Form S-3ASR
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2016

Registration No. 333-            

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Continental Resources, Inc.

(and its Subsidiaries Identified on the Following Page)

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Oklahoma   73-0767549

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

20 N. Broadway

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102

(405) 234-9000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Eric S. Eissenstat

Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Risk Officer and Secretary

20 N. Broadway

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102

(405) 234-9000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copy to:

David P. Oelman

Michael S. Telle

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500

Houston, Texas 77002

Telephone: (713) 758-2222

 

 

Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement, as determined by market conditions.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  x

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

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

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  ¨

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

 

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of
Securities to be Registered
  Amount
to be
Registered (1)(2)
  Proposed
Maximum
Offering Price
Per Unit (1)(2)
  Proposed
Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price (1)(2)
  Amount of
Registration Fee (2)(3)

Debt Securities

               

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share

               

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share

               

Subsidiary Guarantees of Debt Securities (4)

               

 

 

(1) There are being registered under this registration statement such indeterminate number of shares of common stock and preferred stock and such indeterminate principal amount of debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated, of Continental Resources, Inc. as may from time to time be offered at indeterminate prices and as may be issuable upon the conversion, redemption, exchange, exercise or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable anti-dilution provisions. Any securities registered under this registration statement may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered under this registration statement. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are being registered that are issued in exchange for, or upon the conversion or exercise of, the debt securities being registered hereunder.
(2) Omitted pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II.E.
(3) In accordance with Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r), the registrants are deferring payment of the registration fee required in connection with this registration statement. Accordingly, no registration fee is paid herewith.
(4) Guarantees may be provided by subsidiaries of Continental Resources, Inc. of the payment of principal of and interest on the Debt Securities. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) of the Securities Act, no separate registration fee is payable for the guarantees.

 

 

 


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TABLE OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR REGISTRANTS

 

Exact Name of Subsidiary Guarantor Registrant as  Specified in its
Charter (1)

  

State or Other Jurisdiction of
Organization

   I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number
Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C.    Oklahoma    20-3304849
CLR Asset Holdings, LLC    Oklahoma    46-1489128
The Mineral Resources Company    Oklahoma    81-3056209

 

(1) The address for the subsidiary guarantor registrants is 20 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102, and the telephone number for the subsidiary guarantor registrants is (405) 234-9000.


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PROSPECTUS

 

 

LOGO

Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

 

 

We may offer from time to time debt securities, common stock and preferred stock. Our subsidiaries may guarantee the debt securities offered by this prospectus.

We will provide additional terms of our securities in one or more prospectus supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our securities.

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

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CLR.”

 

 

You should consider carefully “Risk Factors” on page 2 before investing in our securities.

 

 

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

 

 

The date of this prospectus is August 9, 2016.


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In making your investment decision, you should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any written communication from us or any underwriter specifying the final terms of a particular offering. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any other information. We are not making an offer to sell or soliciting an offer to buy in any jurisdiction in which the offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to which it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any written communication from us or any underwriter specifying the final terms of a particular offering, as well as the information we previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that is incorporated by reference herein, is accurate as of any date other than its respective date.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About This Prospectus

     i   

Where You Can Find More Information

     ii   

Incorporation by Reference

     iii   

About Us

     1   

Risk Factors

     2   

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     3   

Use of Proceeds

     5   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     5   

Description of Debt Securities

     6   

Description of Capital Stock

     13   

Global Securities

     18   

Plan of Distribution

     21   

Legal Matters

     23   

Experts

     23   

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we have filed with the SEC as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), using a “shelf” registration process. Using this process, we may offer the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. In addition, selling security holders to be named in a prospectus supplement may sell certain of our securities from time to time. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer.

Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and, if applicable, a pricing supplement. The prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement will describe the specific terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement may also add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus, the prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement together with the information contained in the documents we refer to under the heading “Incorporation by Reference.”

In this prospectus, “we,” “us,” “our” the “Company,” and “Continental” refer to Continental Resources, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any materials we have filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information about the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding us. The SEC’s website address is www.sec.gov. You may also inspect our SEC records at our website at www.clr.com. We do not intend for information contained in our website to be part of this prospectus.

This prospectus does not contain all the information the registration statement sets forth or includes in its exhibits and schedules, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, and we refer you to that omitted information. The statements this prospectus makes pertaining to the content of any contract, agreement or other document that is an exhibit to the registration statement necessarily are summaries of their material provisions, and we qualify them in their entirety by reference to those exhibits for complete statements of their provisions. The registration statement and its exhibits and schedules are available at the SEC’s public reference room or through its website.

 

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to other documents. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede that information. Any information so updated or superseded will not be deemed, except as so updated or superseded, to be a part of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) (excluding information deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC) after the date of this prospectus. The documents we incorporate by reference are:

 

Continental SEC filings (file no. 001-32886)

  

Period and/or date filed

Annual Report on Form 10-K

   Year ended December 31, 2015 filed on February 24, 2016

Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q

   Quarter ended March 31, 2016 filed on May 4, 2016 and Quarter ended June 30, 2016 filed on August 3, 2016

Current Report on Form 8-K

   Filed on May 24, 2016

Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A

   Filed on April 7, 2016 (those parts incorporated by reference in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015)

The description of our common stock set forth in the registration statement on Form 8-A

   Filed on May 19, 2006

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any or all of the documents we incorporate by reference in this prospectus, other than any exhibit to any of those documents, unless we have specifically incorporated that exhibit by reference into the information this prospectus incorporates. You may request copies by written or oral request by requesting them in writing or by telephone at:

Continental Resources, Inc.

