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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): May 23, 2024

 

VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada 001-11476 94-3439569
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation)
(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

1331 Gemini Street 

Suite 250

HoustonTexas 

77058
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (866) 660-8156

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
   
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
   
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, 

$0.001 Par Value Per Share 

VTNR

The NASDAQ
Stock Market LLC 

(Nasdaq Capital Market) 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company  

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On May 23, 2024, Vertex Refining Alabama LLC (“Vertex Refining”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vertex Energy, Inc. (the “Company”, “we” and “us”), Macquarie Energy North America Trading Inc. (“Macquarie”), the Company and Vertex Renewables Alabama LLC, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary (“Vertex Renewables”), entered into Amendment No. 5 to Supply and Offtake Agreement (“Amendment No. 5”).

 

Amendment No. 5 amended that certain April 1, 2022 Supply and Offtake Agreement entered into between Vertex Refining and Macquarie (as amended from time to time, the “Supply and Offtake Agreement”), to, among other things, confirm the terms of the guaranty agreement discussed below in Item 1.02 and confirm existing security. The Company and Vertex Renewables were party to Amendment No. 5 solely for the purposes of confirming the terms thereof in connection with a guaranty in favor of Macquarie, whereby each of such parties agreed to guaranty the obligations of Vertex Refining under the Supply and Offtake Agreement.

 

The foregoing description of Amendment No. 5 does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of Amendment No. 5, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated into this Item 1.01 by reference in its entirety.

 

Item 1.02 Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

On May 23, 2024, Vertex Refining, Macquarie, the Company and Vertex Renewables, entered into a Termination and Release Agreement (the “Termination and Release Agreement”).

 

Macquarie and Vertex Renewables entered into a supply and offtake agreement dated May 26, 2023, as amended from time to time (the “Supply and Offtake Agreement”) and certain other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Supply and Offtake Agreement).

 

The Company and Macquarie entered into a guaranty agreement dated May 26, 2023 in favor of Macquarie (the “Parent Guaranty”) and Vertex Refining and Macquarie entered into a guaranty agreement dated May 26, 2023 in favor of Macquarie (the “Vertex Refining Guaranty” and together with the Parent Guaranty, the “Guaranties” and each a “Guaranty”), in each case, with respect to the Company’s obligations under the Supply and Offtake Agreement.

 

 

 

 

Vertex Renewables and Macquarie agreed to terminate the Supply and Offtake Agreement and all Transaction Documents (excluding the Guaranties) with effect from (and including) May 24, 2024 but subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Termination and Release Agreement (the “Renewables Early Termination”).

 

The parties to the Termination and Release Agreement agreed that on May 24, 2024 (such date, the “Renewables Early Termination Date”):

 

(A)the Supply and Offtake Agreement, and related agreements entered into therewith (the “Transaction Documents”) entered into between the parties shall immediately be terminated and cease to be in force and effect;

 

(B)each party will be irrevocably and unconditionally released and discharged from all its present and future obligations, claims and liabilities (both actual and contingent (including, without limitation, guarantee obligations) and whether as primary obligor or guarantor, as surety or in any other capacity whatsoever) under, pursuant to or in connection with the Transaction Documents; and

 

(C)any power of attorney granted by any party to the other party under, pursuant to or in connection with any of the Transaction Documents will be irrevocably and unconditionally cancelled, terminated and revoked.

 

No material termination penalties were incurred by the Company, Vertex Refining, and Vertex Renewables in connection with the Termination and Release Agreement.

 

The foregoing description of the Termination and Release Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Termination and Release Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated into this Item 1.02 by reference in its entirety.

 

Item 9.01  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.   Description  
       
10.1*   Amendment No. 5 to Supply and Offtake Agreement dated and effective May 23, 2024, between Vertex Refining Alabama LLC, Vertex Energy, Inc., Vertex Renewables Alabama LLC and Macquarie Energy North America Trading Inc.
10.2*+   Termination and Release Agreement
104   Inline XBRL for the cover page of this Current Report on Form 8-K

 

  * Filed herewith.

 

  + Certain schedules, annexes and similar attachments have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit will be furnished supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request; provided, however that Vertex Energy, Inc. may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for any schedule or exhibit so furnished.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

  VERTEX ENERGY, INC.
   
Date: May 30, 2024 By: /s/ Chris Carlson
    Chris Carlson
    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

VERTEX ENERGY, INC. 8-K

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTION VERSION

 

daTED May 23, 2024

 

(1)MACQUARIE ENERGY NORTH AMERICA TRADING INC.

