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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
SEC File No. 333-192099

 

This prospectus supplement is related to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus supplement is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED NOVEMBER 12, 2014

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT TO PROSPECTUS DATED NOVEMBER 5, 2013

2,000,000 Shares

 

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

Common Stock

 

 

The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus supplement are selling an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of our common stock. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “FANG.” The last reported sales price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on November 11, 2014 was $67.50 per share.

Certain selling stockholders identified in this prospectus supplement have granted the underwriter the option to purchase up to an aggregate of 300,000 additional shares of our common stock at the public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions.

Investing in our common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-6.

The underwriter has agreed to purchase the shares of common stock from the selling stockholders at a price of $             per share, which will result in approximately $             million of proceeds to the selling stockholders.

The underwriter proposes to offer the shares of common stock from time to time for sale in one or more transactions on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. See “Underwriting.”

Delivery of the shares of common stock will be made on or about November     , 2014.

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

Credit Suisse

The date of this prospectus supplement is November     , 2014

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT			S-1
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY			S-2
RISK FACTORS			S-6
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			S-10
USE OF PROCEEDS			S-11
DIVIDEND POLICY			S-11
CAPITALIZATION			S-12
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK			S-13
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS			S-14
MATERIAL U.S FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS			S-16
UNDERWRITING			S-20
LEGAL MATTERS			S-25
EXPERTS			S-25
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE			S-25
GLOSSARY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS TERMS			A-1

PROSPECTUS

 

		Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS			ii
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS			ii
OUR COMPANY			1
ABOUT SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS			1
RISK FACTORS			1
USE OF PROCEEDS			6
RATIO OF EARNINGS (DEFICIT) TO FIXED CHARGES			7
SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS			8
DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES			11
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK			29
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION			32
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION			35
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE			35
LEGAL MATTERS			36
EXPERTS			36

 

 

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of this offering. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. You should read the entire prospectus supplement, as well as the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference that are described under “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus and “Information Incorporated by Reference” in this prospectus supplement. In the event that the description of this offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information contained in this prospectus supplement.

You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or to which we have referred you. We have not, and the selling stockholders and the underwriter have not, authorized any other person to provide you with information different from that contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should read this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein that are described under “Where You Can Find More Information” in the accompanying prospectus and “Information Incorporated by Reference” in this prospectus supplement. The selling stockholders and the underwriter are only offering to sell, and only seeking offers to buy, shares of our common stock in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted.

The information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or in any document incorporated herein or therein is accurate and complete only as of the date hereof or thereof, respectively, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or of any sale of our common stock by the selling stockholders or the underwriter. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

Industry and Market Data

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

Unless the context otherwise requires, the information in this prospectus supplement assumes that the underwriter will not exercise its option to purchase additional shares.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the risks described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as may be amended, and other filings we make with the SEC incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and all of the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before deciding to invest in our common stock. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks. The risks described below and those incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks not presently known to us or which we currently consider immaterial also may adversely affect us.

Risks Related to this Offering and Our Common Stock

One of our stockholders controls a significant percentage of our common stock, and its interests may conflict with those of our other stockholders.

Upon completion of this offering, Wexford Capital LP, or Wexford (assuming neither Wexford nor any of its affiliates makes any additional purchases of our common stock), will beneficially own approximately 10.8% of our common stock or 10.3% if the underwriter exercises its option to purchase additional shares in full. Certain entities affiliated with Wexford are selling stockholders in this offering. See “Selling Stockholders” on page S-14. In addition, an individual affiliated with Wexford serves as the chairman of our board of directors. As a result, Wexford is able to exercise significant influence over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, changes to our organizational documents and significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership makes it difficult for any other holder or group of holders of our common stock to be able to affect the way we are managed or the direction of our business. The interests of Wexford with respect to matters potentially or actually involving or affecting us, such as future acquisitions, financings and other corporate opportunities and attempts to acquire us, may conflict with the interests of our other stockholders. This continued concentrated ownership will make it difficult for another company to acquire us and for you to receive any related takeover premium for your shares unless Wexford approves the acquisition.

The corporate opportunity provisions in our certificate of incorporation could enable Wexford, our equity sponsor, or other affiliates of ours to benefit from corporate opportunities that might otherwise be available to us.

Subject to the limitations of applicable law, our certificate of incorporation, among other things:

 

•

permits us to enter into transactions with entities in which one or more of our officers or directors are financially or otherwise interested;

 

•

permits any of our stockholders, officers or directors to conduct business that competes with us and to make investments in any kind of property in which we may make investments; and

 

•

provides that if any director or officer of one of our affiliates who is also one of our officers or directors becomes aware of a potential business opportunity, transaction or other matter (other than one expressly offered to that director or officer in writing solely in his or her capacity as our director or officer), that director or officer will have no duty to communicate or offer that opportunity to us, and will be permitted to communicate or offer that opportunity to such affiliates and that director or officer will not be deemed to have (i) acted in a manner inconsistent with his or her fiduciary or other duties to us regarding the opportunity or (ii) acted in bad faith or in a manner inconsistent with our best interests.

 

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These provisions create the possibility that a corporate opportunity that would otherwise be available to us may be used for the benefit of one of our affiliates.

We have engaged in transactions with our affiliates and expect to do so in the future. The terms of such transactions and the resolution of any conflicts that may arise may not always be in our or our stockholders’ best interests.

We have engaged in transactions and expect to continue to engage in transactions with affiliated companies. As described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as may be amended, and in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in our most recent proxy statement on Schedule 14A, each of which is incorporated by reference herein, these transactions include, among others, drilling services provided to us by Bison Drilling and Field Services, LLC, real property leased by us from Fasken Midland, LLC and Caliber Investment Croup, LLC, hydraulic fracturing sand purchased by us from Muskie Proppant LLC and certain administrative services provided to us by Everest Operations Management LLC. See also the description of Viper’s initial public offering appearing under the caption “Prospectus Supplement Summary—Overview.” Each of these entities is either controlled by or affiliated with Wexford, and the resolution of any conflicts that may arise in connection with such related party transactions, including pricing, duration or other terms of service, may not always be in our or our stockholders’ best interests because Wexford may have the ability to influence the outcome of these conflicts. For a discussion of potential conflicts, see “—Risks Related to this Offering and our Common Stock—One of our stockholders controls a significant percentage of our common stock, and its interests may conflict with those of our other stockholders” on page S-6 of this prospectus supplement.

If the price of our common stock fluctuates significantly, your investment could lose value.

Although our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Select Global Market, we cannot assure you that an active public market will continue for our common stock. If an active public market for our common stock does not continue, the trading price and liquidity of our common stock will be materially and adversely affected. If there is a thin trading market or “float” for our stock, the market price for our common stock may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market as a whole. Without a large float, our common stock would be less liquid than the stock of companies with broader public ownership and, as a result, the trading prices of our common stock may be more volatile. In addition, in the absence of an active public trading market, investors may be unable to liquidate their investment in us. Furthermore, the stock market is subject to significant price and volume fluctuations, and the price of our common stock could fluctuate widely in response to several factors, including:

 

•

our quarterly or annual operating results;

 

•

changes in our earnings estimates;

 

•

investment recommendations by securities analysts following our business or our industry;

 

•

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

•

changes in the business, earnings estimates or market perceptions of our competitors;

 

•

our failure to achieve operating results consistent with securities analysts’ projections;

 

•

changes in industry, general market or economic conditions; and

 

•

announcements of legislative or regulatory changes.

The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations in recent years that have significantly affected the quoted prices of the securities of many companies, including companies in our industry. The changes often appear to occur without regard to specific operating performance. The price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company and these fluctuations could materially reduce our stock price.

 

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Future sales of our common stock, or the perception that such future sales may occur, may cause our stock price to decline.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. In addition, the sale of such shares, or the perception that such sales may occur, could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional common or preferred stock. Except for any shares purchased by our affiliates, all of the shares of common stock sold in our initial public offering and our subsequent equity offerings are, and all of the shares of common stock sold in this offering will be, freely tradable. In connection with this offering, we agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, we will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, relating to, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common stock, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, without the prior written consent of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement. Further, the selling stockholders in this offering and our directors and executive officers are subject to agreements that limit their ability to sell our common stock held by them. These holders cannot sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of our common stock for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement without the prior written approval of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC. The lock-up agreements with the selling stockholders and our directors and executive officers are also subject to certain specific exceptions, including transfers of common stock as a bona fide gift or by will or intestate succession and transfers to such person’s immediate family or to a trust or to an entity controlled by such holder, provided that the recipient of the shares agrees to be bound by the same restrictions on sales and, in the case of our executive officers and directors, the right of such individuals to sell up to 300,000 shares in the aggregate. In connection with our initial public offering, we also granted DB Energy Holdings LLC, or DB Holdings, and Gulfport Energy Corporation and their respective affiliates certain registration rights obligating us to register with the SEC their shares of our common stock. In the event that one or more of our stockholders sells a substantial amount of our common stock in the public market, or the market perceives that such sales may occur, the price of our stock could decline.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our company downgrade our stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

We may issue preferred stock whose terms could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights, including preferences over our common stock respecting dividends and distributions, as our board of directors may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could adversely impact the voting power or value of our common stock. For example, we might grant holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of the common stock.

 

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Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law make it more difficult to effect a change in control of the company, which could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

The existence of some provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware corporate law could delay or prevent a change in control of our company, even if that change would be beneficial to our stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may make acquiring control of our company difficult, including:

 

•

provisions regulating the ability of our stockholders to nominate directors for election or to bring matters for action at annual meetings of our stockholders;

 

•

limitations on the ability of our stockholders to call a special meeting and act by written consent;

 

•

the ability of our board of directors to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws, and the requirement that the affirmative vote of holders representing at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock be obtained for stockholders to amend our bylaws;

 

•

the requirement that the affirmative vote of holders representing at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock be obtained to remove directors;

 

•

the requirement that the affirmative vote of holders representing at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock be obtained to amend our certificate of incorporation; and

 

•

the authorization given to our board of directors to issue and set the terms of preferred stock without the approval of our stockholders.

These provisions also could discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other stockholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. As a result, these provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders, which may limit the price that investors are willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future and, therefore, only appreciation of the price of our common stock will provide a return to our stockholders.

We have not paid dividends since our inception and we currently anticipate that we will retain all future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. In addition, the terms of our revolving credit facility prohibit us from paying dividends and making other distributions. As a result, only appreciation of the price of our common stock, which may not occur, will provide a return to our stockholders.

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which may include statements about our:

 

•

business strategy;

 

•

exploration and development drilling prospects, inventories, projects and programs;

 

•

expectations regarding our recently completed acquisitions;

 

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oil and natural gas reserves;

 

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identified drilling locations;

 

•

ability to obtain permits and governmental approvals;

 

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technology;

 

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financial strategy;

 

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realized oil and natural gas prices;

 

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production;

 

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lease operating expenses, general and administrative costs and finding and development costs;

 

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future operating results; and

 

•

plans, objectives, expectations and intentions.

All of these types of statements, other than statements of historical fact included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be found in the “Prospectus Supplement Summary” and “Risk Factors” beginning on pages S-2 and S-6, respectively, of this prospectus supplement, in “Risk Factors”, “Business” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included, as applicable, in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as may be amended, incorporated by reference herein and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated herein. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursue,” “target,” “seek,” “objective” or “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology.

The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. In addition, our management’s assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. Our management cautions all readers that the forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure any reader that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements due to the many factors including those described under “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as may be amended, and other filings we make with the SEC incorporated by reference herein and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. All forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus or included in a document incorporated by reference herein speak only as of the date hereof or thereof, respectively. We do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus supplement are selling all of the shares of our common stock being sold in this offering, including any shares that may be sold in connection with the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares. See “Selling Stockholders” and “Underwriting” beginning on pages S-14 and S-20, respectively, of this prospectus supplement. Accordingly, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock in this offering. We will bear all costs, fees and expenses in connection with this offering, except that the selling stockholders will pay all of their respective underwriting discounts and commissions.

DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on then-existing conditions, including our financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors that our board of directors considers relevant. In addition, the terms of our revolving credit facility restrict the payment of dividends to the holders of our common stock and any other equity holders.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of September 30, 2014.

You should read the following table in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our combined consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2014, which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

		As of September 30, 2014
		(in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	40,644
Long-term debt, including current maturities:
Revolving credit facility(1)		$	140,000
7.625% Senior Notes due 2021			450,000
Total long-term debt			590,000
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01; 100,000,000 shares authorized and 56,680,359 shares issued and outstanding			567
Additional paid-in capital			1,553,367
Retained earnings			97,594
Total Diamondback Energy, Inc. stockholders’ equity			1,651,528
Noncontrolling interest			234,318
Total stockholders’ equity			1,885,846
Total capitalization		$	2,475,846

 

(1)

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, we had $184.5 million of borrowings outstanding and $165.5 million available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility, and Viper, our unrestricted subsidiary, had no borrowings outstanding and $110.0 million available for borrowing under its revolving credit facility.

 

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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

Our common stock is listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “FANG.” Our common stock began trading on October 12, 2012 at an initial public offering price of $17.50 per share.

The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices of our common stock for the periods presented:

 

Year		Quarter				High				Low
2012			4th Quarter	(1)		$	19.89			$	15.65
2013			1st Quarter			$	27.21			$	18.60
2013			2nd Quarter			$	35.91			$	23.83
2013			3rd Quarter			$	47.22			$	33.42
2013			4th Quarter			$	58.71			$	42.18
2014			1st Quarter			$	70.99			$	44.02
2014			2nd Quarter			$	93.33			$	64.05
2014			3rd Quarter			$	90.48			$	70.66
2014			4th Quarter	(2)		$	76.94			$	56.34

 

(1)	Represents the period from October 12, 2012, the date on which our common stock began trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, through December 31, 2012.

(2)	Through November 11, 2014.

 

The closing price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on November 11, 2014 was $67.50 per share. Immediately prior to this offering, we had 56,752,819 issued and outstanding shares of common stock, which were held by ten holders of record. This number does not include owners for whom common stock may be held in “street” name or whose common stock is restricted.

 

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SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

The following table presents information regarding the selling stockholders in this offering, the shares that the underwriter has agreed to purchase from the selling stockholders and the selling stockholders’ shares subject to the underwriter’s option to purchase additional shares. In addition, the nature of any position, office or other material relationship which the selling stockholders have had, within the past three years, with us or with any of our predecessors or affiliates, is indicated in a footnote to the table. We have paid all expenses relating to the registration of the shares by the selling stockholders under the Securities Act and will pay any other offering expenses, except that the selling stockholders will pay all underwriting discounts and commissions. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our common stock by the selling stockholders.