20 N. Broadway

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102

Telephone number: (405) 234-9000

 

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ABOUT US

We are an independent crude oil and natural gas company engaged in the exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas. We derive the majority of our operating income and cash flows from the sale of crude oil and natural gas and expect this to continue in the future. Our operations are primarily focused on exploration and development activities in the Bakken field of North Dakota and Montana and the SCOOP, STACK, and Northwest Cana areas of Oklahoma. For additional information about our business, operations and financial results, please read the documents listed under “Incorporation by Reference.”

Our principal executive offices are located at 20 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102, and our telephone number at that address is (405) 234-9000.

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investment in any securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement involves risks. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K we file after the date of this prospectus, and all other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, as updated by our subsequent filings under the Exchange Act, and the risk factors and other information contained in the applicable prospectus supplement before acquiring any of such securities. The occurrence of any of these risks might cause you to lose all or part of your investment in the offered securities.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information in this prospectus, including information in documents incorporated by reference, includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements, other than statements of historical fact included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, including, but not limited to, statements or information concerning our future operations, performance, financial condition, production and reserves, schedules, plans, timing of development, rates of return, budgets, costs, business strategy, objectives and cash flows are forward-looking statements. When used in this prospectus, the words “could,” “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “budget,” “plan,” “continue,” “potential,” “guidance,” “strategy” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable and based on reasonable assumptions, no assurance can be given that such expectations will be correct or achieved or that the assumptions are accurate or will not change over time. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in this prospectus, the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” of our most recent Form 10-K and subsequent Form 10-Qs, where applicable, all of which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, certain statements incorporated by reference or included in this prospectus constitute forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements may include statements about:

 

    our strategy;

 

    our business and financial plans;

 

    our future operations;

 

    our crude oil and natural gas reserves and related development plans;

 

    technology;

 

    crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas prices and differentials;

 

    the timing and amount of future production of crude oil and natural gas and flaring activities;

 

    the amount, nature and timing of capital expenditures;

 

    estimated revenues, expenses and results of operations;

 

    drilling and completing of wells;

 

    competition;

 

    marketing of crude oil and natural gas;

 

    transportation of crude oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas to markets;

 

    property exploitation or property acquisitions and dispositions;

 

    costs of exploiting and developing our properties and conducting other operations;

 

    our financial position;

 

    general economic conditions;

 

    credit markets;

 

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    our liquidity and access to capital;

 

    the impact of governmental policies, laws and regulations, as well as regulatory and legal proceedings involving us and of scheduled or potential regulatory or legal changes;

 

    our future operating and financial results;

 

    our commodity or other hedging arrangements; and

 

    the ability and willingness of current or potential lenders, hedging contract counterparties, customers, and working interest owners to fulfill their obligations to us or to enter into transactions with us in the future on terms that are acceptable to us.

We caution you these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, incident to the exploration for, and development, production, and sale of crude oil and natural gas. These risks include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, inflation, lack of availability of drilling, completion and production equipment and services, environmental risks, drilling and other operating risks, regulatory changes, the uncertainty inherent in estimating crude oil and natural gas reserves and in projecting future rates of production, cash flows and access to capital, the timing of development expenditures, and the other risks described under “Risk Factors” of our most recent Form 10-K and subsequent Form 10-Qs, and other announcements, we make from time to time where applicable.

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

Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described or incorporated by reference in this prospectus occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this prospectus, or in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue.

Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation by Reference.”

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless specified otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of the securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things:

 

    funding working capital requirements;

 

    making capital expenditures;

 

    repayment or refinancing of indebtedness;

 

    repurchases and redemptions of securities; and

 

    consummating acquisitions.

Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of the offering and will be described in a prospectus supplement. Pending any specific application, we may initially invest proceeds in short-term marketable securities. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of securities offered by any selling security holder.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated.

 

     Year Ended December 31,     Six
Months Ended,
June 30,
 
     2011      2012      2013      2014      2015     2016  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     10.0x         9.2x         6.2x         6.5x         n/a (1)      n/a (1) 

 

(1) Earnings, as defined below, for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the six months ended June 30, 2016 were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $535.1 million and $511.7 million, respectively.

For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, “earnings” consists of pretax income (loss) from continuing operations plus fixed charges. “Fixed charges” represents interest incurred (whether expensed or capitalized) and amortization of debt expense.

We had no preferred stock outstanding and there were no preferred stock dividends paid or accrued for any period presented above, and accordingly, the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is the same as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplement, summarizes certain general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. When we offer to sell a particular series of debt securities, we will describe the specific terms of the series in a supplement to this prospectus. We will also indicate in the supplement to what extent the general terms and provisions described in this prospectus apply to a particular series of debt securities.

We may issue debt securities either separately, or together with, or upon the conversion or exercise of or in exchange for, other securities described in this prospectus. Debt securities may be our senior, senior subordinated or subordinated obligations and, unless otherwise specified in a supplement to this prospectus, the debt securities will be our direct, unsecured obligations and may be issued in one or more series.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. We have summarized select portions of the indenture below. The summary is not complete. The form of the indenture has been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement and you should read the indenture for provisions that may be important to you. Capitalized terms used in the summary and not defined herein have the meanings specified in the indenture.

As used in this section only, “Continental,” “we,” “our” or “us” refer to Continental Resources, Inc. excluding our subsidiaries, unless expressly stated or the context otherwise requires.

