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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-218681

PROSPECTUS

LOGO

Antero Resources Corporation

Offer to Exchange
Up to $600,000,000 of
5.0% Senior Notes due 2025
That Have Not Been Registered Under the Securities Act,
which are referred to as the "old notes,"
for
Up to $600,000,000 of
5.0% Senior Notes due 2025
That Have Been Registered Under the Securities Act,
which are referred to as the "new notes"



Terms of the New 5.0% Senior Notes due 2025 Offered in the Exchange Offer:

Terms of the Exchange Offer:



        You should carefully consider the risks set forth under "Risk Factors" beginning on page 7 of this prospectus before participating in the Exchange Offer.



        Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. Please read "Plan of Distribution."



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



The date of this prospectus is June 23, 2017


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

    ii  

CERTAIN TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS

    ii  

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    iii  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

    1  

RISK FACTORS

    7  

USE OF PROCEEDS

    16  

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

    17  

THE EXCHANGE OFFER

    18  

DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

    26  

BOOK ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM

    88  

CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

    91  

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

    92  

LEGAL MATTERS

    94  

EXPERTS

    94  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

    95  

ANNEX A: LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

    A-1  

        This prospectus incorporates by reference business and financial information about us that is not included in or delivered with this prospectus. We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of these filings, other than an exhibit to these filings unless we have specifically incorporated that exhibit by reference into the filing, upon written or oral request and at no cost. Requests should be made by writing us at the following address: 1615 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, or by calling (303) 357-7310. To obtain timely delivery, you must request the information no later than July 14, 2017.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-4 that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). This prospectus does not contain all of the information found in the registration statement. Before you decide to participate in the Exchange Offer, please review the full registration statement, including the information set forth under the heading the "Risk Factors" beginning on page 7 of this prospectus, the documents described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information" in this prospectus, the exhibits to the registration statement and any additional information you may need to make your investment decision. You should rely only on the information contained in the registration statement, including this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any other information and if anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date as set forth on the front cover. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since that date. We will disclose any material changes to such in an amendment to this prospectus or a prospectus supplement.

        We are not making an offer to sell these securities or soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where an 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 whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation.

        We are not making any representation to you regarding the legality of your participation in the Exchange Offer under applicable law. You should consult with your own legal advisors as to the legal, tax, business, financial and related aspects of participating in the Exchange Offer.


CERTAIN TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS

        All references to "Antero," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Antero Resources Corporation, a Delaware corporation, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        The information in this prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein, includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (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 in this prospectus, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used, the words "could," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "expect," "project" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These 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. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading "Risk Factors" in this prospectus and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, which are incorporated by reference herein. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events.

        Forward-looking statements may include statements about our:

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        We caution you that 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, gathering, processing, transportation, and sale of natural gas, NGLs, and oil. These risks include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility and low commodity prices, inflation, availability of drilling and production equipment and services, environmental risks, drilling and other operating risks, marketing and transportation risks, regulatory changes, the uncertainty inherent in estimating natural gas, NGLs, and oil reserves and in projecting future rates of production, cash flow and access to capital, the timing of development expenditures, and the other risks described under the heading "Risk Factors" in this prospectus and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, which are incorporated by reference herein.

        Reserve engineering is a process of estimating underground accumulations of natural gas, NGLs, and oil that cannot be measured in an exact manner. 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, or changes in commodity prices, may justify revisions of estimates that were made previously. If significant, such revisions would change the schedule of any further production and development drilling. Accordingly, reserve estimates may differ significantly from the quantities of natural gas, NGLs, and oil 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.

        All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included 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.

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        This summary highlights certain information about us and the Exchange Offer. You should carefully read the entire prospectus and the information incorporated by reference in this prospectus for a more complete understanding of our business and terms of the notes, as well as the tax and other considerations that are important to you, before making an investment decision. You should pay special attention to the "Risk Factors" section beginning on page 7 of this prospectus and the risk factors described under the heading "Risk Factors" included in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Item IA of Part II of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus.


Our Company

Overview

        We are an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the exploration, development, production, and acquisition of natural gas, NGLs, and oil properties located in the Appalachian Basin.

        For additional information regarding our company and our financial statements, see "Where You Can Find More Information."

Principal Executive Offices

        Our principal executive offices are located at 1615 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, and our telephone number is (303) 357-7310. Our website address is www.anteroresouces.com. Except for information specifically incorporated by reference into this prospectus that may be accessed from our website, the information on our website is not part of this prospectus, and you should rely only on information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus when making a decision as to whether or not to tender your notes.


The Exchange Offer

        The following summary contains basic information about the Exchange Offer and is not intended to be complete. For a more complete understanding of the Exchange Offer, please refer to the section entitled "The Exchange Offer" in this prospectus.

        On December 21, 2016, we issued $600 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.0% Senior Notes due 2025, which we refer to herein as the "old notes." Certain of our subsidiaries guaranteed the old notes. The old notes were issued, and the new notes will be issued, under the Indenture (as such term is defined herein).

        At closing of the old notes offering on December 21, 2016, we and the subsidiary guarantors entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated December 21, 2016 (the "Registration Rights Agreement") with the initial purchasers in the private offerings, pursuant to which all of us agreed to deliver to you this prospectus and use our commercially reasonable efforts to complete the Exchange Offer by December 21, 2017.

Exchange Offer

  We are offering to exchange the new notes for the old notes.

Expiration Date

 

The Exchange Offer will expire at 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on July 21, 2017, unless we decide to extend it (such date and time, as may be extended from time to time, the "Expiration Date").

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Condition to the Exchange Offer

 

The Registration Rights Agreement does not require us to accept old notes for exchange if the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of the old notes, would violate any applicable law or interpretation of the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The Exchange Offer is conditioned upon the effectiveness of this registration statement and certain other customary conditions, as discussed in "The Exchange Offer—Conditions to the Exchange Offer."

 

The Exchange Offer is not conditioned on a minimum aggregate principal amount of old notes being tendered.

Consequences If You Do Not Exchange Your Old Notes

 

Old notes that are not tendered in the Exchange Offer or that are not accepted for exchange will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer described in the legend on your old notes. In general, you may only offer or sell the old notes if they are registered under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or offered and sold under an exemption from these requirements. After the completion of the Exchange Offer, we will no longer have an obligation to register the old notes, except in limited circumstances as required by the Registration Rights Agreement. The tender of old notes under the Exchange Offer will reduce the principal amount of the currently outstanding old notes. The corresponding reduction in liquidity may have an adverse effect upon, and increase the volatility of, the market price of any old notes that you continue to hold following completion of the Exchange Offer.

 

For more information, see "The Exchange Offer—Consequences of Not Tendering."

Procedures for Tendering Old Notes

 

To participate in the Exchange Offer, you must follow the procedures established by The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") for tendering notes held in book-entry form. These procedures for using DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") require that (i) the Exchange Agent receive, prior to the Expiration Date of the Exchange Offer, a computer-generated message known as an "agent's message" that is transmitted through DTC's automated tender offer program, and (ii) DTC confirms that:

 

DTC has received your instructions to exchange your notes; and

 

you agree to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal.

 

For more information on tendering your old notes, see "The Exchange Offer—Terms of the Exchange Offer" and "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering."

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Guaranteed Delivery Procedures

 

None.

Withdrawal of Tenders

 

You may withdraw your tender of old notes at any time prior to the Expiration Date. Any withdrawn old notes will be credited to the tendering holder's account at DTC or, if the withdrawn old notes are held in certificated form, will be returned to the tendering holder. We will accept for exchange any and all old notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. Please see "The Exchange Offer—Withdrawal of Tenders."

Acceptance of Old Notes and Delivery of New Notes

 

If you fulfill all conditions required for proper acceptance of old notes, we will accept any and all old notes that you validly tender in the Exchange Offer before 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date. We will return any old notes that we do not accept for exchange to you without expense promptly after the Expiration Date and acceptance of the old notes for exchange. Please refer to the section in this prospectus entitled "The Exchange Offer—Terms of the Exchange Offer."

Fees and Expenses

 

We will bear expenses related to the Exchange Offer. Please see "The Exchange Offer—Fees and Expenses."

Use of Proceeds

 

The issuance of the new notes will not provide us with any new proceeds. We are making the Exchange Offer solely to satisfy our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences

 

The exchange of new notes for old notes in the Exchange Offer will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Please see "Certain United States Federal Income Tax Consequences."

Exchange Agent

 

We have appointed Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer (the "Exchange Agent"). You should direct questions and requests for assistance and requests for additional copies of this prospectus or the letter of transmittal to the Exchange Agent addressed as follows:

 

By Registered & Certified Mail:
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
MAC N9303-121
PO Box 1517
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55480

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By regular mail or overnight courier:
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
MAC N9303-121
Sixth & Marquette Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

 

In person by hand only:
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
12th Floor—Northstar East Building
Corporate Trust Operations
608 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

 

Eligible institutions may make requests by facsimile at (877) 407-4679 and may confirm facsimile delivery by calling (800) 344-5128.


Terms of the New Notes

        The following summary contains basic information about the new notes and is not intended to be complete. For a more complete understanding of the new notes, please refer to the section entitled "Description of Notes" in this prospectus.

        The new notes will be substantially identical to the old notes, except that the new notes have been registered under the Securities Act and will not have restrictions on transfer, registration rights or provisions for additional interest. The new notes will evidence the same debt as the old notes, and the same Indenture will govern the new notes and the old notes. We refer to the new notes and the old notes collectively as the "notes."

Issuer

  Antero Resources Corporation

Notes Offered

 

$600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.0% Senior Notes due 2025.

Maturity Date

 

March 1, 2025.

Interest Rate

 

5.0%

Interest Payment Dates

 

Interest on the new notes will be payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year with the initial interest payment date being September 1, 2017. Interest will accrue on the new notes from March 1, 2017.

Ranking

 

The new notes, like the old notes, will be our general senior unsecured obligations and:

 

will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior indebtedness (including our credit facility and our existing senior notes); and

 

will rank senior in right of payment to any of our future subordinated indebtedness.

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The guarantees of the new notes will be the guarantors' general senior unsecured obligations and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the other senior indebtedness of the guarantors.

 

The new notes and guarantees will effectively rank junior in right of payment to all of our and the guarantors' existing and future secured indebtedness, including guarantees under our credit facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

 

The new notes and guarantees will be structurally subordinated to any liabilities (including trade payables) of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.

Guarantees

 

The payment of the principal, premium and interest on the notes is currently fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of our wholly owned subsidiaries. Any wholly owned domestic subsidiary of ours formed after the issue date of the old notes and any domestic subsidiary of ours that guarantees any of our indebtedness or the indebtedness of any subsidiary guarantor (in each case, other than an immaterial subsidiary) will also guarantee the notes. See "Description of Notes—Guarantees."

Optional Redemption

 

We have the option to redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after March 1, 2020, in each case at the redemption prices described herein under the heading "Description of Notes—Optional Redemption."

 

In addition, on or prior to March 1, 2020, we may, from time to time, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes, but in an amount not greater than the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings, at a redemption price equal to 105.0% of the principal amount of the notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of such redemption.

 

At any time prior to March 1, 2020, we may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at a "make-whole" redemption price described under "Description of Notes—Optional Redemption," together with any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of such redemption.

Mandatory Offers to Purchase

 

Upon the occurrence of a change of control, holders of the notes may have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of the notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of purchase. In connection with certain asset dispositions, we will be required to use the net cash proceeds of the asset dispositions to make an offer to purchase the notes at 100% of the principal amount, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of purchase.

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Certain Covenants

 

The Indenture governing the notes, among other things, limits our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:

 

incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock;

 

pay dividends on equity securities, repurchase equity securities or redeem subordinated indebtedness;

 

issue certain preferred stock or similar equity securities;

 

make investments or other restricted payments;

 

create liens to secure indebtedness;

 

restrict dividends, loans or other asset transfers from our restricted subsidiaries;

 

sell or otherwise dispose of assets, including capital stock of subsidiaries;

 

enter into transactions with affiliates; and

 

consolidate with or merge with or into, or sell substantially all of our properties to, another person.

 

However, many of these covenants will terminate if:

 

both S&P Global Ratings and Moody's Investors Service, Inc. assign the notes an investment grade rating; and

 

no default under the Indenture has occurred and is continuing.

 

These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications, which are described under "Description of Notes—Certain Covenants."

Transfer Restrictions; Absence of a Public Market for the New Notes

 

The new notes will be freely transferable but will be new securities for which there will not initially be a market. We do not intend to apply for a listing of the new notes on any securities exchange or any automated dealer quotation system. Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any market for the new notes.

Risk Factors

 

In evaluating an investment in the new notes, investors should carefully consider, along with the other information in this prospectus, the specific factors relating to us and the Exchange Offer set forth under the section entitled "Risk Factors."

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RISK FACTORS

        An investment in the new notes involves risks. You should carefully consider all of the information contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference as provided under "Where You Can Find More Information," including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference also contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please read "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks described below, elsewhere in this prospectus and in the documents incorporated by reference. If any of these risks occur, our business, financial condition or results of operation could suffer. In addition to the other information set forth elsewhere in this prospectus, investors should carefully consider the following factors relating to the notes and the Exchange Offer before making an investment in the new notes.

Risks Related to the Notes and the Exchange Offer

If you do not properly tender your old notes, you will continue to hold unregistered old notes and your ability to transfer old notes will remain restricted and may be adversely affected.

        We will only issue new notes in exchange for old notes that you timely and properly tender. Therefore, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery of the old notes and you should carefully follow the instructions on how to tender your old notes. Neither we nor the exchange agent is required to tell you of any defects or irregularities with respect to your tender of old notes.

        If you do not exchange your old notes for new notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer, the old notes you hold will continue to be subject to the existing transfer restrictions. In general, you may not offer or sell the old notes except under an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. We do not plan to register old notes under the Securities Act unless the Registration Rights Agreement requires us to do so. Further, if you continue to hold any old notes after the Exchange Offer is consummated, you may have trouble selling them because there will be fewer of these notes outstanding.

