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TABLE OF CONTENTS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-230427

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

(1)

Calculated in accordance with Rules 457(o) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933.

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated March 21, 2019)

Common Stock
Having an Aggregate Offering Price of Up to
$75,000,000

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         This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus relate to the issuance and sale from time to time of shares of common stock of Laredo Petroleum, Inc. having an aggregate offering price of up to $75,000,000 through Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as our sales agent (the "sales agent"). These sales, if any, will be made pursuant to the terms of the equity distribution agreement dated February 23, 2021 between us and the sales agent (the "Equity Distribution Agreement"), which has been filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

         Under the Equity Distribution Agreement, we may issue and sell common stock through the sales agent at market prices prevailing at the time of sale. Under the terms of the Equity Distribution Agreement, we also may sell shares of common stock to the sales agent as principal for its own account at a price agreed upon at the time of the sale. If we sell common stock to the sales agent as principal, we will enter into a separate terms agreement with the sales agent, and we will describe that agreement in a separate prospectus supplement or pricing supplement.

         Pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement, shares of common stock may be offered and sold in privately negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be "at-the-market" offerings as defined by Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), including by ordinary brokers' transactions through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), to or through a market maker or directly on or through an electronic communications network, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, in block transactions or as otherwise agreed with the sales agent. The sales agent is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of common stock, but as instructed by us will make all sales using commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable laws and regulations, subject to the terms and conditions of the Equity Distribution Agreement on mutually agreed terms. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement. The offering of common stock pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale of common stock having an aggregate sales price of $75,000,000 and (2) the termination by us or the sales agent of the Equity Distribution Agreement pursuant to its terms.

         Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "LPI." On February 22, 2021, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the NYSE was $36.29 per share.

         Investing in our common stock involves risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement, and the risk factors incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus before you make an investment in our common stock.

         The compensation of the sales agent for sales of common stock shall be at a fixed commission rate of up to 2.5% of the gross sales price per share of common stock, depending upon the number of shares of common stock sold. We have no obligation to sell any shares under the Equity Distribution Agreement, and may at any time suspend offers under the Equity Distribution Agreement or terminate the Equity Distribution Agreement, subject to the terms thereof.

         The net proceeds from any sales under this prospectus supplement will be used as described under "Use of Proceeds" in this prospectus supplement.

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

Wells Fargo Securities

The date of this prospectus supplement is February 23, 2021.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

PROSPECTUS

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

        This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein, which describes the specific terms of this offering of our common stock. The second part is the accompanying base prospectus, which gives more general information, some of which may not apply to our common stock or this offering. If the information relating to the offering varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

        You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus and any related freewriting prospectus. We and the sales agent have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it.

        This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate and are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying base prospectus or any related freewriting prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the respective date on the front cover of those documents, or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or any sale of a security.

        In this prospectus supplement, "Laredo," "we," "us," "our" or "ours" refer to Laredo Petroleum, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

        As described in the accompanying base prospectus under the caption "Where You Can Find More Information," we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement specified documents that we have filed and may file with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). However, no document or information or any related exhibit that we have "furnished" or may in the future "furnish" to the SEC shall be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying base prospectus except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference therein.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        The information in this prospectus supplement includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements include statements, projections and estimates concerning our operations, performance, business strategy, oil, natural gas liquids ("NGL") and natural gas reserves, drilling program capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources, the timing and success of specific projects, outcomes and effects of litigation, claims and disputes, derivative activities and potential financing. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as "estimate," "project," "predict," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "potential," "could," "may," "will," "foresee," "plan," "goal," "should," "intend," "pursue," "target," "continue," "suggest" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are

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appropriate under the circumstances. Among the factors that significantly impact our business and could impact our business in the future are:

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the threat, occurrence, potential duration or other implications of epidemic or pandemic diseases, including the recent outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus ("COVID-19"), or any government response to such occurrence or threat;



•

changes in domestic and global production, supply and demand for oil, NGL and natural gas, including the recent decrease in demand and oversupply of oil and natural gas as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and actions by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries members and other oil exporting nations ("OPEC+");



•

the volatility of oil, NGL and natural gas prices, including in our area of operation in the Permian Basin, and the extent and duration of price reductions and increased production by OPEC+;



•

revisions to our reserve estimates as a result of changes in commodity prices, decline curves and other uncertainties;



•

impacts of impairment write-downs on our financial statements;



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the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and our ability to remediate a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting;



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the potential impact of suspending drilling programs and completions activities or shutting in a portion of our wells, as well as costs to later restart, and co-development considerations such as horizontal spacing, vertical spacing and parent-child interactions on production of oil, NGL and natural gas from our wells;



•

conditions of the energy industry and changes in the regulatory environment and in United States or international legal, tax, political, administrative or economic conditions, including trade policies or regulations that restrict imports or exports from the United States or prohibit or restrict our ability to apply hydraulic fracturing to our oil and natural gas wells and to access and dispose of water used in these operations;



•

the ongoing instability and uncertainty in the United States and international energy, financial and consumer markets that could adversely affect the liquidity available to us and our customers and the demand for commodities, including oil, NGL and natural gas;



•

our ability to maintain listing on the NYSE and to prevent the decrease in market price and liquidity of our common stock;



•

our ability to discover, estimate, develop and replace oil, NGL and natural gas reserves and inventory;



•

capital requirements for our operations and projects;



•

the long-term performance of wells that were completed using different technologies;



•

the availability and costs of drilling and production equipment, supplies, labor and oil and natural gas processing and other services;



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the availability and costs of sufficient pipeline and transportation facilities and gathering and processing capacity;



•

our ability to maintain the borrowing capacity under our Fifth Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Facility (as amended, our "Senior Secured Credit Facility") or access other means of obtaining capital and liquidity, especially during periods of sustained low commodity prices;

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our ability to successfully identify and consummate strategic acquisitions at purchase prices that are accretive to our financial results and to successfully integrate acquired businesses, assets and properties;



•

our ability to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness, fund our capital requirements and generate future profits;



•

the impact of repurchases, if any, of securities from time to time;



•

restrictions contained in our debt agreements, including our Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing our senior unsecured notes, as well as debt that could be incurred in the future;



•

our ability to maintain the health and safety of, as well as recruit and retain, qualified personnel necessary to operate our business;



•

the pipeline and storage constraints in the Permian Basin and the possibility of future production curtailment in the State of Texas;



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the potentially insufficient refining capacity in the United States Gulf Coast to refine all of the light sweet crude oil being produced in the United States, which could result in widening price discounts to world oil prices and potential shut-in of production due to lack of sufficient markets;



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risks related to the geographic concentration of our assets;



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our ability to secure or generate sufficient electricity to produce our wells without limitations;



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our ability to hedge and regulations that affect our ability to hedge;



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legislation or regulations that prohibit or restrict our ability to drill new allocation wells;



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our ability to execute our strategies;



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competition in the oil and natural gas industry;



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drilling and operating risks, including risks related to hydraulic fracturing activities,



•

and those related to inclement weather impacting our ability to produce existing wells and/or drill and complete new wells over an extended period of time; and



•

our ability to comply with federal, state and local regulatory requirements.

