Exhibit
2.1
PURCHASE
AND SALE AGREEMENT
This
Purchase and Sale
Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into this 2nd
day of August, 2007, by and between Rockford Energy Partners II, LLC, a Delaware
limited liability company (“Seller”), and St. Mary Land & Exploration
Company, a Delaware corporation (“Buyer”). Buyer and Seller are
collectively referred to herein as the “Parties”, and are sometimes
referred to individually as a “Party.”
R
E C I T A L S:
WHEREAS,
Seller desires to sell to
Buyer, and Buyer desires to purchase from Seller, the Assets (as defined below),
all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the
mutual benefits derived and to be derived from this Agreement by each Party,
and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which
are hereby acknowledged, Seller and Buyer hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
Assets
Section
1.01 Agreement
to Sell and Purchase.
Subject
to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Buyer
agrees to purchase the Assets from Seller, and Seller agrees to sell the Assets
to Buyer.
Section
1.02 Assets.
Subject
to Section 1.03, the term “Assets” shall mean all of Seller’s
right, title and interest in and to:
(a) The
oil,
gas and other mineral leases described on Exhibit A (collectively, the
“Leases”) and any overriding royalty interests, royalty interests,
non-working or carried interests, mineral fee interest, operating rights and
other rights and interests described in Exhibit A, together with the
lands covered thereby or pooled or unitized therewith (the “Lands”),
together with (i) all right, title and interest of Seller in and to any other
mineral interests of any nature (A) located in, on or under lands adjacent
to or
contiguous with the Lands, or (B) which are attributable to the proration unit
or designated pooled unit for any of the Wells (as hereinafter defined), in
each
case whether or not described in or omitted from Exhibit A, (ii) all
rights with respect to any pooled, communitized or unitized interest by virtue
of any Leases and Lands or the interests described in clause (i) above being
a
part thereof, and (iii) all production of oil, gas, associated liquids and
other
hydrocarbons (collectively “Hydrocarbons”) after the Effective Time from
the Leases and the Lands, and from any such pool or unit and allocated to any
such Leases and Lands or the interests described in clause (i) above (the
Leases, the Lands, and the rights described in clauses (i) and (ii) above,
and
the Hydrocarbons described in clause (iii) above, being collectively referred
to
as the “Subject Interests” or, singularly, a “Subject
Interest”);
(b) all
easements, rights-of-way, servitudes, surface leases, surface use agreements
and
other rights or agreements related to the use of the surface and subsurface
(the
“Surface Agreements”), in each case to the extent used in connection with
the operation of the Subject Interests, including those recorded Surface
Agreements described in Exhibit B;
(c) to
the
extent assignable or transferable, all permits, licenses, franchises, consents,
approvals and other similar rights and privileges (the “Permits”), in
each case to the extent used in connection with the operation of the Subject
Interests, including those Permits described in
Exhibit C;
(d) all
equipment, machinery, fixtures, spare parts, inventory and other personal
property (including Seller’s leasehold interests therein subject to any
necessary consents to assignment) used in connection with the operation of
the
Subject Interests or in connection with the production, treatment, compression,
gathering, transportation, sale, or disposal of Hydrocarbons produced from
or
attributable to the Subject Interests (collectively, “Equipment”), and
any water, byproducts or waste produced therefrom or therewith or otherwise
attributable thereto, including all wells (whether producing, shut in or
abandoned, and whether for production, produced water injection or disposal,
or
otherwise) described in Exhibit D-1 (collectively, the
“Wells”), wellhead equipment, pumps, pumping units, flowlines, gathering
systems, pipe, tanks, treatment facilities, injection facilities, disposal
facilities, compression facilities and other materials, supplies, buildings,
trailers and offices used in connection with the Subject Interests and the
other
matters described in this definition of Assets (the
“Facilities”);
(e) to
the
extent assignable or transferable, (i) all contracts, agreements, drilling
contracts, equipment leases, office leases, production sales and marketing
contracts, farmout and farmin agreements, operating agreements, service
agreements, unit agreements, gas gathering and transportation agreements and
other contracts, agreements and arrangements, relating to the Subject Interests
and the other matters described in this definition of Assets, including those
described in Exhibit E and subject to, and in accordance with, any
limitations set forth therein, and (ii) equipment leases and rental
contracts, service agreements, supply agreements and other contracts, agreements
and arrangements relating to the Subject Interests and the other matters
described in this definition of Assets, including those described in Exhibit
E (the agreements identified in clauses (i) and (ii) above being,
collectively, the “Contracts”);
(f) All
files, records and data relating to the items described in Sections 1.02(a)
through (e) maintained by Seller, including without limitation, the following,
if and to the extent that such files exist: all books, records, reports,
manuals, files, title documents, including correspondence, records of production
and maintenance, revenue, sales, expenses, warranties, lease files, land files,
well files, division order files, abstracts, title opinions, assignments,
reports, property records, contract files, operations files, copies of tax
and
accounting records (but excluding Federal and state income tax returns and
records) and files, maps, core data, hydrocarbon analysis, well logs, mud logs,
field studies together with other files, contracts and other records and data
including all geologic and geophysical data and maps, but excluding from the
foregoing those files, records and data subject to unaffiliated third party
contractual restrictions on disclosure or transfer (the
“Records”). To the extent that any of the Records contain
interpretations of Seller, Buyer agrees to rely on such interpretations at
its
own risk;
(g) all
Production Imbalances, including those set forth on Schedule 1.02(g) as
of the Effective Time; and
(h) all
vehicles and other rolling stock to the extent directly related to
the Subject Interests and the other matters described in this
definition of Assets (including the vehicles described in Schedule
1.02(h)).
Section
1.03 Excluded
Assets.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Assets shall not include, and there is excepted, reserved
and
excluded from the sale, transfer and assignment contemplated hereby the
following excluded properties, rights and interests (collectively, the
“Excluded Assets”):
(a) those
assets, interests, rights and properties described in
Exhibit F;
(b) all
trade
credits and all accounts, instruments and general intangibles (as such terms
are
defined in the Texas Business and Commerce Code) attributable to the Assets
with
respect to any period of time prior to the Effective Time;
(c) except
for those Claims or rights against a third party for which Buyer has agreed
to
indemnify Seller pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, all claims and causes
of action of Seller,
(i) arising
from acts, omissions or events, or damage to or destruction of property,
occurring prior to the Effective Time,
(ii) arising
under or with respect to any of the Contracts that are attributable to periods
of time prior to the Effective Time (including claims for adjustments or
refunds), or
(iii) with
respect to any of the other Excluded Assets;
(d) all
rights and interests of Seller,
(i) under
any
policy or agreement of insurance or indemnity,
(ii) under
any
bond, or
(iii) to
any
insurance or condemnation proceeds or awards arising in each case from acts,
omissions or events, or damage to or destruction of property, occurring prior
to
the Effective Time;
(e) all
Hydrocarbons produced from or otherwise attributable to the Subject Interests
with respect to all periods prior to the Effective Time, excluding those
Hydrocarbons referenced in Section 1.02(g) together with all proceeds
from the sale of such Hydrocarbons, and all tax credits attributable
thereto;
(f) all
claims of Seller for refunds of or loss carry forwards with respect
to
(i) ad
valorem, severance, production or any other taxes attributable to any period
prior to the Effective Time,
(ii) income,
gross margin or franchise taxes,
(iii) any
taxes
attributable to the other Excluded Assets, and such other refunds, and rights
thereto, for amounts paid in connection with the Assets and attributable to
the
period prior to the Effective Time, including refunds of amounts paid under
any
gas gathering or transportation agreement;
(g) all
amounts due or payable to Seller as adjustments to insurance premiums related
to
the Assets with respect to any period prior to the Effective Time;
(h) all
proceeds, income or revenues (and any security or other deposits made)
attributable to
(i) the
Assets for any period prior to the Effective Time, or
(ii) any
other
Excluded Assets;
(i) subject
to Section 1.02(f), all of Seller’s proprietary technology and
improvements, computer software, patents, trade secrets, copyrights, names,
trademarks, logos and other intellectual property;
(j) all
documents and instruments of Seller that may be protected by an attorney-client
or other privilege;
(k) data,
information and other property, rights or interests that cannot be disclosed
or
assigned to Buyer as a result of confidentiality or similar
arrangements;
(l) all
audit rights arising under any of the Contracts or otherwise with respect to
any
period prior to the Effective Time or to any of the other Excluded
Assets;
(m) all
computers, printers and other electronic equipment located in any buildings,
offices or trailers that may belong to Seller and that may constitute part
of
the Assets, including, all software and electronic data relating in any way
to
such electronic equipment;
(n) All
corporate, income tax and financial records of Seller not included in the
Records; and
(o) all
agreements providing for options, swaps, floors, caps, collars, forward sales
or
forward purchases involving commodities or commodity prices, or indexes based
on
any of the foregoing and all other similar agreements and
arrangements.
ARTICLE
2
Purchase
Price
Section
2.01 Purchase
Price.
The
total consideration for the purchase, sale and conveyance of the Assets to
Buyer
and Buyer’s assumption of the Assumed Obligations and all other liabilities
provided for in this Agreement, is Buyer’s payment to Seller of the sum of One
Hundred Fifty-Three Million One Hundred One Thousand Eight Hundred Forty-Six
and
06/100 Dollars ($153,101,846.06) (the “Purchase Price”), as adjusted in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.
Section
2.02 Deposit.
(a) Concurrently
with the execution of this Agreement by Buyer and Seller, Buyer shall deliver
to
Seller in immediately available funds a performance guarantee deposit in an
amount equal to Fifteen Million Three Hundred Ten Thousand One Hundred
Eighty-Four and 61/100 Dollars ($15,310,184.61) (the “Deposit”) in
accordance with wire transfer instructions provided by Seller to Buyer.
(b) If
all
conditions precedent to the obligations of Buyer set forth in Article 9
have been met and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not
consummated on or before the Closing Date because of the failure of Buyer to
perform any of its material obligations hereunder, then in such event Seller
shall, unless Seller elects to waive such failure of performance, terminate
this
Agreement, in which case Seller shall retain the Deposit as liquidated damages,
which remedy shall be the sole and exclusive remedy available to Seller for
Buyer’s failure to perform its obligations under this Agreement. Buyer and
Seller acknowledge and agree that (i) Seller’s actual damages upon the
event of such a termination are difficult to ascertain with any certainty,
(ii) the Deposit is a reasonable estimate of such actual damages, and
(iii) such liquidated damages do not constitute a penalty.
(c) If
this
Agreement is terminated (i) by the mutual written agreement of Buyer and Seller,
or (ii) pursuant to the provisions of Article 11 (subject to the
limitations in Article 11) or if the Closing does not occur on or before
the Closing Date for any reason other than Buyer’s failure to perform its
material obligations hereunder, then Seller shall return the Deposit to Buyer
in
immediately available funds pursuant to wire transfer instructions to be
provided timely by Buyer to Seller within three (3) business days after the
event giving rise to such return obligation. Buyer and Seller shall thereupon
have the rights and obligations set forth elsewhere herein.
(d) If
all conditions precedent to the obligations of Seller set forth in Article
8 have been met, then notwithstanding any provision in this Section 2.02
to
the contrary, if Closing does not occur because Seller wrongfully fails to
tender performance at Closing or otherwise breaches this Agreement in any
material respect prior to Closing, and Buyer is ready and otherwise able to
close, at Buyer’s sole election, either (i) Seller shall return the Deposit to
Buyer within 15 days after the determination that the Closing will not occur,
or
(ii) Buyer shall have the right to pursue specific performance of this
Agreement, provided that Buyer must file an action for specific performance
within 21 days of Seller’s breach. If Buyer elects to pursue specific
performance, Buyer must pursue specific performance as its sole and exclusive
remedy in lieu of all other legal and equitable remedies. If such
action for specific performance is not filed within 21 days of Seller’s breach
or if Buyer is unsuccessful for any reason other than a material breach of
this
Agreement by Buyer, Buyer shall be deemed to have waived all legal and equitable
remedies and its sole remedy for Seller’s breach of this Agreement shall be
limited to the prompt return of the Deposit.
(e) If
the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated, the Deposit shall
be returned by Seller to Buyer in connection with the Closing, and the amount
payable by Buyer at the Closing shall not be reduced by the amount of the
Deposit.
Section
2.03 Allocated
Values.
The
Purchase Price is allocated among the Assets (including the Wells, PUD
Locations, PDNP, Probable and/or Possible Locations) and the Undeveloped Acreage
specifically described on Exhibit A (the “Undeveloped Acreage”) as
set forth in Exhibit D-1 and Exhibit D-2 (the “Allocated
Values”). In no event shall the aggregate of the Allocated Values of any
Wells, PUD Locations, PDNP, Probable and/or Possible Locations and Undeveloped
Acreage exceed the unadjusted Purchase Price. The term “PUD Locations”
means those Proved Undeveloped potential well locations identified
in
Exhibit D-2. The term “PDNP” means Proved
Developed Not Producing, as identified on Exhibit D-2. The term
“Probable and/or Possible Locations” means those locations
designated as such on Exhibit D-2. Seller and Buyer agree that
the Allocated Values shall be used to compute any adjustments to the Purchase
Price pursuant to the provisions of Article 4. For purposes of
this Agreement, the Parties agree that the Allocated Value for the Undeveloped
Acreage shall be Eighty Dollars ($80.00) per net acre. Any adjustment
to the Purchase Price hereunder shall be reflected in the allocation hereunder
consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.1060-IT (f). For tax
purposes, the Parties agree to report the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including
the
allocations set forth above as of the Closing Date, and that neither Party
will
take any position inconsistent therewith, including in any tax return, in any
refund claim, in any litigation or arbitration or otherwise.
Section
2.04 Section
1031 Like-Kind Exchange.
Seller
and Buyer hereby agree that Seller shall have the right at any time prior to
completion of all the transactions that are to occur at Closing to assign all
or
a portion of its rights under this Agreement to a Qualified Intermediary (as
that term is defined in Section 1.1031(k)-1(g)(4)(v) of the Treasury
Regulations) in order to accomplish the transaction in a manner that will
comply, either in whole or in part, with the requirements of a like-kind
exchange pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. Likewise, Buyer shall have the right at any time prior to completion
of
all the transactions that are to occur at Closing to assign all or a portion
of
its rights under this Agreement to a Qualified Intermediary for the same
purpose. If Seller assigns all or any of its rights under this Agreement for
this purpose, Buyer agrees to (a) consent to Seller’s assignment of its rights
in this Agreement, which assignment shall be in a form reasonably acceptable
to
Buyer, and (b) pay the Purchase Price (or a designated portion thereof as
specified by Seller) into a qualified escrow or qualified trust account at
Closing as directed in writing. If Buyer assigns all or any of its rights under
this Agreement for this purpose, Seller agrees to (i) consent to Buyer’s
assignment of its rights in this Agreement, which assignment shall be in a
form
reasonably acceptable to Seller, (ii) accept the Purchase Price from the
qualified escrow or qualified trust account at Closing, and (iii) at Closing,
convey and assign directly to Buyer the Assets (or any portion thereof) as
directed by Buyer. Seller and Buyer acknowledge and agree that any assignment
of
this Agreement (or any rights hereunder) to a Qualified Intermediary
shall not release any Party from any of its respective liabilities and
obligations hereunder, and that neither Party represents to the other Party
that
any particular tax treatment will be given to any Party as a result
thereof.