Your ability to transfer the notes may be limited by the absence of an active trading market, and there is no assurance that any active trading market will develop for the new notes.

        The old notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and may not be resold by purchasers thereof unless the old notes are subsequently registered or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available. However, we cannot assure you that, even following registration or exchange of the old notes for new notes, that an active trading market for the old notes or the new notes will exist, and we will have no obligation to create such a market. At the time of the private placement of the old notes, the initial purchasers advised us that they intended to make a market in the old notes and, if issued, the new notes. The initial purchasers are not obligated, however, to make a market in the old notes or the new notes and any market-making may be discontinued at any time at their sole discretion. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of or trading market for the old notes or the new notes.

        The liquidity of any trading market for the notes and the market price quoted for the notes will depend upon the number of holders of the notes, the overall market for high yield securities, our financial performance or prospects or the prospects for companies in our industry generally, the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the notes and other factors.

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Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under the notes.

        We have a significant amount of indebtedness. As of March 31, 2017, we and our guarantor subsidiaries had approximately $ 4.0 billion in consolidated total indebtedness, including $3.45 billion of senior notes and approximately $520 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility. Additionally, we had approximately $710 million of letters of credit outstanding under our credit facility. At March 31, 2017, our credit facility had a borrowing base of $4.75 billion and lender commitments were $4.0 billion. In April 2017, the borrowing base was reaffirmed at $4.75 billion, and lender commitments remain at $4.0 billion. Antero Midstream Partners LP, which will not guarantee the new notes, also had $650 million of senior notes and $200 million outstanding under its credit facility as of March 31, 2017.

        Subject to the limits contained in the credit agreement governing our credit facility, the indenture that governs the notes, the indentures that govern our other series of senior notes and our other debt instruments, we may be able to incur substantial additional debt from time to time to finance working capital, capital expenditures, investments or acquisitions, or for other purposes. If we do so, the risks related to our high level of debt could intensify. Specifically, our high level of debt could have important consequences to the holders of the notes, including:

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness, including the notes, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.

        Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our indebtedness obligations, including our revolving credit facility, our other series of senior notes and the notes depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We may not be able to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, including the notes.

        If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness, including the notes. Our ability to restructure or refinance our indebtedness will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of our indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to

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comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations. The terms of existing or future debt instruments, including the indenture governing the notes and the indentures governing our other senior notes, may restrict us from adopting some of these alternatives. In addition, any failure to make payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness on a timely basis would likely result in a reduction of our credit rating, which could harm our ability to incur additional indebtedness. In the absence of sufficient cash flows and capital resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. Our revolving credit facility and the indenture governing the notes and the indenture governing our other senior notes currently restrict our ability to dispose of assets and our use of the proceeds from such disposition. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions, and the proceeds of any such disposition may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations.

        As of March 31, 2017, we and our guarantor subsidiaries had approximately $4.0 billion in consolidated total indebtedness, including $3.45 billion of senior notes and approximately $520 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility. Additionally, we had approximately $710 million of letters of credit outstanding under our credit facility. At March 31, 2017, our credit facility had a borrowing base of $4.75 billion and lender commitments were $4.0 billion. In April 2017, the borrowing base was reaffirmed at $4.75 billion, and lender commitments remain at $4.0 billion. Antero Midstream Partners LP, which will not guarantee the new notes, also had $650 million of senior notes and $200 million outstanding under its credit facility as of March 31, 2017. Our next scheduled borrowing base redetermination is expected to occur in October 2017. In the future, we may not be able to access adequate funding under our revolving credit facility as a result of a decrease in our borrowing base due to the issuance of new indebtedness, the outcome of a subsequent semi-annual borrowing base redetermination or an unwillingness or inability on the part of our lending counterparties to meet their funding obligations and the inability of other lenders to provide additional funding to cover the defaulting lender's portion. Declines in commodity prices could result in a determination to lower the borrowing base in the future and, in such a case, we could be required to repay any indebtedness in excess of the redetermined borrowing base. As a result, we may be unable to implement our drilling and development plan, make acquisitions or otherwise carry out our business plan, which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and impair our ability to service our indebtedness, including the notes.

If we are unable to comply with the restrictions and covenants in the agreements governing the notes, our other senior notes and other indebtedness, there could be a default under the terms of these agreements, which could result in an acceleration of payment of funds that we have borrowed and would impact our ability to make principal and interest payments on the notes.

        If we are unable to comply with the restrictions and covenants in the indentures governing the notes and our other senior notes or in our credit facility, or in any future debt financing agreements, there could be a default under the terms of these agreements. Our ability to comply with these restrictions and covenants, including meeting financial ratios and tests, may be affected by events beyond our control. As a result, we cannot assure you that we will be able to comply with these restrictions and covenants or meet these tests. Any default under the agreements governing our indebtedness, including a default under our credit facility or the indenture governing the notes or the indentures governing our other senior notes, that is not waived by the requisite number of lenders and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness, could prevent us from paying principal, premium, if any, and interest on the notes and substantially decrease the market value of the notes. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants in the

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instruments governing our indebtedness (including covenants in our credit facility and in the indenture governing our existing senior notes), we could be in default under the terms of these agreements. In the event of such default:

        If our operating performance declines, in the future we may need to obtain waivers from the requisite number of lenders under our credit facility to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under our credit facility and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders on terms that are acceptable to us, if at all. If this occurs, we would be in default under our credit facility, and the lenders could exercise their rights, as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. See "—Restrictions in our existing and future debt agreements could limit our growth and our ability to engage in certain activities."

The notes and the guarantees are unsecured and effectively subordinated to the rights of our secured indebtedness.

        The notes and the guarantees are general unsecured senior obligations ranking effectively junior to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness, including our obligations under our credit facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the indebtedness. If we were unable to repay such indebtedness under our credit facility, the lenders under the facility could foreclose on the pledged assets to the exclusion of holders of the notes, even if an event of default exists under the indenture that will govern the notes at such time. Furthermore, if the lenders foreclose and sell the pledged equity interests in any guarantor in a transaction permitted under the terms of the indenture that will govern the notes, then such guarantor will be released from its guarantee of the notes automatically and immediately upon such sale. In any such event, because the notes will not be secured by any of such assets or by the equity interests in any such guarantor, it is possible that there would be no assets from which your claims could be satisfied or, if any assets existed, they might be insufficient to satisfy your claims in full.

        If we or any guarantor is declared bankrupt, becomes insolvent or is liquidated or reorganized, any of our secured indebtedness will be entitled to be paid in full from our assets or the assets of any guarantor securing that indebtedness before any payment may be made with respect to the notes or the affected guarantees. Holders of the notes will participate ratably in our remaining assets with all holders of any unsecured indebtedness that does not rank junior to the notes, based upon the respective amounts owed to each holder or creditor. In any of the foregoing events, there may not be sufficient assets to pay amounts due on the notes or the guarantees. As a result, holders of the notes would likely receive less, ratably, than holders of secured indebtedness.

        As of March 31, 2017, we and our guarantor subsidiaries had approximately $4.0 billion in consolidated total indebtedness, including $3.45 billion of senior notes and approximately $520 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility. Additionally, we had approximately $710 million of letters of credit outstanding under our credit facility. At March 31, 2017, our credit facility had a borrowing base of $4.75 billion and lender commitments were $4.0 billion. In April 2017, the borrowing base was reaffirmed at $4.75 billion, and lender commitments remain at $4.0 billion. Antero Midstream Partners LP, which will not guarantee the new notes, also had $650 million of senior notes and $200 million outstanding under its credit facility as of March 31, 2017.

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We may incur substantially more indebtedness, including indebtedness ranking equal to the notes and the guarantees. This could increase the risks associated with the notes.

        Subject to the restrictions in the indenture that governs the notes, the indentures governing our other senior notes and our credit facility, we may incur substantial additional indebtedness (including secured indebtedness) in the future. Although the instruments governing our credit facility and the indentures governing our senior notes (including the indenture that governs the notes) each contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to certain qualifications and exceptions, and indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. These restrictions also will not prevent us from incurring obligations that do not constitute indebtedness.

        If the issuer or any guarantor incurs any additional indebtedness that ranks equally with the notes (or with the guarantees thereof), including trade payables, the holders of that indebtedness will be entitled to share ratably with noteholders in any proceeds distributed in connection with any insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding-up of the issuer or such guarantor. This may have the effect of reducing the amount of proceeds paid to noteholders in connection with such a distribution. As of March 31, 2017, we and our guarantor subsidiaries had approximately $4.0 billion in consolidated total indebtedness, including $3.45 billion of senior notes and approximately $520 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility. Additionally, we had approximately $710 million of letters of credit outstanding under our credit facility. Our credit facility had a borrowing base of $4.75 billion at March 31, 2017. In April 2017, the borrowing base was reaffirmed at $4.75 billion, and lender commitments remain at $4.0 billion. Antero Midstream Partners LP, which will not guarantee the new notes, also had $650 million of senior notes and $200 million outstanding under its credit facility as of March 31, 2017.

        Any increase in our level of indebtedness will have several important effects on our future operations, including, without limitation:

        Any of these factors could result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, business prospects and ability to satisfy our obligations under the notes.

The notes are structurally subordinated to all obligations of our current subsidiaries that do not guarantee, or future subsidiaries that do not become guarantors of, the notes.

        The notes are guaranteed by all of our wholly owned subsidiaries, and in the future will be guaranteed by (a) any wholly owned domestic subsidiary of ours formed after the issue date of the new notes and (b) any domestic subsidiary of ours that guarantees any of our other indebtedness, or that of any other subsidiary guarantor (in each case, other than an immaterial subsidiary).

        The subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes, including Antero Midstream Partners LP and its subsidiaries, will have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay amounts due under the notes or to make any funds available to pay those amounts, whether by dividend, distribution, loan or other

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payment. The notes are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of any non-guarantor subsidiary, including Antero Midstream Partners LP and its subsidiaries, such that in the event of insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up of any subsidiary that is not a guarantor, all of that subsidiary's creditors (including trade creditors) would be entitled to payment in full out of that subsidiary's assets before we would be entitled to any payment.

        In addition, the indenture that governs the notes, subject to some limitations, permits these non-guarantor subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and does not contain any limitation on the amount of other liabilities, such as trade payables, that may be incurred by these subsidiaries. Antero Midstream Partners LP has $650 million of outstanding senior notes and a revolving credit facility agreement that provides for lender commitments of $1.5 billion. As of March 31, 2017, Antero Midstream Partners LP had outstanding borrowings under its credit facility of $200 million.

        Further, the subsidiaries that provide, or will provide, guarantees of the notes will be automatically released from those guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events, including the following:

        If any subsidiary guarantee is released, no holder of the notes will have a claim as a creditor against that subsidiary, and the indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables and preferred stock, if any, whether secured or unsecured, of that subsidiary will be structurally senior to the claim of any holders of the notes. See "Description of Notes—Guarantees."

Restrictions in our existing and future debt agreements could limit our growth and our ability to engage in certain activities.

        Our credit facility contains a number of significant restrictive covenants (in addition to covenants restricting the incurrence of additional indebtedness) that may limit our ability to, among other things:

        The indentures governing our senior notes (including the indenture that governs the notes) contain similar restrictive covenants. In addition, our credit facility requires us to maintain certain financial ratios or to reduce our indebtedness if we are unable to comply with such ratios. These restrictions, together with those in the indentures governing our senior notes (including the indenture that governs the notes), may also limit our ability to obtain future financings to withstand a future downturn in our business or the economy in general, or to otherwise conduct necessary corporate activities. We may also be prevented from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise because of the limitations that the restrictive covenants under the indentures governing our senior notes (including the indenture that governs the notes) and our credit facility impose on us.

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        Our credit facility limits the amounts we can borrow in the aggregate up to a borrowing base amount, which the lenders, in their sole discretion, determine on a semi-annual basis based upon projected revenues from the natural gas properties securing our loan. The lenders under our credit facility can unilaterally adjust the borrowing base and the borrowings permitted to be outstanding under the credit facility. Any increase in the borrowing base requires the consent of the lenders holding 100% of the commitments under the credit facility. If the requisite number of lenders do not agree to an increase, then the borrowing base will be the lowest borrowing base acceptable to such lenders. Outstanding borrowings in excess of the borrowing base must be repaid, or we must pledge other natural gas properties as additional collateral after applicable grace periods. We do not currently have any substantial unpledged properties, and we may not have the financial resources in the future to make mandatory principal prepayments required under our credit facility. At March 31, 2017, our credit facility had a borrowing base of $4.75 billion and lender commitments of $4.0 billion. In April 2017, the borrowing base was reaffirmed at $4.75 billion, and lender commitments remain at $4.0 billion. Our next scheduled borrowing base redetermination is expected to occur in October 2017.

        A breach of any covenant in our credit facility would result in a default under that agreement after any applicable grace periods. A default, if not waived, could result in acceleration of the indebtedness outstanding under the facilities and in a default with respect to, and an acceleration of, the indebtedness outstanding under other debt agreements. The accelerated indebtedness would become immediately due and payable. If that occurs, we may not be able to make all of the required payments or borrow sufficient funds to refinance such indebtedness. Even if new financing were available at that time, it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us. See "Description of Notes—Events of Default."

We may not be able to repurchase the notes in certain circumstances.

