1 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 22, 2001 REGISTRATION NO. 333- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 --------------------- FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 --------------------- THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 73-0569878 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) organization) ONE WILLIAMS CENTER TULSA, OKLAHOMA 74172 (918) 573-2000 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code of registrant's principal executive offices) --------------------- WILLIAM G. VON GLAHN, ESQ. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. ONE WILLIAMS CENTER TULSA, OKLAHOMA 74172 (918) 573-2000 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) --------------------- copy to: MARLENE ALVA, ESQ. DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL 450 LEXINGTON AVENUE NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017 (212) 450-4000 APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement. --------------------- If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ] If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X] If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. [ ] --------------------- CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TITLE OF EACH CLASS AMOUNT PROPOSED MAXIMUM PROPOSED MAXIMUM OF SECURITIES TO BE TO BE OFFERING PRICE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF REGISTERED REGISTERED PER UNIT OFFERING PRICE(2) REGISTRATION FEE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Debt Securities; Preferred Stock, $1 par value; Common Stock, $1 par value; Preferred Stock Purchase Rights.................. (1)(3) (3) $1,924,056,250 $481,015 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) This Registration Statement also covers such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock of the Registrant and accompanying Preferred Stock Purchase Rights, if any, (i) as shall be issuable or deliverable upon conversion of any Debt Securities or Preferred Stock registered hereby, which are convertible into such Common Stock, and (ii) as may be required for delivery upon conversion of any such convertible securities as a result of anti-dilution provisions thereof. (2) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee. If any debt securities are issued at original issue discount, such greater amount as shall result in net proceeds of $1,924,056,250 to the registrant. (3) Not applicable pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II(D) under the Securities Act of 1933. THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATES AS NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT FILES A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT WILL BE EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE. SUBJECT TO COMPLETION. DATED JUNE 22, 2001 PROSPECTUS THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. $1,924,056,250 DEBT SECURITIES, PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON STOCK --------------------- We will provide the specific terms of each series or issue of securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the supplements carefully before you invest. --------------------- NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR PASSED UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. --------------------- The date of this prospectus is June , 2001
3 WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION Williams has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C., a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933 for the securities offered in this prospectus. Williams has not included certain portions of the registration statement in this prospectus, as permitted by the Commission's rules and regulations. For further information, you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits. Williams is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and therefore files reports and other information with the Commission. You may inspect and copy the registration statement and its exhibits, as well as such reports and other information which Williams files with the Commission, at the public reference facilities of the Commission at its principal offices at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549 and its regional offices at Northwest Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048. You can obtain information on the operation of the Commission's public reference facilities by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. Information filed by Williams is also available at the Commission's worldwide web site at http://www.sec.gov. You can also obtain these materials at set rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at its principal office at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. --------------------- YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE OR PROVIDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS AND ITS SUPPLEMENT(S). WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT INFORMATION. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY SUPPLEMENT IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THE DATE ON THE FRONT OF THOSE DOCUMENTS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY THE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION. --------------------- INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE Williams is incorporating by reference its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2001, and its current reports on Form 8-K filed January 5, 2001, January 31, 2001, February 8, 2001, March 16, 2001, March 19, 2001, April 2, 2001, April 12, 2001, April 27, 2001, May 1, 2001, May 3, 2001, May 7, 2001, May 22, 2001 (restatement of financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2000 to reflect Williams Communications Group, Inc. as discontinued operations due to a tax-free spinoff) and June 13, 2001. All documents which Williams files pursuant to Sections 13, 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part of this prospectus from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement in this prospectus or in any subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference modifies or replaces such statement. Williams will provide without charge to each person to whom a copy of this prospectus has been delivered, upon the written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference herein, other than exhibits to such documents, unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this prospectus incorporates. You should direct written or oral requests for such copies to: The Williams Companies, Inc., One Williams Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172, Attention: Corporate Secretary, telephone (918) 573-2000. 1
4 THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. Williams, together with its subsidiaries, is a leading company in the energy sector. Through Williams Gas Pipeline Company, LLC and Williams Energy Services, LLC and their subsidiaries, Williams engages in the following types of energy-related activities: - transportation and storage of natural gas and related activities through operation and ownership of five wholly owned interstate natural gas pipelines and several pipeline joint ventures; - exploration and production of oil and gas through ownership of 1.2 trillion cubic feet of proved natural gas reserves primarily located in Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming; - natural gas gathering, processing, and treating activities through ownership and operation of approximately 11,300 miles of gathering lines, 11 natural gas treating plants, and 17 natural gas processing plants (three of which are partially owned) located in the United States and Canada; - natural gas liquids transportation through ownership and operation of approximately 14,300 miles of natural gas liquids pipeline (4,568 miles of which are partially owned); - transportation of petroleum products and related terminal services through ownership or operation of approximately 9,170 miles of petroleum products pipeline and 78 petroleum products terminals (some of which are partially owned); - light hydrocarbon/olefin transportation through 300 miles of pipeline in Southern Louisiana; - ethylene production through a 5/12 interest in a 1.2 billion pound/year facility in Geismar, Louisiana; - production and marketing of ethanol and bio-products through operation and ownership of two ethanol plants (one of which is partially owned) and ownership of minority interests or investments in four other plants; - refining of petroleum products through operation and ownership of two refineries; - retail marketing primarily through 50 travel centers; and - energy commodity marketing and trading. Williams, through subsidiaries, also directly invests in energy projects primarily in Canada, South America and Lithuania and continues to explore and develop additional projects for international investments. In addition, Williams invests in energy and infrastructure development funds in Asia and Latin America. Williams is a holding company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Williams was originally incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada in 1949 and was reincorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 1987. Williams maintains its principal executive offices at One Williams Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172, telephone (918) 573-2000. 2
5 ORGANIZATION CHART To achieve organizational and operating efficiencies, Williams' interstate natural gas pipelines and pipeline joint venture investments are grouped together under its wholly owned subsidiary, Williams Gas Pipeline Company, LLC. The other energy operations are grouped into a wholly owned subsidiary, Williams Energy Services, LLC. The following chart shows Williams' principal subsidiaries. [Chart] WILLIAMS DEPENDS ON PAYMENTS FROM ITS SUBSIDIARIES The debt securities, preferred stock or common stock offered by a prospectus supplement will represent obligations of, or an investment in, Williams exclusively. Williams is a holding company and conducts substantially all of its operations through subsidiaries. Williams performs management, legal, financial, tax, consulting, administrative, and other services for its subsidiaries. Williams' principal sources of cash are from external financings, dividends and advances from its subsidiaries, investments, payments by subsidiaries for services rendered, and interest payments from subsidiaries on cash advances. The amount of dividends available to Williams from subsidiaries largely depends upon each subsidiary's earnings and operating capital requirements. The terms of some of Williams' subsidiaries' borrowing arrangements limit the transfer of funds to Williams. In addition, the ability of Williams' subsidiaries to make any payments to Williams will depend on the subsidiaries' earnings, business and tax considerations, and legal restrictions. 3
6 CLAIMS OF HOLDERS OF DEBT SECURITIES AND PREFERRED STOCK RANK JUNIOR TO THOSE OF CREDITORS OF WILLIAMS' SUBSIDIARIES As a result of the holding company structure, the debt securities and preferred stock will effectively rank junior to all existing and future debt, trade payables, and other liabilities of Williams' subsidiaries. Any right of Williams and its creditors to participate in the assets of any of Williams' subsidiaries upon any liquidation or reorganization of any such subsidiary will be subject to the prior claims of that subsidiary's creditors, including trade creditors, except to the extent that Williams may itself be a creditor of such subsidiary. USE OF PROCEEDS Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, Williams will use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities for general corporate purposes, including repayment of outstanding debt. Williams anticipates that it will raise additional funds from time to time through debt financings, including borrowings under its bank credit agreements. RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS The following table presents Williams' consolidated ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements for the periods shown. THREE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31, -------------------------------- 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 - --------------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 3.83 2.98 1.86 1.70 2.36 2.63 DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES The debt securities will constitute either senior or subordinated debt of Williams. Williams will issue debt securities that will be senior debt under the senior debt indenture between Williams and Bank One Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee. Williams will issue debt securities that will be subordinated debt under the subordinated debt indenture between Williams and Bank One Trust Company, National Association, as trustee. This prospectus refers to the senior debt indenture and the subordinated debt indenture individually as the indenture and collectively as the indentures. This prospectus refers to Bank One Trust Company, National Association, as the trustee. Williams has filed the forms of the indentures as exhibits to the registration statement. THE FOLLOWING SUMMARIES OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE INDENTURES AND THE DEBT SECURITIES ARE NOT COMPLETE AND THESE SUMMARIES ARE SUBJECT TO THE DETAILED PROVISIONS OF THE APPLICABLE INDENTURE. FOR A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THESE PROVISIONS, INCLUDING THE DEFINITIONS OF CERTAIN TERMS USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, AND FOR OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THE DEBT SECURITIES, SEE THE INDENTURES. Wherever this prospectus refers to particular sections or defined terms of the applicable indenture, these sections or defined terms are incorporated by reference in this prospectus as part of the statement made, and the statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. The indentures are substantially identical, except for the provisions relating to subordination and Williams' limitation on liens. See "-- Subordinated Debt" and "-- Certain Covenants of Williams." Neither indenture contains any covenant or provision which affords debt holders protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction. 4
7 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS Certain terms in Article One of the senior debt indenture are summarized as follows: "Consolidated Funded Indebtedness" means the aggregate of all outstanding Funded Indebtedness of Williams and its consolidated Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the total assets appearing on a consolidated balance sheet of Williams and its consolidated subsidiaries less, in general: - intangible assets; - current and accrued liabilities (other than Consolidated Funded Indebtedness and capitalized rentals or leases), deferred credits, deferred gains, and deferred income; - reserves; - advances to finance oil or natural gas exploration and development to the extent that the indebtedness related thereto is excluded from Funded Indebtedness; - an amount equal to the amount excluded from Funded Indebtedness representing "production payment" financing of oil or natural gas exploration and development; and - minority stockholder interests. "Funded Indebtedness" means any indebtedness which matures more than one year after the date the amount of Funded Indebtedness is being determined, less any such indebtedness as will be retired by any deposit or payment required to be made within one year from such date under any prepayment provision, sinking fund, purchase fund, or otherwise. Funded Indebtedness does not, however, include indebtedness of Williams or any of its subsidiaries incurred to finance outstanding advances to others to finance oil or natural gas exploration and development, to the extent that the latter are not in default in their obligations to Williams or such subsidiary. Funded Indebtedness also does not include indebtedness of Williams or any of its subsidiaries incurred to finance oil or natural gas exploration and development through what is commonly referred to as a "production payment" to the extent that Williams or any of its subsidiaries have not guaranteed the repayment of the production payment. You should note that the term "subsidiary," as used in this section describing the debt securities, refers only to a corporation in which Williams, or another subsidiary or subsidiaries of Williams, owns at least a majority of the outstanding securities which have voting power. GENERAL TERMS OF THE DEBT SECURITIES Neither of the indentures limits the amount of debt securities, debentures, notes, or other evidences of indebtedness that Williams or any of its subsidiaries may issue. The debt securities will be unsecured senior or subordinated obligations of Williams. Williams' subsidiaries own all of the operating assets of Williams and its subsidiaries. Therefore, Williams' rights and the rights of Williams' creditors, including holders of debt securities, to participate in the assets of any subsidiary upon the subsidiary's liquidation or recapitalization will be subject to the prior claims of the subsidiary's creditors, except to the extent that Williams may itself be a creditor with recognized claims against the subsidiary. The ability of Williams to pay principal of and interest on the debt securities is, to a large extent, dependent upon dividends or other payments from its subsidiaries. The indentures provide that Williams may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series and that Williams may denominate the debt securities and make them payable in foreign currencies. The relevant prospectus supplement will describe special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to any debt securities denominated and payable in a foreign currency. 5
8 TERMS YOU WILL FIND IN THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT The prospectus supplement will provide information relating to the debt securities and the following terms of the debt securities, to the extent such terms are applicable to the debt securities described in a particular prospectus supplement: - classification as senior or subordinated debt securities; - ranking of the specific series of debt securities relative to other outstanding indebtedness, including subsidiaries' debt; - if the debt securities are subordinated, the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness, as of a recent date, that is senior to the subordinated securities, and any limitation on the issuance of additional senior indebtedness; - the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, purchase price, and denomination of such debt securities; - currency or units based on or relating to currencies in which such debt securities are denominated and/or in which principal, premium, if any, and/or any interest will or may be payable; - maturity date; - interest rate or rates, if any, or the method by which the rate will be determined; - the dates on which any interest will be payable; - the place or places where the principal of and interest, if any, on the debt securities will be payable; - any redemption or sinking fund provisions; - whether the debt securities will be issuable in registered or bearer form or both and, if debt securities in bearer form are issuable, restrictions applicable to the exchange of one form for another and to the offer, sale, and delivery of debt securities in bearer form; - any applicable United States federal income tax consequences, including whether and under what circumstances Williams will pay additional amounts on debt securities held by a person who is not a U.S. person, as defined in the prospectus supplement, in respect of any tax, assessment, or governmental charge withheld or deducted, and if so, whether Williams will have the option to redeem such debt securities rather than pay such additional amounts; and - any other specific terms of the debt securities, including any additional events of default or covenants with respect to such debt securities. Holders of debt securities may present debt securities for exchange in the manner, at the places, and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities and the prospectus supplement. Holders of registered debt securities may present debt securities for transfer in the manner, at the places, and subject to the restrictions set forth in the debt securities and the prospectus supplement. Williams will provide these services without charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith, but subject to the limitations provided in the applicable indenture. Debt securities in bearer form and the coupons, if any, appertaining thereto will be transferable by delivery. INTEREST RATE Debt securities that bear interest will do so at a fixed rate or a floating rate. Williams will sell, at a discount below the stated principal amount, any debt securities which bear no interest or which bear interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate. 6
9 The relevant prospectus supplement will describe the special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to: - any discounted debt securities; or - certain debt securities issued at par which are treated as having been issued at a discount for United States federal income tax purposes. REGISTERED GLOBAL SECURITIES Williams may issue registered debt securities of a series in the form of one or more fully registered global securities. Williams will deposit the registered global security with a depositary or with a nominee for a depositary identified in the prospectus supplement relating to such series. Williams will then issue one or more registered global securities in a denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding registered debt securities of the series to be represented by the registered global security or securities. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for debt securities in definitive registered form, a registered global security may not be transferred, except as a whole in three cases: - by the depositary for the registered global security to a nominee of the depositary; - by a nominee of the depositary to the depositary or another nominee of the depositary; or - by the depositary or any nominee to a successor of the depositary or a nominee of the successor. The prospectus supplement relating to a series of debt securities will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement concerning any portion of the debt securities to be represented by a registered global security. Williams anticipates that the following provisions will apply to all depositary arrangements. Upon the issuance of a registered global security, the depositary for the registered global security will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the principal amounts of the debt securities represented by the registered global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary. These persons are referred to as "participants." Any underwriters or agents participating in the distribution of debt securities represented by the registered global security will designate the accounts to be credited. Only participants or persons that hold interests through participants will be able to beneficially own interests in a registered global security. The depositary for a global security will maintain records of beneficial ownership interests in a registered global security for participants. Participants or persons that hold through participants will maintain records of beneficial ownership interests in a global security for persons other than participants. These records will be the only means to transfer beneficial ownership in a registered global security. So long as the depositary for a registered global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of a registered global security, the depositary or its nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the registered global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security: - may not have the debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in their names; - will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of debt securities represented by a registered global security in definitive form; and - will not be considered the owners or holders of debt securities represented by a registered global security under the applicable indenture. PAYMENT OF INTEREST ON AND PRINCIPAL OF REGISTERED GLOBAL SECURITIES Williams will make principal, premium, if any, and interest payments on debt securities represented by a registered global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner of the registered global security. None of Williams, the trustee, or any 7
10 paying agent for debt securities represented by a registered global security will have any responsibility or liability for: - any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in such registered global security; or - maintaining, supervising, or reviewing any records relating to beneficial ownership interests. Williams expects that the depositary, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest, will immediately credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their beneficial interests in the principal amount of a registered global security as shown on the depositary's records. Williams also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in a registered global security held through participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. This is currently the case with the securities held for the accounts of customers registered in "street name." Williams also expects that this payout will be the responsibility of participants. EXCHANGE OF REGISTERED GLOBAL SECURITIES Williams will issue debt securities in definitive form in exchange for the registered global security if: - the depositary for any debt securities represented by a registered global security is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary; and - Williams does not appoint a successor depositary within ninety days. In addition, Williams may, at any time, determine not to have any of the debt securities of a series represented by one or more registered global securities. In this event, Williams will issue debt securities of a series in definitive form in exchange for all of the registered global security or securities representing these debt securities. SENIOR DEBT Williams will issue under the senior debt indenture the debt securities and any coupons that will constitute part of the senior debt of Williams. These senior debt securities will rank equally and ratably with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of Williams. SUBORDINATED DEBT Williams will issue under the subordinated debt indenture the debt securities and any coupons that will constitute part of the subordinated debt of Williams. These subordinated debt securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the subordinated debt indenture, to all "senior indebtedness" of Williams. The subordinated debt indenture defines "senior indebtedness" as obligations of, or guaranteed or assumed by, Williams for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments, and amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications, and refundings of any such indebtedness or obligation. "Senior indebtedness" does not include nonrecourse obligations, the subordinated debt securities, or any other obligations specifically designated as being subordinate in right of payment to senior indebtedness. See subordinated debt indenture, section 1.1. In general, the holders of all senior indebtedness are entitled to receive payment of the full amount unpaid on senior indebtedness before the holders of any of the subordinated debt securities or coupons are entitled to receive a payment on account of the principal or interest on the indebtedness evidenced by the subordinated debt securities in certain events. These events include: - any insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, or any receivership, liquidation, reorganization, or other similar proceedings which concern Williams or a substantial part of its property; - a default having occurred for the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on or other monetary amounts due and payable on any senior indebtedness or any other default having occurred 8