ARTICLE
3
Effective
Time
Section
3.01 Ownership
of Assets.
If
the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated in accordance with the
terms and provisions hereof, the ownership of the Assets shall be transferred
from Seller to Buyer on the Closing Date, but effective for all purposes as
of
7:00 a.m. local time at the location of the Assets on July 1, 2007 (the
“Effective Time”).
Section
3.02 Production
Imbalances.
Upon
Closing, Buyer shall succeed to and assume the positions of Seller with respect
to all gas imbalances and make-up obligations related to the Assets regardless
of whether such imbalances or make-up obligations arise before or after the
Effective Time, at the wellhead, pipeline, gathering system or other location,
and regardless of whether the same arise under contract or otherwise
(“Production Imbalances”). As a result of such succession, Buyer shall
(a) be entitled to receive any and all benefits which Seller would have been
entitled to receive by virtue of its position, including rights to produce
and
receive volumes of production in excess of volumes which it would otherwise
have
been entitled to produce and to receive cash gas balancing by virtue of
ownership of the Assets; (b) be obligated to suffer any detriments or losses
which Seller would have been obligated to suffer by virtue of such position,
including the obligation to deliver to others production volumes which would
have otherwise been attributable to its ownership of the Assets, to deliver
production to purchasers thereof without Buyer receiving full payment therefor,
or to make cash balancing payments or to repay any take or pay payments, and
(c)
be responsible for any and all royalty obligations and other burdens with
respect to such Production Imbalances; provided however, nothing in this
subsection (c) of Section 3.02 shall relieve Seller from any royalty obligation
affecting production Seller has actually received, or which has been credited
to
Seller’s interest in the Assets.
ARTICLE
4
Title
and
Environmental Matters
Section
4.01 Examination
Period.
Until
5:00 p.m. CST on September 7, 2007 (the “Examination Period”), Seller
shall permit Buyer and/or its representatives to examine during normal business
days and hours at a location in Tulsa, Oklahoma, designated by Seller, all
abstracts of title, title opinions, title files, ownership maps, lease, Well
and
division order files, assignments, operating and accounting records and all
Surface Agreements, Permits, Contracts and other agreements pertaining to the
Assets insofar as same may now be in existence and in the possession of Seller,
subject to such restrictions upon disclosure as may exist under confidentiality
or other agreements binding upon Seller or such data.
Section
4.02 Title
Defects.
The
term “Title Defect” means (a) any encumbrance on, encroachment on,
irregularity in, defect in or objection to Seller’s ownership of the Assets
(excluding Permitted Encumbrances) that causes Seller not to have Marketable
Title to a Well, a PUD Location, a PDNP or a Probable and/or Possible Location
as described in Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2 (as applicable); or (b)
any default by Seller under a lease, farmout agreement or other contract or
agreement that would (i) have a material and adverse effect on the operation,
value or use of such Asset, (ii) prevent Seller from receiving the proceeds
of
production attributable to Seller’s interest therein, or (iii) result in
cancellation of all or a portion of Seller’s interest therein. Subject to the
terms of Section 4.03, the term “Marketable Title” means such
ownership by Seller in the Assets that, subject to and except for the Permitted
Encumbrances:
(a) entitles
Seller to receive not less than the percentage set forth in Exhibit D-1
or Exhibit D-2 (as applicable) as Seller’s Net Revenue Interest of all
Hydrocarbons produced, saved and marketed from such Well, PUD Location, PDNP
or
Probable and/or Possible Locations described in either of such exhibits, all
without reduction, suspension or termination of such interest throughout the
productive life of such Well, except as specifically set forth in either of
such
exhibits;
(b) obligates
Seller to bear not greater than the percentage set forth in
Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2 (as applicable) as Seller’s
Working Interest of the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance,
development and operation of such Well, PUD Location, PDNP or Probable and/or
Possible Locations, all without increase throughout the productive life of
such
Well, except as specifically set forth in either of such exhibits;
(c) is
free
and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects in title; and
(d) subject
to the limitations of Section 4.15, breaches of Seller’s representations
and warranties contained in Section 5.07 through Section 5.22
shall be treated as Title Defects.
Section
4.03 Undeveloped
Acreage Marketable Title.
The
term Marketable Title with respect to the Undeveloped Acreage as specifically
described and identified on Exhibit A shall mean that:
(a) Seller’s
ownership in the Undeveloped Acreage is not less than the net acres ascribed
to
each of such Undeveloped Acreage in Exhibit A; and
(b) Seller’s
ownership in the Undeveloped Acreage, subject to Permitted Encumbrances, is
free
and clear of all liens and encumbrances.
In
calculating any remedy or termination right under this Article 4, the
term Title Defect shall include Title Defects with respect to any of the
Undeveloped Acreage. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.04 to
the contrary, in the event a Title Defect affecting Undeveloped Acreage results
from Seller’s ownership being less than the net acres shown on Exhibit A
for the affected Asset, the Title Defect Value of any such Undeveloped Acreage
shall be an amount equal to the product of the applicable Allocated Value of
the
affected Undeveloped Acreage multiplied by a fraction, the numerator being
the
actual net acres of the subject Undeveloped Acreage, and the denominator being
the net acres shown on Exhibit A. Except as set forth in this Section
4.03, the terms and provisions of Article 4 shall apply Mutatis
Mutandis to Title Defects and Title Defect Values of any Undeveloped
Acreage. In applying the provisions of Article 4 to the Undeveloped
Acreage, the term “Net Revenue Interest” shall be substituted by the term “net
acres”, whether or not capitalized.
Section
4.04 Notice
of Title Defects.
Buyer
shall provide Seller notice of all Title Defects no later than 5:00 p.m. CDT
on
September 7, 2007; provided, however, if during the Examination Period, Buyer
discovers any Title Defect affecting any Asset, Buyer shall promptly notify
Seller of such alleged Title Defect. To be effective, such notice must (a)
be in
writing, (b) be received by Seller prior to the expiration of the Examination
Period, (c) describe the Title Defect in sufficient, specific detail (including
any alleged variance in the Net Revenue Interest or Working Interest), (d)
identify the specific Asset or Assets affected by such Title Defect, (e) include
the Title Defect Value, as reasonably determined by Buyer in good faith, and
(f)
comply with the limitations and Title Defect Value qualifications set forth
in
Section 4.15. Any matters identified by Buyer during the Examination
Period that constitute Title Defects, but of which Seller has not been
specifically notified by Buyer in accordance with the foregoing, shall be deemed
to have been waived by Buyer for all purposes and shall constitute Permitted
Encumbrances and Assumed Obligations hereunder. Upon receipt of notices of
Title
Defects, the Parties shall meet and determine upon which of the Title Defects,
Title Defect Values and methods of cure the Parties have reached agreement.
Upon
the receipt of such effective notice from Buyer, Seller shall have the option,
but not the obligation, for a period ending ninety (90) days after the Closing
to cure such defect. If Seller should not elect to cure a Title Defect, and
no
aspect of such defect is reasonably in dispute, the Purchase Price shall be
adjusted for such defect by the amount of the Title Defect Value.
(a) The
value
attributable to each Title Defect (the “Title Defect Value”) that is
asserted by Buyer in the Title Defect notices shall be determined based upon
the
criteria set forth below:
(i) If
the
Title Defect is a lien upon any Asset, the Title Defect Value is the amount
necessary to be paid to remove the lien from the affected Asset;
(ii) If
the
Title Defect asserted is that the Net Revenue Interest attributable to any
Well,
PUD Location, PDNP or Probable and/or Possible Locations is less than that
stated in Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2 (as applicable), then
the Title Defect Value shall be the absolute value of the number determined
by
the following formula:
Title
Defect
Value = A x (1-[B/C])
A = Allocated
Value for the affected Asset
B = Correct
Net Revenue Interest for the affected Asset
C = Net
Revenue Interest for the affected Asset as set forth on Exhibit D-1 or
Exhibit D-2 (as applicable).
(iii) If
the
Title Defect represents an obligation, encumbrance, burden or charge upon the
affected Asset (including any increase in Working Interest for which there
is
not a proportionate increase in Net Revenue Interest) for which the economic
detriment to Buyer is unliquidated, the amount of the Title Defect Value shall
be determined by taking into account the Allocated Value of the affected Asset,
the portion of the Asset affected by the Title Defect, the legal effect of
the
Title Defect, the potential discounted economic effect of the Title Defect
over
the life of the affected Asset, and the Title Defect Values placed upon the
Title Defect by Buyer and Seller;
(iv) If
a
Title Defect is not in effect or does not adversely affect an Asset throughout
the entire productive life of such Asset, such fact shall be taken into account
in determining the Title Defect Value;
(v) The
Title
Defect Value of a Title Defect shall be determined without duplication of any
costs or losses included in another Title Defect Value hereunder;
(vi) Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall a Title Defect Value exceed
the Allocated Value of the Wells, PUD Locations, PDNP, Probable and/or Possible
Locations, Undeveloped Acreage or other Assets affected thereby;
(vii) If
the
Title Defect Value of an Asset is equal to the Allocated Value of such Asset,
the affected Asset shall be excluded from the purchase and sale contemplated
by
this Agreement, and the Purchase Price shall be adjusted
accordingly;
(viii) Notwithstanding
the provisions of this Section 4.04 to the contrary, the Title Defect
Value of any Title Defect comprising a required consent not obtained (other
than
consents customarily obtained after Closing) shall be determined subject to
any
accommodation implemented pursuant to Section 4.08; and
(ix) Such
other factors as are reasonably necessary to make a proper
evaluation.
(b) The
term
Title Defect shall not include:
(i) Defects
based solely on an assertion that Seller’s files lack information, provided that
any missing material information can be obtained by the reasonable efforts
of
Buyer;
(ii) Defects
in the early chain of title consisting of the failure to recite marital status
in a document or omissions of successors of heirship or estate proceedings,
unless Buyer provides a reasonable basis for the assertion that such failure
or
omission has resulted in a third party’s actual and superior claim of title to
the affected Asset;
(iii) Defects
arising out of lack of survey;
(iv) Defects
arising out of lack of corporate or other entity authorization unless Buyer
provides a reasonable basis for the assertion that the action was not authorized
and that such lack of authorization has resulted in a third party’s actual and
superior claim of title to the affected Asset;
(v) Defects
that are defensible by possession under applicable statutes of limitations
for
adverse possession or for prescription; provided that the mere passage of time
in and of itself shall not establish any presumption of the applicability of
the
provisions of this Section 4.04(b)(v);
(vi) Defects
asserting a change in an applicable Working Interest or Net Revenue Interest
based on a change in drilling and spacing units, tract allocation or other
changes in pooling or unit participation occurring after the date of this
Agreement; and
(vii) Title
requirements customarily considered as advisory or which can be waived as a
matter of prudent business judgment.
Section
4.05 Remedies
for Title Defects.
(a) The
Purchase Price shall not be decreased at Closing as a result of any Title Defect
noticed pursuant to Section 4.04 (i) which is not cured prior to or at
Closing (unless the Parties acting reasonably and in good faith agree in lieu
of
a cure of the Title Defect upon the amount of an adjustment to the Purchase
Price with respect thereto prior to the Closing), or (ii) with respect to which
the Parties have not yet agreed as to the validity of the Title Defect, the
Title Defect Value, or the manner of cure, if any, of such Title Defect.
(b) Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Section 4.05, if any Title Defect is in
the nature of a consent to assignment that is not obtained or other restriction
on assignment, the provisions of Section 4.08 shall apply.
(c) If
at the
expiration of thirty (30) days after Closing, the Parties have not agreed upon
the validity of any asserted Title Defect, the appropriate cure of the same,
or
the Title Defect Value attributable thereto, either Party shall have the right
to elect to have any such dispute determined by an Independent Expert pursuant
to Section 4.14.
Section
4.06 Special
Warranty of Title.