        Under the terms of the indentures governing our senior notes (including the indenture that governs the notes), holders may require us to repurchase all or a portion of our outstanding senior notes (including the notes) if we sell certain assets or in the event of a change of control. We may not have enough funds to pay the repurchase price on a purchase date (in which case, we could be required to issue equity securities to pay the repurchase price). Additionally, under the credit facility, a change of control (as defined therein) constitutes an event of default that permits the lenders to accelerate the maturity of borrowings under the respective facility and terminate their commitments to lend. The source of funds for any purchase of our senior notes (including the notes) and repayment of borrowings under our credit facility would be our available cash or cash generated from our subsidiaries' operations or other sources, including borrowings, sales of assets or sales of equity. We may not be able to repurchase our outstanding senior notes (including the notes) upon a change of control because we may not have sufficient financial resources to purchase all of the debt securities that are tendered upon a change of control and repay our other indebtedness that will become due. We may require additional financing from third parties to fund any such purchases, and we may be unable to obtain financing on satisfactory terms or at all. Further, our ability to repurchase our outstanding senior notes (including the notes) may be limited by law. In order to avoid the obligations to repurchase our outstanding senior notes (including the notes) and events of default and potential breaches of the agreements governing our credit facility, we may have to avoid certain change of control transactions that would otherwise be beneficial to us.

        In addition, some important corporate events, such as leveraged recapitalizations, may not, under the indentures governing our outstanding senior notes (including the indenture that governs the notes), constitute a "change of control" that would require us to repurchase our outstanding senior notes (including the notes), even though those corporate events could increase the level of our indebtedness or otherwise adversely affect our capital structure, credit ratings or the value of the notes. See "Description of Notes—Change of Control."

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        One of the circumstances under which a change of control may occur is upon the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our consolidated assets. However, the phrase "all or substantially all" will likely be interpreted under applicable state law and will be dependent upon particular facts and circumstances. As a result, there may be a degree of uncertainty in ascertaining whether a sale or disposition of "all or substantially all" of our consolidated assets has occurred, in which case, the ability of a holder of the notes to obtain the benefit of an offer to repurchase all or a portion of the notes held by such holder may be impaired.

        The exercise by the holders of notes of their right to require us to repurchase the notes pursuant to a change of control offer could cause a default under the agreements governing our other indebtedness, including future agreements, even if the change of control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchases on us. In the event a change of control offer is required to be made at a time when we are prohibited from purchasing notes, we could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibitions. If we do not obtain a consent or repay those borrowings, we will remain prohibited from purchasing notes. In that case, our failure to purchase tendered notes would constitute an event of default under the indenture which could, in turn, constitute a default under our other indebtedness.

Any guarantees of the notes by our subsidiaries could be deemed fraudulent conveyances under certain circumstances, and a court may subordinate or void the guarantees.

        The notes are currently guaranteed by our wholly owned subsidiaries, AR OHIO LLC and Monroe Pipeline LLC. In certain circumstances, any of our future subsidiaries may be required to guarantee the notes. A court could subordinate or void the guarantees under various fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer laws. Generally, to the extent that a U.S. court were to find that at the time the guarantee was entered:

then the court would void or subordinate the guarantees in favor of the guarantor's other obligations.

        As a general matter, value is given for a transfer or an obligation if, in exchange for the transfer or obligation, property is transferred or a valid antecedent debt is secured or satisfied. A court would likely find that a subsidiary guarantor did not receive reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for its guarantee to the extent the guarantor did not obtain a reasonably equivalent benefit directly or indirectly from the issuance of the notes.

        We cannot be certain as to the standards a court would use to determine whether or not we or the guarantors were insolvent at the relevant time or, regardless of the standard that a court uses, whether the notes or the guarantees would be subordinated to our or any of our guarantors' other debt. In general, however, a court would deem an entity insolvent if:

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        If a court were to find that the issuance of the notes or the incurrence of a guarantee was a fraudulent transfer or conveyance, the court could void the payment obligations under the notes or that guarantee, could subordinate the notes or that guarantee to presently existing and future indebtedness of ours or of the related guarantor or could require the holders of the notes to repay any amounts received with respect to that guarantee. In the event that a finding that a fraudulent transfer or conveyance occurred, you may not receive any repayment on the notes. Further, the avoidance of the notes could result in an event of default with respect to our and our subsidiaries' other debt that could result in acceleration of that debt. Finally, as a court of equity, the bankruptcy court may subordinate the claims in respect of the notes to other claims against us under the principle of equitable subordination if the court determines that (1) the holder of notes engaged in some type of inequitable conduct, (2) the inequitable conduct resulted in injury to our other creditors or conferred an unfair advantage upon the holders of notes and (3) equitable subordination is not inconsistent with the provisions of the bankruptcy code.

        Each guarantee contains a provision intended to limit the guarantor's liability to the maximum amount that it could incur without causing the incurrence of obligations under its guarantee to be a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer. This provision may not be effective to protect the guarantees from being voided under applicable law.

A lowering or withdrawal of the ratings assigned to our debt securities by rating agencies may increase our future borrowing costs and reduce our access to capital.

        Our debt currently has a non-investment grade rating, and any rating assigned to the notes could be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in that rating agency's judgment, future circumstances relating to the basis of the rating, such as adverse changes, so warrant. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of the notes. Credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell the notes. Additionally, credit ratings may not reflect the potential effect of risks relating to the structure or marketing of the notes.

        Any future lowering of our ratings likely would make it more difficult or more expensive for us to obtain additional debt financing. If any credit rating initially assigned to the notes is subsequently lowered or withdrawn for any reason, you may not be able to resell your notes without a substantial discount.

Many of the covenants contained in the indenture governing the notes will terminate if the notes are rated investment grade by both S&P Global Ratings and Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

        Many of the covenants in the indenture governing the notes will terminate if the notes are rated investment grade by both S&P Global Ratings and Moody's Investors Service, Inc., provided at such time no default under the indenture governing the notes has occurred and is continuing. These covenants restrict, among other things, our ability to pay dividends, to incur indebtedness and to enter into certain other transactions. There can be no assurance that the notes will ever be rated investment grade, or that if they are rated investment grade, that the notes will maintain such ratings. However, termination of these covenants would allow us to engage in certain transactions that would not be permitted while these covenants were in force. See "Description of Notes—Certain Covenants—Covenant Termination."

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        The Exchange Offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement. We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the new notes in the Exchange Offer. In consideration for issuing the new notes as contemplated by this prospectus, we will receive old notes in a like principal amount. The form and terms of the new notes are substantially identical in all respects to the form and terms of the old notes, except the new notes have been registered under the Securities Act and will not contain restrictions on transfer, registration rights or provisions for additional interest. Old notes surrendered in exchange for new notes will be retired and cancelled and will not be reissued. Accordingly, the issuance of the new notes will not result in any change in outstanding indebtedness.

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

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

        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, amortization of deferred debt offering costs and that portion of rental expense on operating leases deemed to be the equivalent of interest.

 
  Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2017
  Year Ended December 31,  
 
  2016   2015   2014   2013   2012  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

    7.83 X     NA (1)   7.55 X     7.83 X     2.18 X     4.54 X  

(1)
Earnings are deficient to cover fixed charges by $1,345,192.

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THE EXCHANGE OFFER

General

        The old notes were originally sold in a private offering on December 21, 2016. Concurrently with the closing of the old notes offering on December 21, 2016, we and the then subsidiary guarantors entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the initial purchasers of the old notes that required us to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the new notes and, upon the effectiveness of the registration statement, to offer to the holders of the old notes the opportunity to exchange their old notes for a like principal amount of new notes.

        The Registration Rights Agreement provides that we must (a) use our commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause to be filed the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and complete the Exchange Offer by December 21, 2017 and (ii) to have such registration statement become and remain effective until 180 days after the last Exchange Date (as such term is defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) for use by one or more participating broker-dealers. The Exchange Offer shall commence promptly after the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part is declared effective by the SEC.

        A copy of the Registration Rights Agreement has been incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Following the completion of the Exchange Offer, holders of old notes not tendered will not have any further registration rights other than as set forth in the paragraphs below, and the old notes will continue to be subject to certain restrictions on transfer.

        Subject to certain conditions, including the representations set forth below, the new notes will be issued without a restrictive legend and generally may be reoffered and resold without registration under the Securities Act. In order to participate in the Exchange Offer, a holder must represent to us, among other things, that:

        Based on an interpretation by the SEC's staff set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties unrelated to us, we believe that, with the exceptions set forth below, the new notes issued in the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by the holder of new notes

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without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, unless the holder:

        Any holder who tenders in the Exchange Offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the new notes cannot rely on this interpretation by the SEC's staff and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction. Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account in exchange for old notes, where such old notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new note. See "Plan of Distribution." Broker-dealers who acquired old notes directly from us and not as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities may not rely on the staff's interpretations discussed above, and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in order to sell the old notes.

Terms of the Exchange Offer

        Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal, we will accept any and all old notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City Time on the Expiration Date. We will issue $2,000 in principal amount of new notes in exchange for each $2,000 principal amount of old notes accepted in the Exchange Offer. Holders may tender some or all of their old notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer. Old notes may be tendered only in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

        The new notes will evidence the same debt as the old notes and will be issued under the terms of, and entitled to the benefits of, the indenture relating to the old notes. As of the date of this prospectus, $600 million in principal amount of old notes are outstanding. This prospectus, together with the letter of transmittal, is being sent to all registered holders of old notes. There will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of old notes entitled to participate in the Exchange Offer. We intend to conduct the Exchange Offer in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated under the Exchange Act.

        Holders who tender old notes in the Exchange Offer will not be required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of old notes in the Exchange Offer. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than certain applicable taxes, applicable to the Exchange Offer. See "—Fees and Expenses."

Expiration Date; Extensions; Amendments

        The Expiration Date shall be 11:59 p.m., New York City Time, on July 21, 2017, unless we, in our sole discretion, extend the Exchange Offer, in which case the Expiration Date shall be the latest date and time to which the Exchange Offer is extended. We reserve the right, in our sole discretion:

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        In order to extend the Exchange Offer, we will notify the Exchange Agent and each registered holder of any extension by oral or written notice prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City Time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date and will also disseminate notice of any extension by press release or other public announcement prior to 9:00 a.m. New York City Time on such date.

        During any extension of the Exchange Offer and consent solicitation, all old notes previously validly tendered and not validly withdrawn will remain subject to the Exchange Offer. Any waiver, amendment or modification of the Exchange Offer will apply to all old notes previously validly tendered and not validly withdrawn.

Procedures for Tendering

        When the holder of old notes tenders, and we accept such notes for exchange pursuant to that tender, a binding agreement between us and the tendering holder is created, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this prospectus and the accompanying letter of transmittal.

        General.    If you wish to participate in the Exchange Offer, you must validly tender (and not validly withdraw) your old notes to the Exchange Agent at or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date in accordance with the procedures described below. In order to meet this deadline, custodians and clearing systems may require you to act on a date prior to the Expiration Date. Additionally, they may require further information in order to process all requests to tender. Holders are urged to contact their custodians and clearing systems as soon as possible to ensure compliance with their procedures and deadlines.

        The method of delivery of the old notes, the letter of transmittal and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent is at the election and risk of the holder. Where applicable, holders should use an overnight or hand delivery service, properly insured. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure delivery to and receipt by the Exchange Agent at or prior to the Expiration Date. Do not send the letter of transmittal or any old notes to anyone other than the Exchange Agent.

        If you have questions regarding tender or consent procedures or require additional copies of this prospectus or the letter of transmittal, please contact the Exchange Agent. Contact information for the Exchange Agent are set forth below under the heading "—Exchange Agent." Holders whose old notes are held by a custodial entity such as a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee can also contact such custodial entity for assistance in tendering their old notes.

        Valid Tender of Old Notes.    If you are a holder of old notes and you wish to tender your old notes for exchange pursuant to the Exchange Offer, on or prior to the Expiration Date you must:

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        Delivery of Physical Letter of Transmittal.    You may transmit your acceptance of the terms of the Exchange Offer by delivering a properly completed and duly executed physical letter of transmittal, which accompanies this prospectus, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal, with all signature guarantees and other documents required by the letter of transmittal, to the Exchange Agent at the address set forth below under the heading "—Exchange Agent".

        Signatures on all letters of transmittal must be guaranteed by a recognized participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Medallion Signature Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (each, a "Medallion Signature Guarantor"), unless the old notes tendered thereby are tendered (i) by a holder of old notes (or by a participant in DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of such old notes) who has not completed the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" on the letter of transmittal, or (ii) for the account of a member firm of a registered national securities exchange, a member of FINRA or a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States.

        Delivery of Letter of Transmittal Through ATOP.    In lieu of physically completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering it to the Exchange Agent, DTC participants that have the old notes credited to their DTC account and held of record by DTC's nominee may electronically transmit their acceptance of the Exchange Offer through ATOP, for which the transaction will be eligible. In accordance with ATOP procedures, DTC will then verify the acceptance of the Exchange Offer and send an agent's message to the Exchange Agent for its acceptance. An "agent's message" is a message transmitted by DTC, received by the Exchange Agent, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgement from you that you have received the Exchange Offer documents and agree to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal, and that we may enforce such agreement against you.

        Delivery of documents to DTC does not constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent. If you desire to tender your old notes through DTC, you must allow sufficient time for completion of the ATOP procedures during the normal procedures of DTC. We will have the right, which may be waived, to reject the defective tender of old notes as invalid and ineffective.

        Holders whose old notes are held by DTC should be aware that DTC may have deadlines earlier than the Expiration Date for the Exchange Offer. Accordingly, such holders are urged to contact DTC as soon as possible.

        Book-Entry Delivery of Old Notes.    The Exchange Agent has established (or will shortly establish) an account with respect to the old notes at DTC for purposes of the Exchange Offer, and any financial institution that is a participant in the DTC system and whose name appears on a security position listing as the record owner of the old notes may make book-entry delivery of old notes by causing DTC to transfer the old notes into the Exchange Agent's account at DTC in accordance with DTC's procedure for transfer.

        Delivery of Old Notes Held in Physical Form.    We do not believe any old notes exist in physical form. If you believe you hold old notes in physical form, please contact the Exchange Agent regarding procedures for participating in the Exchange Offer. Any old notes in physical form must be tendered using a physical letter of transmittal and such old notes must be delivered to the Exchange Agent at its address set forth below under the heading "—Exchange Agent."

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        Tendering with Respect to Old Notes Held Through a Custodian.    Any holder whose old notes are held by a custodial entity such as a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes to tender old notes should contact such custodial entity promptly and instruct such custodial entity to tender the old notes and deliver consents on such holder's behalf.