11 concerning any senior indebtedness, which permits the holder or holders of any senior indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of any senior indebtedness with notice or lapse of time, or both. This type of an event of default must have continued beyond the period of grace, if any, provided for this type of an event of default under the senior indebtedness, and this type of an event of default shall not have been cured or waived or shall not have ceased to exist; or - the principal of, and accrued interest on, any series of the subordinated debt securities having been declared due and payable upon an event of default contained in the subordinated debt indenture. This declaration must not have been rescinded and annulled as provided in the subordinated debt indenture. If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with a series of subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement or the information incorporated in this prospectus by reference will set forth the approximate amount of senior indebtedness outstanding as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter. CERTAIN COVENANTS OF WILLIAMS Liens. The senior debt indenture refers to any instrument securing indebtedness, such as a mortgage, pledge, lien, security interest, or encumbrance on any property of Williams, as a "mortgage." The senior debt indenture further provides that, subject to certain exceptions, Williams will not, nor will it permit any subsidiary to, issue, assume, or guarantee any indebtedness secured by a mortgage unless Williams provides equal and proportionate security for the senior debt securities Williams issues under the senior debt indenture. Among these exceptions are: - certain purchase money mortgages; - certain preexisting mortgages on any property acquired or constructed by Williams or a subsidiary; - certain mortgages created within one year after completion of such acquisition or construction; - certain mortgages created on any contract for the sale of products or services related to the operation or use of any property acquired or constructed within one year after completion of such acquisition or construction; - mortgages on property of a subsidiary existing at the time it became a subsidiary of Williams; and - mortgages, other than as specifically excepted, in an aggregate amount which, at the time of, and after giving effect to, the incurrence does not exceed five percent of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. See the senior debt indenture, section 3.6. Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance of Assets. Each indenture provides, in general, that Williams will not consolidate with or merge into any other entity or convey, transfer, or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any person unless: - the corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, joint stock company, or trust formed by such consolidation or into which Williams is merged or the person which acquires such assets expressly assumes Williams' obligations under the applicable indenture and the debt securities issued under this indenture; and - immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, shall have happened and be continuing. See section 9.1 of the indentures. Event Risk. Except for the limitations on liens described above, neither indenture nor the debt securities contains any covenants or other provisions designed to afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction involving Williams. 9
12 EVENT OF DEFAULT In general, each indenture defines an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series issued under the indenture as being: (a) default in payment of any principal of the debt securities of such series, either at maturity, upon any redemption, by declaration, or otherwise; (b) default for 30 days in payment of any interest on any debt securities of such series unless otherwise provided; (c) default for 90 days after written notice in the observance or performance of any covenant or warranty in the debt securities of that series or that Indenture other than: - default in or breach of a covenant which is dealt with otherwise below, or - if certain conditions are met, if the events of default described in this clause (c) are the result of changes in generally accepted accounting principles; or (d) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, or reorganization of Williams. See section 5.1 of the indentures. In general, each indenture provides that if an event of default described in clauses (a), (b), or (c) above occurs and does not affect all series of debt securities then outstanding, the trustee or the holders of debt securities of the relevant series may then declare the following amounts to be due and payable immediately: - the entire principal of all debt securities of each series affected by the event of default; and - the interest accrued on such principal. Such a declaration by the holders requires the approval of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the debt securities of each series issued under the applicable indenture and then outstanding, treated as one class, which are affected by the event of default. Each indenture also generally provides that if a default described in clause (c) above which is applicable to all series of debt securities then outstanding or certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency, and reorganization of Williams occur and are continuing, the trustee or the holders of debt securities may declare the entire principal of all such debt securities and interest accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately. This declaration by the holders requires the approval of at least 25 percent in principal amount of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture and then outstanding, treated as one class. Upon certain conditions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of all such affected series then outstanding may annul such declarations and waive the past defaults. However, the majority holders may not annul or waive a continuing default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on such debt securities. See sections 5.1 and 5.10 of the indentures. Each indenture provides that the holders of debt securities issued under that indenture, treated as one class, will indemnify the trustee before the trustee exercises any of its rights or powers under the indenture. This indemnification is subject to the trustee's duty to act with the required standard of care during a default. See section 6.2 of the indentures. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected, treated as one class, issued under the applicable indenture may direct the time, method, and place of: - conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee; or - exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee. This right of the holders of debt securities is, however, subject to the provisions in each indenture providing for the indemnification of the trustee and other specified limitations. See section 5.9 of the indentures. 10
13 In general, each indenture provides that holders of debt securities issued under that indenture may only institute an action against Williams under the indenture if the following four conditions are fulfilled: - the holder previously has given to the trustee written notice of default and the default continues; - the holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount of the debt securities of each affected series (treated as one class) issued under the applicable indenture and then outstanding have requested the trustee to institute such action and have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity; - the trustee has not instituted such action within 60 days of receipt of such request; and - the trustee has not received direction inconsistent with such written request by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of each affected series (treated as one class) issued under the applicable indenture and then outstanding. See sections 5.6, 5.7, and 5.9 of the indentures. The above four conditions do not apply to actions by holders of the debt securities under the applicable indenture against Williams for payment of principal or interest on or after the due date provided. Each indenture contains a covenant that Williams will file annually with the trustee a certificate of no default or a certificate specifying any default that exists. See section 3.5 of the indentures. DISCHARGE, DEFEASANCE, AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE Williams can discharge or defease its obligations under each indenture as set forth below. See section 10.1 of the indentures. Under terms satisfactory to the trustee, Williams may discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued under the applicable indenture which have not already been delivered to the trustee for cancellation. These debt securities must also: - have become due and payable; - be due and payable by their terms within one year; or - be scheduled for redemption by their terms within one year. Williams may redeem any series of debt securities by irrevocably depositing an amount certified to be sufficient to pay, at maturity or upon redemption, the principal of and interest on such debt securities. Williams may make such deposit in cash or, in the case of debt securities payable only in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, as defined in the applicable indenture. Williams may also, upon satisfaction of the conditions listed below, discharge certain obligations to holders of any series of debt securities issued under such indenture at any time ("Defeasance"). Under terms satisfactory to the trustee, Williams may be released with respect to any outstanding series of debt securities issued under the relevant indenture from the obligations imposed by sections 3.6 and 9.1, in the case of the senior debt indenture, and section 9.1, in the case of the subordinated debt indenture. These sections contain the covenants described above limiting liens and consolidations, mergers and conveyances of assets. Also under terms satisfactory to the trustee, Williams may omit to comply with these sections without creating an event of default ("Covenant Defeasance"). Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance may be effected only if, among other things: - Williams irrevocably deposits with the trustee cash or, in the case of debt securities payable only in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government obligations as trust funds in an amount certified to be sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption the principal of and interest on all outstanding debt securities of the series issued under the applicable indenture; - Williams delivers to the trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of the series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain, or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. Such opinion must further state that these holders will be subject to United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner 11
14 and at the same times as would have been the case if Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance had not occurred. In the case of a Defeasance, this opinion must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in United States federal income tax law occurring after the date of the applicable indenture, since this result would not occur under current tax law; - in the case of the subordinated debt indenture, no event or condition shall exist that, pursuant to certain provisions described under "-- Subordinated Debt" above, would prevent Williams from making payments of principal of or interest on the subordinated debt securities at the date of the irrevocable deposit referred to above or at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the deposit date; and - in the case of the subordinated indenture, Williams delivers to the trustee for the subordinated debt indenture an opinion of counsel to the effect that: (1) the trust funds will not be subject to any rights of holders of senior indebtedness; and (2) after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally. If a court were to rule under any such law in any case or proceeding that the trust funds remained property of Williams, counsel must give its opinion only with respect to: (1) the trustee's valid and perfected security interest in these trust funds; (2) adequate protection of holders of the subordinated debt securities interests in these funds; and (3) no prior rights of holders of senior debt securities in property or interests granted to the trustee or holders of the subordinated debt securities in exchange for or with respect to these trust funds. MODIFICATION OF THE INDENTURES Each indenture provides that Williams and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures, which conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, without the consent of the holders to, in general: - secure any debt securities; - evidence the assumption by a successor person of the obligations of Williams; - add further covenants for the protection of the holders; - cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in that indenture, so long as the action will not adversely affect the interests of the holders; - establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series; and - evidence the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee. See section 8.1 of the indentures. Each indenture also permits Williams and the trustee to: - add any provisions to that indenture; - change in any manner that indenture; - eliminate any of the provisions of that indenture; and - modify in any way the rights of the holders of debt securities of each series affected. All of the above actions require the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of debt securities of each series issued under that indenture then outstanding and affected. These holders will vote as one class to approve such changes. 12
15 Such changes must, however, conform to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Williams and the trustee may not, without the consent of each holder of outstanding debt securities affected thereby: - extend the final maturity of the principal of any debt securities; - reduce the principal amount of any debt securities; - reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest on any debt securities; - reduce any amount payable on redemption of any debt securities; - change the currency in which the principal, including any amount in respect of original issue discount, or interest on any debt securities is payable; - reduce the amount of any original issue discount security payable upon acceleration or provable in bankruptcy; - alter certain provisions of the indenture relating to debt securities not denominated in U.S. dollars or for which conversion to another currency is required to satisfy the judgment of any court; - impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any debt securities when due; or - reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities of any series issued under the applicable indenture, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such modification. See section 8.2 of the indentures. The subordinated debt indenture may not be amended to alter the subordination of any outstanding subordinated debt securities without the consent of each holder of senior indebtedness then outstanding that would be adversely affected by such an amendment. See the subordinated debt indenture, section 8.6. CONVERSION RIGHTS The prospectus supplement will provide if a series of securities is convertible into our common stock and the initial conversion price per share at which the securities may be converted. Unless we specify other conversion provisions in the prospectus supplement, the following provisions will be applicable to our convertible securities. If we have not redeemed a convertible security, the holder of the convertible security may convert the security, or any portion of the principal amount in integral multiples of $1,000, at the conversion price in effect at the time of conversion, into shares of Williams' common stock. Conversion rights expire at the close of business on the date specified in the prospectus supplement for a series of convertible securities. Conversion rights expire at the close of business on the redemption date in the case of any convertible securities that we call for redemption. In order to exercise the conversion privilege, the holder of the convertible security must surrender to us, at any office or agency maintained for that purpose, the security with a written notice of the election to convert the security, and, if the holder is converting less than the entire principal amount of the security, the amount of security to be converted. In addition, if the convertible security is converted during the period between a record date for the payment of interest and the related interest payment date, the person entitled to convert the security must pay us an amount equal to the interest payable on the principal amount being converted. We will not pay any interest on converted securities on any interest payment date after the date of conversion expect for those securities surrendered during the period between a record date for the payment of interest and the related interest payment date. Convertible securities shall be deemed to have been converted immediately prior to the close of business on the day of surrender of the security. We will not issue any fractional shares of stock upon conversion, but 13
16 we will make an adjustment in cash based on the market price at the close of business on the date of conversion. The conversion price will be subject to adjustment in the event of: - payment of stock dividends or other distributions of our common stock; - issuance of rights or warrants to all our stockholders entitling them to subscribe for or purchase our stock at a price less than the market price of our common stock; - the subdivision of our common stock into a greater or lesser number of shares of stock; - the distribution to all stockholders of evidences of our indebtedness or assets, excluding stock dividends or other distributions and rights or warrants; or - the reclassification of our common stock into other securities. We may also decrease the conversion price as we consider necessary so that any event treated for Federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights will not be taxable to the holders of our common stock. We will pay any and all transfer taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of common stock on conversion of the securities. We are not required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares in a name other than that of the holder of the security to be converted and no issue and delivery shall be made unless and until the person requesting the issue has paid the amount of any such tax or established to our satisfaction that such tax has been paid. After the occurrence of: - consolidation with or merger of Williams into any other corporation, - any merger of another corporation into Williams, or - any sale or transfer of substantially all of the assets of Williams, which results in any reclassification, change or conversion of our common stock, the holders of any convertible securities will be entitled to receive on conversion the kind and amount of shares of common stock or other securities, cash or other property receivable upon such event by a holder of our common stock immediately prior to the occurrence of the event. CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE The trustee is one of a number of banks with which Williams and its subsidiaries maintain ordinary banking relationships and with which Williams and its subsidiaries maintain credit facilities. LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER DEBT SECURITIES Debt securities in bearer form are subject to special U.S. tax requirements and may not be offered, sold, or delivered within the United States or its possessions or to a U.S. person, except in certain transactions permitted by U.S. tax regulations. Investors should consult the prospectus supplement in the event that bearer debt securities are issued for special procedures and restrictions that will apply to such an offering. 14
17 DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK Under the Williams' certificate of incorporation, as amended, Williams is authorized to issue up to 30,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, in one or more series. At March 31, 2001, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding outside of our consolidated group. See "Outstanding Preferred Stock Within the Consolidated Group" below. The following description of preferred stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the series of preferred stock to which any prospectus supplement may relate. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock will describe certain other terms of such series of preferred stock. If so indicated in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of preferred stock, the terms of any such series of preferred stock may differ from the terms set forth below. The description of preferred stock set forth below and the description of the terms of a particular series of preferred stock set forth in the related prospectus supplement are not complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the certificate of incorporation and to the certificate of designation relating to that series of preferred stock. The rights of the holders of each series of preferred stock will be subordinate to those of Williams' general creditors. GENERAL TERMS OF THE PREFERRED STOCK The certificate of incorporation will set forth the designations, preferences, and relative, participating, optional and other special rights, and the qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series. To the extent the certificate of incorporation does not set forth the rights and limitations, they shall be fixed by the certificate of designation relating to the series. A prospectus supplement, relating to each series, shall specify the terms of the preferred stock as follows: - the distinctive designation of the series and the number of shares which shall constitute the series; - the rate of dividends, if any, payable on shares of the series, the date, if any, from which the dividends shall accrue, the conditions upon which and the date when the dividends shall be payable, and whether the dividends shall be cumulative or noncumulative; - the amounts which the holders of the preferred stock of the series shall be entitled to be paid in the event of a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of Williams; and - whether or not the preferred stock of the series shall be redeemable and at what times and under what conditions and the amount or amounts payable thereon in the event of redemption. The prospectus supplement may, in a manner not inconsistent with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation: - limit the number of shares of the series that may be issued; - provide for a sinking fund for the purchase or redemption or a purchase fund for the purchase of shares of the series, set forth the terms and provisions governing the operation of any fund, and establish the status as to reissue of shares of preferred stock purchased or otherwise reacquired or redeemed or retired through the operation of the sinking or purchase fund; - grant voting rights to the holder of shares of the series, in addition to and not inconsistent with those granted by the certificate of incorporation to the holders of preferred stock; - impose conditions or restrictions upon the creation of indebtedness of Williams or upon the issue of additional preferred stock or other capital stock ranking equally with or prior to the preferred stock or capital stock as to dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation; - impose conditions or restrictions upon the payment of dividends upon, the making of other distributions to, or the acquisition of junior stock; 15
18 - grant to the holders of the preferred stock of the series the right to convert the preferred stock into shares of another series or class of capital stock; and - grant other special rights to the holders of shares of the series as the board of directors may determine and as shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation. DIVIDENDS Holders of the preferred stock of any series shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the board of directors, preferential dividends in cash at the rate per annum, if any, fixed for the series. Their entitlement will be subject to any limitations specified in the certificate of designation providing for the issuance of a particular series of preferred stock. The certificate of designation providing for the issuance of preferred stock of the series may specify the date on which the preferential dividends are payable. The preferential dividends shall further be payable to stockholders of record on a date which precedes each dividend payment date which the board of directors has fixed in advance of each particular dividend. Each share of preferred stock shall rank on a parity with each other share of preferred stock, irrespective of series, with respect to preferential dividends accrued on the shares of the series. Williams will not declare or pay any dividend nor will it set apart a dividend for payment for the preferred stock of any series unless at the same time Williams declares, pays, or sets apart a dividend in like proportion to the dividends accrued upon the preferred stock of each other series. This does not, however, prevent Williams from authorizing or issuing one or more series of preferred stock bearing dividends subject to contingencies as to the existence or amount of earnings of Williams during one or more fiscal periods, or as to other events, to which dividends on other series of preferred stock are not subject. So long as any shares of preferred stock remain outstanding, Williams will not, unless all dividends accrued on outstanding shares of preferred stock for all past dividend periods shall have been paid, or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment of the dividends set apart: - pay or declare any dividends whatsoever, whether in cash, stock, or otherwise; - make any distribution on any class of junior stock; - purchase, retire, or otherwise acquire for valuable consideration any shares of preferred stock (subject to certain limitations) or junior stock. The ability of Williams, as a holding company, to pay dividends on the preferred stock will depend upon the payment of dividends, interest, or other charges by subsidiaries to it. Debt instruments of certain subsidiaries of Williams limit the amount of payments to Williams, which could affect the amount of funds available to Williams to pay dividends on the preferred stock. Bank One Trust Company, National Association, is the registrar, transfer agent, and dividend disbursing agent for the shares of the preferred stock. REDEMPTION With the approval of its board of directors, Williams may redeem all or any part of the preferred stock of any series that by its terms is redeemable. Redemption will take place at the time or times and on the terms and conditions fixed for the series. Williams must duly give notice in the manner provided in the certificate of designation providing for this series. Williams must pay for preferred stock in cash the sum fixed for this series, together, in each case, with an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends on the series of preferred stock. The certificate of designation providing for a series of preferred stock which is subject to redemption may provide, upon the two conditions discussed below, that the shares will no longer 16