The
documents to be executed and delivered by Seller to Buyer, transferring title
to
the Assets as required hereby, including the Assignment and Bill of Sale
attached hereto as Exhibit G (the “Assignment”), shall provide for
a special warranty of title, subject to the Permitted Encumbrances and the
terms
of this Agreement. The term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall mean any of
the following matters to the extent the same are valid and subsisting and affect
the Assets:
(a) any
(i)
undetermined or inchoate liens or charges constituting or securing the payment
of expenses that were incurred incidental to the maintenance, development,
production or operation of the Assets or for the purpose of developing,
producing or processing Hydrocarbons therefrom or therein, and (ii)
materialman’s, mechanics’, repairman’s, employees’, contractors’, operators’
liens or other similar liens or charges for liquidated amounts arising in the
ordinary course of business (A) that Seller has agreed to retain or pay pursuant
to the terms hereof, or (B) for which Seller is responsible for paying or
releasing at the Closing;
(b) any
liens
for taxes and assessments not yet delinquent or, if delinquent, that are being
contested in good faith in the ordinary course of business and for which Seller
has agreed to pay pursuant to the terms hereof or which have been prorated
pursuant to the terms hereof;
(c) the
terms, conditions, restrictions, exceptions, reservations, limitations and
other
matters contained in (including any liens or security interests created by
law
or reserved in oil and gas leases for royalty, bonus or rental, or created
to
secure compliance with the terms of) the Contracts, Surface Agreements, the
Leases and any other agreements, instruments, documents and other matters
described or referred to in any Exhibit or Schedule hereto, or other terms
in
such instruments that create or reserve to Seller its interest in the Assets;
provided, that, such matters do not operate to (i) reduce the Net Revenue
Interest of Seller in any Well, PUD Location, PDNP or Probable and/or Possible
Locations as reflected in Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2 (as
applicable), or (ii) increase the proportionate share of costs and expenses
of leasehold operations attributable to or to be borne by the Working Interest
of Seller with respect to any Well, PUD Location, PDNP or Probable and/or
Possible Locations as reflected in Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2
(as applicable), unless there is a proportionate increase in Seller’s applicable
Net Revenue Interest;
(d) any
obligations or duties affecting the Assets to any Governmental Authority with
respect to any franchise, grant, license or permit, and all applicable federal,
state and local laws, rules, regulations, guidances, ordinances, decrees
(“Laws”) and orders of any Governmental Authority;
(e) any
(i)
easements, rights-of-way, servitudes, permits, surface leases and other rights
in respect of surface operations, pipelines, grazing, hunting, lodging, canals,
ditches, reservoirs or the like, and (ii) easements for streets, alleys,
highways, pipelines, telephone lines, power lines, railways and other similar
rights-of-way on, over or in respect of property owned or leased by Seller
or
over which Seller owns rights-of-way, easements, permits or
licenses;
(f) all
royalties, overriding royalties, net profits interests, carried interests,
production payments, reversionary interests and other burdens on or deductions
from the proceeds of production created or in existence as of the Effective
Time, whether recorded or unrecorded, that do not operate to reduce the Net
Revenue Interest of Seller in any Well, PUD Location, PDNP or Probable and/or
Possible Locations and as reflected in Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2
(as applicable) or reduce the net acres of any Undeveloped Acreage as described
in Exhibit A, or (ii) increase the proportionate share of costs and
expenses of leasehold operations attributable to or to be borne by the Working
Interest of Seller with respect to any Well, PUD Location, PDNP or Probable
and/or Possible Locations as reflected in Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit
D-2 (as applicable), unless there is a proportionate increase in Seller’s
applicable Net Revenue Interest;
(g) preferential
rights to purchase or similar agreements (i) with respect to which (A) waivers
or consents are obtained from the appropriate parties for the transaction
contemplated hereby, or (B) required notices have been given for the transaction
contemplated hereby to the holders of such rights and the appropriate period
for
asserting such rights has expired without an exercise of such rights, or (ii)
not exercised prior to Closing, subject to Section 4.07;
(h) required
third party consents to assignments or similar agreements with respect to which
(i) waivers or consents have been obtained from the appropriate parties for
the
transaction contemplated hereby, or (ii) required notices have been given for
the transaction contemplated hereby to the holders of such rights and the
appropriate period for asserting such rights has expired without an exercise
of
such rights;
(i) all
rights to consent by, required notices to, filings with, or other actions by,
Governmental Authorities in connection with the sale, transfer or conveyance
of
the Assets that are customarily obtained subsequent to such sale or
conveyance;
(j) production
sales contracts; division orders; contracts for sale, purchase, exchange,
refining or processing of hydrocarbons; unitization and pooling designations,
declarations, orders and agreements; operating agreements; agreements of
development; area of mutual interest agreements; gas balancing or deferred
production agreements; processing agreements; plant agreements; pipeline,
gathering and transportation agreements; injection, repressuring and recycling
agreements; water or other disposal agreements; seismic or geophysical permits
or agreements; and any and all other agreements that are ordinary and customary
to the oil, gas and other mineral exploration, development, processing or
extraction business or in the business of processing of gas and gas condensate
production for the extraction of products therefrom; provided, that, such
matters do not operate to (i) reduce the Net Revenue Interest of Seller in
any
Well, PUD Location, PDNP or Probable and/or Possible Locations as reflected
in
Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2 (as applicable) or reduce the net
acres of any Undeveloped Acreage as described in Exhibit A or
(ii) increase the proportionate share of costs and expenses of leasehold
operations attributable to or to be borne by the Working Interest of Seller
with
respect to any Well, PUD Location, PDNP or Probable and/or Possible Locations
as
reflected in Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2 (as applicable),
unless there is a proportionate increase in Seller’s applicable Net Revenue
Interest;
(k) rights
reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority to control or regulate
any
of the Wells or units included in the Assets and the applicable laws, rules,
and
regulations of such Governmental Authorities;
(l) all
defects and irregularities affecting the Assets which individually or in the
aggregate do not operate to (i) reduce the Net Revenue Interest of Seller
in any Well, PUD Location, PDNP or Probable and/or Possible Locations as
reflected in Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2 (as applicable) or reduce
the net acres of any Undeveloped Acreage as described in Exhibit A,
(ii) increase the proportionate share of costs and expenses of leasehold
operations attributable to or to be borne by the Working Interests of Seller
with respect to any Well, PUD Location, PDNP or Probable and/or Possible
Locations as reflected on Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2 (as
applicable) unless there is a proportionate increase in Seller’s applicable Net
Revenue Interest, or (iii) otherwise result in a material and adverse
interference with the operation, value or use of the Assets;
(m) conventional
rights of reassignment arising upon decision to surrender or abandon an
interest; and
(n) all
deeds
of trust and other security interests burdening the Assets granted by Seller
in
connection with its credit facilities under which BNP Paribas serves as
administration agent (the “BNPP Liens”), it being understood that the
release of the BNPP Liens is a condition to the Closing as provided in
Section 9.04.
Section
4.07 Preferential
Rights to Purchase.
(a) After
consultation with Buyer, Seller shall use its reasonable efforts, but without
any obligation to incur anything but nominal costs and expenses in connection
therewith, to comply with all preferential right to purchase provisions relative
to any Asset prior to the Closing, including those rights of preferential
purchase identified on Schedule 4.07.
(b) Prior
to
the Closing, Seller shall promptly notify Buyer if any of such preferential
purchase rights are exercised or if the requisite period has elapsed without
such rights having been exercised.
(c) If
a
third party who has been offered an interest in any Asset pursuant to a
preferential right to purchase elects prior to the Closing to purchase all
or
part of such Assets, and the closing of such transaction does occur on or before
the Closing Date, then the interest or part thereof so affected will be
eliminated from the Assets and the Purchase Price shall be reduced by the
Allocated Value of such Assets. If any such third party has elected to purchase
all or a part of an interest in any Asset subject to a preferential right to
purchase, but has failed to close the transaction by the Closing Date, then
all
of the Assets will be conveyed to Buyer at Closing, without adjustment to the
Purchase Price, and on the Closing Date, Buyer shall, as an Assumed Obligation,
assume all duties, obligations and liabilities, of any kind or nature, arising
from, out of, or in connection with, any enforceable preferential right to
purchase that is outstanding, and, if exercised, Buyer shall receive the payment
therefor and shall assign the affected portion of the Assets to the holder
of
such exercised preferential right to purchase. In addition, in the event an
interest is offered by Seller pursuant to a preferential right to purchase
for
which notice has been given but the time period for response by the holder
of
such right extends beyond Closing, such interest shall be conveyed to Buyer
at
the Closing, without reduction to the Purchase Price, and shall be subject
to
such preferential right of purchase.
Section
4.08 Consents
to Assignment.
If
any Asset is subject to a Title Defect as a result of a consent to assignment
not having been obtained, including those consents to assignment set forth
on
Schedule 4.08, or, of the existence of other restrictions on assignment
or conveyance, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) Buyer
and
Seller shall cooperate in any reasonable and lawful arrangement proposed to
provide Buyer with the benefits of ownership of the affected Asset without
breaching the consent requirement or restriction comprising such Title
Defect;
(b) If
such
arrangement involves Seller retaining actual title with beneficial title being
assigned to Buyer at the Closing, then:
(i) only
such
beneficial title shall be assigned to Buyer at the Closing, without any
adjustment to the Purchase Price for such Title Defect; and
(ii) if
such
consent is obtained or such restriction eliminated following the Closing, then
Seller shall have the right to execute and deliver to Buyer an assignment of
Seller’s retained title and any related obligations consistent with the terms of
this Agreement.
Section
4.09 Remedies
for Title Benefits.
(a) If
Buyer
discovers any Title Benefit affecting the Assets, it shall promptly notify
Seller in writing thereof. Subject to Section 4.15, Seller shall be
entitled to an upward adjustment to the Purchase Price with respect to all
Title
Benefits in an amount (the “Title Benefit Value”) determined in
accordance with the formula provided for in this Section
4.09(a). The term
“Title Benefit” shall mean Seller’s Net
Revenue Interest in any Well, PUD Location, PDNP or Probable and/or Possible
Locations that is greater than or in addition to the Net Revenue Interest set
forth in Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2 (as applicable), or
Seller’s Working Interest in any Well, PUD Location, PDNP or Probable and/or
Possible Locations that is less than the Working Interest set forth in
Exhibit D-1 or Exhibit D-2 (as applicable) (without a
proportionate decrease in the Net Revenue Interest). The Title Benefit Value
shall be the absolute value of the number determined by the following
formula:
Title
Benefit
Value = A x (B/C)
A = Allocated
Value for the affected Asset
B = Correct
Net Revenue Interest for the affected Asset
C = Net
Revenue Interest for the affected Asset as set forth on Exhibit D-1 or
Exhibit D-2 (as applicable).
(b) If
the
Title Benefit represents a decrease in Working Interest for which there is
not a
proportionate decrease in Net Revenue Interest, the amount of the Title Benefit
Value shall be determined by taking into account the Allocated Value of the
affected Asset, the portion of the Asset affected by the Title Benefit, the
legal effect of the Title Benefit, the potential discounted economic effect
of
the Title Benefit over the life of the affected Asset, and the Title Benefit
Values placed upon the Title Benefit by Buyer and Seller.
(c) If
the
Parties have not agreed on the amount of the Title Benefit Value of a Title
Benefit by the expiration of thirty (30) days after Closing, Seller or Buyer
shall have the right to elect to have such Title Benefit Value determined by
an
Independent Expert pursuant to Section 4.14. If the Title Benefit Value
is not determined pursuant to this Agreement by the Closing, the Purchase Price
paid at Closing shall be increased, subject to Section 4.15, by the
Title Benefit Value determined by Buyer, acting reasonably and in good faith,
and, subject to Section 4.15. Upon the final determination of Title
Benefit Value either by mutual agreement of the Parties or by the Independent
Expert, (i) Seller shall refund to Buyer the amount, if any, by which the
amount so paid by Buyer at Closing exceeds such Title Benefit Value, or
(ii) Buyer shall pay to Seller the amount, if any, by which such Title
Benefit Value exceeds the amount so paid by Buyer at Closing.
Section
4.10 Environmental
Review. Buyer
may
conduct an environmental assessment of the Assets prior to the expiration of
the
Examination Period, subject to the following:
(a) Buyer
shall have the right to conduct a Phase I (as that term is defined by the
American Society for Testing and Materials) environmental review of the Assets
prior to the expiration of the Examination Period (“Buyer’s Environmental
Review”) and Seller shall provide to Buyer a copy of any environmental
review Seller has in its possession subject to the same terms of confidentiality
subsequently set forth herein;
(i) The
cost
and expense of Buyer’s Environmental Review shall be borne solely by
Buyer;
(ii) All
inspections must be coordinated through a designated representative of Seller
who may accompany Buyer during the course of Buyer’s inspection of the
Assets;
(iii) All
environmental assessments shall be conducted by an independent environmental
consultant engaged by Buyer at Buyer’s expense;
(iv) Buyer
shall give Seller notice not more than seven (7) days and not less than forty
eight (48) hours before any visits by Buyer and/or its consultant to the Assets,
and Buyer shall seek and obtain Seller’s prior consent (which shall not be
unreasonably withheld) before either it or its consultant enters the
Assets;
(v) Buyer
shall provide Seller a copy of the Phase I report affecting the Assets promptly
after Buyer’s receipt of the same;
(vi) Buyer
shall give Seller prompt written notice and obtain Seller’s prior written
consent (not to be unreasonably withheld) if Buyer desires to conduct a Phase
II
(as that term is defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials)
study based on the recommendations of Buyer’s independent environmental
consultant (acting reasonably) with respect to the Assets. With
respect to any samples taken in connection with Buyer’s Environmental Review,
Buyer shall take split samples, providing one of each such sample, properly
labeled and identified, to Seller;
(vii) Buyer
and/or its consultant shall perform all such work in a safe and workmanlike
manner, shall not unreasonably interfere with Seller’s operations, and shall
comply with all Laws of applicable Governmental Authorities;
(viii) Buyer
shall be solely responsible for obtaining any third party consents that are
required in order to perform any work comprising Buyer’s Environmental Review,
and Buyer shall consult with Seller prior to requesting each such third party
consent; and
(ix) Buyer
hereby agrees to release and defend, indemnify and hold harmless Seller and
Seller’s Representatives from and against all Claims made by (or attributable to
the acts or omissions of) Buyer or Buyer’s Representatives (INCLUDING
THOSE RESULTING FROM THE SOLE, JOINT, OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE (BUT NOT GROSS
NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF
SELLER OR ANY OF SELLER’S
REPRESENTATIVES) arising out of or relating to
Buyer’s Environmental Review. The release and indemnity provisions of this
Section 4.10 shall survive termination or Closing of this Agreement
notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided for in this
Agreement.
(b) Unless
otherwise required by applicable Laws, Buyer shall treat any matters revealed
by
Buyer’s Environmental Review and any environmental review provided by Seller to
Buyer, including any analyses, compilations, studies, documents, reports or
data
prepared or generated from such review (the “Environmental Information”),
as confidential, and Buyer shall not disclose any Environmental Information
to
any Governmental Authority or other third party without the prior written
consent of Seller. Buyer may use the Environmental Information only in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. The
Environmental Information shall be disclosed by Buyer to only those persons
who
need to know the Environmental Information for purposes of evaluating the
transaction contemplated by this Agreement, and who agree to be bound by the
terms of this Section 4.10. If Buyer or any third party to whom
Buyer has provided any Environmental Information is requested, compelled or
required to disclose any of the Environmental Information, Buyer shall provide
Seller with prompt notice sufficiently prior to any such disclosure so as to
allow Seller to file for any protective order, or seek any other remedy, as
it
deems appropriate under the circumstances. If this Agreement is terminated
prior
to the Closing, upon Seller’s request Buyer shall deliver the Environmental
Information, and all copies thereof and works based thereon, to Seller, which
Environmental Information shall become the sole property of Seller. Upon request
Buyer shall provide copies of the Environmental Information to Seller without
charge. The terms and provisions of this Section 4.10(b) shall survive
any such termination of this Agreement, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary.
Section
4.11 Definitions
Used in Article 4 and in this Agreement.
(a) Environmental
Defects. The term “Environmental Defect” shall mean, with respect to
any given Asset, a material violation of Environmental Laws in effect as of
the
Effective Time in the jurisdiction in which such Asset is located.
(b) Governmental
Authority. The term “Governmental Authority” shall mean the United
States and any state, county, city and political subdivisions that exercises
jurisdiction, and any agency, department, board, commission or other
instrumentality thereof.
(c) Environmental
Laws. The term “Environmental Laws” shall mean all Laws currently in
effect of any Governmental Authority pertaining to health or the environment
as
may be interpreted by applicable final, non-appealable court decisions or
administrative orders.
(d) Environmental
Defect Value. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Environmental
Defect Value” shall mean, with respect to any Environmental Defect, the
estimated costs and expenses to correct such Environmental Defect in the most
cost effective manner reasonably available, consistent with Environmental Laws,
taking into account that non-permanent remedies (such as, by way of example
but
not by limitation or similarity, mechanisms to contain or stabilize hazardous
materials, including monitoring site conditions, natural attenuation, risk-based
corrective action, institutional controls or other appropriate restrictions
on
the use of property, caps, dikes, encapsulation, leachate collection systems,
etc.) may be the most cost effective manner reasonably available.
Section
4.12 Notice
of Environmental Defects.
Buyer
shall provide Seller notice of all Environmental Defects no later than 5:00
p.m.
CDT on September 7, 2007; provided, however, if during the Examination Period,
Buyer discovers any Environmental Defect affecting the Assets, Buyer shall
promptly notify Seller of such alleged Environmental Defect. To be effective,
such notice must (a) be in writing, (b) be received by Seller prior to the
expiration of the Examination Period, (c) describe the Environmental Defect
in
sufficient, specific detail, including the written conclusion of Buyer that
an
Environmental Defect exists, which conclusion shall be reasonably substantiated
by the factual data gathered in Buyer’s Environmental Review, (d) identify the
specific Assets affected by such Environmental Defect, (e) set forth the
procedures recommended to correct the Environmental Defect, (f) set forth
Buyer’s reasonable good faith estimate of the Environmental Defect Value,
including the basis for such estimate, and (g) comply with the Environmental
Defect Value provisions of Section 4.15. Any matters that may otherwise
constitute Environmental Defects, but of which Seller has not been specifically
notified by Buyer in accordance with the foregoing, together with any
environmental matter that does not constitute an Environmental Defect, shall
be
deemed to have been waived by Buyer for all purposes and constitute an Assumed
Obligation. Upon receipt of notices of Environmental Defects, the Parties shall
meet and determine upon which of the Environmental Defects, Environmental Defect
Values and methods of correction the Parties have reached agreement. Upon the
receipt of such effective notice from Buyer, Seller shall have the option,
but
not the obligation, to attempt to correct such Environmental Defect during
a
period expiring ninety (90) days after Closing. If Seller should not elect
to
correct an Environmental Defect, and no aspect of such defect is in dispute,
the
Purchase Price shall be adjusted for such defect by the amount of the
Environmental Defect Value.
