Section 4.1, if prior to the last day of the calendar year 2012 or the calendar year 2013 a Participant’s employment terminates due to the Participant’s death, Disability, termination by the Company without Cause or termination by the Participant under the Participant’s Employment Agreement for Good Reason, the Participant’s estate or the Participant, as the case may be, shall nevertheless be entitled to receive from the Company a portion of

- 6 -

the 2012 Payment or 2013 Payment, as applicable, payable on the date provided in Section 4.3, equal to the product of (i) the quotient of (A) the number of days the Participant was employed during the calendar year 2012 (with respect to the 2012 Payment) or the calendar year 2013 (with respect to the 2013 Payment) divided by (B) the number of days in the calendar year 2012 (with respect to the 2012 Payment) or the calendar year 2013 (with respect to the 2013 Payment), times (ii) the amount of the 2012 Payment or the 2013 Payment, as applicable.

(b) Other Termination of Employment. If a Participant’s employment terminates during a Performance Period for any reason other than the Participant’s death, Disability, termination by the Company without Cause or termination by the Participant under the Participant’s Employment Agreement for Good Reason, the Participant shall forfeit to the Company all rights to any Target Incentive Bonus and any Incentive Bonus with respect to a Performance Period that includes the calendar year in which the Participant’s employment so terminates and any subsequent Performance Period. If a Participant’s employment terminates during the calendar year 2012 for any reason other than the Participant’s death, Disability, termination by the Company without Cause or termination by the Participant under the Participant’s Employment Agreement for Good Reason, the Participant shall forfeit to the Company all rights to 2012 Payment and the 2013 Payment, and if a Participant’s employment terminates during the calendar year 2013 for any reason other than the Participant’s death, Disability, termination by the Company without Cause or termination by the Participant under the Participant’s Employment Agreement for Good Reason, the Participant shall forfeit to the Company all rights to the 2013 Payment.

Section 4.3 Time of Payment. An Incentive Bonus payable to a Participant under the Plan shall be paid on March 15 immediately following the last day of the applicable Performance Period with respect to which the Incentive Bonus is payable. The 2012 Payment shall be paid on May 24, 2013, and the 2013 Payment shall be paid on March 15, 2014.

Section 4.4 Form of Payment. An Incentive Bonus payable to a Participant under the Plan for any Performance Period, and the 2012 Payment and the 2013 Payment, shall be paid by the Company in cash.

Section 4.5 Payment of Incentive Bonus as Required under Order Issued in Connection with Divorce. If an order, judgment or decree dividing the community or marital interest of a Participant and his or her spouse in any Incentive Bonus payable under the Plan to the Participant is issued by a court in connection with divorce proceedings for the Participant and his or her spouse (a “domestic relations order”), then all interests awarded to the spouse will remain subject to the terms of the Plan including the forfeiture provisions under ARTICLE V as if such interest had not been so divided and such interest shall be paid to the spouse, following the acceptance of the domestic relations order by the Committee, at the time and in the manner such interest would have been paid to the Participant and shall remain subject to the terms of the Plan including any Forfeiture Restrictions applicable to the Incentive Bonus payment. All taxes and other withholdings required by applicable law may be deducted and withheld from any payments to such spouse. The Committee shall have the sole and absolute discretion to interpret and construe a domestic relations order, including interpreting how the order divides the

- 7 -

Participant’s Incentive Bonus between the Participant and his or her spouse, the time any amount subject to the domestic relations order shall be paid, and the amount of taxes to be withheld, and all such determinations of the Committee shall be binding on all parties in interest. Any benefits payable to a spouse pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order shall be subject to all provisions and restrictions of the Plan and any dispute regarding such benefits shall be resolved pursuant to the claims procedures set forth in Section 6.5.

ARTICLE V

FORFEITURE

Section 5.1 Forfeiture for Cause. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, if the Committee determines that a Participant’s employment was terminated by the Company or any Affiliate for one or more of the reasons set forth below (“Cause”):

(a) The Participant’s failure or refusal to perform or observe any material term or provision of his or her Employment Agreement (including voluntarily terminating his or her employment with the Company) or to materially follow and satisfactorily perform (in the Company’s reasonable discretion) any lawful directions of the Board or an officer of the Company to whom the Participant reports;

(b) The Participant’s indictment for or conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a charge that he or she committed, a felony or other crime of moral turpitude;

(c) The Participant’s perpetration of an act of fraud or dishonesty against or involving, or theft of property of, the Company or any Affiliate;

(d) The Participant’s violation of any applicable federal, state or local law or regulation relating to the business of the Company and/or its Affiliates which results in the Participant, the Company or any Affiliate becoming the subject of any legal action or administrative proceeding or a suspension of any right or privilege;

(e) The Participant’s commission of any act that causes, or the Participant’s knowing or reckless failure to take reasonable and appropriate action to prevent, any material injury to the financial condition or business reputation of the Company or any Affiliate; or

(f) The Participant’s chronic alcoholism, drug addiction or any other form of addiction that materially impairs the Participant’s ability to perform his or her duties as an employee, including, but not limited to, the terms and provisions of his or her Employment Agreement, if any, as determined by a physician retained by the Company (and the conclusion of such physician shall be determinative);

then the Participant shall forfeit to the Company all Incentive Bonuses not yet paid to him or her under the Plan (including any unpaid 2012 Payment and 2013 Payment). No determination made by the Committee under this Section 5.1 will have any effect on the finality of the termination of the Participant’s employment by the Company.

- 8 -

Section 5.2 Determinations Shall be Made by the Committee. The Committee, in the Committee’s sole and absolute discretion, shall make all determinations required or necessary under this ARTICLE V. In the event of conduct by a Participant which violates, or which the Committee believes may violate, the provisions of Section 5.1, the Company may withhold any payments due the Participant pending a determination of the potential breach and forfeiture. The determination of whether a Participant’s conduct violates the provisions of Section 5.1 shall be made by the Committee after full consideration of the facts presented both on behalf of the Company, any Affiliate and the Participant. The decision of the Committee, in the Committee’s discretion, as to all such matters including the commission of the act and the damage done to the Company or an Affiliate shall be final and binding upon all interested parties. No decision of the Committee shall affect the finality of the discharge, if any, of the Participant by the Company or an Affiliate in any manner.

ARTICLE VI

ADMINISTRATION

Section 6.1 Administrator of the Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.

Section 6.2 Powers of the Committee. The Committee shall have the exclusive responsibility for the general administration of the Plan according to the terms and provisions of the Plan and will have all the powers necessary to accomplish those purposes including, but not by way of limitation, the right, power and authority:

(a) to make rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan;

(b) to construe all terms, provisions, conditions and limitations of the Plan;

(c) to correct any defects, apply any omissions or reconcile any inconsistencies that may appear in the Plan in the manner and to the extent the Committee deems expedient to carry the Plan into effect for the greatest benefit of all parties in interest;

(d) to determine all controversies relating to the administration of the Plan, including but not limited to:

(i) differences of opinion arising between the Company, an Affiliate and a Participant; and

(ii) any question the Committee deems advisable to determine in order to promote the uniform administration of the Plan for the benefit of all parties in interest; and

(e) to determine the amount of any Incentive Bonus to be paid under the Plan to each Participant, and to determine and construe all Plan terms and conditions that apply to an Incentive Bonus payable to a particular Participant.

- 9 -

Section 6.3 Committee Discretion. The Committee in exercising any power or authority granted under the Plan or in making any determination under the Plan shall perform or refrain from performing those acts in the Committee’s sole discretion and judgment. Any decision made by the Committee or any refraining to act or any act taken by the Committee in good faith shall be final and binding on all parties in interest. The Committee’s decisions shall never be subject to de novo review.

Section 6.4 Liability and Indemnity of the Committee. No person acting as a member of the Committee shall be liable for any act done or any determination made under the Plan in good faith. The Company shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, indemnify and hold each such person acting with respect to the Plan harmless from any and all claims, causes of action, damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by such person in connection with or otherwise relating to his or her service in such capacity.

Section 6.5 Claim Review Procedures; Claim Appeals Procedures.

(a) Claim Review Procedures. When a benefit is due but unpaid in the time allowed by the Plan, then the Participant or the person entitled to benefits under the Plan (the “claimant”) should submit a claim to the Committee. Under normal circumstances, the Committee will make a final decision as to a claim within 90 days after receipt of the claim. If the Committee notifies the claimant in writing during the initial 90-day period, it may extend the period up to 180 days after the initial receipt of the claim. The written notice must describe the need for the extension and the anticipated date for the final decision. If a claim is denied during the claim period, the Committee must notify the claimant in writing, and the written notice must set forth in a clear manner:

(i) the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

(ii) a specific reference to the Plan provisions on which the denial is based;

(iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and

(iv) an explanation of the Plan’s claim review procedures and time limits, including a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under section 502(a) of ERISA.

If a decision is not given to the Participant within the claim review period, the claim is treated as if it were denied on the last day of the claim review period.

(b) Claim Appeal Procedures. If a claimant’s claim made pursuant to Section 6.5(a) is denied and he or she wants a review, he or she must apply to the Committee in writing. That application may include any arguments, written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the claim for benefits. In addition, the claimant may receive on request and free of charge reasonable access to and copies of all information relevant to the claim. For this purpose, “relevant” means information that

- 10 -

was relied on in making the benefit determination or that was submitted, considered or generated in the course of making the determination, without regard to whether it was relied on, and information that demonstrates compliance with the Plan’s administrative procedures and safeguards for assuring and verifying that Plan provisions are applied consistently in making benefit determinations. The Committee must take into account the information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim without regard to whether the information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination. The claimant may appear pro se or appoint one or more representatives, each of whom shall have the right to inspect all documents pertaining to the claim and its denial. The Committee may schedule any meeting with the claimant or his or her representative(s) that is necessary or appropriate to complete its review.

The request for review must be filed within 90 days after the denial. If it is not, the denial becomes final. If a timely request is made, the Committee must make its decision, under normal circumstances, within 60 days of the receipt of the request for review. However, if the Committee notifies the claimant before the expiration of the initial review period, it may extend the period of review up to 120 days following the initial receipt of the request for a review. All decisions of the Committee must be in writing and must include the specific reasons for its action, the Plan provisions on which its decision is based, and a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits, and a statement of the claimant’s right to bring an action under section 502(a) of ERISA If a decision is not given to the claimant within the review period, the claim is treated as if it were denied on the last day of the review period.

ARTICLE VII

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

Section 7.1 Right to Amend or Terminate. The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time.

Section 7.2 No Retroactive Effect on Awarded Benefits. Without the Participant’s consent, no amendment or termination of the Plan will adversely affect the rights of any Participant to an Incentive Bonus for any Performance Period that includes the calendar year in which the Plan is amended or terminated.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 8.1 Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas.

Section 8.2 Plan Not an Employment Contract. The Plan is not a contract between the Company and the Participant that gives any Participant the right to be retained in the employment of the Company, to interfere with the rights of the Company to discharge any Participant at any time, or to interfere with the Participant’s right to terminate his or her employment at any time.

- 11 -

Section 8.3 No Implied Rights. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to (a) limit in any way the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Participant’s employment with the Company or one or more Affiliates at any time, (b) evidence any agreement or understanding, express or implied, that the Company or an Affiliate will employ a Participant in any particular capacity or for any particular period or (c) entitle an individual listed in Section 2.1 to receive an Incentive Bonus under the Plan for any particular Performance Period except as determined by the Committee and established by a Notice of Award issued to such individual by the Committee in accordance with the terms of the Plan.

Section 8.4 Nonalienation of Benefits. No right or benefit provided under the Plan will be transferable by the Participant except as provided in Section 4.5. No such right or benefit will be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, assign, pledge, encumber, or charge the same will be void. No such right or benefit will in any manner be liable for or subject to any debts, contracts, liabilities or torts of the person entitled to such benefits.