        These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various factors, including those set forth in "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, this prospectus supplement and in other filings made by us from time to time with the SEC or in materials incorporated herein or therein. In light of such risks and uncertainties, we caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

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

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        All forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus supplement speak only as of the date of this prospectus supplement and all forward-looking statements incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement speak only as of the dates such statements were made. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements regarding new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

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RISK FACTORS

        Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and all of the information described in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus before purchasing our common stock. In addition, you should carefully consider, among other things, the matters discussed under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and in the documents that we subsequently file with the SEC, all of which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flow could be materially and adversely affected. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not believed by us to be material may also negatively impact us.

You may experience significant dilution as a result of this offering and additional issuances of our securities, which could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

        Our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation permit our board of directors to authorize, without stockholder approval, the issuance of additional shares of common stock or one or more series of preferred stock. We may, from time to time and at any time, seek to offer and sell common stock, preferred stock or other securities, including sales of common stock in this offering, based on market conditions and other factors that may be beyond our control.

        This offering may have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share after giving effect to the issuance of our common stock in this offering and the receipt of the expected net proceeds. The actual amount of dilution from this offering, or from any future offering of common or preferred stock, will be based on numerous factors and cannot be determined at this time. In addition, the sales agent will not engage in any transactions that stabilize the price of our common stock. The market price of our common stock could decline as a result of sales of shares of our equity securities in the market pursuant to this offering, or otherwise, or as a result of the perception or expectation that those sales could occur.

The market price of our common stock may be volatile, and your investment in our stock could suffer a decline in value.

        The prices we receive for our oil, NGL and natural gas production heavily influence our revenue, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth, and thus affect the market price of our common stock. Oil, NGL and natural gas are commodities, and therefore their prices are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand. Historically, the market for oil, NGL and natural gas has been volatile, and this volatility exhibited a negative trend in recent years. Oil, NGL and natural gas prices will likely continue to be volatile in the future and will depend on numerous factors beyond our control. In addition to these commodity prices, the market price of our common stock could fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to:

•

our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;



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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;



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changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;



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public reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements and our filings with the SEC;



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announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, dispositions, innovations, or new programs and services;

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changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts following our stock, or the failure of securities analysts to cover our common stock after this offering;



•

changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;



•

the failure of securities analysts to publish research about us after this offering or to make changes in their financial estimates;



•

the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;



•

general economic conditions and overall market fluctuations;



•

the trading volume of our common stock;



•

changes in business, legal or regulatory conditions, or other developments affecting participants in, and publicity regarding our business or any of our significant customers or competitors;



•

results of operations that vary from the expectations of securities analysts and investors or those of our competitors;



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future sales of our common stock by us, directors, executives and significant stockholders; and



•

changes in economic and political conditions in our markets.

        In particular, the realization of any of the risks described in these "Risk Factors" and the documents incorporated by reference herein could have a material and adverse impact on the market price of our common stock in the future and cause the value of your investment to decline. In addition, the stock market in general has experienced extreme volatility in recent years that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock over the short, medium or long term, regardless of our actual performance. If the market price of our common stock reaches an elevated level following this offering, it may materially and rapidly decline. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, stockholders have often instituted securities class action litigation. If we were to be involved in a class action lawsuit, it could divert the attention of senior management and, if adversely determined, have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The actual number of shares of common stock we will issue under the Equity Distribution Agreement, at any one time or in total, is uncertain.

        Subject to certain limitations in the Equity Distribution Agreement and compliance with applicable law, we have the discretion to deliver an issuance notice to the sales agent at any time throughout the term of the Equity Distribution Agreement. The number of shares of common stock that are sold by the sales agent after delivering an issuance notice will fluctuate based on the market price of the shares of common stock during the sales period and limits we set with the sales agent. Because the price per share of each shares of common stock sold will fluctuate based on the market price of our shares of common stock during the sales period, it is not possible at this stage to predict the number of shares of common stock that will be ultimately issued.

The shares of common stock offered hereby will be sold in "at the market offerings," and investors who buy shares of common stock at different times will likely pay different prices.

        Investors who purchase shares of common stock in this offering at different times will likely pay different prices, and so may experience different outcomes in their investment results. We will have discretion, subject to market demand, to vary the timing, prices, and numbers of shares of common stock sold. Investors may experience a decline in the value of their shares of common stock as a result of sales of shares of common stock made at prices lower than the prices they paid.

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If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our company, or if they issue unfavorable commentary about us or our industry or downgrade the outlook of our common stock, the market price of our common stock could decline.

        The trading market for our common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that third-party securities analysts publish about our company and our industry. One or more analysts could downgrade the outlook for our common stock or issue other negative commentary about our company or our industry. Furthermore, if one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our company, we could lose visibility in the market. As a result of one or more of these factors, the market price of our common stock could decline and cause you to lose all or a portion of your investment.

We may invest or spend the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock under the Equity Distribution Agreement in ways with which you may not agree or in ways that may not earn a profit.

        We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our common stock under the Equity Distribution Agreement, if any, for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, financing of capital expenditures, repayment or refinancing of outstanding debt, financing acquisitions or investments, financing other business opportunities, and general working capital purposes. We will have broad discretion over how to use the net proceeds and you may not agree with the ways we decide to use these funds, and such uses may not yield any profits.

Future sales or the possibility of future sales of a substantial amount of our common stock or the issuance of securities senior to our common stock could adversely affect the price per share of our common stock and our ability to raise funds in new stock offerings.

        Future sales or the availability for sale of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through future sales of, or pay for acquisitions using, equity securities.

        We may issue shares of our common stock or other securities from time to time as consideration for future acquisitions and investments and pursuant to compensation and incentive plans. If any such acquisition or investment is significant, the number of shares of our common stock, or the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of other securities that we may issue may in turn be substantial. We may also grant registration rights covering those shares of our common stock or other securities issued in connection with any such acquisitions and investments.

        We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common stock or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of our common stock will have on the market price of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock (including shares of our common stock issued in connection with an acquisition or compensation or incentive plan), or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock. If the price per share at which we sell additional shares of our common stock or related securities in future transactions is less than the price per share in this offering, then investors who purchase our common stock in this offering will suffer a dilution of their investment.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering, after deducting the sales agent's commission and our offering expenses, for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, financing of capital expenditures, repayment or refinancing of outstanding debt, financing acquisitions or investments, financing other business opportunities, and general working capital purposes.