 

(2)VERTEX REFINING ALABAMA LLC

 

(3)Vertex Renewables Alabama llc

 

(4)VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

 

 

 

amendment agreement No. 5

 

in respect of a supply and offtake agreement dated april 1, 2022 and certain other transaction documents

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

SECTION

 

1    interpretation 1
2    amendment of the Transaction Documents 2
3    confirmation of guaranty 2
4    confirmation of EXISTING SECURITY 2
5    Representations 3
6    continuity and RATIFICATION 3
7    MISCELLANEOUS 3
8    Governing law and jurisdiction 3

 

Schedule

 

Schedule 1 5
  Amendment to Supply and Offtake Agreement 5

 

CONTENTS PAGE 1

 

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated May 23, 2024

 

BETWEEN:

 

(1)MACQUARIE ENERGY NORTH AMERICA TRADING INC., a Delaware corporation, located at 500 Dallas Street, Suite 3300 Houston, Texas 77002 (“Macquarie”);

 

(2)VERTEX REFINING ALABAMA LLC, Delaware limited liability company, located at 1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas, TX 77058-2764 United States (the “Company”);

 

(3)VERTEX ENERGY, INC., a Nevada corporation, located at 1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas, TX 77058-2764 United States (the “Parent”); and

 

(4)VERTEX RENEWABLES ALABAMA LLC, Delaware limited liability company, located at 1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas, TX 77058-2764 United States (“Vertex Renewables”);

 

each referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

(A)WHEREAS, Macquarie and the Company entered into a supply and offtake agreement dated April 1, 2022, as amended on May 26, 2023, September 1, 2023, December 8, 2023 and May 17, 2024 (as so amended, the “Supply and Offtake Agreement”) and certain other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Supply and Offtake Agreement).

 

(B)WHEREAS, the Macquarie and Vertex Renewables entered into a supply and offtake agreement dated May 26, 2023 (the “Vertex Renewables Supply and Offtake Agreement”). The Parties have entered into a termination and release agreement dated May 23, 2024 pursuant to which the Vertex Renewables Supply and Offtake Agreement and certain other “Transaction Documents” (as defined therein) will be terminated. In connection with the termination of the Vertex Renewables Supply and Offtake Agreement, the Company and Macquarie wish to make certain amendments to the terms of the Supply and Offtake Agreement.

 

(C)WHEREAS, the Parent and Macquarie entered into a guaranty agreement dated April 1, 2022 in favour of Macquarie (the “Parent Guaranty”) and Vertex Renewables and Macquarie entered into a guaranty dated May 26, 2023 (the “Vertex Renewables Guaranty” and together with the Parent Guaranty, the “Guaranties” and each a “Guaranty”), in each case, with respect to the Company’s obligations under the Supply and Offtake Agreement.

 

(D)WHEREAS, in connection with the amendments to be made to the Supply and Offtake Agreement and certain other Transaction Documents, the Parent and Vertex Renewables are a party to this Agreement solely for the purpose of confirming its obligations under the Guaranty to which it is a party, which will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the amendments made to the Supply and Offtake Agreement and such other Transaction Documents.

 

(E)NOW, THEREFORE, in exchange for good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and confirmed), the Parties hereto agree as follows.

 

1interpretation

 

1.1Definitions

 

In this Agreement:

 

Amended Supply and Offtake Agreement” means the Supply and Offtake Agreement as amended by this Agreement.

 

Effective Date” means the date of this Agreement.

 

Guaranties” and “Guaranty” has the meaning given to those terms in Recital (C).

 

1 

 

 

Supply and Offtake Agreement” has the meaning given to that term in Recital (A).

 

1.2Interpretation

 

(a)Unless a contrary indication appears, terms defined in or construed for the purposes of the Supply and Offtake Agreement have the same meanings when used in this Agreement.

 

(b)The principles of construction as set out in section 1.2 (Construction of Agreement) of the Supply and Offtake Agreement shall have effect as though they were set out in full in this Agreement but so that each reference in that section to “this Agreement” shall be read as a reference to this Agreement.

 

(c)In this Agreement any reference to an Article, Section or Schedule is, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to an article, section or schedule of this Agreement.

 

1.3Third party rights

 

No Person other than the Parties shall have any rights hereunder or be entitled to rely on this Agreement and all third-party beneficiary rights are hereby expressly disclaimed.

 

1.4Transaction Document

 

Macquarie and the Company agree that this Agreement shall be a Transaction Document for the purposes of the Supply and Offtake Agreement.