        A custodial entity cannot tender old notes on behalf of a holder of old notes without such holder's instructions. Holders whose old notes are held by a custodial entity such as a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee should be aware that such nominee may have deadlines earlier than the Expiration Date. Accordingly, such holders are urged to contact any custodial entity such as a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee through which they hold their old notes as soon as possible in order to learn of the applicable deadlines of such nominees.

        Determination of Validity.    All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any tendered old notes pursuant to any of the procedures described above, and the form and validity (including time of receipt of notices of withdrawal) of all documents will be determined by us in our sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding absent a finding to the contrary by a court of competent jurisdiction. We reserve the absolute right to reject any or all tenders of any old notes determined by us not to be in proper form, or if the acceptance of or exchange of such old notes may, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful or result in a breach of contract. A waiver of any defect or irregularity with respect to the tender of one old note shall not constitute a waiver of the same or any other defect or irregularity with respect to the tender of any other old note. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we do not expect to treat any holder of old notes differently from other holders to the extent they present the same facts or circumstances.

        Your tender of old notes will not be deemed to have been validly made until all defects or irregularities in your tender have been cured or waived. None of us, the Exchange Agent or any other person or entity is under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any tender or withdrawal of any old notes, or will incur any liability for failure to give any such notification.

Acceptance of Old Notes for Exchange; Delivery of New Notes Issued in the Exchange Offer

        Upon satisfaction or waiver of all the conditions to the Exchange Offer, and assuming we do not otherwise terminate the Exchange Offer, we will accept, promptly after the Expiration Date, all old notes validly tendered that have not been validly withdrawn and will issue new notes registered under the Securities Act in exchange for the tendered old notes. For purposes of the Exchange Offer, we shall be deemed to have accepted properly tendered old notes for exchange when, as and if we have given oral or written notice to the Exchange Agent, with written confirmation of any oral notice to be given promptly thereafter, and complied with the applicable provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement. If any tendered old notes are not accepted for any reason described in the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer, such unaccepted old notes will be returned to the tendering holder at our expense promptly after the expiration or termination of the Exchange Offer. Any withdrawn or unaccepted old notes will be credited to the tendering holder's account at DTC or, if the tendered old notes are held in physical form, by delivering the withdrawn or unaccepted old notes to the tendering holder. Under no circumstances will we be required to accept old notes for exchange that have not been validly tendered in accordance with the procedures set forth in this prospectus. See "—Procedures for Tendering."

        For each old note accepted for exchange, the holder will receive a new note registered under the Securities Act having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered old note. New notes will be delivered in book-entry form by deposit with DTC. DTC will transmit the new notes to holders in accordance with its procedures. Registered holders of new notes issued in the Exchange Offer on the relevant record date for the first interest payment date following the consummation of the Exchange Offer will receive interest accruing from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no

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interest has been paid, from the issue date of the old notes. Holders of new notes will not receive any payment in respect of accrued interest on old notes otherwise payable on any interest payment date, the record date for which occurs on or after the consummation of the Exchange Offer. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, we may be required to make payments of additional interest to the holders of the old notes under circumstances relating to the timing of the Exchange Offer.

Withdrawal of Tenders

        Tenders of old notes may be validly withdrawn at any time prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer. For a withdrawal of a tender to be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal, or a properly transmitted "request message" through ATOP, must be received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date at its address set forth below under "—Exchange Agent." Any such written or facsimile-transmitted notice must:

        Any withdrawn old notes will be credited to the tendering holder's account at DTC or, if the withdrawn old notes are held in certificated form, will be returned to the tendering holder at our expense. Withdrawal of tenders of old notes may not be rescinded, and any old notes validly withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the Exchange Offer. Validly withdrawn old notes may, however, be re-tendered by again following the procedures described in "—Procedures for Tendering" on or prior to the expiration of the Exchange Offer.

        All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of any withdrawal of old notes pursuant to the procedures described above, and the form and validity (including time of receipt) of all documents will be determined by us in our sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding absent a finding to the contrary by a court of competent jurisdiction. None of us, the Exchange Agent or any other person or entity is under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any withdrawal of any old notes, or will incur any liability for failure to give any such notification.

Conditions to the Exchange Offer

        Notwithstanding any other provision of the Exchange Offer, we will not be required to deliver any new notes, and we may terminate the Exchange Offer or, at our option, modify, extend or otherwise amend the Exchange Offer, if we determine, in our reasonable judgment, that (i) the Exchange Offer

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violates applicable law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC; (ii) an action or proceeding shall have been instituted or threatened in any court or by any governmental agency which might materially impair our ability to proceed with the Exchange Offer or a material adverse development shall have occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to us; or (iii) all governmental approvals that we deem necessary for the consummation of the Exchange Offer have not been obtained.

        The foregoing conditions are for our sole benefit and may be asserted by us regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such condition or may be waived by us in whole or in part at any time and from time to time. The failure by us at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any of those rights and each of those rights shall be deemed an ongoing right which may be asserted at any time and from time to time.

        In addition, we will not accept for exchange any old notes tendered, and no new notes will be issued in exchange for those old notes, if at such time the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part has not been declared effective by the SEC, or if at such time any stop order shall be threatened or in effect with respect to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. In any of those events we are required to use commercially reasonable efforts to have the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part be declared effective by the SEC and obtain the withdrawal of any stop order at the earliest possible moment, as applicable.

Consequences of Not Tendering

        Old notes that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted will, following the consummation of the Exchange Offer, continue to accrue interest and to be subject to the provisions in the indenture regarding the transfer and exchange of the old notes and the existing restrictions on transfer set forth in the legend on the old notes relating to the old notes. After the completion of the Exchange Offer, we will have no further obligation to provide for the registration under the Securities Act of those old notes except in limited circumstances with respect to specific types of holders of old notes. In general, old notes, unless registered under the Securities Act, may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.

Exchange Agent

        All executed letters of transmittal should be directed to the Exchange Agent. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association has been appointed as Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer. Questions,

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requests for assistance and requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal should be directed to the Exchange Agent addressed as follows:

Fees and Expenses

        We will not make any payments to brokers, dealers or others soliciting acceptances of the Exchange Offer. The estimated cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the Exchange Offer will be paid by us and will include fees and expenses of the Exchange Agent, accounting, legal, printing and related fees and expenses.

Accounting Treatment

        We will record the new notes at the same carrying value as the old notes, as reflected in our accounting records on the date of the exchange. Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes as the terms of the new notes are substantially identical to those of the old notes. The expenses of the Exchange Offer will be amortized over the term of the new notes.

Transfer Taxes

        Holders who tender their old notes for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection with that tender or exchange, except that holders who instruct us to register new notes in the name of, or request that old notes not tendered or not accepted in the Exchange Offer be returned to, a person other than the registered tendering holder will be responsible for the payment of any applicable transfer tax on those old notes.

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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

        You can find the definitions of certain terms used in this description under the subheading "—Certain Definitions." References to the "notes" in this section of the prospectus include both the old notes issued on December 21, 2016 and the new notes, unless the context otherwise requires. For purposes of this description, references to "the Issuer," "we," "our" and "us" refer only to Antero Resources Corporation, the issuer of the new notes.

        The new notes will be issued and the old notes were issued under an indenture (the "Indenture") dated December 21, 2016 by and among us, as issuer, AR OHIO LLC and Monroe Pipeline LLC, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"). The terms of the notes include those expressly set forth in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act").

        Currently, $600 million in principal amount of notes is outstanding. In the future, we may issue an unlimited principal amount of additional notes having identical terms and conditions as the notes (the "Additional Notes"). We will be permitted to issue such Additional Notes only in compliance with the covenant described under the subheading "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness and Preferred Stock." Any such Additional Notes will have identical terms to, other than the issue date and the initial interest payment date, and will be part of the same series as, the old notes and the new notes and will vote on all matters with the holders of the old notes and the new notes. Unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of the Indenture and this "Description of Notes," references to the notes include any Additional Notes we may issue in the future as well as the old notes and the new notes.

        This "Description of Notes" is intended to be a useful overview of the material provisions of the notes and the Indenture. Since this "Description of Notes" is only a summary, you should refer to these documents for a complete description of the obligations of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors and your rights.

        The following description of the notes is a summary of the material provisions of the Indenture. It does not restate the Indenture in its entirety. We urge you to read the Indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as holders of the notes. A copy of the Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

        If the Exchange Offer contemplated by this prospectus is consummated, holders of old notes who do not exchange those notes for new notes in the Exchange Offer will vote together with holders of new notes for all relevant purposes under the Indenture. In that regard, the Indenture requires that certain actions by the holders thereunder must be taken, and certain rights must be exercised, by specified minimum percentages of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding securities issued under the Indenture. In determining whether holders of the requisite percentage in principal amount of notes have given any notice, consent or waiver or taken any other action permitted under the Indenture, any old notes that remain outstanding after the Exchange Offer will be aggregated with the new notes, and the holders of such old notes and the new notes will vote together as a single class for all such purposes. Accordingly, all references herein to specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the notes outstanding shall be deemed to mean, at any time after the Exchange Offer is consummated, such percentages in aggregate principal amount of the old notes and the new notes then outstanding.

        The registered holder of a note will be treated as the owner of it for all purposes. Only registered holders of notes have rights under the Indenture, and all references to "holders" in this description of notes are to registered holders of notes.

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The Notes

General

        The notes.    The new notes, like the old notes:

        The guarantees.    The Subsidiary Guarantors will unconditionally guarantee the new notes on a senior unsecured basis. Each Guarantee of the new notes:

        Certain future Subsidiaries of the Issuer may not be required to guarantee the notes. See "—Certain Covenants—Future Subsidiary Guarantors." Also, under the circumstances described below in the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" under the heading "—Certain Definitions," the Issuer has and may in the future designate certain of its Subsidiaries as "Unrestricted Subsidiaries." Specifically, Antero Midstream Partners LP and its subsidiaries are Unrestricted Subsidiaries and as a result will not guarantee the notes. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not guarantee the notes and will not be subject to the restrictive covenants in the Indenture.

        Interest.    Interest on the new notes will:

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        If an interest payment date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the interest payment to be made on such interest payment date will be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such interest payment date, and no additional interest will accrue as a result of such delayed payment. The Issuer will pay interest on overdue principal of the notes at the above rate, and overdue installments of interest at such rate, to the extent lawful.

Payments on the Notes; Paying Agent and Registrar

        We will pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes at the office or agency of the paying agent designated by us in the continental United States, except that we may, at our option, pay interest on the notes by check mailed to each holder of the notes at its registered address as it appears in the registrar's books. We have initially designated the corporate trust office of the Trustee in Minneapolis, Minnesota to act as our paying agent and its corporate trust office in Dallas, Texas to act as registrar.

        We may, however, change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the notes, and any of the Restricted Subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.

        We will pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, notes in global form registered in the name of or held by The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its nominee in immediately available funds to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered holder of such global note.

Transfer and Exchange

        A holder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the Indenture. The registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents in connection with a transfer of notes. No service charge will be imposed by the Issuer, the Trustee or the registrar for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but the Issuer may require a holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other governmental taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The registrar is not required to transfer or exchange any note selected for redemption. Also, the Issuer is not required to register the transfer of or exchange any note for a period of 15 days before a selection of notes to be redeemed.

Optional Redemption

        On and after March 1, 2020, we may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the notes upon notice as set forth under "—Selection and Notice," at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount of the notes), plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12 month period beginning on March 1 of the years indicated below:

Year
  Percentage  

2020

    103.750 %

2021

    102.500 %

2022

    101.250 %

2023 and thereafter

    100.000 %

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        On or prior to March 1, 2020, we may, at our option, on any one or more occasions, upon notice as set forth under "—Selection and Notice," redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes (including any other Additional Notes) issued under the Indenture, but in an amount not greater than the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings, at a redemption price of 105.0% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date); provided that:

        In addition, the notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at any time prior to March 1, 2020 at the option of the Issuer upon notice set forth under "—Selection and Notice," at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium and accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

        "Applicable Premium" means, with respect to any note at any time, the greater of:

        "Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to March 1, 2020; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to March 1, 2020 is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to March 1, 2020 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used. The Issuer will (a) calculate the Treasury Rate as of a date no later than the fourth Business Day preceding the applicable redemption date and (b) prior to such redemption date file with the Trustee an Officers' Certificate setting forth the Applicable Premium and the Treasury Rate and showing the calculation of each in reasonable detail.

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Selection and Notice

        If the Issuer is redeeming less than all of the outstanding notes, the Trustee will select the notes for redemption in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange, if any, on which the notes are listed or, if the notes are not listed, then on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion will deem to be fair and appropriate (or, in the case of notes in global form, the Trustee will select notes for redemption based on such method as DTC may prescribe), although no note of $2,000 in original principal amount or less will be redeemed in part. Notices of redemption will be sent at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of notes to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be sent more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a legal defeasance or covenant defeasance of the notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such note will state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the holder thereof upon cancellation of the partially redeemed note. On and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on notes or the portion of them called for redemption without any condition precedent, unless we default in the payment thereof. Any redemption or notice of redemption may, at our discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent and, in the case of a redemption with the Net Cash Proceeds of an Equity Offering, be given prior to the completion of the related Equity Offering.

Mandatory Redemption; Offers to Purchase; Open Market Purchases

        We are not required to make mandatory redemption payments or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes. However, under certain circumstances, we may be required to offer to purchase notes as described under the captions "—Change of Control" and "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock." The Issuer and its Subsidiaries may acquire notes by means other than a redemption or required repurchase, whether by tender offer, open market purchases, negotiated transactions or otherwise, in accordance with applicable securities laws, so long as such acquisition does not otherwise violate the terms of the Indenture. However, other existing or future agreements may limit our ability or the ability of our Subsidiaries to purchase notes prior to maturity.