We prepared the table based on information provided to us by the selling stockholders. We have not sought to verify such information.

Except as otherwise indicated, we believe that the selling stockholders have sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned.

 

		Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to Offering(1)								Shares Offered				Shares Beneficially Owned After Offering(1)								Additional Shares Offered if Option to Purchase Additional Shares is Exercised in Full				Shares Beneficially Owned After Offering if Option to Purchase Additional Shares is Exercised in Full
Name of Selling Stockholder		Number				Percentage								Number				Percentage								Number				Percentage
DB Energy Holdings LLC(2)			6,779,109				11.9	%			997,477				5,781,632				10.2	%			282,837				5,498,795				9.7	%
Wexford Spectrum Fund, L.P.(2)			80,879				*				11,900				68,979				*				3,374				65,605				*
Wexford Catalyst Fund, L.P.(2)			12,779				*				1,881				10,898				*				534				10,364				*
Spectrum Intermediate Fund Limited(2)			267,544				*				39,365				228,179				*				11,162				217,017				*
Catalyst Intermediate Fund Limited(2)			50,136				*				7,377				42,759				*				2,093				40,666				*
Gulfport Energy Corporation(3)			942,000				1.7	%			942,000				—				—	%			—				—				—	%

 

*	Less than 1%.

(1)

Percentage of beneficial ownership is based upon 56,752,819 shares of common stock outstanding as of November 11, 2014. For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares which such person has the right to acquire within 60 days. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares held by each person or group of persons named above, any security which such person or group of persons has the right to acquire within 60 days is deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership for such person or persons, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. As a result, the denominator used in calculating the beneficial ownership among our stockholders may differ.

(2)

Based solely on Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on September 25, 2014 by DB Energy Holdings LLC (“DB Holdings”), Wexford Spectrum Fund, L.P. (“WSF”), Wexford Catalyst Fund, L.P. (“WCF”), Spectrum Intermediate Fund Limited (“SIF”), Catalyst Intermediate Fund Limited (“CIF” and, together with DB Holdings, WSF, WCF and SIF, the “Funds”), Wexford Capital LP (“Wexford Capital”), Wexford GP LLC (“Wexford GP”), Charles E. Davidson (“Mr. Davidson”) and Joseph M. Jacobs (“Mr. Jacobs”) and the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 1, 2014 by Wexford Capital, Wexford GP, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Jacobs and the Company’s records. DB Holdings is a holding company managed by Wexford Capital. WSF, WCF, SIF and CIF are investment funds managed by Wexford Capital. Wexford Capital is an investment advisor registered with the SEC, and manages a series of investment funds. Wexford GP is the general partner of Wexford Capital. Mr. Davidson and Mr. Jacobs are the managing members of Wexford GP. DB has shared voting and dispositive power over 6,779,109 shares. WSF has shared voting and dispositive power over 80,879 shares. WCF has shared voting and dispositive power over 12,779 shares. SIF has shared voting and dispositive power over 267,544 shares. CIF has shared voting and dispositive power over 50,136 shares.

 

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Wexford Capital, Wexford GP, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Jacobs have shared voting and dispositive power over 7,200,269 shares. Wexford Capital may, by reason of its status as manager or investment manager of the Funds, be deemed to own beneficially the securities of which the Funds possess beneficial ownership. Wexford GP may, as the General Partner of Wexford Capital, be deemed to own beneficially the securities of which the Funds possess beneficial ownership. Each of Mr. Davidson and Mr. Jacobs may, by reason of his status as a controlling person of Wexford GP, be deemed to own beneficially the securities of which the Funds possess beneficial ownership. Each of Wexford Capital, Wexford GP, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Jacobs disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities owned by the Funds except, in the case of Mr. Davidson and Mr. Jacobs, to the extent of their respective interests in the Funds. Wexford Capital’s address is Wexford Plaza, 411 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830. We have entered into a registration rights agreement with DB Holdings, a selling security holder named in this prospectus supplement, which agreement is incorporated herein by reference. Under this agreement, DB Holdings and its transferees have certain demand and “piggyback” registration rights. The demand rights enable each such security holder to require us to register its shares of our common stock with the SEC. The piggyback rights allow each such security holder to register the shares of our common stock that it owns along with any shares that we register with the SEC. These registration rights are subject to customary conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters of an offering to limit the number of shares. The shares of common stock that may be offered by the Funds pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been included herein under the terms of these registration rights. All expenses of such registrations (including both demand and piggyback registrations), other than any underwriting discounts and commissions, will be paid by us. For a full description of our material relationships with DB Holdings and its affiliates, please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” appearing in our most recent definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

(3)

Based solely on the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 1, 2014 by Gulfport Energy Corporation (“Gulfport”) and the Company’s records. Gulfport’s address is 14313 North May Avenue, Suite 100, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73134. We have entered into an investor rights agreement with Gulfport, which agreement is incorporated herein by reference. Under this agreement, Gulfport has certain demand and “piggyback” registration rights. The demand rights enable Gulfport to require us to register its shares of our common stock with the SEC. The piggyback rights allow Gulfport to register the shares of our common stock that it owns along with any shares that we register with the SEC. These registration rights are subject to customary conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters of an offering to limit the number of shares. The shares of common stock being offered by Gulfport pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been included herein under the terms of these registration rights. All expenses of such registrations (including both demand and piggyback registrations), other than underwriting discounts and commissions, will be paid by us. For a full description of our material relationships with Gulfport and its affiliates, please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” appearing in our most recent definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS

The following is a general discussion of material U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our common stock by a non-U.S. holder (as defined below). This discussion deals only with common stock purchased in this offering that is held as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code (generally, property held for investment), by a non-U.S. holder. Except as modified for estate tax purposes, the term “non-U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of our common stock that is not a “U.S. person” or a partnership for U.S. federal income and estate tax purposes. A U.S. person is any of the following:

 

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an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

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a corporation (including any entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

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an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

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trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more U.S. persons have authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or if it has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

An individual may generally be treated as a resident of the United States in any calendar year for U.S. federal income tax purposes, by, among other ways, being present in the United States for at least 31 days in that calendar year and for an aggregate of at least 183 days during a three-year period ending in the current calendar year. For purposes of the 183-day calculation, all of the days present in the current year, one-third of the days present in the immediately preceding year and one-sixth of the days present in the second preceding year are counted. Residents are taxed for U.S. federal income tax purposes as if they were U.S. citizens.

This discussion is based upon provisions of the Code, and Treasury Regulations, administrative rulings and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof. Those authorities may be changed, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income and estate tax consequences different from those discussed below. No ruling has been or will be sought from the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, with respect to the matters discussed below, and there can be no assurance the IRS will not take a contrary position regarding the tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of our common stock, or that such contrary position would not be sustained by a court. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income and estate taxation, including the impact of the unearned income Medicare contribution tax and does not deal with other U.S. federal tax laws (such as gift tax laws) or foreign, state, local or other tax considerations that may be relevant to non-U.S. holders in light of their personal circumstances. In addition, this discussion does not address tax considerations applicable to investors that may be subject to special treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws, such as (without limitation):

 

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certain former U.S. citizens or residents;

 

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shareholders that hold our common stock as part of a straddle, constructive sale transaction, synthetic security, hedge, conversion transaction or other integrated investment or risk reduction transaction;

 

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shareholders that acquired our common stock through the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation or through a tax-qualified retirement plan;

 

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shareholders that are partnerships or entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes or other pass-through entities or owners thereof;

 

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shareholders that own, or are deemed to own, more than five percent (5%) of our outstanding common stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below);

 

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shareholders subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

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•

financial institutions, banks and thrifts;

 

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insurance companies;

 

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tax-exempt entities;

 

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real estate investment trusts;

 

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“controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies” or corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

 

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broker-dealers or dealers in securities or foreign currencies; and

 

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traders in securities that use a mark-to-market method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holding our common stock, you should consult your tax advisor.

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE VIEWED AS TAX ADVICE. INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF OUR COMMON STOCK SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE AND GIFT TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATION AS WELL AS THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS OR TAX TREATIES AND ANY OTHER U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS.

Distributions on Common Stock

We do not expect to pay any cash distributions on our common stock in the foreseeable future. However, in the event we do make such cash distributions, these distributions generally will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. If any such distribution exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the non-U.S. holder’s tax basis in our common stock and thereafter as capital gain from the sale or exchange of such common stock. See “—Gain on Disposition of Common Stock” below. Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of our common stock that are not effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate, or if an income tax treaty applies, a lower rate specified by the treaty. In order to receive a reduced treaty rate, a non-U.S. holder must provide to us or our withholding agent IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E (or applicable substitute or successor form for either) properly certifying eligibility for the reduced rate. Non-U.S. holders that do not timely provide us or our withholding agent with the required certification, but that qualify for a reduced treaty rate, may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. Non-U.S. holders should consult their tax advisors regarding their entitlement to benefits under an applicable income tax treaty.

Dividends that are effectively connected with a non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States and, if an income tax treaty so requires, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States, are taxed on a net income basis at the regular graduated rates and in the manner applicable to U.S. persons. In that case, we or our withholding agent will not have to withhold U.S. federal withholding tax if the non-U.S. holder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements (which may generally be met by providing an IRS Form W-8ECI). In addition, a “branch profits tax” may be imposed at a 30% rate (or a lower rate specified under an applicable income tax treaty) on a foreign corporation’s effectively connected earnings and profits for the taxable year, as adjusted for certain items. Non-U.S. holders should consult any applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

 

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Gain on Disposition of Common Stock

Subject to the discussion below regarding backup withholding, a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain recognized on a disposition of our common stock unless:

 

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the gain is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder’s conduct of a trade or business in the United States and, if an income tax treaty applies, is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States, in which case, the gain will be taxed on a net income basis at the U.S. federal income tax rates and in the manner applicable to U.S. persons, and if the non-U.S. holder is a foreign corporation, the branch profits tax described above may also apply;

 

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the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the disposition and meets other requirements, in which case, the non-U.S. holder will be subject to a flat 30% tax on the gain derived from the disposition (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty), which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses, provided the non-U.S. holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses; or

 

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we are or have been a “United States real property holding corporation,” or USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition or the period that the non-U.S. holder held our common stock.

Generally, a corporation is a USRPHC if the fair market value of its United States real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe we currently are a USRPHC. If we are or become a USRPHC, a non-U.S holder nonetheless will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding in respect of any gain realized on a sale or other disposition of our common stock so long as (i) our common stock is “regularly traded on an established securities market” for U.S. federal income tax purposes and (ii) such non- U.S. holder does not actually or constructively own, at any time during the applicable period described in the third bullet point, above, more than 5% of our outstanding common stock. We expect our common stock to be “regularly traded” on an established securities market, although we cannot guarantee it will be so traded. Accordingly, a non-U.S holder who actually or constructively owns more than 5% of our common stock would be subject to U.S. federal income tax and withholding in respect of any gain realized on any sale or other disposition of common stock (taxed in the same manner as gain that is effectively connected income, except that the branch profits tax would not apply). Non-U.S. holders should consult their own advisor about the consequences that could result if we are, or become, a USRPHC.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax

Dividends paid to you will generally be subject to information reporting and may be subject to U.S. backup withholding. You will be exempt from backup withholding if you properly provide a Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E certifying under penalties of perjury that you are a non-U.S. holder or otherwise meet documentary evidence requirements for establishing that you are a non-U.S. holder, or you otherwise establish an exemption. Copies of the information returns reporting such dividends and the tax withheld with respect to such dividends also may be made available to the tax authorities in the country in which you reside.

The gross proceeds from the disposition of our common stock may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding. If you receive payments of the proceeds of a disposition of our common stock to or through a U.S. office of a broker, the payment will be subject to both U.S. backup withholding and information reporting unless you properly provide a Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E certifying under penalties of perjury that you are a non-U.S. person (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that you are a U.S. person) or you otherwise establish an exemption. If you sell your common stock outside the United States through a non-U.S. office of a non-U.S. broker and the sales proceeds are paid to you outside the United States, then the U.S. backup withholding and information reporting requirements generally will not apply to that payment. However, U.S. information reporting, but not backup withholding, will generally apply to a payment of sales proceeds,

 

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even if that payment is made outside the United States, if you sell your common stock through a non-U.S. office of a broker that has certain relationships with the United States unless the broker has documentary evidence in its files that you are a non-U.S. person and certain other conditions are met, or you otherwise establish an exemption.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. You may obtain a refund or credit of any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules that exceed your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Federal Estate Tax

Our common stock that is owned (or treated as owned) by an individual who is not a citizen or resident of the United States (as specially defined for U.S. federal estate tax purposes) at the time of death will be included in such individual’s gross estate for U.S. federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides otherwise, and, therefore, may be subject to U.S. federal estate tax.

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, a 30% withholding tax will generally apply to dividends on, or gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of, common stock paid to a foreign financial institution unless the foreign financial institution (i) enters into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury to, among other things, undertake to identify accounts held by certain U.S. persons or U.S.-owned foreign entities, annually report certain information about such accounts, and withhold 30% on payments to account holders whose actions prevent it from complying with these reporting and other requirements, (ii) is resident in a country that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with the United States in relation to such withholding and information reporting and the financial entity complies with related information reporting requirements of such country, or (iii) qualifies for an exemption from these rules. A foreign financial institution generally is a foreign entity that (i) accepts deposits in the ordinary course of a banking or similar business, (ii) as a substantial portion of its business, holds financial assets for the benefit of one or more other persons, or (iii) is an investment entity that, in general, primarily conducts as a business on behalf of customers trading in certain financial instruments, individual or collective portfolio management or otherwise investing, administering, or managing funds, money or certain financial assets on behalf of other persons. In addition, FATCA generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on the same types of payments to a non-financial foreign entity unless the entity certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners, furnishes identifying information regarding each substantial U.S. owner, or otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules. In either case, such payments would include U.S.-source dividends and the gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of stock that can produce U.S.-source dividends. By its terms, FATCA generally applies to payments of dividends on, or gross proceeds from the sale or disposition of, common stock made after December 31, 2012. However, under applicable Treasury regulations FATCA’s withholding obligations generally will apply to payments of dividends on our common stock, and to payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of our common stock made on or after January 1, 2017.

The final Treasury regulations and subsequent guidance provide detailed guidance regarding the reporting, withholding and other obligations under FATCA. Investors should consult their tax advisors regarding the possible impact of the FATCA rules on their investment in our common stock, including, without limitation, the process and deadlines for meeting the applicable requirements to prevent the imposition of the 30% withholding tax under FATCA.