19 be deemed outstanding, and all rights with respect to the shares will cease, including the accrual of further dividends, other than the right to receive the redemption price of the shares without interest, when: - Williams has given notice of redemption of all or part of the shares of the series; and - Williams has set aside or deposited with a suitable depositary for the proportionate benefit of the shares called for redemption the redemption price of these shares, together with accrued dividends to the date fixed as the redemption date. Redemption will terminate the right of holders of the preferred stock to accrual of further dividends. Redemption will not, however, terminate the right of holders of the shares redeemed to receive the redemption price for these shares without interest. VOTING RIGHTS The preferred stock will have no right or power to vote on any question or in any proceeding or to be represented at or to receive notice of any meeting of stockholders, except as: - stated in this prospectus; - expressly provided by law; or - provided in the certificate of designation of the series of preferred stock. On any matters on which the holders of the preferred stock or any series thereof shall be entitled to vote separately as a class or series, they shall be entitled to one vote for each share held. So long as any shares of preferred stock are outstanding, Williams must not, during the continuance of any default in the payment of dividends on the preferred stock, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any shares of the preferred stock or of any other stock ranking on a parity with the preferred stock concerning dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation. Holders of a majority of the number of shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time may, however, permit such a redemption by giving their consent in person or by proxy, either in writing or by vote at any annual meeting or any special meeting called for the purpose. LIQUIDATION RIGHTS In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the affairs of Williams, voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the preferred stock of the respective series are entitled to be paid in full the following amounts: - the amount fixed in the certificate of designation providing for the issue of shares of the series; plus - a sum equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends on the shares of preferred stock to the date of payment of the dividends. Williams must have made this payment in full to the holders of the preferred stock before it may make any distribution or payment to the holders of any class of stock of Williams ranking junior to the preferred stock as to dividends or distribution of assets on liquidation. After Williams has made this payment in full to the holders of the preferred stock, the remaining assets and funds of Williams will be distributed among the holders of the stock of Williams ranking junior to the preferred stock according to their rights. If the assets of Williams available for distribution to holders of preferred stock are sufficient to make the payment required to be made in full, these assets will be distributed to the holders of shares of preferred stock proportionately to the amounts payable upon each share of preferred stock. PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS On February 6, 1996, Williams entered into a rights agreement with The First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as rights agent, which currently provides for a dividend of one-third preferred stock purchase 17
20 right for each outstanding share of Williams' common stock. The rights trade automatically with shares of common stock and become exercisable only under the circumstances described below. The rights are designed to protect the interests of Williams and its stockholders against coercive takeover tactics. The purpose of the rights is to encourage potential acquirers to negotiate with the board of directors of Williams prior to attempting a takeover and to provide the board with leverage in negotiating on behalf of all stockholders the terms of any proposed takeover. The rights may have anti-takeover effects. The rights should not, however, interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the board of directors of Williams. Until a right is exercised, the right does not entitle the holder to additional rights as a Williams' stockholder, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. Upon becoming exercisable, each right entitles its holder to purchase from Williams one two-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at an exercise or purchase price of $140.00 per right, subject to adjustment. Each one two-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock entitles the holder to receive quarterly dividends payable in cash of an amount per share equal to: - the greater of (a) $120, or (b) 1200 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends; plus - 1200 times the aggregate per share amount payable in kind of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than dividends payable in common stock, since the immediately preceding quarterly dividend payment date. The dividends on the Junior Participating Preferred Stock are cumulative. Holders of Junior Participating Preferred Stock have voting rights entitling them to 1200 votes per share on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders of Williams. In general, the rights will not be exercisable until the distribution date, which is the earlier of (a) the close of business on the 10th business day after Williams learns that a person or group has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock, (b) the close of business on the 10th business day after the commencement of a tender or exchange offer for 15% or more of Williams' outstanding common stock, or (c) the close of business on the 10th business day after the board of directors of Williams determines that any adverse person or group has become the beneficial owner of an amount of common stock which the board of directors determines to be substantial. Below we refer to the person or group acquiring at least 15% of our common stock as an acquiring person. In the event that a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of Williams' outstanding common stock or the board of directors of Williams determines that any adverse person or group has become the beneficial owner of a substantial amount of common stock, each holder of a right will have the right to exercise and receive common stock having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. The exercise price is the purchase price times the number of shares of common stock associated with each right. Any rights that are at any time beneficially owned by an acquiring person will be null and void and any holder of such right will be unable to exercise or transfer the right. In the event that someone becomes an acquiring person and either (a) Williams is involved in a merger or other business combination in which Williams is not the surviving corporation, (b) Williams is involved in a merger or other business combination in which Williams is the surviving corporation but all or a part of its common stock is changed or exchanged, or (c) 50% or more of Williams' assets, cash flow or earning power is sold or transferred, each right becomes exercisable and each right will entitle its holder to receive common stock of the acquiring person having a value equal to two times the exercise price of the right. The rights will expire at the close of business on February 6, 2006, unless redeemed before that time. At any time prior to the earlier of (a) 10 days following the stock acquisition date, as defined in the rights agreement, and (b) the expiration date, the board of directors of Williams may redeem the rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $.01 per right. Prior to the distribution date, Williams may amend the rights agreement in any respect without the approval of the rights holders. However, after the distribution date, the rights agreement may not be amended in any way that would adversely affect the holders of rights (other than any acquiring person or group) or cause the rights to again become redeemable. The Junior Participating 18
21 Preferred Stock ranks junior to all other series of Williams' preferred stock as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets unless the terms of the series specify otherwise. You should refer to the applicable provisions of the rights agreement, which is incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4 to Form 8-K filed January 24, 1996. OUTSTANDING PREFERRED STOCK WITHIN THE CONSOLIDATED GROUP On March 28, 2001, Williams issued 14,000 shares of its March 2001 Mandatorily Convertible Single Reset Preferred Stock (the "March 2001 Preferred Stock") to a wholly owned subsidiary as part of a transaction to provide indirect credit support for $1.4 billion of Williams Communications Group, Inc. structured notes through a commitment to issue Williams' equity in the event of a Williams Communications default, or to the extent proceeds from Williams Communications' refinancing or remarketing of other structured notes prior to March 2004 produces proceeds of less than $1.4 billion. For a full description of the March 2001 Preferred Stock, please refer to Williams' certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designation of the March 2001 Preferred Stock, which has been filed as part of Exhibit 3(I)(a) to Form 10-Q filed by Williams on May 15, 2001 and incorporated by reference herein. On December 28, 2000, in connection with the purchase of various energy-related assets in Canada and formation of Snow Goose Associates, L.L.C. and Arctic Fox Assets, L.L.C., Williams issued 342,000 shares of Williams' December 2000 cumulative convertible preferred stock ("December 2000 Preferred Stock") to Arctic Fox Assets, L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of Williams. For a full description of the December 2000 Preferred Stock, please refer to Williams' certificate of incorporation and the certificate of designation of the December 2000 Preferred Stock, which has been filed as part of Exhibit 3(I)(a) to Form 10-Q filed by Williams on May 15, 2001 and incorporated by reference herein. DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK As of the date of this prospectus, Williams is authorized to issue up to 960,000,000 shares of common stock. As of March 31, 2001, Williams had 484,211,858 issued and outstanding shares of common stock. In addition, at March 31, 2001 options to purchase 27,851,361 shares of common stock were outstanding under various stock and compensation incentive plans. The outstanding shares of Williams' common stock are fully paid and nonassessable. The holders of Williams' common stock are not entitled to preemptive or redemption rights. Shares of Williams' common stock are not convertible into shares of any other class of capital stock. First Chicago Trust Company of New York, a division of EquiServe, is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock. Williams currently has the following provisions in its charter or bylaws which could be considered to be "anti-takeover" provisions: (i) an article in its charter providing for a classified board of directors divided into three classes, one of which is elected for a three-year term at each annual meeting of stockholders, (ii) an article in its charter providing that directors cannot be removed except for cause and by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the outstanding shares of common stock, (iii) an article in its charter requiring the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the outstanding shares of common stock for certain merger and asset sale transactions with holders of more than five percent of the voting power of Williams, and (iv) a bylaw requiring stockholders to provide prior notice for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters which can be acted upon at stockholders meetings. Williams is a Delaware corporation and is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prevents an interested stockholder (defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of Williams' outstanding voting stock) from engaging in a business combination with Williams for three years following the date that person became an interested stockholder unless: (i) before that person became an interested stockholder, the board of directors of Williams approved the transaction in which the interested stockholder became an interested stockholder or approved the business combination; (ii) upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the interested stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of Williams outstanding at the time the transaction 19
22 commenced (excluding stock held by persons who are both directors and officers of Williams or by certain employee stock plans); or (iii) on or following the date on which that person became an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by Williams' board of directors and authorized at a meeting of stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock of Williams (excluding shares held by the interested stockholder). A business combination includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. DIVIDENDS The holders of Williams' common stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as, and if declared by the board of directors of Williams, out of funds legally available for their payment subject to the rights of holders of any outstanding preferred stock. VOTING RIGHTS The holders of Williams' common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. RIGHTS UPON LIQUIDATION In the event of Williams' voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up, the holders of Williams' common stock will be entitled to share equally in any assets available for distribution after the payment in full of all debts and distributions and after the holders of all series of outstanding preferred stock have received their liquidation preferences in full. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION Williams may sell the securities through agents, through underwriters, through dealers, and directly to purchasers. Agents designated by Williams from time to time may solicit offers to purchase the securities. The prospectus supplement will name any such agent who may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered. The prospectus supplement will also set forth any commissions payable by Williams to such agent. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. If Williams uses any underwriters in the sale, Williams will enter into an underwriting agreement with the underwriters at the time of sale to them. The prospectus supplement which the underwriter will use to make resales to the public of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will set forth the names of the underwriters and the terms of the transaction. If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, Williams will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. Agents, dealers, and underwriters may be entitled under agreements entered into with Williams to indemnification by Williams against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which such agents, dealers, or underwriters may be required to make in respect of such civil liabilities. Agents, dealers, and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for Williams in the ordinary course of business. One or more firms, referred to as "remarketing firms," may also offer or sell the securities, if the prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as agents for Williams. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, 20
23 if any, with Williams and will describe the remarketing firm's compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they remarket. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements that may be entered into with Williams to indemnification by Williams against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for Williams in the ordinary course of business. If the prospectus supplement so indicates, Williams will authorize agents and underwriters or dealers to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from Williams at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement. The solicitation will occur pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. These contracts will be subject to only those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such offers. Each series of debt securities offered will be a new issue of securities and will have no established trading market. The debt securities offered may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange. Williams cannot be sure as to the liquidity of or the existence of trading markets for any debt securities offered. Certain persons participating in this offering may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the securities. Specifically, the underwriters, if any, may overallot in connection with the offering, and may bid for, and purchase, the securities in the open market. EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements and schedules of Williams' at December 31, 2000 and 1999 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000 appearing in Williams Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2001, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon included therein and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and schedules are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing. LEGAL MATTERS William G. von Glahn, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Williams will pass upon certain legal matters for Williams in connection with the securities offered by this prospectus. Davis Polk & Wardwell, New York, New York will pass upon certain legal matters for the underwriters in connection with the securities offered by this prospectus. As of the date of this prospectus, Mr. von Glahn beneficially owns, directly or indirectly approximately 193,409 shares of Williams' common stock and also has exercisable options to purchase an additional 135,504 shares of Williams' common stock. 21
24 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION. Set forth below is an estimate of the approximate amount of the fees and expenses payable by Williams in connection with the offering described in this Registration Statement: APPROXIMATE AMOUNT ----------- Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee..... $481,000 Printing and engraving expenses......................... 50,000 Accounting fees and expenses............................ 50,000 Legal fees and expenses................................. 85,000 Trustees' fees.......................................... 12,000 Fees of rating agencies................................. 50,000 Miscellaneous expenses.................................. 32,000 -------- TOTAL......................................... $760,000 ======== ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS. Williams, a Delaware corporation, is empowered by Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, subject to the procedures and limitations stated therein, to indemnify any person against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any threatened, pending, or completed action, suit, or proceeding in which such person is made party by reason of their being or having been a director, officer, employee, or agent of Williams. The statute provides that indemnification pursuant to its provisions is not exclusive of other rights of indemnification to which a person may be entitled under any by-law, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The By-laws of Williams provide for indemnification by Williams of its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. In addition, Williams has entered into indemnity agreements with its directors and certain officers providing for, among other things, the indemnification of and the advancing of expenses to such individuals to the fullest extent permitted by law, and to the extent insurance is maintained, for the continued coverage of such individuals. Policies of insurance are maintained by Williams under which the directors and officers of Williams are insured, within the limits and subject to the limitations of the policies, against certain expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits, or proceedings, and certain liabilities which might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings, to which they are parties by reason of being or having been such directors or officers. II-1
25 ITEM 16. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (a) Exhibits: EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION ------- ----------- 1.1 -- Form of Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions (Debt). *1.2 -- Form of Distribution Agreement (filed as Exhibit 1.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 8, 1997). 1.3 -- Form of equity Underwriting Agreement. *3.1 -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as supplemented (filed as Exhibit 3(I)(a) to Form 10-Q filed May 15, 2001). *3.2 -- Restated By-laws (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed January 19, 2000). *4.1 -- Form of Senior Debt Indenture (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 8, 1997). *4.2 -- Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 9, 1997). *4.3 -- Form of Floating Rate Senior Note (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 8, 1997). *4.4 -- Form of Fixed Rate Senior Note (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 8, 1997). *4.5 -- Form of Floating Rate Subordinated Note (filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 8, 1997). *4.6 -- Form of Fixed Rate Subordinated Note (filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 8, 1997). *4.7 -- Rights Agreement dated as of February 6, 1996, between Williams and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (filed as Exhibit 4 to Form 8-K filed January 24, 1996). *4.8 -- Certificate of Increase of Authorized Number of Shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit 3(f) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995). *4.9 -- Certificate of Increase of Authorized Number of Shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit 3(g) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997). 5 -- Opinion and consent of counsel of Williams relating to the validity of the Securities. 12 -- Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements. 23.1 -- Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. 23.2 -- Consent of counsel (contained in Exhibit 5). 24.1 -- Power of Attorney. 24.2 -- Certified copy of resolutions authorizing signatures pursuant to power of attorney. 25.1 -- Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Bank One Trust Company, National Association, on Form T-1 for Indentures. - --------------- * Such exhibit has heretofore been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the filing indicated and is incorporated herein by reference. II-2
26 ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS. Williams hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of Williams' annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) of 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereto) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) (sec.230.424(b) of this chapter) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (i) and (ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered that remain unsold at the termination of the offering. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Williams pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Williams has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Williams of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Williams in a successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against Williams by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, Williams will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. II-3
27 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Tulsa and State of Oklahoma on the 22nd day of June 2001. THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. (Registrant) By: /s/ SUZANNE H. COSTIN ---------------------------------- Suzanne H. Costin Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated: SIGNATURE TITLE DATE --------- ----- ---- /s/ KEITH E. BAILEY Chairman of the Board, President June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- & Chief Executive Officer Keith E. Bailey* (principal executive officer) /s/ JACK D. MCCARTHY Senior Vice President (principal June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- financial officer) Jack D. McCarthy* /s/ GARY R. BELITZ Controller (principal accounting June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- officer) Gary R. Belitz* /s/ HUGH M. CHAPMAN Director June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- Hugh M. Chapman* /s/ GLENN A. COX Director June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- Glenn A. Cox* /s/ THOMAS H. CRUIKSHANK Director June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- Thomas H. Cruikshank* /s/ WILLIAM E. GREEN Director June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- William E. Green* /s/ W. R. HOWELL Director June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- W. R. Howell* /s/ JAMES C. LEWIS Director June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- James C. Lewis* /s/ CHARLES M. LILLIS Director June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- Charles M. Lillis* II-4
28 SIGNATURE TITLE DATE --------- ----- ---- /s/ GEORGE A. LORCH Director June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- George A. Lorch* /s/ GORDON R. PARKER Director June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- Gordon R. Parker* /s/ JANICE D. STONEY Director June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- Janice D. Stoney* /s/ JOSEPH H. WILLIAMS Director June 22, 2001 - ----------------------------------------------------- Joseph H. Williams* *By: /s/ SUZANNE H. COSTIN ----------------------------------------------- Suzanne H. Costin Attorney-in-Fact II-5
29 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION ------- ----------- 1.1 -- Form of Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions (Debt). *1.2 -- Form of Distribution Agreement (filed as Exhibit 1.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 8, 1997). 1.3 -- Form of equity Underwriting Agreement. *3.1 -- Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as supplemented (filed as Exhibit 3(I)(a) to Form 10-Q filed May 15, 2001). *3.2 -- Restated By-laws (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to Form 8-K filed January 19, 2000). *4.1 -- Form of Senior Debt Indenture (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 8, 1997). *4.2 -- Form of Subordinated Debt Indenture (filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 9, 1997). *4.3 -- Form of Floating Rate Senior Note (filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 8, 1997). *4.4 -- Form of Fixed Rate Senior Note (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 8, 1997). *4.5 -- Form of Floating Rate Subordinated Note (filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 8, 1997). *4.6 -- Form of Fixed Rate Subordinated Note (filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed September 8, 1997). *4.7 -- Rights Agreement dated as of February 6, 1996, between Williams and First Chicago Trust Company of New York (filed as Exhibit 4 to Form 8-K filed January 24, 1996). *4.8 -- Certificate of Increase of Authorized Number of Shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit 3(f) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995). *4.9 -- Certificate of Increase of Authorized Number of Shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (filed as Exhibit 3(g) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997). 5 -- Opinion and consent of counsel of Williams relating to the validity of the Securities. 12 -- Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividend Requirements. 23.1 -- Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. 23.2 -- Consent of counsel (contained in Exhibit 5). 24.1 -- Power of Attorney. 24.2 -- Certified copy of resolutions authorizing signatures pursuant to power of attorney. 25.1 -- Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Bank One Trust Company, National Association, on Form T-1 for Indentures. - --------------- * Such exhibit has heretofore been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the filing indicated and is incorporated herein by reference.