 

1.5The Guarantors

 

Each of the Parent and Vertex Renewables is entering into this Agreement solely for the purposes set out in Section 3 (Confirmation of Guaranty) and Section 5.1(c) (Representations).

 

2amendment of the Transaction Documents

 

2.1Macquarie and the Company agree that, on and from the Effective Date, the Supply and Offtake Agreement shall be amended on the terms set out in Schedule 1 to this Agreement.

 

2.2On and from the Effective Date the rights and obligations of the parties to the Supply and Offtake Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the provisions of the Supply and Offtake Agreement as amended by this Agreement, and all references in any of the Transaction Documents to the Supply and Offtake Agreement (howsoever described) shall mean the Supply and Offtake Agreement as amended hereby.

 

3confirmation of guaranty

 

3.1By executing this Agreement, the Parent and Vertex Renewables:

 

(a)consents to the Company entering into this Agreement; and

 

(b)confirms and restates that its obligations under the Guaranty to which it is a party shall continue in full force and effect as a continuing security for the payment and discharge of the Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty to which it is a party), including without limitation, all amounts owing by the Company to Macquarie in relation to the Transaction Documents and the Transaction Obligations.

 

4confirmation of EXISTING SECURITY

 

(a)The Company confirms that each of the existing Lien Documents that it has executed in favour of Macquarie shall continue in full force and effect as a continuing security for the obligations of the Company pursuant to the Amended Supply and Offtake Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.

 

2 

 

 

(b)Each of Macquarie and the Company acknowledge and agree that the Liens granted in favour of Macquarie pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement are not intended to (and do not) secure the obligations owed by the Company to Macquarie pursuant to the guaranty dated as of May 26, 2023 from the Company and provided to Macquarie in connection with the Vertex Renewables Transaction Documents (as defined in the Vertex Renewables SOA).

 

5Representations

 

5.1Without prejudice to the rights of Macquarie which have arisen on or before the Effective Date:

 

(a)the Company and Macquarie each repeat the representations and warranties set out in section 19.1 (Mutual Representations) of the Amended Supply and Offtake Agreement;

 

(b)the Company repeats the representations and warranties set out in section 19.2 (Company’s Representations) of the Amended Supply and Offtake Agreement; and

 

(c)each of the Parent and Vertex Renewables repeats the representations and warranties set out in section 5.1 (Representations and Warranties) of the Guaranty to which it is a party,

 

in each case on the date of this Agreement and by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing.

 

6continuity and RATIFICATION

 

6.1The provisions of the Transaction Documents shall, save as amended by this Agreement, continue in full force and effect.

 

6.2The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Agreement shall not operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of Macquarie or any of its assignees under the Amended Supply and Offtake Agreement or any other Transaction Document, instrument, or agreement executed in connection therewith, nor constitute a waiver of any provision contained therein.

 

7MISCELLANEOUS

 

7.1Further assurance

 

The Company agrees to take all further actions and execute all further documents (and to procure the doing of all acts and things and the execution of all documents) as Macquarie may from time to time reasonably request to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all other agreements executed and delivered in connection herewith.

 

7.2Incorporation of Terms

 

The provisions of section 22.5 (Indemnification; Expenses), section 25 (Confidentiality) and sections 27 (Assignment) to 32 (Miscellaneous) (inclusive) of the Amended Supply and Offtake Agreement shall apply to this Agreement as if set out in full in this Agreement and as if references in those sections to “this Agreement”, “either Party” and “neither Party” are references to this Agreement, “each Party” and “no Party”, respectively.

 

8Governing law and jurisdiction

 

8.1THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER STATE.

 

8.2EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION SITUATED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, (WITHOUT RECOURSE TO ARBITRATION UNLESS BOTH PARTIES AGREE IN WRITING), AND TO SERVICE OF PROCESS BY CERTIFIED MAIL, DELIVERED TO THE PARTY AT THE ADDRESS INDICATED IN ARTICLE 28 OF THE SUPPLY AND OFFTAKE AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE

 

3 

 

 

FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION, WHETHER ON GROUNDS OF VENUE, RESIDENCE OR DOMICILE.