General

The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and/or committee thereof and set forth or determined in the manner provided in a resolution of our board of directors and/or committee thereof, in an officer’s certificate or by a supplemental indenture. The particular terms of each series of debt securities will be described in a prospectus supplement relating to such series (including any pricing supplement or term sheet).

We can issue an unlimited amount of debt securities under the indenture that may be in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par, at a premium, or at a discount. We will set forth in a prospectus supplement (including any pricing supplement or term sheet) relating to any series of debt securities being offered, the aggregate principal amount and the following terms of the debt securities, if applicable:

 

    the title and ranking of the debt securities (including the terms of any subordination provisions);

 

    the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) at which we will sell the debt securities;

 

    any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

    the date or dates on which the principal of the securities of the series is payable;

 

    the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) per annum or the method used to determine the rate or rates (including any commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index) at which the debt securities will bear interest, the date or dates from which interest will accrue, the date or dates on which interest will commence and be payable and any regular record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date;

 

    the place or places where principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be payable (and the method of such payment), where the securities of such series may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to us in respect of the debt securities may be delivered;

 

    the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which we may redeem the debt securities;

 

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    any obligation we have to redeem or purchase the debt securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder of debt securities and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and in the terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

    the dates on which and the price or prices at which we will repurchase debt securities at the option of the holders of debt securities and other detailed terms and provisions of these repurchase obligations;

 

    the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

    whether the debt securities will be issued in the form of certificated debt securities or global debt securities;

 

    the portion of principal amount of the debt securities payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity date, if other than the principal amount;

 

    the currency of denomination of the debt securities, which may be U.S. Dollars or any foreign currency, and if such currency of denomination is a composite currency, the agency or organization, if any, responsible for overseeing such composite currency;

 

    the designation of the currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of principal of, premium and interest on the debt securities will be made;

 

    if payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be made in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in which the debt securities are denominated, the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to these payments will be determined;

 

    the manner in which the amounts of payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the debt securities will be determined, if these amounts may be determined by reference to an index based on a currency or currencies other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or designated to be payable or by reference to a commodity, commodity index, stock exchange index or financial index;

 

    any provisions relating to any security provided for the debt securities;

 

    any addition to, deletion of or change in the Events of Default described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities and any change in the acceleration provisions described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

    any addition to, deletion of, or change in the covenants described in this prospectus or in the indenture with respect to the debt securities;

 

    any depositaries, interest rate calculation agents, exchange rate calculation agents or other agents with respect to the debt securities;

 

    the provisions, if any, relating to conversion or exchange of any securities of such series, including if applicable, the conversion or exchange price and period, provisions as to whether conversion or exchange will be mandatory, the events requiring an adjustment of the conversion or exchange price and provisions affecting conversion or exchange; and

 

    any other terms of the debt securities, which may supplement, modify or delete any provision of the indenture as it applies to that series, including any terms that may be required under applicable law or regulations or advisable in connection with the marketing of the securities.

We may issue debt securities that provide for an amount less than their stated principal amount to be due and payable upon declaration of acceleration of their maturity pursuant to the terms of the indenture. We will provide you with information on the federal income tax considerations and other special considerations applicable to any of these debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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If we denominate the purchase price of any of the debt securities in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, or if the principal of and any premium and interest on any series of debt securities is payable in a foreign currency or currencies or a foreign currency unit or units, we will provide you with information on the restrictions, elections, general tax considerations, specific terms and other information with respect to that issue of debt securities and such foreign currency or currencies or foreign currency unit or units in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Transfer and Exchange

Each debt security will be represented by either one or more global securities registered in the name of The Depository Trust Company (the “Depositary”) or a nominee of the Depositary (we will refer to any debt security represented by a global debt security as a “book-entry debt security”), or a certificate issued in definitive registered form (we will refer to any debt security represented by a certificated security as a “certificated debt security”) as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Except as set forth under the heading “Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System” below, book-entry debt securities will not be issuable in certificated form.

Certificated Debt Securities. You may transfer or exchange certificated debt securities at any office we maintain for this purpose in accordance with the terms of the indenture. No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of certificated debt securities, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection with a transfer or exchange.

You may effect the transfer of certificated debt securities and the right to receive the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on certificated debt securities only by surrendering the certificate representing those certificated debt securities and either reissuance by us or the trustee of the certificate to the new holder or the issuance by us or the trustee of a new certificate to the new holder.

Global Debt Securities and Book-Entry System. Each global debt security representing book-entry debt securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary. Please see “Global Securities.”

Covenants

We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement any restrictive covenants applicable to any issue of debt securities.

No Protection In the Event of a Change of Control

Unless we state otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions which may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event we have a change in control or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction (whether or not such transaction results in a change in control) which could adversely affect holders of debt securities.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

We may not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of our properties and assets to any person (a “successor person”) unless:

 

    we are the surviving corporation or the successor person (if other than Continental) is a corporation organized and validly existing under the laws of any U.S. domestic jurisdiction and expressly assumes our obligations on the debt securities and under the indenture; and

 

    immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

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Notwithstanding the above, any of our subsidiaries may consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties to us.