        An affiliate of the sales agent is a lender under our Senior Secured Credit Facility. To the extent that we use the net proceeds from this offering to repay or refinance amounts we have borrowed or may borrow or re-borrow in the future under our Senior Secured Credit Facility, the lender will receive its pro rata portion of any of the proceeds from this offering that we use to repay any such amounts. See "Plan of Distribution (Conflicts of Interest)" in this prospectus supplement for additional information.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        For a summary of our common stock and certain provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, and Delaware state law, please refer to the Description of the Registrant's Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the SEC on February 22, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein. This summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws, copies of which have been previously filed with the SEC, and applicable provisions of Delaware state law.

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CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR
NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK

Introduction

        The following is a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below) arising from the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock. This summary is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply to a Non-U.S. Holder as a result of the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock. In addition, this summary does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular Non-U.S. Holder, including (i) any U.S. federal tax laws other than income tax laws, such as gift or estate tax laws, (ii) state, local or non-U.S. tax considerations or (iii) the impact, if any, of the alternative minimum tax or the net investment income tax. Moreover, this summary is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") or the U.S. courts, and no assurance can be provided that the conclusions reached in this summary will not be challenged by the IRS or will be sustained by a U.S. court if so challenged. We have not requested, and we do not intend to request, a ruling from the IRS or an opinion from U.S. legal counsel regarding any of the U.S. federal income or other tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock.

        This summary is based on the Code, Treasury Regulations (final, temporary, and proposed), U.S. court decisions, published IRS rulings and published administrative positions of the IRS, that are applicable and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this prospectus supplement. Any of the authorities on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied on a retroactive basis and could affect the U.S. federal income tax considerations described in this summary.

        For purposes of this summary, a "Non-U.S. Holder" is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that is not a partnership or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and that is not: (a) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S., (b) a corporation, or other entity classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is created or organized in or under the laws of the U.S. or any state in the U.S., including the District of Columbia, (c) an estate if the income of such estate is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of the source of such income, or (d) a trust if (i) such trust has validly elected to be treated as a U.S. person for U.S. federal income tax purposes or (ii) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of such trust.

        This summary does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock by Non-U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including the following Non-U.S. Holders: (a) Non-U.S. Holders that are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred accounts; (b) Non-U.S. Holders that are financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment companies or that are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting method; (c) Non-U.S. Holders that have a "functional currency" other than the U.S. dollar; (d) Non-U.S. Holders that own shares of our common stock as part of a straddle, hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other arrangement involving more than one position; (e) Non-U.S. Holders that acquire shares of our common stock in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (f) Non-U.S. Holders that hold shares of our common stock other than as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code; (g) Non-U.S. Holders who are U.S. expatriates or former long term residents of the United States; (h) Non-U.S. Holders that are foreign governments and international organizations; and (i) Non-U.S. Holders that own, directly, indirectly, or by

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attribution, 5% or more, by voting power or value, of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Non-U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including but not limited to Non-U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. state and local, and foreign tax and other tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock.

        If a partnership or other entity that is classified as partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds shares of our common stock, the U.S. federal income tax considerations to such partnership and the partners of such partnership generally will depend on the activities of the partnership and the status of such partners (or owners). Partnerships or other entities that are classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and their owners should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock.

        THIS DISCUSSION IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS RELATED TO THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF SHARES OF OUR COMMON STOCK BY NON-U.S. HOLDERS. IT IS NOT TAX ADVICE. EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF OUR COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL AND NON-U.S. TAX LAWS, AS WELL AS U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE AND GIFT TAX LAWS, THE ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX, AND THE NET INVESTMENT INCOME TAX.

Distributions on Shares of Our Common Stock

        We do not plan to make any distributions on our common stock for the foreseeable future. However, if distributions with respect to shares of our common stock are made, such distributions will be treated as dividends to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits as determined under the Code. Any portion of a distribution that exceeds our current or accumulated earnings and profits will first be applied to reduce the Non-U.S. Holder's basis in shares of our common stock, and, to the extent such portion exceeds the Non-U.S. Holder's basis, the excess will be treated as gain from the disposition of shares of our common stock, the tax treatment of which is discussed below under the heading "Gain on Sale or Other Disposition of Shares of Our Common Stock."

        Generally, dividends paid in respect of shares of our common stock to a Non-U.S. Holder will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a 30% rate, subject to the two following exceptions:

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Dividends effectively connected with a trade or business of a Non-U.S. Holder within the U.S. generally will not be subject to withholding if the Non-U.S. Holder complies with applicable IRS certification and disclosure requirements and generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at regular U.S. federal income tax rates (in the same manner as a U.S. person) on its U.S. trade or business income. In the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is a corporation, such effectively connected income also may be subject to the branch profits tax at a 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be prescribed by an applicable tax treaty).



•

The withholding tax may not apply, or may apply at a reduced rate, under the terms of an applicable tax treaty. Under Treasury Regulations, to obtain a reduced rate of withholding under a tax treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be required to satisfy applicable certification and other requirements. A Non-U.S. Holder of shares of our common stock eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. withholding tax may obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS.

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Gain on Sale or Other Disposition of Shares of Our Common Stock

        Except as described in the discussion below under the heading, "Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax," a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of shares 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 within the United States and, if subject to an applicable tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by the Non-U.S. Holder in the United States;



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in the case of an individual, the Non-U.S. Holder has been present in the United States for at least 183 days or more in the taxable year of disposition (and certain other conditions are satisfied); or



•

we are or have been a "U.S. real property holding corporation" ("USRPHC"), for U.S. federal income tax purposes (that is, a domestic corporation whose trade or business and real property assets consist primarily of "U.S. real property interests") at any time during the shorter of the five-year period ending on the date of disposition and the Non-U.S. Holder's holding period for its shares of our common stock and, if shares of our common stock are "regularly traded on an established securities market," the Non-U.S. Holder held, directly or indirectly, at any time during such period, more than 5% of the issued and outstanding common stock.

        Income that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business by a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be subject to regular U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as if it were realized by a U.S. Holder. In addition, if such Non-U.S. Holder is a corporation, such gain may be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as is provided by an applicable income tax treaty).

        If an individual Non-U.S. Holder is present in the U.S. for at least 183 days during the taxable year of disposition, the Non-U.S. Holder may be subject to a flat 30% tax on any U.S.-source gain derived from the sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of shares of our common stock (other than gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business), which may be offset by U.S.-source capital losses.

        It is likely that we are a USRPHC. As a result, any gain recognized by a Non-U.S. Holder on the sale, exchange, or other taxable disposition of our common stock may be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the same manner as gain recognized by a U.S. Holder ("FIRPTA Tax"). In addition, a Non-US. Holder may under certain circumstances be subject to withholding in an amount equal to 15% of the gross proceeds on the sale or disposition. If the Non-U.S. Holder files a U.S. federal income tax return, any amounts so withheld will generally be credited against, and refunded to the extent in excess of, any FIRPTA Tax such Non-U.S. Holder owes.

