424B3 1 d595285d424b3.htm 424B3 424B3
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration Number 333-187757

 

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are part of an effective registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion, dated September 12, 2013

 

PR OSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus dated April 5, 2013)

 

 

 

LOGO

PVR Partners, L.P.

5,500,000 Common Units

Representing Limited Partner Interests

 

 

We are selling 5,500,000 common units representing limited partner interests in PVR Partners, L.P.

Our common units trade on the New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, under the symbol “PVR.” On September 11, 2013, the last sale price of our common units reported on the NYSE was $24.15 per common unit.

Investing in our common units involves risks. Please read “Risk Factors” on page S-3 of this prospectus supplement and on page 2 of the accompanying prospectus.

 

     Per Common Unit      Total  

Public offering price

   $                                $                

Underwriting discount

   $                    $                

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

   $                    $                

The underwriter may also exercise their option to purchase up to an additional 825,000 common units from us, at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount, for 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement.

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

The common units will be ready for delivery on or about                     , 2013.

 

 

Book-Running Manager

Barclays

Prospectus Supplement dated                     , 2013.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

 

About This Prospectus Supplement

     S-ii   

Summary

     S-1   

Risk Factors

     S-3   

Use of Proceeds

     S-4   

Capitalization

     S-5   

Price Range of Common Units and Distributions

     S-6   

Material Tax Considerations

     S-7   

Underwriting

     S-8   

Legal Matters

     S-13   

Experts

     S-13   

Forward-Looking Statements

     S-14   

Where You Can Find Information

     S-16   
Prospectus   

About This Prospectus

     1   

Who We Are

     1   

Risk Factors

     2   

Where You Can Find More Information

     2   

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

     2   

Forward-Looking Statements

     4   

Use of Proceeds

     6   

Description of Debt Securities

     8   

Description of the Common Units

     18   

Cash Distribution Policy

     22   

Material Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement

     23   

Material Income Tax Consequences

     31   

Plan of Distribution

     46   

Legal Matters

     48   

Experts

     48   

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering of common units. The second part is the accompanying base prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering of common units. Generally, when we refer only to the “prospectus,” we are referring to both parts combined. If the information about this offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

Any statement made in this prospectus, or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus, will be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other document subsequently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, that is also incorporated by reference into this prospectus modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. The sections captioned “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Forward-Looking Statements” in the accompanying base prospectus are superseded in their entirety by the similarly titled sections included in this prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. Neither we nor the underwriter have authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with additional, different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are offering to sell the common units, and seeking offers to buy the common units, only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the dates shown in these documents or that any information we have incorporated by reference herein is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since such dates.

 

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SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. It does not contain all of the information that you should consider before making an investment decision. You should read this entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference herein and any other documents to which we refer for a more complete understanding of this offering of common units. Please read “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, or our 2012 Annual Report, and in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, or our Q2 2013 Report, for information regarding risks you should consider before investing in our common units.

As used in this prospectus, “we,” “us,” “our” and “PVR Partners” mean PVR Partners, L.P. References to “our general partner” mean PVR GP, LLC.

PVR Partners, L.P.

PVR Partners, L.P. (NYSE: PVR) is a publicly traded limited partnership that owns and operates midstream natural gas gathering and processing businesses and owns and manages coal and natural resource properties and related assets. Our midstream natural gas assets are located principally in Texas, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma and include more than 4,600 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines and six processing systems with approximately 460 million cubic feet per day of capacity. We also own approximately 871 million tons of proven coal reserves in Northern and Central Appalachia, the Illinois Basin and the San Juan Basin.

Principal Executive Offices

Our principal executive offices are located at Three Radnor Corporate Center, 100 Matsonford Road, Suite 301, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087. Our telephone number is (610) 975-8200.

 

 

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The Offering

 

Common units offered by us

5,500,000 common units, or 6,325,000 common units if the underwriter exercises in full their option to purchase an additional 825,000 common units.

 

Units outstanding before this offering

95,731,190 common units, 23,779,883 Class B units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership and 10,346,257 Special Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership.

 

Units outstanding after this offering

101,231,190 common units, or 102,056,190 common units if the underwriter exercises in full their option to purchase an additional 825,000 common units, 23,779,883 Class B units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership and 10,346,257 Special Units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership.

 

Use of proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $         million (approximately $         million if the underwriter exercises in full their option to purchase additional common units), after deducting estimated fees and expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions totaling approximately $         million. The immediate use of the net proceeds of this offering will be to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility, or the Revolver. Please read “Use of Proceeds” in this prospectus supplement. An affiliate of the underwriter is a lender under our Revolver and, accordingly, will receive a portion of the net proceeds from this offering. Please read “Underwriting—Relationship with the Underwriter.”

 

  If the underwriter exercises their option to purchase additional common units, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of additional common units to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the Revolver.

 

Estimated ratio of taxable income to distributions

We estimate that if you own the common units you purchase in this offering through the record date for distributions for the period ending December 31, 2015, you will be allocated, on a cumulative basis, an amount of federal taxable income for that period that will be 20% or less of the cash distributed to you with respect to that period. Please read “Material Tax Considerations” for the basis of that estimate.

 

NYSE symbol

“PVR.”

 

Risk factors

You should carefully consider all of the information in this prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus. In particular, you should evaluate the risk factors and other cautionary statements included or referenced under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement before deciding whether or not to invest in our common units.

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common units involves risk. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference in this prospectus, together with all of the other information included, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus or to which we refer you, including the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our 2012 Annual Report and our Q2 2013 Report, which are incorporated herein by reference. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. Also, please read “Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $         million (approximately $         million if the underwriter exercises in full their option to purchase additional common units), after deducting estimated fees and expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions totaling approximately $         million. The immediate use of the net proceeds of this offering will be to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the Revolver. We anticipate that we will re-borrow from time to time amounts repaid under our Revolver for general partnership purpose.

The Revolver matures on April 19, 2016. The interest rate under the Revolver fluctuates based on the ratio of our total indebtedness-to-EBITDA. Interest is payable at the base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.75% to 2.50% if we select the base rate indebtedness option under the Revolver or at a rate derived from LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 3.50% if we select the LIBOR-based indebtedness option. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the Revolver as of September 11, 2013 was 3.4%. As of September 11, 2013, we had outstanding borrowings under the Revolver of approximately $467.5 million. The proceeds of these borrowings were primarily used to finance the construction of natural gas midstream acquisition projects and to fund working capital requirements.

If the underwriter exercises their option to purchase additional common units, we intend to use all the net proceeds from the sale of additional common units to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the Revolver.

The underwriter may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us and our affiliates in the ordinary course of business. An affiliate of the underwriter is a lender under our Revolver and, accordingly, will receive a portion of the net proceeds from this offering. Please read “Underwriting—Relationships with the Underwriter.”

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our capitalization as of June 30, 2013 on:

 

    a historical basis; and

 

    an as adjusted to give effect to the public offering of our common units made pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as set forth in “Use of Proceeds.”

The information in the table is derived from, should be read together with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the information contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our historical financial statements, including the related notes, included in our 2012 Annual Report and Q2 2013 Report, that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. The table below should also be read in conjunction with “Use of Proceeds.”

 

     June 30, 2013  
     Historical      As Adjusted  
     (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 13,923       $ 13,923   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt:

     

Revolving credit facility(1)

   $ 457,500       $     

Senior Notes

     1,300,000         1,300,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

     1,757,500      

Less: Current maturities

               
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt, net of current maturities

     1,757,500      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Partners’ capital:

     

Common unitholders, 95,724,743 issued an outstanding; 101,224,743 issued and outstanding, as adjusted

     576,451      

Class B units, 23,309,784 issued and outstanding

     408,811         408,811   

Special Units, 10,346,257 issued and outstanding

     195,503         195,503   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total partners’ capital

     1,180,765      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 2,938,265       $     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) As of September 11, 2013, we had outstanding borrowings of $467.5 million under the Revolver. As of September 11, 2013, after giving effect to this offering of common units and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as set forth in “Use of Proceeds,” we would have had outstanding borrowings of approximately $         million under the Revolver.

 

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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON UNITS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for the common units, as reported on the NYSE and quarterly cash distributions paid to our common unitholders.

 

     Price Range      Cash
Distributions
Per Unit(1)
 
     High      Low     

Year ended December 31, 2013:

        

Third quarter (through September 11, 2013)

   $ 29.26       $ 22.40       $   

Second quarter

     27.43         23.21         0.55   

First quarter

     27.49         21.87         0.55   

Year ended December 31, 2012:

        

Fourth quarter

   $ 26.28       $ 22.27       $ 0.55   

Third quarter

     26.00         23.61         0.54   

Second quarter

     26.33         21.84         0.53   

First quarter

     27.50         21.34         0.52   

Year ended December 31, 2011:

        

Fourth quarter

   $ 26.94       $ 21.13       $ 0.51   

Third quarter

     28.05         20.85         0.50   

Second quarter

     28.31         24.00         0.49   

First quarter

     29.10         24.41         0.48   

Year ended December 31, 2010:

        

Fourth quarter

   $ 29.11       $ 24.78       $ 0.47   

Third quarter

     25.00         20.26         0.47   

Second quarter

     24.75         10.01         0.47   

First quarter

     24.93         19.63         0.47   

 

(1) Represents cash distributions per unit attributable to the quarter and declared and paid within 45 days after quarter end.

Our common units are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “PVR.” As of September 11, 2013, there were 95,731,190 common units outstanding. As of September 11, 2013 there were 189 record holders of our common units. The last reported sale price of our common units on the NYSE on September 11, 2013 was $24.15 per unit.

 

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MATERIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The tax consequences to you of an investment in our common units will depend in part on your own tax circumstances. For a discussion of the principal federal income tax considerations associated with our operations and the purchase, ownership, and disposition of our common units, please read “Material Income Tax Consequences” beginning on page 31 of the accompanying base prospectus. Please also read “Risk Factors” in our 2012 Annual Report and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated herein by reference, for a discussion of the tax risks related to purchasing and owning our common units. You are urged to consult with your own tax advisor about the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences particular to your circumstances.

Ratio of Taxable Income to Distributions

We estimate that a purchaser of units in this offering who owns those units from the date of closing of this offering through the record date for distributions for the period ending December 31, 2015, will be allocated, on a cumulative basis, an amount of federal taxable income that will be 20% or less of the cash distributed with respect to that period. These estimates are based upon the assumption that earnings from operations will approximate the amount required to make the minimum quarterly distribution on all units and other assumptions with respect to capital expenditures, cash flow, 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 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 such 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; or

 

    we make a future offering of common 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 amortization for federal income tax purposes or that is depreciable or amortizable at a rate significantly slower than the rate applicable to our assets at the time of this offering.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Subject to the terms and conditions stated in the underwriting agreement dated the date of this prospectus supplement, Barclays Capital Inc., or the underwriter, has agreed to purchase, and we have agreed to sell to the underwriter, 5,500,000 common units.

The underwriting agreement provides that the obligation of the underwriter to pay for and accept delivery of the common units offered by this prospectus supplement is subject to the approval of certain legal matters by its counsel and to certain other conditions. Other than those covered by the option to purchase additional common units described below, the underwriter is obligated to take and pay for all of the common units offered by this prospectus supplement if any such common units are taken.