1 EXHIBIT 1.1 THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT STANDARD PROVISIONS (DEBT) , 200 ------------------ ---- From time to time, The Williams Companies Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), may enter into one or more underwriting agreements substantially in the form of Schedule I hereto that provide for the sale of designated securities to the several Underwriters named therein. The standard provisions set forth herein may be incorporated by reference in any such underwriting agreement (an "Underwriting Agreement"). The Underwriting Agreement, including the provisions incorporated therein by reference, is herein referred to as this Agreement. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Underwriting Agreement are used herein as therein defined. The Company proposes to issue from time to time debt securities to be issued pursuant to the provisions of a senior debt indenture dated as of November 10, 1997 (as it may be supplemented or amended from time to time, the "Indenture") between the Company and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee. The debt securities will have varying designations, maturities, rates and times of payment of interest, selling prices, redemption terms and other terms. Any such debt securities are herein sometimes collectively referred to as the "Securities." The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (herein referred to collectively as the "Act"), a registration statement including a prospectus relating to the Securities and has filed with, or mailed for filing to, the Commission a prospectus supplement or supplements specifically relating to the Securities pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act. The term Registration Statement means the registration statement as amended to the date of the Underwriting Agreement and shall include any registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Act. The term "Basic Prospectus" means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. The term "Prospectus" means the Basic Prospectus
2 together with the prospectus supplement or preliminary abbreviated term sheet (other than a preliminary prospectus supplement or preliminary abbreviated term sheet) specifically relating to the Securities. The term "preliminary prospectus" means a preliminary prospectus supplement or preliminary abbreviated term sheet specifically relating to the Securities, together with the Basic Prospectus. As used herein, the terms "Registration Statement", "Basic Prospectus", "Prospectus" and "preliminary prospectus" shall include, in each case, the material, if any, incorporated by reference therein. The term Contract Securities means the Securities, if any, to be purchased pursuant to the delayed delivery contracts substantially in the form of Schedule II hereto, with such changes therein as the Company may authorize or approve (the "Delayed Delivery Contracts"). The term "Underwriters' Securities" means the Securities other than Contract Securities. The Company and the Underwriters agree as follows: 1. Sale and Purchase. If the Prospectus provides for sales of Securities pursuant to Delayed Delivery Contracts, the Company hereby authorizes the Underwriters to solicit offers to purchase Contract Securities on the terms contained in the Delayed Delivery Contracts. Delayed Delivery Contracts are to be with institutional investors approved by the Company and of the types set forth in the Prospectus. On the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), the Company will pay the Manager, as compensation for the accounts of the Underwriters, the commissions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement in respect of the Contract Securities. The Underwriters will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or the performance of Delayed Delivery Contracts. If the Company executes and delivers Delayed Delivery Contracts with institutional investors, the Securities comprising the Contract Securities shall be deducted from the Securities to be purchased by the several Underwriters, and the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter shall be reduced pro rata in proportion to the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite each Underwriter's name in the Underwriting Agreement, except to the extent that the Manager determines that such reduction shall be otherwise and so advises the Company. The Company is advised by the Manager that the Underwriters propose to make a public offering of their respective portions of the Underwriters' Securities as soon after this Agreement is entered into as in the Manager's judgment is advisable. The terms of the public offering of the Underwriters' Securities are set forth in the Prospectus. 2
3 2. Payment and Delivery. Payment for the Underwriters' Securities shall be made by wire transfer to an account designated by the Company at the time and place set forth in the Underwriting Agreement, upon delivery to the Manager for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters of the Underwriters' Securities registered in such names and in such denominations as the Manager shall request in writing not less than one full business day prior to the date of delivery. The time and date of such payment and delivery with respect to the Underwriters' Securities are herein referred to as the Closing Date. 3. Certain Covenants of the Company. In further consideration of the agreements of the Underwriters herein contained, the Company covenants as follows: (a) To furnish you, without charge, one conformed copy of the Registration Statement (including exhibits thereto and documents incorporated therein by reference) and, during the period mentioned in paragraph (c) below, as many copies of the Prospectus, any documents incorporated therein by reference, and any supplements and amendments thereto as you may reasonably request. The terms "supplement" and "amendment" or "amend" as used in this Agreement shall include all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (the "Exchange Act"), that are deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, including any abbreviated term sheets. (b) Before amending or supplementing the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, to furnish you a copy of each such proposed amendment or supplement and to file no such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object in writing; provided, that the foregoing shall not apply to amendments or supplements that relate to securities registered under the Registration Statement that are not Securities. (c) If, at any time when a Prospectus relating to the Securities is in the opinion of your counsel required by law to be delivered under the Act, any event shall occur as a result of which it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, forthwith to prepare and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses you will furnish to the Company) to which Securities may have been sold by you on behalf of the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon request, either 3
4 amendments or supplements to the Prospectus so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in light of the circumstances when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law. (d) To endeavor to qualify the Securities for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as you shall reasonably request and to pay all expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) in connection therewith as well as all fees, if any, payable in connection with the review of the offering of the Securities by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. and the determination of the eligibility of the Securities for investment under the laws of such jurisdictions as the Manager may designate. (e) To make generally available to the Company's security holders as soon as practicable an earnings statement or statements of the Company which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder. (f) During the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and continuing to and including the Closing Date, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company substantially similar to the Securities other than the Securities, if any, without the prior written consent of the Manager. 4. Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses. If this Agreement shall be terminated by the Underwriters or any of them, because of any failure or refusal on the part of the Company to comply with the terms or to fulfill any of the conditions of this Agreement in any material respect, or if for any reason the Company shall be unable to perform its obligations under this Agreement in any material respect, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters or such Underwriters as have so terminated this Agreement, with respect to themselves, severally, for all out-of-pocket expenses (including the fees and disbursements of their counsel) reasonably incurred by such Underwriters in connection with the Securities. 5. Certain Covenants of the Underwriters. Each of the several Underwriters agrees with the Company that: (a) it will not offer, sell, resell, or deliver, directly or indirectly, any Securities in bearer form (including any Security in global form that is exchangeable for Securities in bearer form) within the United States of 4
5 America, its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (the "United States") in connection with their original issuance or during the period set forth in the Prospectus; (b) it will not offer, sell, resell or deliver, directly or indirectly, Securities in bearer form, in connection with their original issuance or during such period, to a United States Person (which term, as used herein, means any citizen, national or resident of the United States, any corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source) other than to an office located outside the United States of a financial institution as defined in Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) of the Treasury Department Regulations, purchasing for its own account or for the account of a customer and that provides a written statement that it will comply with Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations thereunder, which financial institution, as a condition of the purchase, agrees to provide on delivery of such Securities (or on issuance of such Securities if not in definitive form) the certificate required in paragraph (c) below; (c) it will deliver to each purchaser from it of any Securities in bearer form (including Securities initially represented by a temporary global certificate) a written confirmation stating substantially the following: "By your purchase of Securities in bearer form you represent that you are not a United States Person or, if you are a United States Person, that you are a financial institution as defined in Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) of the Treasury Department Regulations, purchasing for your own account or for the account of a customer and that you will comply with the requirements of Section 165(j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations thereunder. Furthermore, if you are a dealer, you agree that you will deliver a confirmation containing this entire paragraph to purchasers of such Securities from you. For purposes of this statement, 'United States Person' means any citizen, national or resident of the United States, any corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, and 'United States' means the United States of America, its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico." 5
6 (d) it will deliver Securities in definitive bearer form to the person entitled to delivery thereof (or transfer of interests therein) only outside the United States and upon receipt of a written confirmation stating substantially the following: "This confirms as of the date hereof that none of the Securities issued in bearer form delivered or credited to you for our account are being acquired by or on behalf of, or for offer to resell or for resale to, a United States Person, or any person inside the United States, or, if a beneficial interest in such Securities issued in bearer form is being acquired by a United States Person, that such person is a financial institution as defined in Section 1.165-12(c)(1)(v) of the Treasury Department Regulations, or is acquiring such Securities through such a financial institution and that such Securities are held by a financial institution that has agreed to comply with Section 165 (j)(3)(A), (B) or (C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations thereunder, and is not purchasing for offer to resell or for resale inside the United States. As used herein, 'United States Person' means any citizen, national or resident of the United States, any corporation, partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or any estate or trust the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source, and 'United States' means the United States of America, its territories and possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico."; provided, however, that (i) if it has actual knowledge that the information contained in any confirmation delivered pursuant to (c) or (d) above is false, it shall not deliver any Securities in bearer form to, or, if applicable, cause a transfer of an interest in any Global Security to the account of, the person who signed or delivered the confirmation referred to in (d) above notwithstanding the delivery of such confirmation to it, and (ii) when a certificate is provided by a clearing organization, it must be based on statements provided to it by its member organizations. As used herein, a "clearing organization" is an entity that is in the business of holding obligations for member organizations and transferring obligations among such members by credit or debit to the account of a member without the necessity of physical delivery of the obligation; and (e) it will comply with or observe any other restrictions or limitations set forth in the Prospectus on persons to whom, or the jurisdictions in which, or the manner in which, the Securities may be offered, sold, resold or delivered. If Underwriters' Securities are to be distributed through a selling group consisting of banks, brokers or dealers, the Manager agrees that it shall cause each 6
7 member of such selling group to enter into an agreement that it will comply with this Section 5. 6. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations. The several obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for any issue of Underwriters' Securities hereunder are subject to the following conditions: (a) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement and prior to the Closing Date: (i) the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein are true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date; (ii) the Registration Statement has become effective, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceedings for such purpose shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission; (iii) there shall not have occurred any downgrading, nor shall any notice have been given of any intended or potential downgrading or of any review for a possible change that does not indicate the direction of the possible change, in the rating accorded any of the Company's securities by any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization," as such term is defined for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act; and (iv) there shall not have occurred any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Prospectus (exclusive of any amendments or supplements thereto subsequent to the date of this Agreement) that, in the judgment of the Manager, is material and adverse and that makes it, in the judgment of the Manager, impracticable to market the Offered Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus. (b) That, at the Closing Date, the Company shall furnish to the Manager an opinion of William G. von Glahn, Esq., General Counsel of The Williams Companies, Inc., dated the Closing Date, in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit A. 7
8 (c) That, at the Closing Date, the Manager shall receive an opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell, counsel for the Underwriters, dated the Closing Date, in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit B. (d) That, at the Closing Date, the Company shall furnish to the Manager a letter addressed to the Underwriters and dated the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Manager, from Ernst & Young LLP independent public accountants, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information relating to the Company contained in or incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. (e) That, at the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the Manager a certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by an officer of the Company, to the effect set forth in 6(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) above and further to the effect that there has not occurred any material adverse change, or any development which could reasonably be expected to result in a prospective material adverse change, in the financial condition, or in the earnings, business or operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, from that set forth in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as supplemented by the Prospectus Supplement. The officer signing and delivering such certificate may rely upon the best of his knowledge as to proceedings threatened. (f) That, the Company shall have performed in all material respects such of its obligations under this Agreement as are to be performed by the terms hereof at or before the time of purchase. (g) That, the Company shall have accepted Delayed Delivery Contracts, if any, in any case in which sales of Contract Securities arranged by the Underwriters have been approved by the Company. 7. Defaulting Underwriters. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall default in its or their obligation to take up and pay for the Securities to be purchased by it or them hereunder, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall take up and pay for (in addition to the principal amount of Securities they are obligated to purchase hereunder) the principal amount of Securities agreed to be purchased by all such defaulting Underwriters as hereinafter set forth; provided, however, that in the event that the principal amount of Securities which all Underwriters so defaulting shall have agreed but failed to take up and pay for shall exceed 10% of the total principal amount of Securities, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall have the right to purchase all, but shall not 8
9 be under any obligation to purchase any of the Securities, and if such non-defaulting Underwriters do not purchase all the Securities, this Agreement will terminate without liability to any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company. If non-defaulting Underwriters take up and pay for all Securities, agreed to be purchased by all such defaulting Underwriters, such Securities shall be taken up and paid for by such non-defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters in such amount or amounts as the Manager may designate with the consent of each Underwriter so designated or, in the event no such designation is made, such Securities shall be taken up and paid for by all non-defaulting Underwriters pro rata in proportion to the aggregate principal amount of Securities set opposite the names of such non-defaulting Underwriters herein. Without relieving any defaulting Underwriter from its obligations hereunder, the Company agrees with the non-defaulting Underwriters that it will not sell any Securities hereunder unless all of the Underwriters' Securities are purchased by the Underwriters (or by substituted underwriters selected by the Manager with the approval of the Company or selected by the Company with the Manager's approval). If a new underwriter or underwriters are substituted by the Underwriters or by the Company for a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters in accordance with the foregoing provisions, the Company or the Manager shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date for a period not exceeding five business days in order that necessary changes in the Registration Statement and Prospectus and other documents may be effected. The term Underwriter as used in this Agreement shall refer to and include any underwriter substituted under this Section 7 with like effect as if such substituted underwriter had originally been named herein. 8. Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to each of the Underwriters that: (a) each document filed or to be filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, complied or will comply when so filed in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder; (b) each part of the Registration Statement and the Prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the Act; 9
10 (c) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or supplements thereto) will comply in all material respects with the Act and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of circumstances under which the statements are made, not misleading; (d) the representations and warranties set forth in this Section 8(a)- (c) do not apply (1) to statements or omissions in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus based upon information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by any Underwriter expressly for use therein or (2) to that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee referred to in the Registration Statement; (e) Ernst & Young LLP, who have reported upon the audited financial statements and schedules included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, are independent public accountants as required by the Act; (f) this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company; (g) the Company and each of its significant subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) (each, a "Significant Subsidiary" and collectively, "Significant Subsidiaries") have been duly incorporated (in the case of each Significant Subsidiary which is a corporation) or otherwise validly formed and are validly existing in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification, except where failure to have such qualifications would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operation, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and have all power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged; (h) the Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Prospectus and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company 10
11 have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non- assessable and conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each Significant Subsidiary (in the case of each Significant Subsidiary which is a corporation) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and (except for directors' qualifying shares and as disclosed in the Prospectus) are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims; (i) the Indenture, each supplement or amendment thereto, if any, to the date hereof and any supplement thereto or board resolution setting forth the terms of the Securities, have been duly authorized by the Company. The Indenture as executed is or will be substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The Indenture, when duly executed and delivered by the Company and, when duly authorized, executed and delivered (to the extent required by the Indenture) by the Trustee, will constitute a valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and the Indenture conforms in all material respects to the description thereof in the Prospectus; (j) the Securities have been duly authorized by the Company. When duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in the manner provided for in the Indenture and sold and paid for as provided herein and in any Delayed Delivery Contracts, the Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits of the Indenture and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except as enforcement thereof is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); and the Securities conform in all material respects to the description thereof in the Prospectus; (k) since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), except as otherwise stated therein or contemplated 11
12 thereby, there has not been (A) any material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business and (B) any transaction entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary course of business, that is material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (l) the execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement, the Indenture and any Delayed Delivery Contracts, the issuance and delivery of the Securities, the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated herein and compliance by the Company with the terms of this Agreement, the Indenture and any delayed Delivery Contracts, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and do not and will not result in any violation of the charter or by-laws of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and do not and will not conflict with, or result in a breach of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries under (A) any contract, indenture, mortgage, loan agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties is subject (except for such conflicts, breaches or defaults or liens, charges or encumbrances that could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings, or business of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole) or (B) any existing applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or decree or determination of any government, governmental instrumentality (including without limitation, any insurance regulatory agency or body) or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties; (m) no authorization, approval, consent or license of any government, governmental instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign (other than under the Act, the Trust Indenture Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder, and the securities or blue sky laws of the various states and other jurisdictions outside the United States in which the Securities will be offered or sold), is required for the valid authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Securities or for the execution, delivery or performance of the Indenture by the Company; (n) except as disclosed in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), there is no action, suit or proceeding before or by any 12
13 government, governmental instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign, now pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is required to be disclosed in the Prospectus or that could reasonably be expected to result in any material adverse change in the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings or business of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or that could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or that could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement; (o) the Company and each of its Significant Subsidiaries carry, or are covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as the Company believes is adequate for the conduct of their respective businesses and the value of their respective properties and as the Company believes is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries; (p) there are no statutes, regulations, contracts or documents of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement that are not described and filed (or incorporated by reference) as required; (q) the Company and its subsidiaries each owns or possesses all governmental licenses, permits, certificates, consents, orders, approvals and other authorizations (collectively, "Governmental Licenses") necessary to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its properties and to carry on its business as presently conducted, except where the failure to possess such Governmental Licenses could not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the condition (financial or otherwise), earnings or business of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any notice of proceedings relating to revocation or modification of any such Governmental Licenses; (r) the Company is not an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940; (s) the Company (i) makes and keeps accurate books and records and (ii) maintains internal accounting controls which provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management's authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to 13
14 permit preparation of its financial statements and to maintain accountability for its assets, (C) access to its assets is permitted only in accordance with management's authorization and (D) the reported accountability for its assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals; (t) neither the Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries (i) is in violation of its charter or by-laws, (ii) is in default in any material respect, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject or (iii) is in violation in any material respect of any law, ordinance, governmental rule, regulation or court decree to which it or its property or assets may be subject or has failed to obtain any material license, permit, certificate, franchise or other governmental authorization or permit necessary to the ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business except, in case of (ii) and (iii), for such defaults, violations, or failures to obtain such authorizations or permits that have not had or are not reasonably expected to have, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and (u) there has been no storage, disposal, generation, manufacture, refinement, transportation, handling or treatment of toxic wastes, medical wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their predecessors in interest) at, upon or from any of the property now or previously owned or leased by the Company or its Significant Subsidiaries in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which would require remedial action under any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, except for any violation or remedial action which would not have, or could not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such violations and remedial actions, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; there has been no material spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release of any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such property of any toxic wastes, medical wastes, solid wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances due to or caused by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or with respect to which the 14
15 Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries have knowledge, except for any such spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release which would not have or would not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such spills, discharges, leaks, emissions, injections, escapes, dumpings and releases, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and the terms "hazardous wastes", "toxic wastes", "hazardous substances" and "medical wastes" shall have the meanings specified in any applicable local, state, federal and foreign laws or regulations with respect to environmental protection. 9. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act as follows: (i) against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses whatsoever, as incurred arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the information deemed to be part of the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 430A(b) of the Act, if applicable, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (ii) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 9(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and (iii) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including, subject to the third sentence of Section 9(c) hereof, the 15
16 reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by the Manager for the Underwriters), incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) and (ii) above; (iv) provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through the Manager for the Underwriters expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto); and provided, further, that the foregoing indemnity agreement with respect to any preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter from whom the person asserting any such losses, claims, damages or liabilities purchased Securities, or any person so controlling such Underwriter, (i) if a copy of the Prospectus (as then amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished sufficient copies of amendments or supplements thereto to such Underwriter) was not sent or given by or on behalf of such Underwriter to such person, where such delivery is required by the Act, at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of the Securities to such person, and (ii) if the Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have fully cured the defect giving rise to such loss, claim, damage or liability. (b) Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who sign the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of either Section 15 of the Act, or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) 16