THE SUMMARY OF MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME AND ESTATE TAX CONSIDERATIONS ABOVE IS INCLUDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. POTENTIAL PURCHASERS OF OUR COMMON STOCK ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS TO DETERMINE THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSIDERATIONS OF PURCHASING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON STOCK.

 

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UNDERWRITING

Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an underwriting agreement dated November     , 2014, the selling stockholders have agreed to sell to Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, the underwriter in this offering, and the underwriter has agreed to purchase from the selling stockholders, an aggregate of 2,000,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $         per share, which will result in approximately $         million of proceeds to the selling stockholders.

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriter is obligated to purchase all the shares of common stock in the offering if any are purchased, other than those shares covered by the option described below.

Certain selling stockholders identified in this prospectus supplement have granted the underwriter a 30-day option to purchase up to an aggregate of 300,000 additional shares at the public offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

The underwriter proposes to offer the shares of common stock from time to time for sale in one or more transactions on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, subject to receipt and acceptance by it and subject to its right to reject any order in whole or in part. In connection with the sale of the shares of common stock offered hereby, the underwriter may be deemed to have received compensation in the form of underwriting discounts. The underwriter may effect such transactions by selling shares of common stock to or through dealers and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriter and/or purchasers of shares of common stock for whom it may act as agent or to whom it may sell as principal.

We estimate that our out-of-pocket expenses for this offering will be approximately $150,000. All of the offering expenses will be paid by us. We have also agreed to reimburse the underwriter for certain of its expenses in an amount up to $20,000 as set forth in the underwriting agreement.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC has informed us that it does not expect sales to accounts over which it has discretionary authority to exceed 5% of the shares of common stock being offered.

In connection with this offering, we agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, we will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common stock, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, without the prior written consent of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement.

The selling stockholders and our officers and directors have agreed in connection with this offering that they will not offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of our common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of our common stock, enter into a transaction that would have the same effect or enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of our common stock, whether any of these transactions are to be settled by delivery of our common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, or to enter into any transaction, swap, hedge or other arrangement, without, in each case, the prior written consent of Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus supplement.

These lock-up restrictions are subject to certain specific exceptions, including transfers of common stock as a bona fide gift or by will or intestate succession and transfers to such person’s immediate family or to a trust or

 

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to an entity controlled by such holder, provided that the recipient of the shares agrees to be bound by the same restrictions on sales and, in the case of our executive officers and directors, the right of such individuals to sell up to 300,000 shares in the aggregate.

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, in its sole discretion, may release the common stock and other securities subject to the lock-up agreements described above in whole or in part at any time. When determining whether or not to release the common stock and other securities from lock-up agreements, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC will consider, among other factors, the holder’s reasons for requesting the release and the number of shares of common stock or other securities for which the release is being requested.

We have agreed to indemnify the underwriter against liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments that the underwriter may be required to make in that respect.

Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “FANG.” On November 11, 2014, the closing price of our common stock was $67.50.

The underwriter and its affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The underwriter and its affiliates have from time to time performed, and may in the future perform, various financial advisory, commercial banking and investment banking services for us and for our affiliates in the ordinary course of business for which they have received and would receive customary compensation.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriter and its affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of the issuer. The underwriter and its affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

In connection with the offering the underwriter may engage in stabilizing transactions, over-allotment transactions, syndicate covering transactions, penalty bids and passive market making in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

 

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Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum.

 

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Over-allotment involves sales by the underwriter of shares in excess of the number of shares the underwriter is obligated to purchase, which creates a syndicate short position. The short position may be either a covered short position or a naked short position. In a covered short position, the number of shares over-allotted by the underwriter is not greater than the number of shares that it may purchase in the over-allotment option. In a naked short position, the number of shares involved is greater than the number of shares in the over-allotment option. The underwriter may close out any covered short position by either exercising its over-allotment option and/or purchasing shares in the open market.

 

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Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the common stock in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. In determining the source of shares to close out the short position, the underwriter will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which it may purchase shares through the over-allotment option. If the underwriter sells more shares than could be covered by the over-allotment option, a naked short position, the position can only be closed out by buying shares in the open

 

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market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriter is concerned that there could be downward pressure on the price of the shares in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering.

 

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Penalty bids permit the underwriter to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the common stock originally sold by the syndicate member is purchased in a stabilizing or syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions.

 

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In passive market making, market makers in the common stock who are underwriters or prospective underwriters may, subject to limitations, make bids for or purchases of our common stock until the time, if any, at which a stabilizing bid is made.

These stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may have the effect of raising or maintaining the market price of our common stock or preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock. As a result the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that might otherwise exist in the open market. These transactions may be effected on the NASDAQ Global Select Market or otherwise and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

A prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in electronic format may be made available on web sites maintained by the underwriter, participating in this offering and the underwriter participating in this offering may distribute prospectuses electronically. The underwriter may agree to allocate a number of shares selling group members for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the underwriter that will make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

Selling Restrictions

EEA restriction

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area which has implemented the Prospectus Directive (each, a “Relevant Member State”) an offer to the public of any shares which are the subject of the offering contemplated by this prospectus (the “Shares”) may not be made in that Relevant Member State except that an offer to the public in that Relevant Member State of any Shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Directive, if they have been implemented in that Relevant Member State:

(a) to legal entities which are qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Directive;

(b) by the underwriter to fewer than 100, or, if the Relevant Member State has implemented the relevant provisions of the 2010 PD Amending Directive, 150, natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined in the Prospectus Directive), as permitted under the Prospectus Directive; or

(d) in any other circumstances falling within Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive,

provided that no such offer of Shares shall result in a requirement for the Company or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Directive or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 16 of the Prospectus Directive.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any Shares in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase any Shares, as the same may be varied in that Member State by any measure implementing the Prospectus Directive in that Member State, the expression “Prospectus Directive” means Directive 2003/71/EC (and amendments thereto,

 

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including the 2010 PD Amending Directive, to the extent implemented in the Relevant Member State), and includes any relevant implementing measure in each Relevant Member State and the expression “2010 PD Amending Directive” means Directive 2010/73/EU.

United Kingdom

The underwriter has represented and agreed that:

(a) it has only communicated or caused to be communicated and will only communicate or cause to be communicated an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (the “FSMA”)) received by it in connection with the issue or sale of the shares in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to the Company; and

(b) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the FSMA with respect to anything done by it in relation to the shares in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Notice to United Kingdom Investors

This prospectus is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”) or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). The Shares are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such Shares will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

Hong Kong

The shares may not be offered or sold by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), or (ii) to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” within the meaning of the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32, Laws of Hong Kong), and no advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571, Laws of Hong Kong) and any rules made thereunder.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA.

Where the shares are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 by a relevant person which is: (a) a corporation (which is not an accredited investor) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire

 

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share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or (b) a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary is an accredited investor, shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest in that trust shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares under Section 275 except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions, specified in Section 275 of the SFA; (2) where no consideration is given for the transfer; or (3) by operation of law.

Japan

The securities have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan, or the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law, and each underwriter has agreed that it will not offer or sell any securities, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to a resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of common stock that are offered hereby by us will be passed upon by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP. The underwriter has been represented by Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, Texas.

EXPERTS

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

The audited statement of revenues and direct operating expenses of the West Texas acquisition properties acquired by Diamondback Energy, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2013, incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent certified public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

Information referenced in this prospectus supplement regarding our estimated quantities of oil and gas reserves and the discounted present value of future net cash flows therefrom is based upon estimates of such reserves and present values prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P., an independent petroleum engineering firm, as of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information from other documents that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement. Information in this prospectus supplement supersedes information incorporated by reference that we filed with the SEC prior to the date of this prospectus supplement.

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus the information or documents listed below that we have filed with the SEC (except as indicated below with respect to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K):

 

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013, filed with the SEC on February 19, 2014;

 

•

the information specifically incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 30, 2014;

 

•

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2014, as amended on Form 10-Q/A on May 28, 2014;

 

•

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2014, filed with the SEC on August 7, 2014;

 

•

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014, filed with the SEC on November 6, 2014;

 

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our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 18, 2014 and February 26, 2014, two Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on March 5, 2014, of which one was amended on Form 8-K/A on May 14, 2014 to include financial statements and pro forma financial information required by Item 9.01(a) and (b) of Form 8-K in connection with our February 2014 acquisition of additional leasehold interests in Martin County Texas, in the Permian Basin, and our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 2, 2014, June 13, 2014 June 23, 2014, June 27, 2014, July 21, 2014, July 25, 2014, September 12, 2014 (as amended on Form 8-K/A, filed with the SEC on September 15, 2014) and September 24, 2014; and

 

•

The description of our common stock contained in our Form 8-A filed on October 11, 2012, including any amendment to that form that we may file in the future for the purpose of updating the description of our common stock.

In addition, all documents filed by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than those furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K, unless otherwise stated therein) after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or that deregisters all securities remaining unsold, will be considered to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and to be a part of this prospectus supplement from the dates of the filing of such documents. Pursuant to General Instruction B of Form 8-K, any information submitted under Item 2.02, Results of Operations and Financial Condition, or Item 7.01, Regulation FD Disclosure, of Form 8-K is not deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and we are not subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act with respect to information submitted under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K. We are not incorporating by reference any information submitted under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or into this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise indicated on such Form 8-K.

We will furnish without charge to you, on written or oral request, a copy of any documents incorporated by reference, including any exhibits to such documents. You should direct any requests for documents to Teresa L. Dick, Chief Financial Officer, Diamondback Energy, Inc., 9400 N. Broadway, Suite 700, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73114; telephone: (405) 463-6900.

 

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Appendix A

GLOSSARY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS TERMS

The following is a description of the meanings of some of the oil and natural gas industry terms used in this prospectus supplement.

Bbl. Stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used in this prospectus supplement in reference to crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.

BOE. Barrels of oil equivalent, with six thousand cubic feet of natural gas being equivalent to one barrel of oil.

BOE/d. BOE per day.

Completion. The process of treating a drilled well followed by the installation of permanent equipment for the production of natural gas or oil, or in the case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the appropriate agency.

Condensate. Liquid hydrocarbons associated with the production of a primarily natural gas reserve.

Developed acreage. The number of acres that are allocated or assignable to productive wells or wells capable of production.

Dry hole. A well found to be incapable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of such production exceed production expenses and taxes.

Field. An area consisting of either a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs, all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition.

Finding and development costs. Capital costs incurred in the acquisition, exploitation and exploration of proved oil and natural gas reserves divided by proved reserve additions and revisions to proved reserves.

Fracturing. The process of creating and preserving a fracture or system of fractures in a reservoir rock typically by injecting a fluid under pressure through a wellbore and into the targeted formation.

Gross acres or gross wells. The total acres or wells, as the case may be, in which a working interest is owned.

Horizontal drilling. A drilling technique used in certain formations where a well is drilled vertically to a certain depth and then drilled at a right angle with a specified interval.

MBOE. One thousand barrels of crude oil equivalent, determined using a ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.

Mcf. Thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

Net acres or net wells. The sum of the fractional working interest owned in gross acres or gross wells, as the case may be.

PDP. Proved developed producing.

 

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Play. A set of discovered or prospective oil and/or natural gas accumulations sharing similar geologic, geographic and temporal properties, such as source rock, reservoir structure, timing, trapping mechanism and hydrocarbon type.

PUD. Proved undeveloped.

Productive well. A well that is found to be capable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of the production exceed production expenses and taxes.

Prospect. A specific geographic area which, based on supporting geological, geophysical or other data and also preliminary economic analysis using reasonably anticipated prices and costs, is deemed to have potential for the discovery of commercial hydrocarbons.

Proved developed reserves. Reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.

Proved reserves. The estimated quantities of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions.

Proved undeveloped reserves. Proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion.

Recompletion. The process of re-entering an existing wellbore that is either producing or not producing and completing new reservoirs in an attempt to establish or increase existing production.

Reservoir. A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible natural gas and/or oil that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is separate from other reservoirs.

Undeveloped acreage. Lease acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of commercial quantities of oil and natural gas regardless of whether such acreage contains proved reserves.

Working interest. The operating interest that gives the owner the right to drill, produce and conduct operating activities on the property and receive a share of production and requires the owner to pay a share of the costs of drilling and production operations.

 

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Prospectus

 

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

Common Stock

Senior Debt Securities

Subordinated Debt Securities

Guarantees of Debt Securities

 

 

By this prospectus, we may offer and sell, from time to time in one or more offerings, our common stock and senior and subordinated debt securities, and one or more of our existing and future subsidiaries, including Diamondback O&G LLC, Diamondback E&P LLC and Viper Energy Partners LLC, may fully and unconditionally guarantee the principal of, and premium (if any) and interest on, such debt securities. This prospectus may be also used by the selling security holders named in this prospectus and any other selling security holders that may be identified in any applicable prospectus supplement in connection with resales, from time to time in one or more offerings, of up to 17,459,436 shares of our common stock held by such selling security holders. We refer to our common stock and debt securities that may be offered by us and/or selling security holders pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement collectively as the “securities.”

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities and the general manner in which we or selling security holders will offer the securities. Each time we or selling security holders sell securities, to the extent required, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that contains specific information about the offering. The supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, all prospectus supplements and all other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus before you invest in our securities.

Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 1.

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “FANG.”

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 November 5, 2013.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

About This Prospectus			ii
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements			ii
Our Company			1
About the Subsidiary Guarantors			1
Risk Factors			1
Use of Proceeds			6
Ratio of Earnings (Deficit) to Fixed Charges			7
Selling Security Holders			8
Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees			11
Description of Capital Stock			29
Plan of Distribution			32
Where You Can Find More Information			35
Information Incorporated by Reference			35
Legal Matters			36
Experts			36

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a “shelf” registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, as a “well-known seasoned issuer” (as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act), using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may, from time to time, offer and/or sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, and the selling security holders named in this prospectus or that may be identified in an applicable prospectus supplement, may, from time to time, resell up to 17,459,436 shares of our common stock, in each case in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we and/or selling security holders may offer. This prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement as permitted by the rules of the SEC. Each time we or selling security holders sell securities, to the extent required, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. That prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. Before purchasing any securities, you should carefully read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, together with the additional information described in this prospectus under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Information Incorporated by Reference.”

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and in any applicable prospectus supplement, including any information incorporated by reference. Neither we nor the selling security holders have authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. You should not assume that the information appearing in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any document incorporated by reference is accurate at any date other than as of the date of each such document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since the date indicated on the cover page of such documents.