Commissions and Expenses

The underwriter proposes to offer the common units offered hereby directly to the public at the price to the public set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and to selected dealers at such price less a selling concession not in excess of $             per common unit. After the offering, the underwriter may change the offering price and other selling terms. The offering of the common units by the underwriter is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriter’s right to reject any order in whole or in part.

The following table shows the underwriting discounts and commissions that we are to pay to the underwriter in connection with this offering. These amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriter’s option to purchase additional common units.

 

     No Exercise      Full Exercise  

Per common unit

   $                    $                

Total

   $                    $                

We estimate that our total expenses for this offering, not including the underwriting discount will be approximately $0.3 million.

Indemnification

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments that may be required to be made in respect of these liabilities.

Option to Purchase Additional Common Units

We have granted to the underwriter an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of this prospectus supplement, to purchase up to 825,000 additional common units at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions set forth on the cover page of this prospectus supplement.

Lock-Up Agreements

We, our general partner, PVR Finco LLC, all of our general partner’s executive officers and all of our general partner’s directors who own common units as of the date of this prospectus have agreed, with certain limited exceptions, not to, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the underwriter, for a period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the 45th day after the date of this prospectus supplement, (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 such person or entity 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 our common units, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that

 

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transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of our common units, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of common units or other securities, in cash or otherwise, (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 of our common units or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for our common units or any other of our securities or (4) publicly disclose the intention to do any of the foregoing.

The restrictions described above do not apply to the sale of our common units to the underwriter pursuant to the underwriting agreement or the issuance by us of common units pursuant to employee benefit plans, options plans or other employee compensation plans.

The underwriter, 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 the common units and other securities from lock-up agreements, the underwriter will consider, among other factors, the holder’s reasons for requesting the release, the number of common units or other securities for which the release is being requested and market conditions at the time.

Our common units are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “PVR.”

Stabilization and Short Positions

In order to facilitate the offering of the common units, the underwriter may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the common units. Specifically, the underwriter may sell more units than it is obligated to purchase under the underwriting agreement, creating a short position. A short sale is covered if the short position is no greater than the number of units available for purchase by the underwriter under the underwriter’s option to buy additional common units. The underwriter can close out a covered short sale by exercising the underwriter’s option to buy additional common units or purchasing units in the open market. In determining the source of units to close out a covered short sale, the underwriter will consider, among other things, the open market price of units compared to the price available under the underwriter’s option to buy additional common units. The underwriter may also sell units in excess of the underwriter’s option to buy additional common units, creating a naked short position. The underwriter must close out any naked short position by purchasing units in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter is concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the common units in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in this offering. As an additional means of facilitating this offering, the underwriter may bid for, and purchase, common units in the open market to stabilize the price of the common units. These activities may raise or maintain the market price of the common units above independent market levels or prevent or retard a decline in the market price of the common units. The underwriter may conduct these activities on the NYSE or otherwise. The underwriter is not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time. Neither we nor the underwriter 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.

Electronic Distribution

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on a website maintained by the underwriter. The underwriter may allocate a number of common units for sale to its online brokerage account holders. In addition, common units may be sold by the underwriter to securities dealers who resell units to online brokerage account holders.

Other than the prospectus in electronic format, any information on the underwriter’s website and any information contained in any other website maintained by any selling group member is not part of the prospectus

 

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or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement 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.

Relationships with the Underwriter

The underwriter and its affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the underwriter and its affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in financial advisory, commercial banking and/or investment banking transactions with us and our affiliates for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

An affiliate of the underwriter is a lender under our revolving credit facility and, accordingly, will receive a portion of the net proceeds from this offering. Because the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, views 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 suitability with respect to other securities that are listed for trading on a national securities exchange.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriter and its affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments 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 and may at any time hold long and short positions in such securities and instruments. Such investment and securities activities may involve securities and instruments of the issuer. The underwriter and its affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Selling Restrictions

European Economic Area

This prospectus has been prepared on the basis that the transactions contemplated by this prospectus in any Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”) (other than Germany) will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Directive from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of securities. Accordingly, any person making or intending to make any offer in that Relevant Member State of the securities which are the subject of the transactions contemplated by this prospectus, may only do so in circumstances in which no obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive in relation to such offer. We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of securities or any invitation relating thereto in circumstances in which an obligation arises for us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus for such offer or invitation.

In relation to each Relevant Member State, other than Germany, with effect from and including the date on which the Prospectus Directive is implemented in that Relevant Member State (the “Relevant Implementation Date”), no offer to the public of the securities subject to this prospectus has been or will be made in that Relevant Member State other than:

(a) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined in the Prospectus Directive (“Qualified Investors”);

(b) to fewer than 100 or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provision of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than Qualified Investors), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive subject to obtaining our prior consent for any such offer; or

 

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(c) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive;

provided that no such offer or invitation shall require us or any of the underwriters to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase the securities, as the same may be further defined in that Relevant Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Relevant Member State. The expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto, including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State, and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

We have not authorized and do not authorize the making of any offer of securities through any financial intermediary on their behalf, other than offers made by the underwriters with a view to the final placement of the securities as contemplated in this prospectus. Accordingly, no purchaser of the securities, other than the underwriters, is authorized to make any further offer of the securities on behalf of us or the underwriters.

United Kingdom

We may constitute a “collective investment scheme” as defined by section 235 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSMA”) that is not a “recognised collective investment scheme” for the purposes of FSMA (“CIS”) and that has not been authorised or otherwise approved. As an unregulated scheme, it cannot be marketed in the United Kingdom to the general public, except in accordance with FSMA. This prospectus is only being distributed in the United Kingdom to, and are only directed at (i) investment professionals falling within the description of persons in Article 14(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Promotion of Collective Investment Schemes) Order 2001, as amended (the “CIS Promotion Order”) or Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Financial Promotion Order”) or (ii) high net worth companies and other persons falling with Article 22(2)(a) to (d) of the CIS Promotion Order or Article 49(2Xa) to (d) of the Financial Promotion Order, or (iii) to any other person to whom it may otherwise lawfully be made, (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). Our common units are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such common units will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus or any of its contents.

Switzerland

The distribution of our common units in Switzerland will be exclusively made to, and directed at, regulated qualified investors (“Regulated Qualified Investors”), as defined in Article 10(3)(a) and (b) of the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act of 23 June 2006, as amended (“CISA”). Accordingly, we have not, and will not be, registered with the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (“FINMA”) and no Swiss representative or paying agent has been or will be appointed for us in Switzerland. This prospectus and/or any other offering materials relating to our common units may be made available in Switzerland solely to Regulated Qualified Investors.

Germany

This prospectus has not been prepared in accordance with the requirements for a securities or sales prospectus under the German Securities Prospectus Act (Wertpapierprospektgesetz), the German Asset Investment Act (Vermögensanlagengesetz), or the German Investment Act (Investmentgesetz). Neither the

 

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German Federal Financial Services Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstall für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht—BaFin) nor any other German authority has been notified of the intention to distribute our common units in Germany. Consequently, our common units may not be distributed in Germany by way of public offering, public advertisement or in any similar manner and this prospectus and any other document relating to the offering, as well as information or statements contained therein, may not be supplied to the public in Germany or used in connection with any offer for subscription of our common units to the public in Germany or any other means of public marketing. Our common units are being offered and sold in Germany only to qualified investors which are referred to in Section 3, paragraph 2 no. 1 in connection with Section 2 no. 6 of the German Securities Prospectus Act, Section 2 no. 4 of the German Asset Investment Act, and in Section 2 paragraph II sentence 2 no.1 of the German Investment Act. This prospectus is strictly for use of the person who has received it. It may not be forwarded to other persons or published in Germany.

The offering does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation or an offer to buy our common units in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.

Netherlands

Our common units may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in the Netherlands, other than to qualified investors (gelavalificeerde beleggers) within the meaning of Article 1:1 of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

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 the common units offered in this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., New York, New York. Certain legal matters in connection with the common units offered hereby will be passed upon for the underwriter by Andrews Kurth LLP, Washington, D.C.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of PVR Partners, L.P. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The audited financial statements of Chief Gathering LLC incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent certified public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said report.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the information included in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference contains “forward-looking statements.” These statements use forward-looking words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “achieve,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project” or other words and phrases of similar meaning. These statements discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations or financial condition or state other “forward-looking” information. A forward-looking statement may include a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying the forward-looking statements. We believe we have chosen these assumptions or bases in good faith and that they are reasonable. However, we caution you that assumed facts or bases almost always vary from actual results, and the differences between assumed facts or bases and actual results can be material, depending on the circumstances. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and the documents we have incorporated by reference. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

    the volatility of commodity prices for natural gas, natural gas liquids, or NGLs, and coal;

 

    our ability to access external sources of capital;

 

    any impairment or write-downs of our assets;

 

    the relationship between natural gas, NGL and coal prices;

 

    the projected demand for and supply of natural gas, NGLs and coal;

 

    competition among natural gas midstream companies and among producers in the coal industry generally;

 

    our ability to acquire natural gas midstream assets and new sources of natural gas supply and connections to third-party pipelines on satisfactory terms or new coal reserves;

 

    our ability to retain existing or acquire new natural gas midstream customers and coal lessees;

 

    the extent to which the amount and quality of actual production of our coal differs from estimated recoverable coal reserves;

 

    our ability to generate sufficient cash from our businesses to maintain and pay the quarterly distribution to our unitholders;

 

    the experience and financial condition of our natural gas midstream customers and coal lessees, including our lessees’ ability to satisfy their royalty, environmental, reclamation and other obligations to us and others;

 

    operating risks, including unanticipated geological problems, incidental to our Eastern Midstream and Midcontinent Midstream and Coal and Natural Resource Management businesses;

 

    our ability to successfully complete the development of Chief Gathering LLC’s midstream systems, integrate the business of Chief Gathering LLC with ours and realize the anticipated benefits from the acquisition of Chief Gathering LLC;

 

    the ability of our lessees to produce sufficient quantities of coal on an economic basis from our reserves and obtain favorable contracts for such production;

 

    the occurrence of unusual weather or operating conditions, including force majeure events;

 

    delays in anticipated start-up dates of new developments in our Eastern Midstream and Midcontinent Midstream businesses and our lessees’ mining operations and related coal infrastructure projects;

 

    environmental risks affecting the production, gathering, transportation and processing of natural gas or the mining of coal reserves;

 

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    the timing of receipt of necessary governmental permits by us or our lessees;

 

    hedging results;

 

    accidents;

 

    changes in governmental regulation or enforcement practices, especially with respect to environmental, health and safety matters, including with respect to emissions levels applicable to coal-burning power generators and permissible levels of mining runoff;

 

    uncertainties relating to the effects of regulatory guidance on permitting under the Clean Water Act and the outcome of current and future litigation regarding mine permitting;

 

    risks and uncertainties relating to general domestic and international economic (including inflation, interest rates and financial and credit markets) and political conditions; and

 

    other risks set forth in this prospectus, in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our 2012 Annual Report and our Q2 2013 Report, and the other documents incorporated by reference herein.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph and elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus, including those referenced in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus. We will not update these statements unless the securities laws require us to do so.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain information about us at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

Our internet address is http://www.pvrpartners.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the SEC are available, free of charge, through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports or filings are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

We have filed a registration statement with the SEC to register the securities offered by this prospectus supplement. As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information that we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules that we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, exhibits and schedules for more information about us and the securities. The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are available at the SEC’s public reference room or through its website.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information that we have filed with the SEC. This means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to other documents filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that we later provide to the SEC, and which is deemed to be “filed” with the SEC, will automatically update information previously filed with the SEC, and may replace information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC.

We incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement the following documents that we have previously filed with the SEC (Registration File No. 001-16735):

 

    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, filed on February 24, 2012;

 

    Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013, filed on May 3, 2013 and July 29, 2013, respectively;

 

    Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 25, 2013;

 

    Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on January 30, 2013, February 25, 2013, April 26, 2013, May 7, 2013, May 10, 2013, June 6, 2013, August 23, 2013 and September 6, 2013, and on Form 8-K/A, filed on July 26, 2012 (excluding, in each case, any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01);

 

    The description of the common units contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, initially filed October 16, 2001, and any subsequent amendment thereto filed for the purpose of updating such description (File No. 001-16735).

These reports contain important information about us, our financial condition and our results of operations.

All documents that we file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of this offering will also be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference and will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. Nothing in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus shall be deemed to incorporate information furnished to, but not filed with, the SEC pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K (or corresponding information furnished under Item 9.01 or included as an exhibit).

 

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We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner of our common units, to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all of the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, other than exhibits to such information (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this prospectus supplement incorporates). Requests for such copies should be directed to the following:

Investor Relations Department

PVR Partners, L.P.

Three Radnor Corporate Center

100 Matsonford Road, Suite 301

Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087

Telephone: (610) 975-8200

 

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PROSPECTUS

 

LOGO

PVR PARTNERS, L.P.

PENN VIRGINIA RESOURCE FINANCE CORPORATION

PENN VIRGINIA RESOURCE FINANCE CORPORATION II

COMMON UNITS

DEBT SECURITIES

GUARANTEES

We may offer and sell the common units, representing limited partner interests of PVR Partners, L.P., and, together with Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation or Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation II, debt securities described in this prospectus from time to time in one or more classes or series and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of our offerings. Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation or Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation II may act as co-issuers of the debt securities, and other subsidiaries of PVR Partners, L.P. may guarantee the debt securities.

We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. This prospectus describes the general terms of these common units and debt securities and the general manner in which we will offer the common units and debt securities. The specific terms of any common units and debt securities we offer will be included in a supplement to this prospectus. The prospectus supplement will also describe the specific manner in which we will offer the common units and debt securities.

Our principal executive offices are located at Three Radnor Corporate Center, Suite 301, 100 Matsonford Road, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087. Our telephone number is (610) 975-8200.

Investing in our common units and the debt securities involves risks. Limited partnerships are inherently different from corporations. You should carefully consider the risk factors described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus before you make an investment in our securities.

Our common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PVR.” We will provide information in the prospectus supplement for the trading market, if any, for any debt securities we may offer.

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 date of this prospectus is April 5, 2013.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About This Prospectus

     1   

Who We Are

     1   

Risk Factors

     2   

Where You Can Find More Information

     2   

Incorporation of Certain Documents By Reference

     2   

Forward-Looking Statements

     4   

Use of Proceeds

     6   

Ratio of Earnings To Fixed Charges

     7   

Description of Debt Securities

     8   

Description of the Common Units

     18   

Cash Distribution Policy

     22   

Material Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement

     23   

Material Income Tax Consequences

     31   

Plan of Distribution

     46   

Legal Matters

     48   

Experts

     48   

In making your investment decision, you should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any other information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.

You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of this prospectus. You should not assume that the information contained in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the respective dates of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell, over time, the common units or debt securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus generally describes PVR Partners, L.P., Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation, Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation II, the common units, debt securities and the guarantees of the debt securities. Each time we sell common units or debt securities with this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change information in this prospectus. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement and the additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.” To the extent information in this prospectus is inconsistent with information contained in a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference,” and any additional information you may need to make your investment decision.

WHO WE ARE

PVR Partners, L.P. is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership and our common units representing limited partner interests are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PVR.” We are principally engaged in the gathering and processing of natural gas and the management of coal and natural resource properties in the United States. We currently conduct operations in three business segments which are as follows:

 

   

Eastern Midstream—Our Eastern Midstream segment is engaged in providing natural gas gathering, and other related services in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In addition, we own membership interests in a joint venture that transports fresh water to natural gas producers.

 

   

Midcontinent Midstream—Our Midcontinent Midstream segment is engaged in providing natural gas processing, gathering services, and other related services. In addition, we own membership interests in a joint venture that gathers and transports natural gas. These processing and gathering systems are located primarily in Oklahoma and Texas.

 

   

Coal and Natural Resource Management—Our Coal and Natural Resource Management segment primarily involves the management and leasing of coal properties and the subsequent collection of royalties. We also earn revenues from other land management activities, such as selling standing timber, leasing coal-related infrastructure facilities and collecting oil and gas royalties.

Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on September 16, 2009, is wholly owned by PVR Partners, L.P. and has no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of debt securities. Its activities are limited to co-issuing debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental thereto.

Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation II was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on April 27, 2012, is wholly owned by PVR Partners, L.P. and has no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of debt securities. Its activities are limited to co-issuing debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental thereto.

As used in this prospectus, “we,” “us,” “our” and “PVR Partners” mean PVR Partners, L.P. and, where the context requires, our consolidated subsidiaries. References to “our general partner” mean PVR GP, LLC, references to “Finance Co” mean Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation and references to “Finance Co II” mean Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation II.

Our website address is http://www.pvrpartners.com. The information contained in our website is not part of this prospectus. For additional information as to our business, properties and financial condition please refer to the documents cited in “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a significant degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors and all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, including those in Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, or our 2012 Annual Report, as updated by annual, quarterly and other reports and documents we file with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and that are incorporated by reference herein, in evaluating an investment in the securities. If any of these risks were actually to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In that event, we may be unable to pay distributions to our unitholders, or pay interest on, or the principal of, any debt securities. In that event, the trading price of the common units could decline or you could lose all or part of your investment. When we offer and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we may include additional risk factors relevant to such securities in the prospectus supplement.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

PVR Partners files annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 110 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-732-0330 for further information on their public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows PVR Partners to “incorporate by reference” the information it has filed with the SEC. This means that PVR Partners can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Information that PVR Partners files later with the SEC will automatically update and may replace information in this prospectus and information previously filed with the SEC. The documents listed below and any future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or Exchange Act (excluding, in each case, any information furnished and not filed with the SEC) are incorporated by reference in this prospectus until the termination of each offering under this prospectus.

 

   

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, filed February 27, 2013.

 

   

Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on July 26, 2012 and the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 30, 2013 and February 25, 2013.

 

   

The description of the limited partnership units contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A, initially filed October 16, 2001, and any subsequent amendment thereto filed for the purpose of updating such description.

We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website, www.pvrpartners.com, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

 

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You may request a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus, at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address:

Investor Relations Department

PVR Partners, L.P.

Three Radnor Corporate Center, Suite 301

100 Matsonford Road

Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087

Tel: (610) 975-8200

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Some of the information included in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference contains “forward-looking statements.” All statements that express belief, expectation, estimates or intentions, as well as those that are not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursue,” “target,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Because such statements include risks, uncertainties and contingencies, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and contingencies, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

   

the volatility of commodity prices for natural gas, natural gas liquids, or NGLs and coal;

 

   

our ability to access external sources of capital;

 

   

any impairment write-downs of our assets;

 

   

the relationship between natural gas, NGL and coal prices;

 

   

the projected demand for and supply of natural gas, NGLs and coal;

 

   

competition among natural gas midstream companies and among producers in the coal industry generally;

 

   

our ability to acquire natural gas midstream assets and new sources of natural gas supply and connections to third-party pipelines on satisfactory terms;

 

   

our ability to retain existing or acquire new natural gas midstream customers and coal lessees;

 

   

the extent to which the amount and quality of actual production of our coal differs from estimated recoverable coal reserves;

 

   

our ability to generate sufficient cash from our businesses to maintain and pay the quarterly distribution to our unitholders;

 

   

the experience and financial condition of our natural gas midstream customers and coal lessees, including our lessees’ ability to satisfy their royalty, environmental, reclamation and other obligations to us and others;

 

   

operating risks, including unanticipated geological problems, incidental to our Eastern Midstream and Midcontinent Midstream and Coal and Natural Resource Management businesses;

 

   

our ability to successfully complete the development of Chief Gathering LLC’s midstream systems, integrate the business of Chief Gathering LLC with ours and realize the anticipated benefits from the acquisition of Chief Gathering LLC;

 

   

the ability of our lessees to produce sufficient quantities of coal on an economic basis from our reserves and obtain favorable contracts for such production;

 

   

the occurrence of unusual weather or operating conditions including force majeure events;

 

   

delays in anticipated start-up dates of new development in our Eastern Midstream and Midcontinent Midstream businesses and our lessees’ mining operations and related coal infrastructure projects;

 

   

environmental risks affecting the production, gathering and processing of natural gas or the mining of coal reserves;

 

   

the timing of receipt of necessary governmental permits by us or our lessees;

 

   

hedging results;

 

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accidents;

 

   

changes in governmental regulation or enforcement practices, especially with respect to environmental, health and safety matters, including with respect to emissions levels applicable to coal-burning power generators and permissible levels of mining runoff;

 

   

uncertainties relating to the effects of regulatory guidance on permitting under the Clean Water Act and the outcome of current and future litigation regarding mine permitting;

 

   

risks and uncertainties relating to general domestic and international economic (including inflation, interest rates and financial and credit markets) and political conditions; and

 

   

other risks set forth in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our 2012 Annual Report and the other documents incorporated by reference herein.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph and elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference herein. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus, including those described in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus. We will not update these statements unless the securities laws require us to do so.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Except as otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities for general partnership purposes, which may include the repayment of indebtedness, the acquisition of businesses and other capital expenditures and additions to working capital.

Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of the offering and will be described in a prospectus supplement.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our historical consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
     2008      2009      2010      2011      2012  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     4.8x         3.2x         2.7x         3.0x         0.2x   

For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed charges:

 

   

“earnings” represent the aggregate of income from continuing operations (before adjustment for equity earnings), fixed charges and distributions from equity investment, less capitalized interest; and

 

   

“fixed charges” represent interest expense (including amounts capitalized), amortization of debt costs and the portion of rental expense representing the interest factor.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

When used in this section “Description of Debt Securities,” the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and “issuers” refer jointly to PVR Partners and either of Finance Co or Finance Co II, and the terms “PVR Partners,” “Finance Co” and “Finance Co II” refer strictly to PVR Partners, L.P., Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation and Penn Virginia Resource Finance Corporation II, respectively.