17 or such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). (c) In case any proceeding (including any governmental investigation) shall be instituted involving any person in respect of which indemnity may be sought pursuant to either of the two preceding paragraphs, such person (hereinafter called the indemnified party) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnity may be sought (hereinafter called the indemnifying party) in writing and the indemnifying party, upon request of the indemnified party, shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the indemnified party and any others the indemnifying party may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the reasonable fees and disbursements of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such proceeding, any indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the retention of such counsel or (ii) the named parties to any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them. It is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in respect of the legal expenses of any indemnified party in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all such indemnified parties, and that all such fees and expenses as shall be reasonable shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. In the case of any such separate firm for the Underwriters and such control persons of Underwriters, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Manager. In the case of any such separate firm for the Company, and such directors, officers and control persons of the Company, such firm shall be designated in writing by the Company. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify the indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by the third sentence of this paragraph, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid 17
18 request and (ii) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding. (d) If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section 9 is unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Underwriters from the offering of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and of the Underwriters in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Underwriters shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds from the offering pursuant to this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate public offering price of the Securities. The relative fault of the Company and the Underwriters shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. (e) The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in 18
19 paragraph (d) above. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 9, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act shall have the same right to contribution as the Company. The Underwriters' obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several in proportion to their respective underwriting percentages determined by the ratio which the original purchase obligation of any Underwriter appearing in the Underwriting Agreement (or such amount increased as provided in Section 8 above) bears to the total purchase obligations of the Underwriters set forth therein and not joint. (f) The indemnity and contribution agreements contained in this Section 9 and the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (1) any termination of this Agreement, (2) any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any person controlling any Underwriter or by or on behalf of the Company, its officers or directors or any other person controlling the Company and (3) acceptance of and payment for any of the Securities. 10. Termination in Certain Events. This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the Manager's absolute discretion, by notice given to the Company, if (a) after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date (i) trading generally shall have been suspended or materially limited on or by, as the case may be, any of the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., the Chicago 19
20 Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange or the Chicago Board of Trade, (ii) trading of any securities of the Company shall have been suspended on any exchange or in any over-the-counter market, (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities in New York shall have been declared by either Federal or New York State authorities, or (iv) there shall have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities or any change in financial markets or any calamity or crisis that, in the judgment of the Manager, is material and adverse and (b) in the case of any of the events specified in clauses (a)(i) through (iv), such event singly or together with any other such event makes it, in the judgment of the Manager, impracticable to market the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus. 11. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed by the parties in counterparts which together shall constitute one and the same agreement between the parties and shall become effective at such time as each of the parties shall have signed such counterparts and shall have notified the other party thereof. 12. Construction. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. 13. Parties at Interest. This Agreement has been and is made solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and the Company, and the controlling persons, directors and officers referred to in Section 9 hereof, and their respective successors, assigns, executors and administrators. No other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. 14. Section Headings. The Section headings in this Agreement have been inserted as a matter of convenience of reference and are not a part of this Agreement. 20
21 SCHEDULE I UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT , 200 ------------- -- The Williams Companies, Inc. One Williams Center Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172 Ladies and Gentlemen: [Name of Manager] (the "Manager") is acting on behalf of the underwriters (including itself) named below (such underwriters being herein called the "Underwriters"), and we understand that The Williams Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes to issue and sell $_________ aggregate principal amount of [_________ % Notes due _________] (the "Notes"). The Notes are also referred to herein as the "Securities." Subject to the terms and conditions set forth or incorporated by reference herein, the Company hereby agrees to sell and the Underwriters agree to purchase, severally and not jointly, the respective principal amounts of Notes set forth below opposite their names at a purchase price of _________% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued interest, if any, from _________, 200_ to the date of payment and delivery:
22 Principal Amount of Name Notes ---- ----- [List Underwriters] Total........................ $ ============= The Underwriters will pay for such Notes upon delivery thereof at the offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell at 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on _________, 200_, or at such other time, not later than 10:00 a.m. (New York time) on _________, 200_ as shall be jointly designated by the Manager and the Company. The Securities shall have the terms set forth in the Prospectus dated December 5, 2000, and the Prospectus Supplement dated ______, 200_ (the "Prospectus Supplement"), including the following: Maturity of Notes: Interest Rate of Notes: Redemption Provisions Interest Payment Dates: Form and Denomination: Global Notes registered in the name of a nominee of The Depository Trust Company All provisions contained in the document entitled The Williams Companies, Inc. Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions (Debt) dated ___________ , 200_, a copy of which is attached hereto, are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety [(except for Sections 5(a), (b), (c) and (d) thereof)] and shall be deemed to be a part of this agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein. Each reference to the Managers in the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions (Debt) so incorporated by reference shall be deemed to refer to us. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms I - 2
23 defined in the Underwriting Agreement Standard Provisions (Debt) are used herein as therein defined. [BALANCE OF PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK] I - 3
24 Please confirm your agreement by having an authorized officer sign a copy of this agreement in the space set forth below and returning the signed copy to us. Very truly yours, [UNDERWRITERS] By [Name of Manager] By ----------------------------------------------- Acting severally on behalf of itself and the other several Underwriters named above Accepted: THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. By ----------------------------- Title: I - 4
25 SCHEDULE II DELAYED DELIVERY CONTRACT ---------------, The Williams Companies, Inc. One Williams Center Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172 Dear Sirs: The undersigned hereby agrees to purchase from The Williams Companies, Inc., One Williams Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the Company agrees to sell to the undersigned $___,000,000 principal amount of the Company's [ ]% Notes Due 200_ (the "Notes") offered by the Company's Prospectus dated [ ]and Prospectus Supplement or abbreviated term sheet dated ], receipt of copies of which are hereby acknowledged, at a purchase price equal to ___% of the principal amount of such Notes and on the further terms and conditions set forth in this contract. The undersigned does not contemplate selling Notes prior to making payment therefor. The undersigned will purchase from the Company the principal amounts of Notes on the delivery dates (the "Delivery Dates") set forth below. [Plus Accrued Interest From] [and] [Amortization of Original Issue [Principal Amount] Discount From] $ ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Payment for the Notes which the undersigned has agreed to purchase on each Delivery Date shall be made to the Company or its order by certified or official bank check in New York Clearing House funds at the office of
26 _________________________, New York, New York (or at such other place as the undersigned and the Company shall agree), at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Delivery Date, upon delivery to the undersigned of the Notes to be purchased by the undersigned on the Delivery Date, in such denominations and registered in such names as the undersigned may designate by written or telegraphic communication addressed to the Company not less than five full business days prior to the Delivery Date. The obligation of the undersigned to take delivery of and make payment for the Notes on the Delivery Date shall be subject to the conditions that (1) the purchase of Notes to be made by the undersigned shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which the undersigned is subject and (2) the Company shall have sold and had delivered to the underwriters (the "Underwriters") named in the Prospectus Supplement referred to above such part of the Notes as is to be sold to them. Promptly after completion of sale and delivery to the Underwriters, the Company will mail or deliver to the undersigned at its address set forth below notice to such effect, accompanied by copies of the opinions of counsel for the Company delivered to the Underwriters in connection therewith. Failure to take delivery of and make payment for Notes by any purchaser under any other Delayed Delivery Contract shall not relieve the undersigned of its obligations under this contract. The undersigned represents and warrants that, (a) as of the date of this contract, the undersigned is not prohibited under the laws of the jurisdictions to which the undersigned is subject from purchasing the Notes hereby agreed to be purchased and (b) the undersigned does not contemplate selling the Notes which it has agreed to purchase hereunder prior to the Delivery Date therefor. This contract will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors, but will not be assignable by either party hereto without the written consent of the other. This contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. This contract may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. It is understood that the acceptance of any Delayed Delivery Contract is in the Company's sole discretion and, without limiting the foregoing, need not be on a first-come, first-served basis. If the contract is acceptable to the Company, it is requested that the Company sign the form of acceptance below and II - 2
27 mail or deliver one of the counterparts hereof to the undersigned at its address set forth below. This will become a binding contract, as of the date first above written, between the Company and the undersigned when such counterpart is so mailed or delivered. Yours very truly, ------------------------------------------ Purchaser By: --------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------ (Title) ------------------------------------------ (Address) II - 3
28 PURCHASER--- PLEASE COMPLETE AT TIME OF SIGNING The name, telephone number and department of the representative of the Purchaser with whom details of delivery on the Delivery Date may be discussed is as follows: (Please print.) Telephone No. Name (Including Area Code) Department ---- --------------------- ---------- II - 4
29 EXHIBIT A FORM OF OPINION OF WILLIAM G. VON GLAHN, ESQ. GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. Ladies and Gentlemen: I have acted as counsel to The Williams Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Underwriting Agreement dated [ ], 200 (the "Underwriting Agreement") between you and the Company, pursuant to which the Underwriters severally agree to purchase from the Company an aggregate of $___,000,000 principal amount of the Company's [ ]% Notes Due 200_ ( the "Securities") issued or to be issued pursuant to a senior indenture dated as of November 10, 1997 (the "Indenture") between the Company and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee (the "Trustee") to be issued pursuant to the Indenture. I, or persons responsible to me, have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, and such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as I have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion. Defined terms herein unless otherwise specified shall have the meaning specified in the Underwriting Agreement. I have also examined copies of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. ) relating to up to $___,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Securities filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein. Such A-1
30 Registration Statement is now effective, and is herein called the "Registration Statement". The prospectus constituting a part thereof, in the form filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 of the rules and regulations under the Act, together with the prospectus supplement (other than a preliminary prospectus supplement) specifically relating to the Securities, as filed with, or transmitted for filing to, the Commission pursuant to Rule 424, is herein called the "Prospectus". Based upon the foregoing, I am of the opinion that: (1) The Company and each of its Significant Subsidiaries have been duly incorporated (in the case of each Significant Subsidiary that is a corporation) or otherwise validly formed and are validly existing in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification, except to the extent such failure to be qualified or in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and have all power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each Significant Subsidiary (in the case of each Significant Subsidiary that is a corporation) have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and (except for directors' qualifying shares and as disclosed in the Prospectus) are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims. (2) To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or of which any property or assets of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is the subject which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or pending by governmental authorities or threatened by others. (3) The Company and its subsidiaries hold all franchises, certificates of public convenience and necessity, consents, authorizations, approvals, orders, permits, licenses and easements necessary to own, operate and maintain its properties as described in the Prospectus, subject only to such defects, irregularities, restrictions, conditions and other matters as are described in the A-2
31 Prospectus or which do not materially affect the right of the Company or its subsidiaries to own, operate and maintain its properties and to conduct its business as described therein, and has made all declarations and filings with, all federal, state, local and other governmental authorities, and all courts or other tribunals, necessary to conduct its business in the manner described in the Prospectus, except to the extent that the lack of such consents, authorizations, approvals, orders, certificates or permits would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. (4) Neither the Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries (i) is in violation of its charter or by-laws, (ii) is in default in any material respect, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject or (iii) is in violation in any material respect of any law, ordinance, governmental rule, regulation or court decree to which it or its property or assets may be subject or has failed to obtain any material license, permit, certificate, franchise or other governmental authorization or permit necessary to the ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business except, in case of (ii) and (iii), for such defaults, violations, or failures to obtain such authorizations or permits that have not had or are not reasonably expected to have, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. (5) The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and authentication by the Trustee, is a valid and binding agreement of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principals. The Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. (6) The Securities have been duly authorized and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters will be valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principals, and will be entitled to the benefits of such Indenture. A-3
32 (7) The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principals, except as rights to indemnity and contribution thereunder may be limited under applicable law. (8) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and any applicable terms agreement will not contravene any provision of applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws of the Company or any material agreement or other material instrument binding upon the Company, and no consent, approval or authorization of any governmental body or agency other than pursuant to any state securities or Blue Sky law is required for the performance by the Company of its obligations under the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and for the issuance and sale of the Securities pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement. (9) [as updated][The statements (1) in the Prospectus, (2) in the Registration Statement under Item 15 and (3) in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 under "Item 1. - Business", "Item 3. - Legal Proceedings" and "Note 17 - Contingent Liabilities and Commitments"; in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2001 under "Note 9 - Contingent Liabilities and Commitments" relating to legal matters in general or to the regulation of the Company by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the "FERC"), including, without limitation, actions taken by, and matters pending before, the FERC, in each case insofar as such statements constitute summaries of the legal matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein, fairly present the information called for with respect to such legal matters, documents and proceedings, and such statements do not contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading]. (10) After due inquiry, I do not know of any legal or governmental proceeding pending or threatened to which the Company is a party or to which any of the properties of the Company is subject which is required to be described or of any statute, regulation contract or other document which is required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which is not described or filed as required. (11) I (a) am of the opinion that (except as to financial statements and other financial and statistical data included therein, as to which I do not A-4
33 express any opinion) each document, if any, filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus complied when so filed as to form in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (b) am of the opinion that the Registration Statement and Prospectus, as amended or supplemented (except as to financial statements and other financial and statistical data included therein, as to which I do not express any opinion), comply as to form in all material respects with the Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (c) believe that (except as to financial statements and other financial and statistical data, and except for that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification ("Form T-1") under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as to which I do not express any belief), each part of the Registration Statement when such part became effective or was incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement did not contain, and as of the date this opinion is delivered, does not contain, any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and (d) believe that (except as to financial statements and other financial and statistical data, and except for that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes a Form T-1 heretofore referred to as to which I do not express any belief) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. I am a member of the Bar of the States of Oklahoma and New York. This opinion is solely for the benefit of the Underwriters, and, other than the Trustee who may rely upon this opinion to the same extent as if addressed to it, may be relied upon only by the Underwriters. This opinion speaks as of its date, and I undertake no, and hereby expressly disclaim any, duty to advise you as to changes of fact or law coming to my attention after the date hereof. Yours very truly, A-5
34 EXHIBIT B Dear Sirs: We have acted as counsel for you, as Managers for the several underwriters (the "Underwriters") named in the Underwriting Agreement dated _______________________(the "Underwriting Agreement") with The Williams Companies, Inc. (the "Company") in connection with the purchase by the several Underwriters of $_____________ principal amount of ____ % Notes due _________ (the "Notes") to be issued pursuant to the indenture dated as of November 10, 1997 (the "Indenture") between the Company and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee. We have examined an executed copy of the Underwriting Agreement and the Indenture. We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such other documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary or advisable for the purpose of rendering this opinion, including those relating to the authorization, execution and delivery by the Company of the Indenture and the Underwriting Agreement and the authorization, issuance and sale of the Notes by the Company. We have participated in the preparation of the Company's registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333- ) (other than the documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus included therein (the "Incorporated Documents")) relating to up to $ ______________________ aggregate principal amount of debt securities (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"). Although we did not participate in the preparation of the Incorporated Documents, we have reviewed such documents. In addition, we have reviewed evidence that the Registration Statement was declared
35 effective under the Act. The Initial Registration Statement (including the Incorporated Documents) as amended to the date of the Underwriting Agreement is hereinafter referred to as the "Registration Statement," and the prospectus included in the Registration Statement (the "Basic Prospectus"), as supplemented by the prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Notes (the "Prospectus Supplement") in the form first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, is hereinafter referred to in its entirety as the "Prospectus." We have assumed the conformity of the documents filed with the Commission via the Electronic Data Gathering Analysis and Retrieval System ("EDGAR"), except for required EDGAR formatting changes, to physical copies of the documents delivered to the Underwriters and submitted to us for examination. Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that: (i) the Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and is a valid and binding agreement of the Company, and the Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act; (ii) the Notes have been duly authorized and, when executed and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture and delivered to and paid for by the Underwriters, will be valid and binding obligations of the Company and will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture; and (iii) the Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. We have considered the statements relating to legal matters or documents included in the Prospectus under the captions "Description of Notes" (in the Prospectus Supplement), "Description of Debt Securities" (in the Basic Prospectus), "Plan of Distribution" (in the Basic Prospectus) and "Underwriting" (in the Prospectus Supplement). In our opinion, such statements fairly summarize in all material respects such matters or documents. We have not ourselves checked the accuracy, completeness or fairness of, or otherwise verified, the information furnished with respect to other matters in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus. We have generally reviewed and discussed with your representatives and with certain officers and employees of, and counsel and independent public accountants for, the Company the information furnished, whether or not subject to our check and verification. B-2
36 On the basis of such consideration, review and discussion, but without independent check or verification, except as stated above, nothing has come to our attention to cause us to believe that (i) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (except for the financial statements and other financial and statistical data included therein and except for that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification ("Form T-1") of the Trustee under the Trust Indenture Act, as to which we express no belief) do not comply as to form in all material respects with the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder or (ii) the Registration Statement (except for the financial statements and other financial and statistical data included therein and except for that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Form T-1, as to which we express no belief) on the date of the Underwriting Agreement contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or (iii) the Prospectus (except as stated) as of its date or as of the date hereof contained or contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. In rendering this opinion, we have relied solely on the opinion dated the date hereof of William G. von Glahn, Esq., General Counsel of the Company, as to matters relating to the regulation of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. We have examined the above-mentioned opinion of Mr. von Glahn, delivered in accordance with the provisions of Section 6(a) of the Underwriting Agreement, and we believe that such opinion is appropriately responsive to the requirements of the Underwriting Agreement. We have also examined the letter of Ernst & Young LLP relating to the financial statements and schedules included in or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and other matters referred to in such letter. We participated in discussions with representatives of Ernst & Young LLP and with your representatives relating to the forms of such letters, and we believe that they are substantially in the forms agreed to. We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the federal laws of the United States of America. B-3
37 This opinion is rendered solely to you in connection with the above matter. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other purpose or relied upon by or furnished to any other person without our prior written consent. Very truly yours, B-4
1 EXHIBIT 1.3 SHARES -------------- THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. COMMON STOCK UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT [date] [Name(s) of Representative(s)] [As Representative(s) of the several Underwriters named in Schedule 1,] c/o [Name of Representative] [Address] Dear Sirs: The Williams Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), proposes to sell _____________ shares (the "FIRM STOCK") of the Company's Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "COMMON STOCK") to the several Underwriters (the "UNDERWRITERS") named in Schedule 1 hereto, subject to the conditions hereinafter stated. [Name(s) of Representative(s)] shall act as representative(s) (the "REPRESENTATIVES") of the several Underwriters. In addition, the Company proposes to grant to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional ____________ shares of the Common Stock on the terms and for the purposes set forth in Section 3 (the "OPTION STOCK"). The Firm Stock and the Option Stock, if purchased, are hereinafter collectively called the "STOCK." This is to confirm the agreement concerning the purchase of the Stock from the Company by the Underwriters. SECTION 1. Representations, Warranties and Agreements of the Company. The Company represents, warrants and agrees that: (a) A registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to debt securities, preferred and common stock of the Company (collectively, the "SECURITIES"), including the Stock, has (i) been prepared by the Company in conformity in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "SECURITIES ACT"), and the rules and regulations (the "RULES AND REGULATIONS") of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "COMMISSION") thereunder, (ii) been filed with the Commission under the Securities Act and
2 (iii) become effective under the Securities Act. The registration statement includes a prospectus relating to the Securities. In addition, the Company has filed, or will file within the applicable time period set forth in the Rules and Regulations, with the Commission, a prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Stock pursuant to Rule 424 of the Rules and Regulations. The term "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" means the registration statement as amended to the date of this Agreement. The term "BASIC PROSPECTUS" means the prospectus included in the Registration Statement. The term "PROSPECTUS" means the Basic Prospectus together with the prospectus supplement (other than a preliminary prospectus supplement) specifically relating to the Stock, in the form first used to confirm sales of the Stock. The term "PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS" means a preliminary prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Stock, together with the Basic Prospectus. As used herein, the terms "REGISTRATION STATEMENT", "BASIC PROSPECTUS", "PROSPECTUS" and "PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS" shall include, in each case, the material, if any, incorporated by reference therein; "EFFECTIVE TIME" means the date and time as of which the Registration Statement, or the most recent post-effective amendment thereto, was declared effective by the Commission; "EFFECTIVE DATE" means the date of the Effective Time; and the terms "SUPPLEMENT", "AMEND" and "AMENDMENT", as used in this Agreement with respect to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, shall include all documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "EXCHANGE ACT"), that are deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Prospectus. If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement to register additional shares of Common Stock pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the "RULE 462 REGISTRATION STATEMENT"), then any reference herein to the term "REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement. To the best of the Company's knowledge, the Commission has not issued any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus. (b) The Registration Statement conforms in all material respects, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus will, when they become effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations and do not and will not, as of the applicable Effective Date (as to the Registration Statement and any amendment thereto) and as of the applicable filing date (as to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto) contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided that no representation or warranty is made as to information contained in or omitted from the Registration Statement or the Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity 2