The distribution of this prospectus may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. You should inform yourself about and observe any of these restrictions. This prospectus does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which the offer or solicitation is not authorized, or in which the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so, or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make the offer or solicitation.

When used in this prospectus or in any supplement to this prospectus, the terms “Diamondback Energy,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Diamondback Energy, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference, contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which may include statements about our:

 

•

business strategy;

 

•

exploration and development drilling prospects, inventories, projects and programs;

 

•

expectations regarding the consummation of any acquisitions;

 

•

oil and natural gas reserves;

 

•

identified drilling locations;

 

•

ability to obtain permits and governmental approvals;

 

•

technology;

 

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•

financial strategy;

 

•

realized oil and natural gas prices;

 

•

production;

 

•

lease operating expenses, general and administrative costs and finding and development costs;

 

•

future operating results; and

 

•

plans, objectives, expectations and intentions.

All of these types of statements, other than statements of historical fact included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursue,” “target,” “seek,” “objective” or “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology.

The forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. In addition, our management’s assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. Our management cautions all readers that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are not guarantees of future performance, and we cannot assure any reader that such statements will be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances will occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements due to the many factors including those described under “Risk Factors” incorporated by reference herein and elsewhere in this prospectus. All forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus or included in a document incorporated by reference herein speak only as of the date hereof or thereof, respectively. We do not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. These cautionary statements qualify all forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf.

 

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OUR COMPANY

We are an independent oil and natural gas company currently focused on the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves in the Permian Basin in West Texas. This basin, which is one of the major producing basins in the United States, is characterized by an extensive production history, a favorable operating environment, mature infrastructure, long reserve life, multiple producing horizons, enhanced recovery potential and a large number of operators.

Our activities are primarily focused on the Clearfork, Spraberry, Wolfcamp, Cline, Strawn and Atoka formations, which we refer to collectively as the Wolfberry play. The Wolfberry play is characterized by high oil and liquids rich natural gas, multiple vertical and horizontal target horizons, extensive production history, long-lived reserves and high drilling success rates. The Wolfberry play is a modification and extension of the Spraberry play, the majority of which is designated in the Spraberry trend area field.

Our principal executive offices are located at 500 West Texas, Suite 1225, Midland, Texas, and our telephone number at that address is (432) 221-7400. We also lease additional office space in Midland and in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Our website address is www.diamondbackenergy.com. Information contained on our website does not constitute part of this prospectus.

ABOUT THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

One or more of our existing and any future subsidiaries may jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee our payment obligations under any series of debt securities offered by this prospectus. Financial information concerning our guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries, if any, is included in our consolidated financial statements filed as a part of our periodic reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, to the extent required by the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Additional information concerning our subsidiaries and us is, or will be, as the case may be, included in the reports and other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

RISK FACTORS

Investment in our securities involves certain risks. You should carefully consider the factors contained below and in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Estimates” and in any other filings we made with the SEC prior to the filing of this prospectus under the heading “Risk Factors” before investing in our securities. You should also consider similar information contained in any annual report on Form 10-K or other document filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus before deciding to invest in our securities. We will also include in any prospectus supplement a description of any other risk factors applicable to an offering contemplated by such prospectus supplement. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently view as immaterial may also impair our business operations. Any of these risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and could result in a loss of all or part of your investment.

 

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Risks Related to this Offering and Our Common Stock

Our two largest stockholders, Wexford Capital LP, or Wexford Capital, and Gulfport Energy Corporation, or Gulfport, control a significant percentage of our common stock, and their interests may conflict with those of our other stockholders.

Gulfport and certain affiliates of Wexford Capital are included as selling security holders in this prospectus. As of the date of this prospectus, Wexford Capital and Gulfport beneficially owned approximately 25.0% and 12.1%, respectively, of our common stock. In addition, individuals affiliated with Wexford Capital and Gulfport serve on our Board of Directors, and Gulfport has the right to designate one individual as a nominee for election to our Board of Directors so long as it continues to beneficially own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, Wexford Capital and Gulfport will be able to exercise significant influence over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, changes to our organizational documents and significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership makes it unlikely that any other holder or group of holders of our common stock will be able to affect the way we are managed or the direction of our business. The interests of Wexford Capital and Gulfport with respect to matters potentially or actually involving or affecting us, such as future acquisitions, financings and other corporate opportunities and attempts to acquire us, may conflict with the interests of our other stockholders. This concentrated ownership will make it difficult for another company to acquire us and for you to receive any related takeover premium for your shares unless Wexford Capital and Gulfport approve the acquisition.

The corporate opportunity provisions in our certificate of incorporation could enable Wexford Capital, our equity sponsor, or other affiliates of ours to benefit from corporate opportunities that might otherwise be available to us.

Subject to the limitations of applicable law, our certificate of incorporation, among other things:

 

•

permits us to enter into transactions with entities in which one or more of our officers or directors are financially or otherwise interested;

 

•

permits any of our stockholders, officers or directors to conduct business that competes with us and to make investments in any kind of property in which we may make investments; and

 

•

provides that if any director or officer of one of our affiliates who is also one of our officers or directors becomes aware of a potential business opportunity, transaction or other matter (other than one expressly offered to that director or officer in writing solely in his or her capacity as our director or officer), that director or officer will have no duty to communicate or offer that opportunity to us, and will be permitted to communicate or offer that opportunity to such affiliates and that director or officer will not be deemed to have (i) acted in a manner inconsistent with his or her fiduciary or other duties to us regarding the opportunity or (ii) acted in bad faith or in a manner inconsistent with our best interests.

These provisions create the possibility that a corporate opportunity that would otherwise be available to us may be used for the benefit of one of our affiliates.

We have engaged in transactions with our affiliates and expect to do so in the future. The terms of such transactions and the resolution of any conflicts that may arise may not always be in our or our stockholders’ best interests.

We have engaged in transactions and expect to continue to engage in transactions with affiliated companies. As described under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” incorporated by reference into this prospectus from our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, these transactions include, among others, drilling services provided to us by Bison Drilling and Field Services, LLC, real property leased by us from Fasken Midland, LLC and Caliber Investment Croup, LLC, hydraulic fracturing sand purchased by us from Muskie Proppant LLC and certain administrative services provided to us by Everest Operations Management

 

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LLC. Each of these entities is either controlled by or affiliated with Wexford Capital, and the resolution of any conflicts that may arise in connection with such related party transactions, including pricing, duration or other terms of service, may not always be in our or our stockholders’ best interests because Wexford Capital may have the ability to influence the outcome of these conflicts. For a discussion of potential conflicts, see “—Risks Related to this Offering and our Common Stock—Our two largest stockholders control a significant percentage of our common stock, and their interests may conflict with those of our other stockholders” beginning on page 2 of this prospectus.

We are an “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies will make our common stock less attractive to investors.

We are, and through December 31, 2013 will remain, an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, and until we cease to be an emerging growth company we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies, including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Investors may find our common stock less attractive because we rely on these exemptions. If some investors find our common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our common stock and our stock price may be more volatile.

Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, “emerging growth companies” can delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves to this exemption from new or revised accounting standards and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies.”

We incur increased costs as a result of being a public company, which may significantly affect our financial condition.

We completed our initial public offering in October 2012. As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. We also incur costs associated with our public company reporting requirements and with corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as rules implemented by the SEC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. These rules and regulations increase our legal and financial compliance costs and make some activities more time-consuming and costly, and we expect that these costs may increase further after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” These rules and regulations make it more difficult and more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance and we may be required to accept reduced policy limits and coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain the same or similar coverage. As a result, it may be more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers.

If the price of our common stock fluctuates significantly, your investment could lose value.

Although our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Select Global Market, we cannot assure you that an active public market will continue for our common stock. If an active public market for our common stock does not continue, the trading price and liquidity of our common stock will be materially and adversely affected. If there is a thin trading market or “float” for our stock, the market price for our common stock may fluctuate significantly more than the stock market as a whole. Without a large float, our common stock would be less liquid than the stock of companies with broader public ownership and, as a result, the trading prices of our common stock may be more volatile. In addition, in the absence of an active public trading market, investors may be unable to liquidate their investment in us. Furthermore, the stock market is subject to significant price and

 

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volume fluctuations, and the price of our common stock could fluctuate widely in response to several factors, including:

 

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our quarterly or annual operating results;

 

•

changes in our earnings estimates;

 

•

investment recommendations by securities analysts following our business or our industry;

 

•

additions or departures of key personnel;

 

•

changes in the business, earnings estimates or market perceptions of our competitors;

 

•

our failure to achieve operating results consistent with securities analysts’ projections;

 

•

changes in industry, general market or economic conditions; and

 

•

announcements of legislative or regulatory changes.

The stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations in recent years that have significantly affected the quoted prices of the securities of many companies, including companies in our industry. The changes often appear to occur without regard to specific operating performance. The price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company and these fluctuations could materially reduce our stock price.

Future sales of our common stock, or the perception that such future sales may occur, may cause our stock price to decline.

Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales may occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. In addition, the sale of such shares, or the perception that such sales may occur, could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional common or preferred stock. Except for any shares purchased by our affiliates, all of the shares of common stock sold in our initial public offering and our subsequent offerings are, and all of the shares of common stock sold under this prospectus or in any applicable prospectus supplement will be, freely tradable. In connection with our initial public offering, we also granted DB Energy Holdings LLC, or DB Holdings, and Gulfport and their respective affiliates certain registration rights obligating us to register with the SEC their shares of our common stock. The selling security holders’ shares included in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part are being registered in accordance with these obligations. In the event that one or more of our stockholders sells a substantial amount of our common stock in the public market, or the market perceives that such sales may occur, the price of our stock could decline.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will be influenced by the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company or fail to publish reports on us regularly, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. Moreover, if one or more of the analysts who cover our company downgrade our stock or if our operating results do not meet their expectations, our stock price could decline.

We may issue preferred stock whose terms could adversely affect the voting power or value of our common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue, without the approval of our stockholders, one or more classes or series of preferred stock having such designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights,

 

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including preferences over our common stock respecting dividends and distributions, as our board of directors may determine. The terms of one or more classes or series of preferred stock could adversely impact the voting power or value of our common stock. For example, we might grant holders of preferred stock the right to elect some number of our directors in all events or on the happening of specified events or the right to veto specified transactions. Similarly, the repurchase or redemption rights or liquidation preferences we might assign to holders of preferred stock could affect the residual value of the common stock.

Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law make it more difficult to effect a change in control of the company, which could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

The existence of some provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware corporate law could delay or prevent a change in control of our company, even if that change would be beneficial to our stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that may make acquiring control of our company difficult, including:

 

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provisions regulating the ability of our stockholders to nominate directors for election or to bring matters for action at annual meetings of our stockholders;

 

•

limitations on the ability of our stockholders to call a special meeting and act by written consent;

 

•

the ability of our board of directors to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws, and the requirement that the affirmative vote of holders representing at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock be obtained for stockholders to amend our bylaws;

 

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the requirement that the affirmative vote of holders representing at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock be obtained to remove directors;

 

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the requirement that the affirmative vote of holders representing at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock be obtained to amend our certificate of incorporation; and

 

•

the authorization given to our board of directors to issue and set the terms of preferred stock without the approval of our stockholders.

These provisions also could discourage proxy contests and make it more difficult for you and other stockholders to elect directors and take other corporate actions. As a result, these provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders, which may limit the price that investors are willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

We do not intend to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future, and therefore only appreciation of the price of our common stock will provide a return to our stockholders.

We currently anticipate that we will retain all future earnings, if any, to finance the growth and development of our business. We do not intend to pay cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. In addition, the terms of our revolving credit facility prohibit us from paying dividends and making other distributions. As a result, only appreciation of the price of our common stock, which may not occur, will provide a return to our stockholders.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless the applicable prospectus supplement indicates otherwise, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities by us for general corporate purposes, including without limitation repaying or refinancing all or a portion of our existing short-term and long-term debt, making acquisitions of assets, businesses or securities, capital expenditures and for working capital. The precise amount and timing of the application of such proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other capital. Pending any specific application of the net proceeds, we intend to invest our net proceeds in short-term, investment-grade securities, interest-bearing securities or guaranteed obligations of the United States or its agencies.

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any shares of common stock by selling security holders, unless we otherwise indicate in any applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS (DEFICIT) TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratios of earnings (deficit) to fixed charges for the periods indicated. We have calculated the ratio of earnings (deficit) to fixed charges by dividing the sum of income from continuing operations plus fixed charges by fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of interest expense. The financial measures used in this table may not be comparable to similarly titled financial measures used in our various agreements, including our revolving credit facility and the indenture that governs our outstanding senior notes.

 

		Nine  Months Ended September 30, 2013				Year Ended December 31,
						2012				2011				2010				2009				2008
Ratio of earnings (deficit) to fixed charges			28.2				5.8				6.9				11.9				122.6				—	(1)

 

(1)	Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 2008 by $85.0 million.

 

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SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS

The shares of our common stock covered by this prospectus are being offered by the selling security holders listed in the table below. This prospectus will not cover subsequent sales of common stock purchased from a selling security holder named in this prospectus.

No offer or sale under this prospectus may be made by a security holder unless that holder is listed in the table below, in a supplement to this prospectus or in an amendment to the related registration statement that has become effective. We may supplement or amend this prospectus to include additional selling security holders upon provision of all required information to us and subject to the terms of the relevant agreement between us and certain of the selling security holders.

The following table sets forth the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be sold by the selling security holders. We cannot predict when or in what amount any selling security holder may sell any of the shares offered by such selling security holder in this prospectus, if at all. The table also sets forth the name of each selling security holder, the nature of any position, office, or other material relationship which the selling security holder has had, within the past three years, with us or with any of our predecessors or affiliates, and the number of shares of our common stock to be owned by such selling security holder after completion of the offering. We are filing the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part pursuant to contractual obligations with certain of the selling security holders, as described in more detail below. We will pay all expenses relating to the registration of the shares by the selling security holders under the Securities Act and any other offering expenses, except that the selling security holders will pay any underwriting discounts or commissions.

We prepared the table based on information provided to us by the selling security holders. We have not sought to verify such information. Additionally, the selling security holders may have sold or transferred some or all of their shares of our common stock in transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act since the date on which the information in the table was provided to us. Other information about the selling security holders may also change over time.

Except as otherwise indicated, each selling security holder has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to such shares.