The following is a description of the terms of the debt securities, which may be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities, and which we collectively refer to as the debt securities. The descriptions below relating to the debt securities and the indentures are summaries of the anticipated provisions thereof, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the applicable indenture and any applicable U.S. federal income tax considerations as well as any applicable modifications of or additions to the general terms described below in the applicable prospectus supplement. The applicable prospectus supplement may also state that any of the terms set forth herein are inapplicable to such series of debt securities.

If we offer senior debt securities, we will issue them under a senior indenture. If we offer subordinated debt securities, we will issue them under a subordinated indenture. A form of each indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We have not restated either indenture in its entirety in this description. You should read the relevant indenture because it, and not this description, controls your rights as holders of the debt securities. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the indentures.

General

The debt securities will be:

 

   

our direct general obligations;

 

   

either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities; and

 

   

issued under separate indentures (which may be existing indentures) among us, the guarantors and a trustee that we will name in the related prospectus supplement.

The term “Trustee” as used in this prospectus shall refer to the trustee under either of the above indentures. The debt securities will be governed by the provisions of the related indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.

PVR Partners may issue debt securities in one or more series, and Finance Co or Finance Co II may be a co-issuer of one or more series of debt securities. Finance Co was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on September 16, 2009, is wholly owned by PVR Partners and has no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of debt securities. Finance Co II was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on April 27, 2012, is wholly owned by PVR Partners and has no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of debt securities. The activities of Finance Co and Finance Co II are limited to co-issuing debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental thereto.

Specific Terms of Each Series of Debt Securities

The indenture does not limit the total amount of debt securities that may be issued. Debt securities under the indenture may be issued from time to time in separate series, up to the aggregate amount authorized for each such series.

We will prepare a prospectus supplement and either a supplemental indenture or a resolution of the board of directors of the general partner and the board of directors of Finance Co or Finance Co II, and accompanying

 

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officers’ certificates relating to any series of debt securities that we offer, which will include specific terms relating to some or all of the following:

 

   

whether Finance Co or Finance Co II will be a co-issuer of the debt securities;

 

   

the guarantors of the debt securities, if any;

 

   

whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated debt securities and, if subordinated debt securities, the specific subordination provision applicable thereto;

 

   

whether the debt securities are secured or unsecured;

 

   

the form and title of the debt securities;

 

   

the total principal amount of the debt securities and any limit on such total principal amount;

 

   

the price at which we will issue the debt securities;

 

   

the date or dates on which the debt securities may be issued;

 

   

the portion of the principal amount which will be payable if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated;

 

   

any right the issuer may have to defer payments of interest by extending the dates payments are due and whether interest on those deferred amounts will be payable;

 

   

the dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of the debt securities will be payable;

 

   

the interest rate which the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the debt securities;

 

   

any optional redemption provisions;

 

   

any sinking fund or analogous provision, or option of the holder thereof, that would obligate the issuer to repurchase, repay or otherwise redeem the debt securities, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the other terms and conditions upon which such debt securities will be repurchased, repaid or redeemed;

 

   

whether the debt securities are entitled to the benefits of any guarantees by subsidiary guarantors;

 

   

whether the debt securities may be issued in amounts other than $1,000 each or multiples thereof;

 

   

deletions from, modifications of or additions to the events of default or covenants with respect to debt securities of the series, whether or not such events of default or covenants are consistent with the events of default or covenants described herein; and

 

   

any other terms of the series of debt securities and any additions, deletions or modifications to the applicable indenture.

This description of debt securities will be deemed modified, amended or supplemented by any description of any series of debt securities set forth in a prospectus supplement related to that series.

The prospectus supplement will also describe any material United States federal income tax consequences or other special considerations regarding the applicable series of debt securities, including those relating to:

 

   

debt securities with respect to which payments of principal, premium or interest are determined with reference to an index or formula, including changes in prices of particular securities, currencies or commodities;

 

   

debt securities with respect to which principal, premium or interest is payable in a foreign or composite currency;

 

 

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debt securities that are issued at a discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates; and

 

   

variable rate debt securities that are exchangeable for fixed rate debt securities.

Interest payments may be made by check mailed to the registered holders of debt securities or, if so stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, at the option of a holder, by wire transfer to an account designated by the holder.

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, fully registered securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the Trustee at which its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States, subject to the limitations provided in the indenture, without the payment of any service charge, other than any applicable tax or governmental charge.

Any funds paid to a paying agent for the payment of amounts due on any debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years will be returned to the issuer, and the holders of the debt securities must look only to the issuer for payment after that time.

Guarantees

If specified in the prospectus supplement respecting a series of debt securities, the subsidiaries of PVR Partners specified in the prospectus supplement will fully and unconditionally guarantee to each holder and the Trustee, on a joint and several basis, the due and punctual payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of that series when and as the same become due and payable, whether at maturity, upon redemption or repurchase, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, and will execute a notation of guarantee as further evidence of their guarantee. If a series of debt securities is guaranteed, such series will be guaranteed by substantially all subsidiaries other than (i) subsidiaries that are minor and (ii) subsidiaries that are co-issuers of such debt securities. The applicable prospectus supplement will describe any limitation on the maximum amount of any particular guarantee and the conditions under which guarantees may be released.

The guarantees will be general and unsecured obligations of the guarantors. Guarantees of subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the senior indebtedness of the guarantors on the same basis as the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to the senior indebtedness of PVR Partners.

Covenants

Reports

The indenture contains the following covenant for the benefit of the holders of all series of debt securities:

So long as any debt securities are outstanding, PVR Partners will:

 

   

for as long as it is required to file information with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it is required to file with the SEC, copies of the annual report and of the information, documents and other reports which it is required to file with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act;

 

   

if it is not required to file information with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it would have been required to file with the SEC, financial statements and a Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, both comparable to what it would have been required to file with the SEC had it been subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act; and

 

   

if it is required to furnish annual or quarterly reports to our unitholders pursuant to the Exchange Act, file with the Trustee any annual report or other reports sent to unitholders generally.

 

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A series of debt securities may contain additional financial and other covenants. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain a description of any such covenants that are added to the indenture specifically for the benefit of holders of a particular series.

Events of Default, Remedies and Notice

Events of Default

Each of the following events will be an “Event of Default” under the indenture with respect to a series of debt securities:

 

   

default in any payment of interest on any debt securities of that series when due that continues for 30 days;

 

   

default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any debt securities of that series when due at its stated maturity, upon redemption, upon required repurchase or otherwise;

 

   

default in the payment of any sinking fund payment on any debt securities of that series when due;

 

   

failure by the issuer or, if the series of debt securities is guaranteed by a guarantor, the guarantor, to comply for 60 days after notice with the other agreements contained in the indenture, any supplement to the indenture or any board resolution authorizing the issuance of that series;

 

   

certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the issuer or, if the series of debt securities is guaranteed, of the guarantors; or

 

   

if the series of debt securities is guaranteed by the guarantors:

 

   

any of the guarantees ceases to be in full force and effect, except as otherwise provided in the indenture;

 

   

any of the guarantees is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding; or

 

   

the guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the indenture or its guarantee.

Exercise of Remedies

If an Event of Default, other than an Event of Default described in the fifth bullet point above, occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the entire principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately.

A default under the fourth bullet point above will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series notify us and, if the series of debt securities is guaranteed by guarantors, the guarantors, of the default and such default is not cured within 60 days after receipt of notice.

If an Event of Default described in the fifth bullet point above occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all outstanding debt securities of all series will become immediately due and payable without any declaration of acceleration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may:

 

   

waive all past defaults, except with respect to nonpayment of principal, premium or interest; and

 

   

rescind any declaration of acceleration by the Trustee or the holders with respect to the debt securities of that series, but only if:

 

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rescinding the declaration of acceleration would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

 

   

all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived, other than the nonpayment of principal, premium or interest on the debt securities of that series that have become due solely by the declaration of acceleration.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation, except as otherwise provided in the indenture, to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any costs, liability or expense. No holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the debt securities of any series, except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium or interest when due, unless:

 

   

such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default with respect to that series is continuing;

 

   

holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have requested that the Trustee pursue the remedy;

 

   

such holders have offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any cost, liability or expense;

 

   

the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity or security; and

 

   

the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have not given the Trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series have the right, subject to certain restrictions, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any right or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to that series of debt securities. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that:

 

   

conflicts with law;

 

   

is inconsistent with any provision of the indenture;

 

   

the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder; or

 

   

would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Notice of Event of Default

Within 30 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, we are required to give written notice to the Trustee and indicate the status of the default and what action we are taking or propose to take to cure the default. In addition, we are required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a compliance certificate indicating that we have complied with all covenants contained in the indenture or whether any default or Event of Default has occurred during the previous year.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder a notice of the Event of Default by the later of 90 days after the Event of Default occurs or 30 days after the Trustee knows of the Event of Default. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to any debt securities, the Trustee may withhold such notice, but only if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interests of the holders.

 

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Amendments and Waivers

The issuer may amend the indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities to:

 

   

cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

   

convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee;

 

   

provide for the assumption by a successor of our obligations under the indenture;

 

   

add guarantors with respect to the debt securities;

 

   

change or eliminate any restriction on the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on, any debt securities;

 

   

secure the debt securities;

 

   

add covenants for the benefit of the holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon the issuer, the co-issuer or any guarantor;

 

   

make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder;

 

   

add or appoint a successor or separate Trustee; or

 

   

comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

In addition, the issuer may amend the indenture if the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of each series that would be affected then outstanding under the indenture consent to it. The issuer may not, however, without the consent of each holder of outstanding debt securities of each series that would be affected, amend the indenture to:

 

   

reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities of any series whose holders must consent to an amendment;

 

   

reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any debt securities;

 

   

reduce the principal of or extend the stated maturity of any debt securities;

 

   

reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities or change the time at which any debt securities may or shall be redeemed;

 

   

make any debt securities payable in other than U.S. dollars;

 

   

in the case of any subordinated debt security, make any change in the subordination provisions that adversely affects the rights of any holder under these provisions;

 

   

impair the right of any holder to receive payment of premium, principal or interest with respect to such holder’s debt securities on or after the applicable due date;

 

   

impair the right of any holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment with respect to such holder’s debt securities;

 

   

release any security that has been granted in respect of the debt securities;

 

   

make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent;

 

   

in the case of any subordinated debt security, make any change in the subordination provisions that limits or terminates the benefits applicable to any holder of senior indebtedness of PVR Partners;

 

   

make any change in the waiver provisions; or

 

   

release a guarantor or modify such guarantor’s guarantee in any manner adverse to the holders.

 

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The consent of the holders is not necessary under the indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the indenture becomes effective, the issuer is required to mail to all holders a notice briefly describing the amendment. The failure to give, or any defect in, such notice, however, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series, on behalf of all such holders, and subject to certain rights of the Trustee, may waive:

 

   

compliance by the issuer, the co-issuer or a guarantor with certain restrictive provisions of the indenture; and

 

   

any past default under the indenture, subject to certain rights of the Trustee under the indenture;

except that such majority of holders may not waive a default: (i) in the payment of principal, premium or interest or (ii) in respect of a provision that under the indenture cannot be amended without, in the case of either (i) or (ii), the consent of all holders of the series of debt securities that is affected.