3 with written information furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein. (c) The Company and each of its significant subsidiaries (as defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) (each, a "SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARY" and collectively, "SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIARIES"), which are listed on Schedule 2 hereto, have been duly incorporated (in the case of each Significant Subsidiary which is a corporation) or otherwise validly formed and are validly existing in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification, except where failure to have such qualifications would not, singly or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operation, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and have all power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and to conduct the businesses in which they are engaged. (d) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Prospectus and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and conform to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each Significant Subsidiary (in the case of each Significant Subsidiary which is a corporation) have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and (except for directors' qualifying shares and as disclosed in the Prospectus) are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims. (e) The shares of the Stock to be issued and sold by the Company to the Underwriters hereunder have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with this Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; the issuance of such shares of Stock is not subject to any preemptive rights, and the preferred stock purchase rights under the Rights Agreement dated as of February 6, 1996 (the "RIGHTS AGREEMENT") to which holders of the shares of Stock will be entitled have been duly authorized and, when issued together with such shares of Stock, will be validly issued and the Stock will conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus. (f) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company. 3
4 (g) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is subject, other than such conflicts, agreements, breaches, violations or defaults which, singly or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, nor will such actions result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any statute or any order, rule or regulation known to the Company of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets; and except for the registration of the Stock under the Securities Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, applicable state securities laws and securities laws of foreign jurisdictions in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Stock by the Underwriters, no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing or registration with, any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. (h) Except as described in the Prospectus, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such person or to require the Company to include any securities of the Company in the securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement. (i) Neither the Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries has sustained, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree that has resulted in, or is reasonably likely to result in, a material adverse change in the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus; and, since such date, there has not been any material change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or 4
5 affecting the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus. (j) The financial statements (including the related notes and supporting schedules) filed as part of the Registration Statement or included in the Prospectus present fairly, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the entities purported to be shown thereby, at the dates and for the periods indicated, and have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved, except as may be indicated in the notes thereto. (k) Ernst & Young, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company, whose report appears, or is incorporated by reference, in the Prospectus and who have delivered the initial letter referred to in Section 7(f) hereof, are independent public accountants as required by the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations; and Deloitte & Touche, whose report appears, or is incorporated by reference, in the Prospectus, were independent accountants as required by the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations during the periods covered by the financial statements on which they reported. (l) The Company and each of its Significant Subsidiaries carry, or are covered by, insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as the Company believes is adequate for the conduct of their respective businesses and the value of their respective properties and as the Company believes is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries. (m) The Company and each of its Significant Subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate rights to use all material patents, patent applications, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and licenses necessary for the conduct of their respective businesses and have no reason to believe that the conduct of their respective businesses will conflict with, and have not received any notice of any claim of conflict with, any such rights of others which, singly or in the aggregate, in the judgment of the Company, is reasonably likely to result in any material adverse change in the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. (n) Except as described in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or of which any property or assets of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is the subject which would reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of 5
6 operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and to the best of the Company's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others. (o) There are no contracts or other documents which are required to be described in the Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement by the Securities Act or by the Rules and Regulations which have not been described in the Prospectus or filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement. (p) No business or related party transaction exists which is required by Item 404 of Regulation S-K to be described in the Prospectus which is not so described. (q) The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all presently applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder ("ERISA"); no "REPORTABLE EVENT" (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any "PENSION PLAN" (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company would have any liability; the Company has not incurred and does not expect to incur liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any "PENSION PLAN" or (ii) Sections 412 or 4971 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder (the "CODE"); and each "PENSION PLAN" for which the Company would have any liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification. (r) The Company has filed all material federal, state and local income and franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof and has paid all taxes due thereon, other than those filings or payments being contested in good faith, and the Company has not received notice that any tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries which has had or is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. (s) Since the date as of which information is given in the Prospectus through the date hereof, and except as may otherwise be disclosed in the Prospectus or with respect to the subsequent issuance of shares of Common Stock, if any, pursuant to employee or director benefit plans, the Company has not (i) issued or granted any securities, (ii) incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, other than liabilities and obligations which were incurred in the 6
7 ordinary course of business, (iii) entered into any transaction not in the ordinary course of business, except, in case of (ii) and (iii), for such liabilities, obligations or transactions that have not had or are not reasonably expected to have, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial conditions, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (iv) declared or paid any dividend on its capital stock. (t) The Company (i) makes and keeps accurate books and records and (ii) maintains internal accounting controls which provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management's authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of its financial statements and to maintain accountability for its assets, (C) access to its assets is permitted only in accordance with management's authorization and (D) the reported accountability for its assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals. (u) Neither the Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries (i) is in violation of its charter or by-laws, (ii) is in default in any material respect, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject or (iii) is in violation in any material respect of any law, ordinance, governmental rule, regulation or court decree to which it or its property or assets may be subject or has failed to obtain any material license, permit, certificate, franchise or other governmental authorization or permit necessary to the ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business except, in case of (ii) and (iii), for such defaults, violations, or failures to obtain such authorizations or permits that have not had or are not reasonably expected to have, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. (v) There has been no storage, disposal, generation, manufacture, refinement, transportation, handling or treatment of toxic wastes, medical wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of their predecessors in interest) at, upon or from any of the property now or previously owned or leased by the Company or its Significant Subsidiaries in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which would require remedial action under any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, except for any violation or remedial action which would not have, or could not be reasonably likely to have, singularly 7
8 or in the aggregate with all such violations and remedial actions, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; there has been no material spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release of any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such property of any toxic wastes, medical wastes, solid wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances due to or caused by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries have knowledge, except for any such spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release which would not have or would not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such spills, discharges, leaks, emissions, injections, escapes, dumpings and releases, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and the terms "HAZARDOUS WASTES", "TOXIC WASTES", "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES" and "MEDICAL WASTES" shall have the meanings specified in any applicable local, state, federal and foreign laws or regulations with respect to environmental protection. (w) The Company is not, and, after giving effect to the offering contemplated hereby and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Prospectus, will not be, an "investment company" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. SECTION 2. Purchase of the Stock by the Underwriters. On the basis of the representations and warranties contained in, and subject to the terms and conditions of, this Agreement, the Company agrees to sell the Firm Stock to the several Underwriters and each of the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, agrees to purchase the number of shares of the Firm Stock set forth opposite that Underwriter's name in Schedule 1 hereto. The respective purchase obligations of the Underwriters with respect to the Firm Stock shall be rounded among the Underwriters to avoid fractional shares, as the Representatives may determine. In addition, the Company grants to the Underwriters an option to purchase up to _____ shares of Option Stock. Such option is granted for the purpose of covering over-allotments in the sale of Firm Stock and is exercisable as provided in Section 4 hereof. Shares of Option Stock shall be purchased severally for the account of the Underwriters in proportion to the number of shares of Firm Stock set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule 1 hereto. The respective purchase obligations of each Underwriter with respect to the Option Stock shall be adjusted by the Representatives so that no Underwriter shall be obligated to purchase Option Stock other than in 100 share amounts. 8
9 The price of both the Firm Stock and any Option Stock to be paid by the Underwriters shall be $ ____ per share. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any of the Stock to be delivered on any Delivery Date (as hereinafter defined), except upon payment for all the Stock to be purchased on such Delivery Date as provided herein. SECTION 3. Offering of Stock by the Underwriters. Upon authorization by the Representatives of the release of the Firm Stock, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Stock for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus. SECTION 4. Delivery of and Payment for the Stock. Delivery of and payment for the Firm Stock shall be made at the offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017, at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on ____, 200_ or at such other date or place as shall be determined by agreement between the Representatives and the Company. This date and time are sometimes referred to as the "FIRST DELIVERY DATE." On the First Delivery Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered certificates representing the Firm Stock to the Representatives for the account of each Underwriter against payment to or upon the order of the Company of the purchase price by wire transfer in immediately available funds. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligation of each Underwriter hereunder. Upon delivery, the Firm Stock shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representatives shall request in writing not less than two full business days prior to the First Delivery Date. For the purpose of expediting the checking and packaging of the certificates for the Firm Stock, the Company shall make the certificates representing the Firm Stock available for inspection by the Representatives in New York, New York, not later than 2:00 P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to the First Delivery Date. The option granted in Section 2 will expire 30 days after the date of this Agreement and may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time by written notice being given to the Company by the Representatives. Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of shares of Option Stock as to which the option is being exercised, the names in which the shares of Option Stock are to be registered, the denominations in which the shares of Option Stock are to be issued and the date and time, as determined by the Representatives, when the shares of Option Stock are to be delivered; provided, however, that this date and time shall not be earlier than the First Delivery Date nor earlier than the second business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised nor later than the fifth 9
10 business day after the date on which the option shall have been exercised. The date and time the shares of Option Stock are delivered are sometimes referred to as a "SECOND DELIVERY DATE" and the First Delivery Date and any Second Delivery Date are sometimes each referred to as a "DELIVERY DATE". Delivery of and payment for the Option Stock shall be made at the place specified in the first sentence of the first paragraph of this Section 4 (or at such other place as shall be determined by agreement between the Representatives and the Company) at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Second Delivery Date. On such Second Delivery Date, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered the certificates representing the Option Stock to the Representatives for the account of each Underwriter against payment to or upon the order of the Company of the purchase price by wire transfer in immediately available funds. Time shall be of the essence, and delivery at the time and place specified pursuant to this Agreement is a further condition of the obligation of each Underwriter hereunder. Upon delivery, the Option Stock shall be registered in such names and in such denominations as the Representatives shall request in the aforesaid written notice. For the purpose of expediting the checking and packaging of the certificates for the Option Stock, the Company shall make the certificates representing the Option Stock available for inspection by the Representatives in New York, New York, not later than 2:00 P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to such Second Delivery Date. SECTION 5. Further Agreements of the Company. The Company agrees: (a) To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representatives and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act not later than Commission's close of business on the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement; to make no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or to the Prospectus except as permitted herein; to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed and to furnish the Representatives with copies thereof; to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, of the suspension of the qualification of the Stock for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary 10
11 Prospectus or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification, to use promptly its reasonable best efforts to obtain its withdrawal; (b) To furnish promptly to each of the Representatives and to counsel for the Underwriters a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission, and each amendment thereto filed with the Commission, including all consents and exhibits filed therewith; (c) To deliver promptly to the Representatives such number of the following documents as the Representatives shall reasonably request: (i) conformed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed with the Commission and each amendment thereto (in each case excluding exhibits) and (ii) each Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amended or supplemented Prospectus; and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at any time after the Effective Time in connection with the offering or sale of the Stock or any other securities relating thereto and if at such time any events shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the Securities Act, to notify the Representatives and, upon their request, to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance. (d) To file promptly with the Commission any amendment to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or any supplement to the Prospectus that may, in the judgment of the Company or the Representatives, be required by the Securities Act or requested by the Commission; (e) Prior to filing with the Commission any amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or any Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424 of the Rules and Regulations, to furnish a copy thereof to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters and obtain the consent of the Representatives to the filing, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; (f) As soon as practicable after the date of this Agreement, to make generally available to the Company's security holders and to deliver to the Representatives an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158); 11
12 (g) Promptly from time to time to take such action, with the cooperation of the Representatives, as the Representatives may reasonably request to qualify the Stock for offering and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be reasonably necessary to complete the distribution of the Stock; provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction; (h) For a period of 90 days from the date of the Prospectus, not to, directly or indirectly, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device which is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock (other than (a) the Stock, (b) shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to employee benefit plans, qualified stock option plans or other employee compensation plans existing on the date hereof or pursuant to currently outstanding options, warrants or rights and (c) shares of Common Stock used as consideration for acquisitions or issued in connection with strategic alliances, provided that the recipient of any such shares of Common Stock agrees to be bound by the transfer restrictions set forth herein for the unexpired remaining term thereof), or sell or grant options, rights or warrants with respect to any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock (other than the grant of options pursuant to option plans existing on the date hereof), or (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such shares of Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, in each case without the prior written consent of [Name(s) of Representative(s)] on behalf of the Underwriters; and to cause each executive officer and director of the Company to furnish to the Representatives, prior to the First Delivery Date, a letter or letters, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, pursuant to which each such person shall agree not to, directly or indirectly, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device which is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such shares of Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, in each 12
13 case for a period of 90 days from the date of the Prospectus, without the prior written consent of [Name(s) of Representative(s)] on behalf of the Underwriters; (i) To apply for the listing of the Stock on the New York Stock Exchange, and to use its reasonable best efforts to complete that listing, subject only to official notice of issuance, prior to the First Delivery Date; (j) To apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Stock as set forth in the Prospectus; and (k) To take such steps as shall be necessary to ensure that neither the Company nor any subsidiary shall become an "investment company" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. SECTION 6. Expenses. The Company agrees to pay (a) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Stock and any taxes payable in that connection; (b) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement and any amendments and exhibits thereto; (c) the costs of distributing the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto and any post-effective amendments thereof (including, in each case, exhibits), any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus, all as provided in this Agreement; (d) the costs of producing and distributing this Agreement and any other related documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Stock; (e) any filing fees incident to securing the review by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of the terms of sale of the Stock; (f) any applicable listing or other fees; (g) the fees and expenses (not in excess, in the aggregate, of $5,000) of qualifying the Stock under the securities laws of the several jurisdictions as provided in Section 5(g) and of preparing, printing and distributing a Blue Sky Memorandum (including related fees and expenses of counsel to the Underwriters); (h) the costs and expenses of the Company relating to investor presentations on any "ROAD SHOW" undertaken in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Stock, including, without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations with the prior approval of the Company, travel and lodging expenses of the representatives and officers of the Company and any such consultants, and the cost of any aircraft chartered (with the approval of the Company) in connection with the road show and (i) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of the obligations of the Company under this Agreement; provided that, except as provided in this Section 6 and in Section 11, the Underwriters shall pay their own costs and expenses, including the costs and expenses of their counsel, any transfer 13
14 taxes on the Stock which they may sell and the expenses of advertising any offering of the Stock made by the Underwriters. SECTION 7. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations. The respective obligations of the Underwriters hereunder are subject to the accuracy, when made and on each Delivery Date, of the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein, to the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder, and to each of the following additional terms and conditions: (a) The Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 5(a); no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and any request of the Commission for inclusion of additional information in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or otherwise shall have been complied with. (b) All corporate proceedings and other legal matters incident to the authorization of this Agreement, the Stock, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, and all other legal matters relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be reasonably satisfactory in all material respects to counsel for the Underwriters, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel all documents and information that they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters. (c) William von Glahn, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives his written opinion, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Delivery Date, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that: (i) The Company and each of its Significant Subsidiaries have been duly incorporated (in the case of each Significant Subsidiary that is a corporation) or otherwise validly formed and are validly existing in good standing under the laws of their respective jurisdictions of organization, are duly qualified to do business and are in good standing in each jurisdiction in which their respective ownership or lease of property or the conduct of their respective businesses requires such qualification, except to the extent such failure to be qualified or in good standing would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and have all power and authority necessary to own or hold their respective properties and conduct the businesses in which they are engaged as described in or contemplated by the Registration Statement; and all of 14
15 the issued shares of capital stock of each Significant Subsidiary (in the case of each Significant Subsidiary that is a corporation) have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid, non-assessable and (except for directors' qualifying shares and as disclosed in the Prospectus) are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims; (ii) To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or of which any property or assets of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is the subject which could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or pending by governmental authorities or threatened by others; (iii) Except as described in the Prospectus, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Company owned or to be owned by such person or to require the Company to include such securities in the securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement; (iv) The Company is in compliance in all material respects with all presently applicable provisions of ERISA; no "reportable event" (as defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any "PENSION PLAN" (as defined in ERISA) for which the Company would have any liability; the Company has not incurred and does not expect to incur liability under (i) Title IV of ERISA with respect to termination of, or withdrawal from, any "PENSION PLAN" or (ii) Sections 412 or 4971 of the Code; and each "PENSION PLAN" for which the Company would have any liability that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified in all material respects and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification; (v) There has been no storage, disposal, generation, manufacture, refinement, transportation, handling or treatment of toxic wastes, medical wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries (or, to the knowledge of such counsel, any of their predecessors in interest) at, upon or from any of the property now or 15
16 previously owned or leased (but not including property on which the Company had or has easements or similar rights) by the Company or its Significant Subsidiaries in violation of any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit or which would require remedial action under any applicable law, ordinance, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree or permit, except for any violation or remedial action which would not have, or could not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such violations and remedial actions, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; there has been no material spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release of any kind onto such property or into the environment surrounding such property of any toxic wastes, medical wastes, solid wastes, hazardous wastes or hazardous substances due to or caused by the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or with respect to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries have knowledge, except for any such spill, discharge, leak, emission, injection, escape, dumping or release which would not have or would not be reasonably likely to have, singularly or in the aggregate with all such spills, discharges, leaks, emissions, injections, escapes, dumpings and releases, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (vi) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Prospectus under the "Actual" column under the caption "Capitalization," and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and conform in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Prospectus; (vii) The shares of the Stock being delivered on such Delivery Date to the Underwriters hereunder have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, the issuance of such shares of Stock is not subject to any preemptive rights, and the preferred stock purchase rights under the Rights Agreement to which holders of the shares of Stock will be entitled have been duly authorized and, when issued together with such shares of Stock, will be validly issued; (viii) Except as described in the Prospectus, there are no preemptive or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, nor any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any shares of the Stock pursuant 16