 

		Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned Prior to the Offering(1)								Shares of Common Stock Being Offered Hereby				Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned After Completion of  the Offering
Name of Selling Security Holder		Number				Percent(2)				Number				Number				Percent(2)
DB Energy Holdings LLC(3)			11,092,717				23.6	%			11,092,717				—				—
Wexford Spectrum Fund, L.P.(3)			132,339				*				132,339				—				—
Wexford Catalyst Fund, L.P.(3).			20,915				*				20,915				—				—
Spectrum Intermediate Fund Limited(3)			446,003				*				446,003				—				—
Catalyst Intermediate Fund Limited(3)			87,962				*				87,962				—				—
Gulfport Energy Corporation(4)			5,679,500				12.1	%			5,679,500				—				—

 

*	Less than 1%.

(1)

For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of any shares which such person has the right to acquire within 60 days. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares held by each person or group of persons named above, any security which such person or group of persons has the right to acquire within 60 days is deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership for such person or persons, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. As a result, the denominator used in calculating the beneficial ownership among our stockholders may differ.

 

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(2)

Percentage of beneficial ownership is based upon 47,067,116 shares of common stock outstanding as of October 28, 2013. Because the selling security holders are not obligated to sell any portion of the shares of our common stock shown as offered by them, we cannot estimate the actual number or percentage of shares of our common stock that will be held by any selling security holder upon completion of this offering. However, for purposes of this table, we have assumed that, after completion of the offering, none of the shares covered by this prospectus will be held by the applicable selling security holder.

(3)

Based solely on Schedule 13D/A filed with the SEC on July 2, 2013 by DB Energy Holdings LLC (“DB Holdings”), Wexford Spectrum Fund, L.P. (“WSF”), Wexford Catalyst Fund, L.P. (“WCF”), Spectrum Intermediate Fund Limited (“SIF”), Catalyst Intermediate Fund Limited (“CIF” and, together with DB Holdings, WSF, WCF and SIF, the “Funds”), Wexford Capital LP (“Wexford Capital”), Wexford GP LLC (“Wexford GP”), Charles E. Davidson (“Mr. Davidson”) and Joseph M. Jacobs (“Mr. Jacobs”), the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 9, 2013 by DB Holdings, the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 9, 2013 by Wexford Capital, Wexford GP, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Jacobs and the Company’s records. DB Holdings is a holding company managed by Wexford Capital. WSF, WCF, SIF and CIF are investment funds managed by Wexford Capital. Wexford Capital is an investment advisor registered with the SEC, and manages a series of investment funds. Wexford GP is the general partner of Wexford Capital. Mr. Davidson and Mr. Jacobs are the managing members of Wexford GP. DB has shared voting and dispositive power over 11,092,717 shares. WSF has shared voting and dispositive power over 132,339 shares. WCF has shared voting and dispositive power over 20,915 shares. SIF has shared voting and dispositive power over 446,003 shares. CIF has shared voting and dispositive power over 87,962 shares. Wexford Capital, Wexford GP, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Jacobs have shared voting and dispositive power over 11,786,702 shares, which amount (i) includes an aggregate of 6,666 shares of our common stock assigned to Wexford Capital by Mr. West, one of our directors, and Mr. Jacobi, one of our former directors, pursuant to the terms of their employment with Wexford Capital and (ii) excludes and aggregate of 2,222 unvested restricted stock units held by Mr. West, which will vest on October 11, 2014 assigned to Wexford Capital pursuant to the terms of Mr. West’s employment with Wexford Capital. Wexford Capital may, by reason of its status as manager or investment manager of the Funds, be deemed to own beneficially the securities of which the Funds possess beneficial ownership. Wexford GP may, as the General Partner of Wexford Capital, be deemed to own beneficially the securities of which the Funds possess beneficial ownership. Each of Mr. Davidson and Mr. Jacobs may, by reason of his status as a controlling person of Wexford GP, be deemed to own beneficially the securities of which the Funds possess beneficial ownership. Each of Wexford Capital, Wexford GP, Mr. Davidson and Mr. Jacobs disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities owned by the Funds except, in the case of Mr. Davidson and Mr. Jacobs, to the extent of their respective interests in the Funds. Wexford Capital’s address is Wexford Plaza, 411 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830. We have entered into a registration rights agreement with DB Holdings, a selling security holder named in this prospectus, which agreement is incorporated herein by reference. Under this agreement, DB Holdings and its transferees have certain demand and “piggyback” registration rights. The demand rights enable each such security holder to require us to register its shares of our common stock with the SEC. The piggyback rights allow each such security holder to register the shares of our common stock that it owns along with any shares that we register with the SEC. These registration rights are subject to customary conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters of an offering to limit the number of shares. The shares of common stock that may be offered by the Funds pursuant to this prospectus and any required prospectus supplement have been included herein under the terms of the piggyback registration rights. All expenses of such registrations (including both demand and piggyback registrations), other than any underwriting discounts and commissions, will be paid by us. For a full description of our material relationships with DB Holdings and its affiliates, please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” appearing in our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

(4)

Based solely on the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 9, 2013 by Gulfport Energy Corporation. Gulfport Energy Corporation’s address is 14313 North May Avenue, Suite 100, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73134. We have entered into an investor rights agreement with Gulfport, a selling security holder named in this prospectus, which agreement is incorporated herein by reference. Under this agreement, Gulfport has certain

 

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demand and “piggyback” registration rights. The demand rights enable such security holder to require us to register its shares of our common stock with the SEC. The piggyback rights allow such security holder to register the shares of our common stock that it owns along with any shares that we register with the SEC. These registration rights are subject to customary conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters of an offering to limit the number of shares. The shares of common stock that may be offered by Gulfport pursuant to this prospectus and any required prospectus supplement have been included herein under the terms of the piggyback registration rights. All expenses of such registrations (including both demand and piggyback registrations), other than underwriting discounts and commissions, will be paid by us. For a full description of our material relationships with Gulfport and its affiliates, please see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” appearing in our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEES

General

We may issue debt securities in one or more series. When used in this Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees section, unless we state otherwise or the context clearly indicates otherwise, references to “the Company,” “Diamondback Energy,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer only to Diamondback Energy, Inc.

We may issue senior or subordinated debt securities. Neither the senior debt securities nor the subordinated debt securities will be secured by any of our property or assets. Thus, by owning a debt security, you will be one of our unsecured creditors.

The senior debt securities will constitute part of our senior debt, will be issued under our senior debt indenture described below and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated debt.

The subordinated debt securities will constitute part of our subordinated debt, will be issued under our subordinated debt indenture described below and will be subordinate in right of payment to all of our “senior debt,” as defined in the indenture with respect to such subordinated debt securities. The prospectus supplement for any series of subordinated debt securities or the information incorporated in this prospectus by reference will indicate the approximate amount of senior debt outstanding as of the end of the then most recent fiscal quarter. Neither indenture limits our ability to incur additional senior debt or other indebtedness.

When we refer to “debt securities” in this prospectus, we mean both the senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities.

The debt securities may have the benefit of guarantees (each, a “guarantee”) by one or more of our existing or future subsidiaries, including Diamondback O&G LLC, Diamondback E&P LLC and Viper Energy Partners LLC, specified as a “guarantor” (each, a “guarantor”) in the prospectus supplement for the series of such debt securities. If a guarantor issues guarantees, the guarantees will be unsecured and, if guaranteeing senior debt securities, unsubordinated or, if guaranteeing subordinated debt securities, subordinated obligations of the respective guarantors. Unless otherwise expressly stated or the context otherwise requires, as used in this section, the term “guaranteed debt securities” means debt securities that, as described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto, are guaranteed by one or more guarantors pursuant to the applicable indenture.

The debt indentures and their associated documents, including your debt security, contain the full legal text of the matters described in this section and your prospectus supplement. We have filed forms of the indentures with the SEC as exhibits to our registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” in this prospectus for information on how to obtain copies of them.

This section and your prospectus supplement summarize material terms of the indentures and your debt security. They do not, however, describe every aspect of the indentures and your debt security. For example, in this section and your prospectus supplement, we use terms that have been given special meaning in the indentures, but we describe the meaning for only the more important of those terms. Your prospectus supplement will have a more detailed description of the specific terms of your debt security and any applicable guarantees.

Indentures

The senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities are each governed by a document called an indenture. Each indenture is a contract between us and a trustee to be named prior to the issuance of debt securities thereunder. The indentures are substantially identical, except for certain provisions including those relating to subordination, which are included only in the indenture related to subordinated debt securities.

 

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The trustee under each indenture has two main roles:

 

•

First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, which we describe later under “—Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default.”

 

•

Second, the trustee performs administrative duties for us, such as sending you interest payments and notices.

When we refer to “the indenture” or “the trustee” with respect to any debt securities, we mean the indenture under which those debt securities are issued and the trustee under that indenture.

Series of Debt Securities

We may issue as many distinct debt securities or series of debt securities under either indenture as we wish. This section summarizes terms of the securities that apply generally to all debt securities and series of debt securities. The provisions of each indenture allow us not only to issue debt securities with terms different from those of debt securities previously issued under that indenture, but also to “reopen” a previously issued series of debt securities and issue additional debt securities of that series. We will describe most of the financial and other specific terms of your series, whether it is a series of the senior debt securities or the subordinated debt securities, in the prospectus supplement for that series. Those terms may vary from the terms described here.

As you read this section, please remember that the specific terms of your debt security as described in your prospectus supplement will supplement and, if applicable, modify or replace the general terms described in this section. If there are any differences between your prospectus supplement and this prospectus with respect to your debt security, your prospectus supplement will control. Thus, the statements we make in this section may not apply to your debt security.

When we refer to “debt securities” or a “series of debt securities,” we mean, respectively, debt securities or a series of debt securities issued under the applicable indenture. When we refer to “your prospectus supplement,” we mean the prospectus supplement describing the specific terms of the debt security you purchase. The terms used in your prospectus supplement will have the meanings described in this prospectus, unless otherwise specified.

Amounts of Issuances

Neither indenture limits the aggregate amount of debt securities that we may issue or the number of series or the aggregate amount of any particular series. We may issue debt securities and other securities at any time without your consent and without notifying you.

The indentures and the debt securities do not limit our ability to incur other indebtedness or to issue other securities. Also, unless otherwise specified below or in your prospectus supplement, we are not subject to financial or similar restrictions by the terms of the debt securities.

Principal Amount, Stated Maturity and Maturity

Unless otherwise stated, the principal amount of a debt security means the principal amount payable at its stated maturity, unless that amount is not determinable, in which case the principal amount of a debt security is its face amount.

The term “stated maturity” with respect to any debt security means the day on which the principal amount of your debt security is scheduled to become due. The principal may become due sooner, by reason of redemption, acceleration after a default or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the debt security. The day on which the principal actually becomes due, whether at the stated maturity or earlier, is called the “maturity” of the principal.

 

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We also use the terms “stated maturity” and “maturity” to refer to the days when other payments become due. For example, we may refer to a regular interest payment date when an installment of interest is scheduled to become due as the “stated maturity” of that installment. When we refer to the “stated maturity” or the “maturity” of a debt security without specifying a particular payment, we mean the stated maturity or maturity, as the case may be, of the principal.

Specific Terms of Debt Securities

Your prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of your debt security, which will include some or all of the following:

 

•

the title of the series of your debt security and whether it is a senior debt security or a subordinated debt security;

 

•

any limit on the total principal amount of the debt securities of the same series;

 

•

the stated maturity;

 

•

the currency or currencies for principal and interest, if not U.S. dollars;

 

•

the price at which we originally issue your debt security, expressed as a percentage of the principal amount, and the original issue date;

 

•

whether your debt security is a fixed rate debt security, a floating rate debt security or an indexed debt security;

 

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if your debt security is a fixed rate debt security, the yearly rate at which your debt security will bear interest, if any, and the interest payment dates;

 

•

if your debt security is a floating rate debt security, the interest rate basis; any applicable index currency or index maturity, spread or spread multiplier or initial base rate, maximum rate or minimum rate; the interest reset, determination, calculation and payment dates; the day count convention used to calculate interest payments for any period; the business day convention; and the calculation agent;

 

•

if your debt security is an indexed debt security, the principal amount, if any, we will pay you at maturity, interest payment dates, the amount of interest, if any, we will pay you on an interest payment date or the formula we will use to calculate these amounts, if any, and the terms on which your debt security will be exchangeable for or payable in cash, securities or other property;

 

•

if your debt security may be converted into or exercised or exchanged for common or preferred stock or other securities of the Company or debt or equity securities of one or more third parties, the terms on which conversion, exercise or exchange may occur, including whether conversion, exercise or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option, the period during which conversion, exercise or exchange may occur, the initial conversion, exercise or exchange price or rate and the circumstances or manner in which the amount of common or preferred stock or other securities issuable upon conversion, exercise or exchange may be adjusted;

 

•

if your debt security is also an original issue discount debt security, the yield to maturity;

 

•

if applicable, the circumstances under which your debt security may be redeemed at our option or repaid at the holder’s option before the stated maturity, including any redemption commencement date, repayment date(s), redemption price(s) and redemption period(s);

 

•

the authorized denominations, if other than $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000;

 

•

the depositary for your debt security, if other than The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), and any circumstances under which the holder may request securities in non-global form, if we choose not to issue your debt security in book-entry form only;

 

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•

if applicable, the circumstances under which we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a United States person for tax purposes and under which we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay additional amounts;

 

•

whether your debt security will be guaranteed by any guarantors and, if so, the identity of the guarantors and, to the extent the terms thereof differ from those described in this prospectus, a description of the terms of the guarantees;

 

•

the names and duties of any co-trustees, depositaries, authenticating agents, paying agents, transfer agents or registrars for your debt security, as applicable; and

 

•

any other terms of your debt security and any guarantees of your debt security, which could be different from those described in this prospectus.

Governing Law

The indentures and the debt securities (and any guarantees thereof) will be governed by New York law.

Form of Debt Securities

We will issue each debt security only in registered form, without coupons, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, we will issue each debt security in global—i.e., book-entry—form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. Debt securities in book-entry form will be represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary, which will be the holder of all the debt securities represented by the global security. Those who own beneficial interests in a global debt security will do so through participants in the depositary’s securities clearance system, and the rights of these indirect owners will be governed solely by the applicable procedures of the depositary and its participants. References to “holders” in this section mean those who own debt securities registered in their own names, on the books that we or the trustee maintain for this purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities registered in street name or in debt securities issued in book-entry form through one or more depositaries.

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, the following is a summary of the depositary arrangements applicable to debt securities issued in global form and for which DTC acts as depositary.

Each global debt security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, as depositary, or its nominee, and registered in the name of a nominee of DTC. Except under the limited circumstances described below, global debt securities are not exchangeable for definitive certificated debt securities.