Defeasance

At any time, the issuer may terminate, with respect to debt securities of a particular series, all of its obligations under such series of debt securities and the indenture, which we call a “legal defeasance.” If the issuer decides to make a legal defeasance, however, the issuer may not terminate its obligations:

 

   

relating to the defeasance trust;

 

   

to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities;

 

   

to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities; or

 

   

to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the debt securities.

If the issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, any guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of debt securities.

At any time the issuer may also effect a “covenant defeasance,” which means it has elected to terminate its obligations under:

 

   

covenants applicable to a series of debt securities and described in the prospectus supplement applicable to such series, other than as described in such prospectus supplement;

 

   

the bankruptcy provisions with respect to the guarantors, if any; and

 

   

the guarantee provision described under “Events of Default” above with respect to a series of debt securities.

The legal defeasance option may be exercised notwithstanding a prior exercise of the covenant defeasance option. If the legal defeasance option is exercised, payment of the affected series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect to that series. If the covenant defeasance option is exercised, payment of the affected series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in the fourth, fifth (with respect only to a guarantor (if any)) or sixth bullet points under “—Events of Default” above or an Event of Default that is added specifically for such series and described in a prospectus supplement.

 

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In order to exercise either defeasance option, the issuer must:

 

   

irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee money or certain U.S. government obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the series of debt securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be;

 

   

comply with certain other conditions, including that no default has occurred and is continuing after the deposit in trust; and

 

   

deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that holders of the series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. In the case of legal defeasance only, such opinion of counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, or other change in applicable federal income tax law.

No Personal Liability

None of the past, present or future partners, incorporators, managers, members, directors, officers, employees, unitholders or stockholders of any issuer, the general partner of PVR Partners or any guarantor will have any liability for the obligations of the issuers or any guarantors under either indenture or the debt securities or for any claim based on such obligations or their creation.

By accepting a debt security, each holder will be deemed to have waived and released all such liability. This waiver and release are part of the consideration for our issuance of the debt securities. This waiver may not be effective, however, to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Provisions Relating only to the Senior Debt Securities

The senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The senior debt securities will be effectively subordinated, however, to all of our secured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral for that debt. We will disclose the amount of our secured debt in the prospectus supplement.

Provisions Relating only to the Subordinated Debt Securities

Subordinated Debt Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness

The subordinated debt securities will rank junior in right of payment to all of the Senior Indebtedness of PVR Partners. “Senior Indebtedness” will be defined in a supplemental indenture or authorizing resolutions respecting any issuance of a series of subordinated debt securities, and the definition will be set forth in the prospectus supplement.

Payment Blockages

The subordinated indenture will provide that no payment of principal, interest and any premium on the subordinated debt securities may be made in the event:

 

   

we or our property is involved in any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or bankruptcy;

 

   

we fail to pay the principal, interest, any premium or any other amounts on any Senior Indebtedness of PVR Partners within any applicable grace period or the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated following any other default, subject to certain limited exceptions set forth in the subordinated indenture; or

 

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any other default on any Senior Indebtedness of PVR Partners occurs that permits immediate acceleration of its maturity, in which case a payment blockage on the subordinated debt securities will be imposed for a maximum of 179 days at any one time.

No Limitation on Amount of Senior Debt

The subordinated indenture will not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness that PVR Partners may incur, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Book Entry, Delivery and Form

A series of debt securities may be issued in the form of one or more global certificates deposited with a depositary. We expect that The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or “DTC,” will act as depositary. If a series of debt securities is issued in book-entry form, one or more global certificates will be issued and deposited with or on behalf of DTC and physical certificates will not be issued to each holder. A global security may not be transferred unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated security, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer a global security as a whole to one another.

DTC will keep a computerized record of its participants, such as a broker, whose clients have purchased the debt securities. The participants will then keep records of their clients who purchased the debt securities. Beneficial interests in global securities will be shown on, and transfers of beneficial interests in global securities will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.

DTC advises us that it is:

 

   

a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

 

   

a member of the United States Federal Reserve System;

 

   

a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

   

a “clearing agency” registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

DTC is owned by a number of its participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., The American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA. The rules that apply to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also records the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through computerized records for participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need to exchange certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations.

Principal, premium, if any, and interest payments due on the global securities will be wired to DTC’s nominee. The issuer, the Trustee and any paying agent will treat DTC’s nominee as the owner of the global securities for all purposes. Accordingly, the issuer, the Trustee and any paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the global securities to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities.

It is DTC’s current practice, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, to credit participants’ accounts on the payment date according to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global securities as shown on DTC’s records. In addition, it is DTC’s current practice to assign any consenting or voting rights to participants, whose accounts are credited with debt securities on a record date, by using an omnibus proxy.

 

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Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities, as well as voting by participants, will be governed by the customary practices between the participants and the owners of beneficial interests, as is the case with debt securities held for the account of customers registered in “street name.” Payments to holders of beneficial interests are the responsibility of the participants and not of DTC, the Trustee or us.

Beneficial interests in global securities will be exchangeable for certificated securities with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:

 

   

DTC notifies the issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under applicable law and a successor depositary is not appointed by the issuer within 90 days; or

 

   

the issuer determines not to require all of the debt securities of a series to be represented by a global security and notifies the Trustee of the decision.

The Trustee

A separate trustee may be appointed for any series of debt securities. We may maintain banking and other commercial relationships with the Trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, and the Trustee may own debt securities.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE COMMON UNITS

The common units represent limited partner interests in PVR Partners, L.P. (“Common Units”) that entitle the holders to participate in our cash distributions and to exercise the rights or privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of our units in and to partnership distributions, see “Cash Distribution Policy” in this prospectus.

Our outstanding Common Units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PVR.”

The transfer agent and registrar for our Common Units is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

Status as Limited Partner or Assignee

Except as described under “—Limited Liability,” the Common Units will be fully paid, and the unitholders will not be required to make additional capital contributions to us.

Transfer of Common Units

Each purchaser of Common Units offered by this prospectus must execute a transfer application. By executing and delivering a transfer application, the purchaser of Common Units:

 

   

becomes the record holder of the Common Units and is an assignee until admitted into our partnership as a substituted limited partner;

 

   

automatically requests admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership;

 

   

agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and executes, our partnership agreement;

 

   

represents that he has the capacity, power and authority to enter into the partnership agreement;

 

   

grants powers of attorney to officers of the general partner and any liquidator of our partnership as specified in the partnership agreement; and

 

   

makes the consents and waivers contained in the partnership agreement.

An assignee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred Common Units upon the consent of our general partner and the recording of the name of the assignee on our books and records. The general partner may withhold its consent in its sole discretion.

Transfer applications may be completed, executed and delivered by a purchaser’s broker, agent or nominee. We are entitled to treat the nominee holder of a Common Unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holders’ 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, the purchaser has the right to request admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the purchased Common Units. A purchaser of Common Units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application obtains only:

 

   

the right to assign the Common Unit to a purchaser or transferee; and

 

   

the right to transfer the right to seek admission as a substituted limited partner in our partnership for the purchased Common Units.

 

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Thus, a purchaser of Common Units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application:

 

   

will not receive cash distributions or federal income tax allocations, unless the Common Units are held in a nominee or “street name” account and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer application; and

 

   

may not receive some federal income tax information or reports furnished to record holders of Common Units.

Until a Common Unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the record holder of the unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.

Limited Liability

Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, or the Delaware Act, and that he otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of our 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 Common Units plus his share of any undistributed profits and assets. If it were determined, however, that the right or exercise of the right by the limited partners as a group:

 

   

to remove or replace the 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 the purposes of the Delaware Act, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under Delaware law, to the same extent as the general partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us and who reasonably believe 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 the general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we have found no precedent for this type of a claim in Delaware case law.

Under the Delaware Act, 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 our partnership, 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. Under the Delaware Act, an assignee who becomes a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations of his assignor to make contributions to our partnership, except the assignee is not obligated for liabilities unknown to him at the time he became a limited partner and which could not be ascertained from our partnership agreement.

Meetings; Voting

Except as described below regarding a person or group owning 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, unitholders or assignees who are record holders of units 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. Common Units that are owned by an assignee who is a record holder, but who has not yet been admitted as a

 

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limited partner, shall be voted by our general partner at the written direction of the record holder. Absent direction of this kind, the Common Units will not be voted, except that, in the case of Common Units held by our general partner on behalf of non-citizen assignees, our general partner shall distribute the votes on those Common Units in the same ratios as the votes of limited partners on other units are cast.

Please see “Material Provisions of Our Partnership Agreement—Board of Directors of General Partner; Nomination and Election; Meetings of Limited Partners” for a description of the rights of certain unaffiliated unitholders to nominate and elect members of the board of directors of our general partner at meetings.

Other than the removal of directors of our general partner, any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders may be taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or 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. Meetings of the unitholders may be called by our general partner or by unitholders owning at least 20% of the outstanding units of the class for which a meeting is proposed. 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 has been called represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum unless any action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum shall be the greater percentage.

Each record holder of a unit has a vote according to his percentage interest in our partnership, although additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. However, if at any time any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, or a direct or subsequently approved transferee of our general partner or its affiliates or a person or group who acquires the units with the prior approval of the board of directors, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding (other than Class B Units representing limited partner interests in us, or Class B Units), the 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, calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes. For purposes of this calculation, Special Units representing limited partner interests in us, or Special Units, are included in the same class as Common Units. Common Units held in 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 notice, demand, request, report or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of Common Units under our partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.

Books and Reports

Our general partner is required to keep appropriate books of our business at our principal offices. The 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 units, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements and a report on those financial statements by our independent public accountants. Except for our fourth quarter, we will also furnish or make available summary financial information within 90 days after the close of each quarter.

We will furnish each record holder of a unit with information reasonably required for 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 unitholders will depend on the cooperation of unitholders in supplying us with specific

 

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information. Every unitholder will receive information to assist him in determining his federal and state tax liability and filing his federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether he supplies us with information.

Our partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to his interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable demand and at his own expense, have furnished to him:

 

   

a current list of the name and last known address of each partner;

 

   

a copy of our tax returns;

 

   

information as to the amount of cash, and a description and statement of the agreed value of any other property or services, contributed or to be contributed by each partner and the date on which each became a partner;

 

   

copies of our partnership agreement, the certificate of limited partnership of the partnership, related amendments and powers of attorney under which they have been executed;

 

   

information regarding the status of our business and financial condition; and

 

   

any other information regarding our affairs as is just and reasonable.

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 believes in good faith is not in our best interests or which we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential.

 

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CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY

Distributions of Available Cash

General. Within approximately 45 days after the end of each quarter, we will distribute all available cash to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.

Definition of Available Cash. Available cash generally means, for each fiscal quarter:

 

   

all cash on hand at the end of the quarter;

 

   

less the amount of cash reserves that the general partner determines in its reasonable discretion is necessary or appropriate to:

 

   

provide for the proper conduct of our business;

 

   

comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other agreements; or

 

   

provide funds for distributions to our unitholders for any one or more of the next four quarters;

 

   

plus all cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter. Working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that are made under our credit facility and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to partners.