17 to the Company's charter or by-laws or any agreement or other instrument to which the Company is a party; (ix) Neither the Company nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries (i) is in violation of its charter or by-laws, (ii) is in default in any material respect, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of its properties or assets is subject or (iii) is in violation in any material respect of any law, ordinance, governmental rule, regulation or court decree to which it or its property or assets may be subject or has failed to obtain any material license, permit, certificate, franchise or other governmental authorization or permit necessary to the ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business except, in case of (ii) and (iii), for such defaults, violations, or failures to obtain such authorizations or permits that have not had or are not reasonably expected to have, a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (x) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries is subject, other than such conflicts, agreements, breaches, violations or defaults which, singly or in the aggregate, would not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, nor will such actions result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any statute or any order, rule or regulation known to the Company of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its Significant Subsidiaries or any of their properties or assets; and except for the registration of the Stock under the Securities Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, applicable state securities laws and securities laws of foreign jurisdictions in connection with the purchase and 17
18 distribution of the Stock by the Underwriters, no consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing or registration with, any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby; (xi) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering of the Stock and the application of the net proceeds therefrom will not be, an "investment company" as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; (xii) The statements in (1) the Prospectus under the captions "Description of Common Stock", "Description of Preferred Stock" and "Plan of Distribution" in the Basic Prospectus and under the caption "Underwriting" in the Prospectus, (2) in the Registration Statement under Item 15 and (3) in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10- K or Form 10/K-A, as the case may be, and in the Company's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under "Business" and "Legal Proceedings", in each case insofar as such statements constitute summaries of the legal matters, documents or proceedings referred to therein, fairly present the information called for with respect to such legal matters, documents or proceedings and fairly summarize the matters referred to therein; (xiii) After due inquiry, such counsel does not know of any legal or governmental proceeding pending or threatened to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject which is required to be described or of any contract or other document which is required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement which is not described or filed as required; and (xiv) Such counsel (a) is of the opinion that (except as to the financial statements included therein, as to which such counsel need not express any opinion) each document, if any, filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and the Prospectus complied when so filed as to form in all material respects with the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (b) is of the opinion that the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable (except as to the financial statements included therein, as to which such counsel need not express any opinion), comply as to form in all material respects with the Securities Act and the Rules and Regulations, (c) believes that (except as to the financial statements and financial and statistical data included therein, as to which such counsel need not express any belief), each part of the 18
19 Registration Statement when such part became effective or was incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement did not contain, and as of the date of such opinion, does not contain, any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or to make the statements therein not misleading, and (d) believes that (except as to the financial statements and financial and statistical data included therein, as to which such counsel need not express any belief) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. In rendering such opinion, such counsel may state that his opinion is limited to matters governed by the Federal laws of the United States of America, the laws of the State of New York and the State of Oklahoma and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. (d) The Representatives shall have received from Davis Polk & Wardwell, counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated such Delivery Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Stock, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and other related matters as the Representatives may reasonably require, and the Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they reasonably request for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters. (e) At the time of execution of this Agreement, the Representatives shall have received from Ernst & Young a letter, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, addressed to the Underwriters and dated the date hereof (i) confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission and (ii) stating, as of the date hereof (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Prospectus, as of a date not more than five days prior to the date hereof), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters ordinarily covered by accountants' "COMFORT LETTERS" to underwriters in connection with registered public offerings. (f) With respect to the letter of Ernst & Young referred to in the preceding paragraph and delivered to the Representatives concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the "INITIAL LETTER"), the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter (the "BRING-DOWN LETTER") of such accountants, addressed to the Underwriters and dated such Delivery Date 19
20 (i) confirming that they are independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and are in compliance with the applicable requirements relating to the qualification of accountants under Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X of the Commission, (ii) stating, as of the date of the bring-down letter (or, with respect to matters involving changes or developments since the respective dates as of which specified financial information is given in the Prospectus, as of a date not more than five days prior to the date of the bring-down letter), the conclusions and findings of such firm with respect to the financial information and other matters covered by the initial letters and (iii) confirming in all material respects the conclusions and findings set forth in the initial letter. (g) The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a certificate, dated such Delivery Date, of its Chairman of the Board, its President, a Vice President or its chief financial officer or Treasurer stating that: (i) The representations, warranties and agreements of the Company in Section 1 are true and correct as of such Delivery Date; the Company has complied with all its agreements contained herein; and the conditions set forth in Sections 7(a) and 7(h) have been fulfilled; and (ii) They have carefully examined the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and, in their opinion (A) as of the date of this Agreement, the Registration Statement and Prospectus did not include any untrue statement of a material fact and did not omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and (B) since the date of this Agreement, no event has occurred which should have been set forth in a supplement or amendment to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus. (h) Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Prospectus (A) neither the Company nor any of the Significant Subsidiaries shall have sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus or (B) there shall not have been any material change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any change, or any development involving a prospective change, in or affecting the consolidated financial position, results of operations, business or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (A) or (B), is, in the judgment of the Representatives, so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Stock being delivered on such Delivery Date on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus. 20
21 (i) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement there shall not have occurred any of the following: (a) (i) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange, or trading in any securities of the Company on any exchange, shall have been suspended or minimum prices shall have been established on any such exchange by the Commission, by such exchange or by any other regulatory body or governmental authority having jurisdiction, (ii) a general banking moratorium in New York shall have been declared by Federal or New York state authorities, (iii) the United States shall have become engaged in hostilities, there shall have been an escalation in hostilities involving the United States or there shall have been a declaration of a national emergency or war by the United States or (iv) there shall have occurred a change in general economic, political or financial conditions (or the effect of international conditions on the financial markets in the United States shall be such) that in the judgment of the Representatives is material and adverse and (b) in the case of any of the events specified in clauses (a)(i) through (a)(iv) above, such event, singly or together with any other such event, makes it, in the judgment of the Representatives, impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or delivery of the Stock being delivered on such Delivery Date on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus. (j) The New York Stock Exchange, Inc. shall have approved the Stock for listing, subject only to official notice of issuance. All opinions, letters, evidence and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters. SECTION 8. Indemnification and Contribution. (a) The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its officers and employees and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof (including, but not limited to, any loss, claim, damage, liability or action relating to purchases and sales of Stock), to which that Underwriter, officer, employee or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in (A) any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (B) in any materials or information provided to investors by, or with the approval of, the Company in connection with the marketing of the offering of the Stock ("MARKETING MATERIALS"), including any 21
22 roadshow or investor presentations made to investors by the Company (whether in person or electronically) or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or in any Marketing Materials, any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse each Underwriter and each such officer, employee or controlling person promptly upon demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Underwriter, officer, employee or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Underwriter furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of any Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, which information consists solely of the information specified in Section 8(e); and, provided further, that the Company will not be liable to any Underwriter with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus to the extent the Company shall sustain the burden of proving that any such loss, claim, damage or liability resulted from the fact that such Underwriter, in contravention of a requirement of applicable law, sold Stock to a person to whom such Underwriter failed to send or give, at or prior to the Closing Date, a copy of the Prospectus, as then amended or supplemented, if: (i) the Company has previously furnished copies thereof (in sufficient quantity and sufficiently in advance of the Closing Date to allow for distribution by the Closing Date) to the Underwriter and the loss, claim, damage or liability of such Underwriter resulted from an untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained in or omitted from the Preliminary Prospectus which was corrected in the Prospectus as, if applicable, amended or supplemented prior to the Closing Date and such Prospectus was required by law to be delivered at or prior to the written confirmation of sale to such person and (ii) such Prospectus (as so amended or supplemented) would have fully cured the defect giving rise to such loss, claim, damage or liability. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have to any Underwriter or to any officer, employee or controlling person of that Underwriter. (b) Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its officers and employees, each of its directors, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any action in respect thereof, to which the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person may become subject, under the Securities Act or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based 22
23 upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto, or (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any amendment or supplement thereto, any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information concerning such Underwriter furnished to the Company through the Representatives by or on behalf of that Underwriter specifically for inclusion therein, and shall reimburse the Company and any such director, officer or controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person in connection with investigating or defending or preparing to defend against any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are incurred. The foregoing indemnity agreement is in addition to any liability which any Underwriter may otherwise have to the Company or any such director, officer, employee or controlling person. (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the claim or the commencement of that action; provided, however, that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have under this Section 8 except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced by such failure and, provided further, that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 8. If any such claim or action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the indemnified party under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however, that the Representatives shall have the right to employ counsel to represent jointly the Representatives and those other Underwriters and their respective officers, employees and controlling persons who may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought by the Underwriters against the Company under this Section 8 if (i) the employment of such counsel has been expressly authorized in writing by the Company; (ii) the Company has not assumed 23
24 the defense of and employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives within a reasonable time after notice of the commencement of such action or (iii) the named parties to any such action or proceeding (including impleaded parties) include both an indemnified party and the Company and such indemnified party shall have been advised in writing by counsel that there may be one or more legal defenses available to such indemnified party, which are different from or additional to those available to the Company, and such counsel's representation of such indemnified party and the Company in such action or proceeding would give rise to a conflict of interest which would make it improper for such counsel to represent both the indemnified party and the Company (in which case the Company shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action or proceeding on behalf of such indemnified party). The Company shall not, in connection with any one such action or proceeding, or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm for the Underwriters and all such indemnified parties (in addition to any local counsel), which firm will be designated by the Representatives, as representative of the Underwriters, and the Company shall reimburse all such reasonable fees and expenses as they are billed. No indemnifying party shall (i) without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding, or (ii) be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with the consent of the indemnifying party or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 shall for any reason be unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 8(a) or 8(b) in respect of any loss, claim, damage or liability, or any action in respect thereof, referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, (i) in such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Stock or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is 24
25 appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other with respect to the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other with respect to such offering shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Stock purchased under this Agreement (before deducting expenses) received by the Company, on the one hand, and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters with respect to the shares of the Stock purchased under this Agreement, on the other hand, bear to the total gross proceeds from the offering of the shares of the Stock under this Agreement, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Underwriters, the intent of the parties and their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section were to be determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in this Section shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 8(d), any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8(d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Stock underwritten by it and distributed to the public was offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of any untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations to contribute as provided in this Section 8(d) are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint. (e) The Underwriters severally confirm and the Company acknowledges that the statements with respect to the public offering of the Stock by the Underwriters set forth on the cover page of, the statements concerning over- allotments and the concession and reallowance figures appearing under the caption "Underwriting" in, the Prospectus are correct and constitute the only information 25
26 concerning such Underwriters furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of the Underwriters specifically for inclusion in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. SECTION 9. Defaulting Underwriters. If, on any Delivery Date, any Underwriter defaults in the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated to purchase the Stock which the defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase on such Delivery Date in the respective proportions which the number of shares of the Firm Stock set opposite the name of each remaining non-defaulting Underwriter in Schedule 1 hereto bears to the total number of shares of the Firm Stock set opposite the names of all the remaining non- defaulting Underwriters in Schedule 1 hereto; provided, however, that the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters shall not be obligated to purchase any of the Stock on such Delivery Date if the total number of shares of the Stock which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on such date exceeds 9.09% of the total number of shares of the Stock to be purchased on such Delivery Date, and any remaining non-defaulting Underwriter shall not be obligated to purchase more than 110% of the number of shares of the Stock which it agreed to purchase on such Delivery Date pursuant to the terms of Section 3. If the foregoing maximums are exceeded, the remaining non-defaulting Underwriters, or those other underwriters satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company who so agree, shall have the right, but shall not be obligated, to purchase, in such proportion as may be agreed upon among them, all the Stock to be purchased on such Delivery Date. If the remaining Underwriters or other underwriters satisfactory to the Representatives and the Company do not elect to purchase the shares which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase on such Delivery Date, this Agreement (or, with respect to the Second Delivery Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase, and of the Company to sell, the Option Stock) shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except that the Company will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses to the extent set forth in Sections 6 and 11. As used in this Agreement, the term "UNDERWRITER" includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context requires otherwise, any party not listed in Schedule 1 hereto who, pursuant to this Section 9, purchases Stock which a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase. Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company for damages caused by its default. If other underwriters are obligated or agree to purchase the Stock of a defaulting or withdrawing Underwriter, either the Representatives or the Company may postpone the Delivery Date for up to seven full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company or counsel for the 26
27 Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement. SECTION 10. Termination. The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder may be terminated by the Representatives by notice given to and received by the Company prior to delivery of and payment for the Firm Stock if, prior to that time, any of the events described in Sections 7(h) or 7(i), shall have occurred or if the Underwriters shall decline to purchase the Stock for any reason permitted under this Agreement. SECTION 11. Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses. If the Company shall fail to tender the Stock for delivery to the Underwriters by reason of any failure, refusal or inability on the part of the Company to perform any agreement on its part to be performed, or because any other condition of the Underwriters' obligations hereunder required to be fulfilled by the Company is not fulfilled, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the proposed purchase of the Stock, and upon demand the Company shall pay the full amount thereof to the Representatives. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 9 by reason of the default of one or more Underwriters, the Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any defaulting Underwriter on account of those expenses. SECTION 12. Notices, Etc. All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and: (a) if to the Underwriters, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to [Name of Representative], [Address], Attention:_________ (Fax:_________); (b) if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement, Attention: General Counsel (Fax: (918) 573-5942); provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its acceptance telex to the Representatives, which address will be supplied to any other party hereto by the Representatives upon request. Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect at the time of receipt thereof. The Company shall be entitled to act and rely upon any request, consent, notice or agreement given or made on behalf of the Underwriters by [Name of Representative] on behalf of the Representatives. 27
28 SECTION 13. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Underwriters, the Company, and their respective successors. This Agreement and the terms and provisions hereof are for the sole benefit of only those persons, except that (A) the representations, warranties, indemnities and agreements of the Company contained in this Agreement shall also be deemed to be for the benefit of the person or persons, if any, who control any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act and (B) the indemnity agreement of the Underwriters contained in Section 8(b) of this Agreement shall be deemed to be for the benefit of directors of the Company, officers of the Company who have signed the Registration Statement and any person controlling the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, other than the persons referred to in this Section 13, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. SECTION 14. Survival. The respective indemnities, representations, warranties and agreements of the Company and the Underwriters contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf on them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Stock and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any of them or any person controlling any of them. SECTION 15. Definition of the Terms "BUSINESS DAY" and "SUBSIDIARY". For purposes of this Agreement, (a) "BUSINESS DAY" means each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close and (b) "SUBSIDIARY" has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 of the Rules and Regulations. SECTION 16. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New York. SECTION 17. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and, if executed in more than one counterpart, the executed counterparts shall each be deemed to be an original but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. SECTION 18. Headings. The headings herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement. 28
29 If the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement between the Company and the Underwriters, please indicate your acceptance in the space provided for that purpose below. Very truly yours, THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. By --------------------------------- Name: Title: Accepted: [NAME(S) OF REPRESENTATIVE(S)] [For themselves/itself and as Representative(s) of the several Underwriters named in Schedule 1 hereto] By [NAME OF REPRESENTATIVE] By ------------------------------------------- Authorized Representative 29
30 SCHEDULE 1 Number of Shares of Firm Underwriters Stock to be Purchased ------------ ------------------------ Total........................ ========================
31 SCHEDULE 2 Significant Subsidiaries ------------------------ Williams Gas Pipeline Company, LLC Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation Williams Gas Pipelines Central, Inc. Northwest Pipeline Corporation Texas Gas Transmission Corporation Kern River Gas Transmission Company Williams Energy Services, LLC
32 EXHIBIT A LOCK-UP LETTER AGREEMENT [Names(s) of Representative(s)] [As Representative(s) of the several Underwriters named in Schedule 1] c/o [Name of Representative] [Address] Dear Sirs: The undersigned understands that you and certain other firms propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the "UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT") providing for the purchase by you and such other firms (the "UNDERWRITERS") of shares (the "SHARES") of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "COMMON STOCK"), of The Williams Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and that the Underwriters propose to reoffer the Shares to the public (the "OFFERING"). In consideration of the execution of the Underwriting Agreement by the Underwriters, and for other good and valuable consideration, the undersigned hereby irrevocably agrees that, without the prior written consent of [Name(s) of Representative(s)], on behalf of the Underwriters, the undersigned will not, directly or indirectly, (1) offer for sale, sell, pledge, or otherwise dispose of (or enter into any transaction or device that is designed to, or could be expected to, result in the disposition by any person at any time in the future of) any shares of Common Stock (including, without limitation, shares of Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and shares of Common Stock that may be issued upon exercise of any option or warrant) or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock (other than the Shares) owned by the undersigned on the date of execution of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement or on the date of the completion of the Offering, or (2) enter into any swap or other derivatives transaction that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic benefits or risks of ownership of such shares of Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise, for a period of 90 days after the date of the final Prospectus relating to the Offering.
33 In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company and its Transfer Agent are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Lock-Up Letter Agreement. It is understood that, if the Company notifies you that it does not intend to proceed with the Offering, if the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective, or if the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Shares, we will be released from our obligations under this Lock-Up Letter Agreement. The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriters will proceed with the Offering in reliance on this Lock-Up Letter Agreement. Whether or not the Offering actually occurs depends on a number of factors, including market conditions. Any Offering will only be made pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement, the terms of which are subject to negotiation between the Company and the Underwriters. 2
34 The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Lock-Up Letter Agreement and that, upon request, the undersigned will execute any additional documents necessary in connection with the enforcement hereof. Any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the undersigned. Very truly yours, By: -------------------------------------- Name: Title: Dated: ---------------------- 3
1 EXHIBIT 5 June 22, 2001 The Williams Companies, Inc. One Williams Center Tulsa, OK 74172 Ladies and Gentlemen: You have requested me, as General Counsel of The Williams Companies, Inc., to render my opinion regarding certain matters in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement by The Williams Companies, Inc. (the "Company") on Form S-3 (as amended, the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to the contemplated issuance by the Company from time to time of up to $1,924,056,250 aggregate initial offering price of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, and Common Stock. The Debt Securities are to be issued as senior or subordinated indebtedness of the Company under a senior debt indenture or a subordinated debt indenture between the Company and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the "Indentures"). The forms of the Indentures and the Debt Securities have been filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement. In addition, the Debt Securities and the Preferred Stock may be convertible into Common Stock of the Company. The Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, and Common Stock are collectively referred to herein as the "Securities." I am familiar with the Certificate of Incorporation and the By-laws, each as amended to date, of the Company and have examined the originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of corporate records of the Company, statutes, and other instruments and documents as the basis for the opinion expressed herein. In addition, I am, or someone under my supervision is, familiar with the forms of the Indentures and the Debt Securities. Based upon the foregoing, and having regard for such legal considerations as I have deemed relevant, I am of the opinion that, (1) with respect to the Debt Securities, when the remaining terms are set by an officer of the Company pursuant to the authority granted such officer by the Board of Directors of the Company, the Indentures have been duly executed and delivered, and the Debt Securities have been duly issued in accordance with the provisions of the Indentures and duly paid for by the purchasers thereof, (2) with respect to the Preferred Stock, when the remaining terms are set by an officer of the Company pursuant to the authority granted such officer by the Board of Directors of the Company and have been duly issued and delivered by the Company and duly paid for by the purchasers thereof, and (3) with respect to the Common Stock, when duly issued and delivered by the Company and duly paid for by the purchasers thereof (a) the Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or other laws relative to or affecting generally the enforcement of creditor's rights and by principles of equity, and (b) the Preferred Stock and the Common Stock will have been validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable.