Events of Default

“Event of Default” means with respect to any series of debt securities, any of the following:

 

    default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (unless the entire amount of the payment is deposited by us with the trustee or with a paying agent prior to the expiration of the 30-day period);

 

    default in the payment of principal of any security of that series at its maturity;

 

    default in the performance or breach of any other covenant or warranty by us in the indenture (other than a covenant or warranty that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of a series of debt securities other than that series), which default continues uncured for a period of 60 days after we receive written notice from the trustee, or Continental and the trustee, receive written notice from the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series as provided in the indenture;

 

    certain voluntary or involuntary events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Continental;

 

    any other Event of Default provided with respect to debt securities of that series that is described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of debt securities (except as to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of debt securities. The occurrence of certain Events of Default or an acceleration under the indenture may constitute an event of default under certain indebtedness of ours or our subsidiaries outstanding from time to time.

If an Event of Default with respect to debt securities of any series at the time outstanding occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may, by a notice in writing to us (and to the trustee if given by the holders), declare to be due and payable immediately the principal of (or, if the debt securities of that series are discount securities, that portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all debt securities of that series. In the case of an Event of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding debt securities will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holder of outstanding debt securities. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to debt securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may rescind and annul the acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal and interest, if any, with respect to debt securities of that series, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. We refer you to the prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that are discount securities for the particular provisions relating to acceleration of a portion of the principal amount of such discount securities upon the occurrence of an Event of Default.

The indenture provides that the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture unless the trustee receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any cost, liability or expense which might be incurred by it in exercising such right of power. Subject to certain rights of the trustee, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee with respect to the debt securities of that series.

 

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No holder of any debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any remedy under the indenture, unless:

 

    that holder has previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to debt securities of that series; and

 

    the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made written request to, and offered indemnity or security reasonably acceptable to, the trustee to institute the proceeding as trustee, and the trustee has not received from the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series a direction inconsistent with that request and has failed to institute the proceeding within 60 days.

Notwithstanding any other provision in the indenture, the holder of any debt security will have an absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of, premium and any interest on that debt security on or after the due dates expressed in that debt security and to institute suit for the enforcement of payment.

The indenture requires us, within 90 days after the end of our fiscal year, to furnish to the trustee a statement as to compliance with the indenture. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the securities of any series and if it is known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee shall mail to each Securityholder of the securities of that series notice of a Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. The indenture provides that the trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any series of any Default or Event of Default (except in payment on any debt securities of that series) with respect to debt securities of that series if the trustee determines in good faith that withholding notice is in the interest of the holders of those debt securities.

Modification and Waiver

We and the trustee may modify and amend the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder of any debt security:

 

    to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

    to comply with covenants in the indenture described above under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets”;

 

    to provide for uncertificated securities in addition to or in place of certificated securities;

 

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

 

    to provide for the issuance of and establish the form and terms and conditions of debt securities of any series as permitted by the indenture;

 

    to effect the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of any series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture to provide for or facilitate administration by more than one trustee; or

 

    to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

We may also modify and amend the indenture with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the modifications or amendments. We may not make any modification or amendment without the consent of the holders of each affected debt security then outstanding if that amendment will:

 

    reduce the amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

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    reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest (including default interest) on any debt security;

 

    reduce the principal of or premium on or change the fixed maturity of any debt security or reduce the amount of, or postpone the date fixed for, the payment of any sinking fund or analogous obligation with respect to any series of debt securities;

 

    reduce the principal amount of discount securities payable upon acceleration of maturity;

 

    waive a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on any debt security (except a rescission of acceleration of the debt securities of any series by the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding debt securities of that series and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

 

    make the principal of or premium or interest on any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt security;

 

    make any change to certain provisions of the indenture relating to, among other things, the right of holders of debt securities to receive payment of the principal of, premium and interest on those debt securities and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment and to waivers or amendments; or

 

    waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security.

Except for certain specified provisions, the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all debt securities of that series waive our compliance with provisions of the indenture. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of all the debt securities of such series waive any past default under the indenture with respect to that series and its consequences, except a default in the payment of the principal of, premium or any interest on any debt security of that series; provided, however, that the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from the acceleration.

Defeasance of Debt Securities and Certain Covenants in Certain Circumstances

Legal Defeasance. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, we may be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (subject to certain exceptions). We will be so discharged upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities.

This discharge may occur only if, among other things, we have delivered to the trustee an opinion of counsel stating that we have received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling or, since the date of execution of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

 

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Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The indenture provides that, unless otherwise provided by the terms of the applicable series of debt securities, upon compliance with certain conditions:

 

    we may omit to comply with the covenant described under the heading “Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” and certain other covenants set forth in the indenture, as well as any additional covenants which may be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement; and

 

    any omission to comply with those covenants will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default with respect to the debt securities of that series (“covenant defeasance”).

The conditions include:

 

    depositing with the trustee money and/or U.S. government obligations or, in the case of debt securities denominated in a single currency other than U.S. Dollars, government obligations of the government that issued or caused to be issued such currency, that, through the payment of interest and principal in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants or investment bank to pay and discharge each installment of principal of, premium and interest on and any mandatory sinking fund payments in respect of the debt securities of that series on the stated maturity of those payments in accordance with the terms of the indenture and those debt securities; and

 

    delivering to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the debt securities of that series will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and related covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related covenant defeasance had not occurred.

Covenant Defeasance and Events of Default. In the event we exercise our option to effect covenant defeasance with respect to any series of debt securities and the debt securities of that series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any Event of Default, the amount of money and/or U.S. government obligations or foreign government obligations on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of their stated maturity but may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from the Event of Default. However, we shall remain liable for those payments.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities, including any claim or controversy arising out of or relating to the indenture or the securities, will be governed by the laws of the State of New York (without regard to the conflicts of laws provisions thereof other than Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law).