Section
4.13 Remedies
for Environmental Defects.
(a) The
Purchase Price shall not be decreased as a result of any Environmental Defect
noticed pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.12 which is not corrected
prior to or at Closing (unless the Parties acting reasonably and in good faith
agree in lieu of a correction of the Environmental Defect upon the amount of
an
adjustment to the Purchase Price on account thereof prior to the Closing) or
with respect to which the Parties have not yet agreed as to the validity of
the
Environmental Defect, the Environmental Defect Value, or the manner of
correction, if any, of such Environmental Defect.
(b) If
by the
expiration of thirty (30) days after Closing, the Parties have not agreed upon
the validity of any asserted Environmental Defect, the appropriate correction
of
the same, or on the Environmental Defect Value attributable thereto, either
Party shall have the right to elect to have any such dispute determined by
an
Independent Expert pursuant to Section 4.14.
Section
4.14 Independent
Experts.
(a) Any
disputes regarding Title Defects, Title Benefits, Environmental Defects, Title
Defect Value, Title Benefit Value, Environmental Defect Value, appropriate
cure
of any Title Defects or correction of any Environmental Defects, and the
calculation of any Statement, or revisions thereto, may, subject to the
provisions of Sections 4.05, 4.13 and 4.15, be submitted by
a Party, with written notice to the other Party, to an independent expert (the
“Independent Expert”), who shall serve as the sole and exclusive
arbitrator of any such dispute. The Independent Expert shall be selected by
the
Parties (acting reasonably and in good faith) within fifteen (15) days following
the effective date of said notice. The Independent Expert shall be a person
who
is independent, impartial, and knowledgeable in the subject matter and
substantive laws involved, or in the case of a dispute concerning an alleged
Environmental Defect, Environmental Defect Value or cure of the same, the
Independent Expert shall have expertise in both the applicable Environmental
Laws and environmental science relating to the oil and gas
industry.
(b) The
Parties shall determine, acting in good faith, the procedures to be followed
to
facilitate the decision of the Independent Expert. Such procedures shall include
the following scenario:
(i) If
the
dispute involves the method or adequacy of cure or correction of a Title Defect
or Environmental Defect, the Independent Expert shall provide in writing the
particulars necessary to cure or correct or to remedy any deficient cure or
correction, and shall provide Seller sixty (60) days (or such additional time
as
reasonable and necessary under the circumstances, but not to exceed 90 days
unless specifically agreed to in writing by Seller and Buyer) to effect such
cure or correction;
(ii) In
the
event of circumstances described in clause (i) above, Seller at its option
may
at any time during the sixty (60) day cure period pursuant to clause (i) (as
such period may be extended pursuant to such clause) decline to cure or correct
the applicable defect and may instead promptly reimburse Buyer the amount of
the
Title Defect Value or Environmental Defect Value, as the case may be;
and
(iii) If
the
dispute involves the validity of a Title Defect Value or Environmental Defect
Value with respect to defects which either the Parties agree or the Independent
Expert determines cannot be cured or corrected or which Seller elects not to
cure or correct, Seller shall reimburse to Buyer the Title Defect Value or
the
Environmental Defect Value relating to such defect, as applicable, promptly
after the Independent Expert’s resolution of the same.
(c) If
the Parties fail to select an Independent Expert within such 15-day period,
within three (3) days thereafter, each of Buyer and Seller shall choose an
Independent Expert meeting the qualifications set forth above, and such experts
shall promptly choose a third Independent Expert (meeting the qualifications
provided for herein) who alone shall resolve the disputes between the Parties.
Each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses incurred in connection with
any
such proceeding, and one-half (1/2) of the costs and expenses of the Independent
Expert.
(d) Disputes
to be resolved by an Independent Expert shall be resolved in accordance with
mutually agreed procedures and rules and failing such agreement, in accordance
with the rules and procedures for non-administered arbitration set forth in
the
commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration
Association. The Independent Expert shall be instructed by the
Parties to resolve such dispute as soon as reasonably practicable in light
of
the circumstances using the terms and provisions of this Agreement with respect
to title and environmental matters. The decision and award of the Independent
Expert shall be binding upon the Parties and final and nonappealable to the
maximum extent permitted by Laws or Environmental Laws, as applicable, and
judgment thereon may be entered in a court of competent jurisdiction and
enforced by any Party as a final judgment of such court.
(e) All
proceedings under this Section 4.14 shall be conducted in Tulsa,
Oklahoma or such other mutually agreed location.
Section
4.15 Limitation
of Remedies Title Benefits, Title Defects and Environmental
Defects.
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement,
(a) if
the
Title Defect Value for a given Title Defect, or the Title Benefit Value of
a
given Title Benefit, in each case as determined pursuant to this Article
4 does not exceed Twenty Thousand Dollars ($20,000), or if the Environmental
Defect Value for a given Environmental Defect, as determined pursuant to this
Article 4 does not exceed Twenty Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000), such
Title Defect, Title Benefit or Environmental Defect shall not qualify for either
a Purchase Price adjustment, cure or correction of such defect;
(b) if
the
aggregate net value of all Title Defects and Title Benefits does not exceed
One
Million Dollars ($1,000,000) (prior to any adjustments thereto), then no
adjustment of the Purchase Price shall be made therefor;
(c) if
the
aggregate net value of all Title Defects and Title Benefits exceeds One Million
Dollars ($1,000,000) (prior to any adjustments thereto), then the Purchase
Price
shall be adjusted by the entire amount of such aggregate net value, it being
understood that this amount is a threshold and not a deductible;
(d) if
the
aggregate value of all Environmental Defects does not exceed Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($500,000) (prior to any adjustments thereto), then no
adjustment of the Purchase Price shall be made therefor; and
(e) if
the
aggregate value of all Environmental Defects exceeds Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($500,000) (prior to any adjustments thereto), then the Purchase Price
shall be adjusted by the entire amount of such aggregate value, it being
understood that this amount is a threshold and not a deductible.
All
Title
Defects and Environmental Defects asserted by Buyer pursuant to this Article
4 after being resolved in accordance with this Article 4 shall
constitute Permitted Encumbrances and Assumed Obligations, whether or not an
adjustment to the Purchase Price is made with respect thereto in accordance
with
this Article 4.
Section
4.16 DISCLAIMER
AND WAIVER.
SELLER
DOES NOT MAKE ANY, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES,
AND BUYER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY SUCH REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES, AS TO
THE
ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY FILE AND/OR OTHER INFORMATION, INCLUDING,
PRINTOUTS, EXTRAPOLATIONS, PROJECTIONS, DOCUMENTATION, MAPS, GRAPHS, CHARTS
OR
TABLES WHICH REFLECT, DEPICT, PRESENT, PORTRAY OR WHICH ARE BASED UPON OR
DERIVED FROM ANY SUCH INFORMATION AND/OR FILES, INCLUDING MATTERS OF GEOLOGICAL,
GEOPHYSICAL, ENGINEERING OR OTHER SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION THAT MAY BE PROVIDED
TO
BUYER BY SELLER OR BY OTHERS ON BEHALF OF SELLER. BUYER EXPRESSLY AGREES THAT
ANY CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM REVIEW OF SUCH INFORMATION AND/OR FILES SHALL BE
THE
RESULT OF ITS OWN INDEPENDENT REVIEW AND JUDGMENT.
ARTICLE
5
Representations
and Warranties of Seller
Seller
represents and warrants to Buyer that:
Section
5.01 Existence.
Seller
is a limited liability company duly formed, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Seller has full
legal power, right and authority to carry on its business as such is now being
conducted and as contemplated to be conducted hereby. Seller is
authorized to do business, and in good standing, in the State of
Texas.
Section
5.02 Legal
Power.
Seller
has the legal power and right to enter into and perform this Agreement and
the
transactions contemplated hereby. The consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement will not violate, or be in conflict
with:
(a) any
provision of Seller’s formation documents, limited liability company agreement
and other governing documents;
(b) except
for provisions customarily contained in oil and gas agreements relating to
maintenance of uniform interest, preferential purchase rights and consents
to
assignment, any material agreement or instrument to which Seller is a party
or
by which Seller or the Assets are bound; or
(c) any
judgment, order, ruling or decree applicable to Seller as a party in interest
or
any law, rule or regulation applicable to Seller.
Section
5.03 Execution.
The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby are duly and validly authorized by all requisite limited
liability company action on the part of Seller as required under its formation
documents. This Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation
of
Seller enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as the same may be
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other laws relating to or affecting the
rights of creditors generally, and by general equitable principles.
Section
5.04 Brokers.
No
broker or finder is entitled to any brokerage or finder’s fee, or to any
commission, based in any way on agreements, arrangements or understandings
made
by or on behalf of Seller or any affiliate of Seller for which Buyer has or
will
have any liabilities or obligations (contingent or otherwise).
Section
5.05 Bankruptcy.
There
are no bankruptcy, reorganization or arrangement proceedings pending, being
contemplated by or to the knowledge of Seller threatened against
Seller.
Section
5.06 Suits
and Claims.
Except
as set forth in Schedule 5.06, there is no litigation that has been
filed by any person or entity or by any administrative agency or Governmental
Authority in any legal, administrative or arbitration proceeding or, to Seller’s
knowledge, threatened against Seller or the Assets that would impede Seller’s
ability to consummate the transactions contemplated herein or would have a
material and adverse effect on Seller’s title to or the value of its interests
in the Assets.
Section
5.07 Taxes.
During
the period of Seller’s ownership of the Assets up to the Effective Time, to
Seller’s knowledge, all ad valorem, property, severance, excise and similar
taxes and assessments based on or measured by the value of the Assets or the
production of Hydrocarbons or the receipt of proceeds with respect to such
Assets that have become due and payable have been paid in all material
respects.
Section
5.08 AFEs.
Except
as set forth on Schedule 5.08, there are no outstanding authorizations
for expenditures or other capital commitments which are binding on the Assets
and which individually would require the owner of the Assets after the Effective
Time to expend monies in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars
($50,000).
Section
5.09 Compliance
with Laws.
To
Seller’s knowledge, Seller’s operation (i.e., where Seller is operator
of record) of the Assets has been in compliance with Laws where noncompliance
of
such Laws would have a material and adverse effect on Seller’s ownership and
operation of the Assets or the value thereof.
Section
5.10 Contracts.
To
Seller’s knowledge: (a) the Contracts identified on Exhibit E include the
material Contracts relating to Seller’s day to day ownership and operation of
the Assets, (b) each of the Contracts identified on Exhibit E is in full
force and effect in accordance with its terms, and (c) there are no material
breaches of any of the Contracts identified on Exhibit E for which Seller
is responsible.
Section
5.11 Production
Imbalances.
Except
as set forth in Schedule 1.02(g), to Seller’s knowledge, there are no
material Production Imbalances as of the Effective Time as to any of the Subject
Interests.
Section
5.12 Royalties.
To
Seller’s knowledge, beginning at the time Seller assumed operation of the Assets
up to the Effective Time, Seller has not been and is not in breach of any
payment obligations under any of the Leases.
Section
5.13 Insurance.
Seller
maintains, and through the Closing will maintain, with respect to the Assets,
the insurance coverage described on Schedule 5.13.
Section
5.14 Plugging
Obligations.
Except
for wells listed in Schedule 5.14, there are no dry holes, or shut in or
otherwise inactive wells, located on the Assets or lands pooled or unitized
therewith that Seller has the obligation to plug and abandon.
Section
5.15 Personal
Property and Equipment.
Other
than in connection with normal and customary prudent operations, Seller has
not
removed any personal property, equipment or fixtures from the Wells, unless
it
has been replaced with personal property, equipment or fixtures of similar
grade
and utility. Unless removed, repaired or replaced (a) with personal
property, equipment and fixtures of similar grade and utility or (b) in
connection with normal and customary prudent operations, the personal property,
equipment and fixtures currently attendant to the Wells was the equipment
historically used by Seller on the Wells to produce the Hydrocarbons prior
to
the execution of this Agreement.
Section
5.16 No
Alienation.
Within
120 days of the date hereof, Seller has not voluntarily or involuntarily sold,
assigned, conveyed, or transferred or contracted to sell, assign, convey or
transfer any right or title to, or interest in, the Assets other than (i)
production sold in the ordinary course of Seller’s business and (ii) equipment
which was worthless, obsolete or replaced by equipment of equal suitability
and
value.
Section
5.17 Hydrocarbon
Sales Contracts.
Except
for the Hydrocarbon Sales Contracts listed in Exhibit E, no Hydrocarbons
are subject to a sales contract (other than division orders or spot sales
agreements terminable on no more than 30 days notice) and no person has any
call
upon, option to purchase or similar rights with respect to the production from
the Assets. Proceeds from the sale of oil, condensate, and gas from
the Assets are being received in all respects by Seller in a timely manner
and
are not being held in suspense for any reason.
Section
5.18 Area
of Mutual Interest and Other Agreements; Tax Partnerships.
To
Seller’s knowledge, no Asset is subject to (or has related to it) any area of
mutual interest agreements not disclosed in Exhibit E or any farm-out or
farm-in agreement under which any party thereto is entitled to receive
assignments not yet made, or could earn additional assignments after the
Effective Time other than the Wells listed on Exhibit D-1 as having an
after payout NRI. No Asset is subject to (or has related to it) any tax
partnership.
Section
5.19 Leases.
Seller
has not received a written notice of termination of any of the Leases; provided,
however, that Buyer’s remedy for Seller’s breach of this representation and
warranty shall be the Title Defect mechanism set forth in Article
4.
Section
5.20 Property
Expenses.
In
the ordinary course of business, Seller has paid all property expenses
attributable to the period of time prior to the Effective Time as such property
expenses become due, and such property expenses are being paid in a timely
manner before the same become delinquent, except such property expenses as
are
disputed in good faith by Seller in a timely manner and for which Seller shall
retain responsibility.
Section
5.21 Governmental
Permits.
To
the best of Seller’s knowledge, Seller has all governmental licenses, filings
and permits (including, without limitation, permits, licenses, approval
registrations, notifications, exemptions and any other authorizations pursuant
to Law) necessary or appropriate to own and operate the Assets as presently
being owned and operated. Seller has not received written notice of
any violations in respect of any such licenses or permits that remains
uncured.