Ownership of beneficial interests in a global debt security is limited to institutions that have accounts with DTC or its nominee, or persons that may hold interests through those participants. In addition, ownership of beneficial interests by participants in a global debt security will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership interest will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee for a global debt security. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global debt security by persons that hold those interests through participants will be evidenced only by, and the transfer of that ownership interest within that participant will be effected only through, records maintained by that participant. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the debt securities. Beneficial owners will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchase, but beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of the transaction, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the participants through which the beneficial owners entered the transaction. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities they purchase in definitive form. These laws may impair your ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global debt security.

 

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We will make payment of principal of, and interest on, debt securities represented by a global debt security registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner and holder of the global debt security representing those debt securities. DTC has advised us that upon receipt of any payment of principal of, or interest on, a global debt security, DTC immediately will credit accounts of participants on its book-entry registration and transfer system with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective interests in the principal amount of that global debt security, as shown in the records of DTC. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a global debt security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in “street name,” and will be the sole responsibility of those participants, subject to any statutory or regulatory requirements that may be in effect from time to time.

Neither we, any trustee nor any of our respective agents will be responsible for any aspect of the records of DTC, any nominee or any participant relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a permanent global debt security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of the records of DTC, any nominee or any participant relating to such beneficial interests.

A global debt security is exchangeable for definitive debt securities registered in the name of, and a transfer of a global debt security may be registered to, any person other than DTC or its nominee, only if:

 

•

DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for that global security or has ceased to be a registered clearing agency and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days; or

 

•

we notify the trustee that we wish to terminate that global security.

Any global debt security that is exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence will be exchangeable in whole for definitive debt securities in registered form, of like tenor and of an equal aggregate principal amount as the global debt security, in denominations specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if other than $2,000 and multiples of $1,000. The definitive debt securities will be registered by the registrar in the name or names instructed by DTC. We expect that these instructions may be based upon directions received by DTC from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global debt security.

Except as provided above, owners of the beneficial interests in a global debt security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities in definitive form and will not be considered the holders of debt securities for any purpose under the indentures. No global debt security shall be exchangeable except for another global debt security of like denomination and tenor to be registered in the name of DTC or its nominee. Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a global debt security must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that person is not a participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the global debt security or the indentures.

We understand that, under existing industry practices, in the event that we request any action of holders, or an owner of a beneficial interest in a global debt security desires to give or take any action that a holder is entitled to give or take under the debt securities or the indentures, DTC would authorize the participants holding the relevant beneficial interests to give or take that action. Additionally, those participants would authorize beneficial owners owning through those participants to give or take that action or would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them.

DTC has advised us that it is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions among its participants in securities through electronic

 

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book-entry changes in accounts of the participants. By doing so, DTC eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC’s participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and NYSE Amex Equities. Access to DTC’s book-entry system is also available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

Investors may hold interests in the debt securities outside the U.S. through the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) or Clearstream Banking (“Clearstream”) if they are participants in those systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in those systems. Euroclear and Clearstream will hold interests on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in Euroclear’s and Clearstream’s names on the books of their respective depositaries, which in turn will hold such interests in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC.

Euroclear advises that it was created in 1968 to hold securities for participants of Euroclear (“Euroclear Participants”) and to clear and settle transactions between Euroclear Participants through simultaneous electronic book-entry delivery against payment, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates and any risk from lack of simultaneous transfers of securities and cash. Euroclear includes various other services, including securities lending and borrowing and interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. Euroclear is operated by the Euroclear S.A./N.V. (the “Euroclear Operator”), under contract with Euroclear Clearance Systems S.C., a Belgian cooperative corporation (the “Cooperative”). All operations are conducted by the Euroclear Operator, and all Euroclear securities clearance accounts and Euroclear cash accounts are accounts with the Euroclear Operator, not the Cooperative. The Cooperative establishes policy for Euroclear on behalf of Euroclear Participants. Euroclear Participants include banks (including central banks), securities brokers and dealers and other professional financial intermediaries and may include any agents. Indirect access to Euroclear is also available to other firms that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Euroclear Participant, either directly or indirectly.

Securities clearance accounts and cash accounts with the Euroclear Operator are governed by the Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear, the related Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System, and applicable Belgian law (collectively, the “Terms and Conditions”). The Terms and Conditions govern transfers of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash within Euroclear, withdrawals of securities and cash from Euroclear, and receipts of payments with respect to securities in Euroclear. All securities in Euroclear are held on a fungible basis without attribution of specific certificates to specific securities clearance accounts. The Euroclear Operator acts under the Terms and Conditions only on behalf of Euroclear Participants and has no record of or relationship with persons holding through Euroclear Participants.

Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Euroclear will be credited to the cash accounts of Euroclear Participants in accordance with the Terms and Conditions, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Euroclear.

Clearstream advises that it is incorporated under the laws of Luxembourg as a professional depositary. Clearstream holds securities for its participating organizations (“Clearstream Participants”) and facilitates the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between Clearstream Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of Clearstream Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of certificates. Clearstream provides to Clearstream Participants, among other things, services for safekeeping, administration, clearance and settlement of internationally traded securities and securities lending and borrowing. Clearstream interfaces with domestic markets in several countries. As a professional depositary, Clearstream is subject to regulation by the Luxembourg Monetary Institute. Clearstream Participants are recognized financial institutions around the world, including agents, securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations and may include any agents. Indirect access to Clearstream is also

 

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available to others, such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Clearstream Participant either directly or indirectly.

Distributions with respect to debt securities held beneficially through Clearstream will be credited to cash accounts of Clearstream Participants in accordance with its rules and procedures, to the extent received by the U.S. depositary for Clearstream.

We have provided the descriptions herein of the operations and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream and are subject to change by them from time to time. We believe that the sources from which the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus concerning DTC, Euroclear, the Euroclear Operator, the Cooperative, Euroclear’s system, Clearstream and Clearstream’s system has been obtained are reliable, but neither we, any underwriters nor the trustee takes any responsibility for the accuracy of the information.

Initial settlement for the securities will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC’s rules and will be settled in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between Euroclear Participants and/or Clearstream Participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, as applicable, and will be settled using the procedures applicable to conventional eurobonds in immediately available funds.

Cross-market transfers between persons holding directly or indirectly through DTC, on the one hand, and directly or indirectly through Euroclear Participants or Clearstream Participants, on the other, will be effected in DTC in accordance with DTC rules on behalf of the relevant European international clearing system by its U.S. depositary; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to the relevant European international clearing system by the counterparty in such system in accordance with its rules and procedures and within its established deadlines (European time). The relevant European international clearing system will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving securities in DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day funds settlement applicable to DTC. Euroclear Participants and Clearstream Participants may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.

Because of time-zone differences, credits of securities received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of a transaction with a DTC participant will be made during subsequent securities settlement processing and dated the business day following the DTC settlement date. Credits or any transactions in securities settled during this processing will be reported to the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream Participants on that following business day. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of debt securities by or through a Euroclear Participant or a Clearstream Participant to a DTC participant will be received with value on the DTC settlement date but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day following settlement in DTC.

Although DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream have agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of securities among participants of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream, they are under no obligation to perform or continue to perform these procedures and these procedures may be discontinued at any time.

Redemption or Repayment

If there are any provisions regarding redemption or repayment applicable to your debt security, we will describe them in your prospectus supplement.

 

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We or our affiliates may purchase debt securities from investors who are willing to sell from time to time, either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Debt securities that we or they purchase may, at our discretion, be held, resold or canceled.

Mergers and Similar Transactions

We are generally permitted under the indentures to merge or consolidate with another corporation or other entity. We are also permitted under the indentures to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another corporation or other entity. With regard to any series of debt securities, however, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions, among other things, are met:

 

•

If the successor entity in the transaction is not the Company, the successor entity must be organized as a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust and must expressly assume our obligations under the debt securities of that series and the indenture with respect to that series. The successor entity may be organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

 

•

Immediately after the transaction, no default under the debt securities of that series has occurred and is continuing. For this purpose, “default under the debt securities of that series” means an event of default with respect to that series or any event that would be an event of default with respect to that series if the requirements for giving us default notice and for our default having to continue for a specific period of time were disregarded. We describe these matters below under “—Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default.”

If the conditions described above are satisfied with respect to the debt securities of any series, we will not need to obtain the approval of the holders of those debt securities in order to merge or consolidate or to sell all or substantially all our assets. Also, these conditions will apply only if we wish to merge or consolidate with another entity or sell all or substantially all of our assets to another entity. We will not need to satisfy these conditions if we enter into other types of transactions, including any transaction in which we acquire the stock or assets of another entity, any transaction that involves a change of control of the Company but in which we do not merge or consolidate and any transaction in which we sell less than substantially all our assets.

The successor entity will be substituted for the Company with respect to the debt securities of any series and under the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture, and, except in the case of a lease, the Company will be relieved from any further obligations and covenants under the indenture.

Subordination Provisions

Holders of subordinated debt securities should recognize that contractual provisions in the subordinated debt indenture may prohibit us from making payments on those securities. Subordinated debt securities are subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner stated in the subordinated debt indenture, to all of our senior debt, as defined in the subordinated debt indenture, including all debt securities we have issued and will issue under the senior debt indenture.

The subordinated debt indenture defines “senior debt” as:

 

•

our indebtedness under or in respect of our credit agreement, whether for principal, interest (including interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding pursuant to any bankruptcy law, whether or not the claim for such interest is allowed as a claim in such proceeding), reimbursement obligations, fees, commissions, expenses, indemnities or other amounts; and

 

•

any other indebtedness permitted under the terms of that indenture, unless the instrument under which such indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the subordinated debt securities.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, “senior debt” will not include: (i) equity interests; (ii) any liability for taxes; (iii) any indebtedness to any of our subsidiaries or affiliates; (iv) any trade payables; or (v) any indebtedness incurred in violation of the subordinated debt indenture.

We may modify the subordination provisions, including the definition of senior debt, with respect to one or more series of subordinated debt securities. Such modifications will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The subordinated debt indenture provides that, unless all principal of and any premium or interest on the senior debt has been paid in full, no payment or other distribution may be made in respect of any subordinated debt securities in the following circumstances:

 

•

in the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization, assignment for creditors or other similar proceedings or events involving us or our assets;

 

•

(a) in the event and during the continuation of any default in the payment of principal of and any premium and interest on any senior debt beyond any applicable grace period or (b) in the event that any event of default with respect to any senior debt has occurred and is continuing, permitting the holders of that senior debt (or a trustee) to accelerate the maturity of that senior debt, whether or not the maturity is in fact accelerated (unless, in the case of (a) or (b), the payment default or event of default has been cured or waived or ceased to exist and any related acceleration has been rescinded) or (c) in the event that any judicial proceeding is pending with respect to a payment default or event of default described in (a) or (b); or

 

•

in the event that any subordinated debt securities have been declared due and payable before their stated maturity.

If the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture or any holders of the subordinated debt securities receive any payment or distribution that is prohibited under the subordination provisions, then the trustee or the holders will have to repay that money to the holders of the senior debt.

Even if the subordination provisions prevent us from making any payment when due on the subordinated debt securities of any series, we will be in default on our obligations under that series if we do not make the payment when due. This means that the trustee under the subordinated debt indenture and the holders of that series can take action against us, but they will not receive any money until the claims of the holders of senior debt have been fully satisfied.

The subordinated debt indenture allows the holders of senior debt to obtain a court order requiring us and any holder of subordinated debt securities to comply with the subordination provisions.

Defeasance, Covenant Defeasance and Satisfaction and Discharge

When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the indenture. If we deposit with the trustee funds or government securities, or if so provided in your prospectus supplement, obligations other than government securities, sufficient to make payments on any series of debt securities on the dates those payments are due and payable and other specified conditions are satisfied, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:

 

•

we will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities of such series and all obligations of any guarantors of such debt securities will also be discharged with respect to the guarantees of such debt securities (“legal defeasance”); or

 

•

we will be discharged from any covenants we make in the applicable indenture for the benefit of such series and the related events of default will no longer apply to us (“covenant defeasance”).

 

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If we defease any series of debt securities, the holders of such securities will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for our obligations to register the transfer or exchange of such securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated securities or maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust. In case of covenant defeasance, our obligation to pay principal of and any premium and interest on the applicable series of debt securities will also survive.

We will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the applicable series of debt securities to recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

Upon the effectiveness of defeasance with respect to any series of guaranteed debt securities, each guarantor of the debt securities of such series shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged from all of its obligations under its guarantee of the debt securities of such series and all of its other obligations under the applicable indenture in respect of the debt securities of that series, without any action by us, any guarantor or the trustee and without the consent of the holders of any debt securities.

In addition, we may satisfy and discharge all our obligations under the indenture with respect to debt securities of any series, other than our obligation to register the transfer of and exchange debt securities of that series, provided that we either:

 

•

deliver all outstanding debt securities of that series to the trustee for cancellation; or

 

•

all such debt securities not so delivered for cancellation have either become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year, and in the case of this bullet point, we have deposited with the trustee in trust an amount of cash sufficient to pay the entire indebtedness of such debt securities, including interest to the stated maturity or applicable redemption date.

No Personal Liability

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, manager, partner (whether general or limited), unitholder or stockholder of the Company or any guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations of us or any guarantor, respectively, under the debt securities or the indentures or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt securities by accepting a debt security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities and any guarantees. The waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.

Default, Remedies and Waiver of Default

You will have special rights if an event of default with respect to your series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, as described in this subsection.

Events of Default

Unless your prospectus supplement says otherwise, when we refer to an event of default with respect to any series of debt securities, we mean any of the following:

 

•

we do not pay the principal of and any premium on any debt security of that series on the due date;

 

•

we do not pay interest on any debt security of that series within 30 days after the due date;

 

•

we do not deposit a sinking fund payment with regard to any debt security of that series within 60 days after the due date, but only if the payment is required under provisions described in the applicable prospectus supplement;

 

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•

we remain in breach of our covenants regarding mergers or sales of substantially all of our assets or any other covenant we make in the indenture for the benefit of the relevant series, for 90 days after we receive a notice of default stating that we are in breach and requiring us to remedy the breach, which notice must be sent by the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the relevant series of debt securities;

 

•

we file for bankruptcy or other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to the Company occur;

 

•

if the debt securities of that series are guaranteed debt securities, the guarantee of the debt securities of that series by any guarantor shall for any reason cease to be, or shall for any reason be asserted in writing by such guarantor or the Company, not to be, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent contemplated or permitted by the indenture or the debt securities of that series; or

 

•

if the applicable prospectus supplement states that any additional event of default applies to the series, that event of default occurs.