Ranking

        The notes are the general unsecured obligations of the Issuer and rank senior in right of payment to any of its future Indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes. The notes rank equally in right of payment with all other Indebtedness of the Issuer that is not so subordinated and are effectively subordinated to any of its secured Indebtedness (including any borrowings and guarantees under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement), to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such Indebtedness.

        The obligations of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Guarantees rank equally in right of payment with all other Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor, except to the extent such other Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the obligations arising under its Guarantee. However, such obligations effectively rank junior to all existing and future secured Indebtedness of the Subsidiary Guarantors (including any borrowings and guarantees under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement), to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such Indebtedness. In the event of bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up of the Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantors, or upon a default in payment with respect to, or the acceleration of, any Indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement or other secured Indebtedness, the assets of the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors that secure secured Indebtedness will be available to pay obligations on the notes and the Guarantees only after all Indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and other secured Indebtedness has been repaid in full from such assets. In addition, in the event of

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bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up of a non-guarantor Subsidiary, the assets of such Subsidiary will be available to pay obligations on the notes and the Guarantees only after all obligations of such Subsidiary have been repaid in full from such assets. We advise you that there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all the notes and the Guarantees then outstanding.

Guarantees

        The Subsidiary Guarantors jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee on a senior unsecured basis our obligations under the old notes and all obligations under the Indenture, and they will do likewise with respect to the new notes.

        The obligations of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Guarantees rank equally in right of payment with all other Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor, except to the extent such other Indebtedness is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the obligations arising under its Guarantee.

        Although the Indenture limits the amount of Indebtedness that the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur, such Indebtedness may be substantial and such limitation is subject to a number of significant qualifications. Moreover, the Indenture will not impose any limitation on the Incurrence by such Persons of liabilities that are not considered Indebtedness under the Indenture. See "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness and Preferred Stock."

        The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law, although no assurance can be given that a court would give the holder the benefit of such provision. See "Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Notes and the Exchange Offer—Any guarantees of the notes by our subsidiaries could be deemed fraudulent conveyances under certain circumstances, and a court may subordinate or void the guarantees." If a Guarantee were rendered voidable, it could be subordinated by a court to all other indebtedness (including guarantees and other contingent liabilities) of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, and, depending on the amount of such indebtedness, a Subsidiary Guarantor's liability on its Guarantee could be reduced to zero. If the obligations of a Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee were avoided, holders of notes would have to look to the assets of any remaining Subsidiary Guarantors for payment. There can be no assurance in that event that such assets would suffice to pay the outstanding principal and interest on the notes.

        In the event a Subsidiary Guarantor is sold or disposed of (whether by merger, consolidation, the sale of a sufficient amount of its Capital Stock so that it no longer qualifies as a "Subsidiary" of the Issuer or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets (other than by lease)) and whether or not the Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving entity in such transaction to a Person which is not the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer, such Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from its obligations under the Indenture and its Guarantee if the sale or other disposition does not violate the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock."

        In addition, a Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from its obligations under the Indenture and its Guarantee, (i) upon the release or discharge of the guarantee of other Indebtedness that resulted in the creation of such Guarantee pursuant to clause (b) of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Future Subsidiary Guarantors," except a release or discharge by or as a result of payment under such guarantee, (ii) if the Issuer designates such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation complies with the other applicable provisions of the Indenture or (iii) in connection with any covenant defeasance, legal defeasance or satisfaction and discharge of the notes as provided below under the captions "—Defeasance" and "—Satisfaction and Discharge."

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Change of Control

        If a Change of Control occurs, unless the Issuer has previously or concurrently exercised its right to redeem all of the notes as described under "—Optional Redemption" or one of the other two exceptions described below applies, each holder will have the right to require the Issuer to repurchase all or any part (equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000) of such holder's notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

        Within 30 days following any Change of Control, unless we have previously or concurrently exercised our right to redeem all of the notes as described under "—Optional Redemption" or one of the other two exceptions described below applies, we will send a notice (the "Change of Control Offer") to each holder, with a copy to the Trustee, stating:

        On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Issuer will, to the extent lawful:

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        The paying agent will promptly mail or deliver to each holder of notes accepted for payment the Change of Control Payment for such notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each holder a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000.

        If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, will be paid to the Person in whose name a note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no further interest will be payable to holders who tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

        The Change of Control provisions described above are applicable whether or not any other provisions of the Indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a Change of Control, the Indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders to require that the Issuer or any Subsidiary of the Issuer repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction.

        We will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) any other Person makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by us and purchases all notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer, (2) notice of redemption of all outstanding notes has been given pursuant to the Indenture as described above under "—Optional Redemption," unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price, or (3) in connection with or in contemplation of any Change of Control, the Issuer has made an offer to purchase (an "Alternate Offer") any and all notes validly tendered at a cash price equal to or higher than the Change of Control Payment and has purchased all notes properly tendered in accordance with the terms of such Alternate Offer.

        A Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making the Change of Control Offer.

        We will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations under the Indenture by virtue of our compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

        Our ability to repurchase notes pursuant to a Change of Control Offer may be limited by a number of factors. The occurrence of certain of the events that constitute a Change of Control would constitute a default under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement. In addition, certain events that may constitute a change of control under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and cause a default under that agreement will not constitute a Change of Control under the Indenture. Future Indebtedness of our Subsidiaries may also contain prohibitions of certain events that would constitute a Change of Control or require such Indebtedness to be repaid upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the holders of their right to require us to repurchase the notes could cause a default under such Indebtedness, even if the Change of Control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such

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repurchase on the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries. Finally, our ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited by the then existing financial resources of our Restricted Subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required repurchases.

        Even if sufficient funds were otherwise available, the future Indebtedness of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries may prohibit our repurchase of notes before their scheduled maturity. Consequently, if we and our Restricted Subsidiaries are not able to prepay the Indebtedness under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement and any such other Indebtedness containing similar restrictions or obtain requisite consents, we will be unable to fulfill our repurchase obligations if holders of notes exercise their repurchase rights following a Change of Control, resulting in a default under the Indenture. A default under the Indenture may result in a cross default under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement.

        If holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding notes validly tender and do not withdraw such notes in a Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer and the Issuer, or any other Person making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Issuer as described above, purchases all of the notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such holders, the Issuer will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer or Alternate Offer, as applicable, to redeem all notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price in cash equal to the applicable Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

        The Change of Control provisions described above may deter certain mergers, tender offers and other takeover attempts involving us. The Change of Control purchase feature is a result of negotiations between the initial purchasers and us. As of the date hereof, we have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that we could decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, we and our Subsidiaries could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of Control under the Indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit ratings. Restrictions on the ability of us and our Restricted Subsidiaries to incur additional Indebtedness are contained in the covenants described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness and Preferred Stock" and "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Liens." Such restrictions in the Indenture can be waived only with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding. Except for the limitations contained in such covenants, however, the Indenture does not contain any covenants or provisions that may afford holders of the notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.

        The definition of "Change of Control" includes a disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of us and our Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any Person. Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve a disposition of "all or substantially all" of the assets of a Person. As a result, it may be unclear as to whether a Change of Control has occurred and whether a holder of notes may require us to make an offer to repurchase the notes as described above.

        The provisions under the Indenture relative to our obligation to make an offer to repurchase the notes as a result of a Change of Control may be waived or modified or terminated with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including consents

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obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for the notes) prior to the occurrence of such Change of Control.

Certain Covenants

Limitation on Indebtedness and Preferred Stock

        We will not, and will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), and we will not permit any of our Restricted Subsidiaries to issue Preferred Stock; provided, however, that we may Incur Indebtedness and we and any of the Subsidiary Guarantors may Incur Indebtedness and issue Preferred Stock if on the date thereof:

        The first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the Incurrence of the following Indebtedness:

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        For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to and in compliance with, this covenant:

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        Accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the amortization of debt discount or the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness, the payment of dividends in the form of additional Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock and unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic No. 815, Derivatives and Hedging) will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this covenant.

        The Issuer will not permit any of its Unrestricted Subsidiaries to Incur any Indebtedness (including to issue any Disqualified Stock) other than Non-Recourse Debt. If at any time an Unrestricted Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be Incurred as of such date under this "Limitation on Indebtedness and Preferred Stock" covenant, the Issuer shall be in Default of this covenant).

        For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term Indebtedness, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit Indebtedness; provided that if such Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced. Notwithstanding any other provision of this covenant, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that any Person may Incur pursuant to this covenant shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rates of currencies. The principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if Incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such Refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

        The Indenture does not treat (1) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (2) senior Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

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Limitation on Restricted Payments

        The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to:

(any such dividend, distribution, purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, other acquisition, retirement or Restricted Investment referred to in clauses (1) through (4) shall be referred to herein as a "Restricted Payment"), if at the time the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:

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        The provisions of the preceding paragraph will not prohibit:

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        The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the Fair Market Value on the date of such Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment, except that the Fair Market Value of any non-cash dividend or distribution made within 60 days after the date of declaration shall be determined as of such date. The Fair Market Value of any cash

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Restricted Payment shall be its face amount and the Fair Market Value of any non-cash Restricted Payment shall be determined in accordance with the definition of that term. Not later than the date of making any Restricted Payment in excess of $15.0 million that will be included in subsequent calculations of the amount of Restricted Payments, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth the basis upon which the calculations required by the this covenant were computed.

        In the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the exceptions described in (1) through (12) above or is entitled to be made pursuant to the first paragraph above, the Issuer shall, in its sole discretion, classify such Restricted Payment.

        The Issuer will not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary to become a Restricted Subsidiary except pursuant to the last sentence of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary." For purpose of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent such Investments (i) are repaid or (ii) represent Permitted Investments) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of "Investment." Such designation will be permitted only if a Restricted Payment in such amount would be permitted at such time, whether pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant or under clause (12) of the second paragraph of this covenant, or pursuant to the definition of "Permitted Investments," and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to any of the restrictive covenants set forth in the Indenture.

Limitation on Liens

        The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien (the "Initial Lien") other than Permitted Liens upon any of its property or assets (including Capital Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries), including any income or profits therefrom, whether owned on the date of the Indenture or acquired after that date, which Lien is securing any Indebtedness, unless contemporaneously with the Incurrence of such Lien effective provision is made to secure the notes or, in respect of Liens on any Restricted Subsidiary's property or assets, any Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, equally and ratably with (or senior in priority to in the case of Liens with respect to Subordinated Obligations or Guarantor Subordinated Obligations, as the case may be) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien for so long as such Indebtedness is so secured.

        Any Lien created for the benefit of the holders of the notes pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the Initial Lien.

Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries

        The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any such Restricted Subsidiary to:

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        The preceding provisions will not prohibit:

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Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock

        The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any Asset Disposition unless:

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provided that pending the final application of any such Net Available Cash in accordance with clause (a) or clause (b) above, the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries may temporarily reduce Indebtedness or otherwise invest such Net Available Cash in any manner not prohibited by the Indenture.

        Any Net Available Cash from Asset Dispositions that is not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraph will be deemed to constitute "Excess Proceeds." Not later than the 366th day from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash, if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $20.0 million, the Issuer will be required to make an offer ("Asset Disposition Offer") to all holders of notes and, to the extent required by the terms of other Pari Passu Indebtedness, to all holders of other Pari Passu Indebtedness outstanding with similar provisions requiring the Issuer to make an offer to purchase such Pari Passu Indebtedness with the proceeds from any Asset Disposition ("Pari Passu Notes") to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and any such Pari Passu Notes to which the Asset Disposition Offer applies that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds, at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount (or, in the event such Pari Passu Indebtedness was issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof) of the notes and Pari Passu Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any (or in respect of such Pari Passu Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Indebtedness), to, but excluding, the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture or the agreements governing the Pari Passu Notes, as applicable, in each case in minimum principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. If the aggregate principal amount of notes surrendered by holders thereof and other Pari Passu Notes surrendered by holders or lenders, collectively, exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis on the basis of the aggregate principal amount of tendered notes and Pari Passu Notes. To the extent that the aggregate principal amount of notes and Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to an Asset Disposition Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for general corporate purposes, subject to the other covenants contained in the Indenture. Upon completion of such Asset Disposition Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.

        The Asset Disposition Offer will remain open for a period of 20 Business Days following its commencement, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the "Asset Disposition Offer Period"). No later than five Business Days after the termination of the Asset Disposition Offer Period (the "Asset Disposition Purchase Date"), the Issuer will purchase the principal amount of notes and Pari Passu Notes required to be purchased pursuant to this covenant (the "Asset Disposition Offer Amount") or, if less than the Asset Disposition Offer Amount has been so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, all notes and Pari Passu Notes validly tendered and not properly withdrawn in response to the Asset Disposition Offer.

        If the Asset Disposition Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no further interest will be payable to holders who tender notes pursuant to the Asset Disposition Offer.

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        On or before the Asset Disposition Purchase Date, the Issuer will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Asset Disposition Offer Amount of notes and Pari Passu Notes or portions of notes and Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn pursuant to the Asset Disposition Offer, or if less than the Asset Disposition Offer Amount has been validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, all notes and Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn, in each case in minimum principal amount of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Issuer in accordance with the terms of this covenant and, in addition, the Issuer will deliver all certificates and notes required, if any, by the agreements governing the Pari Passu Notes. The Issuer or the paying agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five Business Days after the termination of the Asset Disposition Offer Period) mail or deliver to each tendering holder of notes or holder or lender of Pari Passu Notes, as the case may be, an amount equal to the purchase price of the notes or Pari Passu Notes so validly tendered and not properly withdrawn by such holder or lender, as the case may be, and accepted by the Issuer for purchase, and the Issuer will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon delivery of an Officers' Certificate from the Issuer, will authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note to such holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered; provided that each such new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000. In addition, the Issuer will take any and all other actions required by the agreements governing the Pari Passu Notes. Any Note not so accepted will be promptly mailed or delivered by the Issuer to the holder thereof. The Issuer will publicly announce the results of the Asset Disposition Offer on the Asset Disposition Purchase Date.