Section 8.5 Reliance Upon General Credit of the Company. It is specifically recognized that the Plan is only a general partnership commitment and that each Participant must rely upon the general credit of the Company or its successor for the fulfillment of all obligations under the Plan. No specific assets of the Company or of any Affiliate have been set aside or pledged in any way for the performance of the Company’s or its successor’s duties under the Plan nor will any future assets be pledged or set aside in any manner to assure the performance of the Company or its successor under the Plan. Thus, the rights of all Participants and their spouses shall be those solely of unsecured creditors of the Company or its successor, as may be applicable.

Section 8.6 Tax Withholding. The Company or any Affiliate shall be entitled to deduct from any Incentive Bonus or other amount payable under the Plan (or any portion thereof) and from any other compensation payable to or with respect to the Participant any sums required by federal, state or local tax law to be withheld with respect to an Incentive Bonus or other amount paid under the Plan.

Section 8.7 Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or condition of the Plan is held to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, the rest of the Plan will remain in full force and effect and will in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

Section 8.8 Gender and Number; Section References. If the context requires it, words of one gender when used in the Plan will include the other genders, and words used in the singular or plural will include the other. References in the Plan to one or more Sections mean the applicable section or sections of the Plan.

Section 8.9 Tax Consequences. None of the Company, the General Partner or the Committee makes any commitment or guarantee that any federal, state or local tax treatment will apply or be available to the Participant.

- 12 -

Section 8.10 Section 409A. To the extent applicable, the Plan shall be operated in compliance with Section 409A and the provisions of the Plan shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent.

- 13 -

APPENDIX A

DETERMINATION OF PRODUCTION PAYOUT PERCENTAGE OF TARGET


If Production Performance Percentage is	Production Payout Percentage of Target	If Production Performance Percentage is	Production Payout Percentage of Target
Less than 70%	0.00%	101%	103.33333%
70%	50.00000%	102%	106.66667%
71%	51.66667%	103%	110.00000%
72%	53.33333%	104%	113.33333%
73%	55.00000%	105%	116.66667%
74%	56.66667%	106%	120.00000%
75%	58.33333%	107%	123.33333%
76%	60.00000%	108%	126.66667%
77%	61.66667%	109%	130.00000%
78%	63.33333%	110%	133.33333%
79%	65.00000%	111%	136.66667%
80%	66.66667%	112%	140.00000%
81%	68.33333%	113%	143.33333%
82%	70.00000%	114%	146.66667%
83%	71.66667%	115%	150.00000%
84%	73.33333%	116%	153.33333%
85%	75.00000%	117%	156.66667%
86%	76.66667%	118%	160.00000%
87%	78.33333%	119%	163.33333%
88%	80.00000%	120%	166.66667%
89%	81.66667%	121%	170.00000%
90%	83.33333%	122%	173.33333%
91%	85.00000%	123%	176.66667%
92%	86.66667%	124%	180.00000%
93%	88.33333%	125%	183.33333%
94%	90.00000%	126%	186.66667%
95%	91.66667%	127%	190.00000%
96%	93.33333%	128%	193.33333%
97%	95.00000%	129%	196.66667%
98%	96.66667%	130%	200.00000%
99%	98.33333%	Greater than 130%	200.00000%
100%	100.00000%

APPENDIX B

DETERMINATION OF RESERVE PAYOUT PERCENTAGE OF TARGET


If Reserve Performance Percentage is	Reserve Payout Percentage of Target	If Reserve Performance Percentage is	Reserve Payout Percentage of Target
Less than 70%	0.00%	101%	103.33333%
70%	50.00000%	102%	106.66667%
71%	51.66667%	103%	110.00000%
72%	53.33333%	104%	113.33333%
73%	55.00000%	105%	116.66667%
74%	56.66667%	106%	120.00000%
75%	58.33333%	107%	123.33333%
76%	60.00000%	108%	126.66667%
77%	61.66667%	109%	130.00000%
78%	63.33333%	110%	133.33333%
79%	65.00000%	111%	136.66667%
80%	66.66667%	112%	140.00000%
81%	68.33333%	113%	143.33333%
82%	70.00000%	114%	146.66667%
83%	71.66667%	115%	150.00000%
84%	73.33333%	116%	153.33333%
85%	75.00000%	117%	156.66667%
86%	76.66667%	118%	160.00000%
87%	78.33333%	119%	163.33333%
88%	80.00000%	120%	166.66667%
89%	81.66667%	121%	170.00000%
90%	83.33333%	122%	173.33333%
91%	85.00000%	123%	176.66667%
92%	86.66667%	124%	180.00000%
93%	88.33333%	125%	183.33333%
94%	90.00000%	126%	186.66667%
95%	91.66667%	127%	190.00000%
96%	93.33333%	128%	193.33333%
97%	95.00000%	129%	196.66667%
98%	96.66667%	130%	200.00000%
99%	98.33333%	Greater than 130%	200.00000%
100%	100.00000%

EX-10.6

Exhibit 10.6

RESTRICTED UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

This RESTRICTED UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made by and among Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Company, and Thomas L. Carter, Jr. (the “Participant”) effective as of January 1, 2012 (the “Grant Date”).

WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant to the Participant the Black Stone Units specified herein, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Participant desires to have the opportunity to hold such Black Stone Units, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

Grant of Restricted Black Stone Units. Effective as of the Grant Date, the Company shall cause to be issued in the Participant’s name 1,398,904 Black Stone Units as Restricted Units. The Company shall cause electronic book entries evidencing the Units and the Shares comprising such Restricted Units, and any additional Units or Shares or rights to acquire Units or Shares distributed by the Company or the General Partner in respect of such Restricted Units during any Restricted Period (the “Retained Distributions”), to be issued in the Participant’s name. During the Restricted Period such electronic book entries shall include a restrictive legend to the effect that ownership of the Units and the Shares comprising such Restricted Units (and any Retained Distributions), and the enjoyment of all rights appurtenant thereto, are subject to the restrictions, terms, and conditions provided in this Agreement. The Participant shall have the right to vote the Restricted Units awarded to the Participant and to receive and retain all regular Distributions (other than Retained Distributions), and to exercise all other rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Black Stone Units, with respect to such Restricted Units, with the exception that (a) the Company shall not remove the restrictive legend included in the electronic book entries evidencing the Units and the Shares comprising such Restricted Units regarding the ownership of such Units and Shares until the Forfeiture Restrictions applicable thereto shall have expired, (b) the Company shall retain custody of all Retained Distributions made or declared with respect to the Restricted Units (and such Retained Distributions shall be subject to the same restrictions, terms and conditions as are applicable to the Restricted Units) until such time, if ever, as the Restricted Units with respect to which such Retained Distributions shall have been made, paid, or declared shall have become vested, and such Retained Distributions shall not bear interest or be segregated in separate accounts and (c) the Participant may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, exchange, encumber, or dispose of the Restricted Units or any Retained Distributions during the Restricted Period. The Participant hereby authorizes the Company to terminate, cancel and revoke any electronic book entry evidencing the Units or the Shares comprising the Restricted Units and any

securities constituting Retained Distributions which are forfeited pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and to transfer to the Company all of such Restricted Units and securities constituting Retained Distributions. If during the Restricted Period the Company or the General Partner is not the surviving entity in any merger, consolidation, share or unit exchange or other reorganization or similar business transaction (or survives only as a subsidiary of an entity other than an entity that was wholly-owned by the Company or the General Partner immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization) then any consideration from such merger, consolidation, share or unit exchange, reorganization or other business transaction that is attributable to the Restricted Units may be substituted by the Committee for the Units or the Shares comprising the Restricted Units as determined by the Committee and such consideration shall be subject to the same restrictions, terms and conditions as were applicable to the Units or the Shares comprising the Restricted Units that are exchanged for such consideration until such time, if ever, as the Restricted Units with respect to which such consideration shall have been received would have become vested. The Company may amend this Agreement as reasonably necessary, as determined by the Company, to reflect the substitution of any consideration from a merger, consolidation, reorganization or other transaction for any Units or Shares comprising the Restricted Units. In accepting this Agreement and the award of Restricted Units set forth in this Agreement the Participant accepts and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

2.	*Definitions*. The words and phrases defined in this Section 2 shall have the meaning set forth below throughout this Agreement, unless the context in which any such word or phrase appears reasonably requires a broader, narrower or different meaning:

(a)

“Affiliate” means any person which, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company. For purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, the term “control” (and derivations thereof) when used with respect to any person means the power to direct the management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of securities that ordinarily (apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) have the right to vote at elections of managers of a limited liability company or directors of a corporation or persons performing functions similar to members of the board of directors of a corporation, by contract or otherwise.

(b)

“Black Stone Unit” means one Share of the General Partner and 0.99 Unit of the Company.

(c)

“Board” means the Board of Managers of the General Partner.

(d)

“Cause” means:

(i)

The Participant’s failure or refusal to perform or observe any material term or provision of his or her Employment Agreement (including voluntarily terminating his or her employment with the Company) or to materially follow and satisfactorily perform (in the Company’s reasonable discretion) any lawful directions of the Board or an officer of the Company to whom the Participant reports;

- 2 -

(ii)

The Participant’s indictment for or conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a charge that he or she committed, a felony or other crime of moral turpitude;

(iii)

The Participant’s perpetration of an act of fraud or dishonesty against or involving, or theft of property of, the Company or any Affiliate;

(iv)

The Participant’s violation of any applicable federal, state or local law or regulation relating to the business of the Company and/or its Affiliates which results in the Participant, the Company or any Affiliate becoming the subject of any legal action or administrative proceeding or a suspension of any right or privilege;

(v)

The Participant’s commission of any act that causes, or the Participant’s knowing or reckless failure to take reasonable and appropriate action to prevent, any material injury to the financial condition or business reputation of the Company or any Affiliate; or

(vi)

The Participant’s chronic alcoholism, drug addiction or any other form of addiction that materially impairs the Participant’s ability to perform his or her duties as an employee, including, but not limited to, the terms and provisions of his or her Employment Agreement, if any, as determined by a physician retained by the Company (and the conclusion of such physician shall be determinative).

(e)

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or in the event there is no Compensation Committee, the entire Board.

(f)

“Company” means Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and any successor thereto.

(g)

“Disability” means a mental or physical condition resulting from an injury or illness that renders the Participant incapable of performing the essential functions of his or her position with reasonable accommodations from the Company for 90 days out of any 120 day period.

(h)

“Distribution” means a cash or property distribution by the Company to its limited partners with respect to the Units (other than Units or rights to acquire Units or payments to purchase Units from the limited partners of the Company) or by the General Partner to its members with respect to the Shares (other than Shares or rights to acquire Shares or payments to purchase Shares from the members of the General Partner).

(i)

“Employment” or “employed,” when used with respect to the Participant, refers to the Participant’s employment by the Company or any of its Affiliates.

- 3 -

(j)

“Employment Agreement” means a written employment agreement in effect between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate.

(k)

“Forfeiture Restrictions” means any prohibitions and restrictions set forth herein with respect to the sale or other disposition of the Black Stone Units issued to the Participant hereunder and the obligation to forfeit and surrender such Black Stone Units to the Company.

(l)

“General Partner” means Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Company.

(m)

“Restricted Period” means the period beginning on the Grant Date and ending on the day immediately preceding the third anniversary of the Grant Date.

(n)

“Restricted Units” means the Black Stone Units that are subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions under this Agreement.

(o)

“Share” means a Class A Common Share of the General Partner.

(p)

“Unit” means a Class A Common Unit of the Company.