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share.

Common Stock

As of June 30, 2016, we had 374,581,304 shares of common stock outstanding, all of which is voting common stock.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders and do not have cumulative voting rights. Accordingly, holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors may elect all of the directors standing for election.

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive proportionately any dividends if and when such dividends are declared by our board of directors, subject to any preferential dividend rights of outstanding preferred stock. Upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably our net assets available after the payment of all debts and other liabilities and subject to the prior rights of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The rights, preferences and privileges of holders of our common stock are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of shares of any series of preferred stock that we may designate and issue in the future.

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CLR.”

Preferred Stock

Under the terms of our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation, as amended (our “amended and restated certificate of incorporation”), our board of directors is authorized to designate and issue shares of preferred stock in one or more series without shareholder approval. Our board of directors has discretion to determine the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions, including voting rights, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges and liquidation preferences, of each series of preferred stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares of preferred stock upon the rights of holders of the common stock until the board of directors determines the specific rights of the holders of the preferred stock. However, these effects might include:

 

    restricting dividends on the common stock;

 

    diluting the voting power of the common stock;

 

    impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock; and

 

    delaying or preventing a change in control of us.

Limitations on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that none of our directors shall be personally liable to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except liability for:

 

    any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our shareholders;

 

    acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

    under Section 1053 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act (the “OGCA”) regarding unlawful dividends and stock purchases or redemptions; and

 

    any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit.

 

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This provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation eliminates our right and the rights of our shareholders to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of the director’s fiduciary duty of care, including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except in the situations described above. This provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any shareholder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission in the event of a breach of a director’s duty of care.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that we shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Oklahoma as from time to time in effect, our directors and officers, and may indemnify our employees and agents, and all other persons we are authorized to indemnify under the provisions of the OGCA.

Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that we will indemnify officers and directors against losses that they may incur in investigations and legal proceedings resulting from their services to us.

Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that:

 

    we may indemnify our other employees and agents to the extent that we indemnify our officers and directors; and

 

    we will be required to advance expenses, as incurred, to our directors and officers in connection with a legal proceeding to the fullest extent permitted by law and, the indemnification and advancement of expenses, shall be deemed to be contractual rights upon which the directors and officers are presumed to have relied in determining to serve or to continue to serve in their capacity with us.

We also have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers to give them additional contractual assurances regarding the scope of the indemnification set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and to provide additional procedural protections.

Anti-takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws and of Oklahoma Law

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws contain the following additional provisions, some of which are intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the composition of our board of directors and in the policies formulated by our board of directors. In addition, some provisions of the OGCA, if applicable to us, may hinder or delay an attempted takeover without prior approval of our board of directors.

Provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and of the OGCA could discourage attempts to acquire us or remove incumbent management. These provisions could, therefore, prevent shareholders from receiving a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock they hold.

Classified Board. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation divides our board of directors into three classes of directors, with the classes to be as nearly equal in number as possible. As a result, approximately one-third of our board of directors is elected each year. The classification of directors has the effect of making it more difficult for shareholders to change the composition of our board. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws also provide that the number of directors will be fixed from time to time exclusively pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board.

Filling Board of Directors Vacancies; Removal. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or any vacancies resulting from death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause, may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of our directors then in office, though less than a

 

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quorum. Each director will hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until the director’s earlier death, resignation, retirement or removal from office. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to us.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, for so long as Harold G. Hamm, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and principal shareholder, and his affiliates own 50% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, directors may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock. However, from and after the date on which Mr. Hamm and his affiliates cease to own 50% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, directors may be removed only for cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock.

Shareholder Action by Written Consent. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, for so long as Mr. Hamm and his affiliates own 50% or more of our outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, any action required or permitted to be taken by our shareholders may be taken at a duly called meeting of shareholders or by the written consent of shareholders owning the minimum number of shares required to approve the action. However, from and after the date on which Mr. Hamm and his affiliates cease to own 50% or more of our outstanding shares of common stock, shareholders will not be permitted to act by written consent.

Call of Special Meetings. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws provide that special meetings of our shareholders may be called at any time by the chairman of the board or by the board of directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by the board.

Advance Notice Requirements for Shareholder Proposals and Director Nominations. Our amended and restated bylaws provide that shareholders seeking to bring business before or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of shareholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary. With respect to the nomination of directors, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices (i) with respect to an election of directors to be held at an annual meeting of shareholders, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the one-year anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of the shareholders of the company and (ii) with respect to an election of directors to be held at a special meeting of shareholders, not earlier than the ninetieth day prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the seventieth day prior to such special meeting or the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting is first made. With respect to other business to be brought before an annual meeting of shareholders, to be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the one-year anniversary date of the preceding year’s annual meeting of the shareholders of the company. Our amended and restated bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a shareholder’s notice. These provisions may preclude shareholders from bringing matters before an annual meeting of shareholders or from making nominations for directors at an annual meeting of shareholders or may discourage or defer a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us.

No Cumulative Voting. Under cumulative voting, a minority shareholder holding a sufficient percentage of a class of shares may be able to ensure the election of one or more directors. The OGCA provides that shareholders are not entitled to the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides otherwise. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.