        The Issuer will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of notes pursuant to an Asset Disposition Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, the Issuer will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under the Indenture by virtue of its compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

        For the purposes of clause (2) of the first paragraph of this covenant, the following will be deemed to be cash:

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 75% limitation referred to in clause (2) of the first paragraph of this covenant shall be deemed satisfied with respect to any Asset Disposition in which the cash or

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Cash Equivalents portion of the consideration received therefrom, determined in accordance with the foregoing provision on an after-tax basis, is equal to or greater than what the after-tax proceeds would have been had such Asset Disposition complied with the aforementioned 75% limitation.

        The requirement of clause (3)(b) of the first paragraph of this covenant above shall be deemed to be satisfied if an agreement (including a lease, whether a capital lease or an operating lease) committing to make the acquisitions or expenditures referred to therein is entered into by the Issuer or its Restricted Subsidiary within the specified time period and such Net Available Cash is subsequently applied in accordance with such agreement within six months following such agreement.

        The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in any Asset Swaps, unless:

Limitation on Affiliate Transactions

        The Issuer will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, make, amend or conduct any transaction (including making a payment to, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any service), contract, agreement or understanding with or for the benefit of any Affiliate of the Issuer (an "Affiliate Transaction") unless:

        The preceding paragraph will not apply to:

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Provision of Financial Information

        Whether or not we are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to the extent not prohibited by the Exchange Act, we will file with the SEC, and make available to the Trustee and the holders of the notes without cost to any holder, the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and applicable to a U.S. corporation within the time periods specified therein with respect to a non-accelerated filer. In the event that we are not permitted to file such reports, documents and information with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act, we will nevertheless make available such Exchange Act information to the Trustee and the holders of the notes without cost to any holder as if the Issuer were subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act within the time periods specified therein with respect to a non-accelerated filer.

        If we have designated any of our Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries, then the financial information required will include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in any accompanying Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, of the financial condition and results of operations of us and our Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

        The availability of the foregoing materials on the SEC's website or on our website shall be deemed to satisfy the foregoing delivery obligations.

Merger and Consolidation

        The Issuer will not consolidate with or merge with or into or wind up into (whether or not it is the surviving Person), or sell, lease, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person, unless:

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        For purposes of this covenant, the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Issuer, which assets, if held by the Issuer instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Issuer.

        The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Issuer under the Indenture; and its predecessor, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, will be released from all obligations under the Indenture and the notes.

        Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve "all or substantially all" of the assets of a Person.

        Notwithstanding the preceding clause (3), (x) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate with, merge into or wind up into, or dispose of all or part of its assets to the Issuer and the Issuer may consolidate with, merge into or wind up into, or dispose of all or part of its assets to a Subsidiary Guarantor and (y) the Issuer may merge with or into an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reorganizing the Issuer in another jurisdiction; and provided further that, in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary that consolidates with, merges into, winds up into or disposes of all or part of its properties and assets to the Issuer, the Issuer will not be required to comply with the preceding clause (5).

        In addition, the Issuer will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate with, merge with or into or wind up into, and will not permit the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor to, any Person (other than the Issuer or another Subsidiary Guarantor) unless:

Future Subsidiary Guarantors

        We will cause (a) each of our Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (other than a Foreign Subsidiary) formed or acquired after the Issue Date and (b) any other Domestic Subsidiary that is not already a Subsidiary Guarantor that guarantees any of our Indebtedness or any Indebtedness of a Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case to execute and deliver to the Trustee within 30 days a supplemental indenture

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(in the form specified in the Indenture) pursuant to which such Subsidiary will unconditionally guarantee, on a joint and several basis, the full and prompt payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes on a senior basis; provided that any Restricted Subsidiary that constitutes an Immaterial Subsidiary need not become a Subsidiary Guarantor until such time as it ceases to be an Immaterial Subsidiary.

Covenant Termination

        From and after the occurrence of an Investment Grade Rating Event, we and our Restricted Subsidiaries will no longer be subject to the provisions of the Indenture described above under "—Certain Covenants" under the following subheadings:

(collectively, the "Eliminated Covenants"). As a result, after the date on which we and our Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer subject to the Eliminated Covenants, the notes will be entitled to substantially reduced covenant protection.

        After the foregoing covenants have been terminated, we may not designate any of our Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the second sentence of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary."

Events of Default

        Each of the following is an Event of Default with respect to the notes:

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        However, a default under clauses (4) and (5) of this paragraph will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes notify the Issuer in writing and, in the case of a notice given by the holders, the Trustee of the default and the Issuer does not cure such default within the time specified in clauses (4) and (5) of this paragraph after receipt of such notice.

        If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause (7) above) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Issuer, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes by notice to the Issuer and the Trustee, may, and the Trustee at the request of such holders shall, declare the principal of, premium, if any, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the notes to be due and payable. If an Event of Default described in clause (7) above occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the notes and its consequences if, among other requirements, (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

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        Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in clause (6) above shall have occurred and be continuing, such Event of Default and any consequential acceleration (to the extent not in violation of any applicable law or in conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction) shall be automatically rescinded if (i) the Indebtedness that is the subject of such Event of Default has been repaid or (ii) if the default relating to such Indebtedness is waived by the holders of such Indebtedness or cured and if such Indebtedness has been accelerated, then the holders thereof have rescinded their declaration of acceleration in respect of such Indebtedness, in each case within 20 days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto, and (iii) any other existing Events of Default, except nonpayment of principal, premium or interest on the notes that became due solely because of the acceleration of the notes, have been cured or waived.

        Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the notes unless:

        Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will be required in the exercise of its powers to use the degree of care that a prudent person would use in the conduct of his own affairs. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

        If a Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee must send to each holder notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any note, the Trustee may withhold such notice if and so long as a committee of trust officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the holders. In addition, the Issuer is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. The Issuer also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any Defaults, their status and what action the Issuer is taking or proposing to take in respect thereof.

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Amendments and Waivers

        Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture and the notes may be amended with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes). However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding note affected, no amendment may, among other things:

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder, the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture and the notes to:

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        The consent of the holders will not be necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. A consent to any amendment or waiver under the Indenture by any holder of notes given in connection with a tender of such holder's notes will not be rendered invalid by such tender. After an amendment under the Indenture requiring the consent of the holders becomes effective, the Issuer will be required to send to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all the holders, or any defect in the notice will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

Defeasance

        The Issuer at any time may terminate all its obligations under the notes and the Indenture ("legal defeasance"), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the notes.

        The Issuer at any time may terminate its obligations described under "—Change of Control" and the obligations of itself under the covenants described under "—Certain Covenants" (other than clauses (1), (2), (4) and (5) of "—Merger and Consolidation"), the operation of the cross default upon a payment default, cross acceleration provisions, the bankruptcy provisions with respect to Significant Subsidiaries, the judgment default provision, the Subsidiary Guarantee provision described under "—Events of Default" above and the limitations contained in clause (3) under "—Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation" above ("covenant defeasance").

        If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance or its covenant defeasance option, the Guarantees in effect at such time will terminate.

        The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect to the notes. If the Issuer exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clause (4), (5), (6), (7) (with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries), (8) or (9) under "—Events of Default" above or because of the failure of the Issuer to comply with clause (3) under "—Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation" above.

        In order to exercise either legal defeasance or covenant defeasance:

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Satisfaction and Discharge

        The Indenture will be satisfied and discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all notes issued thereunder, when:

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        In addition, the Issuer must deliver an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.

No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders

        No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder, member, partner or trustee of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the notes, the Indenture or the Guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder by accepting a note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the notes.

Concerning the Trustee

        Wells Fargo Bank, National Association is the Trustee under the Indenture and is the registrar and paying agent with regard to the notes. Such bank is the trustee under the indenture for each other series of senior notes of the Issuer and a lender under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement.

        The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; provided, however, that if it acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in the Trust Indenture Act) while any Default exists it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as Trustee with such conflict or resign as Trustee.

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Governing Law

        The Indenture and the notes are governed by, and will be construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Additional Information

        Anyone who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the Indenture without charge by writing to Antero Resources Corporation, 1615 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.

Certain Definitions

        "Acquired Indebtedness" means Indebtedness (i) of a Person or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes or is merged with and into a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case whether or not Incurred by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such acquisition. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (i) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes or is merged with and into a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (ii) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of assets.

        "Additional Assets" means:

provided, however, that, in the case of clauses (3) and (4), such Restricted Subsidiary is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

        "Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" of the Issuer means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, the remainder of:

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minus

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        If the Issuer changes its method of accounting from the successful efforts method of accounting to the full cost or a similar method, "Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" will continue to be calculated as if the Issuer were still using the successful efforts method of accounting.

        "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control' when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

        "Asset Disposition" means any direct or indirect sale, lease (including by means of Production Payments and Reserve Sales and a Sale/Leaseback Transaction but excluding an operating lease entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business), transfer, issuance or other disposition, or a series of related sales, leases, transfers, issuances or dispositions that are part of a common plan, of (A) any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries issued in compliance with the covenant described under the heading "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness and Preferred Stock," and directors' qualifying shares or shares required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary), (B) all or substantially all the assets of any division or line of business of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (excluding any division or line of business the assets of which are owned by an Unrestricted Subsidiary) or (C) any other assets of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of business of the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a "disposition"), in each case by the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction.

        Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items shall not be deemed to be Asset Dispositions:

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        "Asset Swap" means any substantially contemporaneous (and in any event occurring within 180 days of each other) purchase and sale or exchange of any oil or natural gas properties or assets or interests therein between the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided, that any cash received must be applied in accordance with "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" as if the Asset Swap were an Asset Disposition.

        "Average Life" means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by (2) the sum of all such payments.

        "Beneficial Owner" has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular "person" (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such "person" will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such "person" has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms "Beneficially Owns" and "Beneficially Owned" have a corresponding meaning. For purposes of this definition, a Person shall not be deemed to Beneficially Own securities that are the

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subject of a stock purchase agreement, merger agreement or similar agreement until consummation of the transactions or, as applicable, series of related transactions contemplated thereby.

        "Board of Directors" means, as to any Person that is a corporation, the board of directors of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof or as to any Person that is not a corporation, the board of managers or such other individual or group serving a similar function.

        "Business Day" means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions in New York, New York are authorized or required by law to close.

        "Capital Stock" of any Person means any and all shares, units, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity.

        "Capitalized Lease Obligations" means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation will be the capitalized amount of such obligation at the time any determination thereof is to be made as determined in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof will be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date such lease may be terminated without penalty. Notwithstanding the preceding, any lease (whether entered into before or after the Issue Date) that would have been classified as an operating lease pursuant to GAAP as in effect on the Issue Date will be deemed not to represent a Capitalized Lease Obligation.

        "Cash Equivalents" means:

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        "Cash Management Obligations" means, with respect to the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, any obligations of such Person to U.S. Bank National Association or any other lender in respect of treasury management arrangements, depositary or other cash management services, including any treasury management line of credit.

        "Change of Control" means:

        Notwithstanding the preceding, a conversion of the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from a limited liability company, corporation, limited partnership or other form of entity to a limited liability company, corporation, limited partnership or other form of entity or an exchange of all of the outstanding Capital Stock in one form of entity for Capital Stock for another form of entity shall not constitute a Change of Control, so long as following such conversion or exchange the "persons" (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) who Beneficially Owned the Capital Stock of the Issuer immediately prior to such transactions continue to Beneficially Own in the aggregate more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity, or continue to Beneficially Own sufficient Equity Interests in such entity to elect a majority of its directors, managers, trustees or other persons serving in a similar capacity for such entity, and, in either case no "person" Beneficially Owns more than 50% of the Voting Stock of such entity.

        "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

        "Commodity Agreements" means, in respect of any Person, any forward contract, commodity swap agreement, commodity option agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement in respect of Hydrocarbons used, produced, processed or sold by such Person that are customary in the Oil and Gas Business and designed to protect such Person against fluctuation in Hydrocarbon prices.

        "Common Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests or other participations in, and other equivalents (however designated and whether voting or nonvoting) of such Person's common stock whether or not outstanding on the Issue Date, and includes, without limitation, all series and classes of such common stock.

        "Consolidated Coverage Ratio" means as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDAX of the Issuer for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of such determination for which financial statements

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are in existence to (y) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters, provided, however, that:

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        For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any calculation under this definition, the pro forma calculations will be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Issuer; provided that such officer may in his or her discretion include any reasonably identifiable and factually supportable pro forma changes to Consolidated EBITDAX, including any pro forma expenses and cost reductions, that have occurred or in the judgment of such officer are reasonably expected to occur within 12 months of the date of the applicable transaction (regardless of whether such expense or cost reduction or any other operating improvements could then be reflected properly in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the SEC). If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the average rate in effect from the beginning of such period to the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness, but if the remaining term of such Interest Rate Agreement is less than 12 months, then such Interest Rate Agreement shall only be taken into account for that portion of the period equal to the remaining term thereof). If any Indebtedness that is being given pro forma effect bears an interest rate at the option of the Issuer, the interest rate shall be calculated by applying such optional rate chosen by the Issuer. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Issuer may designate.

        "Consolidated EBITDAX" for any period means, without duplication, the Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus the following, without duplication and to the extent deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:

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        Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, clauses (2) through (6) relating to amounts of a Restricted Subsidiary of the Issuer will be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute Consolidated EBITDAX of the Issuer only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income (loss) of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating the Consolidated Net Income of the Issuer and, to the extent the amounts set forth in clauses (2) through (6) are in excess of those necessary to offset a net loss of such Restricted Subsidiary or if such Restricted Subsidiary has net income for such period included in Consolidated Net Income, only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Issuer by such Restricted Subsidiary (unless it is a Subsidiary Guarantor) without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or the holders of its Capital Stock.

        "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" means, with respect to any period, the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes (including state franchise taxes) of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP.

        "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the total consolidated interest expense (less interest income) of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether paid or accrued, plus, to the extent not included in such interest expense and without duplication:

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minus, to the extent included above, any interest attributable to Dollar Denominated Production Payments.