Transfer Restrictions. Neither the Black Stone Units, nor the Units or the Shares comprising the Black Stone Units, granted hereby may be sold, assigned, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of (other than by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution) to the extent then subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions. Any such attempted sale, assignment, pledge, exchange, hypothecation, transfer, encumbrance or disposition in violation of this Agreement shall be void and neither the Company nor the General Partner shall be bound thereby. Further, the Black Stone Units granted hereby that are no longer subject to Forfeiture Restrictions may not be sold or otherwise disposed of in any manner that would constitute a violation of the Limited Partnership Agreement of the Company, the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner, any other agreement regulating the transfer of Units or Shares, or any applicable securities laws. The Participant also agrees that the Company and the General Partner may (a) refuse to cause the transfer of the Units and the Shares comprising the Black Stone Units by the Participant to another person to be registered on the applicable transfer records of the Company or the General Partner if such proposed transfer would, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company, constitute a violation of the Limited Partnership Agreement of the Company, the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner, any other agreement regulating the transfer of Units or Shares, or any applicable securities law and (b) give related instructions to the transfer agent, if any, to stop registration of the transfer of the Units and the Shares comprising the Black Stone Units.

Vesting. The Restricted Units that are granted hereby shall be subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions. The Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to the Restricted Units that are granted hereby in accordance with the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 4. The Participant shall have no vested interest in the Restricted Units except as set forth in this Section 4.

- 4 -

(a)

General Vesting Rules. The Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to the Restricted Units that are granted hereby in accordance with the following schedule provided that the Participant employment with the Company and all of its Affiliates has not terminated prior to the applicable lapse date:

(i)

the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to one-third of the Restricted Units subject to this Agreement on the first anniversary of the Grant Date;

(ii)

the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to an additional one-third of the Restricted Units subject to this Agreement on the second anniversary of the Grant Date; and

(iii)

the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to the remaining one-third of the Restricted Units subject to this Agreement on the third anniversary of the Grant Date.

If the Participant’s employment relationship with the Company and all of its Affiliates terminates before the applicable lapse date set forth in this subsection (a), except as otherwise specified in subsection (b) below, the Forfeiture Restrictions then applicable to the Restricted Units shall not lapse and all the Restricted Units then subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions shall be forfeited to the Company upon such termination of the Participant’s employment.

Upon the lapse of the Forfeiture Restrictions with respect to a Black Stone Unit granted hereby the Company shall remove the restrictive legend included in the electronic book entry evidencing the Unit and the Share comprising such Black Stone Unit regarding the ownership of the Unit and the Share and such Black Stone Unit shall be transferable by the Participant (except to the extent that any proposed transfer would, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company, constitute a violation of the Limited Partnership Agreement of the Company, the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner, any other agreement regulating the transfer of Units or Shares, or any applicable securities law).

Under procedures established by the Company from time to time, not later than 30 days prior to the applicable lapse date set forth above in this subsection (a), the Participant may request that the Company purchase from the Participant on such lapse date up to 50 percent (50%) of the Restricted Units that vest on such lapse date, provided, however, that the Company has no obligation to purchase any or all of such Restricted Units and the Company may deny the Participant’s request, in whole or in part, as determined in the sole discretion of the Company.

(b)

Death, Disability or Termination Without Cause. Notwithstanding any provisions of Section 4(a) to the contrary, if the Participant’s employment terminates due to the Participant’s death or Disability or if the Company terminates the Participant’s employment without Cause then on the date the Participant’s employment terminates due to his or her death or Disability or the date the Company

- 5 -

terminates the Participant’s employment without Cause the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to that number of the Restricted Units described in each of Section 4(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) on the date the Participant’s employment terminates that have not previously vested pursuant to such provision equal to the product of (i) the quotient of (A) the number of days the Participant was employed during the portion of the Restricted Period described in such provision divided by (B) the number of days in the portion of the Restricted Period described in such provision times (ii) the number of Restricted Units described in that provision on the date the Participant’s employment terminates that have not previously vested pursuant to such provision, and the Participant shall forfeit to the Company all rights to all of the remaining Restricted Units awarded under this Agreement. No determination made by the Committee under this Section 4 will have any effect on the finality of the termination of the Participant’s employment by the Company. The Committee, in the Committee’s sole and absolute discretion, shall make all determinations required or necessary under this Section 4. In the event of conduct by the Participant which violates, or which the Committee believes may violate, the provisions of Section 4, the Company may withhold any payments due the Participant pending a determination of the potential breach and forfeiture. The determination of whether the Participant’s conduct violates the provisions of Section 4 shall be made by the Committee after full consideration of the facts presented both on behalf of the Company, any Affiliate and the Participant. Based on the Board’s knowledge of the manner in which the Participant now fulfills his or her responsibilities to the Company and performs his or her duties, the Committee agrees that it is not now aware of any circumstance that would constitute Cause under this Agreement with respect to the Participant. The decision of the Committee, in the Committee’s discretion, as to all such matters including the commission of the act and the damage done to the Company or an Affiliate shall be final and binding upon all interested parties. No decision of the Committee shall affect the finality of the discharge, if any, of the Participant by the Company or an Affiliate in any manner.

Tax Withholding. To the extent that the receipt of the Restricted Units or the lapse of any Forfeiture Restrictions results in income to the Participant for federal, state, local or foreign income, employment or other tax purposes with respect to which the Company, the General Partner or any Affiliate has a withholding obligation, the Participant shall deliver to the Company at the time of such receipt or lapse, as the case may be, such amount of money as the Company, the General Partner or any Affiliate may require to meet its obligation under applicable tax laws or regulations, and, if the Participant fails to do so, the Company, the General Partner or any Affiliate is authorized to withhold from the Black Stone Units granted hereby or from any cash or other remuneration then or thereafter payable to the Participant in any capacity any tax required to be withheld by reason of such resulting income, sufficient to satisfy the withholding obligation.

No Fractional Units or Shares. All provisions of this Agreement concern whole Units and Shares. If the application of any provision hereunder would yield a fractional Unit or Share, such fractional Unit or Share shall be rounded down to the next whole Unit or Share if it is less than 0.5 and rounded up to the next whole Unit or Share if it is 0.5 or more.

- 6 -

7.	*Capital Adjustments and Reorganizations*.

(a)

The existence of the Restricted Units shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or the General Partner to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in its capital structure or its business, engage in any merger or consolidation, issue any debt or equity securities, dissolve or liquidate, or sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its assets or business, or engage in any other act or proceeding.

(b)

If the Company shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of the Units or other capital readjustment, the payment of a distribution in Units with respect to the Units, or other increase or reduction of the number of Units outstanding, without receiving compensation therefore in money, services or property, then the number of Restricted Units awarded under this Agreement shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee.

(c)

If the General Partner shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of the Shares or other capital readjustment, the payment of a distribution in Shares with respect to the Shares, or other increase or reduction of the number of Shares outstanding, without receiving compensation therefore in money, services or property, then the number of Restricted Units awarded under this Agreement shall be appropriately adjusted by the Committee.

Employment Relationship. For purposes of this Agreement, the Participant shall be considered to be in the employment of the Company or an Affiliate as long as the Participant has an employment relationship with the Company or an Affiliate. The Committee shall determine any questions as to whether and when there has been a termination of such employment relationship, and the cause of such termination, under this Agreement and the Committee’s determination shall be final and binding on all persons for purposes of this Agreement.

Agreement Not an Employment Agreement. This Agreement is not an employment agreement or contract between the Company and the Participant that gives the Participant the right to be retained in the employment of the Company, and no provision of this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted to create an employment relationship between the Participant and the Company or any of its Affiliates, to guarantee the right to remain employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates for any specified term, to interfere with the rights of the Company to discharge the Participant at any time, or to interfere with the Participant’s right to terminate his or her employment at any time.

10.

Legend. The Participant consents to the placing on the electronic book entry for the Black Stone Units an appropriate legend restricting resale or other transfer of the Black Stone Units except in accordance with the Limited Partnership Agreement of the Company, the Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner, any other agreement regulating the transfer of Units or Shares, and all applicable securities laws and rules thereunder.

- 7 -

11.

Notices. Any notice, instruction, authorization, request or demand required hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be delivered either by personal delivery, by telecopy or similar facsimile means, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by courier or delivery service, addressed to the Company at the Company’s principal business office address and to the Participant at the Participant’s residential address indicated beneath the Participant’s signature on the execution page of this Agreement, or at such other address and number as a party shall have previously designated by written notice given to the other party in the manner hereinabove set forth. Notices shall be deemed given when received, if sent by facsimile means (confirmation of such receipt by confirmed facsimile transmission being deemed receipt of communications sent by facsimile means); and when delivered (or upon the date of attempted delivery where delivery is refused), if hand-delivered, sent by express courier or delivery service, or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

12.

Amendment and Waiver. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement may be amended, modified or superseded only by written instrument executed by the Company and the Participant. Only a written instrument executed and delivered by the party waiving compliance hereof shall waive any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement. Any waiver granted by the Company shall be effective only if executed and delivered by a duly authorized executive officer of the Company other than the Participant. The failure of any party at any time or times to require performance of any provisions hereof shall in no manner affect the right to enforce the same. No waiver by any party of any term or condition, or the breach of any term or condition contained in this Agreement, in one or more instances, shall be construed as a continuing waiver of any such condition or breach, a waiver of any other condition, or the breach of any other term or condition. If the Company changes its transfer procedures regarding Units or Shares the Participant agrees that the Company may amend this Agreement as reasonably necessary, as determined by the Company, to reflect such changes.

13.	*Governing Law*. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflicts of law provisions.

14.

Nonalienation of Benefits. No right or benefit provided under this Agreement will be transferable by the Participant. No such right or benefit will be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, assign, pledge, encumber, or charge the same will be void. No such right or benefit will in any manner be liable for or subject to any debts, contracts, liabilities or torts of the person entitled to such benefits.

15.	*Counterparts*. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original for all purposes but all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

- 8 -

16.	*Severability*. If any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Agreement is held to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, the rest of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

17.

Number; Section References. If the context requires it, words of one gender when used in this Agreement will include the other gender, and words used in the singular or plural will include the other. References in this Agreement to one or more Sections mean the applicable section or sections of this Agreement.

18.	*Tax Consequences*. None of the Company, the General Partner or the Committee makes any commitment or guarantee that any federal, state or local tax treatment will apply or be available to the Participant

(Signature Page Follows)

- 9 -

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the General Partner have executed this Agreement this 9th day of September, 2013, to be effective as of the Grant Date.


BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

By:	Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., General Partner

	By:	/s/ Allan Skov
		Allan Skov,
		Senior Vice President, Corporate Services
		and Chief Information Officer

BLACK STONE NATURAL RESOURCES, L.L.C.

By:	/s/ Allan Skov
	Allan Skov,
	Senior Vice President, Corporate Services
	and Chief Information Officer


Accepted:

PARTICIPANT

By:		/s/ Thomas L. Carter, Jr.
Name:

Address:

EX-10.7

Exhibit 10.7

RESTRICTED UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

This RESTRICTED UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made by and among Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Company, and R. Marc Carroll (the “Participant”) effective as of January 1, 2012 (the “Grant Date”).

WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant to the Participant the Black Stone Units specified herein, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Participant desires to have the opportunity to hold such Black Stone Units, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

Now, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

Grant of Restricted Black Stone Units. Effective as of the Grant Date, the Company shall cause to be issued in the Participant’s name 488,248 Black Stone Units as Restricted Units. The Company shall cause electronic book entries evidencing the Units and the Shares comprising such Restricted Units, and any additional Units or Shares or rights to acquire Units or Shares distributed by the Company or the General Partner in respect of such Restricted Units during any Restricted Period (the “Retained Distributions”), to be issued in the Participant’s name. During the Restricted Period such electronic book entries shall include a restrictive legend to the effect that ownership of the Units and the Shares comprising such Restricted Units (and any Retained Distributions), and the enjoyment of all rights appurtenant thereto, are subject to the restrictions, terms, and conditions provided in this Agreement. The Participant shall have the right to vote the Restricted Units awarded to the Participant and to receive and retain all regular Distributions (other than Retained Distributions), and to exercise all other rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Black Stone Units, with respect to such Restricted Units, with the exception that (a) the Company shall not remove the restrictive legend included in the electronic book entries evidencing the Units and the Shares comprising such Restricted Units regarding the ownership of such Units and Shares until the Forfeiture Restrictions applicable thereto shall have expired, (b) the Company shall retain custody of all Retained Distributions made or declared with respect to the Restricted Units (and such Retained Distributions shall be subject to the same restrictions, terms and conditions as are applicable to the Restricted Units) until such time, if ever, as the Restricted Units with respect to which such Retained Distributions shall have been made, paid, or declared shall have become vested, and such Retained Distributions shall not bear interest or be segregated in separate accounts and (c) the Participant may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, exchange, encumber, or dispose of the Restricted Units or any Retained Distributions during the Restricted Period. The Participant hereby authorizes the Company to terminate, cancel and revoke any electronic book entry evidencing the Units or the Shares comprising the Restricted Units and any securities constituting Retained

Distributions which are forfeited pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and to transfer to the Company all of such Restricted Units and securities constituting Retained Distributions. If during the Restricted Period the Company or the General Partner is not the surviving entity in any merger, consolidation, share or unit exchange or other reorganization or similar business transaction (or survives only as a subsidiary of an entity other than an entity that was wholly-owned by the Company or the General Partner immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization) then any consideration from such merger, consolidation, share or unit exchange, reorganization or other business transaction that is attributable to the Restricted Units may be substituted by the Committee for the Units or the Shares comprising the Restricted Units as determined by the Committee and such consideration shall be subject to the same restrictions, terms and conditions as were applicable to the Units or the Shares comprising the Restricted Units that are exchanged for such consideration until such time, if ever, as the Restricted Units with respect to which such consideration shall have been received would have become vested. The Company may amend this Agreement as reasonably necessary, as determined by the Company, to reflect the substitution of any consideration from a merger, consolidation, reorganization or other transaction for any Units or Shares comprising the Restricted Units. In accepting this Agreement and the award of Restricted Units set forth in this Agreement the Participant accepts and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

2.	*Definitions*. The words and phrases defined in this Section 2 shall have the meaning set forth below throughout this Agreement, unless the context in which any such word or phrase appears reasonably requires a broader, narrower or different meaning:

(a)

(b)

“Black Stone Unit” means one Share of the General Partner and 0.99 Unit of the Company.

(c)

“Board” means the Board of Managers of the General Partner.

(d)

“Cause” means:

(i)

- 2 -

(ii)

The Participant’s indictment for or conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a charge that he or she committed, a felony or other crime of moral turpitude;

(iii)

The Participant’s perpetration of an act of fraud or dishonesty against or involving, or theft of property of, the Company or any Affiliate;

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(e)

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or in the event there is no Compensation Committee, the entire Board.

(f)

“Company” means Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and any successor thereto.

(g)

(h)

(i)

“Employment” or “employed,” when used with respect to the Participant, refers to the Participant’s employment by the Company or any of its Affiliates.

- 3 -

(j)

“Employment Agreement” means a written employment agreement in effect between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate.

(k)

(l)

“General Partner” means Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Company.

(m)

“Restricted Period” means the period beginning on the Grant Date and ending on the day immediately preceding the third anniversary of the Grant Date.

(n)

“Restricted Units” means the Black Stone Units that are subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions under this Agreement.

(o)

“Share” means a Class A Common Share of the General Partner.

(p)

“Unit” means a Class A Common Unit of the Company.

- 4 -

(a)

(i)

the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to one-third of the Restricted Units subject to this Agreement on the first anniversary of the Grant Date;

(ii)

the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to an additional one-third of the Restricted Units subject to this Agreement on the second anniversary of the Grant Date; and

(iii)

the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to the remaining one-third of the Restricted Units subject to this Agreement on the third anniversary of the Grant Date.

(b)

Death, Disability or Termination Without Cause. Notwithstanding any provisions of Section 4(a) to the contrary, if the Participant’s employment terminates due to the Participant’s death or Disability or if the Company terminates the Participant’s employment without Cause then on the date the Participant’s employment terminates due to his or her death or Disability or the date the Company

- 5 -

- 6 -

7.	*Capital Adjustments and Reorganizations*.

(a)

(b)

(c)

10.

- 7 -

11.

12.

13.	*Governing Law*. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflicts of law provisions.

14.

15.	*Counterparts*. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original for all purposes but all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

- 8 -

16.	*Severability*. If any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Agreement is held to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, the rest of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

17.

18.	*Tax Consequences*. None of the Company, the General Partner or the Committee makes any commitment or guarantee that any federal, state or local tax treatment will apply or be available to the Participant

(Signature Page Follows)

- 9 -

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the General Partner have executed this Agreement this 29th day of August, 2013, to be effective as of the Grant Date.


BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

By:	Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., General Partner

	By:	/s/ Allan Skov
		Allan Skov,
		Senior Vice President, Corporate Services and Chief Information Officer

BLACK STONE NATURAL RESOURCES, L.L.C.

By:	/s/ Allan Skov
	Allan Skov,
	Senior Vice President, Corporate Services and Chief Information Officer


Accepted:

PARTICIPANT

By:		/s/ Marc Carroll
Name:		Marc Carroll

Address:		2425 Del Monte Drive Houston, TX 77019

EX-10.8

Exhibit 10.8

RESTRICTED UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

This RESTRICTED UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made by and among Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Company, and Holbrook F. Dorn (the “Participant”) effective as of January 1, 2012 (the “Grant Date”).

WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant to the Participant the Black Stone Units specified herein, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the Participant desires to have the opportunity to hold such Black Stone Units, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:

Grant of Restricted Black Stone Units. Effective as of the Grant Date, the Company shall cause to be issued in the Participant’s name 369,885 Black Stone Units as Restricted Units. The Company shall cause electronic book entries evidencing the Units and the Shares comprising such Restricted Units, and any additional Units or Shares or rights to acquire Units or Shares distributed by the Company or the General Partner in respect of such Restricted Units during any Restricted Period (the “Retained Distributions”), to be issued in the Participant’s name. During the Restricted Period such electronic book entries shall include a restrictive legend to the effect that ownership of the Units and the Shares comprising such Restricted Units (and any Retained Distributions), and the enjoyment of all rights appurtenant thereto, are subject to the restrictions, terms, and conditions provided in this Agreement. The Participant shall have the right to vote the Restricted Units awarded to the Participant and to receive and retain all regular Distributions (other than Retained Distributions), and to exercise all other rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Black Stone Units, with respect to such Restricted Units, with the exception that (a) the Company shall not remove the restrictive legend included in the electronic book entries evidencing the Units and the Shares comprising such Restricted Units regarding the ownership of such Units and Shares until the Forfeiture Restrictions applicable thereto shall have expired, (b) the Company shall retain custody of all Retained Distributions made or declared with respect to the Restricted Units (and such Retained Distributions shall be subject to the same restrictions, terms and conditions as are applicable to the Restricted Units) until such time, if ever, as the Restricted Units with respect to which such Retained Distributions shall have been made, paid, or declared shall have become vested, and such Retained Distributions shall not bear interest or be segregated in separate accounts and (c) the Participant may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, exchange, encumber, or dispose of the Restricted Units or any Retained Distributions during the Restricted Period. The Participant hereby authorizes the Company to terminate, cancel and revoke any electronic book entry evidencing the Units or the Shares comprising the Restricted Units and any securities constituting Retained

2.	*Definitions*. The words and phrases defined in this Section 2 shall have the meaning set forth below throughout this Agreement, unless the context in which any such word or phrase appears reasonably requires a broader, narrower or different meaning:

(a)

(b)

“Black Stone Unit” means one Share of the General Partner and 0.99 Unit of the Company.

(c)

“Board” means the Board of Managers of the General Partner.

(d)

“Cause” means:

(i)

- 2 -

(ii)

The Participant’s indictment for or conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a charge that he or she committed, a felony or other crime of moral turpitude;

(iii)

The Participant’s perpetration of an act of fraud or dishonesty against or involving, or theft of property of, the Company or any Affiliate;

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(e)

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, or in the event there is no Compensation Committee, the entire Board.

(f)

“Company” means Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership and any successor thereto.

(g)

(h)

(i)

“Employment” or “employed,” when used with respect to the Participant, refers to the Participant’s employment by the Company or any of its Affiliates.

- 3 -

(j)

“Employment Agreement” means a written employment agreement in effect between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate.

(k)

(l)

“General Partner” means Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Company.

(m)

“Restricted Period” means the period beginning on the Grant Date and ending on the day immediately preceding the third anniversary of the Grant Date.

(n)

“Restricted Units” means the Black Stone Units that are subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions under this Agreement.

(o)

“Share” means a Class A Common Share of the General Partner.

(p)

“Unit” means a Class A Common Unit of the Company.

- 4 -

(a)

(i)

the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to one-third of the Restricted Units subject to this Agreement on the first anniversary of the Grant Date;

(ii)

the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to an additional one-third of the Restricted Units subject to this Agreement on the second anniversary of the Grant Date; and

(iii)

the Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to the remaining one-third of the Restricted Units subject to this Agreement on the third anniversary of the Grant Date.

(b)

- 5 -

- 6 -

7.	*Capital Adjustments and Reorganizations*.

(a)

(b)

(c)

10.

- 7 -

11.

12.

13.	*Governing Law*. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas without regard to its conflicts of law provisions.

14.

15.	*Counterparts*. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original for all purposes but all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

- 8 -

16.	*Severability*. If any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Agreement is held to be invalid, void or otherwise unenforceable, the rest of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

17.

18.	*Tax Consequences*. None of the Company, the General Partner or the Committee makes any commitment or guarantee that any federal, state or local tax treatment will apply or be available to the Participant

(Signature Page Follows)

- 9 -

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the General Partner have executed this Agreement this 17th day of December, 2013, to be effective as of the Grant Date.


BLACK STONE MINERALS COMPANY, L.P.

By:	Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.,
	General Partner

	By:	/s/ Allan Skov
		Allan Skov,
		Senior Vice President, Corporate Services
		and Chief Information Officer

BLACK STONE NATURAL RESOURCES, L.L.C.

By:	/s/ Allan Skov
	Allan Skov,
	Senior Vice President, Corporate Services
	and Chief Information Officer


Accepted:

PARTICIPANT

By:		/s/ Holbrook Dorn
Name:		Holbrook Dorn


Address:		2238 Albans Rd
		Houston, TX 77005

EX-16.1

Exhibit 16.1

March 17, 2015

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street NE

Washington, DC 20549

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have read the statements under the section “Change in Accountants” in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about March 18, 2015 regarding the change of auditors and are in agreement with the statements in the paragraphs within that section as they relate to our firm. We have no basis to agree or disagree with other statements of the registrant contained therein.

/s/ UHY LLP

New Haven, Connecticut

EX-21.1

Exhibit 21.1

SUBSIDIARIES OF BLACK STONE MINERALS, L.P.


Entity		Jurisdiction of Organization
Black Stone Energy Company, L.L.C.		Texas
Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.		Delaware
Black Stone Minerals GP, L.L.C.		Delaware
Black Stone Natural Resources, L.L.C.		Delaware
Black Stone Natural Resources Management Company		Texas
BSAP II GP, L.L.C.		Delaware
BSML Partnership		Texas
O’Connell Holdings, L.L.C.		Delaware
O’Connell Partners, L.P.		Delaware
TLW Investments, L.L.C.		Oklahoma

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

Houston, Texas

We hereby consent to the use in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our report dated March 18, 2015, relating to (i) the consolidated financial statements of Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. and Subsidiaries and (ii) the balance sheet of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. as of December 31, 2014, which are both contained in that Prospectus.