        However, so long as our common stock is considered to be "regularly traded on an established securities market" ("regularly traded") at any time during the calendar year, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to FIRPTA Tax on any gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of our common stock unless the Non-U.S. Holder owned (actually or constructively) shares of our common stock with a fair market value of more than 5% of the total fair market value of our common stock at any time during the applicable period described in the third bullet point above. No withholding is required under these rules upon a sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock if it is considered to be regularly traded. If, on the other hand, our common stock is not considered to be regularly traded, a Non-U.S. Holder would be subject to FIRPTA Tax on any gain recognized on the sale or other taxable disposition of our common stock, and withholding on the gross proceeds thereof, regardless of the Non-U.S. Holder's percentage ownership of our common stock.

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Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax

        A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to information reporting or backup withholding with respect to payments of dividends on, or gross proceeds from the disposition of, shares of our common stock that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries, provided that the Non-U.S. Holder duly certifies as to its non-U.S. status or otherwise establishes an exemption.

        Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts withheld as backup withholding may be credited against a Non-U.S. Holder's U.S. federal income tax liability, and a Non-U.S. Holder may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by timely filing the appropriate claim for refund with the IRS and furnishing any required information. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of the information reporting and backup withholding rules to them in their particular circumstances.

FATCA Withholding

        Sections 1471 to 1474 of the Code (commonly referred to as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or "FATCA") currently requires withholding at a rate of 30% on certain payments to foreign financial institutions, investment funds and other non-U.S. entities that fail to comply with information reporting and due diligence requirements in respect of their direct and indirect U.S. security holders and/or U.S. accountholders unless a specified exemption applies. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. Such payments would include dividends paid in respect of our common stock. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. Prospective Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult with their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in shares of our common stock.

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CERTAIN BENEFIT PLAN AND IRA CONSIDERATIONS

        The following is a summary of certain considerations associated with an investment in our common stock by (a) employee benefit plans that are subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"); (b) plans, individual retirement accounts and other arrangements that are subject to Section 4975 of the Code or to provisions under any other federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other laws or regulations that are similar to such provisions of ERISA or the Code ("Similar Laws"); and (c) entities whose underlying assets are considered to include "plan assets" by reason of any of the foregoing plans, accounts or arrangements described in clause (a) or (b) investing in such entities (each of the foregoing described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) referred to herein as a "Plan").

        This summary is based on the provisions of ERISA and the Code, and the related regulations and administrative and judicial interpretations, as of the date hereof. This summary does not purport to be complete, and no assurance can be given that future legislation, court decisions, administrative regulations, rulings or administrative pronouncements will not significantly modify the requirements summarized herein. Any such changes may be retroactive and may thereby apply to transactions entered into prior to the date of their enactment or release.

General Fiduciary Matters

        ERISA and the Code impose certain duties on persons who are fiduciaries of a Plan that is subject to Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code (an "ERISA Plan") and prohibit certain transactions involving the assets of an ERISA Plan and its fiduciaries or other interested parties. Under ERISA and the Code, any person who exercises any discretionary authority or control over the administration of an ERISA Plan or the management or disposition of the assets of an ERISA Plan, or who renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation to an ERISA Plan, is generally considered to be a fiduciary of the ERISA Plan. Governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32) of ERISA and Section 414(d) of the Code) and certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA), while generally not subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA or the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code, may nevertheless be subject to other restrictions under applicable Similar Laws.

        In considering an investment in our common stock of a portion of the assets of any Plan, a fiduciary should determine whether the investment is in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan and the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code or any Similar Law relating to a fiduciary's duties to the Plan including, without limitation, the prudence, diversification, delegation of control and prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA, the Code and any other applicable Similar Law and whether the investment is permitted under the terms of the applicable documents governing the Plan.

Prohibited Transaction Issues

        Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code prohibit ERISA Plans (including IRAs of individuals) from engaging in specified transactions involving "plan assets" with parties that are "parties in interest" under ERISA or "disqualified persons" under the Section 4975 of the Code, unless an exemption is applicable. A party in interest or disqualified person who engages in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code. In addition, the fiduciary of the ERISA Plan that engaged in a non-exempt prohibited transaction may be subject to excise taxes and other penalties and liabilities under ERISA and the Code.

        The acquisition, holding or disposition of our common stock by an ERISA Plan with respect to which we, a sales agent, an initial purchaser or any of their respective affiliates is considered a party in

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interest or a disqualified person may constitute or result in a direct or indirect prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, unless the investment is acquired, held and disposed of in accordance with an applicable statutory, class or individual prohibited transaction exemption. In this regard, the U.S. Department of Labor has issued prohibited transaction class exemptions, or PTCEs, that may apply to the acquisition and holding of the common stock. These class exemptions include, without limitation, PTCE 75-1, which exempts certain transactions between a Covered Plan and certain broker-dealers, reporting dealers and banks, PTCE 84-14, as amended, respecting transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers, PTCE 90-1 respecting insurance company pooled separate accounts, PTCE 91-38 respecting bank-maintained collective investment funds, PTCE 95-60 respecting life insurance company general accounts and PTCE 96-23 respecting transactions determined by in-house asset managers. In addition, certain statutory exemptions may be available, including Section 408(b)(17) of ERISA and Section 4975(d)(20) of the Code regarding transactions for "adequate consideration" with certain parties in interest that are service providers and not ERISA Plan fiduciaries.

        Each of the above-noted exemptions contains conditions and limitations on its application. Fiduciaries of ERISA Plans considering acquiring or holding our common stock in reliance on these or any other exemption should carefully review the exemption to ensure it is applicable to an investment in our common stock. There can be no assurance that all of the conditions of any such class or statutory exemptions will be satisfied. Because of the foregoing, our common stock should not be purchased or held by any person investing "plan assets" of any Plan, unless such purchase, holding and subsequent disposition will not constitute or result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction under ERISA or the Code or similar violation of any applicable Similar Law.

Representation

        Each investor and subsequent transferee will be deemed to have represented and warranted that its acquisition and holding of our common stock will not constitute a non-exempt prohibited transaction under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or a violation of any applicable Similar Law.

        The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be all inclusive, nor should it be construed as legal advice. Due to the complexity of these rules and the penalties that may be imposed on persons involved in non-exempt prohibited transactions, it is particularly important that fiduciaries or other persons contemplating a purchase of our common stock on behalf of, or with the assets of, any Plan consult with their own counsel regarding the potential applicability of ERISA, Section 4975 of the Code and any Similar Laws to such transactions and whether an exemption would be applicable to the investment and any subsequent disposition thereof.