        For the purpose of calculating the Consolidated Coverage Ratio in connection with the Incurrence of any Indebtedness described in the final paragraph of the definition of "Indebtedness," the calculation of Consolidated Interest Expense shall include all interest expense (including any amounts described in clauses (1) through (8) above) relating to any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary described in the final paragraph of the definition of "Indebtedness."

        "Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the aggregate net income (loss) of the Issuer and its consolidated Subsidiaries determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends of such Person; provided, however, that there will not be included (to the extent otherwise included therein) in such Consolidated Net Income:

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        "Credit Facility" means, with respect to the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Senior Secured Credit Agreement), indentures or commercial paper facilities providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, capital markets financings, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time (and whether or not with the original administrative agent and lenders or another administrative agent or agents or other lenders and whether provided under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement or any other credit or other agreement or indenture).

        "Currency Agreement" means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement, futures contract, option contract or other similar agreement as to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

        "Customary Recourse Exceptions" means, with respect to any Non-Recourse Debt of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, exclusions from the exculpation provisions with respect to such Non-Recourse Debt for the voluntary bankruptcy of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, fraud, misapplication of cash, environmental claims, waste, willful destruction and other circumstances customarily excluded by lenders from exculpation provisions or included in separate indemnification agreements in non-recourse financings.

        "Default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

        "Disqualified Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock or upon the happening of any event:

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in each case on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the earlier of the date (a) of the Stated Maturity of the notes or (b) on which there are no notes outstanding; provided that only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided further, that any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the holders thereof have the right to require the Issuer to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale (each defined in a substantially identical manner to the corresponding definitions in the Indenture) shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) provide that (i) the Issuer may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock (and all such securities into which it is convertible or for which it is ratable or exchangeable) pursuant to such provision prior to compliance by the Issuer with the provisions of the Indenture described under the captions "—Change of Control" and "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock" and (ii) such repurchase or redemption will be permitted solely to the extent also permitted in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture described under the caption "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments."

        "Dollar Denominated Production Payments" means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

        "Domestic Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

        "Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

        "Equity Offering" means a public or private offering for cash by the Issuer of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock), other than public offerings registered on Form S-8.

        "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.

        "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset or property, the sale value that would be obtained in an arm's length free market transaction between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and an informed and willing buyer under no compulsion to buy. Fair Market Value of an asset or property in excess of $10.0 million shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Issuer acting in good faith, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of such Board of Directors, and any lesser Fair Market Value may be determined by an officer of the Issuer acting in good faith.

        "Foreign Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that is not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

        "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time. All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in the Indenture will be computed in conformity with GAAP.

        "Guarantee" means, individually, any guarantee of payment of the notes by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the terms of the Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto, and, collectively, all such guarantees.

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        The term "guarantee" means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

provided, however, that the term "guarantee' will not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or any obligation to the extent it is payable only in Capital Stock of the Subsidiary Guarantor that is not Disqualified Stock. The term "guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

        "Guarantor Subordinated Obligation" means, with respect to a Subsidiary Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee pursuant to a written agreement.

        "Hedging Obligations" of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or Commodity Agreement.

        "holder" means a Person in whose name a note is registered on the registrar's books.

        "Hydrocarbons" means oil, natural gas, casing head gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and products refined or processed therefrom.

        "Immaterial Subsidiary" means, as of any date, any Restricted Subsidiary whose total assets, as of the end of the most recent month for which financial statements are available, are less than $1,000,000 and whose total revenues for the most recent 12-month period for which financial statements are available do not exceed $1,000,000; provided that a Restricted Subsidiary will not be considered to be an Immaterial Subsidiary if it, directly or indirectly, guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Issuer.

        "Incur" means issue, create, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable for, contingently or otherwise; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) will be deemed to be Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; and the terms "Incurred" and "Incurrence" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

        "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication, whether or not contingent):

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provided, however, that any indebtedness which has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or Cash Equivalents (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all such indebtedness obligations at maturity or redemption, as applicable, and all payments of interest and premium, if any) in a trust or account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders of such indebtedness, and subject to no other Liens, shall not constitute "Indebtedness."

        The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date will be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligation, of any contingent obligations at such date.

        Notwithstanding the preceding, "Indebtedness" of a Person shall not include:

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        In addition, "Indebtedness" of any Person shall include Indebtedness described in the first paragraph of this definition of "Indebtedness" that would not appear as a liability on the balance sheet of such Person if:

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        "Interest Rate Agreement" means with respect to any Person any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a beneficiary.

        "Investment" means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of any direct or indirect advance, loan or other extensions of credit (including by way of guarantee or similar arrangement, but excluding any debt or extension of credit represented by a bank deposit other than a time deposit and advances or extensions of credit to customers in the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments (excluding any interest in a crude oil or natural gas leasehold to the extent constituting a security under applicable law) issued by, such other Person and all other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that none of the following will be deemed to be an Investment:

        The amount of any Investment shall not be adjusted for increases or decreases in value, write-ups, write downs or write-offs with respect to such Investment.

        For purposes of the definition of "Unrestricted Subsidiary" and the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments,"

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        "Investment Grade Rating" means a rating equal to or higher than:

or, if either such entity ceases to make a rating on the notes publicly available for reasons outside of the Issuer's control, the equivalent investment grade credit rating from any other Rating Agency.

        "Investment Grade Rating Event" means the first day on which the notes have an Investment Grade Rating from each Rating Agency, and no Default has occurred and is then continuing under the Indenture.

        "Issue Date" means December 21, 2016, the first date on which the notes were issued under the Indenture.

        "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien (statutory or otherwise), pledge, hypothecation, charge, security interest, preference, priority or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

        "Minority Interest" means the percentage interest represented by any class of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that are not owned by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary.

        "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

        "Net Available Cash" from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise and net proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any securities received as consideration, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition or received in any other non-cash form), including consideration deemed to be cash pursuant to the seventh paragraph of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock," therefrom, in each case net of:

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provided, however, that if any consideration for an Asset Disposition (that would otherwise constitute Net Available Cash) is required to be held in escrow pending determination of whether or not a purchase price adjustment will be made, such consideration (or any portion thereof) shall become Net Available Cash only at such time as it is released to the Issuer or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from escrow.

        "Net Cash Proceeds," with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock or any contribution to equity capital, means the cash proceeds of such issuance, sale or contribution net of attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, underwriters' or placement agents' fees, listing fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees and charges actually Incurred in connection with such issuance, sale or contribution and net of taxes paid or payable as a result of such issuance or sale (after taking into account any available tax credit or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements).

        "Net Working Capital" means (a) the sum of (i) all current assets of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current assets from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, plus (ii) the amount of revolving credit borrowings available to be Incurred under the Senior Secured Credit Agreement, less (b) all current liabilities of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities (i) associated with asset retirement obligations relating to oil and gas properties, (ii) included in Indebtedness and (iii) any current liabilities from commodity price risk management activities arising in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, in each case as set forth in the consolidated financial statements of the Issuer prepared in accordance with GAAP.

        "Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness of a Person:

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        "Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Issuer. Officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

        "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers of the Issuer.

        "Oil and Gas Business" means:

        "Oil and Gas Properties" means all properties, including equity or other ownership interests therein, owned by a Person which contain or are believed to contain oil and gas reserves.

        "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer, a Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee.

        "Pari Passu Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor that ranks equally in right of payment to the notes or the Guarantees, as the case may be.

        "Permitted Acquisition Indebtedness" means Indebtedness (including Disqualified Stock) of the Issuer or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such Indebtedness was Indebtedness:

provided that on the date such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or the date such Person was merged, consolidated and amalgamated with or into the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, after giving pro forma effect thereto,

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        "Permitted Business Investment" means any Investment made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil, natural gas or other Hydrocarbons and minerals through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of the Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties including:

        For the avoidance of doubt, any Investments by the Issuer pursuant to the Amended and Restated Contribution Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2014, by and between Antero Midstream Partners LP and the Issuer shall constitute Permitted Business Investments.

        "Permitted Holder" means each of (i) Warburg Pincus & Co.; (ii) Paul M. Rady ("Rady"); (iii) Glen C. Warren, Jr. ("Warren"); (iv) Rady's wife or Warren's wife; (v) any lineal descendant of either Rady or Warren; (vi) the guardian or other legal representative of either Rady or Warren; (vii) the estate of either Rady or Warren; (viii) any trust of which at least one of the trustees is either Rady or Warren, or the principal beneficiaries of which are any one or more of the Persons referred to in the preceding clauses (ii) through (vii); (ix) any Person that is controlled by any one or more of the Persons in the preceding clauses (i) through (viii); and (x) any group (within the meaning of the Exchange Act) that includes one or more of the Persons described in the preceding clauses (i) through (ix), provided that such Persons described in the preceding clauses (i) through (ix) control more than 50% of the total voting power of such group.

        "Permitted Investment" means an Investment by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary in:

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        "Permitted Liens" means, with respect to any Person:

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        In each case set forth above, notwithstanding any stated limitation on the assets that may be subject to such Lien, a Permitted Lien on a specified asset or group or type of assets may include Liens on all improvements, additions and accessions thereto and all products and proceeds thereof (including dividends, distributions and increases in respect thereof).

        "Permitted Tax Distributions" means, for any calendar year or portion thereof during which the Issuer was a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, any payments or distributions made by the Issuer to its members on or about each estimated tax payment date as well as each other applicable due date to enable the members of the Issuer (or, if any of them is itself a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the owners of such member's Capital Stock) to make payments of U.S. federal and state income taxes (including estimates thereof) as a result of the operations of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries during the current or any previous calendar year, not to exceed an amount equal to each such member's (or in the case of a pass-through entity, the owners of its Capital Stock) U.S. federal and state income tax liability resulting solely from the pass-through tax treatment of such member's (or its owners') interest in the Issuer and as calculated pursuant to the terms of the limited liability company agreement of the Issuer as in effect on the Prior Issue Date and as it may have been amended thereafter in a manner that was not, considered as a whole, adverse to the holders of the notes.

        "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

        "Preferred Stock," as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation or other Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation or other Person, over Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation or other Person.

        "Prior Issue Date" means November 19, 2012, the initial date of issuance of the Issuer's 6.0% Senior Notes due 2020.

        "Production Payments and Reserve Sales" means the grant or transfer by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary to any Person of a royalty, overriding royalty, net profits interest, production payment (whether volumetric or dollar denominated), partnership or other interest in Oil and Gas Properties, reserves or the right to receive all or a portion of the production or the proceeds from the sale of production attributable to such properties where the holder of such interest has recourse solely to such production or proceeds of production, subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to operate and maintain, or cause the subject interests to be operated and maintained, in a reasonably prudent manner or other customary standard or subject to the obligation of the grantor or transferor to indemnify for environmental, title or other matters customary in the Oil and Gas Business, including any such grants or transfers pursuant to incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists or other providers of technical services to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary.

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        "Rating Agency" means each of S&P and Moody's, or if S&P or Moody's or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Issuer (as certified by a resolution of the Board of Directors) which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody's, or both, as the case may be.

        "Rating Decline" means the occurrence of a decrease of one or more gradations (including gradations within rating categories as well as between rating categories) in the rating of the notes by either Rating Agency.

        "Refinancing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund, refinance, replace, exchange, renew, repay, extend, prepay, redeem or retire (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) (collectively, "refinance" and "refinances" and "refinanced" shall have correlative meanings) any Indebtedness (including Indebtedness of the Issuer that refinances Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary and Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of another Restricted Subsidiary, but excluding Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary), including Indebtedness that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness, provided, however, that:

        "Registration Rights Agreement" means that certain registration rights agreement dated as of the Issue Date by and among the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the initial purchasers set forth therein and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more substantially similar registration rights agreement among the Issuer and the other parties thereto, as any such agreement may be amended from time to time.

        "Reporting Failure" means the failure of the Issuer to file with the SEC and make available or otherwise deliver to the Trustee and each holder of notes, within the time periods specified in "—Certain Covenants—Provision of Financial Information" (after giving effect to any grace period specified under Rule 12b-25 under the Exchange Act), the periodic reports, information, documents or other reports which the Issuer may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to such provision.

        "Restricted Investment" means any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

        "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Issuer other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

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        "S&P" means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

        "Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired whereby the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person.

        "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

        "Senior Secured Credit Agreement" means the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 4, 2010, among the Issuer, as borrower, certain subsidiaries of the Issuer, as guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lender parties thereto from time to time, including any guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and any amendments, supplements, modifications, extensions, renewals, restatements, refundings or refinancings thereof and any indentures or credit facilities or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders or investors that replace, refund or refinance any part of the loans, notes, other credit facilities or commitments thereunder, including any such replacement, refunding or refinancing facility or indenture that increases the amount borrowable thereunder or alters the maturity thereof (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness and Preferred Stock" above).

        "Significant Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a "Significant Subsidiary" of the Issuer within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC, as in effect on the Issue Date.

        "Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision, but shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

        "Subordinated Obligation" means any Indebtedness of the Issuer (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the notes pursuant to a written agreement.

        "Subsidiary" of any Person means (a) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total ordinary voting power of its Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof (or Persons performing similar functions) or (b) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, that is, in the case of clauses (a) and (b), at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (1) such Person, (2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. Unless otherwise specified in the Indenture or the context indicates otherwise, each reference to a Subsidiary (other than in this definition) will refer to a Subsidiary of the Issuer.

        "Subsidiary Guarantors" means any Subsidiary of the Issuer that is a guarantor of the notes, including any Person that is required after the Issue Date to guarantee the notes pursuant to the "Future Subsidiary Guarantors" covenant, in each case until a successor replaces such Person pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Indenture and, thereafter, means such successor.

        "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means:

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        The Board of Directors of the Issuer may designate any Subsidiary of the Issuer (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger or consolidation or Investment therein) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary only if:

        Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Issuer shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuer giving effect to such designation and an Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complies with the foregoing conditions. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the foregoing requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it shall thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of the Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be Incurred as of such date.