We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Houston, Texas

March 18, 2015

EX-23.2

Exhibit 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the inclusion in the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. of our report dated October 7, 2014, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. as of December 31, 2013, and for the year then ended.

We also consent to the reference to our Firm under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ UHY LLP

Farmington Hills, Michigan

March 18, 2015

EX-23.3

Exhibit 23.3


	PRESSLER PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS, INC. 500 DALLAS, SUITE 2920 HOUSTON, TEXAS77002
TELEPHONE		FACSIMILE
713-659-8300		713-659-6909

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. (the “Registration Statement”) of the name Pressler Petroleum Consultants, Inc., to the references to our report of Black Stone Minerals, L.P.’s proved oil and natural gas reserves estimates and future net revenue as of December 31, 2013 and the inclusion of our corresponding report letter, dated September 10, 2014 in the Registration Statement as Exhibit 99.1. We also consent to all references to us contained in such Registration Statement, including in the prospectus under the heading “Experts.”


PRESSLER PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS, INC.

By:		/s/ Jim R. McReynolds
		Jim R. McReynolds
		Senior Vice President

Houston, Texas

March 19, 2015

EX-23.4

LOGO

Exhibit 23.4

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Black Stone Minerals, L.P. (the “Registration Statement”) of the name Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., to the references to our report of Black Stone Minerals, L.P.’s proved oil and natural gas reserves estimates and future net revenue as of December 31, 2014, and the inclusion of our corresponding report letter, dated February 12, 2015, in the Registration Statement as Exhibit 99.2. We also consent to all references to us contained in such Registration Statement, including in the prospectus under the heading “Experts.”


NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.

By:		/s/ J. Carter Henson, Jr., P.E.
		J. Carter Henson, Jr., P.E.
		Senior Vice President

Houston, Texas

March 19, 2015

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

PRESSLER PETROLEUM CONSULTANTS, INC.

500 DALLAS, SUITE 2920

HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002


TELEPHONE		FACSIMILE
713-659-8300		713-659-6909

September 10, 2014

Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.

1001 Fannin, Suite 2020

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn:

Mr. Marc Carroll

Dear Mr. Carroll,

In accordance with your request, we have estimated the proved reserves and future revenue, as of December 31, 2013, relating to the Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P. (“BSMC, LP”) consolidated interest in certain oil and gas properties located in the United States. We understand the consolidated interest includes 100% of the interest of partnerships in which BSMC LP owns an interest. We completed our evaluation around the effective date of December 31, 2013, and this is a re-statement of that work using U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) guidelines. The estimates in this report have been prepared in accordance with the definitions and regulation of the SEC and, with the exception of the exclusion of future income taxes, conform to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas. Definitions are presented immediately following this letter. This report has been prepared for use by BSMC, LP and its affiliates in filing with the SEC; in our opinion the assumptions, data, methods, and procedures used in the preparation of this report are appropriate for such purpose.

We estimate the net reserves and future net revenue to the BSMC, LP consolidated interest in these properties as of December 31, 2013 to be:


	Net Reserves				Future Net Revenue (M$)
Category	Oil (MBBL)		Gas (MMCF)		Total		Present Worth At 10%

Proved Developed Producing		16,869		229,318	$	2,105,441	$	1,090,214
Proved Developed Non-Producing		420		3,459	$	46,981	$	30,502
Proved Undeveloped		1,659		7,183	$	125,460	$	64,894


Total Proved		18,949		239,960	$	2,277,882	$	1,185,610

The oil volumes shown include crude oil and condensate and are expressed in thousands of barrels (“MBBL”); a barrel is equivalent to 42 United States gallons. Gas volumes are expressed in millions of cubic feet (“MMCF”) at standard temperature and pressure bases.

Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.

September 10, 2014

Page 2 of 4

The estimates shown in this report are proved reserves. Estimates of proved developed non-producing and proved undeveloped reserves have only been included for properties that are economically producible based on the constant prices and costs discussed in subsequent paragraphs of this letter. As requested, probable and possible reserves that exist for these properties have not been included. This report does not include any value that could be attributed to interests in undeveloped acreage beyond those tracts for which undeveloped reserves have been estimated. Reserves categorization conveys the relative degree of certainty; reserves sub categorization is based on development and production status. The estimates of reserves and future revenue included herein have not been adjusted for risk.

Company future gross revenue is BSMC, LP consolidated interest’s share of the revenue from the properties prior to any deductions. Future net revenue is after deductions for BSMC, LP consolidated interest’s share of production taxes, ad valorem taxes, capital costs, and operating expenses but before consideration of any income taxes. The future net revenue has been discounted at an annual rate of 10 percent to determine its present worth, which is shown to indicate the effect of time on the value of money. Future net revenue presented in this report, whether discounted or undiscounted, should not be construed as being the fair market value of the properties.

Prices used in this report are based on the 12-month un-weighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month in the period January through December 2013. For oil volumes, the average WTI Cushing, Oklahoma Spot crude price of $96.78 per barrel is used for all the properties. These average prices are adjusted for quality, transportation fees, and regional price differentials. For gas volumes, the average Henry Hub price of $3.67 per MMBTU is adjusted for energy content transportation fees, and regional price differentials. Additionally, natural gas liquid (“NGL”) volumes are not calculated separately because available data is insufficient to be able to do so with accuracy, therefore, gas prices are adjusted to account for NGL revenue for properties from which NGL volumes are actually recovered and sold separately. All prices are held constant throughout the lives of the properties. The average adjusted product prices weighted by production over the remaining lives of the properties are $94.84 per barrel of oil and $3.74 per MCF of gas.

Operating costs used in this report are based on operating expense records of BSMC, LP. These costs include the per-well overhead expenses allowed under joint operating agreements along with estimates of costs to be incurred at and below the district and field levels since essentially all the properties are non-operated. Operating costs have been divided into per-well costs and per-unit-of-production costs and are not escalated for inflation.

Capital costs used in this report were provided by BSMC, LP and are based on authorizations for expenditure and actual costs from recent activity. Capital costs are included as required for workovers, new development wells, and production equipment. Based on our understanding of future development plans, a review of the records provided to us, and our knowledge of similar properties, we regard these estimated capital costs to be reasonable. Abandonment costs and corresponding net salvage value are not included in this report; however, these items may be necessary for a calculation of the standardized measure pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities — Oil and Gas.

Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.

September 10, 2014

Page 3 of 4

For the purposes of this report, we did not perform any field inspection of the properties, nor did we examine the mechanical operation or condition of the wells and facilities. We have not investigated possible environmental liability related to the properties; therefore, our estimates do not include any costs due to such possible liability.

We have made no investigation of potential volume and value imbalances resulting from over-delivery or under-delivery to the BSMC, LP consolidated interest. Therefore, our estimates of reserves and future revenue do not include adjustments for the settlement of any such imbalances; our projections are based on BSMC, LP receiving its net revenue interest share of estimated future gross production.

The reserves shown in this report are estimates only and should not be construed as exact quantities. Proved reserves are those quantities of oil and gas which, by analysis of engineering and geosciences data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible; probable and possible reserves are those additional reserves which are sequentially less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. Estimates of reserves may increase or decrease as a result of market conditions, future operations, changes in regulations, or actual reservoir performance. In addition to the primary economic assumptions discussed herein, our estimates are based on certain assumptions including, but not limited to, that the properties will be developed consistent with current development plans, that the properties will be operated in a prudent manner, that no governmental regulations or controls will be put in place that would impact the ability of the interest owner to recover the reserves, and that our projections of future production will prove consistent with actual performance. If the reserves are recovered, the revenues therefrom and the costs related thereto could be more or less than the estimated amounts. Because of governmental policies and uncertainties of supply and demand, the sales rates, prices received from the reserves, and costs incurred in recovering such reserves may vary from assumptions made while preparing this report

For the purposes of this report, we used technical and economic data including, but not limited to, well logs, geologic maps, well test data, production data, historical price and cost information, and property ownership interests. The reserves in this report have been estimated using deterministic methods; these estimates have been prepared in accordance with the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (“SPE Standards”). We used standard engineering methods, or used a combination of methods, including performance analysis, volumetric analysis, and analogy, that we considered to be appropriate and necessary to categorize and estimate reserves in accordance with SEC definitions and regulations. As in all aspects of oil and gas evaluation, there are uncertainties inherent in the interpretation of engineering and geosciences data; therefore, our conclusions necessarily represent only informed professional judgment

Ownership information was accepted as presented by BSMC, LP.

Black Stone Minerals Company, L.P.

September 10, 2014

Page 4 of 4

The data used in our estimates was obtained from BSMC, LP, public data sources, and the non-confidential files of various operators of the properties and were accepted as accurate. Supporting work data are on file in our office. We have not examined the titles to the properties or independently confirmed the actual degree or type of interest owned. The technical persons responsible for preparing the estimates presented herein meet the requirements regarding qualifications, independence, objectivity, and confidentiality set forth in the SPE Standards. We are independent petroleum engineers in accordance with the SPE Standards. We do not own an interest in these properties nor are we employed on a contingent basis. During the past year, we have performed other petroleum engineering consulting services for BSMC, LP, similar to services normally rendered by the petroleum engineering profession, related to reserves evaluation of assets under consideration for potential acquisition by BSMC, LP.

Sincerely,

Pressler Petroleum Consultants, Inc.

Jim R. McReynolds, P. E.

Registration #73027

Pressler Petroleum Consultants, Inc.

Registration #7807

DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

The following definitions are set forth in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission SEC) Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a). Also included is supplemental information from (1) the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, (2) the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas, and (3) the SEC’s Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations.

(1)

Acquisition of properties. Costs incurred to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire a property, including costs of lease bonuses and options to purchase or lease properties, the portion of costs applicable to minerals when land including mineral rights is purchased in fee, brokers’ fees, recording fees, legal costs, and other costs incurred in acquiring properties.

(2)

Analogous reservoir. Analogous reservoirs, as used in resources assessments, have similar rock and fluid properties, reservoir conditions (depth, temperature, and pressure) and drive mechanisms, but are typically at a more advanced stage of development than the reservoir of Interest and thus may provide concepts to assist in the interpretation of more limited data and estimation of recovery. When used to support proved reserves, an “analogous reservoir” refers to a reservoir that shares the following characteristics with the reservoir of interest:

(i)

Same geological formation (but not necessarily in pressure communication with the reservoir of interest);

(ii)

Same environment of deposition;

(iii)

Similar geological structure; and

(iv)

Same drive mechanism.

Instruction to paragraph (a)(2): Reservoir properties must, in the aggregate, be no more favorable in the analog than in the reservoir of interest.

(3)

Bitumen. Bitumen, sometimes referred to as natural bitumen, is petroleum in a solid or semi-solid state in natural deposits with a viscosity greater than 10,000 centipoise measured at original temperature in the deposit and atmospheric pressure, on a gas free basis. In its natural state it usually contains sulfur, metals, and other non-hydrocarbons.

(4)	Condensate. Condensate is a mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in the gaseous phase at original reservoir temperature and pressure, but that, when produced, is in the liquid phase at surface pressure and temperature.

(5)	Deterministic estimate. The method of estimating reserves or resources is called deterministic when a single value for each parameter (from the geoscience, engineering, or economic data) in the reserves calculation is used in the reserves estimation procedure.

(6)	Developed oil and gas reserves. Developed oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that can be expected to be recovered:

(i)

Through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and

(ii)

Through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.

Supplemental definitions from the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System:

Developed Producing Reserves—Developed Producing Reserves are expected to be recovered from completion intervals that are open and producing at the time of the estimate. Improved recovery reserves are considered producing only after the improved recovery project is in operation.