 

8.3EACH PARTY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

4 

 

 

Schedule 1

 

Amendment to Supply and Offtake Agreement

 

The Supply and Offtake Agreement shall be amended as follows:

 

1The definition of “Base Agreements” in Clause 1.1 (Definitions) shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

““Base Agreements” means (a) the BWC Agreements (but only from (and including) the BWC Inclusion Date); (b) the Center Point Agreements (but only from (and including) the Center Point Inclusion Date); (c) the Plains Agreements; (d) any agreements hereafter entered into between the Company and any third party pursuant to which the Company acquires any rights to use storage tanks or pipelines that the Company elects to be treated as, or that are, Crude Storage Tanks, Included Crude Pipelines, Included Product Pipelines, the Included Product Tanks or Company Storage Locations, and (e) any agreement entered into by Company with Parent or any of Parent’s Subsidiaries, relating to the Refinery and/or the operation or maintenance of the Refinery, including any related agreements related to Crude Oil and Products in connection with the Refinery, provided, however, that the Vertex Renewables SOA and the Vertex Renewables Transaction Documents entered into in connection therewith shall not constitute “Base Agreements” for the purposes of this Agreement.”.

 

2.The following new definitions are inserted in Clause 1.1 (Definitions) in alphabetical order as follows:

 

Vertex Renewables Guarantor” means:

 

(a)in respect of the Vertex Refining Guaranty, the Company; and

 

(b)in respect of the Parent Renewables Guaranty, the Parent,

 

(collectively, the “Vertex Renewables Guarantors”).”.

 

Vertex Renewables SOA Guaranties” means (a) the Vertex Refining Guaranty; and (b) the guaranty entered into between Macquarie and the Company on or around the “Effective Date” (as defined in the Vertex Renewables SOA) and pursuant to which the Parent guarantees the obligations of Vertex Renewables under the Vertex Renewables Transaction Documents (the “Parent Renewables Guaranty”) (each, a “Vertex Renewables SOA Guaranty”“.

 

3.Section 3.2(a) (Early Termination Rights) shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

“(a)Either Party may elect to terminate this Agreement by providing the other Party notice of any such election pursuant to Article 28; provided that no such election shall be effective until the day falling 180 calendar days following the date on which such notice is delivered (the “Optional Early Termination Date”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Termination Amount for any early termination pursuant to this paragraph shall be calculated in accordance with Section 21.2.”.

 

4.Section 20.1(o) (Guarantor) is deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

“(o)Guarantor. Any of the following: (i) a Guarantor or a Vertex Renewables Guarantor fails to perform or otherwise defaults in any payment obligation under the Guaranty or Vertex Renewables SOA Guaranty to which it is a party, (ii) a Guarantor or a Vertex Renewables Guarantor becomes Bankrupt, (iii) any Guaranty or any Vertex Renewables SOA Guaranty expires (other than in accordance with its terms or pursuant to any mutually agreed termination arrangement) or terminates or ceases to be in full force and effect prior to (x) in the case of the Guaranties, the satisfaction of all obligations of the Company to Macquarie under this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents; or (y) in the case of the Vertex Renewables Guaranties, Macquarie determining that are no further actual or potential liabilities of Vertex Renewables to Macquarie that could arise after the termination of the Vertex Renewables SOA, or (iv) a Guarantor or a Vertex Renewables Guarantor disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of

 

5 

 

 

the Guaranty or Vertex Renewables SOA Guaranty to which it is a party or any of the Intercreditor Provisions (as defined below); or”.

 

5.Section 20.1(t) (Intercreditor Provisions) is amended by deleting the words “; or” immediately at the end of sub-paragraph (ii) thereof and replacing them with a full stop.

 

6.Section 20.1(u) (Vertex Renewables SOA) and Section 20.3(iv) (Vertex Renewables SOA) are deleted in their entirety.

 

7.Sub-section (5) of Schedule O (Form of Included Storage Locations) is amended by deleting the word “Terminalling” at the beginning thereof; and replacing them with the words “From and after the BWC Inclusion Date, the terminalling”.

 

6 

 

 

EXECUTION PAGES

 

Executed by MACQUARIE ENERGY NORTH AMERICA TRADING INC. acting by:

 

/s/ Brian Houstoun and /s/ Travis McCullough
Name: Brian Houstoun   Name: Travis McCullough
Title: Senior Managing Director   Title: Division Director

 

Executed by VERTEX REFINING ALABAMA LLC acting by:
 
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart    

Name: Benjamin P. Cowart 

Title: President and CEO

   

 

Executed by VERTEX ENERGY, INC. acting by:
 
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart    

Name: Benjamin P. Cowart 

Title: President and CEO

   
     
Executed by VERTEX RENEWABLES ALABAMA LLC acting by:
 
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart    

Name: Benjamin P. Cowart 

Title: President and CEO

   

 

 

[Signature Page to Amendment Agreement No. 5]

 

 

 

VERTEX ENERGY, INC. 8-K

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

EXECUTION VERSION

  

DATED May 23, 2024

 

(1)MACQUARIE ENERGY NORTH AMERICA TRADING INC.