2 In connection with my opinions expressed above, I have assumed that, at or prior to the time of the delivery of any such Security, the Registration Statement has been declared effective, that the authorization of such Securities, will not have been modified or rescinded and there will not have occurred any change in law affecting the validity or enforceability of such Security. I have also assumed that none of the terms of any Security to be established subsequent to the date hereof nor the issuance and delivery of such Security, nor the compliance by the Company with the terms of such Security, will violate any applicable law or will result in a violation of any provision of any instrument or agreement then binding upon the Company, or any restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company. I am a member of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York, the federal laws of the United States of America and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to the undersigned appearing under the caption "Legal Matters" in the related Prospectus. Very truly yours, /s/ WILLIAM G. VON GLAHN William G. von Glahn
1 EXHIBIT 12 THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS (Dollars in millions) Three Months Ended Years Ended December 31, March 31, --------------------------------------------------------------- 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Earnings: Income from continuing operations before income taxes and extraordinary gain (loss) $ 617.9 $ 1,595.3 $ 585.7 $ 403.7 $ 703.0 $ 773.3 Add: Interest expense--net 180.3 659.1 555.7 499.6 442.2 409.3 Rental expense representative of interest factor 6.3 27.6 28.2 24.1 24.4 27.5 Interest accrued--50% owned companies 2.2 8.7 7.5 6.2 -- 1.3 Minority interest in income and preferred returns of consolidated subsidiaries 24.2 51.4 35.8 6.3 3.8 1.4 Equity losses in less than 50% owned companies 11.2 16.5 13.0 -- -- -- Other .8 (8.3) (3.6) 7.6 3.1 5.7 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Total earnings as adjusted plus fixed charges $ 842.9 $ 2,350.3 $ 1,222.3 $ 947.5 $ 1,176.5 $ 1,218.5 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= Combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements: Interest expense--net $ 180.3 659.1 $ 555.7 $ 499.6 $ 442.2 $ 409.3 Capitalized interest 9.7 49.4 34.6 13.8 15.5 8.2 Rental expense representative of interest factor 6.3 27.6 28.2 24.1 24.4 27.5 Pretax effect of dividends on preferred stock of the Company -- -- 5.1 12.4 16.1 16.2 Pretax effect of dividends on preferred stock and other preferred returns of subsidiaries 21.7 44.2 26.7 -- -- -- Interest accrued--50% owned company 2.2 8.7 7.5 6.2 -- 1.3 --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- Combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements $ 220.2 $ 789.0 $ 657.8 $ 556.1 $ 498.2 $ 462.5 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements 3.83 2.98 1.86 1.70 2.36 2.63 ========= ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
1 EXHIBIT 23.1 Consent of Independent Auditors We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 and related Prospectus of The Williams Companies, Inc. for the registration of up to $1,924,056,250 of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock Purchase Rights, and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated February 28, 2001, except for the matters described in Note 3, as to which the date is April 23, 2001, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of The Williams Companies, Inc. included in its Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 22, 2001 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ERNST & YOUNG LLP Tulsa, Oklahoma June 19, 2001
1 EXHIBIT 24.1 THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each of the undersigned individuals, in their capacity as a director or officer, or both, as hereinafter set forth below their signature, of THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Williams"), does hereby constitute and appoint WILLIAM G. VON GLAHN and SUZANNE H. COSTIN their true and lawful attorneys and each of them (with full power to act without the others) their true and lawful attorneys for them and in their name and in their capacity as a director or officer, or both, of Williams, as hereinafter set forth below their signature, to sign one or more registration statements on Form S-3 for the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with respect to not more than one billion nine hundred twenty four million fifty six thousand two hundred fifty dollars ($1,924,056,250), plus any upsizing permitted by Rule 462(b) or other similar Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities, preferred stock, equity hybrid securities, securities convertible into equity securities and common stock of Williams and any and all amendments and post-effective amendments to said registration statement and any and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith; and THAT the undersigned Williams does hereby constitute and appoint WILLIAM G. VON GLAHN and SUZANNE H. COSTIN its true and lawful attorneys and each of them (with full power to act without the others) its true and lawful attorney for it and in its name and on its behalf to sign said registration statement and any and all amendments and post-effective amendments thereto and any and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith. Each of said attorneys shall have full power of substitution and resubstitution, and said attorneys or any of them or any substitute appointed by any of them hereunder shall have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each of the undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or necessary to be done in the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as each of the undersigned might or could do in person, the undersigned hereby ratifying and approving the acts of said attorneys or any of them or of any such substitute pursuant hereto. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this instrument, all as of the 6th day of June, 2001. /s/ KEITH E. BAILEY /s/ JACK D. MCCARTHY - -------------------------------- --------------------------------- Keith E. Bailey Jack D. McCarthy Chairman of the Board, Senior Vice President President and (Principal Financial Officer) Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ GARY R. BELITZ --------------------------------- Gary R. Belitz Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
2 Page 2 /s/ HUGH M. CHAPMAN /s/ GLENN A. COX - ------------------------ ---------------------- Hugh M. Chapman Glenn A Cox Director Director /s/ THOMAS H. CRUIKSHANK /s/ WILLIAM E. GREEN - ------------------------ ---------------------- Thomas H. Cruikshank William E. Green Director Director /s/ W. R. HOWELL /s/ JAMES C. LEWIS - ------------------------ ---------------------- W. R. Howell James C. Lewis Director Director /s/ CHARLES M. LILLIS /s/ GEORGE A. LORCH - ------------------------ ---------------------- Charles M. Lillis George A. Lorch Director Director /s/ FRANK T. MACINNIS /s/ GORDON R. PARKER - ------------------------ ---------------------- Frank T. MacInnis Gordon R. Parker Director Director /s/ JANICE D. STONEY /s/ JOSEPH H. WILLIAMS - ------------------------ ---------------------- Janice D. Stoney Joseph H. Williams Director Director THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. By /s/ WILLIAM G. VON GLAHN -------------------------- William G. von Glahn ATTEST: Senior Vice President /s/ SUZANNE H. COSTIN - ---------------------- Suzanne H. Costin Secretary
1 EXHIBIT 24.2 THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. Secretary's Certificate I, the undersigned, SUZANNE H. COSTIN, Secretary of THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter called the "Company"), do hereby certify that at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company duly convened and held on May 17, 2001, at which a quorum of said Board was present and acting throughout, the following resolutions were duly adopted: RESOLVED that the officers of the Company be, and each hereby is, authorized to execute and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, one or more shelf Registration Statements on Form S-3, and all amendments and supplements thereto and all required exhibits and documents in connection therewith, and the Prospectus contained therein, and all amendments or supplements thereto (the "Registration Statement"), with respect to not more than two billion dollars ($2,000,000,000) aggregate principal amount, plus any upsizing permitted by Rule 462(b) or other similar Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of debt securities, preferred stock, equity hybrid securities, securities convertible into equity securities and common stock (the "Securities"), and to do, or cause to be done, all such other acts and things as, in their opinion or in the opinion of any of them, may be necessary or desirable and proper in order to effect such filing or in order that such Registration Statement and any such amendment or amendments may become effective and may remain in effect as long as shall be required. RESOLVED that the form of power of attorney submitted to this meeting for use in connection with the execution and filing, for and on behalf of the Company, of the Registration Statement and any such amendments thereto referred to in the preceding resolution, is hereby approved, and the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President or the Treasurer of the Company is hereby authorized to execute said power of attorney in the form so presented for and on behalf of the Company. RESOLVED that Mr. William G. von Glahn, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of The Williams Companies, Inc., be, and he hereby is, designated as the person authorized to receive notices and communications from the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto and that he be, and he hereby is, designated the agent for service in connection with any and all matters relating to the Registration Statement; and that there hereby is conferred upon him the powers enumerated in Rule 478
2 of the Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. RESOLVED that the officers of the Company be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed in the name and on behalf of the Company to take any and all actions which such officers deem necessary or appropriate in order to obtain a permit, register or qualify the Securities for issuance and sale or to request an exemption from registration of the Securities or to register or to obtain a license for the Company as a dealer or broker under the securities laws of such of the states of the United States of America and of such foreign jurisdictions as such officers may deem necessary or appropriate; and that in connection with such registrations, permits, licenses, qualifications and exemptions, such officers are authorized and directed to execute, acknowledge, verify, deliver, file and publish all such applications, reports, resolutions, irrevocable consents to service of process, powers of attorney and other papers and instruments as may be required under such laws, and to take any and all further action which such officers deem necessary or appropriate in order to maintain the registration in effect for such time period as they may deem to be in the best interests of the Company. RESOLVED that if an officer of the Company shall so elect application may be made to the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. and to the Pacific Stock Exchange for the listing upon notice of issuance of the Securities and that the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Company be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and directed by the Company to prepare, execute and file the applications required by such stock exchange and to make such changes as may be necessary to conform with requirements for the listing of the Securities, to appear (if requested) before officials of such exchange, to pay any fees required for such additional listing and to perform all other acts and things as may be deemed necessary to effect such listing. RESOLVED that the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, or the Treasurer of the Company (a "Designated Officer") be, and each of them hereby is, authorized and empowered to execute, acknowledge and deliver, for and on behalf of the Company, and under its corporate seal, which its Secretary or any Assistant Secretary is hereby authorized to affix and attest, one or more indentures, including a subordinate indenture, between the Company and a trustee to be determined by the officer executing such indenture (the "Indenture") for the purpose of providing for the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange and payment of the Securities to be issued pursuant 2
3 thereto, each such Indenture to be in the form as the officers executing and delivering the same on behalf of the Company shall approve, such approval to be conclusively evidenced by such officer's execution, acknowledgment and delivery of the Indenture. RESOLVED that the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, or the Treasurer of the Company be, and each hereby is, in accordance with the foregoing resolutions and the limitations previously approved, authorized to cause the Company to issue and sell one or more series of the Securities and, in connection with any such series, determine, approve or appoint, as the case may be: (a) the exact aggregate principal amount of the series of Securities, whether Securities of such series are to be issued as debentures, as notes or as any other evidences of indebtedness or in any combination thereof; (b) the designation of the Securities as senior or subordinated indebtedness of the Company; (c) whether each series of Securities shall be sold with or without competitive bidding, whether through a public offering or by private placement, or a combination thereof; (d) the terms and rights of the Securities, consistent with the terms of the respective Indenture and the Registration Statements; provided, however, that no such Securities shall be secured or convertible into any equity securities of the Company; (e) the maturity or maturities of the Securities; (f) the price to be received by the Company in any offering or sale of any of the Securities (which may be at a discount from the principal amount payable at maturity of such Securities), any public offering price and any discount received by, or commission paid to, any underwriters or agents; (g) the rate or rates at which the Securities shall bear interest, if any, which rate or rates may vary from time to time in accordance with a formula to be approved by any such officer; 3
4 (h) the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any interest payment date and/or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined; (i) the place or places, where the principal of (premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities shall be payable; (j) the option, if any, of the Company to redeem the Securities in whole or in part and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, pursuant to such option or any sinking fund or otherwise; (k) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which, Securities shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation or option; (l) the denominations and currencies, including U.S. dollars, foreign currencies and composite currencies, in which the Securities shall be issuable and payable and the election, if any, of holders of Securities to receive payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest in a currency other than the currency in which such Securities were issued; (m) such other terms, conditions and provisions as any such officer shall deem appropriate; (n) the forms of the Securities; and (o) whether the Securities will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. RESOLVED that any Designated Officer be, and each hereby is, authorized to appoint one or more transfer agents or 4
5 registrars, depositories, authenticating or paying agents, calculation agents, exchange rate agents and any other agents with respect to the Securities, and to execute and deliver, in the name and on behalf of the Company, any agreement, instrument or document relating to any such appointment, for the purpose of implementing and giving effect to the provisions of each Indenture; provided, however, that the Company may at any time elect to act in the capacity of paying agent. RESOLVED that any Designated Officer be, and each hereby is, authorized and directed to execute and deliver to the trustee for each Indenture an Issuer Order or Officer's Certificate, as appropriate, referred to in the Indenture and to perform on behalf of the Company such other procedures acceptable to such trustee as may be necessary in order to authorize the authentication and delivery by such trustee of the Securities. RESOLVED that any Designated Officer be, and each hereby is, authorized and directed to cause the Company to enter into agreements (the "Underwriting Agreement" or "Distribution Agreements"), with such investment banking company or companies as any such Designated Officer may choose (the "Agents"), and with such additional or successor Agents as any Designated Officer shall select, in the form as the Designated Officers executing and delivering the same on behalf of the Company shall approve, such approval to be conclusively evidenced by such officers execution, acknowledgment and delivery of the Underwriting Agreement or Distribution Agreements. RESOLVED that any Designated Officer be, and each hereby is, authorized and directed to take, or cause to be taken, any and all action which any such Designated Officer may deem necessary or desirable to carry out the purpose and intent of the foregoing resolutions (hereby ratifying and confirming any and all actions taken heretofore or hereafter to accomplish such purposes, all or singular), and to make, execute and deliver, or cause to be made executed and delivered, all agreements, undertakings, documents, instruments or certificates in the name and on behalf of the Company as any such Designated Officer may deem necessary or desirable in connection therewith, and to perform, or cause to be performed, the obligations of the Company under the Securities, the Indenture, the Underwriting Agreement and the Distribution Agreement (and any terms agreement thereunder) and the Registration Statements, and to pay such fees and expenses as, in their judgment, shall be proper or advisable. 5
6 RESOLVED that the officers of the Company be, and each of them hereby is, authorized to take all such further action and to execute and deliver all such further instruments and documents in the name and on behalf of the Company with its corporate seal or otherwise and to pay such fees and expenses as, in their judgment, shall be proper or advisable in order to carry out the intent and to accomplish the purposes of the foregoing resolutions. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the corporate seal of The Williams Companies, Inc. this 22nd day of June, 2001. ------------------------------- Suzanne H. Costin Secretary [SEAL] 6
1 EXHIBIT 25.1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM T-1 STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) __ BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION 31-0838515 (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER) 100 EAST BROAD STREET, COLUMBUS, OHIO 43271-0181 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE) BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION 1 BANK ONE PLAZA CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60670 ATTN: SANDRA L. CARUBA, FIRST VICE PRESIDENT, (312) 336-9436 (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE) ---------- THE WILLIAMS COMPANIES, INC. (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGOR AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE 73-0569878 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION) IDENTIFICATION NUMBER) ONE WILLIAMS CENTER 74172 TULSA, OKLAHOMA (ZIP CODE) (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) DEBT SECURITIES (TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)
2 ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION. FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE: (a) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT. Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.; Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.; The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington D.C. (b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS. The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers. ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR. IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH AFFILIATION. No such affiliation exists with the trustee. ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS. LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY. 1. A copy of the articles of association of the trustee now in effect.* 2. A copy of the certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business.* 3. A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers.* 4. A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.* 5. Not Applicable. 6. The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
3 7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority. 8. Not Applicable. 9. Not Applicable. Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Bank One Trust Company, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago and State of Illinois, on the 21st day of June, 2001. BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, TRUSTEE BY /s/ SANDRA L. CARUBA SANDRA L. CARUBA FIRST VICE PRESIDENT *EXHIBITS 1, 2, 3, AND 4 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS BEARING IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 16 OF THE FORM T-1 OF BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, FILED AS EXHIBIT 25 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4 OF U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC., FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 24, 2000 (REGISTRATION NO. 333-32124).
4 EXHIBIT 6 THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT June 21, 2001 Securities and Exchange Commission Washington, D.C. 20549 Ladies and Gentlemen: In connection with the qualification of an indenture between The Williams Companies, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, National Association, as Trustee, the undersigned, in accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, hereby consents that the reports of examinations of the undersigned, made by Federal or State authorities authorized to make such examinations, may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor. Very truly yours, BANK ONE TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION BY: /s/ SANDRA L. CARUBA SANDRA L. CARUBA VICE PRESIDENT
5 EXHIBIT 7 Legal Title of Bank: Bank One Trust Company, N.A. Call Date: 3/31/01 State #: 391581 FFIEC041 Address: 100 Broad Street Vendor ID: D Cert #: 21377 Page RC-1 City, State Zip: Columbus, OH 43271 Transit #: 04400003 CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR MARCH 31, 2001 All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars. Unless otherwise indicated, report the amount outstanding of the last business day of the quarter. SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS C300 RCON BIL MIL THOU -------- ---- ------------ ASSETS 1. Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule RCON RC-A): ---- a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1) ............ 0081 57,409 1.a b. Interest-bearing balances(2) ..................................... 0071 0 1.b 2. Securities a. Held-to-maturity securities(from Schedule RC-B, column A) ........ 1754 0 2.a b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D) ..... 1773 1,922 2.b 3. Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell .............................................................. 1350 771,209 3. 4. Loans and lease financing receivables: (from Schedule RC-C): RCON ---- a. Loans and leases held for sale ................................... 5369 0 4.a b. Loans and leases, net of unearned income ......................... B528 84,428 4.b c. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses ........................ 3123 387 4.c d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance (item 4.b minus 4.c) ............................................. B529 84,041 4.d 5. Trading assets (from Schedule RC-D) ................................. 3545 0 5. 6. Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) ............ 2145 21,125 6. 7. Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M) ........................ 2150 0 7. 8. Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies (from Schedule RC-M) ...................................... 2130 0 8. 9. Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ........ 2155 0 9. 10. Intangible assets ................................................... a. Goodwill ......................................................... 3163 0 10.a b. Other intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M) ..................... 0426 12,971 10.b 11. Other assets (from Schedule RC-F) ................................... 2160 317,034 11. 12. Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11) ............................ 2170 1,265,711 12. - ---------- (1) Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits. (2) Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.
6 Legal Title of Bank: Bank One Trust Company, N.A. Call Date: 3/31/01 State #: 391581 FFIEC041 Address: 100 Broad Street Vendor ID: D Cert #: 21377 Page RC-1 City, State Zip: Columbus, OH 43271 Transit #: 04400003 SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS --------- LIABILITIES 13. Deposits: RCON a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C ---- from Schedule RC-E) .......................................... 2200 995,556 13.a (1) Noninterest-bearing(1) ................................... 6631 558,282 13.a1 (2) Interest-bearing ......................................... 6636 437,274 13.a2 b. Not applicable 14. Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase ................................................... RCFD 2800 0 14. 15. Trading Liabilities(from Schedule RC-D) ......................... RCFD 3548 0 15. 16. Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases) (from Schedule RC-M) ...... 3190 0 16. 17. Not applicable 18. Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding ........ 2920 0 18. 19. Subordinated notes and debentures (2) ........................... 3200 0 19. 20. Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G) .......................... 2930 125,576 20. 21. Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20) .................. 2948 1,121,132 21. 22. Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries .................. 3000 0 22. EQUITY CAPITAL 23. Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus ................... 3838 0 23. 24. Common stock .................................................... 3230 800.24. 25. Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock) ........ 3839 45,157 25. 26. a. Retained earnings ............................................ 3632 98,597 26.a b. Accumulated other comprehensive income (3) ................... B530 25 26.b 27. Other equity capital components (4) ............................. A130 0 27. 28. Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27) ............... 3210 144,579 28. 29. Total liabilities, minority interest, and equity capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28) ........................... 3300 1,265,711 29. Memorandum To be reported only with the March Report of Condition. 1. Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best describes the most comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the Number bank by independent external auditors as of any date during 1996 ................... RCFD 6724 . .... N/A M.1. 1 = Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance 4. = Directors' examination of the bank performed by other with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified external auditors (may be required by state chartering public accounting firm which submits a report on the bank authority) 2 = Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company 5 = Review of the bank's financial statements by external conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing auditors standards by a certified public accounting firm which 6 = Compilation of the bank's financial statements by external submits a report on the consolidated holding company auditors (but not on the bank separately) 7 = Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work) 3 = Directors' examination of the bank conducted in 8 = No external audit work accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by state chartering authority) - ---------- (1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings deposits.