Class B Units and Special Units

In May 2012, we issued two new classes of equity interests representing limited partner interests in us, Special Units and Class B Units, in connection with our wholly-owned subsidiary, PVR Marcellus Gas Gathering, LLC’s acquisition of the membership and other equity interests of Chief Gathering, LLC from Chief E&D Holdings LP. The Special Units will neither pay nor accrue distributions prior to their conversion into Common Units on the first business day after the record date for the quarter ending September 30, 2013 on a one-for-one basis. In any quarter prior to their conversion, distributions in respect of the Class B Units may be paid in cash or additional Class B Units, at the Partnership’s election.

In this section, references to “unitholders” made in the context of the recipients of cash distributions refer to our common unitholders and, for quarters in which we elect to pay cash distributions in respect of the Class B Units, Class B unitholders.

Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation

If we dissolve in accordance with our partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called a liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors. We will 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.

 

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MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement. The following provisions of our partnership agreement are summarized elsewhere in this prospectus:

 

   

distributions of our available cash are described under “Cash Distribution Policy;”

 

   

allocations of taxable income and other tax matters are described under “Material Income Tax Consequences;” and

 

   

rights of holders of Common Units are described under “Description of The Common Units.”

Purpose

Our purpose is to engage in any business activities that may be engaged in by our subsidiaries or that are approved by our general partner.

Our general partner is authorized in general to perform all acts deemed necessary to carry out our purposes and to conduct our business.

Power of Attorney

Each limited partner, and each person who acquires a unit from a unitholder and executes and delivers a transfer application, grants to our general partner and, if appointed, a liquidator, a power of attorney to, among other things, execute and file documents required for our qualification, continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants our general partner the authority to make certain amendments, and consents and waivers under, our partnership agreement.

Issuance of Additional Securities

Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional limited partner interests and other equity securities for the consideration and on the terms and conditions established by our general partner in its sole discretion without the approval of any limited partners.

It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional limited partner units or other equity securities. Holders of any additional limited partner units issued by us will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of limited partner units, the general partner interest and other securities in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional partnership interests may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing holders of limited partner units in our net assets.

In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership interests that, in the sole discretion of our general partner, have special voting rights to which the limited partner units are not entitled.

Board of Directors of General Partner; Nomination and Election; Meetings of Limited Partners

Pursuant to our partnership agreement, the number of directors constituting the board of directors of our general partner is eleven. Our limited partners other than the purchaser of our general partner and those limited partners holding an interest in our general partner and their respective affiliates (the “Unaffiliated Limited Partners”) have the right to vote in the election of nine directors to the board of directors of our general partner (the “Public Directors”). The Public Directors are divided into three groups, Group I, Group II, and Group III, each consisting of three directors.

 

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Our partnership agreement provides that an annual meeting of the limited partners for the election of the Public Directors to the board of directors of our general partner will be held in June of each year or at such other 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 such meeting.

The Unaffiliated Limited Partners will vote together as a single class for the election of Public Directors to the board of directors of our general partner. The Unaffiliated Limited Partners entitled to vote will elect by a plurality of the votes cast at such meeting persons to serve as Public 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 an Unaffiliated Limited Partner of the right to elect the Public Directors and any other rights afforded to such Unaffiliated Limited Partner under our partnership agreement will be in such Unaffiliated Limited Partner’s capacity as a limited partner of us and is not intended to cause an Unaffiliated Limited Partner to be deemed to be taking part in the management and control of our business and affairs.

With respect to the election of Public Directors to the board of directors of our general partner, our general partner and those limited partners holding an interest in our general partner or their respective affiliates will not be entitled to vote units that are otherwise entitled to vote at any meeting of the limited partners. If our general partner has provided at least 30 days advance notice of any meeting at which Public Directors are to be elected, then the limited partners holding outstanding units (other than our general partner and those limited partners holding an interest in our general partner or any of their respective affiliates) that attend such meeting shall constitute a quorum, and if our general partner has provided less than 30 days advance notice of any such meeting, then limited partners holding a majority of the outstanding units (other than our general partner and those limited partners holding an interest in our general partner or their respective affiliates) shall constitute a quorum.

Each Public Director will serve for a term ending as provided in our partnership agreement. Each Public Director in Group I shall serve for an initial term that expires at the 2012 annual meeting of Limited Partners, the Public Directors in Group II shall serve for an initial term that expires at the 2013 annual meeting of Limited Partners and the Public Directors in Group III shall serve for an initial term that expires at the 2014 annual meeting of Limited Partners. At each succeeding annual meeting of Limited Partners beginning with the 2012 annual meeting, successors to the Public Directors whose term expires at that annual meeting shall be elected for a three-year term.

Any vacancy in a Public Director on the board of directors of our general partner (including, without limitation, any vacancy caused by an increase in the number of Public Directors on the board of directors of our general partner) may only be filled by a person nominated for election by a majority of the remaining Public Directors with such person being thereafter deemed elected. Any Public Director elected to fill a vacancy not resulting from an increase in the number of Public Directors shall have the same remaining term as that of his predecessor.

A Public Director may be removed only at a meeting of the limited partners upon the affirmative vote of limited partners (other than our general partner and those limited partners holding an interest in our general partner or any of their respective affiliates) holding a majority of the outstanding units (other than our general partner and those limited partners holding an interest in our general partner or any of their respective affiliates); provided, however, that a Public Director may only be removed if, at the same meeting, limited partners holding a majority of the outstanding units nominate a replacement Public Director (and any such nomination shall not be subject to the nomination procedures otherwise set forth in our partnership agreement), and limited partners (other than our general partner and those limited partners holding an interest in our general partner or any of their respective affiliates) holding a majority of the outstanding units (other than our general partner and those limited partners holding an interest in our general partner or any of their respective affiliates) also vote to elect a replacement Public Director, and, provided, further, that a Public Director may only be removed for cause.

 

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Nominations of persons for election of Public Directors to the board of directors of our general partner may be made at an annual meeting of the limited partners only pursuant to our general partner’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) (a) by or at the direction of a majority of the Public Directors or (b) by a limited partner, or a group of limited partners, that holds or beneficially owns, and has continuously held or beneficially owned without interruption for the prior 18 months, 5% of the outstanding units (in either case, a “Limited Partner Group”) if each member of the Limited Partner Group was a record holder at the time the notice provided for in our partnership agreement is delivered to our general partner, and if the Limited Partner Group complies with the notice procedures set forth in our partnership agreement.

For any nominations brought before an annual meeting by a Limited Partner Group, the Limited Partner Group 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 Group’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 such anniversary date, notice by the Limited Partner Group must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by us 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 Group’s notice as described above.

In the event that the number of Public Directors to be elected to the board of directors of our general partner is increased effective after the time period for which nominations are due under our partnership agreement and there is no public announcement by us 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 Group’s notice will also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, if it is delivered to our general partner not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by us or our general partner.

Nominations of persons for election as a Public Director to the board of directors of our general partner also may be made at a special meeting of limited partners at which Public Directors are to be elected in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement.

Only such 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 Public Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise required by law, if each member of the Limited Partner Group (or a qualified representative of each member of the Limited Partner Group) 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 been received by us or our general partner.

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; 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.

Purchaser Directors

The purchaser of our Class B Units (the “Class B Unit Purchaser”) has the right to designate and appoint two directors to the board of directors (the “Purchaser Directors”). Each Purchaser Direct shall hold office until such Purchaser Director’s earlier death, resignation or removal by the Class B Unit Purchaser. After all Class B

 

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Units have been converted to Common Units and when the Common Units issued upon such conversion and held by the Class B Unit Purchaser or any of its affiliates ceases to consist of at least 10% of the total number of outstanding units, the Class B Unit Purchaser shall cause the Purchaser Directors to resign or be removed from the board of directors, and thereafter the board of directors shall consist only of Public Directors; provided, that anytime thereafter in which the Common Units issued upon conversion of Class B Units held by the Class B Unit Purchaser or any of its affiliates represent at least 10% of the total number of outstanding units, the Class B Unit Purchaser will be entitled to reappoint two Purchaser Directors.

Amendment of Our Partnership Agreement

General

Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by or with the consent of our general partner. To adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below, our general partner must seek written approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment or 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 majority of the outstanding units. These voting provisions are referred to as a “unit majority.”

Prohibited Amendments

Without the consent of the holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting together as a single class (including units owned by our general partner and its affiliates), our partnership agreement may not be amended to:

 

   

enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless approved by at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests so affected;

 

   

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 may be given or withheld in its sole discretion;

 

   

change the term of the partnership;

 

   

provide that the partnership is not dissolved upon an election to dissolve the partnership by our general partner that is approved by a unit majority; or

 

   

give any person the right to dissolve the partnership other than our general partner’s right to dissolve the partnership with the approval of a unit majority.

No Unitholder Approval

Our general partner may generally make amendments to the partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner or assignee to reflect:

 

   

a change in our name, the location of our principal place of business, the registered agent or registered office;

 

   

the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of partners in accordance with the partnership agreement;

 

   

a change that, in the sole discretion of our general partner, is necessary or advisable to qualify or continue our qualification 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 we will not be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes;

 

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an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of our counsel, to prevent us or our general partner or our directors, officers, agents or trustees, from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed;

 

   

an amendment that in the discretion of our general partner is necessary or advisable for the authorization of additional limited or general partner interests;

 

   

any amendment expressly permitted in our partnership agreement to be made by our general partner acting alone;

 

   

an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a merger agreement that has been approved under the terms of the partnership agreement;

 

   

any amendment that, in the discretion of our general partner, is necessary or advisable for the formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership or other entity, as otherwise permitted by our partnership agreement;

 

   

a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and related changes; and

 

   

any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described in the clauses above.

In addition, our general partner may make amendments to the partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner or assignee if those amendments, in the discretion of our general partner:

 

   

do not adversely affect the limited partners (or any particular class of limited partners) in any material respect;

 

   

are necessary or advisable 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;

 

   

are necessary or advisable to facilitate the trading of our limited partner interests or to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any securities exchange on which our limited partner interests are or will be listed for trading, compliance with any of which our general partner deems to be in the best interests of us and our limited partners;

 

   

are necessary or advisable for any action taken by our general partner relating to splits or combinations of units under the provisions of the partnership agreement; or

 

   

are required to effect the intent of the provisions of the partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by the partnership agreement.

Any amendment or waiver that has the effect of modifying the rights or preferences of the Class B Units and that the General Partner determines could result in an adverse effect on the Common Units, considered as a class, must be approved by a majority of the Public Directors.

Opinion of Counsel and Unitholder Approval

Our general partner will not be required to obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment will not result in a loss of limited liability to the limited partners or result in us being treated as an entity for federal income tax purposes if one of the amendments described above under “—No Unitholder Approval” should occur. No other amendments to the partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90% of the units unless we obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will not affect the limited liability under applicable law of any limited partner in the partnership or cause us or our subsidiaries to be taxable as a corporation or otherwise to be taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes (to the extent not previously taxed as such).

 

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Any 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 amendment that reduces the voting percentage required to take any action is required to be approved by the affirmative vote of limited partners constituting not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.

Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets

The partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner, without the prior approval of the holders of a unit majority, from causing us to, among other things, sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation or other combination, or approving on our behalf the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets or the assets of its subsidiaries; provided that our general partner may mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without that approval. Our general partner may also sell all or substantially all of our assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon the encumbrances above without that approval. Furthermore, provided that conditions specified in the partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner may merge the partnership or any of its subsidiaries into, or convey some or all of their assets to, a newly formed entity if the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in our legal form into another limited liability entity. Unitholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal under the partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a merger or consolidation, a sale of substantially all of our assets or any other transaction or event.

Termination and Dissolution

We will continue as a limited partnership until terminated under the partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:

 

   

the election of our general partner to dissolve the partnership, if approved by the holders of a unit majority;

 

   

the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets and properties of the partnership and its subsidiaries;

 

   

the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the partnership; or

 

   

the withdrawal or removal of our general partner or any other event that results in its ceasing to be general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general partner interest in accordance with the partnership agreement or withdrawal or removal following approval and admission of a successor.

Upon a dissolution under the last clause above, the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Units may also elect, within specific time limitations, to reconstitute the partnership and continue its business on the same terms and conditions described in the partnership agreement by forming a new limited partnership on terms identical to those in the existing partnership agreement and having as general partner an entity approved by a unit majority, subject to receipt by us of an opinion of counsel to the effect that:

 

   

the action would not result in the loss of limited liability of any limited partner; and

 

   

neither the partnership, the reconstituted limited partnership, nor its operating company 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.

Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds

Upon dissolution of the partnership, unless it is reconstituted and continued as a new limited partnership, the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general partner that the liquidator deems necessary or desirable in its judgment, liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the

 

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liquidation as provided in “—Cash Distribution Policy—Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation.” 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.

Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner

Our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving 90 days’ written notice, and that withdrawal will not constitute a violation of the partnership agreement.

Upon the withdrawal of our general partner under any circumstances, other than as a result of a transfer by our general partner of all or a part of its general partner interest, the holders of a majority of the outstanding units may select a successor to that withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within 180 days after that withdrawal, the holders of a majority of the outstanding units agree in writing to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner. See “—Termination and Dissolution.”

Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3 % of the outstanding units, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and we receive an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. Any removal of our general partner is also subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Units.

In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts due the departing general partner.

Transfer of General Partner Interests

Our general partner may transfer all or any of its general partner interest without unitholder approval.

Limited Call Right

If at any time persons other than our general partner and its affiliates do not own more than 20% of the then-issued and outstanding limited partner interests of any class, our general partner will have the right, which it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining limited partner interests of the class held by unaffiliated persons 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 cash price paid by either our general partner or any of its affiliates for any limited partner interests of the class purchased within the 90 days preceding the date on which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase those limited partner interests; and

 

   

the current market price as of the date three days before the date the notice is mailed.

As a result of our general partner’s right to purchase outstanding limited partner interests, a holder of limited partner interests may have his limited partner interests purchased at an undesirable time or price. 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.

Indemnification

Under the partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events:

 

   

our general partner;

 

   

any departing general partner;

 

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any person who is or was an affiliate of a general partner or any departing general partner;

 

   

any person who is or was a member, partner, officer, director, employee, agent or trustee of a general partner or any departing general partner or any affiliate of a general partner or any departing general partner; or

 

   

any person who is or was serving at the request of a general partner or any departing general partner or any affiliate of a general partner or any departing general partner as an officer, director, employee, member, partner, agent, fiduciary or trustee of another person.

Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Our general partner shall not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate indemnification. We are authorized to 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 the partnership agreement.

 

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MATERIAL 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. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “us” or “we” are references to PVR Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”).

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 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, individual retirement accounts (“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 Internal Revenue Service (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 and our general partner because the costs will reduce our cash available for distribution. 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 such income directly, even if we make no cash distributions to the unitholder. Distributions we make to a unitholder generally will not give rise to income or gain taxable to such unitholder, unless the amount of cash distributed exceeds the unitholder’s adjusted tax basis in its units.

 

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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 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 transportation, storage, processing and marketing of natural resources, including coal, timber, crude oil, natural gas and products thereof, as well as other types of qualifying income such as interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income. We estimate that less than 6% 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 regarding the composition of our income and the other representations set forth below, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is of the opinion that we will be treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. In rendering its opinion, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has relied on factual representations made by us and our general partner. The representations made by us and our general partner upon which Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has relied include, without limitation:

 

  (1) Neither we nor any of our operating subsidiaries that are limited liability companies or partnerships company has elected or will elect to be treated as a corporation;

 

  (2) For each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income that Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has opined or will opine is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Code; and

 

  (3) Each hedging transaction that we treat as resulting in qualifying income has been and will be appropriately identified as a hedging transaction pursuant to applicable Treasury Regulations, and has been and will be associated with oil, natural gas, or products thereof that are held or to be held by us in activities that Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has opined or will opine result in qualifying income.

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 units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time. For example, from time to time, members of the U.S. Congress propose and consider substantive changes to the existing federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships. One such legislative proposal would have eliminated the qualifying income exception upon which we rely for our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We are unable to predict whether any such changes 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 the cash available for distribution to unitholders and thus would likely substantially reduce the value of our units.

 

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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.

Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership

Limited Partner Status. Unitholders who have become limited partners of the Partnership will be treated as partners of the Partnership for federal income tax purposes. In addition, (i) assignees who have executed and delivered transfer applications and are awaiting admission as limited partners; and (ii) 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 their units will be treated as partners of PVR Partners, L.P. for federal income tax purposes.

As there is no direct or indirect controlling authority addressing the federal tax treatment of assignees of units who are entitled to execute and deliver transfer applications and thereby become entitled to direct the exercise of attendant rights, but who fail to execute and deliver transfer applications, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.’s opinion does not extend to these persons. Furthermore, a purchaser or other transferee of units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application may not receive some federal income tax information or reports furnished to record holders of units unless the units are held in a nominee or street name account and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer application for those units.

For a discussion related to the risks of losing partner status as a result of securities loans, please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership—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 the 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.

Treatment of Distributions. Distributions made 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

 

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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.

Basis of Common Units. A unitholder’s tax basis in its units initially will be the amount paid for those units plus the unitholder’s share of our liabilities. That basis generally will be (i) increased by the unitholder’s share of our income and any increases in such unitholder’s share of our liabilities, and (ii) decreased, but not below zero, by the amount of all distributions, the unitholder’s share of our losses, and any decreases in its share of our liabilities.

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 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. 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” is generally limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” Investment interest expense includes:

 

   

interest on indebtedness allocable to property held for investment;

 

   

interest expense allocated against portfolio income; and

 

   

the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent allocable against portfolio income.

 

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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 are allocated amongst our unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. However, in addition to allocations with respect to any Book-Tax Disparities, as described below, our partnership agreement provides for special allocations, if needed, to achieve economic uniformity between the Class B Units, Special Units and the common units.

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 such 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.

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 the facts and circumstances, including (i) the partner’s relative contributions to us, (ii) the interests of all the partners in profits and losses, (iii) the interest of all the partners in cash flow and (iv) the rights of all 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 under our partnership agreement will be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction.

Treatment of Securities Loans. A unitholder whose units are loaned (for example, a loan to “short seller” to cover a short sale of units) may be treated as having disposed of those units. If so, such 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.

 

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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. Beginning January 1, 2013, 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% Medicare tax on certain net investment income earned by individuals, estates, and trusts applies for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. 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 have made 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. 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.

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 to goodwill or nondepreciable assets. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally nonamortizable or 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

 

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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 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 income 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.”

Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization. The tax basis of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. If we dispose of depreciable 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.”

To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets subject to these allowances are placed in service. Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using accelerated methods permitted by the Code.

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 and commissions we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.

Coal Income. Section 631 of the Code provides special rules by which gains or losses on the sale of coal may be treated, in whole or in part, as gains or losses from the sale of property used in a trade or business under Section 1231 of the Code. Specifically, Section 631(c) provides that if the owner of coal held for more than one year disposes of that coal under a contract by virtue of which the owner retains an economic interest in the coal, the gain or loss realized will be treated under Section 1231 of the Code as gain or loss from property used in a trade or business. Section 1231 gains and losses may be treated as capital gains and losses. Please read “—Sales of Coal Reserves or Timberland.” In computing such gain or loss, the amount realized is reduced by the adjusted depletion basis in the coal, determined as described in “—Coal Depletion.”

For purposes of Section 631(c), the coal generally is deemed to be disposed of on the day on which the coal is mined. Further, Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 631 provide that advance royalty payments may also be treated as proceeds from sales of coal to which Section 631 applies and, therefore, such payment may be treated as capital gain under Section 1231. However, if the right to mine the related coal expires or terminates under the contract that provides for the payment of advance royalty payments or such right is abandoned before the coal has been mined, we may, pursuant to the Treasury regulations, file an amended return that reflects the payments attributable to unmined coal as ordinary income and not as received from the sale of coal under Section 631.

 

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Our royalties from coal leases generally will be treated as proceeds from sales of coal to which Section 631 applies. Accordingly, the difference between the royalties paid to us by the lessees and the adjusted depletion basis in the extracted coal generally will be treated as gain from the sale of property used in a trade or business, which may be treated as capital gain under Section 1231. Please read “—Sales of Coal Reserves or Timberland.” Our royalties that do not qualify under Section 631(c) generally will be taxable as ordinary income in the year of sale.

Coal Depletion. In general, we are entitled to depletion deductions with respect to coal mined from the underlying mineral property. Subject to the limitations on the deductibility of losses discussed above, we generally are entitled to the greater of cost depletion limited to the basis of the property or percentage depletion. The percentage depletion rate for coal is 10%. If Section 631(c) applies to the disposition of the coal, however, we are not eligible for percentage depletion. Please read “—Coal Income.”

Depletion deductions we claim generally will reduce the tax basis of the underlying mineral property. Depletion deductions can, however, exceed the total tax basis of the mineral property. The excess of our percentage depletion deductions over the adjusted tax basis of the property at the end of the taxable year is subject to tax preference treatment in computing the alternative minimum tax, the consequences of which are not addressed herein. In addition, a corporate unitholder’s allocable share of the amount allowable as a percentage depletion deduction for any property will be reduced by 20% of the excess, if any, of that partner’s allocable share of the amount of the percentage depletion deductions for the taxable year over the adjusted tax basis of the mineral property as of the close of the taxable year.

Oil and Natural Gas Depletion. Subject to the limitations on deductibility of losses discussed above (please read “—Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership-Limitations on Deductibility of Losses”), unitholders may be entitled to depletion deductions with respect to our oil and natural gas royalty interests. The deduction is equal to the greater of cost depletion limited to the basis of the property or (if otherwise allowable) percentage depletion.

Percentage depletion is generally available with respect to unitholders who qualify under the independent producer exemption contained in Section 613A(c) of the Code. For this purpose, an independent 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% of the unitholder’s gross income from the oil and gas property for the taxable year. A unitholder may deduct percentage depletion only to the extent the unitholder’s average daily production of domestic crude oil, or the natural gas equivalent, does not exceed 1,000 barrels. A limitation equal to the lower of 65% of taxable income or 100% of taxable income from the property further limits the deduction for the taxable year.