Developed Non-Producing Reserves—Developed Non-Producing Reserves include shut-in and behind-pipe Reserves. Shut-in Reserves are expected to be recovered from (1) completion intervals which are open at the time of the estimate but which have not yet started producing, (2) wells which were shut-in for market conditions or pipeline connections, or (3) wells not capable of production for mechanical reasons. Behind-pipe Reserves are expected to be recovered from zones in existing wells which will require additional completion work or future recompletion prior to start of production. In all cases, production can be initiated or restored with relatively low expenditure compared to the cost of dulling a new well.

(7)

Development costs. Costs incurred to obtain access to proved reserves and to provide facilities for extracting, treating, gathering and storing the oil and gas. More specifically, development costs, including depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of development activities, are costs incurred to:

(i)

Gain access to and prepare well locations for drilling, including surveying well locations for the purpose of determining specific development drilling sites, clearing ground, draining, road building, and relocating public roads, gas lines, and power lines, to the extent necessary in developing the proved reserves.

(ii)

Drill and equip development wells, development-type stratigraphic test wells, and service wells, including the costs of platforms and of well equipment such as casing, tubing, pumping equipment, and the wellhead assembly.

(iii)

Acquire, construct, and install production facilities such as lease flow lines, separators, treaters, heaters, manifolds, measuring devices, and production storage tanks, natural gas cycling and processing plants, and central utility and waste disposal systems.

(iv)

Provide improved recovery systems.

(8)

Development project. A development project is the means by which petroleum resources are brought to the status of economically producible. As examples, the development of a single reservoir or field, an incremental development in a producing field, or the integrated development of a group of several fields and associated facilities with a common ownership may constitute a development project.

(9)	Development well. A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

(10)

Economically producible. The term economically producible, as it relates to a resource, means a resource which generates revenue that exceeds, or is reasonably expected to exceed, the costs of the operation. The value of the products that generate revenue shall be determined at the terminal point of oil and gas producing activities as defined in paragraph (a)(16) of this section.

(11)	Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR). Estimated ultimate recovery is the sum of reserves remaining as of a given date and cumulative production as of that date.

(12)

Exploration costs. Costs incurred in identifying areas that may warrant examination and in examining specific areas that are considered to have prospects of containing oil and gas reserves, including costs of drilling exploratory wells and exploratory-type stratigraphic test wells. Exploration costs may be incurred both before acquiring the related property (sometimes referred to in part as prospecting costs) and after acquiring the property. Principal types of exploration costs, which include depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of exploration activities, are:

(i)

Costs of topographical, geographical and geophysical studies, rights of access to properties to conduct those studies, and salaries and other expenses of geologists, geophysical crews, and others conducting those studies. Collectively, these are sometimes referred to as geological and geophysical or “G&G” costs.

(ii)

Costs of carrying and retaining undeveloped properties, such as delay rentals, ad valorem taxes on properties, legal costs for title defense, and the maintenance of land and lease records.

(iii)

Dry hole contributions and bottom hole contributions.

(iv)

Costs of drilling and equipping exploratory wells.

(v)

Costs of drilling exploratory-type stratigraphic test wells.

(13)

Exploratory well. An exploratory well is a well drilled to find a new field or to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or gas in another reservoir. Generally, an exploratory well is any well that is not a development well, an extension well, a service well, or a stratigraphic test well as those items are defined in this section.

(14)	Extension well. An extension well is a well drilled to extend the limits of a known reservoir.

(15)

Field. An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition. There may be two or more reservoirs in a field which are separated vertically by intervening impervious strata, or laterally by local geologic barriers, or by both. Reservoirs that are associated by being in overlapping or adjacent fields may be treated as a single or common operational field. The geological terms “structural feature” and “stratigraphic condition” are intended to identify localized geological features as opposed to the broader terms of basins, trends, provinces, plays, areas-of-interest, etc.

(16)	Oil and gas producing activities.

(i)

Oil and gas producing activities include:

(A)

The search for crude oil, including condensate and natural gas liquids, or natural gas (“oil and gas”) in their natural states and original locations;

(B)

The acquisition of property rights or properties for the purpose of further exploration or for the purpose of removing the oil or gas from such properties;

(C)

The construction, drilling, and production activities necessary to retrieve oil and gas from their natural reservoirs, including the acquisition construction, installation, and maintenance of field gathering and storage systems, such as:

(1)

Lifting the oil and gas to the surface; and

(2)

Gathering, treating, and field processing (as in the case of processing gas to extract liquid hydrocarbons); and

(D)

Extraction of saleable hydrocarbons, in the solid, liquid, or gaseous state, from oil sands, shale, coalbeds, or other nonrenewable natural resources which are intended to be upgraded into synthetic oil or gas, and activities undertaken with a view to such extraction.

Instruction 1 to paragraph (a)(16)(i): The oil and gas production function shall be regarded as ending at a “terminal point”, which is the outlet valve on the lease or field storage tank. If unusual physical or operational circumstances exist, it may be appropriate to regard the terminal point for the production function as:

The first point at which oil, gas, or gas liquids, natural or synthetic, are delivered to a main pipeline, a common carrier, a refinery, or a marine terminal; and

In the case of natural resources that are intended to be upgraded into synthetic oil or gas, if those natural resources are delivered to a purchaser prior to upgrading, the first point at which the natural resources are delivered to a main pipeline, a common carrier, a refinery, a marine terminal, or a facility which upgrades such natural resources into synthetic oil or gas.

Instruction 2 to paragraph (a)(16)(i): For purposes of this paragraph (a)(16), the term saleable hydrocarbons means hydrocarbons that are saleable in the state in which the hydrocarbons are delivered.

(ii)

Oil and gas producing activities do not include

(A)

Transporting, refining, or marketing oil and gas;

(B)

Processing of produced oil, gas, or natural resources that can be upgraded into synthetic oil or gas by a registrant that does not have the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in such production;

(C)

Activities relating to the production of natural resources other than oil, gas, or natural resources from which synthetic oil and gas can be extracted; or

(D)

Production of geothermal steam.

(17)	Possible reserves. Possible reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves.

(i)

When deterministic methods are used, the total quantities ultimately recovered from a project have a low probability of exceeding proved plus probable plus possible reserves. When probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 10% probability that the total quantities ultimately recovered will equal or exceed the proved plus probable plus possible reserves estimates.

(ii)

Possible reserves may be assigned to areas of a reservoir adjacent to probable reserves where data control and interpretations of available data are progressively less certain. Frequently this will be in areas where geoscience and engineering data are unable to define clearly the area and vertical limits of commercial production from the reservoir by a defined project.

(iii)

Possible reserves also include incremental quantities associated with a greater percentage recovery of the hydrocarbons in place than the recovery quantities assumed for probable reserves.

(iv)

The proved plus probable and proved plus probable plus possible reserves estimates must be based on reasonable alternative technical and commercial interpretations within the reservoir or subject project that are clearly documented, including comparisons to results in successful similar projects.

(v)

Possible reserves may be assigned where geoscience and engineering data identify directly adjacent portions of a reservoir within the same accumulation that may be separated from proved areas by faults with displacement less than formation thickness or other geological discontinuities and that have not been penetrated by a wellbore, and the registrant believes that such adjacent portions are in communication with the known (proved) reservoir. Possible reserves may be assigned to areas that are structurally higher or lower than the proved area if these areas are in communication with the proved reservoir.

(vi)

Pursuant to paragraph (a)(22)(iii) of this section, where direct observation has defined a highest known oil (HKO) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves should be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir above the HKO only if the higher contact can be established with reasonable certainty through reliable technology. Portions of the reservoir that do not meet this reasonable certainty criterion may be assigned as probable and possible oil or gas based on reservoir fluid properties and pressure gradient interpretations.

(18)	Probable reserves. Probable reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves but which, together with proved reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered.

(i)

When deterministic methods are used, it is as likely as not that actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of estimated proved plus probable reserves. When probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50% probability that the actual quantities recovered will equal or exceed the proved plus probable reserves estimates.

(ii)

Probable reserves may be assigned to areas of a reservoir adjacent to proved reserves where data control or interpretations of available data are less certain, even if the interpreted reservoir continuity of structure or productivity does not meet the reasonable certainty criterion. Probable reserves may be assigned to areas that are structurally higher than the proved area if these areas are in communication with the proved reservoir.

(iii)

Probable reserves estimates also include potential incremental quantities associated with a greater percentage recovery of the hydrocarbons in place than assumed for proved reserves.

(iv)

See also guidelines in paragraphs (a)(17)(iv) and (a)(17)(vi) of this section.

(19)

Probabilistic estimate. The method of estimation of reserves or resources is called probabilistic when the full range of values that could reasonably occur for each unknown parameter (from the geoscience and engineering data) is used to generate a full range of possible outcomes and their associated probabilities of occurrence.

(20)	Production costs.

(i)

Costs incurred to operate and maintain wells and related equipment and facilities, including depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of operating and maintaining those wells and related equipment and facilities. They become part of the cost of oil and gas produced. Examples of production costs (sometimes called lifting costs) are:

(A)

Costs of labor to operate the wells and related equipment and facilities.

(B)

Repairs and maintenance.

(C)

Materials, supplies, and fuel consumed and supplies utilized in operating the wells and related equipment and facilities.

(D)

Property taxes and insurance applicable to proved properties and wells and related equipment and facilities.

(E)

Severance taxes.

(ii)

Some support equipment or facilities may serve two or more oil and gas producing activities and may also serve transportation, refining, and marketing activities. To the extent that the support equipment and facilities are used in oil and gas producing activities, their depreciation and applicable operating costs become exploration, development or production costs, as appropriate. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization of capitalized acquisition, exploration, and development costs are not production costs but also become part of the cost of oil and gas produced along with production (lifting) costs identified above.

(21)	Proved area. The part of a property to which proved reserves have been specifically attributed.

(22)

Proved oil and gas reserves. Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible—from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations—prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

(i)

The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes:

(A)

The area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any, and

(B)

Adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with reasonable certainty, be judged to be continuous with it and to contain economically producible oil or gas on the basis of available geoscience and engineering data.

(ii)

In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons (LKH) as seen in a well penetration unless geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establishes a lower contact with reasonable certainty.

(iii)

Where direct observation from well penetrations has defined a highest known oil (HKO) elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves may be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir only if geoscience, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establish the higher contact with reasonable certainty.

(iv)

Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when:

(A)

Successful testing by a pilot project in an area of the reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole, the operation of an installed program in the reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or other evidence using reliable technology establishes the reasonable certainty of the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based; and

(B)

The project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities.

(v)

Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. The price shall be the average price during the 12-month period prior to the ending date of the period covered by the report, determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within such period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based upon future conditions.

(23)	Proved properties. Properties with proved reserves.

(24)

Reasonable certainty. If deterministic methods are used, reasonable certainty means a high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 90% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimate. A high degree of confidence exists if the quantity is much more likely to be achieved than not, and, as changes due to increased availability of geoscience (geological, geophysical, and geochemical), engineering, and economic data are made to estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) with time, reasonably certain EUR is much more likely to increase or remain constant than to decrease.

(25)

Reliable technology. Reliable technology is a grouping of one or more technologies (including computational methods) that has been field tested and has been demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation.

(26)

Reserves. Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of oil and gas and related substances anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations. In addition, there must exist, or there must be a reasonable expectation that there will exist, the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in the production, installed means of delivering oil and gas or related substances to market, and all permits and financing required to implement the project.

Note to paragraph (a)(26): Reserves should not be assigned to adjacent reservoirs isolated by major, potentially sealing, faults until those reservoirs are penetrated and evaluated as economically producible. Reserves should not be assigned to areas that are clearly separated from a known accumulation by a non-productive reservoir (i.e., absence of reservoir, structurally low reservoir, or negative test results). Such areas may contain prospective resources (i.e., potentially recoverable resources from undiscovered accumulations).