 

(2)Vertex Renewables Alabama llc

 

(3)VERTEX REFINING ALABAMA LLC

 

(4)VERTEX ENERGY, INC.

 

tERMINATION AND Release agreement 

 

in respect of a supply and offtake agreement dated mAY 26, 2023 and certain other transaction documents

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS

 

SECTION

 

1    interpretation 1
2    RENEWABLES EARLY TERMINATION 2
3    Termination of certain contractual arrangements 4
4    confirmation of guaranty 5
5    Representations 5
6    MISCELLANEOUS 5
7    Governing law and jurisdiction 6

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS PAGE 1

 

 

THIS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated  May 23, 2024

 

BETWEEN:

 

(1)MACQUARIE ENERGY NORTH AMERICA TRADING INC., a Delaware corporation, located at 500 Dallas Street, Suite 3300 Houston, Texas 77002 (“Macquarie”);

 

(2)VERTEX RENEWABLES ALABAMA LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, located at 1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas, TX 77058-2764 United States (the “Company”);

 

(3)VERTEX REFINING ALABAMA LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, located at 1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas, TX 77058-2764 United States (“Vertex Refining”);

 

(4)VERTEX ENERGY, INC., a Nevada corporation, located at 1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas, TX 77058-2764 United States (the “Parent”); and

 

each referred to individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”.

 

RECITALS

 

(A)WHEREAS, Macquarie and the Company entered into a supply and offtake agreement dated May 26, 2023, as amended from time to time (the “Supply and Offtake Agreement”) and certain other Transaction Documents (as defined in the Supply and Offtake Agreement).

 

(B)WHEREAS, the Parent and Macquarie entered into a guaranty agreement dated May 26, 2023 in favour of Macquarie (the “Parent Guaranty”) and Vertex Refining and Macquarie entered into a guaranty agreement dated May 26, 2023 in favour of Macquarie (the “Vertex Refining Guaranty” and together with the Parent Guaranty, the “Guaranties” and each a “Guaranty”), in each case, with respect to the Company’s obligations under the Supply and Offtake Agreement.

 

(C)WHEREAS, the Company and Macquarie have agreed to terminate the Supply and Offtake Agreement and all Transaction Documents with effect from (and including) May 24, 2024 but subject to and in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (the “Renewables Early Termination”).

 

(D)NOW, THEREFORE, in exchange for good and valuable consideration (the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and confirmed), the Parties hereto agree as follows.

 

1interpretation

 

1.1Definitions

 

In this Agreement:

 

C.T.” means the prevailing time in the Central time zone of the United States of America.

 

Effective Date” means the date of this Agreement.

 

Guaranties” and “Guaranty” has the meaning given to those terms in Recital (B).

 

Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date” means May 23, 2024.

 

Storage Rights Agreement” means, collectively, the BWC Storage Rights Agreement and the Center Point Storage Rights Agreement.

 

Supply and Offtake Agreement” has the meaning given to that term in Recital (A).

 

1

 

 

1.2Interpretation

 

(a)Unless a contrary indication appears, terms defined in or construed for the purposes of the Supply and Offtake Agreement have the same meanings when used in this Agreement.

 

(b)The principles of construction as set out in section 1.3 (Construction of Agreement) of the Supply and Offtake Agreement shall have effect as though they were set out in full in this Agreement but so that each reference in that section to “this Agreement” shall be read as a reference to this Agreement.

 

(c)In this Agreement any reference to an Article, Section, paragraph, sub-paragraph, Recital or Schedule is, unless the context otherwise requires, a reference to an article, section, paragraph, sub-paragraph, recital or schedule of this Agreement.

 

1.3Third party rights

 

No Person other than the Parties shall have any rights hereunder or be entitled to rely on this Agreement and all third-party beneficiary rights are hereby expressly disclaimed.

 

1.4Transaction Document

 

Macquarie and the Company agree that this Agreement shall be a Transaction Document for the purposes of the Supply and Offtake Agreement.

 

1.5The Guarantors

 

Each of the Parent and Vertex Renewables is entering into this Agreement solely for the purposes set out in Section 4 (Confirmation of Guaranty) and Section 5.1(c) (Representations).