We may change, eliminate, or add to the events of default with respect to any particular series or any particular debt security or debt securities within a series, as indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

If you are the holder of a subordinated debt security, all the remedies available upon the occurrence of an event of default under the subordinated debt indenture will be subject to the restrictions on the subordinated debt securities described above under “—Subordination Provisions.”

Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if an event of default has occurred with respect to any series of debt securities and has not been cured or waived, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all debt securities of that series then outstanding may declare the entire principal amount of the debt securities of that series to be due immediately. Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if the event of default occurs because of events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization relating to the Company, the entire principal amount of the debt securities of that series will be automatically accelerated, without any action by the trustee or any holder.

Each of the situations described above is called an acceleration of the stated maturity of the affected series of debt securities. Except as otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, if the stated maturity of any series is accelerated and a judgment for payment has not yet been obtained, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series may cancel the acceleration for the entire series.

If an event of default occurs, the trustee will have special duties. In that situation, the trustee will be obligated to use those of its rights and powers under the relevant indenture, and to use the same degree of care and skill in doing so, that a prudent person would use in that situation in conducting his or her own affairs.

Except as described in the prior paragraph, the trustee is not required to take any action under the relevant indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable protection from expenses and liability. This is called an indemnity. If the trustee is provided with an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it, the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee with respect to that series. These majority holders may also direct the trustee in performing any other action under the relevant indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series.

 

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Before you bypass the trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to any debt security, all of the following must occur:

 

•

the holder of your debt security must give the trustee written notice that an event of default has occurred with respect to the debt securities of your series, and the event of default must not have been cured or waived;

 

•

the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of all debt securities of your series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default, and they or other holders must offer to the trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the trustee against the cost and other liabilities of taking that action;

 

•

the trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after the above steps have been taken; and

 

•

during those 60 days, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of your series must not have given the trustee directions that are inconsistent with the written request of the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the debt securities of your series.

You are entitled at any time, however, to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt security on or after its stated maturity (or, if your debt security is redeemable, on or after its redemption date).

Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of the maturity.

Waiver of Default

The holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of any series may waive a default for all debt securities of that series. If this happens, the default will be treated as if it has not occurred. No one can waive a payment default on any debt security, however, without the approval of the particular holder of that debt security.

Annual Information about Defaults to the Trustee

We will furnish each trustee every year a written statement of two of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the applicable indenture and the debt securities issued under it, or else specifying any default under the applicable indenture.

Modifications and Waivers

There are four types of changes we can make to either indenture and the debt securities or series of debt securities or any guarantees thereof issued under that indenture.

Changes Requiring Each Holder’s Approval

First, there are changes that cannot be made without the approval of each holder of a debt security affected by the change under the applicable debt indenture, including, among others:

 

•

changing the stated maturity for any principal or interest payment on a debt security;

 

•

reducing the principal amount, the amount payable on acceleration of the maturity after a default, the interest rate or the redemption price for a debt security;

 

•

permitting redemption of a debt security if not previously permitted;

 

•

impairing any right a holder may have to require purchase of its debt security;

 

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•

impairing any right that a holder of a convertible debt security may have to convert the debt security;

 

•

changing the currency of any payment on a debt security;

 

•

changing the place of payment on a debt security;

 

•

impairing a holder’s right to sue for payment of any amount due on its debt security;

 

•

releasing any guarantor of a debt security from any of its obligations under its guarantee thereof, except in accordance with the terms of the indenture;

 

•

reducing the percentage in principal amount of the debt securities of any one or more affected series, taken separately or together, as applicable, and whether comprising the same or different series or less than all of the debt securities of a series, the approval of whose holders is needed to change the indenture or those debt securities or waive our compliance with the applicable indenture or to waive defaults; and

 

•

changing the provisions of the applicable indenture dealing with modification and waiver in any other respect, except to increase any required percentage referred to above or to add to the provisions that cannot be changed or waived without approval of the holder of each affected debt security.

Changes Not Requiring Approval

The second type of change does not require any approval by holders of the debt securities affected. These changes are limited to clarifications and changes that would not adversely affect any debt securities of any series in any material respect. Nor do we need any approval to make changes that affect only debt securities to be issued under the applicable indenture after the changes take effect. We may also make changes or obtain waivers that do not adversely affect a particular debt security, even if they affect other debt securities. In those cases, we do not need to obtain the approval of the holder of the unaffected debt security; we need only obtain any required approvals from the holders of the affected debt securities. We may also make changes to reflect the addition of, succession to or release of any guarantor of guaranteed debt securities otherwise permitted under the indenture. We may also make changes to conform the text of the applicable indenture or any debt securities or guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Debt Securities and Guarantees” in this prospectus or the comparable section in your prospectus supplement, to the extent such provision was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of such indenture or debt securities or guarantees.

Modification of Subordination Provisions

We may not amend the indenture related to subordinated debt securities to alter the subordination of any outstanding subordinated debt securities without the written consent of each holder of senior debt then outstanding who would be adversely affected (or the group or representative thereof authorized or required to consent thereto pursuant to the instrument creating or evidencing, or pursuant to which there is outstanding, such senior debt). In addition, we may not modify the subordination provisions of the indenture related to subordinated debt securities in a manner that would adversely affect the subordinated debt securities of any one or more series then outstanding in any material respect, without the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of all affected series then outstanding, voting together as one class (and also of any affected series that by its terms is entitled to vote separately as a series, as described below).

Changes Requiring Majority Approval

Any other change to a particular indenture and the debt securities issued under that indenture would require the following approval:

 

•

If the change affects only particular debt securities within a series issued under the applicable indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of such particular debt securities; or

 

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•

If the change affects debt securities of more than one series issued under the applicable indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of all such series affected by the change, with all such affected debt securities voting together as one class for this purpose and such affected debt securities of any series potentially comprising fewer than all debt securities of such series, in each case, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to such indenture for all or any particular debt securities of any series. This means that modification of terms with respect to certain securities of a series could be effectuated without obtaining the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of other securities of such series that are not affected by such modification.

The same majority approval would be required for us to obtain a waiver of any of our covenants in either indenture. Our covenants include the promises we make about merging or selling substantially all of our assets, which we describe above under “—Mergers and Similar Transactions.” If the holders approve a waiver of a covenant, we will not have to comply with it. The holders, however, cannot approve a waiver of any provision in a particular debt security, or in the applicable indenture as it affects that debt security, that we cannot change without the approval of the holder of that debt security as described above in “—Changes Requiring Each Holder’s Approval,” unless that holder approves the waiver.

We may issue particular debt securities or a particular series of debt securities, as applicable, that are entitled, by their terms, to separately approve matters (for example, modification or waiver of provisions in the applicable indenture) that would also, or otherwise, require approval of holders of a majority in principal amount of all affected debt securities of all affected series issued under such indenture voting together as a single class. Any such affected debt securities or series of debt securities would be entitled to approve such matters (a) pursuant to such special rights by consent of holders of a majority in principal amount of such affected debt securities or series of debt securities voting separately as a class and (b) in addition, as described above, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to the applicable indenture for such debt securities or series of debt securities, by consent of holders of a majority in principal amount of such affected debt securities or series of debt securities and all other affected debt securities of all series issued under such indenture voting together as one class for this purpose. We may issue series or debt securities of a series having these or other special voting rights without obtaining the consent of or giving notice to holders of outstanding debt securities or series.

Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change an indenture or any debt securities or request a waiver.

Special Rules for Action by Holders

Only holders of outstanding debt securities of the applicable series will be eligible to take any action under the applicable indenture, such as giving a notice of default, declaring an acceleration, approving any change or waiver or giving the trustee an instruction with respect to debt securities of that series. Also, we will count only outstanding debt securities in determining whether the various percentage requirements for taking action have been met. Any debt securities owned by us or any of our affiliates or surrendered for cancellation or for payment or redemption, for which money has been set aside in trust, are not deemed to be outstanding. Any required approval or waiver must be given by written consent.

In some situations, we may follow special rules in calculating the principal amount of debt securities that are to be treated as outstanding for the purposes described above. This may happen, for example, if the principal amount is payable in a non-U.S. dollar currency, increases over time or is not to be fixed until maturity.

We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders that are entitled to take action under either indenture. In certain limited circumstances, only the trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders. If we or the trustee sets a record date for an approval or other action to be taken by holders, that vote or action may be taken only by persons or entities who are holders on the record

 

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date and must be taken during the period that we specify for this purpose, or that the trustee specifies if it sets the record date. We or the trustee, as applicable, may shorten or lengthen this period from time to time. This period, however, may not extend beyond the 180th day after the record date for the action. In addition, record dates for any global debt security may be set in accordance with procedures established by the depositary from time to time. Accordingly, record dates for global debt securities may differ from those for other debt securities.

Form, Exchange and Transfer

If any debt securities cease to be issued in registered global form, they will be issued:

 

•

only in fully registered form;

 

•

without interest coupons; and

 

•

unless we indicate otherwise in your prospectus supplement, in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

Holders may exchange their debt securities for debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed. You may not exchange your debt securities for securities of a different series or having different terms, unless your prospectus supplement and the supplemental indenture with respect to your debt securities provide for such exchange.

Holders may exchange or transfer their debt securities at the office of the trustee. They may also replace lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated debt securities at that office. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders and transferring and replacing debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their debt securities, but they may be required to pay for any tax or other governmental charge associated with the exchange or transfer. The transfer or exchange, and any replacement, will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership. The transfer agent may require an indemnity before replacing any debt securities.

If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in your prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.

If the debt securities of any series are redeemable and we redeem less than all those debt securities, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers of or exchange any debt security selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security being partially redeemed.

If a debt security is issued as a global debt security, only DTC or other depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection because the depositary will be the sole holder of the debt security.

The rules for exchange described above apply to exchange of debt securities for other debt securities of the same series and kind. If a debt security is convertible, exercisable or exchangeable into or for a different kind of security, such as one that we have not yet issued, or for other property, the rules governing that type of conversion, exercise or exchange will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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Payments

We will pay interest, principal and other amounts payable with respect to the debt securities of any series to the holders of record of those debt securities as of the record dates and otherwise in the manner specified below or in the prospectus supplement for that series.

We will make payments on a global debt security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will pay directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect owners who own beneficial interests in the global debt security. An indirect owner’s right to receive those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants.

We will make payments on a debt security in non-global, registered form as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date by check mailed on the interest payment date to the holder at his or her address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date. We will make all other payments by check at the paying agent described below, against surrender of the debt security. All payments by check will be made in next-day funds—i.e., funds that become available on the day after the check is cashed.

Alternatively, if a non-global debt security has a face amount of at least $1,000,000 and the holder asks us to do so, we will pay any amount that becomes due on the debt security by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account at a bank in New York City, on the due date. To request wire payment, the holder must give the paying agent appropriate wire transfer instructions at least five business days before the requested wire payment is due. In the case of any interest payment due on an interest payment date, the instructions must be given by the person or entity who is the holder on the relevant regular record date. In the case of any other payment, payment will be made only after the debt security is surrendered to the paying agent. Any wire instructions, once properly given, will remain in effect unless and until new instructions are given in the manner described above.

Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.

Regardless of who acts as paying agent, all money paid by us to a paying agent that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after the amount is due to a holder will be repaid to us. After that two-year period, the holder may look only to us for payment and not to the trustee, any other paying agent or anyone else.

Guarantees

The debt securities of any series may be guaranteed by one or more of our existing and future subsidiaries, including Diamondback O&G LLC, Diamondback E&P LLC and Viper Energy Partners LLC. However, the applicable indenture governing the debt securities will not require that any of our subsidiaries be a guarantor of any series of debt securities and will permit the guarantors of any series of guaranteed debt securities to differ from the guarantors of any other series of guaranteed debt securities. If the Company issues a series of guaranteed debt securities, the identity of the specific guarantors of the debt securities of that series will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

If we issue a series of guaranteed debt securities, a description of some of the terms of guarantees of those debt securities will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of guaranteed debt securities, each guarantor of the debt securities of such series will fully and unconditionally guarantee, on a joint and several basis with each other guarantor, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on each debt security of such series, all in accordance with the terms of such debt securities and the applicable indenture.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of guaranteed debt securities, the applicable indenture will contain provisions to the effect that the obligations of each guarantor under its guarantees and such indenture shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such guarantor, result in the obligations of such guarantor under such guarantees and such indenture not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law. However, there can be no assurance that, notwithstanding such limitation, a court would not determine that a guarantee constituted a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law. If that were to occur, the court could void the applicable guarantor’s obligations under that guarantee, subordinate that guarantee to other debt and other liabilities of that guarantor or take other action detrimental to holders of the debt securities of the applicable series, including directing the holders to return any payments received from the applicable guarantor.

Unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement relating to a series of guaranteed debt securities, the applicable indenture will (i) provide that, upon the sale or disposition (by merger or otherwise) of any guarantor, (x) if the transferee is not an affiliate of the Company, such guarantor will automatically be released from all obligations under its guarantee of such debt securities or (y) otherwise, the transferee (if other than the Company or another guarantor) will assume the guarantor’s obligations under its guarantee of such debt securities and (ii) permit us to cause the guarantee of any guarantor of such debt securities to be released at any time if we satisfy such conditions, if any, as are specified in the prospectus supplement for such debt securities.

The applicable prospectus supplement relating to any series of guaranteed debt securities will specify other terms of the applicable guarantees.

If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of our senior debt securities provides that those senior debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by any or all of our subsidiaries, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, each such guarantee will be the unsubordinated and unsecured obligation of the applicable guarantor and will rank equally in right of payment with all of the unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of such guarantor.

Any guarantee of any debt securities will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future secured indebtedness of the applicable guarantor, including any secured guarantees of other Company debt, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing that indebtedness. Consequently, in the event of a bankruptcy, or similar proceeding with respect to any guarantor that has provided a guarantee of any debt securities, the holders of that guarantor’s secured indebtedness will be entitled to proceed directly against the collateral that secures that secured indebtedness and such collateral will not be available for satisfaction of any amount owed by such guarantor under its unsecured indebtedness, including its guarantees of any debt securities, until that secured debt is satisfied in full. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, the indenture will not limit the ability of any guarantor to incur secured indebtedness.

If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of our subordinated debt securities provides that those subordinated debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by any or all of our subsidiaries, unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, each such guarantee will be the subordinated and unsecured obligation of the applicable guarantor and, in addition to being effectively subordinated to secured debt of such guarantor, will be subordinated in right of payment to all of such guarantor’s existing and future senior indebtedness, including any guarantee of the senior debt securities, to the same extent and in the same manner as the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to our senior debt. See “—Subordination Provisions” above.