Section
5.22 Information.
The
information pertaining to revenue and expenses attributable to the Assets that
Seller has furnished to Buyer (the “Information”) is (a) accurate in all
material respects to the extent relating to the period of Seller’s ownership of
the Assets and (b) to the knowledge of Seller, accurate in all material respects
to the extent relating to the period of ownership of the Assets by J. M. Huber
Corporation or one of its affiliates. Seller has no data in its
possession that it has failed to furnish that would cause the Information to
be
materially inaccurate. Except as specifically set forth in this
Section 5.22, Seller makes no representations regarding the accuracy of
any of the Records; provided, however, Seller does represent that (i) all of
the
Records are files, or copies thereof, that Seller has used in the ordinary
course of operating and owning the Assets, (ii) Seller has not intentionally
withheld any material information from the Records, and (iii) Seller has not
intentionally misrepresented any material information in the
Records. Except as set forth in this Section 5.22, no
representation or warranty of any kind is made by Seller as to the Information
or with respect to the Assets to which the Information relates and Buyer
expressly agrees that any conclusions drawn therefrom shall be the result of
its
own independent review and judgment. The representations contained in this
paragraph shall apply only to matters of fact, and shall not apply to any
information, data, printouts, extrapolations, projections, documentation, maps,
graphs, charts, or tables which reflect, depict, present, portray, or represent,
or which are based upon or derived from, in whole or in part, interpretation
of
the Information including, but not limited to, matters of geological,
geophysical, engineering, or scientific interpretation.
Section
5.23 Notice
of Changes.
Promptly
upon its discovery or identification of same, but in any event prior to Closing,
Seller shall provide Buyer written notice of any matter it so identifies that
has a material effect on Buyer’s representations or warranties under this
Agreement, or rendering any such warranty or representation untrue or
inaccurate. Seller shall be deemed to have waived any Claims arising from or
out
of any such matter if it fails to so notify Buyer as herein
provided.
Section
5.24 Representations
and Warranties Exclusive.
All
representations and warranties contained in this Article 5 are exclusive,
and are given in lieu of all other representations and warranties, express,
implied or statutory.
ARTICLE
6
Representations
and Warranties of Buyer
Buyer
represents and warrants to Seller that:
Section
6.01 Existence.
Buyer
is a corporation duly formed, organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the state of its formation. Buyer has full legal
power, right and authority to carry on its business as such is now being
conducted. Buyer is authorized to do business as a foreign
corporation, and in good standing, in the State of Texas.
Section
6.02 Legal
Power.
Buyer
has the legal power and right to enter into and perform this Agreement and
the
transactions contemplated hereby. The consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement does not and will not violate, or be in conflict
with:
(a) any
provision of Buyer’s formation documents or other governing
documents;
(b) any
material agreement or instrument to which Buyer is a party or by which Buyer
or
its assets are bound; or
(c) any
judgment, order, ruling or decree applicable to Buyer as a party in interest
or
any law, rule or regulation applicable to Buyer.
Section
6.03 Execution.
The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby are duly and validly authorized by all requisite
organizational action on the part of Buyer. This Agreement constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer enforceable in accordance with
its
terms, except as the same may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other
laws
relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, and by general
equitable principles.
Section
6.04 Brokers.
No
broker or finder is entitled to any brokerage or finder’s fee, or to any
commission, based in any way on agreements, arrangements or understandings
made
by or on behalf of Buyer or any affiliate of Buyer for which Seller has or
will
have any liabilities or obligations (contingent or otherwise).
Section
6.05 Bankruptcy.
There
are no bankruptcy, reorganization or arrangement proceedings pending, being
contemplated by or to the knowledge of Buyer threatened against Buyer or any
affiliate of Buyer.
Section
6.06 Suits
and Claims.
There
is no suit, action, claim, investigation or inquiry by any person or entity
or
by any administrative agency or Governmental Authority and no legal,
administrative or arbitration proceeding pending or, to Buyer’s knowledge,
threatened against Buyer or any affiliate of Buyer that will have a material
effect on Buyer’s ability to consummate the transactions contemplated
herein.
Section
6.07 Independent
Evaluation.
Buyer
acknowledges that it is an experienced and knowledgeable investor in the oil
and
gas business, and the business of purchasing, owning, developing and operating
oil and gas properties such as the Assets. If Closing occurs, Buyer represents,
warrants and acknowledges to Seller that it has had full access to the Assets,
the officers, and employees of Seller, and to the books, records and files
of
Seller relating to the Assets. In making the decision to enter into this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, Buyer has
relied solely upon its own independent due diligence and investigation of the
Assets, and has been advised by and has relied solely on its own expertise
and
its own legal, tax, operations, environmental, reservoir engineering and other
professional counsel and advisors concerning this transaction, the Assets and
the value thereof. In addition, Buyer acknowledges and agrees that Buyer will
be
or has been advised by and relies solely on its own expertise, and the expertise
of its legal counsel and any advisors or experts concerning matters relating
to
Title Defects, Title Benefits and Environmental Defects.
Section
6.08 Qualification.
As
of the Closing the Buyer shall be, and thereafter shall continue to be,
qualified with all applicable Governmental Authorities to own and operate the
Assets, including meeting all bonding requirements.
Section
6.09 Securities
Laws.
Buyer
is acquiring the Assets for its own account and not with a view to, or for
offer
of resale in connection with, a distribution thereof, within the meaning of
the
Securities Act of 1933, 15 U.S.C. § 77a et seq., and any other rules,
regulations, and laws pertaining to the distribution of securities. Buyer has
not sought or solicited, nor is Buyer participating with, investors, partners
or
other third parties in order to fund the Purchase Price and to close this
transaction, and all funds used by Buyer in connection with this transaction
are
Buyer’s own funds.
Section
6.10 No
Investment Company.
Buyer
is not (a) an investment company or a company controlled by an investment
company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
or
(b) subject in any respect to the provisions of that Act.
Section
6.11 Funds.
Buyer
has arranged to have available by the Closing Date immediately available funds
to enable Buyer to pay in full the Purchase Price as herein provided and
otherwise to perform its obligations under this Agreement. Payment of the
Purchase Price by Buyer is not contingent upon Buyer obtaining any new
borrowings, financings or equity contributions in Buyer or in any of its
affiliates beyond Buyer’s existing credit facility, which Buyer represents is
sufficient to fund any obligations of Buyer in consummating the transaction
contemplated by this Agreement.
Section
6.12 Notice
of Changes.
Promptly
upon its discovery or identification of same, but in any event prior to Closing,
Buyer shall provide to Seller written notice of any matter it so identifies
that
has a material effect on any of Seller’s representations or warranties under
this Agreement, or rendering any such warranty or representation untrue or
inaccurate. Buyer shall be deemed to have waived any Claims arising from or
out
of any such matter if it fails to so notify Seller as herein
provided.
Section
6.13 Representations
and Warranties Exclusive.
All
representations and warranties contained in this Agreement and the documents
delivered in connection herewith, are exclusive, and are given in lieu of all
other representations and warranties, express, implied or
statutory.
ARTICLE
7
Operation
of the Assets
Section
7.01 Operation
of the Assets.
(a) From
and
after the date of execution of this Agreement, and subject to the provisions
of
applicable operating and other agreements, Seller shall (i) use its
reasonable efforts during the period prior to the Closing, to operate and
administer the Assets in a manner consistent with its past practices, and
(ii) make payment of all costs and expenses attributable to the ownership
or operation of the Assets and relating to the period prior to the transfer
of
operations to Buyer, and shall carry on its business with respect to the Assets
in substantially the same manner as before execution of this Agreement. Seller
shall use its reasonable efforts to preserve in full force and effect all
Leases, Surface Agreements, Permits and Contracts that relate to the Assets
in a
manner consistent with its past practices.
(b) Buyer
acknowledges that Seller owns undivided interests in some or all of the Assets,
and Buyer agrees that the acts or omissions of the other working interests
owners shall not constitute a violation of the provisions of this Article
7, nor shall any action required by a vote of working interest owners
constitute such a violation so long as Seller has voted its interests in a
manner that complies with the provisions of this Article 7.
Section
7.02 Buyer’s
Qualification.
At
Closing Buyer shall be qualified and shall meet all requirements, including
bonding requirements, to be designated operator of that portion of the Assets
for which Seller serves as operator.
Section
7.03 Operation
of the Assets after the Closing.
(a) Seller
shall not be obligated to continue operating any of the Assets following the
Closing, and Buyer hereby assumes full responsibility for operating (or causing
the operation of) all Assets following the Closing. Seller shall make its
employees and contractors available to Buyer prior to the Closing as may be
reasonably necessary to assist in the transition if Buyer becomes the operator.
Seller does not warrant or guarantee that Buyer will become the operator of
the
Assets or any portion thereof, as such matter will be controlled by the
applicable joint operating agreement(s) and other applicable agreement(s).
Without implying any obligation on Seller’s part to continue operating any
Assets after the Closing, if Seller elects, at its sole option, to continue
to
operate any Assets following the Closing at the request of Buyer, or by any
third party working interest owner due to constraints of applicable joint
operating agreement(s) and other applicable agreement(s), failure of a successor
operator to take over operations, or for other reasonable cause, such continued
operation by Seller shall be for the account of Buyer, and at the sole risk,
cost and expense of Buyer. Buyer agrees to release and defend, indemnify and
hold Seller and its Representatives harmless from Claims, including any Claims
of Buyer or its affiliates or successors and assigns relating in any manner
directly or indirectly to the operation of the Assets after Closing
(INCLUDING THOSE CLAIMS RESULTING FROM THE SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT
NEGLIGENCE (BUT NOT GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT), STRICT LIABILITY
OR
OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF SELLER OR ANY OF SELLER’S
REPRESENTATIVES).
(b) In
consideration of any conduct of operations of the Assets by Seller on behalf
of
Buyer after Closing, Buyer shall pay Seller a fee equal to Two Hundred Dollars
($200.00) per month per Well, including all other wells, such as, by way of
example and not limitation, salt water disposal wells, wells that are
temporarily abandoned and wells that are otherwise inactive, as reimbursement
for all general and administrative overhead (“Overhead Fee”) incurred by
Seller in connection with the conduct of operations of the Assets. In the event
Seller transfers operations to Buyer or its designee between the first and
last
day of a calendar month, Seller shall be paid such amount of the Overhead Fee
prorated over the number of days in which Seller conducted operations for such
month. The amount of the Overhead Fee owing to Seller by Buyer shall be paid
upon the Final Settlement Date.
Section
7.04 Post
Closing Accounting by Seller.
In
the event Seller agrees to operate the Assets after Closing, Seller shall
perform the following accounting tasks subject to the limitations provide for
herein:
(a) Seller
will continue to pay royalties and severance taxes for sales through the
production month following the month in which Closing occurs
(“Post-ClosingProduction Month”). If any revenue is received by
Seller for later months, it will be credited to Buyer in the Final Settlement
Statement; provided however, Seller shall not be obligated to and will not
pay
any royalties and severance taxes, if applicable, with respect to Hydrocarbons
produced after the Post-Closing Production Month.
(b) Seller
will continue to pay or bill joint interest owners for expenses through the
accounting month following the Post-Closing Production Month. All later expenses
will be either accumulated or charged to Buyer in the Final Settlement
Statement, or the invoices will be returned to the vendor for rebilling to
Buyer. Seller will continue to pay to the operator of any Assets not
operated by Seller for joint billings for the billing month after the month
in
which Closing occurs. All subsequent bills will either be returned to
the applicable operator for rebilling to Buyer or forwarded to Buyer for
payment, or if already paid by Seller, will be charged against Buyer in the
Final Settlement Statement. Seller will continue to prepare all
regulatory and other monthly production reports through the Post-Closing
Production Month. Copies of such reports attributable to the period after the
Effective Time will be provided to Buyer, along with the final ending inventory
balance.
(c) Seller
will continue to pay all shut-in royalties, minimum royalties, delay rentals
and
other lease payment obligations through the Post-Closing Production
Month.
(d) Seller
shall market and nominate all Hydrocarbons in the same manner as Seller has
been
marketing and nominating Hydrocarbons.
Section
7.05 Limitations
on Liability of Operator.
Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, in the event Seller or an affiliate of Seller
should assume any accounting functions on behalf of Buyer from and after
Closing, notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided herein, Seller shall
have no liability to Buyer for, and Buyer hereby agrees to release and defend,
indemnify and hold harmless Seller and Seller’s Representatives harmless from,
the incorrect payment of expenses, taxes, billings, delay rentals, royalties,
minimum royalties, payments required by any of the Leases, shut-in royalties
or
similar payments, or for any failure to pay any such payments through mistake
or
oversight (INCLUDING THOSE RESULTING FROM THE SOLE, JOINT OR CONCURRENT
NEGLIGENCE (BUT NOT GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT), STRICT LIABILITY
OR
OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF SELLER OR ANY OF SELLER’S
REPRESENTATIVES) from and after the Effective
Time, except to the extent of any amounts included in the upward Purchase Price
Allocations and Adjustment made pursuant to Section 10.02. In
no event shall Buyer’s remedy for breach of obligations by Seller (or any of its
Representatives) under this Article 7 exceed the Allocated Value of the
Subject Interest affected by such breach.
ARTICLE
8
Conditions
to Obligations of Seller
The
obligations of Seller to consummate the transactions provided for herein are
subject, at the option of Seller, to the fulfillment on or prior to the Closing
Date of each of the following conditions:
Section
8.01 Representations.
The
representations and warranties of Buyer herein contained shall be true and
correct in all material respects on the Closing Date as though made on and
as of
such date;
Section
8.02 Performance.
Buyer
shall have performed all material obligations, covenants and agreements
contained in this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it at or prior
to the Closing; and
Section
8.03 Pending
Matters.
No
suit, action or other proceeding shall be pending or threatened that seeks
to,
or could reasonably result in a judicial order, judgment or decree that would,
restrain, enjoin or otherwise prohibit the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.
ARTICLE
9
Conditions
to Obligations of Buyer
The
obligations of Buyer to consummate
the transaction provided for herein are subject, at the option of Buyer, to
the
fulfillment on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following
conditions:
Section
9.01 Representations.
(a)
The representations and warranties of Seller contained in Section
5.01 through Section 5.06 shall be true and correct in all material
respects on the Closing Date as though made on and as of such date, and (b)
no
action or omission of Seller during the period of time commencing upon the
expiration of the Examination Period and ending on the Closing Date shall have
caused any of the representations and warranties of Seller contained in
Section 5.07 through Section 5.22 not to be true and correct in
all material respects on the Closing Date as though made on and as of such
date;
Section
9.02 Performance.
Seller
shall have performed all material obligations, covenants and agreements
contained in this Agreement to be performed or complied with by it at or prior
to the Closing;
Section
9.03 Pending
Matters.
No
suit, action or other proceeding shall be pending or threatened that seeks
to,
or could reasonably result in a judicial order, judgment or decree that
would, restrain, enjoin, or otherwise prohibit the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
Section
9.04 BNPP
Liens.
Seller
shall have delivered to Buyer releases of all BNPP Liens in form suitable for
recording or filing (as applicable); and
Section
9.05 Continuous
Operations.
(a) Either
(a) Buyer shall have confirmed to its reasonable satisfaction that the Leases
with a primary term end date of December 31, 2007, can be extended beyond such
date by compliance with the 120 day continuous operations clause as contained
in
such Leases even if actual drilling operations are not being conducted over
the
end of such primary term or (b) Seller shall have entered into such arrangements
with the lessor(s) under such Leases as are satisfactory to Buyer.
ARTICLE
10
The
Closing
Section
10.01 Time
and Place of the Closing.
If
the conditions referred to in Article 8 and Article 9 have been
satisfied or waived in writing, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Seller at 9:00 a.m.
CDT on October 4, 2007 (the “Closing Date”).
Section
10.02 Allocation
of Costs and Expenses and Adjustments to Purchase Price at the
Closing.