 

2RENEWABLES EARLY TERMINATION

 

2.1Subject to Section 2.3 and Section 3.6 below and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Transaction Documents, the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (without representation, warranty or recourse, whether express or implied) agree that, with effect from (and including) May 24, 2024 or, if later, the date on which all amounts payable in connection with the Renewables Early Termination have been paid in full (such date, the “Renewables Early Termination Date”):

 

(a)the Supply and Offtake Agreement, the Storage and Services Agreement, the Fee Letter, the Independent Amount Letter, the Lien Documents, the Master Agreement, the BWC Storage Rights Agreement and the Center Point Storage Rights Agreement shall immediately be terminated and cease to be in force and effect;

 

(b)each Party will be irrevocably and unconditionally released and discharged from all its present and future obligations, claims and liabilities (both actual and contingent (including, without limitation, guarantee obligations) and whether as primary obligor or guarantor, as surety or in any other capacity whatsoever) under, pursuant to or in connection with the Transaction Documents; and

 

(c)any power of attorney granted by any Party to the other Party under, pursuant to or in connection with any of the Transaction Documents will be irrevocably and unconditionally cancelled, terminated and revoked.

 

2.2In order to give effect to the Renewables Early Termination:

 

(a)solely for the purposes of determining the Daily Permitted Feedstock Sales and the Daily Permitted Renewable Product Sales on the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date (and all amounts payable in connection therewith) and without double-counting:

 

(i)Daily Permitted Feedstock Sales will be deemed to occur on the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date in respect of all Macquarie Permitted Feedstock Inventory in situ at each applicable Included Permitted Feedstock Location; and

 

2

 

 

(ii)Daily Renewable Product Sales will be deemed to occur on the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date in respect of all Macquarie Renewable Product Inventory in situ at each Included Renewable Product Location,

 

in each case, using, for these purposes, the Best Available Inventory Data as of the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date and accordingly, the Measured Permitted Feedstock Quantity for each Included Permitted Feedstock Location and the Measured Renewable Product Quantity in each Included Renewable Product Tank shall be deemed to be zero on each day from (and including) the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date to (and including) the Renewables Early Termination Date;

 

(b)notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Supply and Offtake Agreement:

 

(i)the price used to determine the amount payable in connection with each Daily Permitted Feedstock Sale and each Daily Renewable Product Sale shall be the Current Month Pricing Benchmark for the applicable Pricing Group as of the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date;

 

(ii)no Permitted Feedstock Monthly Handling Fee will be owed in respect of the sales contemplated by Section 2.2(a) above and this Section 2.2(b);

 

(iii)the date that would (but for this sub-paragraph (iii)) have been the Monthly Determination Date immediately following the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date shall be accelerated to the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date and for the purposes of performing all calculations required to be performed as of that deemed Monthly Determination Date (including, without limitation, the Monthly True-Up Amount), the Delivery Month shall be deemed to end on (and include) the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date and for purposes of such calculations, any fee, cost or expense ordinarily calculated on a monthly basis without regard to days elapsed will be pro-rated to reflect the number of days in such deemed Delivery Month, calculated on the basis of a 30-day month; and

 

(iv)Macquarie shall use commercially reasonable efforts to (x) notify the Company by e-mail of all amounts payable in connection with the Daily Permitted Feedstock Sales, the Daily Renewable Product Sales, the Monthly True-Up Amount and all other amounts payable in connection with the Renewables Early Termination (the net amount being, the “Renewables Early Termination Amount”) by no later than the end of the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date; and (y) deliver an invoice to the Company in respect of the Renewables Early Termination Amount (or, to the extent that the Renewables Early Termination Amount is payable by Macquarie, self invoice) by no later than 10 a.m. (CT) on the date falling one (1) Business Day after the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date, and, in each case, Macquarie shall include a breakdown of the relevant calculation(s) by Pricing Group; and

 

(v)the Renewables Early Termination Amount shall become due and payable on the later of (x) the date falling one (1) Business Day after the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date; and (y) the date on which Macquarie has delivered an invoice to the Company (or, if the Renewables Early Termination Amount is payable by Macquarie, submitted a self-invoice) in respect of the Renewables Early Termination Amount (such date being, the “Renewables Early Termination Payment Date”) and the provisions of Section 12.5 (Payment Netting) of the Supply and Offtake Agreement shall apply; and

 

(c)on the Renewables Early Termination Payment Date, Macquarie shall either pay to the Company, or apply towards satisfaction of all amounts due and payable by the Company on such date, an amount equal to the balance of the Independent Amount held by Macquarie as of the Renewables Early Termination Payment Date.