Authorized but Unissued Shares. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without shareholder approval, subject to various limitations imposed by the New York Stock Exchange. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional

 

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capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could make it more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws. Pursuant to the OGCA, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may not be repealed or amended, in whole or in part, without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of our capital stock. In addition, after such time as Mr. Hamm and his affiliates cease to own 50% or more of our outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, the provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation relating to the classification of our board of directors may not be repealed or amended without the approval of the holders of at least 80% of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation permits our board of directors to adopt, amend and repeal our bylaws. Our amended and restated bylaws can be amended by either our board of directors or, as long as Mr. Hamm and his affiliates own 50% or more of our outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors.

Oklahoma Business Combination Statute. Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and as permitted under the OGCA, we have elected not to be subject to Section 1090.3 of the OGCA, Oklahoma’s anti-takeover law. In general this section prevents an “interested shareholder” from engaging in a “business combination” with us for three years following the date the person became an interested shareholder, unless:

 

    prior to the date the person became an interested shareholder, our board of directors approved the transaction in which the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder or approved the business combination;

 

    upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the interested shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owns stock having at least 85% of all voting power at the time the transaction commenced, excluding stock held by our directors who are also officers and stock held by certain employee stock plans; or

 

    on or subsequent to the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and authorized at a meeting of shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of all voting power not attributable to shares owned by the interested shareholder.

An “interested shareholder” is defined, generally, as any person that owns stock having 15% or more of all of our voting power, any person that is an affiliate or associate of us and owned stock having 15% or more of all of our voting power at any time within the three-year period prior to the time of determination of interested shareholder status, and any affiliate or associate of such person.

A “business combination” generally includes:

 

    any merger or consolidation involving us and an interested shareholder;

 

    any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition to or with an interested shareholder of 10% or more of our assets;

 

    subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by us of any of our stock to an interested shareholder;

 

    any transaction involving us that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series or voting power owned by the interested shareholder;

 

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    the receipt by an interested shareholder of any loans, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through us; or

 

    any share acquisition by the interested shareholder pursuant to Section 1090.1 of the OGCA.

Because we opted out of Section 1090.3 of the OGCA, any interested shareholder can pursue a business combination transaction that is not approved by our board of directors.

Oklahoma Control Share Statute. Under the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and as permitted under the OGCA, we have elected not to be subject to Sections 1145 through 1155 of the OGCA, Oklahoma’s control share acquisition statute. In general, Section 1145 of the OGCA defines “control shares” as our issued and outstanding shares that, in the absence of the Oklahoma control share statute, would have voting power, when added to all of our other shares that are owned, directly or beneficially, by an acquiring person or over which the acquiring person has the ability to exercise voting power, that would entitle the acquiring person, immediately after the acquisition of the shares to exercise, or direct the exercise of, such voting power in the election of directors within any of the following ranges of voting power:

 

    one-fifth (1/5) or more but less than one-third (1/3) of all voting power;

 

    one-third (1/3) or more but less than a majority of all voting power; or

 

    a majority of all voting power.

A “control share acquisition” means the acquisition by any person of ownership of, or the power to direct the exercise of voting power with respect to, “control shares.” After a control share acquisition occurs, the acquiring person is subject to limitations on the ability to vote such control shares. Specifically, Section 1149 of the OGCA provides that under most control share acquisition scenarios, “the voting power of control shares having voting power of one-fifth (1/5) or more of all voting power is reduced to zero unless the shareholders of the issuing public corporation approve a resolution…according the shares the same voting rights as they had before they became control shares.” Section 1153 of the OGCA provides the procedures for obtaining shareholder consent of a resolution of an “acquiring person” to determine the voting rights to be accorded the shares acquired or to be acquired in the control share acquisition.

Because we opted out of Sections 1145 through 1155 of the OGCA, any shareholder holding control shares has the right to vote his or its shares in full in the election of directors.

Registration Rights

In connection with our initial public offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement with a trust controlled by our principal shareholder and the two trusts established for the benefit of Mr. Hamm’s children covering all of the shares of common stock owned by our principal shareholder and such trusts. In September 2015, the trusts mentioned in the previous sentence transferred the securities subject to this registration rights agreement to the Harold Hamm Family LLC (the “Hamm LLC”). We have also entered into a registration rights agreement with a trust controlled by our principal shareholder and our current Vice Chairman of Strategic Growth Initiatives covering all the shares of common stock issued by us to such holders of our common stock in connection with our acquisition in 2012 of certain crude oil and natural gas properties of Wheatland Oil Inc. In September 2015, the trust mentioned in the prior sentence transferred the securities subject to this registration rights agreement to the Hamm LLC.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company.

 

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GLOBAL SECURITIES

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

Unless we indicate differently in a prospectus supplement, the securities initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes or global securities, or, collectively, global securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, as depositary, or DTC, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing securities under the limited circumstances described below, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the depositary, or by the depositary or its nominee to a successor depositary or to a nominee of the successor depositary.

DTC has advised 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 Federal Reserve System;

 

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

 

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

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. “Direct participants” in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, or DTCC. DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as indirect participants, that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Purchases of securities under the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for the securities on DTC’s records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a security, which we sometimes refer to as a beneficial owner, is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants’ records. Beneficial owners of securities will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased securities. Transfers of ownership interests in global securities are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global securities, except under the limited circumstances described below.

To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global securities deposited by direct participants with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC’s partnership nominee, Cede & Co., or such other name as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. The deposit of securities with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. or such other nominee will not change the beneficial ownership of the securities. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the securities. DTC’s records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the securities are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

 

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So long as the securities are in book-entry form, you will receive payments and may transfer securities only through the facilities of the depositary and its direct and indirect participants. We will maintain an office or agency in the location specified in the prospectus supplement for the applicable securities, where notices and demands in respect of the securities and the indenture may be delivered to us and where certificated securities may be surrendered for payment, registration of transfer or exchange.

Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.

Redemption notices will be sent to DTC. If less than all of the securities of a particular series are being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the securities of such series to be redeemed.

Neither DTC nor Cede & Co. (or such other DTC nominee) will consent or vote with respect to the securities. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the securities of such series are credited on the record date, identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

So long as securities are in book-entry form, we will make payments on those securities to the depositary or its nominee, as the registered owner of such securities, by wire transfer of immediately available funds. If securities are issued in definitive certificated form under the limited circumstances described below, we will have the option of making payments by check mailed to the addresses of the persons entitled to payment or by wire transfer to bank accounts in the United States designated in writing to the applicable trustee or other designated party at least 15 days before the applicable payment date by the persons entitled to payment.

Redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments on the securities will be made to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC. DTC’s practice is to credit direct participants’ accounts upon DTC’s receipt of funds and corresponding detail information from us on the payment date in accordance with their respective holdings shown on DTC records. Payments by participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC, the trustee or us, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of redemption proceeds, distributions and dividend payments to Cede & Co., or such other nominee as may be requested by an authorized representative of DTC, is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of securities will not be entitled to have securities registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of securities. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the securities and the indenture.

The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in securities.

DTC may discontinue providing its services as securities depository with respect to the securities at any time by giving reasonable notice to us. Under such circumstances, in the event that a successor depository is not obtained, securities certificates are required to be printed and delivered.

 

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As noted above, beneficial owners of a particular series of securities generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in those securities. However, if:

 

    DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a depositary for the global security or securities representing such series of securities or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act at a time when it is required to be registered and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of the notification to us or of our becoming aware of DTC’s ceasing to be so registered, as the case may be;

 

    we determine, in our sole discretion, not to have such securities represented by one or more global securities; or

 

    an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series of securities,

we will prepare and deliver certificates for such securities in exchange for beneficial interests in the global securities. Any beneficial interest in a global security that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for securities in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities.

We have obtained the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus concerning DTC and DTC’s book-entry system from sources that are believed to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We and/or any selling security holder may sell the offered securities in and outside the United States (1) through underwriters or dealers, (2) directly to purchasers, (3) through agents or (4) a combination of any of these methods. The prospectus supplement will set forth the following information:

 

    the terms of the offering;

 

    the names of any underwriters or agents;

 

    the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;

 

    the purchase price of the securities from us;

 

    the net proceeds we will receive from the sale of the securities;

 

    any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

    any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

    the initial public offering price;

 

    any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

    any commissions paid to agents.

Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers

If we and/or any selling security holder use underwriters in the sale of the offered securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may sell securities to or through dealers, and the dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. The underwriters may change from time to time the public offering price and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

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

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

 

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Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents

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

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

Delayed Delivery Contracts

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

General Information

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

Each series of offered securities will be a new issue, and other than our common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of offered securities. However, they will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you that a liquid trading market for any of our offered securities will develop.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities offered under this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Conner & Winters, LLP, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas. Additional legal matters may be passed upon for us, or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

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

Estimates of the crude oil and natural gas reserves of Continental Resources, Inc. and related future net cash flows and the present values thereof as of December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 incorporated by reference in this prospectus were based in part upon reserve reports prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P., independent petroleum engineers. We have incorporated these estimates in reliance on the authority of such firm as an expert in such matters.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The expenses of this offering (all of which are to be paid by the registrant) are estimated to be as follows:

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $ *   

Legal fees and expenses

     **   

Accounting fees and expenses

     **   

Trustee fees and expenses

     **   

Printing expenses

     **   

Miscellaneous

     **   

Total

   $             **   

 

* In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee.
** These fees are calculated based on the number of issuances and amount of securities offered and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

 

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Continental Resources, Inc. (“Continental”) is incorporated in Oklahoma. Section 1031 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act (the “OGCA”) authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity under certain circumstances to directors, officers, employees or agents in connection with actions, suits or proceedings, by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent, against expenses and liabilities incurred in such actions, suits or proceedings so long as they acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of Continental, and with respect to any criminal action if they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. With respect to suits by or in the right of such corporation, however, indemnification is generally limited to attorneys’ fees and other expenses and is not available if such person is adjudged to be liable to such corporation unless the court determines that indemnification is appropriate.

As permitted by the OGCA, Continental’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of its directors to Continental or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:

 

    for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to it or its shareholders;

 

    for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

    under section 1053 of the OGCA regarding unlawful dividends and stock purchases or redemptions; or

 

    for any transaction for which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

As permitted by the OGCA, Continental’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that Continental is required to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the OGCA.

As permitted by Oklahoma law, Continental’s amended and restated bylaws provide that:

 

    Continental may indemnify its other employees and agents;

 

    Continental is required to advance expenses (including without limitation, attorneys’ fees), as incurred, to its directors and officers in connection with a legal proceeding, subject to very limited exceptions; and

 

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    the rights conferred in Continental’s amended and restated bylaws are not exclusive, and shall be deemed, with respect to indemnification and advancement of expenses, contractual rights upon which the directors and officers are presumed to have relied in determining to serve or to continue to serve in their capacity with us.