(a) At
the
Closing, the Purchase Price shall be increased by the following
amounts:
(i) the
amount of all (A) paid ad valorem, property or similar taxes and assessments
based upon or measured by the ownership of the Assets, insofar as such taxes
relate to periods of time from and after the Effective Time, and (B) paid
charges, and costs and expenses of any kind or nature that are attributable
to
the Assets and the period from and after Effective Time;
(ii) all
expenses, including operating and capital expenditures, incurred and paid by
or
on behalf of Seller in connection with ownership, operation and use of the
Assets attributable to the period from and after the Effective
Time;
(iii) all
royalties, rentals, insurance premiums (including property and business
interruption coverage) and other charges attributable to the Assets for the
period of from and after the Effective Time to the extent paid by or on behalf
of Seller;
(iv) expenses
incurred under applicable operating agreements including any overhead charges
allowable under the applicable operating procedure (COPAS) where Seller is
non-operator attributable to the Assets for the period of from and after the
Effective Time to the extent paid by or on behalf of Seller (the costs and
expenses for which Seller shall receive an upward adjustment to the Purchase
Price pursuant to clauses (i) through (iv) inclusive, shall be referred to
as
the “Interim Operating Expenses”);
(v) all
upward Purchase Price adjustments for Title Benefits determined in accordance
with Article 4;
(vi) the
value
of all oil, gas and natural gas liquids in storage or in the pipelines as of
the
Effective Time that is credited to the Assets, such value to be the actual
price
received for such oil, gas or natural gas liquids upon the first unaffiliated
third party sale thereof, if available, and upon such estimates as are
reasonably agreed upon by the Parties, to the extent actual amounts are not
known at Closing, and (B) for purposes of the Final Settlement Statement,
be based upon actual amounts; and
(vii) any
other
amount provided for in this Agreement or agreed upon in writing by Buyer and
Seller.
(b) At
the
Closing, the Purchase Price shall be decreased by the following
amounts:
(i) an
amount
equal to the sales price paid by the first purchaser of the Hydrocarbons
produced, saved and sold from the Subject Interests from the Effective Time
to
the Closing Date (without deductions of any kind or nature, including, but
not
limited to, royalties and any taxes based on production), which Purchase Price
Allocations and Adjustments shall (A) for purposes of the pre-Closing
Statement, be based upon actual amounts, if available, and upon such estimates
as are reasonably agreed upon by the Parties, to the extent actual amounts
are
not known at Closing, and (B) for purposes of the Final Settlement
Statement, be based upon actual amounts.
(ii) an
amount
equal to all cash in, or attributable to, suspense accounts held by Seller
relating to the Assets for which Buyer has assumed responsibility under
Section 12.01;
(iii) the
Allocated Value of any Asset sold prior to the Closing to the holder of a
preferential right pursuant to Section 4.07;
(iv) the
Allocated Value of any Asset excluded from the purchase and sale contemplated
herein pursuant to the provisions of Article 4.
(v) all
downward Purchase Price Adjustments for Title Defects and Environmental Defects
determined in accordance with Article 4; and
(vi) any
other
amount provided for in this Agreement or agreed upon in writing by Buyer and
Seller.
(c) The
allocations of costs and expenses and/or adjustments described in Sections
10.02(a) and (b) are referred to herein as the “Purchase Price
Allocations and Adjustments.”
Section
10.03 Closing
Adjustments and Allocations Statement.
Not
later than three (3) business days prior to the Closing Date, Seller shall
prepare and deliver to Buyer a statement of the estimated Purchase Price
Allocations and Adjustments with appropriate support (the “Statement”),
which Statement shall be based upon the then most currently available data
and
information in order to make the adjustments as provided in
Section 10.02.
Section
10.04 Post-Closing
Allocations and Adjustments to Purchase Price.
(a) On
or
before 120 days after the Closing Date, Seller shall prepare and deliver to
Buyer a revised Statement (“Final Settlement Statement”) setting forth
the actual Purchase Price Allocations and Adjustments. Each Party shall provide
the other such data and information as may be reasonably requested to permit
Seller to prepare the Final Settlement Statement or to permit Buyer to perform
or cause to be performed an audit of the Final Settlement Statement. The Final
Settlement Statement shall become final and binding upon the parties on the
thirtieth (30th) day following receipt thereof by Buyer (the “Final
Settlement Date”) unless Buyer gives written notice of its disagreement (a
“Notice of Disagreement”) to Seller prior to
such date. Any Notice of Disagreement shall specify in reasonable detail the
dollar amount and the nature and basis of any disagreement so asserted. If
a
Notice of Disagreement is received by Seller in a timely manner, then the
Parties shall resolve the dispute evidenced by the Notice of Disagreement by
mutual agreement, or otherwise in accordance with Section
4.14.
(b) If
the
amount of the adjusted Purchase Price as set forth on the Final Settlement
Statement exceeds the amount of the estimated Purchase Price paid at the
Closing, then Buyer shall pay in immediately available funds to Seller the
amount by which the Purchase Price as set forth on the Final Settlement
Statement exceeds the amount of the estimated Purchase Price paid at the Closing
within five (5) business days after the Final Settlement Date. If the
amount of the adjusted as set forth on the Final Settlement Statement is less
than the amount of the estimated Purchase Price paid at the Closing, then Seller
shall pay in immediately available funds to Buyer the amount by which the
Purchase Price as set forth on the Final Settlement Statement is less than
the
amount of the estimated Purchase Price paid at the Closing within five (5)
business days after the Final Settlement Date.
(c) Pursuant
to Section 10.02(b), the Purchase Price is to be reduced by the
value of Hydrocarbons produced during the period from the Effective Time to
the
Closing Date. If Buyer shall receive any revenues attributable to such
Hydrocarbons for any reason, Buyer shall promptly remit same in immediately
available funds to Seller. Likewise, if Seller shall for any reason receive
any
of the proceeds of sale of Hydrocarbons produced and saved from the Subject
Interests and attributable to the period from and after the Closing Date or
any
other revenues attributable to the ownership or operation of the Assets from
and
after the Effective Time, Seller shall promptly remit same in immediately
available funds to Buyer.
(d) Except
as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, any costs and expenses, including taxes
(other than income tax and Texas gross margin tax) relating to the Assets which
are not reflected in the Final Settlement Statement shall be treated as
follows:
(i) All
costs
and expenses relating to the Assets for the period of time prior to the
Effective Time shall be the sole obligation of Seller and Seller shall promptly
pay, or if paid by Buyer, promptly reimburse Buyer in immediately available
funds for and indemnify, defend, and hold Buyer harmless from and against the
same; and
(ii) All
costs
and expenses relating to the Assets for which Buyer is responsible being those
incurred on or after the Effective Time shall be the sole obligation of Buyer
and Buyer shall promptly pay, or if paid by Seller, promptly reimburse Seller
in
immediately available funds for and indemnify, defend and hold Seller harmless
from and against the same.
(e) Purchase
Price adjustments, if any, with respect to Title Defects or Environmental
Defects the cure or correction of which or a dispute with respect to the same
remains pending on the Final Settlement Date shall be made on a date mutually
agreed by the Parties, both acting reasonably.
Section
10.05 Transfer
Taxes.
All
sales, use and other taxes (other than taxes on gross income, net income or
gross receipts and Texas gross margin tax) and duties, levies or other
governmental charges incurred by or imposed with respect to the property
transfers undertaken pursuant to this Agreement shall be the responsibility
of,
and shall be paid by, Buyer.
Section
10.06 Ad
Valorem and Similar Taxes
.
All
unpaid ad valorem, property and similar taxes and assessments based upon or
measured by the value of the Assets and attributable to the period and
Hydrocarbons produced from or attributable to the Assets prior to the Effective
Time will be paid by the Seller, and thereafter all such taxes shall be paid
by
Buyer.
Section
10.07 Actions
of Seller at the Closing.
At
the Closing, Seller shall:
(a) execute,
acknowledge and deliver to Buyer the Assignment in the form of Exhibit G,
effective as of the Effective Time, and such other conveyances, assignments,
transfers, bills of sale and other instruments (in form and substance mutually
agreed upon by Buyer and Seller) as may be necessary or desirable to convey
the
Assets to Buyer;
(b) execute,
acknowledge and deliver to Buyer such letters in lieu of transfer or division
orders as may be reasonably requested by Buyer no less than five (5) business
days prior to the Closing Date directing all purchasers of production from
the
Subject Interests to make payment of proceeds attributable to such production
to
Buyer from and after the later of the Closing Date or the date operations and
accounting functions are transferred to Buyer;
(c) deliver
to Buyer possession of the Assets (excluding the Records);
(d) execute
and deliver to Buyer an affidavit attesting to its non-foreign status;
(e) execute,
acknowledge and deliver any other agreements provided for herein or necessary
or
desirable to effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby; and
(f) return
the Deposit to Buyer in immediately available funds pursuant to wire transfer
instructions to be provided by Buyer to Seller.
Section
10.08 Actions
of Buyer at the Closing.
At
the Closing, Buyer shall:
(a) pay
the
Purchase Price (as adjusted pursuant to the provisions hereof) in immediately
available funds pursuant to wire transfer instructions to be provided by Seller
to Buyer.
(b) take
possession of the Assets; and
(c) execute,
acknowledge and deliver the Assignment and any other agreements provided for
herein or necessary or desirable to effectuate the transactions contemplated
hereby.
Section
10.09 Recordation;
Further Assurances.
(a) Promptly
following the Closing, Buyer shall cause the documents identified in Sections
9.04 and 10.07(a) to be recorded or filed in the appropriate real property
and other applicable records, in the order reasonably agreed upon by the
Parties, and Buyer shall promptly provide Seller copies of all such recorded
or
filed instruments.
(b) Subject
to such additional period of time that Seller reasonably requires to use the
Records in the conduct of operations after Closing, Seller shall make the
Records available to be picked up by Buyer at the offices of Seller during
normal business hours within thirty (30) days after the Closing, to the extent
the Records are in the possession of Seller and are not subject to contractual
restrictions on transferability. Seller shall have the right at its sole expense
to make and retain copies of any of the Records and the rights granted under
Section 14.03.
(c) After
the
Closing Date, each Party, at the request of the other Party and without
additional consideration, shall execute and deliver, or shall cause to be
executed and delivered, from time to time such further instruments of conveyance
and transfer and shall take such other action as the other Party may reasonably
request to convey and deliver the Assets to Buyer and to accomplish the orderly
transfer of the Assets to Buyer in the manner contemplated by this Agreement.
After the Closing, the Parties will cooperate to have all proceeds received
attributable to the Assets to be paid to the proper Party hereunder and to
have
all expenditures to be made with respect to the Assets be made by the proper
Party hereunder.
ARTICLE
11
Termination
Section
11.01 Right
of Termination.
This
Agreement may be terminated at any time at or prior to the Closing:
(a) by
mutual
written consent of the Parties;
(b) by
Seller
on the Closing Date if the conditions set forth in Article 8 have not
been satisfied in all material respects by Buyer or waived by Seller in writing
by the Closing Date;
(c) by
Buyer
on the Closing Date if the conditions set forth in Article 9 have not
been satisfied in all material respects by Seller or waived by Buyer in writing
by the Closing Date;
(d) by
either
Party if the Closing shall not have occurred by October 31,
2007;
(e) by
any
Party if any Governmental Authority shall have issued a final and non-appealable
order, judgment or decree or taken any other final and non-appealable action
challenging, restraining, enjoining, prohibiting or invalidating the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated herein;
(f) by
Seller
or Buyer if (i) the aggregate amount of the Title Defect Values with respect
to
all Title Defects asserted by Buyer reasonably and in good faith (net of the
aggregate amount of the Purchase Price Adjustments for all Title Benefits)
plus (ii) the aggregate amount of the Environmental Defect Values with
respect to all Environmental Defects asserted by Buyer reasonably and in good
faith exceeds ten percent (10%) of the unadjusted Purchase Price;
(g) by
Buyer
or Seller if between execution of this Agreement and Closing, an event should
occur having a Material Adverse Effect on the ownership and operation of the
Assets as a whole; or
(h) as
otherwise provided herein;
provided,
however, that no Party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant
to clause (b), (c) or (d) above if such Party is at such time in material breach
of any provision of this Agreement, or such Party instigates a preceding of
the
nature described in Sections 8.03 and 9.03.
Section
11.02 Effect
of Termination.
In
the event that the Closing does not occur as a result of any Party exercising
its right to terminate pursuant to Section 11.01, then except as set
forth in Section 2.02, this Agreement shall be null and void and no Party
shall have any further rights or obligations under this Agreement; provided,
that, nothing herein shall relieve any Party from any liability for any breach
hereof or any liability that has accrued prior to the date of such termination,
which liability, and the applicable terms and provisions of this Agreement,
shall survive such termination.
Section
11.03 Attorneys’
Fees, Etc.
If
either Party to this Agreement resorts to legal proceedings to enforce this
Agreement, the prevailing Party in such proceedings shall be entitled to recover
all costs incurred by such Party, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, in
addition to any other relief to which such Party may be entitled.
ARTICLE
12
Assumption
and Indemnification
Section
12.01 Buyer’s
Obligations after Closing.
Upon
and after Closing, except to the extent reflected in an upward Purchase Price
Allocations and Adjustments, Buyer will assume and perform all the obligations,
liabilities and duties relating or with respect to the ownership and/or
operation of the Assets that are attributable to periods on or after the
Effective Time, together with the Plugging and Abandonment Obligations, the
Environmental Obligations, and all other obligations assumed by Buyer under
this
Agreement (collectively, the “Assumed Obligations”). Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the Assumed Obligations shall also specifically
include:
(a) Responsibility
for the performance of all express and implied obligations under the instruments
described in Exhibit A, together with all other instruments in the
chain of title to such Assets, the Leases, the Contracts, the Surface
Agreements, the Permits and all other orders, contracts and agreements to which
the Assets are subject, including the payment of royalties and overriding
royalties, in each case to the extent attributable to the periods on or after
the Effective Time, except to the extent reflected in a Purchase Price
Adjustment;
(b) Responsibility
for payment of all amounts held in suspense accounts by Seller as of the Closing
Date, and for which the Purchase Price is adjusted pursuant to
Section 10.02(b), without regard to whether such suspense amounts
relate to periods before or after the Effective Time. Seller covenants and
agrees to provide to Buyer with the Records, the owner name, number and tax
identification number (if known by Seller), the reason such amounts are in
suspense, the amount of suspense funds for each such owner making up the total
of such funds, and all other information with respect thereto required to be
provided to the owner or to the state under the laws, rules and regulations
of
the State of Texas. To the extent practicable, Seller shall provide such
information in the electronic or computer sensible form maintained by Seller.
Seller shall remain responsible for the payment of any statutory interest and
penalties which may have accrued prior to the Effective Time with respect to
such suspense amounts, whether payable to the interest owner or to any state
agency in connection with unclaimed property laws, to the extent such interest
and penalties are not included in the amount deducted from the Purchase Price
pursuant to Section 10.02(b);
(c) Responsibility
for compliance with all Laws now or hereafter in effect pertaining to the
Assets, and the procurement and maintenance of all permits, consents and
authorizations of or required by Governmental Authorities in connection with
the
Assets, attributable to periods on or after the Effective Time; and
(d) Responsibility
for all obligations with respect to Production Imbalances attributable to the
Assets, whether attributable to periods before or after the Effective
Time.