        Investors have the exclusive responsibility for ensuring that their investment complies with the fiduciary responsibility rules of ERISA and does not violate the prohibited transaction rules of ERISA, the Code or applicable Similar Laws. Neither this discussion nor anything provided in this offering memorandum is or is intended to be investment advice directed at any potential Plan investors or Plan investors generally and such investors should consult and rely on their own counsel and advisers as to whether an investment in notes is suitable for the Plan.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION (CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)

        We have entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC under which we may offer and sell shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $75,000,000 from time to time. The Equity Distribution Agreement provides for the issuance and sale of shares of our common stock by us through Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, in its capacity as the sales agent and/or principal. In no event will the aggregate number of shares of our common stock sold through the sales agent, whether as agent for us or as principal, under the Equity Distribution Agreement have an aggregate sales price in excess of $75,000,000.

        Pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement, shares of common stock may be offered and sold in privately negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be "at-the-market" offerings as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including without limitation by ordinary brokers' transactions through the facilities of the NYSE, to or through a market maker or directly on or through an electronic communications network, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, in block transactions or as otherwise agreed with the sales agent. The sales agent will not engage in any transactions that stabilize our common stock.

        We will pay the sales agent commissions for its services in acting as sales agent for us in the sale of common stock. The sales agent shall be paid compensation equal to 2.5% of the gross proceeds from the sales of all shares of common stock sold under the Equity Distribution Agreement. We have also agreed to pay certain expenses in connection with the Equity Distribution Agreement, and the offering hereby, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of Paul Hastings LLP, counsel to the sales agent, of up to a maximum aggregate amount of $100,000, through February 23, 2021, and up to a maximum aggregate amount of $20,000 for each quarterly period thereafter, in connection with the transactions contemplated by this prospectus supplement and in each case, to the extent that we do not sell a number of shares of common stock pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement having an aggregate gross sales price of $50,000,000 by February 23, 2022. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation payable under the Equity Distribution Agreement, will be approximately $650,000.

        In connection with the sale of common stock as contemplated in this prospectus supplement, the sales agent may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation paid to the sales agent may be deemed to be underwriting commissions and discounts. We have agreed to indemnify the sales agent against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments the sales agent may be required to make because of any of those liabilities.

        We will report at least quarterly in our SEC filings (1) the number of shares of common stock sold by or through the sales agent under the Equity Distribution Agreement, (2) the net proceeds received by us and (3) the compensation paid by us with respect to such common stock sold during the period that corresponds to such reports.

        Sales of our common stock as contemplated by this prospectus supplement will be settled through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company or by such other means upon which we and the sales agent may agree.

        The offering of common stock pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (1) the sale of our common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of $75,000,000 pursuant to the Equity Distribution Agreement and (2) the termination by us or the sales agent of the Equity Distribution Agreement pursuant to its terms. The Equity Distribution Agreement may be terminated by us or the sales agent at any time upon three business days' prior notice.

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Sales through Sales Agents

        Upon its acceptance of written instructions from us, the sales agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts, consistent with its normal trading and sales practices and applicable laws and regulations, to sell our common stock under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Equity Distribution Agreement. We may instruct the sales agent not to sell common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us in any instruction. We or the sales agent may suspend any sale of common stock at any time upon proper notice and subject to other conditions. The obligation of the sales agent under the Equity Distribution Agreement to sell shares of our common stock pursuant to our instructions is subject to a number of conditions, which the sales agent reserves the right to waive in its sole discretion.

        Settlement for sales of common stock will occur on the second trading day following the date on which any sales are made, or such earlier day as is industry practice for regular-way trading, unless another date is agreed upon by us and the sales agent in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

        The sales agent will provide written confirmation to us no later than the opening of the trading day immediately following the trading day on which shares of our common stock are sold under the Equity Distribution Agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of shares of common stock sold in respect of such trading day, the net proceeds to us and an itemization of the deductions made by the sales agent from the gross proceeds that it receives from such sales.

Sales in Principal Transactions

        Under the Equity Distribution Agreement, we may also issue and sell common stock to Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, acting as principal for its own respective accounts, at a price agreed upon at the time of sale. If we sell our common stock to an entity as principal, we will enter into a separate terms agreement with such entity, setting forth the terms of the transaction, including the commissions to be paid to such entity, and we will describe the terms of that offering of our common stock in a separate prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, if applicable.

Conflicts of Interest

        As described in "Use of Proceeds," some of the net proceeds of this offering may be used to repay or refinance amounts outstanding under our Senior Secured Credit Facility.

        Because Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., an affiliate of the sales agent, is a lender under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and because the sales agent or its affiliates may receive part of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock in connection with this offering due to the repayment of the Senior Secured Credit Facility by us, the sales agent would be deemed to have a conflict of interest under FINRA's Rule 5121 to the extent the sales agent or affiliate receives at least 5% of the proceeds of this offering. Accordingly, this offering is being made in compliance with the requirements of FINRA's Rule 5121. The appointment of a "qualified independent underwriter" is not required in connection with this offering as a "bona fide public market," as defined in Rule 5121, exists for our common stock. Under FINRA's Rule 5121, the sales agent will also not be permitted to confirm a sale to an account over which it exercises discretionary authority without first receiving specific written approval from the account holder.

Other Relationships

        The sales agent and its affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment

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management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. The sales agent and its affiliates have engaged in, and may in the future engage in, investment banking, commercial banking and other commercial dealings in the ordinary course of business with us or our affiliates. They have received, or may in the future receive, customary fees and commissions for these engagements.

        In addition, in the ordinary course of its business activities, the sales agent and its affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments, including serving as counterparties to certain derivative and hedging arrangements, 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. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. The sales agent 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.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

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

No Public Offering Outside of the United States

        Other than in the United States, no action has been taken by us or the sales agent that would permit a public offering of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required. The securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, nor may this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus or any other offering material or advertisements in connection with the offer and sale of any such securities be distributed or published in any jurisdiction, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with the applicable rules and regulations of that jurisdiction. Persons into whose possession this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus comes are advised to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to the offering and the distribution of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying base prospectus in any jurisdiction in which such an offer or a solicitation is unlawful.

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LEGAL MATTERS

        Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for us by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP, Houston, Texas. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the sales agent by Paul Hastings LLP, Houston, Texas.

EXPERTS

        The audited financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement 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 estimates of our proved reserves included in or incorporated into this prospectus supplement by reference are based on a reserve report prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P., independent petroleum engineers. These estimates are so included or incorporated by reference in reliance upon the authority of the firm as experts in these matters.

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PROSPECTUS

LAREDO PETROLEUM, INC.