Excerpted from the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas:

932-235-50-30 A standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to an entity’s interests in both of the following shall be disclosed as of the end of the year:

Proved oil and gas reserves (see paragraphs 932-235-50-3 through 50-11B)

Oil and gas subject to purchase under long-term supply, purchase, or similar agreements and contracts in which the entity participates in the operation of the properties on which the oil or gas is located or otherwise serves as the producer of those reserves (see paragraph 932-235-50-7).

The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to those two types of interests in reserves may be combined for reporting purposes.

932-235-50-31 All of the following information shall be disclosed in the aggregate and for each geographic area for which reserve quantities are disclosed in accordance with paragraphs 932-235-50-3 through 50-11B:

Future cash inflows. These shall be computed by applying prices used in estimating the entity’s proved oil and gas reserves to the year-end quantities of those reserves. Future price changes shall be considered only to the extent provided by contractual arrangements in existence at year-end.

Future development and production costs. These costs shall be computed by estimating the expenditures to be incurred indeveloping and producing the proved oil and gas reserves at the end of the year, based on year-end costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. If estimated development expenditures are significant, they shall be presented separately from estimated production costs.

Future income tax expenses. These expenses shall be computed by applying the appropriate year-end statutory tax rates, with consideration of future tax rates already legislated, to the future pretax net cash flows relating to the entity’s proved oil and gas reserves, less the tax basis of the properties involved. The future income tax expenses shall give effect to tax deductions and tax credits and allowances relating to the entity’s proved oil and gas reserves.

Future net cash flows. These amounts are the result of subtracting future development and production costs and future income tax expenses from future cash inflows.

Discount. This amount shall be derived from using a discount rate of 10 percent a year to reflect the timing of the future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves.

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows. This amount is the future net cash flows less the computed discount.

(27)	Reservoir. A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is individual and separate from other reservoirs.

(28)	Resources. Resources are quantities of oil and gas estimated to exist in naturally occurring accumulations. A portion of the resources may be estimated to be recoverable, and another portion may be considered to be unrecoverable. Resources include both discovered and undiscovered accumulations.

(29)

Service well. A well drilled or completed for the purpose of supporting production in an existing field. Specific purposes of service wells Include gas injection, water injection, steam injection, air injection, salt-water disposal, water supply for injection, observation, or injection for in-situ combustion.

(30)

Stratigraphic test well. A stratigraphic test well is a drilling effort, geologically directed, to obtain information pertaining to a specific geologic condition. Such wells customarily are drilled without the intent of being completed for hydrocarbon production. The classification also includes tests identified as core tests and all types of expendable holes related to hydrocarbon exploration. Stratigraphic tests are classified as “exploratory type” if not drilled in a known area or “development type” if drilled in a known area.

(31)	Undeveloped oil and gas reserves. Undeveloped oil and gas reserves are of any category that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

(i)

Reserves on undrilled acreage shall be limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances.

(ii)

Undrilled locations can be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances, justify a longer time.

From the SEC’s Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations (October 26, 2009):

Although several types of projects — such as constructing offshore platforms and development in urban areas, remote locations or environmentally sensitive locations — by their nature customarily take a longer time to develop and therefore often do justify longer time periods, this determination must always take into consideration all of the facts and circumstances. No particular type of project per se justifies a longer time period, and any extension beyond five years should be the exception, and not the rule.

Factors that a company should consider in determining whether or not circumstances justify recognizing reserves even though development may extend past five years include, but are not limited to, the following:

The company’s level of ongoing significant development activities in the area to be developed (for example, drilling only the minimum number of wells necessary to maintain the lease generally would not constitute significant development activities);

The company’s historical record at completing development of comparable long-term projects;

The amount of time in which the company has maintained the leases, or booked the reserves, without significant development activities;

The extent to which the company has followed a previously adopted development plan (for example, if a company has changed its development plan several times without taking significant steps to implement any of those plans, recognizing proved undeveloped reserves typically would not be appropriate); and

The extent to which delays in development are caused by external factors related to the physical operating environment (for example, restrictions on development on Federal lands, but not obtaining government permits), rather than by Internal factors (for example, shifting resources to develop properties with higher priority).

(iii)

Under no circumstances shall estimates for undeveloped reserves be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir, as defined In paragraph (a)(2) of this section, or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.

(32)	Unproved properties. Properties with no proved reserves.

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

LOGO

February 12, 2015

Mr. Brock E. Morris

Black Stone Minerals, L.P.

1001 Fannin, Suite 2020

Houston, Texas 77002

Dear Mr. Morris:

In accordance with your request, we have estimated the proved reserves and future revenue, as of December 31, 2014, to the Black Stone Minerals, L.P. (Black Stone) interest in certain oil and gas properties located in the United States. We completed our evaluation on or about the date of this letter. It is our understanding that the proved reserves estimated in this report constitute all of the proved reserves owned by Black Stone. The estimates in this report have been prepared in accordance with the definitions and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and, with the exception of the exclusion of future income taxes, conform to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas. Definitions are presented immediately following this letter. This report has been prepared for Black Stone’s use in filing with the SEC; in our opinion the assumptions, data, methods, and procedures used in the preparation of this report are appropriate for such purpose.

We estimate the net reserves and future net revenue to the Black Stone interest in these properties, as of December 31, 2014, to be:


	Net Reserves				Future Net Revenue (M$)
Category	Oil (MBBL)		Gas (MMCF)		Total		Present Worth at 10%
Proved Developed Producing		16,678.8		202,761.0		2,054,772.2		1,140,050.6
Proved Developed Non-Producing		20.7		127.0		2,089.1		1,271.5
Proved Undeveloped		367.3		1,367.6		18,995.4		8,784.9

Total Proved		17,066.8		204,255.5		2,075,856.7		1,150,107.0

Totals may not add because of rounding.

The oil volumes shown include crude oil and condensate. Oil volumes are expressed in thousands of barrels (MBBL); a barrel is equivalent to 42 United States gallons. Gas volumes are expressed in millions of cubic feet (MMCF) at standard temperature and pressure bases.

The estimates shown in this report are for proved reserves. No study was made to determine whether probable or possible reserves might be established for these properties. This report does not include any value that could be attributed to interests in undeveloped acreage beyond those tracts for which undeveloped reserves have been estimated. Reserves categorization conveys the relative degree of certainty; reserves subcategorization is based on development and production status. The estimates of reserves and future revenue included herein have not been adjusted for risk.

Gross revenue is Black Stone’s share of the gross (100 percent) revenue from the properties prior to any deductions. Future net revenue is after deductions for Black Stone’s share of production taxes, ad valorem taxes, capital costs, and operating expenses but before consideration of any income taxes. The future net revenue has been discounted at an annual rate of 10 percent to determine its present worth, which is shown to indicate the effect of time on the value of money. Future net revenue presented in this report, whether discounted or undiscounted, should not be construed as being the fair market value of the properties.

LOGO

Prices used in this report are based on the 12-month unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month in the period January through December 2014. For oil volumes, the average West Texas Intermediate spot price of $94.99 per barrel is adjusted for quality, transportation fees, and market differentials. For gas volumes, the average Henry Hub spot price of $4.350 per MMBTU is adjusted for energy content, transportation fees, and market differentials. When applicable, gas prices have been adjusted to include the value for natural gas liquids. All prices are held constant throughout the lives of the properties. The average adjusted product prices weighted by production over the remaining lives of the properties are $90.19 per barrel of oil and $4.670 per MCF of gas.

Operating costs used in this report are based on operating expense records of Black Stone, where available. For other properties, we have estimated operating costs based on our knowledge of similar operations in the area. Operating costs include the per-well overhead expenses allowed under joint operating agreements along with estimates of costs to be incurred at and below the district and field levels. Operating costs have been divided into per-well costs and per-unit-of-production costs. Since all properties are nonoperated, headquarters general and administrative overhead expenses of Black Stone are not included. Operating costs are not escalated for inflation.

Capital costs used in this report were provided by Black Stone and are based on authorizations for expenditure and actual costs from recent activity. Capital costs are included as required for new development wells and production equipment. Based on our understanding of future development plans, a review of the records provided to us, and our knowledge of similar properties, we regard these estimated capital costs to be reasonable. Capital costs are not escalated for inflation. As requested, our estimates do not include any salvage value for the lease and well equipment or the cost of abandoning the properties.

We have made no investigation of potential volume and value imbalances resulting from overdelivery or underdelivery to the Black Stone interest. Therefore, our estimates of reserves and future revenue do not include adjustments for the settlement of any such imbalances; our projections are based on Black Stone receiving its net revenue interest share of estimated future gross production.

The reserves shown in this report are estimates only and should not be construed as exact quantities. Proved reserves are those quantities of oil and gas which, by analysis of engineering and geoscience data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible; probable and possible reserves are those additional reserves which are sequentially less certain to be recovered than proved reserves. Estimates of reserves may increase or decrease as a result of market conditions, future operations, changes in regulations, or actual reservoir performance. In addition to the primary economic assumptions discussed herein, our estimates are based on certain assumptions including, but not limited to, that the properties will be developed consistent with current development plans as provided by Black Stone, that the properties will be operated in a prudent manner, that no governmental regulations or controls will be put in place that would impact the ability of the interest owner to recover the reserves, and that our projections of future production will prove consistent with actual performance. If the reserves are recovered, the revenues therefrom and the costs related thereto could be more or less than the estimated amounts. Because of governmental policies and uncertainties of supply and demand, the sales rates, prices received for the reserves, and costs incurred in recovering such reserves may vary from assumptions made while preparing this report.

LOGO

For the purposes of this report, we used technical and economic data including, but not limited to, well logs, well test data, production data, historical price and cost information, and property ownership interests. The reserves in this report have been estimated using deterministic methods; these estimates have been prepared in accordance with the Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE Standards). We used standard engineering and geoscience methods, or a combination of methods, including performance analysis and analogy, that we considered to be appropriate and necessary to categorize and estimate reserves in accordance with SEC definitions and regulations. As in all aspects of oil and gas evaluation, there are uncertainties inherent in the interpretation of engineering and geoscience data; therefore, our conclusions necessarily represent only informed professional judgment.

The data used in our estimates were obtained from Black Stone, public data sources, and the nonconfidential files of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (NSAI) and were accepted as accurate. Supporting work data are on file in our office. We have not examined the titles to the properties or independently confirmed the actual degree or type of interest owned. The technical person primarily responsible for preparing the estimates presented herein meets the requirements regarding qualifications, independence, objectivity, and confidentiality set forth in the SPE Standards. J. Carter Henson, Jr., a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas, has been practicing consulting petroleum engineering at NSAI since 1989 and has over 8 years of prior industry experience. We are independent petroleum engineers, geologists, geophysicists, and petrophysicists; we do not own an interest in these properties nor are we employed on a contingent basis.


Sincerely,

NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.
Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-2699

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

		/s/ J. Carter Henson, Jr.
By:
		J. Carter Henson, Jr., P.E. 73964
		Senior Vice President

Date Signed: February 12, 2015

JCH:LRG

Please be advised that the digital document you are viewing is provided by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (NSAI) as a convenience to our clients. The digital document is intended to be substantively the same as the original signed document maintained by NSAI. The digital document is subject to the parameters, limitations, and conditions stated in the original document. In the event of any differences between the digital document and the original document, the original document shall control and supersede the digital document.

LOGO

DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

The following definitions are set forth in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a). Also included is supplemental information from (1) the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers, (2) the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas, and (3) the SEC’s Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations.

(1) Acquisition of properties. Costs incurred to purchase, lease or otherwise acquire a property, including costs of lease bonuses and options to purchase or lease properties, the portion of costs applicable to minerals when land including mineral rights is purchased in fee, brokers’ fees, recording fees, legal costs, and other costs incurred in acquiring properties.