Paying Agents

We may appoint one or more financial institutions to act as our paying agents, at whose designated offices debt securities in non-global entry form may be surrendered for payment at their maturity. We call each of those

 

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offices a paying agent. We may add, replace or terminate paying agents from time to time. We may also choose to act as our own paying agent. We will specify in the prospectus supplement for your debt security the initial location of each paying agent for that debt security. We must notify the trustee of changes in the paying agents.

Notices

Notices to be given to holders of a global debt security will be given only to the depositary, in accordance with its applicable policies as in effect from time to time. Notices to be given to holders of debt securities not in global form will be sent by mail to the respective addresses of the holders as they appear in the trustee’s records, and will be deemed given when mailed. Neither the failure to give any notice to a particular holder, nor any defect in a notice given to a particular holder, will affect the sufficiency of any notice given to another holder.

Book-entry and other indirect owners should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive notices.

Our Relationship with the Trustee

The prospectus supplement for your debt security will describe any material relationships we may have with the trustee with respect to that debt security.

The same financial institution may initially serve as the trustee for our senior debt securities and subordinated debt securities. Consequently, if an actual or potential event of default occurs with respect to any of these securities, the trustee may be considered to have a conflicting interest for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. In that case, the trustee may be required to resign under one or more of the indentures, and we would be required to appoint a successor trustee. For this purpose, a “potential” event of default means an event that would be an event of default if the requirements for giving us default notice or for the default having to exist for a specific period of time were disregarded.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our common stock, certificate of incorporation and our bylaws are summaries thereof and are qualified by reference to our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, copies of which have been filed with the SEC.

Our authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “FANG.”

Common Stock

Holders of shares of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Shares of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the election of the board of directors can elect all the directors to be elected at that time, and, in such event, the holders of the remaining shares will be unable to elect any directors to be elected at that time. Our certificate of incorporation denies stockholders any preemptive rights to acquire or subscribe for any stock, obligation, warrant or other securities of ours. Holders of shares of our common stock have no redemption or conversion rights nor are they entitled to the benefits of any sinking fund provisions.

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, holders of shares of common stock shall be entitled to receive, pro rata, all the remaining assets of our company available for distribution to our stockholders after payment of our debts and after there shall have been paid to or set aside for the holders of capital stock ranking senior to common stock in respect of rights upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up the full preferential amounts to which they are respectively entitled.

Holders of record of shares of common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and if declared by the board of directors out of any assets legally available for such dividends, subject to both the rights of all outstanding shares of capital stock ranking senior to the common stock in respect of dividends and to any dividend restrictions contained in debt agreements. All outstanding shares of common stock and any shares sold and issued in this offering will be fully paid and nonassessable by us. As of October 28, 2013, there were 47,067,116 shares of our common stock outstanding.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors is authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series. The board of directors may fix for each series:

 

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the distinctive serial designation and number of shares of the series;

 

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the voting powers and the right, if any, to elect a director or directors;

 

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the terms of office of any directors the holders of preferred shares are entitled to elect;

 

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the dividend rights, if any;

 

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the terms of redemption, and the amount of and provisions regarding any sinking fund for the purchase or redemption thereof;

 

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the liquidation preferences and the amounts payable on dissolution or liquidation;

 

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the terms and conditions under which shares of the series may or shall be converted into any other series or class of stock or debt of the corporation; and

 

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any other terms or provisions which the board of directors is legally authorized to fix or alter.

 

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We do not need stockholder approval to issue or fix the terms of the preferred stock. The actual effect of the authorization of the preferred stock upon your rights as holders of common stock is unknown until our board of directors determines the specific rights of owners of any series of preferred stock. Depending upon the rights granted to any series of preferred stock, your voting power, liquidation preference or other rights could be adversely affected. Preferred stock may be issued in acquisitions or for other corporate purposes. Issuance in connection with a stockholder rights plan or other takeover defense could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from acquiring, control of our company. We currently have no outstanding preferred stock and have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Related Party Transactions and Corporate Opportunities

Subject to the limitations of applicable law, our certificate of incorporation, among other things:

 

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permits us to enter into transactions with entities in which one or more of our officers or directors are financially or otherwise interested so long as it has been approved by our board of directors;

 

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permits any of our stockholders, officers or directors to conduct business that competes with us and to make investments in any kind of property in which we may make investments; and

 

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provides that if any director or officer of one of our affiliates who is also one of our officers or directors becomes aware of a potential business opportunity, transaction or other matter (other than one expressly offered to that director or officer in writing solely in his or her capacity as our director or officer), that director or officer will have no duty to communicate or offer that opportunity to us, and will be permitted to communicate or offer that opportunity to such affiliates and that director or officer will not be deemed to have (i) acted in a manner inconsistent with his or her fiduciary or other duties to us regarding the opportunity or (ii) acted in bad faith or in a manner inconsistent with our best interests.

Anti-takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Our Bylaws

Some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws contain provisions that could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove our incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals because negotiation of such proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Undesignated preferred stock. The ability to authorize and issue undesignated preferred stock may enable our board of directors to render more difficult or discourage an attempt to change control of us by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. For example, if in the due exercise of its fiduciary obligations, the board of directors were to determine that a takeover proposal is not in our best interest, the board of directors could cause shares of preferred stock to be issued without stockholder approval in one or more private offerings or other transactions that might dilute the voting or other rights of the proposed acquirer or insurgent stockholder or stockholder group.

Stockholder meetings. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or by a resolution adopted by a majority of our board of directors.

Requirements for advance notification of stockholder nominations and proposals. Our bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors.

 

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Stockholder action by written consent. Our certificate of incorporation provides that, except as may otherwise be provided with respect to the rights of the holders of preferred stock, no action that is required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders at any annual or special meeting may be effected by written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting of stockholders, unless the action to be effected by written consent of stockholders and the taking of such action by such written consent have expressly been approved in advance by our board. This provision, which may not be amended except by the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, makes it difficult for stockholders to initiate or effect an action by written consent that is opposed by our board.

Amendment of the bylaws. Under Delaware law, the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws is conferred upon the stockholders. A corporation may, however, in its certificate of incorporation also confer upon the board of directors the power to adopt, amend or repeal its bylaws. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws grant our board the power to adopt, amend and repeal our bylaws at any regular or special meeting of the board on the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. Our stockholders may adopt, amend or repeal our bylaws but only at any regular or special meeting of stockholders by an affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Removal of Director. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws provide that members of our board of directors may only be removed by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation. Our certificate of incorporation provides that, in addition to any other vote that may be required by law or any preferred stock designation, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of all then outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, is required to amend, alter or repeal, or adopt any provision as part of our certificate of incorporation inconsistent with the provisions of our certificate of incorporation dealing with distributions on our common stock, related party transactions, our board of directors, our bylaws, meetings of our stockholders or amendment of our certificate of incorporation.

The provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in our management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

Choice of Forum

Our certificate of incorporation provides that unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or our stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or our certificate of incorporation or bylaws; or (iv) any action asserting a claim against us pertaining to internal affairs of our corporation. Our certificate of incorporation also provides that any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to this choice of forum provision. It is possible that a court of law could rule that the choice of forum provision contained in our certificate of incorporation is inapplicable or unenforceable if it is challenged in a proceeding or otherwise.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Computershare Trust Company, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

Initial Offering and Sale of Securities

We and the selling security holders, which as used in this prospectus includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling common stock received after the date of this prospectus from a selling security holder as a gift, pledge, distribution or other transfer, may, from time to time, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of the securities offered by this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement on any stock exchange, market or trading facility on which such securities are traded or in private transactions. These dispositions may be at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to the prevailing market price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated prices.

We and the selling security holders may use any one or more of the following methods when disposing of the offered securities:

 

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ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers;

 

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block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

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purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account;

 

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an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange;

 

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privately negotiated transactions;

 

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short sales effected after the date of this prospectus;

 

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through the writing or settlement of options or other hedging transactions, whether through an options exchange or otherwise;

 

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broker-dealers may agree to sell a specified number of such common stock at a stipulated price per share;

 

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a combination of any such methods of sale; and

 

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any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law.

The selling security holders also may resell all or a portion of the common stock in open market transactions in reliance upon Rule 144 under the Securities Act.

If underwriters are used to sell the securities, we and the selling security holders, if any, will enter into an underwriting agreement or similar agreement with them at the time of the sale to them. In that event, underwriters may receive compensation from us and the selling security holders, if any, in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agent.

To the extent required by applicable law, a prospectus supplement relating to the securities will set forth:

 

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the offering terms, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

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the number or amount of the securities involved, the purchase price of such securities and the proceeds to us and the selling security holders, if any, from such sale;

 

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any underwriting discounts, concessions, commissions and other items constituting compensation to underwriters, dealers or agents;

 

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any initial public offering price;

 

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•

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid by underwriters or dealers to other dealers; and

 

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any securities exchanges on which the securities may be listed.

The securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms. Unless otherwise set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement, the obligations of underwriters or dealers to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters or dealers will be obligated to purchase all the securities if any are purchased. Any public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid by underwriters or dealers to other dealers may be changed from time to time.

The selling security holders and any underwriters, dealers or agents that are involved in selling the securities may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such sales. In such event, any commissions received by them and any profit on the resale of the securities purchased by them may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.

In order to comply with the securities laws of some states, the shares sold in those jurisdictions may only be sold through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states, the shares may not be sold unless the shares have been registered or qualified for sale in that state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.

The securities may be sold directly by us, the selling security holders or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus and a prospectus supplement is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us or the selling security holders to such agent will be set forth, in any required prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

If so indicated in the prospectus supplement, we or the selling security holders will authorize underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers from certain specified institutions to purchase securities from us or the selling security holders at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. Such contracts will be subject to any conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commissions payable for solicitation of such contracts. The underwriters and other persons soliciting such contracts will have no responsibility for the validity or performance of any such contracts.

Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into with us or the selling security holders to be indemnified by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments which they may be required to make. The terms and conditions of such indemnification will be described in an applicable prospectus supplement. Underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or the selling security holders in the ordinary course of business.

Any underwriters to whom securities are sold by us or the selling security holders for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any securities.

Certain persons participating in any offering of securities may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities offered. In connection with any such offering, the underwriters, dealers or agents, as the case may be, may purchase and sell securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created

 

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in connection with the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the securities and syndicate short positions involve the sale by the underwriters, dealers or agents, as the case may be, of a greater number of securities than they are required to purchase from us in the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market, and if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions may be effected on The NASDAQ Global Select Market, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. These activities will be described in more detail in the sections entitled “Plan of Distribution” or “Underwriting” in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act covering the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus does not contain all of the information that you can find in that registration statement and its exhibits. Certain items are omitted from this prospectus in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the securities offered by this prospectus, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits filed with the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to are not necessarily complete and in each instance such statement is qualified by reference to each such contract or document filed with or incorporated by reference as part of the registration statement. We file reports, proxy and information statements and other information with the SEC. You may read any materials we have filed with the SEC free of charge at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of all or any part of these documents may be obtained from such office upon the payment of the fees prescribed by the SEC. The public may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the site is http://www.sec.gov. The registration statement, including all exhibits thereto and amendments thereof, has been filed electronically with the SEC.

You can also find our SEC filings on our website at www.diamondbackenergy.com. The information contained on our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus the information we provide in other documents filed by us with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. Any statement contained in a document that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus is automatically updated and superseded if information contained in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, or information that we later file with the SEC, modifies and replaces this information. We incorporate by reference the following documents that we have filed with the SEC (except as indicated below with respect to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K):

 

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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on March 1, 2013;

 

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our Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the SEC on April 11, 2013;

 

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the information specifically incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 from our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 30, 2013;

 

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our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013 and September 30, 2013, filed with the SEC on May 9, 2013, August 8, 2013 and November 4, 2013, respectively;

 

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our Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on February 1, 2013, April 11, 2013, May 20, 2013, June 6, 2013, June 24, 2013, August 19, 2013, September 4, 2013, September 6, 2013, September 9, 2013, September 12, 2013, September 18, 2013 and September 25, 2013; and

 

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The description of our common stock contained in our Form 8-A filed with the SEC on October 11, 2012, including any amendment to that form that we may file in the future for the purpose of updating the description of our common stock.

 

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We are also incorporating by reference from our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-190462), originally filed with the SEC on August 8, 2013, as amended on August 14, 2013, (i) the historical Statements of Revenues and Direct Operating Expenses of certain property interests of Gulfport Energy Corporation and the related Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants and (ii) the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Financial Statement prepared to show the effect the Company’s acquisition of Gulfport Energy Corporation’s oil and natural gas interests in the Permian Basin and the distribution by Windsor Permian LLC to its equity holders of its minority equity interests in Bison Drilling and Field Services LLC and Muskie Holdings LLC.

In addition, all documents filed by us with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (other than those furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K, unless otherwise stated therein) after the date of this prospectus will be considered to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be a part of this prospectus from the dates of the filing of such documents. Pursuant to General Instruction B of Form 8-K, any information submitted under Item 2.02, Results of Operations and Financial Condition, or Item 7.01, Regulation FD Disclosure, of Form 8-K is not deemed to be “filed” for the purpose of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, and we are not subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act with respect to information submitted under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K. We are not incorporating by reference any information submitted under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or into this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated on such Form 8-K.

You may request a copy of this prospectus or any of the incorporated documents (excluding exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated) at no charge to you by writing to Teresa L. Dick, Chief Financial Officer, Diamondback Energy, Inc., 14301 Caliber Drive, Suite 300, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; telephone: (405) 463-6900.

Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed modified, superseded or replaced for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus modifies, supersedes or replaces such statement.

LEGAL MATTERS

Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of the securities to be offered hereby offered by us and/or the selling security holders will be passed upon by Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P. If legal matters in connection with offerings made by this prospectus are passed on by counsel for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, that counsel will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

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

The audited statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of working and revenue interests of certain oil and gas properties owned by Gulfport Energy Corporation incorporated by reference in this prospectus and elsewhere in the registration statement have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of Grant Thornton LLP, independent certified public accountants, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

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Information incorporated by referenced in this prospectus regarding our estimated quantities of oil and gas reserves and the discounted present value of future net cash flows therefrom is based upon estimates of such reserves and present values prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P. as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 and by Pinnacle Energy Services, LLC as of December 31, 2010, each an independent petroleum engineering firm. This information is incorporated by reference in this prospectus in reliance upon the authority of such firms as experts in these matters.

 

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