Senior Debt Securities

Subordinated Debt Securities

Guarantees of Debt Securities

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Warrants

        We may, from time to time, offer and sell debt securities, which may be senior or subordinated, and which may be guaranteed by one or more of our existing and future subsidiaries, common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and warrants. We may offer and sell these securities from time to time in amounts, at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of the applicable offering.

        This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities. We will provide the specific terms of any securities to be offered in a supplement to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest.

        Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LPI."

        We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The prospectus supplement for each offering of securities will describe in detail the plan of distribution.

        This prospectus may not be used to sell securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

        Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully read the information under the heading "Risk Factors" on page 4 of this prospectus and the risk factors contained in any applicable prospectus supplement before making a decision to purchase our securities.

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

   

The date of this prospectus is March 21, 2019.

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        You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with additional or different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus and any prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate and are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front cover of the prospectus, or that the information incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time and delivery of this prospectus or any sale of any security.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Various statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These forward-looking statements include statements, projections and estimates concerning our operations, performance, business strategy, oil, natural gas liquids ("NGL") and natural gas reserves, drilling program capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources, the timing and success of specific projects, outcomes and effects of litigation, claims and disputes, derivative activities and potential financing. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as "estimate," "project," "predict," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "potential," "could," "may," "will," "foresee," "plan," "goal," "should," "intend," "pursue," "target," "continue," "suggest" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Among the factors that significantly impact our business and could impact our business in the future are:

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the volatility of, and substantial decline in, oil, NGL and natural gas prices;



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our ability to discover, estimate, develop and replace oil, NGL and natural gas reserves;



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changes in domestic and global production, supply and demand for oil, NGL and natural gas;



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revisions to our reserve estimates as a result of changes in commodity prices, decline curves and other uncertainties;



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the ongoing instability and uncertainty in the U.S. and international financial and consumer markets that could adversely affect the liquidity available to us and our customers and the demand for commodities, including oil, NGL and natural gas;



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the potential impact on production of oil, NGL and natural gas from our wells resulting from tighter spacing of our wells;



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capital requirements for our operations and projects;



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impacts to our financial statements as a result of impairment write-downs;



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the availability and costs of drilling and production equipment, labor and oil and natural gas processing and other services;



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the availability of sufficient pipeline and transportation facilities and gathering and processing capacity;



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our ability to maintain the borrowing capacity under our senior secured credit facility or access other means of obtaining capital and liquidity, especially during periods of sustained low commodity prices;



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our ability to successfully identify and consummate strategic acquisitions at purchase prices that are accretive to our financial results and to successfully integrate acquired businesses, assets and properties;



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our ability to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness, fund our capital requirements and generate future profits;

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•

restrictions contained in our debt agreements, including our senior secured credit facility and the indentures governing our senior unsecured notes, as well as debt that could be incurred in the future;



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our ability to recruit and retain the qualified personnel necessary to operate our business;



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the potentially insufficient refining capacity in the U.S. Gulf Coast to refine all of the light sweet crude oil being produced in the U.S., which could result in widening price discounts to world crude prices and potential shut-in of production due to lack of sufficient markets;



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risks related to the geographic concentration of our assets;



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our ability to hedge and regulations that affect our ability to hedge;



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changes in the regulatory environment and changes in U.S. or international legal, tax, political, administrative or economic conditions including regulations that prohibit or restrict our ability to apply hydraulic fracturing to our oil and natural gas wells and to access and dispose of water used in these operations;



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legislation or regulations that prohibit or restrict our ability to drill new allocation wells;



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our ability to execute our strategies;



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competition in the oil and natural gas industry;



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drilling and operating risks, including risks related to hydraulic fracturing activities; and



•

our ability to comply with federal, state and local regulatory requirements.

        These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should therefore be considered in light of various factors, including those set forth in "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, in any accompanying prospectus supplement and in other filings made by us from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or in materials incorporated herein or therein. In light of such risks and uncertainties, we caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

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

        These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this prospectus, or if earlier, as of the date they were made. We do not intend to, and disclaim any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements unless required by securities law.

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the SEC utilizing a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, from time to time, sell the securities or combinations of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement also may add, update or change information

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contained in this prospectus. Any statement that we make in this prospectus will be modified or superseded by any inconsistent statement made by us in a prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

        You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and in any prospectus supplement. We have not 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. We are not making offers to sell or solicitations to buy the securities in any jurisdiction in which an offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making that offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as the information we previously filed with the SEC that we incorporate by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, is accurate as of any date other than its respective date. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.

        In this prospectus, the "Company," "Laredo," "we," "us," "our" and similar terms refer to Laredo Petroleum, Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We also filed a registration statement on Form S-3, including exhibits, under the Securities Act with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement, but does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement or the exhibits. You can find our public filings with the SEC on the internet at a web site maintained by the SEC located at http://www.sec.gov. We also make available on our internet website our annual, quarterly and current reports and amendments as soon as reasonably practicable after such documents are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our Internet address is www.laredopetro.com. The information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

        We are "incorporating by reference" specified documents that we file with the SEC, which means:

•

incorporated documents are considered part of this prospectus;



•

we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to those documents; and



•

information we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information contained in this prospectus.

        We incorporate by reference the documents listed below, which we filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act:

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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018;



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our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 11, 2019; and



•

the description of our common stock contained in our Form 8-A/A filed on January 7, 2014, 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, we incorporate by reference in this prospectus any future filings made by the Company with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished and not filed with the SEC) after the date on which the registration statement that includes this prospectus was initially filed with the SEC and until all offerings under this shelf registration statement are terminated.

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        Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. You may request a copy of these filings (other than an exhibit to a filing unless that exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into that filing) at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
Attention: Investor Relations
15 W. Sixth Street, Suite 900
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119
(918) 513-4570

LAREDO PETROLEUM, INC.

        We are an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, and the transportation of oil and natural gas from such properties, primarily in the Permian Basin in West Texas. Since our inception, we have grown primarily through our drilling program coupled with select strategic acquisitions and joint ventures. We completed our initial public offering of common stock on December 19, 2011. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "LPI."

        Our executive offices are located at 15 W. Sixth Street, Suite 900, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119, and our telephone number is (918) 513-4570. Our website is www.laredopetro.com. Information on our website is not part of this prospectus.

ABOUT THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

        Our 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 Exchange Act to the extent required by the rules and regulations of the SEC.

        Additional information concerning our subsidiaries and us is included in reports and other documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information."

RISK FACTORS

        An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors and all of the other information included in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus, including those included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any subsequently filed Current Reports on Form 8-K, which are incorporated herein by reference, and those risk factors that may be included in any applicable prospectus supplement, together with all the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference, in evaluating an investment in our securities. If any of these risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities covered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include repayment or refinancing of borrowings, working capital, capital expenditures, investments and acquisitions. Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of the offering and will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement. Until we use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for these purposes, we may place the net proceeds in temporary investments.