(2) Analogous reservoir. Analogous reservoirs, as used in resources assessments, have similar rock and fluid properties, reservoir conditions (depth, temperature, and pressure) and drive mechanisms, but are typically at a more advanced stage of development than the reservoir of interest and thus may provide concepts to assist in the interpretation of more limited data and estimation of recovery. When used to support proved reserves, an “analogous reservoir” refers to a reservoir that shares the following characteristics with the reservoir of interest:

(i)

Same geological formation (but not necessarily in pressure communication with the reservoir of interest);

(ii)

Same environment of deposition;

(iii)

Similar geological structure; and

(iv)

Same drive mechanism.

Instruction to paragraph (a)(2): Reservoir properties must, in the aggregate, be no more favorable in the analog than in the reservoir of interest.

(3) Bitumen. Bitumen, sometimes referred to as natural bitumen, is petroleum in a solid or semi-solid state in natural deposits with a viscosity greater than 10,000 centipoise measured at original temperature in the deposit and atmospheric pressure, on a gas free basis. In its natural state it usually contains sulfur, metals, and other non-hydrocarbons.

(4) Condensate. Condensate is a mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in the gaseous phase at original reservoir temperature and pressure, but that, when produced, is in the liquid phase at surface pressure and temperature.

(5) Deterministic estimate. The method of estimating reserves or resources is called deterministic when a single value for each parameter (from the geoscience, engineering, or economic data) in the reserves calculation is used in the reserves estimation procedure.

(6) Developed oil and gas reserves. Developed oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that can be expected to be recovered:

(i)

Through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and

(ii)

Through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate if the extraction is by means not involving a well.

Supplemental definitions from the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System:

Definitions - Page 1 of 7

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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

(7) Development costs. Costs incurred to obtain access to proved reserves and to provide facilities for extracting, treating, gathering and storing the oil and gas. More specifically, development costs, including depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of development activities, are costs incurred to:

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

Provide improved recovery systems.

(8) Development project. A development project is the means by which petroleum resources are brought to the status of economically producible. As examples, the development of a single reservoir or field, an incremental development in a producing field, or the integrated development of a group of several fields and associated facilities with a common ownership may constitute a development project.

(9) Development well. A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

(10) Economically producible. The term economically producible, as it relates to a resource, means a resource which generates revenue that exceeds, or is reasonably expected to exceed, the costs of the operation. The value of the products that generate revenue shall be determined at the terminal point of oil and gas producing activities as defined in paragraph (a)(16) of this section.

(11) Estimated ultimate recovery (EUR). Estimated ultimate recovery is the sum of reserves remaining as of a given date and cumulative production as of that date.

(12) Exploration costs. Costs incurred in identifying areas that may warrant examination and in examining specific areas that are considered to have prospects of containing oil and gas reserves, including costs of drilling exploratory wells and exploratory-type stratigraphic test wells. Exploration costs may be incurred both before acquiring the related property (sometimes referred to in part as prospecting costs) and after acquiring the property. Principal types of exploration costs, which include depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of exploration activities, are:

(i)

(ii)

Costs of carrying and retaining undeveloped properties, such as delay rentals, ad valorem taxes on properties, legal costs for title defense, and the maintenance of land and lease records.

(iii)

Dry hole contributions and bottom hole contributions.

(iv)

Costs of drilling and equipping exploratory wells.

(v)

Costs of drilling exploratory-type stratigraphic test wells.

(13) Exploratory well. An exploratory well is a well drilled to find a new field or to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or gas in another reservoir. Generally, an exploratory well is any well that is not a development well, an extension well, a service well, or a stratigraphic test well as those items are defined in this section.

(14) Extension well. An extension well is a well drilled to extend the limits of a known reservoir.

Definitions - Page 2 of 7

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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

(15) Field. An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition. There may be two or more reservoirs in a field which are separated vertically by intervening impervious strata, or laterally by local geologic barriers, or by both. Reservoirs that are associated by being in overlapping or adjacent fields may be treated as a single or common operational field. The geological terms “structural feature” and “stratigraphic condition” are intended to identify localized geological features as opposed to the broader terms of basins, trends, provinces, plays, areas-of-interest, etc.

(16) Oil and gas producing activities.

(i)

Oil and gas producing activities include:

(A)

The search for crude oil, including condensate and natural gas liquids, or natural gas (“oil and gas”) in their natural states and original locations;

(B)

The acquisition of property rights or properties for the purpose of further exploration or for the purpose of removing the oil or gas from such properties;

(C)

The construction, drilling, and production activities necessary to retrieve oil and gas from their natural reservoirs, including the acquisition, construction, installation, and maintenance of field gathering and storage systems, such as:

(1)

Lifting the oil and gas to the surface; and

(2)

Gathering, treating, and field processing (as in the case of processing gas to extract liquid hydrocarbons); and

(D)

Instruction 1 to paragraph (a)(16)(i): The oil and gas production function shall be regarded as ending at a “terminal point”, which is the outlet valve on the lease or field storage tank. If unusual physical or operational circumstances exist, it may be appropriate to regard the terminal point for the production function as:

The first point at which oil, gas, or gas liquids, natural or synthetic, are delivered to a main pipeline, a common carrier, a refinery, or a marine terminal; and

Instruction 2 to paragraph (a)(16)(i): For purposes of this paragraph (a)(16), the term saleable hydrocarbons means hydrocarbons that are saleable in the state in which the hydrocarbons are delivered.

(ii)

Oil and gas producing activities do not include:

(A)

Transporting, refining, or marketing oil and gas;

(B)

(C)

Activities relating to the production of natural resources other than oil, gas, or natural resources from which synthetic oil and gas can be extracted; or

(D)

Production of geothermal steam.

(17) Possible reserves. Possible reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than probable reserves.

(i)

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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

(ii)

Possible reserves may be assigned to areas of a reservoir adjacent to probable reserves where data control and interpretations of available data are progressively less certain. Frequently, this will be in areas where geoscience and engineering data are unable to define clearly the area and vertical limits of commercial production from the reservoir by a defined project.

(iii)

Possible reserves also include incremental quantities associated with a greater percentage recovery of the hydrocarbons in place than the recovery quantities assumed for probable reserves.

(iv)

(v)

(vi)

(18) Probable reserves. Probable reserves are those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves but which, together with proved reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered.

(i)

(ii)

(iii)

Probable reserves estimates also include potential incremental quantities associated with a greater percentage recovery of the hydrocarbons in place than assumed for proved reserves.

(iv)

See also guidelines in paragraphs (a)(17)(iv) and (a)(17)(vi) of this section.

(19) Probabilistic estimate. The method of estimation of reserves or resources is called probabilistic when the full range of values that could reasonably occur for each unknown parameter (from the geoscience and engineering data) is used to generate a full range of possible outcomes and their associated probabilities of occurrence.

(20) Production costs.

(i)

(A)

Costs of labor to operate the wells and related equipment and facilities.

(B)

Repairs and maintenance.

(C)

Materials, supplies, and fuel consumed and supplies utilized in operating the wells and related equipment and facilities.

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Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

(D)

Property taxes and insurance applicable to proved properties and wells and related equipment and facilities.

(E)

Severance taxes.

(ii)

(21) Proved area. The part of a property to which proved reserves have been specifically attributed.

(22) Proved oil and gas reserves. Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible—from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations—prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

(i)

The area of the reservoir considered as proved includes:

(A)

The area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any, and

(B)

(ii)

(iii)

(iv)

Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when:

(A)

(B)

The project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities.

(v)

(23) Proved properties. Properties with proved reserves.

(24) Reasonable certainty. If deterministic methods are used, reasonable certainty means a high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 90%

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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimate. A high degree of confidence exists if the quantity is much more likely to be achieved than not, and, as changes due to increased availability of geoscience (geological, geophysical, and geochemical), engineering, and economic data are made to estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) with time, reasonably certain EUR is much more likely to increase or remain constant than to decrease.

(25) Reliable technology. Reliable technology is a grouping of one or more technologies (including computational methods) that has been field tested and has been demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation.

(26) Reserves. Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of oil and gas and related substances anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations. In addition, there must exist, or there must be a reasonable expectation that there will exist, the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in the production, installed means of delivering oil and gas or related substances to market, and all permits and financing required to implement the project.

Note to paragraph (a)(26): Reserves should not be assigned to adjacent reservoirs isolated by major, potentially sealing, faults until those reservoirs are penetrated and evaluated as economically producible. Reserves should not be assigned to areas that are clearly separated from a known accumulation by a non-productive reservoir (i.e., absence of reservoir, structurally low reservoir, or negative test results). Such areas may contain prospective resources (i.e., potentially recoverable resources from undiscovered accumulations).

Excerpted from the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 932, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas:

932-235-50-30 A standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to an entity’s interests in both of the following shall be disclosed as of the end of the year:

Proved oil and gas reserves (see paragraphs 932-235-50-3 through 50-11B)

The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to those two types of interests in reserves may be combined for reporting purposes.

Future development and production costs. These costs shall be computed by estimating the expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved oil and gas reserves at the end of the year, based on year-end costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. If estimated development expenditures are significant, they shall be presented separately from estimated production costs.

Future net cash flows. These amounts are the result of subtracting future development and production costs and future income tax expenses from future cash inflows.

Discount. This amount shall be derived from using a discount rate of 10 percent a year to reflect the timing of the future net cash flows relating to proved oil and gas reserves.

Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows. This amount is the future net cash flows less the computed discount.

(27) Reservoir. A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is individual and separate from other reservoirs.

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DEFINITIONS OF OIL AND GAS RESERVES

Adapted from U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X Section 210.4-10(a)

(28) Resources. Resources are quantities of oil and gas estimated to exist in naturally occurring accumulations. A portion of the resources may be estimated to be recoverable, and another portion may be considered to be unrecoverable. Resources include both discovered and undiscovered accumulations.

(29) Service well. A well drilled or completed for the purpose of supporting production in an existing field. Specific purposes of service wells include gas injection, water injection, steam injection, air injection, salt-water disposal, water supply for injection, observation, or injection for in-situ combustion.

(30) Stratigraphic test well. A stratigraphic test well is a drilling effort, geologically directed, to obtain information pertaining to a specific geologic condition. Such wells customarily are drilled without the intent of being completed for hydrocarbon production. The classification also includes tests identified as core tests and all types of expendable holes related to hydrocarbon exploration. Stratigraphic tests are classified as “exploratory type” if not drilled in a known area or “development type” if drilled in a known area.

(31) Undeveloped oil and gas reserves. Undeveloped oil and gas reserves are reserves of any category that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

(i)

(ii)

From the SEC’s Compliance and Disclosure Interpretations (October 26, 2009):

Although several types of projects—such as constructing offshore platforms and development in urban areas, remote locations or environmentally sensitive locations—by their nature customarily take a longer time to develop and therefore often do justify longer time periods, this determination must always take into consideration all of the facts and circumstances. No particular type of project per se justifies a longer time period, and any extension beyond five years should be the exception, and not the rule.

• The company’s level of ongoing significant development activities in the area to be developed (for example, drilling only the minimum number of wells necessary to maintain the lease generally would not constitute significant development activities);

• The company’s historical record at completing development of comparable long-term projects;

• The amount of time in which the company has maintained the leases, or booked the reserves, without significant development activities;

• The extent to which the company has followed a previously adopted development plan (for example, if a company has changed its development plan several times without taking significant steps to implement any of those plans, recognizing proved undeveloped reserves typically would not be appropriate); and

• The extent to which delays in development are caused by external factors related to the physical operating environment (for example, restrictions on development on Federal lands, but not obtaining government permits), rather than by internal factors (for example, shifting resources to develop properties with higher priority).

(iii)

Under no circumstances shall estimates for undeveloped reserves be attributable to any acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless such techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.

(32) Unproved properties. Properties with no proved reserves.

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