The indemnification provisions in Continental’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation may be sufficiently broad to permit indemnification of its directors and officers for liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

Under Oklahoma law, corporations also have the power to purchase and maintain insurance for directors, officers, employees and agents. Continental maintains liability insurance policies which indemnify its directors and officers against loss arising from claims by reason of their legal liability for acts as such directors and officers, subject to limitations and conditions as set forth in the policies.

Continental has entered into written indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers. These indemnification agreements are intended to permit indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by the OGCA. It is possible that the applicable law could change the degree to which indemnification is expressly permitted.

The indemnification agreements cover expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement incurred as a result of the fact that such person, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, is made, or threatened to be made, a party to any suit or proceeding. The indemnification agreements generally cover claims relating to the fact that the indemnified party is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of Continental or any of its affiliates, or is or was serving at Continental’s request in such a position for another entity. The indemnification agreements also obligate Continental to promptly advance all reasonable expenses incurred in connection with any claim. The indemnitee is, in turn, obligated to reimburse Continental for all amounts so advanced if it is later determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification. The indemnification provided under the indemnification agreements is not exclusive of any other indemnity rights; however, double payment to the indemnitee is prohibited.

Continental will not be obligated to indemnify the indemnitee with respect to claims brought by the indemnitee against it without prior approval of a majority of Continental’s board of directors, except for claims brought by the Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under the indemnification agreement.

The foregoing discussion of Continental’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws and Oklahoma law is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by such certificate of incorporation, bylaws or law.

 

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

1.1**    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
4.1    Conformed version of Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Continental Resources, Inc. as amended by amendment filed on June 15, 2015 filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed August 5, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference.
4.2    Third Amended and Restated By-laws of Continental Resources, Inc. filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed November 6, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  4.3    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of May 18, 2007 among Continental Resources, Inc., the Revocable Inter Vivos Trust of Harold G. Hamm, the Harold Hamm DST Trust and the Harold Hamm HJ Trust, filed February 24, 2012 as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s 2011 Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) and incorporated herein by reference.
  4.4    Registration Rights Agreement dated as of August 13, 2012 among Continental Resources, Inc., the Revocable Inter Vivos Trust of Harold G. Hamm, and Jeffrey B. Hume filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed August 17, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
  4.5    Specimen Common Stock Certificate filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Commission File No. 333-132257) filed April 14, 2006 and incorporated herein by reference.
  4.6    Form of Indenture, filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (Commission File No. 333-190015) filed July 18, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
  4.7    Indenture dated as of April 5, 2010 among Continental Resources, Inc., Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C. and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed February 24, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
  4.8    Indenture dated as of September 16, 2010 among Continental Resources, Inc., Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C. and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed February 24, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference.
  4.9    Indenture dated as of March 8, 2012 among Continental Resources, Inc., Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C. and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed March 8, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference.
  4.10    Indenture dated as of April 5, 2013 among Continental Resources, Inc., Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C., CLR Asset Holdings, LLC and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32866) filed April 11, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference.
  4.11    Indenture dated as of May 19, 2014 among Continental Resources, Inc., Banner Pipeline Company, L.L.C., CLR Asset Holdings, LLC and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K (Commission File No. 001-32886) filed May 22, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference.
  5.1*    Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
  5.2*    Opinion of Conner & Winters, LLP.
12.1*    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1*    Consent of Grant Thornton LLP.
23.2*    Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.
23.3*    Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.4*    Consent of Conner & Winters, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.2).
24.1*    Powers of Attorney (included on the signature pages of the Registration Statement).
25.1*    Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture on Form T-1.

 

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* Filed herewith.
** Continental will file as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K (i) any underwriting agreement relating to securities offered hereby, (ii) the instruments setting forth the terms of any debt securities or preferred stock, (iii) any additional required opinion of counsel to Continental as to the legality of the securities offered hereby, (iv) any required opinion of counsel to Continental as to certain tax matters relative to securities offered hereby or (v) any additional Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the applicable trustee under the Senior Indenture.

 

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

(a) Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided , however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for

 

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liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately before such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by either registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each of the registrants certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma, on August 9, 2016.

 

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC.

By:  

 

 

/S/ JOHN D. HART

  John D. Hart
 

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial

Officer and Treasurer

 

BANNER PIPELINE COMPANY, L.L.C.

By:  

 

 

/S/ JOHN D. HART

  John D. Hart
  Manager

 

CLR ASSET HOLDINGS, LLC

By:  

 

Continental Resources, Inc., its Member and

Manager

 

By:  

 

 

/S/ JOHN D. HART

  John D. Hart
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
THE MINERAL RESOURCES COMPANY

By:  

 

 

/S/ JOHN D. HART

  John D. Hart
  Vice President

 

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POWER OF ATTORNEY

Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John D. Hart and Eric S. Eissenstat, and each of them, severally, as his true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead in his capacity as a director of the registrant named below, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all documents or instruments necessary or appropriate to enable such registrant to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Continental Resources, Inc.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement on Form S-3 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on August 9, 2016.

 

Signature

  

Title

/S/ HAROLD G. HAMM

Harold G. Hamm

  

Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and Director

(principal executive officer)

/S/ JOHN D. HART

John D. Hart

   Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (principal financial and accounting officer)

/S/ WILLIAM B. BERRY

William B. Berry

   Director

/S/ DAVID L. BOREN

David L. Boren

   Director

/S/ LON MCCAIN

Lon McCain

   Director

/S/ JOHN T. MCNABB, II

John T. McNabb, II

   Director

/S/ / MARK E. MONROE

Mark E. Monroe

   Director

 

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