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," "Laredo," "we," "us" and "our" refer to Laredo Petroleum, 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 (each, a "guarantor") specified 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.

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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.

        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.

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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.

        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;



•

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

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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;



•

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 applicable 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.

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        Ownership of beneficial interests in a global debt security is limited to participants 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.

        We will make payment of principal of, and interest and premium, if any, 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 or premium on, a global debt security, DTC 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 guarantor, 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 certificated 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 certificated 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 certificated 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 certificated form and will not be considered the

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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, and a "banking organization" within the meaning of, the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities of its participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions among its participants in securities through electronic, computerized book-entry transfers and pledges in accounts of the participants. By doing so, DTC eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC's participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation ("DTCC"). DTCC is the holding company for DTC, National Securities Clearing Corporation and Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, all of which are registered clearing agencies. DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to DTC's book-entry system is also available to others, such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, 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.

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        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 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

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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.

        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 indenture for the relevant series to merge or consolidate with another corporation or other entity. We are also permitted under the indenture for the relevant series 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 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

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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.

        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;



•

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.

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        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").

        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 either:

•

we 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

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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;



•

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.

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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 costs, 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.

        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, expense 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.

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        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;



•

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

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•

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



•

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.

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        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 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

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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 or future subsidiaries. However, the applicable indenture governing the debt securities will not require that any of our existing or future 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 we issue 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 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 existing or future 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 existing or future 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.

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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 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.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        The following discussion is a summary of the terms of our capital stock as contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our second amended and restated bylaws and does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of applicable law, to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and to our second amended and restated bylaws, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

        Our authorized capital stock consists of 450,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which 233,924,462 shares were issued and outstanding as of February 11, 2019, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, of which no shares were issued and outstanding as of February 11, 2019.

Common Stock

        Except as provided by law or in a preferred stock designation, holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, have the exclusive right to vote for the election of directors and do not have cumulative voting rights. Except as otherwise required by law, holders of common stock, as such, are not entitled to vote on any amendment to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation (including any

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certificate of designations relating to any series of preferred stock) that relates solely to the terms of any outstanding series of preferred stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to the amended and restated certificate of incorporation (including any certificate of designations relating to any series of preferred stock) or pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "DGCL"). Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares or series of preferred stock, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends (payable in cash, stock or otherwise), if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available for dividend payments. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. The holders of common stock have no preferences or rights of conversion, exchange, pre-emption or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs, holders of common stock will be entitled to share ratably in our assets that are remaining after payment or provision for payment of all of our debts and obligations and after liquidation payments to holders of outstanding shares of preferred stock, if any.

Preferred Stock

        Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes our board of directors, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, without further stockholder approval, to establish and to issue from time to time one or more classes or series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, covering up to an aggregate of 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Each class or series of preferred stock will cover the number of shares and will have the powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions determined by our board of directors, which may include, among others, dividend rights, liquidation preferences, voting rights, conversion rights, preemptive rights and redemption rights.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our Second Amended and Restated Bylaws and Delaware Law

        Some provisions of Delaware law, and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our second amended and restated bylaws described below, contain provisions that could make the following transactions more difficult: (i) acquisition of us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise and (ii) removal of our incumbent officers and directors. 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 or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions that might result in a premium over the market price for our shares.

        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 us. We believe that the benefits of increased protection and our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Second Amended and Restated Bylaws

        Among other things, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and second amended and restated bylaws provide:

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advance notice procedures with regard to stockholder nomination of candidates for election as directors or proposals of business to be brought before meetings of our stockholders. These procedures provide that notice of stockholder nominations or proposals must be timely given in

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writing to our corporate secretary prior to the meeting at which the action is to be taken. Generally, to be timely, notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 45 days nor more than 75 days prior to the first anniversary date of the date on which we first mailed our proxy materials for the annual meeting for the preceding year. Our second amended and restated bylaws specify the requirements as to form and content of all stockholders' notices. These requirements may make it more difficult for stockholders to bring matters before the stockholders at an annual or special meeting;

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our board of directors the ability to establish the terms of undesignated preferred stock. This ability makes it possible for our board of directors to issue, without stockholder approval, preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede the success of any attempt to change control of us. These and other provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management of Laredo;



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that our board of directors is divided into three classes with each class serving staggered three year terms;



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that the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of our board of directors;



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that all vacancies, including newly created directorships, shall, except as otherwise required by law or by resolution of the board of directors and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock, be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;



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that any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing in lieu of a meeting of such stockholders, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of preferred stock;



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that certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may be amended only with the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of our then outstanding common stock;



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that our second amended and restated bylaws may be amended by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 75% of our then outstanding common stock or our board of directors; and



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that special meetings of our stockholders may only be called by the board of directors.

Delaware Law

        We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, which regulates corporate takeovers. In general, those provisions prohibit a Delaware corporation, including those whose securities are listed for trading on the NYSE, from engaging in any business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

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the business combination or transaction in which the person became interested is approved by the board of directors before the date the interested stockholder attained that status;



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upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced other than, for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the outstanding stock owned by the interested stockholder), shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers of us and by certain employee stock plans; or

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on or after such time the business combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

        In general, Section 203 defines a "business combination" to include the following:

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certain mergers or consolidations involving the corporation and the interested stockholder;



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any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation to or with the interested stockholder;



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subject to certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested stockholder;



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subject to certain exceptions, any transaction involving the corporation that has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or



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the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation.

        In general, Section 203 defines an interested stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person affiliated with or controlling or controlled by any of these entities or persons. Affiliates of Warburg Pincus LLC ("Warburg Pincus") owned their equity in us at the time we completed our corporate reorganization in December 2011 in connection with our initial public offering, and, therefore, Warburg Pincus is not subject to the restrictions of Section 203.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters

        Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation limits the liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duty as directors, except for the following liabilities that cannot be eliminated under the DGCL:

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for any breach of their duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;



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



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for an unlawful payment of dividends or an unlawful stock purchase or redemption, as provided under Section 174 of the DGCL; or



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

        Any amendment or repeal of these provisions will be prospective only and would not affect any limitation on liability of a director for acts or omissions that occurred prior to any such amendment or repeal.

        Our second amended and restated bylaws also provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law; provided that we shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the board of directors. Our second amended and restated bylaws also explicitly authorize us to purchase insurance to protect any of our officers, directors, employees or agents or any person who is or was serving at our request as an officer, director, employee or agent of another enterprise for any expense, liability or loss, regardless of whether Delaware law would permit indemnification.