Section
12.02 Seller’s
Obligations after Closing.
(a) After
Closing, Seller will retain responsibility for (a) the payment of all operating
expenses and capital expenditures related to the Assets and attributable to
Seller’s ownership and operation of the Assets prior to the Effective Time, (b)
severance, ad valorem and similar taxes measured by the value of the Assets
or
measured by the production of Hydrocarbons applicable to the period from the
effective date of Seller’s ownership of the Assets and prior to the Effective
Time, and (c) third party claims with respect to payments of lease royalties
in
respect of the Leases during Seller’s period of ownership of such Leases (the
“Retained Obligations”).
Section
12.03 Plugging and Abandonment
Obligations.
(a) Buyer’s
Obligations.
Provided
Closing occurs and to the extent not otherwise addressed by the express
provisions of this Agreement, Buyer assumes full responsibility and liability
for the following plugging and abandonment obligations related to the Assets
(the “Plugging and Abandonment Obligations”),
regardless of whether they are attributable to the ownership or operation of
the
Assets before or after the Effective Time:
(i) The
necessary and proper plugging, replugging and abandonment of all wells on the
Assets, whether plugged and abandoned before or after the Effective
Time;
(ii) The
necessary and proper decommissioning, removal, abandonment, and disposal of
all
structures, pipelines, facilities, equipment, abandoned Assets, junk and other
personal property located on or comprising any part of the Assets;
(iii) The
necessary and proper capping and burying of all associated flow lines located
on
or comprising any part of the Assets, to the extent required by applicable
Laws,
the Leases, the Contracts, or other agreements;
(iv) The
necessary and proper restoration of the Assets, both surface and subsurface,
in
compliance with any applicable Laws, the Leases, the Surface Agreements, the
Contracts, or any other applicable agreements;
(v) To
the
extent not addressed by operation of Article 4, any necessary clean-up or
disposal of any part of the Assets contaminated by NORM, asbestos containing
materials, lead based paint or any other substances or materials considered
to
be hazardous under Laws, including Environmental Laws, and Laws relating to
the
protection of natural resources;
(vi) All
obligations arising from contractual requirements and demands made by
Governmental Authorities or parties claiming a vested interest in any part
of
the Assets; and
(vii) Obtaining
and maintaining all bonds and securities, including supplemental or additional
bonds or other securities, that may be required by contract or by Governmental
Authorities.
(b) Standard
of Operations. Buyer shall conduct all Plugging and Abandonment Obligations
and all other operations with respect to the Assets in a good and workmanlike
manner and in compliance with all Laws, including Environmental Laws and Laws
(now or hereafter in effect) relating to the protection of natural
resources.
Section
12.04 Environmental
Obligations.
Provided
Closing occurs and to the extent not otherwise addressed by the express
provisions of this Agreement, Buyer assumes full responsibility and liability
for the following occurrences, events, conditions and activities on, or related
to, or attributable to the ownership or operation of the Assets (the
“Environmental Obligations”) regardless of whether arising from the
ownership or operation of, or relating to, the Assets before or after the
Effective Time, and regardless of whether resulting from any acts or omissions
of Seller or its Representatives (INCLUDING THOSE ARISING FROM THE SOLE,
JOINT OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE (BUT NOT GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT),
STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT OF SELLER OR ANY OF SELLER’S
REPRESENTATIVES) or the condition, including the environmental
condition of the Assets when acquired:
(a) Environmental
pollution or contamination, including pollution or contamination of the soil,
groundwater or air by Hydrocarbons, drilling fluid and other chemicals, brine,
produced water, NORM, asbestos containing materials, lead based paint, mercury
or any other substance, and any other violation of Environmental Laws or Laws
now or hereafter in effect relating to the protection of natural
resources;
(b) Underground
injection activities and waste disposal;
(c) Clean-up
responses, and the cost of remediation, control, assessment or compliance with
respect to surface and subsurface pollution caused by spills, pits, ponds,
lagoons or storage tanks;
(d) Failure
to comply with applicable land use, surface disturbance, licensing or
notification requirements;
(e) Disposal
on the Assets of any hazardous substances, wastes, materials and products
generated by or used in connection with the ownership, development, operation
or
abandonment of any part of the Assets; and
(f) Non-compliance
with Laws, including Laws relating to the protection of natural resources,
Environmental Laws and requirements (now or hereafter in effect) of applicable
Governmental Authorities.
Section
12.05 Definition
of Claims.
The
term “Claims” means any and all direct or indirect, demands, claims,
notices of violation, notices of probable violation, filings, investigations,
administrative proceedings, actions, causes of action, suits, other legal
proceedings, judgments, assessments, damages, deficiencies, taxes, penalties,
fines, obligations, responsibilities, liabilities, payments, charges, costs,
and
expenses (including costs and expenses of operating the Assets) of any kind
or
character (whether or not asserted prior to Closing, and whether known or
unknown, fixed or unfixed, conditional or unconditional, based on negligence,
strict liability or otherwise, choate or inchoate, liquidated or unliquidated,
secured or unsecured, accrued, absolute, contingent, or other legal theory),
including penalties and interest on any amount payable as a result of any of
the
foregoing, any legal or other costs and expenses incurred in connection with
investigating or defending any Claim, and all amounts paid in settlement of
Claims. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term
“Claims” specifically includes any and all Claims arising from,
attributable to or incurred in connection with any (a) breach of contract,
(b)
loss or damage to property, injury to or death of persons, and other tortuous
injury and (c) violations of applicable Laws, including Laws relating to the
protection of natural resources, Environmental Laws (each as now or hereafter
in
effect) and any other legal right or duty actionable at law or
equity.
Section
12.06 Application
of Indemnities.
(a) All
indemnities set forth in this Agreement extend to the officers, directors,
managers, members, shareholders, agents, contractors, employees and affiliates
of the indemnified party (“Representatives”). The indemnities set forth
in this Agreement do not extend to any part of an indemnified Claim that is
the
result of the gross negligence, willful misconduct or fraud of the indemnified
party.
(b) UNLESS
THIS AGREEMENT EXPRESSLY PROVIDES TO THE CONTRARY, THE INDEMNITY AND RELEASE,
AND WAIVER AND ASSUMPTION PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT APPLY,
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY (OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES) CAUSES,
IN
WHOLE OR PART, AN INDEMNIFIED CLAIM, INCLUDING INDEMNIFIED CLAIMS ARISING OUT
OF
OR RESULTING, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE
CONDITION OF THE ASSETS OR THE SOLE, JOINT, OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE (BUT NOT
GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT), STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER LEGAL FAULT
OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY OR ANY OF ITS REPRESENTATIVES.
(c) NEITHER
BUYER NOR SELLER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER FROM THE OTHER PARTY,
RESPECTIVELY, AND EACH PARTY RELEASES THE OTHER PARTY FROM AND WAIVES, ANY
LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DAMAGES ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR IN
CONNECTION WITH OR WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED IN THIS
AGREEMENT ANY AMOUNT IN EXCESS OF THE ACTUAL COMPENSATORY DAMAGES SUFFERED
BY
SUCH PARTY. BUYER AND SELLER WAIVE, AND RELEASE EACH OTHER FROM ANY RIGHT TO
RECOVER PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING IN
CONNECTION WITH OR WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED IN THIS
AGREEMENT; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, ANY SUCH DAMAGES RECOVERED BY A THIRD PARTY (OTHER
THAN SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES OR PARENTS OF A PARTY) FOR WHICH A PARTY OWES
THE
OTHER PARTY AN INDEMNITY UNDER THIS AGREEMENT SHALL NOT BE WAIVED. BUYER AND
SELLER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS STATEMENT IS CONSPICUOUS.
(d) The
indemnities of the indemnifying Party in this Agreement do not cover or include
any amounts that the indemnified party may legally recoup from other third
party
owners under applicable joint operating agreements or other agreements, and
for
which the indemnified party is reimbursed by any third party. The indemnifying
Party will pay all costs incurred by the indemnified party in obtaining
reimbursement from third parties. There will be no upward or downward adjustment
in the Purchase Price as a result of any matter for which Buyer or Seller is
indemnified under this Agreement.
Section
12.07 Buyer’s
Indemnity.
Buyer
shall release and indemnify, defend and hold Seller and its Representatives
harmless from and against any and all Claims caused by, resulting from or
incidental to the Assumed Obligations or the Environmental Obligations, and
any
Claims caused by, resulting from or attributable to (a) any inaccuracy of any
representation or warranty of Buyer set forth in this Agreement, or (b) any
breach of, or failure to perform or satisfy any of the covenants and obligations
of Buyer hereunder.
Section
12.08 Seller’s
Indemnity.
(a) Subject
to Sections 12.10 and 12.11, Seller shall release and
indemnify, defend and hold Buyer and its Representatives harmless from and
against any and all Claims caused by, resulting from or incidental to the
Retained Obligations, and any Claims caused by or resulting from any
breach of, or failure to perform or satisfy, any of the covenants and
obligations of Seller hereunder, which covenants and obligations of Seller
shall
not include the representations and warranties included in Article
5.
Section
12.09 Notices
and Defense of Indemnified Claims.
Each
Party shall immediately notify the other Party of any Claim of which it becomes
aware and for which it is entitled to indemnification from the other Party
under
this Agreement. The indemnifying Party shall be obligated to defend, at the
indemnifying Party’s sole expense, any litigation or other administrative or
adversarial proceeding against the indemnified Party relating to any Claim
for
which the indemnifying Party has agreed to release and indemnify and hold the
indemnified Party harmless under this Agreement. However, the indemnified Party
shall have the right to participate with the indemnifying Party in the defense
of any such Claim at its own expense.
Section
12.10 Seller’s
Indemnity Limits.
In
no event shall Seller be required to indemnify Buyer for any Claim unless Seller
receives written notice of the Claim as provided in Section 12.11. Seller
shall have no liability hereunder with respect to any Claims until the aggregate
liability incurred by Buyer for all otherwise indemnified Claims exceeds One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) (the “Threshold”). If the
Threshold is met, Seller shall be liable hereunder for the full value of the
indemnified Claims. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Seller’s
aggregate liability hereunder shall not exceed, and shall be limited to, ten
percent (10%) of the unadjusted Purchase Price; provided, that, Claims relating
to Seller’s failure to pay the Interim Operating Expenses, and any other costs
and expenses to be paid by Seller hereunder and reflected in an upward Purchase
Price Adjustment, shall not be subject to the threshold or maximum liability
limit set forth above, nor shall such amounts be included in the determination
of whether the Threshold or maximum liability limit has been
reached.
Section
12.11 Survival.
The
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Parties set forth
herein shall survive the Closing, and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby; provided, that the covenants, agreements and indemnities
of
Seller shall survive only for a period of six (6) months after the Closing
and
the representations and warranties of Seller shall not survive the Closing.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Buyer shall not be entitled to make,
and hereby waives the right to assert, any Claim against Seller unless Buyer
seeks indemnification for such Claim by a written notice received by Seller
on
or before the date that is six (6) months after the Closing Date (the
“Expiration Date”). Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, after the Expiration Date, all of the Retained Liabilities
and
all of Seller’s other liabilities and obligations with respect to the Assets
(and all Claims with respect thereto) shall be deemed and constitute Assumed
Obligations hereunder (a) except to the extent of any Claims of which Buyer
notifies Seller on or before the Expiration Date in accordance with this
Agreement and subject to the limitations set forth in this Agreement and (b)
except to the extent such liabilities and obligations are accepted and paid
by
any applicable insurers as covered claims under valid and collectible insurance
policies issued in favor of Seller.
Section
12.12 Exclusive
Remedy.
The
terms and provisions of this Article 12 and those provided in Article
4, Article 7, Article 8, and Article 9 shall be the sole and
exclusive remedy of each of the Parties indemnified hereunder with respect
to
the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the Parties set
forth in this Agreement and the other documents executed and delivered
hereunder.
Section
12.13 Defenses
and Counterclaims.
Each
Party that is required to assume any obligation or liability of the other Party
pursuant to this Agreement or that is required to release and defend, indemnify
or hold the other Party harmless hereunder shall, notwithstanding any other
provision hereof to the contrary, be entitled to the use and benefit of all
defenses (legal and equitable) and counterclaims of such other Party in defense
of third party Claims arising out of any such assumption or
indemnification.
Section
12.14 Anti-Indemnity
Statute.
Buyer
and Seller agree that with respect to any statutory limitations now or hereafter
in effect affecting the validity or enforceability of the indemnities provided
for in this Agreement, including, the provisions of Section 127 of the Texas
Civil Practice and Remedies Code, such indemnities shall be deemed amended
in
order to comply with such limitations. This provision concerning statutory
limitations shall not apply to indemnities for all liabilities of the
indemnifying Party which are covered by such Party’s insurance.
ARTICLE
13
DISCLAIMERS;
CASUALTY LOSS AND CONDEMNATION
Section
13.01 Disclaimers
of Representations and Warranties.
The
express representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement
are
exclusive and are in lieu of all other representations and warranties, express,
implied, at common law or statutory. BUYER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SELLER HAS NOT
MADE, AND SELLER HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS AND NEGATES, AND BUYER HEREBY
EXPRESSLY WAIVES, ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, AT COMMON
LAW, BY STATUTE OR OTHERWISE, RELATING TO (a) PRODUCTION RATES, RECOMPLETION
OPPORTUNITIES, DECLINE RATES, INFORMATION IN RESPECT OF PRODUCTION IMBALANCES
OR
THE QUALITY, QUANTITY OR VOLUME OF THE RESERVES OF HYDROCARBONS, IF ANY,
ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE ASSETS, (b) THE ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS OR MATERIALITY OR
SIGNIFICANCE OF ANY INFORMATION, DATA, GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA
(INCLUDING ANY INTERPRETATIONS OR DERIVATIVES BASED THEREON) OR OTHER MATERIALS
(WRITTEN OR ORAL) CONSTITUTING PART OF THE ASSETS, NOW, HERETOFORE OR HEREAFTER
FURNISHED TO BUYER BY OR ON BEHALF OF SELLER, (c) THE CONDITION, INCLUDING,
THE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION OF THE ASSETS AND (d) THE COMPLIANCE OF SELLER’S PAST
PRACTICES WITH THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF ANY AGREEMENT IDENTIFIED IN
EXHIBIT A, OR ANY SURFACE AGREEMENT, PERMIT OR CONTRACT OR
APPLICABLE LAWS, INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND LAWS RELATING TO THE
PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN
ARTICLE 5. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN THIS
AGREEMENT, SELLER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS AND NEGATES, AND BUYER HEREBY WAIVES,
AS
TO PERSONAL PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, INVENTORY, MACHINERY, FIXTURES, BUILDINGS,
OFFICES, TRAILERS, ROLLING STOCK, VEHICLES, AND GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL
DATA
(INCLUDING ANY INTERPRETATIONS OR DERIVATIVES BASED
THEREON) CONSTITUTING A PART OF THE ASSETS (i) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS
WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, (ii) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF FITNESS
FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, (iii) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF CONFORMITY TO
MODELS OR SAMPLES OF MATERIALS, (iv) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY THAT ANY
DATA TRANSFERRED PURSUANT HERETO IS NONINFRINGING, (v) ANY RIGHTS OF PURCHASERS
UNDER APPROPRIATE STATUTES TO CLAIM DIMINUTION OF CONSIDERATION OR RETURN OF
THE
PURCHASE PRICE, (vi) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF FREEDOM FROM DEFECTS,
WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, (vii) ANY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES EXISTING UNDER
APPLICABLE LAWS, AND (viii) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY REGARDING
ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, OR LAWS RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT,
HEALTH, SAFETY OR NATURAL RESOURCES OR RELATING TO THE RELEASE OF MATERIALS
INTO
THE ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIAL, LEAD BASED PAINT OR
MERCURY AND ANY OTHER HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES OR WASTES, IT BEING THE EXPRESS
INTENTION OF BUYER AND SELLER THAT THE ASSETS, INCLUDING ALL PERSONAL PROPERTY,
EQUIPMENT, FACILITIES, INVENTORY, MACHINERY, FIXTURES, BUILDINGS, OFFICES,
TRAILERS, VEHICLES AND ROLLING STOCK INCLUDED IN THE ASSETS, SHALL BE CONVEYED
TO BUYER, AND BUYER SHALL ACCEPT THE SAME, AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH ALL FAULTS
AND
IN THEIR PRESENT CONDITION AND STATE OF REPAIR. BUYER REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS
TO
SELLER THAT BUYER WILL MAKE, OR CAUSE TO BE MADE SUCH INSPECTIONS WITH RESPECT
TO SUCH ASSETS AS BUYER DEEMS APPROPRIATE. SELLER AND BUYER AGREE THAT, TO
THE
EXTENT REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAWS (INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND LAWS
RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES, HEALTH, SAFETY OR THE
ENVIRONMENT) TO BE EFFECTIVE, THE DISCLAIMERS OF THE WARRANTIES CONTAINED IN
THIS SECTION ARE “CONSPICUOUS” DISCLAIMERS FOR ALL
PURPOSES.