 

2.3Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the contrary in this Agreement or the Transaction Documents, Macquarie shall retain title to any Permitted Feedstock or Renewable Product held in an Included Storage Location on and after the Renewables Early Termination Pricing Date until the Renewables Early Termination Date has occurred. Macquarie shall be deemed to certify, for the

 

3

 

 

 purposes of the Storage and Services Agreement and the Storage Rights Agreement, either (x) if the Renewables Early Termination Amount is payable by Macquarie, on the Renewables Early Termination Payment Date; or (y) if the Renewables Early Termination Amount is payable by the Company, upon receipt by Macquarie of such Renewables Early Termination Amount, that there is no Permitted Feedstock or Renewable Product to which Macquarie has title within the Facilities (as defined in the Storage and Services Agreement) or the Storage Facilities (as defined in the Storage Rights Agreement).

 

3Termination of certain contractual arrangements

 

3.1As soon as reasonably practicable following the entry into of this Agreement, Macquarie and the Company shall deliver a notice to Idemitsu in writing (in substantially the form appended to this Agreement as Schedule 1 (Form of Notice to Idemitsu)) and in accordance with the terms of the Idemtisu Tripartite Agreement, notifying Idemitsu that Macquarie and the Company (a) have agreed to terminate the Supply and Offtake Agreement with effect from (and including) the Renewables Early Termination Date; and (b) are exercising their right pursuant to section 6.1(c) of the Idemitsu Tripartite Agreement to terminate the Idemitsu Tripartite Agreement with effect from (and including) the Renewables Early Termination Date.

 

3.2On or promptly following (and, in any event, within five (5) Business Days of) the earlier of (i) the Renewables Early Termination Date; and (ii) the date on which Macquarie determines, acting in good faith and in a commercially reasonable manner, that it no longer has title to any Permitted Feedstock or Renewable Product stored:

 

(a)at the Center Point Storage Facilities and/or the BWC Storage Facilities, Macquarie shall deliver a notice to the Center Point Operator or the BWC Operator, as applicable, in substantially the form appended hereto as Schedule 2 (Form of Notice to Third Party Storage Provider) notifying them that the Contractual Arrangements (as defined in the BWC Consent Letter or the Center Point Consent Letter, as applicable) have been terminated; or

 

(b)on an Included Permitted Feedstock Barge, the Company shall, promptly following a request by Macquarie, deliver a notice in writing to the relevant Barge Operator and the relevant Barge Owner, in substantially the form appended hereto as Schedule 3 (Form of Notice to each Barge Owner or Barge Operator) notifying them that such Barge Operator or Barge Owner, as applicable, shall be released from their obligation to comply with the terms of the irrevocable notices delivered to them by the Company.

 

3.3Macquarie agrees and acknowledges that all Liens granted to or held by Macquarie as security for the Obligations (as defined in the Pledge and Security Agreement) under and in accordance with the terms of the Pledge and Security Agreement shall be forever and irrevocably satisfied, released and discharged on (x) if the Renewables Early Termination Amount is payable by Macquarie, the Renewables Early Termination Payment Date; or (y) if the Renewables Early Termination Amount is payable by the Company, the Renewables Early Termination Date. Accordingly, on or promptly following the Renewables Early Termination Date and, in any event, within one (1) Business Day following the Renewables Early Termination Date:

 

(a)Macquarie shall deliver such documents and agreements as the Company (or its designee) may reasonably request to evidence release of Macquarie’s Liens under the Pledge and Security Agreement on either (x) the Renewables Early Termination Payment Date (if the Renewables Early Termination Amount is payable by Macquarie; or (y) the Renewables Early Termination Date (if the Renewables Early Termination Amount is payable by the Company), including, but not limited to, in each case, any terminations and releases as may be reasonably requested by the Company;

 

(b)pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement, Macquarie shall agree and acknowledge that the Discharge of Renewables Intermediation Facility Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) has occurred, and therefore Macquarie (in its capacity as Renewables Intermediation Facility Representative) shall notify the other Representatives (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) that the Renewables Early Termination Date has occurred; and

 

4

 

 

(c)the Company hereby authorizes Macquarie (or its designee) to file the UCC-3 termination statement(s) with respect to the UCC-1 financing statement(s) filed in favor of Macquarie evidencing such Liens, provided that the Company and its advisors shall have a reasonable opportunity to review such UCC-3 termination statement(s) prior to filing.

 

3.4By no later than the date falling two (2) Business Days after the Renewables Early Termination Date, Macquarie shall deliver a notice in writing to the Deposit Account Bank (in substantially the form appended hereto as Schedule 4 (Form of Notice to the Deposit Account Bank)) notifying it that the Liens granted in favor of Macquarie pursuant to the Pledge and Security Agreement have been released and accordingly, that the Deposit Account Control Agreement shall be terminated with effect from the date of the notice;

 

3.5Each Party agrees to take all further actions and execute all further documents (and to procure the doing of all acts and things and the execution of all documents) as any other Party may from time to time reasonably request to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all other agreements executed and delivered in connection herewith (including the provision of a pay-off letter to the extent required by any lender under the Existing Financing Agreements or any other lender of any Vertex Party).