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        We have entered into indemnification agreements with directors and officers. The agreements provide that we will indemnify and hold harmless each indemnitee for certain expenses to the fullest extent permitted or authorized by law, including the DGCL, in effect on the date of the agreement or as it may be amended to provide more advantageous rights to the indemnitee. If such indemnification is unavailable as a result of a court decision and if we and the indemnitee are jointly liable in the proceeding, we will contribute funds to the indemnitee for his expenses in proportion to relative benefit and fault of us and indemnitee in the transaction giving rise to the proceeding. The indemnification agreements also provide that we will indemnify the indemnitee for monetary damages for actions taken as our director or officer or for serving at our request as a director or officer or another position at another corporation or enterprise, as the case may be. The indemnification agreements and our second amended and restated bylaws also provide that we must advance payment of certain expenses to the indemnitee, including fees of counsel, subject to receipt of an undertaking from the indemnitee to return such advance if it is it is ultimately determined that the indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification.

        We believe that the limitation of liability provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, second amended and restated bylaws and the indemnification agreements will facilitate our ability to continue to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and officers.

Corporate Opportunity

        Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we renounce any interest or expectancy in any business opportunity, transaction or other matter in which Warburg Pincus or any private fund that it manages or advises, any of their respective officers, directors, partners and employees, and any portfolio company in which such entities or persons have an equity interest (other than us and our subsidiaries) (each a "specified party") participates or desires or seeks to participate in and that involves any aspect of the energy business or industry, unless any such business opportunity, transaction or matter is offered in writing solely to (i) one of our directors or officers who is not also a specified party or (ii) a specified party who is one of our directors, officers or employees and is offered such opportunity solely in his or her capacity as one of our directors, officers or employees.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

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

Listing

        Our common stock is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "LPI."

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

        We may offer fractional interests in shares of preferred stock rather than full shares of preferred stock. In that event, depositary receipts will be issued to evidence depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock, as described in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of depositary shares.

        The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a depositary that is a bank or trust company, as depositary, that we select as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of depositary shares. Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of depositary shares, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock represented by such depositary share, to all the rights and preferences of the shares of

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preferred stock represented by such depositary share, including dividend and liquidation rights and any right to convert the shares of preferred stock into common stock.

        We will describe the terms of any depositary shares we offer and the related depositary agreement, as well as the terms of the shares of preferred stock represented thereby, in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of depositary shares.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        We may issue warrants that entitle the holder to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or depositary shares. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common stock offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent, all as will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of warrants. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of warrants or beneficial owners of warrants.

        The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all provisions of the warrant agreements.

        Reference is made to the prospectus supplement relating to the particular issue of warrants offered pursuant to such prospectus supplement for the terms of and information relating to such warrants, including, where applicable:

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the designation, aggregate principal amount, currencies, denominations and terms of the series of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of warrants to purchase debt securities and the price at which such debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;



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the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase common stock and the price at which such number of shares of common stock may be purchased upon such exercise;



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the number of shares and series of preferred stock purchasable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase preferred stock and the price at which such number of shares of such series of preferred stock may be purchased upon such exercise;



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the designation and number of depositary shares purchasable upon the exercise of warrants to purchase other securities and the price at which such number of depositary shares may be purchased upon such exercise;



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the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire;



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United States federal income tax consequences applicable to such warrants;



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the amount of warrants outstanding as of the most recent practicable date; and



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any other terms of such warrants.

        Warrants will be issued in registered form only. The exercise price for warrants will be subject to adjustment in accordance with the applicable prospectus supplement.

        Each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase such principal amount of debt securities or such number of shares of preferred stock, common stock or depositary shares at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or calculable from, the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants, which exercise price may be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in such prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, or such

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later date to which such expiration date may be extended by us, unexercised warrants will become void. The place or places where, and the manner in which, warrants may be exercised shall be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants.

        Prior to the exercise of any warrants to purchase debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or depositary shares, holders of such warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of such debt securities, preferred stock, common stock or depositary shares, as the case may be, purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the debt securities purchasable upon such exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture, or to receive payments of dividends, if any, on the preferred stock, or common stock purchasable upon such exercise, or to exercise any applicable right to vote or to exercise any rights of holders of depositary receipts in respect of the depositary shares purchasable upon such exercise.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the offered securities in and outside the United States (1) through underwriters or dealers; (2) directly to purchasers, including our affiliates and shareholders, or in a rights offering; (3) through agents (acting as agent or principal); (4) through a combination of any of these methods; or (5) through any other method described in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will include the following information:

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the terms of the offering;



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the names of any underwriters, dealers or agents;



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the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters;



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the purchase price of the securities;



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the net proceeds from the sale of the securities;



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any delayed delivery arrangements;



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



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



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any commissions paid to agents.

        We may engage in at-the-market offerings into an existing trading market in accordance with Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act. In addition, we may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). We or one of our affiliates may loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities using this prospectus. Such financial institution or third party may transfer its short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a simultaneous offering of other securities offered by this prospectus or otherwise.

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Sale through Underwriters or Dealers

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

        Representatives of the underwriters through whom the offered securities are sold for public offering and sale may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, syndicate short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves syndicate sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a syndicate short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the offered securities so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the offered securities in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover syndicate short positions. Penalty bids permit the representative of the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a syndicate member when the offered securities originally sold by such syndicate member are purchased in a syndicate covering transaction to cover syndicate short positions. Such stabilizing transactions, syndicate covering transactions and penalty bids may cause the price of the offered securities to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of such transactions. These transactions may be effected on a national securities exchange and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

        Some or all of the securities that we offer through this prospectus may be new issues of securities with no established trading market. Any underwriters to whom we sell our securities for public offering and sale may make a market in those securities, but they will not be obligated to do so and they may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of, or continued trading markets for, any securities that we offer.

        If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. If applicable, we will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales through Agents

        We may sell the securities directly. In this case, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents designated from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.

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

        We may also make direct sales through subscription rights distributed to our existing stockholders on a pro rata basis that may or may not be transferable. In any distribution of subscription rights to our stockholders, if all of the underlying securities are not subscribed for, we may then sell the

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unsubscribed securities directly to third parties or we may engage the services of one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, including standby underwriters, to sell the unsubscribed securities to third parties.

Remarketing Arrangements

        Offered securities also may be offered and sold, if so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to their terms, or otherwise, by one or more remarketing firms, acting as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. Any remarketing firm will be identified and the terms of its agreements, if any, with us and its compensation will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, in connection with the securities remarketed.

Delayed Delivery Arrangements

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

General Information

        We may have agreements with the underwriters, dealers and agents to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make.

        Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of our business for which they may receive compensation.

LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Houston, Texas, our outside legal counsel. Additional legal matters may be passed on for us, or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

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

        The estimates of our proved reserves included in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement are based on reserve reports prepared by Ryder Scott Company, L.P., independent reserve engineers. These estimates are so included or incorporated by reference in reliance upon the authority of such firm as an expert in these matters.

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