All or a portion of any gain recognized by a 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 unitholder of some or all of his units may be taxed as ordinary income to the extent of recapture of oil and gas depletion.

Although the Code requires each unitholder to compute his own depletion allowance and maintain records of his share of the adjusted tax basis of the underlying property for depletion and other purposes, we intend to furnish each of our unitholders with information relating to this computation for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder, however, remains responsible for calculating his own depletion allowance and maintaining records of his share of the adjusted tax basis of the underlying property for depletion and other purposes.

Timber Income. Section 631 of the Code provides special rules by which gains or losses on the sale of timber may be treated, in whole or in part, as gains or losses from the sale of property used in a trade or business under Section 1231 of the Code. Specifically, Section 631(b) provides that if the owner of timber (including a holder of a contract right to cut timber) held for more than one year disposes of that timber under any contract by virtue of which the owner retains an economic interest in the timber, the gain or loss realized will be treated under Section 1231 of the Code as gain or loss from property used in a trade or business. Section 1231 gains and

 

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losses may be treated as capital gains and losses. Please read “—Sales of Coal Reserves or Timberland.” In computing such gain or loss, the amount realized is reduced by the adjusted basis in the timber, determined as described in “—Timber Depletion.” For purposes of Section 631(b), the timber generally is deemed to be disposed of on the day on which the timber is cut (which is generally deemed to be the date when, in the ordinary course of business, the quantity of the timber cut is first definitely determined).

Proceeds we receive from standing timber sales generally will be treated as sales of timber to which Section 631 applies. Accordingly, the difference between those proceeds and the adjusted basis in the timber sold generally will be treated as gain from the sale of property used in a trade or business, which may be treated as capital gain under Section 1231. Please read “—Sales of Coal Reserves and Timberland.” Gains from sale of timber by the Partnership that do not qualify under Section 631 generally will be taxable as ordinary income in the year of sale.

Timber Depletion. Timber is subject to cost depletion and is not subject to accelerated cost recovery, depreciation or percentage depletion. Timber depletion is determined with respect to each separate timber account (containing timber located in a timber “block”) and is equal to the product obtained by multiplying the units of timber cut by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate adjusted basis of all timber included in such account and the denominator of which is the total number of timber units in such timber account. The depletion allowance so calculated for the timber cut in a particular period represents the adjusted tax basis of such cut timber for purposes of determining gain or loss on its disposition. The tax basis of the remaining timber in each timber account is reduced by the depletion allowance for cut timber from such account.

Sales of Coal Reserves or Timberland. If any coal reserves or timberland are sold or otherwise disposed of in a taxable transaction, we will recognize gain or loss measured by the difference between the amount realized (including the amount of any indebtedness assumed by the purchaser upon such disposition or to which such property is subject) and the adjusted tax basis of the property sold. Generally, the character of any gain or loss recognized upon that disposition will depend upon whether our coal reserves or the particular tract of timberland sold are held by us:

 

   

for sale to customers in the ordinary course of business (i.e., we are a “dealer” with respect to that property),

 

   

for use in a trade or business within the meaning of Section 1231 of the Code or

 

   

as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.

In determining dealer status with respect to coal reserves, timberland and other types of real estate, the courts have identified a number of factors for distinguishing between a particular property held for sale in the ordinary course of business and one held for investment. Any determination must be based on all the facts and circumstances surrounding the particular property and sale in question.

We intend to hold our coal reserves and timberland for the purposes of generating cash flow from coal royalties and periodic harvesting and sale of timber and achieving long-term capital appreciation. Although our general partner may consider strategic sales of coal reserves and timberland consistent with achieving long-term capital appreciation, our general partner does not anticipate frequent sales, nor significant marketing, improvement or subdivision activity in connection with any strategic sales. Thus, the general partner does not believe that we will be viewed as a dealer. In light of the factual nature of this question, however, there is no assurance that our purposes for holding our properties will not change and that our future activities will not cause us to be a “dealer” in coal reserves or timberland.

If we are not a dealer with respect to our coal reserves or our timberland and we have held the disposed property for more than a one year period primarily for use in our trade or business, the character of any gain or loss realized from a disposition of the property will be determined under Section 1231 of the Code. If we have not held the property for more than one year at the time of the sale, gain or loss from the sale will be taxable as ordinary income.

 

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A unitholder’s distributive share of any Section 1231 gain or loss generated by us will be aggregated with any other gains and losses realized by that unitholder from the disposition of property used in the trade or business, as defined in Section 1231(b) of the Code, and from the involuntary conversion of such properties and of capital assets held in connection with a trade or business or a transaction entered into for profit for the requisite holding period. If a net gain results, all such gains and losses will be long-term capital gains and losses; if a net loss results, all such gains and losses will be ordinary income and losses. Net Section 1231 gains will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of prior net Section 1231 losses of the taxpayer or predecessor taxpayer for the five most recent prior taxable years to the extent such losses have not previously been offset against Section 1231 gains. Losses are deemed recaptured in the chronological order in which they arose.

If we are not a dealer with respect to our coal reserves or a particular tract of timberland, and that property is not used in a trade or business, the property will be a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. Gain or loss recognized from the disposition of that property will be taxable as capital gain or loss, and the character of such capital gain or loss as long-term or short-term will be based upon our holding period in such property at the time of its sale. The requisite holding period for long-term capital gain is more than one year.

Upon a disposition of coal reserves or timberland, a portion of the gain, if any, equal to the lesser of (i) the depletion deductions that reduced the tax basis of the disposed mineral property plus deductible development and mining exploration expenses, or (ii) the amount of gain recognized on the disposition, will be treated as ordinary income to us.

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 initial 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.

Recent Legislative Developments

The White House recently released President Obama’s budget proposal for the Fiscal Year 2013 (the “Budget Proposal”). Among the changes recommended in the Budget Proposal is the elimination of certain key U.S. federal income tax preferences relating to coal exploration and development. The Budget Proposal would (i) eliminate current deductions and 60-month amortization for exploration and development costs relating to coal and other hard mineral fossil fuels, (ii) repeal the percentage depletion allowance with respect to coal and oil and gas properties, (iii) repeal capital gains treatment of coal and lignite royalties, and (iv) exclude from the definition of domestic production gross receipts all gross receipts derived from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of coal, other hard mineral fossil fuels, or primary products thereof. The passage of any legislation as a result of the Budget Proposal or any other similar changes in U.S. federal income tax laws could eliminate certain tax deductions that are currently available to us, and any such change could increase the taxable income allocable to our unitholders and negatively impact the value of an investment in our units.

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 or the fair market value of other property it receives plus its share of our liabilities with respect to such units. 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.

 

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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 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. 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.

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 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 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 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:

 

   

a short sale;

 

   

an offsetting notional principal contract; or

 

   

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 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 annually, 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. Recently, however, the Department of the Treasury and the IRS 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 such 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 such 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 and the cost of the preparation of these returns will be borne by all unitholders. 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, and the termination would result in a deferral of our deductions for depreciation. 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.”

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

 

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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 validity of such filing positions.

A unitholder’s basis in units is reduced by its share of our deductions (whether or not such 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, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident aliens, non-U.S. corporations and other non-U.S. persons 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. persons 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. Virtually all of our income will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to a tax-exempt unitholder.

Non-resident aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates that own units will be considered to be engaged in business in the United States because of their ownership of our units. Consequently, they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our net income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, distributions to non-U.S. unitholders are subject to withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate. Each non-U.S. unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN or applicable substitute form in order to obtain credit for these withholding taxes.

In addition, because a foreign corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a United States 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 to the extent reflected in earnings and profits, and as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporation’s “U.S. net equity.” 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.

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,” part or all of a non-U.S. unitholder’s gain may be treated as effectively connected with that 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 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 all of our assets consisted of U.S. real property interests at any time during the shorter of the period during which such unitholder held the units or the 5-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.

 

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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 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.

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) 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.

 

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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. An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion 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, is imposed by the Code. 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.

State, Local, Non-U.S. 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 or in which the unitholder is a resident. We currently conduct business or own property in several states, most of which impose a personal income tax on individuals, 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.

While 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 many of these jurisdictions in which we do business or own property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements.

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.

Tax Consequences of Ownership of Debt Securities

A description of the material federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of debt securities will be set forth on the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of debt securities.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Under this prospectus, we intend to offer our securities to the public:

 

   

through one or more broker-dealers;

 

   

through underwriters; or

 

   

directly to investors.

We will fix a price or prices of our securities at:

 

   

market prices prevailing at the time of any sale under this registration statement;

 

   

prices related to market prices; or

 

   

negotiated prices.

We may change the price of the securities offered from time to time.

We will pay or allow distributors’ or sellers’ commissions that will not exceed those customary in the types of transactions involved. Broker-dealers may act as agent or may purchase securities as principal and thereafter resell the securities from time to time:

 

   

in or through one or more transactions (which may involve crosses and block transactions) or distributions;

 

   

on the New York Stock Exchange;

 

   

in the over-the-counter market; or

 

   

in private transactions.

Broker-dealers or underwriters may receive compensation in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agents. If any broker-dealer purchases the securities as principal, it may effect resales of the securities from time to time to or through other broker-dealers, and other broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of concessions or commissions from the purchasers of securities for whom they may act as agents.

To the extent required, the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, as well as other important information, will be set forth in prospectus supplements. In that event, the discounts and commissions we will allow or pay to the underwriters, if any, and the discounts and commissions the underwriters may allow or pay to dealers or agents, if any, will be set forth in, or may be calculated from, the prospectus supplements. Any underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents who participate in any sale of the securities may also engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their businesses. We may indemnify underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents against specific liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us and the sale thereof may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

We may offer our units into an existing trading market on the terms described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. Underwriters and dealers who may participate in any at-the-market offerings will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

 

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In compliance with FINRA guidelines, the maximum commission or discount to be received by any FINRA member or independent broker dealer may not exceed 8% of the aggregate amount of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement.

To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a specific plan of distribution. The place and time of delivery for the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

In connection with offerings under this shelf registration and in compliance with applicable law, underwriters, brokers or dealers may engage in transactions which stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities at levels above those which might otherwise prevail in the open market. Specifically, underwriters, brokers or dealers may over-allot in connection with offerings, creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. For the purpose of covering a syndicate short position or stabilizing the price of the securities, the underwriters, brokers or dealers may place bids for the securities or effect purchases of the securities in the open market. Finally, the underwriters may impose a penalty whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other brokers or dealers for distribution the securities in offerings may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., New York, New York. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. will also render an opinion on the material United States federal income tax considerations regarding the securities. If certain legal matters in connection with an offering of the securities made by this prospectus and a related prospectus supplement are passed on by counsel for the underwriters of such offering, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement related to that offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of PVR Partners, L.P. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

The audited financial statements of Chief Gathering LLC incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent certified public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said report.

 

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LOGO

PVR Partners, L.P.

5,500,000 Common Units

Representing Limited Partner Interests

 

 

Prospectus Supplement

                , 2013

 

Barclays