 

3.6Neither Section 2.1 above nor any other provision of this Agreement shall affect any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities of the Parties under the Transaction Documents that have accrued prior to the date of this Agreement or which are expressed to survive termination of any of the Transaction Documents.

 

4confirmation of guaranty

 

4.1By executing this Agreement, each of the Parent and Vertex Refining:

 

(a)consents to the Company entering into this Agreement; and

 

(b)confirms and restates that its obligations under the Guaranty to which it is a party shall, notwithstanding the termination of each other Transaction Document, continue in full force and effect as a continuing security for the payment and discharge of any actual or contingent Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty to which it is a party and including, without limitation, all amounts owing by the Company to Macquarie in relation to the Transaction Obligations) to the extent that such Guaranteed Obligations relate to rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities that have accrued prior to the date of this Agreement or which are expressed to survive termination of any of the Transaction Documents.

 

5Representations

 

5.1Without prejudice to the rights of Macquarie which have arisen on or before the Effective Date:

 

(a)the Company and Macquarie each repeat the representations and warranties set out in section 20.1 (Mutual Representations) of the Supply and Offtake Agreement;

 

(b)the Company repeats the representations and warranties set out in section 20.2 (Company’s Representations) of the Supply and Offtake Agreement; and

 

(c)each of the Parent and Vertex Renewables repeats the representations and warranties set out in section 5.1 (Representations and Warranties) of the Guaranty to which it is a party,

 

in each case on the date of this Agreement and by reference to the facts and circumstances then existing.

 

6MISCELLANEOUS

 

6.1Incorporation of Terms

 

The provisions of section 24 (Indemnification; Expenses), section 25 (Confidentiality) and sections 29 (Assignment) to 34 (Miscellaneous) (inclusive) of the Supply and Offtake Agreement shall apply

 

5

 

 

to this Agreement as if set out in full in this Agreement and as if references in those sections to “this Agreement”, “either Party” and “neither Party” are references to this Agreement, “each Party” and “no Party”, respectively.

 

6.2Inconsistency

 

In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the Fee Letter or Independent Amount Letter, this Agreement shall prevail but only to the extent of such inconsistency.

 

7Governing law and jurisdiction

 

7.1THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ITS CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER STATE.

 

7.2EACH OF THE PARTIES HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY FEDERAL OR STATE COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION SITUATED IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, (WITHOUT RECOURSE TO ARBITRATION UNLESS BOTH PARTIES AGREE IN WRITING), AND TO SERVICE OF PROCESS BY CERTIFIED MAIL, DELIVERED TO THE PARTY AT THE ADDRESS INDICATED IN ARTICLE 30 OF THE SUPPLY AND OFFTAKE AGREEMENT. EACH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION TO PERSONAL JURISDICTION, WHETHER ON GROUNDS OF VENUE, RESIDENCE OR DOMICILE.

 

7.3EACH PARTY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 

6

 

 

EXECUTION PAGES

 

Executed by MACQUARIE ENERGY NORTH AMERICA TRADING INC. acting by:

 

/s/ Brian Houstoun and /s/ Travis McCullough
Name: Brian Houstoun   Name: Travis McCullough
Title: Senior Managing Director   Title: Division Director

 

Executed by VERTEX REFINING ALABAMA LLC acting by:
 
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart    

Name: Benjamin P. Cowart 

Title: CEO and President

   

 

Executed by VERTEX ENERGY, INC. acting by:
 
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart    

Name: Benjamin P. Cowart 

Title: CEO and President

   

 

Executed by VERTEX RENEWABLES ALABAMA LLC acting by:
 
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart    

Name: Benjamin P. Cowart 

Title: CEO and President

   

 

7

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Cover
May 23, 2024
Cover [Abstract]  
Document Type 8-K
Amendment Flag false
Document Period End Date May 23, 2024
Entity File Number 001-11476
Entity Registrant Name VERTEX ENERGY, INC.
Entity Central Index Key 0000890447
Entity Tax Identification Number 94-3439569
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code NV
Entity Address, Address Line One 1331 Gemini Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two Suite 250
Entity Address, City or Town Houston
Entity Address, State or Province TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 77058
City Area Code (866)
Local Phone Number 660-8156
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, 
Trading Symbol VTNR
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company false

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