        The Board of Directors of the Issuer may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof and the Issuer could Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the first paragraph of the covenant described under "—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness and Preferred Stock" on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation.

        "U.S. Government Obligations" means securities that are (a) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government

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Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depositary receipt.

        "Volumetric Production Payments" means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

        "Voting Stock" of an entity means all classes of Capital Stock of such entity then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of members of such entity's Board of Directors.

        "Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" means a Restricted Subsidiary, all of the Capital Stock of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) is owned by Issuer or another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

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BOOK ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM

        The new notes initially will be represented by one or more permanent global notes in registered form without interest coupons (the "Global Notes").

        The Global Notes will be deposited upon issuance with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") and registered in the name of DTC's nominee, Cede & Co., in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant in DTC as described below. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may be held through Euroclear Bank N.A./S.V., as operator of the Euroclear System ("Euroclear"), and the Clearstream Banking, S.A. ("Clearstream") (as indirect participants in DTC).

        The Global Notes may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for notes in registered, certificated form ("Certificated Notes") except in the limited circumstances described below. See "—Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes."

Depository Procedures

        The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream are provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of their respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. We take no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the systems or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

        DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between these participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants. The participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC's system is also available to indirect participants, which include other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. Persons who are not participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the participants or the indirect participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the participants and indirect participants.

        DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established by it:

        Investors in the Global Notes who are participants in DTC's system may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the Global Notes who are not participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations (including Euroclear and Clearstream) which are participants in such system.

        Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests in the Global Notes on behalf of their participants through customers' securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositaries. All interests in a Global Note, including those held through Euroclear or Clearstream, may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. Interests held through Euroclear or Clearstream may also be subject to the procedures and requirements of such systems. The laws of some

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states require that certain Persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such Persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of participants, which in turn act on behalf of indirect participants, the ability of a Person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.

        Except as described below, owners of interests in the Global Notes will not have notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or "holders" thereof under the Indenture for any purpose.

        Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered Holder under the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, we and the Trustee will treat the Persons in whose names the notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, none of us, the Trustee or any agent of ours or the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for:

        DTC has advised us that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the notes (including principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant participants with the payment on the payment date in accordance with instructions provided to DTC. Each relevant participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the participants and the indirect participants to the beneficial owners of notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the participants or the indirect participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the Trustee or us. Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the notes, and we and the Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.

        Subject to the transfer restrictions set forth under "Notice to Investors," transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC's procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds, and transfers between participants in Euroclear and Clearstream will be effected in accordance with their respective rules and operating procedures.

        Subject to compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the notes described herein, cross-market transfers between the participants in DTC, on the one hand, and Euroclear and Clearstream participants, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with DTC's rules on behalf of each of Euroclear and Clearstream, as the case may be, by their respective depositaries; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (Brussels time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the relevant global note to or from DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear

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participants and Clearstream participants may not deliver instructions directly to the depositaries for Euroclear or Clearstream.

        DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a Holder of notes only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the global notes and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the notes as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an Event of Default under the notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the global notes for legended notes in certificated form, and to distribute such notes to its participants.

        Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of interests in the global notes among participants in DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or to continue to perform such procedures, and may discontinue such procedures at any time. None of us, the Trustee or any agent of ours or the Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC, Euroclear, Clearstream, or their respective participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes

        A Global Note is exchangeable for definitive notes in registered certificated form, which we refer to as certificated notes, if:

        In addition, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be exchanged for certificated notes upon prior written notice given to the Trustee by or on behalf of DTC in accordance with the Indenture. In all cases, certificated notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in global notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures).

Exchange of Certificated Notes for Global Notes

        Certificated notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in any Global Note unless the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate, in the form provided in the Indenture, to the effect that such transfer will comply with the appropriate transfer restrictions applicable to such notes.

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CERTAIN UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

        The following discussion is a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to the exchange of old notes for new notes, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. The discussion is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), Treasury Regulations, Internal Revenue Service rulings and pronouncements and judicial decisions now in effect, all of which may be subject to at any time by legislative, judicial or administrative action. These changes may be applied retroactively in a manner that could adversely affect a holder of notes. Some holders, including financial institutions, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, tax-exempt organizations, dealers in securities or currencies, U.S. persons whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, or persons who hold the notes as part of a hedge, conversion transaction, straddle or other risk reduction transaction may be subject to special rules not discussed below.

        We recommend that each holder consult its own tax advisor as to the particular tax consequences of exchanging such holder's old notes for new notes, including the applicability and effect of any foreign, state, local or other tax laws or estate or gift tax considerations.

        The exchange of old notes for new notes will not be an exchange or otherwise a taxable event to a holder for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, a holder will not recognize gain or loss upon receipt of a new note in exchange for an old note in the exchange, and the holder will have the same tax basis and holding period in the new note as it had in the corresponding old note immediately before the exchange.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        You may transfer new notes issued under the Exchange Offer in exchange for the old notes if:

        Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for old notes that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where such old notes were acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities.

        If you wish to exchange new notes for your old notes in the Exchange Offer, you will be required to make representations to us as described in "The Exchange Offer—Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer" and "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering" in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal. In addition, if you are a broker-dealer who receives new notes for your own account in exchange for old notes that were acquired by you as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, you will be required to acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale by you of such new notes.

        We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of new notes by broker-dealers. New notes received by broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time on one or more transactions in any of the following ways:

        Any such resale may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such new notes.

        Any broker-dealer that resells new notes that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer in exchange for old notes that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of market-making or other trading activities may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. We agreed to provide sufficient copies of the latest version of this prospectus to broker-dealers promptly upon request at any time during the period ending on the earlier of (i) 180 days from the date on which the Registration Statement is declared effective and (ii) the date on which a broker-dealer is no longer required to deliver a prospectus in connection with

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market-making or other trading activities. Furthermore, we agreed to use our commercially reasonable efforts to amend or supplement this prospectus during such period if so requested in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any new notes by broker-dealers.

        We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the performance of or compliance with the Registration Rights Agreement, other than underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of the notes by a holder and will indemnify the holders of the old notes (including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the new notes offered in the Exchange Offer and certain other legal matters will be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements of Antero Resources Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2015 and 2016, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 have been incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        The information incorporated by reference into this prospectus regarding estimates of our natural gas and oil reserves, related future net cash flows and the present values thereof related to our Appalachian Basin properties as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were based in part upon reserve reports audited by independent petroleum engineers, DeGolyer and MacNaughton. We have included these estimates in reliance on the authority of such firms as an expert in such matters.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. You may also access the information we file electronically with the SEC through our website at www.anteroresources.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information included on, or linked from, our website (other than to the extent specified elsewhere herein), and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus. You may also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about Antero Resources Corporation at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, NY 10005.

        We "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus, which means that we disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information contained expressly in this prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is current as of any date other than the date on the cover page of this prospectus.

        Any information that we file under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act from the date of this prospectus until the notes offering pursuant to this registration statement is terminated, and that is deemed "filed" with the SEC, will automatically update and supersede this information. We also incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

        In addition, we incorporate by reference in this prospectus any future filings made by us 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 any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 on any Current Report on Form 8-K), after the date on which the registration statement that includes this prospectus was initially filed with the SEC and until the registration statement that includes this prospectus is declared effective by the SEC.

        You can obtain copies of any of these documents without charge upon written or oral request by requesting them in writing or by telephone at:

Antero Resources Corporation
1615 Wynkoop St.
Denver, Colorado 80202
(303) 357-7310

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Annex A

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

TO TENDER
OLD 5.0% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2025
OF

ANTERO RESOURCES CORPORATION

PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND PROSPECTUS
DATED JUNE 23, 2017

        THE EXCHANGE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 11:59 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON JULY 21, 2017 (THE "EXPIRATION DATE"), UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE ISSUER.

        The Exchange Agent for the Exchange Offer is Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and its contact information is as follows:

By Registered & Certified Mail:   By Regular Mail or Overnight Courier:   In Person by Hand Only:
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.   Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.   Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations   Corporate Trust Operations   12th Floor—Northstar East Building
MAC N9303—121   MAC N9303—121   Corporate Trust Operations
PO Box 1517   Sixth & Marquette Avenue   608 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55480   Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479   Minneapolis, MN 55402

 

 

By Facsimile

 

 
    (for Eligible Institutions only):    
    (877) 407-4679    

 

 

For Information or Confirmation by

 

 
    Telephone:    
    (800) 344-5128    

        If you wish to exchange your issued and outstanding 5.0% Senior Notes due 2025 (the "old notes") for an equal aggregate principal amount of 5.0% Senior Notes due 2025 (the "new notes") with substantially identical terms that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), pursuant to the Exchange Offer, you must validly tender (and not withdraw) old notes to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date.

        We refer you to the prospectus, dated June 23, 2017 (the "Prospectus"), of Antero Resources Corporation (the "Issuer") and this Letter of Transmittal (this "Letter of Transmittal"), which together describe the Issuer's offer (the "Exchange Offer") to exchange the old notes for a like aggregate principal amount of new notes. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meaning given to them in the Prospectus.

        The Issuer reserves the right, at any time or from time to time, to extend the Exchange Offer at its discretion, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest date to which the Exchange Offer is extended. The Issuer shall notify the Exchange Agent and each registered holder of the old notes of any extension by oral or written notice prior to 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled Expiration Date.

        This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by holders of the old notes. Tender of the old notes in book-entry form is to be made according to the Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") of The

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Depository Trust Company ("DTC") pursuant to the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering." DTC participants that are accepting the Exchange Offer must transmit their acceptance to DTC, which will verify the acceptance and execute a book-entry delivery to the Exchange Agent's DTC account. DTC will then send a computer generated message known as an "agent's message" to the Exchange Agent for its acceptance. For you to validly tender your old notes in the Exchange Offer, the Exchange Agent must receive, prior to the Expiration Date, an agent's message under the ATOP procedures that confirms that:

        BY USING THE ATOP PROCEDURES TO TENDER OLD NOTES, YOU WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT. HOWEVER, YOU WILL BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS, AND YOU WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IT CONTAINS, JUST AS IF YOU HAD SIGNED IT.

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PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        You may, if you are unable to make all of the representations and warranties contained in Item 5 above and as otherwise permitted in the Registration Rights Agreement (as defined below), elect to have your old notes registered in the shelf registration statement described in the Registration Rights

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Agreement, dated December 21, 2016 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), by and among the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers (as defined therein), on behalf of the purchasers of the old notes. Such election may be made by notifying the Issuer in writing at 1615 Wynkoop Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, Attention: Secretary. By making such election, you agree, as a holder of old notes participating in a shelf registration, to indemnify and hold harmless the Issuer, each of the directors of the Issuer, each of the officers of the Issuer who signs such shelf registration statement, each person who controls the Issuer within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, and each other holder of old notes, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities caused by any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any shelf registration statement or prospectus, or in any supplement thereto or amendment thereof, or caused by the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; but only with respect to information relating to you furnished in writing by or on behalf of you expressly for use in a shelf registration statement, a prospectus or any amendments or supplements thereto. Any such indemnification shall be governed by the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, the provisions regarding notice, retention of counsel, contribution and payment of expenses set forth therein. The above summary of the indemnification provision of the Registration Rights Agreement is not intended to be exhaustive and is qualified in its entirety by the Registration Rights Agreement.

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INSTRUCTIONS
FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

1.     Book-Entry Confirmations.

        Any confirmation of a book-entry transfer to the Exchange Agent's account at DTC of old notes tendered by book-entry transfer (a "Book-Entry Confirmation"), as well as Agent's Message and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, must be received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth herein prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on the Expiration Date.

2.     Partial Tenders.

        Tenders of old notes will be accepted only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The entire principal amount of old notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise communicated to the Exchange Agent. If the entire principal amount of all old notes is not tendered, then old notes for the principal amount of old notes not tendered and new notes issued in exchange for any old notes accepted will be delivered to the holder via the facilities of DTC promptly after the old notes are accepted for exchange.

3.     Validity of Tenders.

        All questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt), acceptance, and withdrawal of tendered old notes will be determined by the Issuer, in its sole discretion, which determination will be final and binding. The Issuer reserves the absolute right to reject any or all tenders not in proper form or the acceptance for exchange of which may, in the opinion of counsel for the Issuer, be unlawful. The Issuer also reserves the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the Exchange Offer or any defect or irregularity in the tender of any old notes. The Issuer's interpretation of the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer (including the instructions on the Letter of Transmittal) will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of old notes must be cured within such time as the Issuer shall determine. Although the Issuer intends to notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of old notes, neither the Issuer, the Exchange Agent, nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in tenders or incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of old notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or irregularities have been cured or waived. Any old notes received by the Exchange Agent that are not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not been cured or waived will be returned by the Exchange Agent to the tendering holders, unless otherwise provided in the Letter of Transmittal, promptly following the Expiration Date.

4.     Waiver of Conditions.

        The Issuer reserves the absolute right to waive, in whole or part, up to the expiration of the Exchange Offer, any of the conditions to the Exchange Offer set forth in the Prospectus or in this Letter of Transmittal.

5.     No Conditional Tender.

        No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tender of old notes will be accepted.

6.     Request for Assistance or Additional Copies.

        Requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Prospectus or this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the Exchange Agent using the contact information set forth on the cover page of this

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Letter of Transmittal. Holders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee for assistance concerning the Exchange Offer.

7.     Withdrawal.

        Tenders may be withdrawn only pursuant to the limited withdrawal rights set forth in the Prospectus under the caption "The Exchange Offer—Withdrawal of Tenders."

8.     No Guarantee of Late Delivery.

        There is no procedure for guarantee of late delivery in the Exchange Offer.

IMPORTANT:    BY USING THE ATOP PROCEDURES TO TENDER OLD NOTES, YOU WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT. HOWEVER, YOU WILL BE BOUND BY ITS TERMS, AND YOU WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE MADE THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES IT CONTAINS, JUST AS IF YOU HAD SIGNED IT.

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