Section
13.02 NORM.
BUYER
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED THAT OIL AND GAS PRODUCING FORMATIONS
CAN
CONTAIN NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
(“NORM”). SCALE FORMATION OR SLUDGE
DEPOSITS CAN CONCENTRATE LOW LEVELS OF NORM ON EQUIPMENT AND OTHER ASSETS.
THE
ASSETS SUBJECT TO THIS AGREEMENT MAY HAVE LEVELS OF NORM ABOVE BACKGROUND
LEVELS, AND A HEALTH HAZARD MAY EXIST IN CONNECTION WITH THE ASSETS BY REASON
THEREOF. THEREFORE, BUYER MAY NEED TO AND SHALL FOLLOW SAFETY PROCEDURES WHEN
HANDLING THE EQUIPMENT AND OTHER ASSETS.
Section
13.03 Casualty
Loss; Condemnation.
(a) Buyer
shall assume all risk of loss with respect to, and any change in the condition
of, the Assets from and after the Effective Time, including with respect to
the
depletion of Hydrocarbons, the watering-out of any well, the collapse of casing,
sand infiltration of wells, and the depreciation of personal
property.
(b) If
after
the Effective Time and prior to the Closing any part of the Assets shall be
damaged or destroyed by fire or other casualty or if any part of the Assets
shall be taken in condemnation or under the right of eminent domain or if
proceedings for such purposes shall be pending or threatened, this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any such damage,
destruction, taking or proceeding, or the threat thereof, and the Parties shall
proceed with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement notwithstanding
such damage, destruction or taking (without reduction of Purchase
Price).
(c) Notwithstanding
Section 13.03(a), in the event of any loss described in Section
13.03(b), at the Closing, Seller shall pay to Buyer all sums paid to Seller
by third parties by reason of the damage, destruction or taking of such Assets
(up to the Allocated Value thereof) and shall assign, transfer and set over
unto
Buyer all of the rights, title and interest of Seller in and to any claims,
causes of action, unpaid proceeds or other payments from third parties arising
out of such damage, destruction or taking (up to the Allocated Value thereof).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 13.03, Seller
shall not be obligated to carry or maintain any insurance coverage with respect
to any of the Assets other than as required under applicable operating
agreements affecting such Assets.
ARTICLE
14
Miscellaneous
Section
14.01 Names.
As
soon as reasonably possible after the Closing, but in no event later than 45
days after the Closing, Buyer shall remove the names of Seller and its
affiliates, and all variations thereof, from all of the Assets and make the
requisite filings with, and provide the requisite notices to, the appropriate
Governmental Authorities to place the title or other indicia or responsibility
of ownership, including operation of the Assets, in a name other than the name
of the Seller or any of its affiliates, or any variations thereof.
Section
14.02 Taxes
and Expenses.
Buyer
shall be liable for all sales, use, documentary, recording, stamp, transfer
or
similar taxes, assessments or fees arising from the transactions contemplated
by
this Agreement. Each Party shall be solely responsible for all expenses,
including due diligence expenses, incurred by it in connection with this
transaction, and neither Party shall be entitled to any reimbursement for any
such expenses from the other Party.
Section
14.03 Document
Retention.
As
used in this Section 14.03, the term “Documents” shall mean all
files, documents, books, records and other data delivered to Buyer by Seller
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement (other than those that Seller
has
retained either the original or a copy of), including financial and tax
accounting records; land, title and division order files; contracts; engineering
and well files; and books and records related to the operation of the Assets
prior to the Closing Date. Buyer shall retain and preserve the Documents for
a
period of no less than seven (7) years following the Closing Date (or for such
longer period as may be required by Laws of any Governmental Authority), and
shall allow Seller or its representatives to inspect the Documents at reasonable
times and upon reasonable notice during regular business hours during such
time
period. Seller shall have the right during such period to make copies of any
of
the Documents at its expense.
Section
14.04 Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement, the documents to be executed and delivered hereunder, and the
Exhibits, Schedules and Appendices attached hereto constitute the entire
agreement between the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof and
supersede all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations and discussions,
whether oral or written, of the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof;
provided, however, that this Agreement does not supersede that certain Producing
Property Confidentiality Agreement and Disclaimer Statement and the Supplemental
Confidentiality Agreement and Disclaimer Statement for Exploration Prospect,
each dated July 2, 2007, by and between the Parties, which agreements shall
not
survive the Closing. No supplement, amendment, alteration,
modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in
writing by each of the Parties and specifically referencing this
Agreement.
Section
14.05 Waiver
.
No
waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute
a
waiver of any other provision hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such
waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly
provided.
Section
14.06 Publicity.
Prior
to Closing, Seller and Buyer shall consult with each other with regard to all
publicity and other releases concerning this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby and, except as required by applicable law or the applicable
rules or regulations of any Governmental Authority or stock exchange, neither
Party shall issue any such publicity or other release without the prior written
consent of the other Party.
Section
14.07 Construction.
The
captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered
a part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of
this
Agreement.
Section
14.08 No
Third Party Beneficiaries.
Except
as provided in Section 12.06(a), nothing in this Agreement shall provide
any benefit to any third party or entitle any third party to any claim, cause
of
action, remedy or right of any kind, it being the intent of the Parties that
this Agreement shall otherwise not be construed as a third party beneficiary
contract.
Section
14.09 Assignment.
Except
as provided in Section 2.04, neither Party may assign or delegate
any of its rights or duties hereunder without the prior written consent of
the
other Party and any assignment made without such consent shall be void. Except
as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to
the benefit of the Parties and their respective permitted successors, assigns
and legal representatives.
Section
14.10 Governing
Law; Venue.
This
Agreement, the other documents delivered pursuant hereto, and the legal
relations between the Parties shall be governed and construed in accordance
with
the laws of the State of Texas. Any litigation arising out of
this Agreement shall be brought before the courts sitting in Tulsa County,
Oklahoma, and the Parties irrevocably waive any right to choose or request
any
other venue.
Section
14.11 Notices.
Any
notice, communication, request, instruction or other document required or
permitted hereunder (including notices of Title Defects and Environmental
Defects) shall be given in writing and delivered in person or sent by U.S.
Mail
postage prepaid, return receipt requested, overnight delivery service,
electronically, or facsimile to the addresses of Seller and Buyer set forth
below. Any such notice shall be effective and deemed given only upon
receipt.
Seller:
|
Rockford
Energy Partners II, LLC
2800
First Place Tower
15
East 5th
Street
Tulsa,
Oklahoma 74103
Attention: Charles
H. Perrin
Fax
No.: 918-583-9410
Tel.
No.: 918-583-9400
Email:
cperrin@Rockfordpartners.com
|
With
copy to:
|
Conner
& Winters, LLP
4000
One Williams Center
Tulsa,
Oklahoma 74172-0148
Attention: Lawrence
A. Hall
Fax
No.: 918-586-8685
Tel.
No.: 918-586-8585
Email:
lhall@cwlaw.com
|
Buyer:
|
St.
Mary Land & Exploration Company
777
N. Eldridge Pkwy., Suite 1000
Houston,
TX 77079
Attn:
Kenneth Knott, Land Manager
Fax
No: 281-677-2810
Tel.
No: 281-677-2791
Email:
kknott@stmaryland.com
|
With
copy to:
|
St.
Mary Land & Exploration Company
1776
Lincoln Street, Suite 700
Denver,
CO 80203
Attn:
Milam Randolph Pharo,
Vice
President – Land and Legal
Fax
No. 303-861-0934
Tel.
No. 303-863-4313
Email:
rpharo@stmaryland.com
|
Either
Party may, by written notice so delivered to the other Party, change its address
for notice purposes hereunder.
Section
14.12 Severability.
If
any term or other provision of this Agreement is invalid, illegal or incapable
of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, all other conditions
and
provisions of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect
and the Parties shall negotiate in good faith to modify this Agreement so as
to
effect their original intent as closely as possible in an acceptable manner
to
the end that the transactions contemplated hereby are fulfilled to the extent
possible.
Section
14.13 Interpretation.
This
Agreement shall be deemed and considered for all purposes to have been jointly
prepared by the Parties, and shall not be construed against any one Party (nor
shall any inference or presumption be made) on the basis of who drafted this
Agreement or any particular provision hereof, who supplied the form of
Agreement, or any other event of the negotiation, drafting or execution of
this
Agreement. Each Party agrees that this Agreement has been purposefully drawn
and
correctly reflects its understanding of the transaction that it contemplates.
In
construing this Agreement, the following principles will apply:
(a) A
defined
term has its defined meaning throughout this Agreement and each Exhibit and
Schedule to this Agreement, regardless of whether it appears before or after
the
place where it is defined.
(b) If
there
is any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of the main body of
this
Agreement and the provisions of any Exhibit or Schedule hereto, the provisions
of this Agreement shall take precedence. If there is any conflict between the
provisions of any pro forma Assignment or other
transaction documents attached to this Agreement as an Exhibit and the
provisions of any Assignment and other transaction documents actually executed
by the parties, the provisions of the executed Assignment and other executed
transaction documents shall take precedence.
(c) Schedules
and Exhibits referred to herein are hereby incorporated and made a part of
this
Agreement for all purposes by such reference.
(d) The
omission of certain provisions of this Agreement from the
Assignment does not constitute a conflict or inconsistency
between this Agreement and the Assignment, and will not effect a merger of
the
omitted provisions. To the fullest extent permitted by Laws, all provisions
of
this Agreement are hereby deemed incorporated into the Assignment by
reference.
(e) The
word
“includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but not limited to” and
corresponding derivative meanings.
(f) The
Article, Section, Exhibit and Schedules references in this Agreement refer
to
the Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules of this Agreement. The headings
and titles in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall have no
significance in interpreting or otherwise affect the meaning of this
Agreement.
(g) The
term
“knowledge,” whether or not capitalized, shall mean the actual knowledge
of a Party’s employees who, as of Closing are in a supervisory capacity
responsible for the ownership and operation of the Assets and any material
facts
relating thereto, without duty of inquiry under the terms of this
Agreement.
(h) The
adjective, “material”, whether or not capitalized, shall mean a
situation, circumstance, consequence or concept whose relevance to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement as a whole is of significance,
and
would not be considered a small or insignificant deviation from the terms of
this Agreement.
(i) The
term
“Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any defect, condition, change or
effect (other than with respect to which an adjustment to the Purchase Price
has
been made) that when taken together with all other such defects, conditions,
changes and effects significantly diminishes the value, use, operations or
development of the Assets, taken as a whole. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the
following shall not be considered in determining whether a Material Adverse
Effect has occurred:
(i) Fluctuations
in commodity prices;
(ii) Changes
in Laws or Environmental Laws; or
(iii) Changes
in the oil and gas industry that do not have a disproportionate impact on the
ownership and operation of the Assets.
(j) The
plural shall be deemed to include the singular, and vice versa.
Section
14.14 Time
of the Essence.
Time
shall be of the essence with respect to all time periods and notice periods
set
forth in this Agreement.
Section
14.15 Counterpart
Execution.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each counterpart
hereof shall be effective as to each Party that executes the same whether or
not
all of such parties execute the same counterpart. If counterparts of this
Agreement are executed, the signature pages from various counterparts may be
combined into one composite instrument for all purposes. All counterparts
together shall constitute only one Agreement, but each counterpart shall be
considered an original.
Section
14.16 Insurance.
Prior
to the Closing, Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts (which in
any
event will not require the payment of additional consideration by Seller) to
have Buyer named by a specific endorsement as an additional insured under those
certain policies of insurance described in Schedule 5.13 and the corresponding
policies issued to Seller that immediately preceded these three specific
policies for the prior policy year, in each case to the extent that Buyer would
not otherwise be an insured party under the current terms of the applicable
policy.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Seller and Buyer
have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date first set forth
above.
SELLER:
ROCKFORD
ENERGY PARTNERS II,
LLC
By: /s/
CHARLES H.
PERRIN
Charles
H. Perrin
Chief
Executive Officer and President
BUYER:
ST.
MARY LAND & EXPLORATION COMPANY
By: /s/
MILAM RANDOLPH PHARO
Milam
Randolph Pharo
Vice
President – Land and Legal
The
following is a list of schedules and exhibits to the Purchase and Sale Agreement
that were omitted from Exhibit 2.1 pursuant to the provisions of Item 601(b)(2)
of Regulation S-K. St. Mary Land & Exploration Company agrees to
furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the
Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
1.
|
Exhibit
A Subject
Interests
|
2.
|
Exhibit
B Surface
Agreements
|
5.
|
Exhibit
D-2 PDNPs,
PUD Locations and Probable and/or Possible
Locations
|
7.
|
Exhibit
F Excluded
Assets
|
8.
|
Exhibit
G Assignment
and Bill of Sale
|
9.
|
Schedule
1.02(g) Production
Imbalances
|
10.
|
Schedule
1.02(h) Vehicles
|
11.
|
Schedule
4.07 Rights
of Preferential Purchase & Rights of
Co-Sale
|
12.
|
Schedule
4.08 Consents
to Assignment
|
13.
|
Schedule
5.06 Litigation
|
14.
|
Schedule
5.08 Authorizations
for Expenditures
|
15.
|
Schedule
5.13 Insurance
|
16.
|
Schedule
5.14 Inactive
Wells
|
17.
|
Schedule
5.21 Non-Transferable
Permits
|