INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT
This
Agreement is made as of October __, 2005 by and between Platinum Energy
Resources, Inc. (the “Company”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
(“Trustee”).
WHEREAS,
the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1, No. 333-125687
(“Registration Statement”), for its initial public offering of securities
(“IPO”) has been declared effective as of the date hereof by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“Effective Date”); and
WHEREAS,
Casimir Capital LP (“Casimir”) and Cantor Xxxxxxxxxx (“Xxxxxx”) are acting as
the representatives of the underwriters in the IPO; and
WHEREAS,
as described in the Company’s Registration Statement, and in accordance with the
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, $105,408,000 of the gross proceeds of
the IPO ($121,219,200 if the underwriters over-allotment option is exercised
in
full) will be delivered to the Trustee to be deposited and held in a trust
account for the benefit of the Company and the holders of the Company’s common
stock, par value $.0001 per share, issued in the IPO as hereinafter provided
and
in the event the Units are registered in Colorado, pursuant to
Section 11-51-302(6) of the Colorado Revised Statutes. A copy of the
Colorado Statute is attached hereto and made a part hereof (the amount to
be
delivered to the Trustee will be referred to herein as the “Property”; the
stockholders for whose benefit the Trustee shall hold the Property will be
referred to as the “Public Stockholders,” and the Public Stockholders and the
Company will be referred to together as the “Beneficiaries”); and
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Trustee desire to enter into this Agreement to set forth
the
terms and conditions pursuant to which the Trustee shall hold the
Property;
IT
IS
AGREED:
1. Agreements
and Covenants of Trustee.
The
Trustee hereby agrees and covenants to:
(a) Hold
the
Property in trust for the Beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement, including the terms of Section 11-51-302(6) of the Colorado
Statute, in a segregated trust account (“Trust Account”) established by the
Trustee at a branch of HSBC Bank USA, National Association (“HSBC Bank”)
selected by the Trustee;
(b) Manage,
supervise and administer the Trust Account subject to the terms and conditions
set forth herein;
(c) In
a
timely manner, upon the instruction of the Company, to invest and reinvest
the
Property in any Treasury Xxxx issued by the United States, having a maturity
of
180 days or less or in any open ended investment company registered under
the
Investment Company Act of 1940 that holds itself out as a money market fund
meeting the conditions of paragraphs (c)(2), (c)(3) and (c)(4) of Rule 2a-7
promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(d) Collect
and receive, when due, all principal and income arising from the Property,
which
shall become part of the “Property,” as such term is used herein;
(e) Notify
the Company of all communications received by it with respect to any Property
requiring action by the Company;
(f) Supply
any necessary information or documents as may be requested by the Company
in
connection with the Company’s preparation of the tax returns for the Trust
Account;
(g) Participate
in any plan or proceeding for protecting or enforcing any right or interest
arising from the Property if, as and when instructed by the Company to do
so;
(h) Render
to
the Company and to Casimir, and to such other person as the Company or Casimir
may instruct, monthly written statements of the activities of and amounts
in the
Trust Account reflecting all receipts and disbursements of the Trust Account;
and
(i) Commence
liquidation of the Trust Account promptly after receipt of and only in
accordance with the terms of a letter (“Termination Letter”), in a form
substantially similar to that attached hereto as either Exhibit A or
Exhibit B, signed on behalf of the Company by its Chief Executive
Officer
or Chairman of the Board and Secretary and affirmed by its entire Board of
Directors, and complete the liquidation of the Trust Account and distribute
the
Property in the Trust Account only as directed in the Termination Letter
and the
other documents referred to therein; provided, however, that in the event
that a
Termination Letter has not been received by April __, 2008 (or the date that
is
the six month anniversary of such date, in the event that a letter of intent,
agreement in principle or definitive agreement has been executed prior to
such
date in connection with a Business Combination (as defined in the Termination
Letter attached hereto as Exhibit A) that was not consummated by April __,
2008), the Trust Account shall be liquidated in accordance with the procedures
set forth in the Termination Letter attached as Exhibit B to the stockholders
of
record on the record date; provided, further, that the record date shall
be
within ten (10) days of April __, 2008 (or the date that is the six month
anniversary of such date, in the event that a letter of intent, agreement
in
principle or definitive agreement has been executed prior to such date in
connection with a Business Combination that was not consummated by April
__,
2008), or as soon thereafter as is practicable.
2. Agreements
and Covenants of the Company.
The
Company hereby agrees and covenants to:
(a) Give
all
instructions to the Trustee hereunder in writing, signed by the Company’s
President or Chairman of the Board. In addition, except with respect to its
duties under paragraph 1(i) above, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely
on, and
shall be protected in relying on, any verbal or telephonic advice or instruction
which it in good faith believes to be given by any one of the persons authorized
above to give written instructions, provided that the Company shall promptly
confirm such instructions in writing;
(b) Hold
the
Trustee harmless and indemnify the Trustee from and against, any and all
expenses, including reasonable counsel fees and disbursements, or loss suffered
by the Trustee in connection with any action, suit or other proceeding brought
against the Trustee involving any claim, or in connection with any claim
or
demand which in any way arises out of or relates to this Agreement, the services
of the Trustee hereunder, or the Property or any income earned from investment
of the Property, except for expenses and losses resulting from the Trustee’s
gross negligence or willful misconduct. Promptly after the receipt by the
Trustee of notice of demand or claim or the commencement of any action, suit
or
proceeding, pursuant to which the Trustee intends to seek indemnification
under
this paragraph, it shall notify the Company in writing of such claim
(hereinafter referred to as the “Indemnified Claim”). The Trustee shall have the
right to conduct and manage the defense against such Indemnified Claim,
provided, that the Trustee shall obtain the consent of the Company with respect
to the selection of counsel, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
The Company may participate in such action with its own counsel;
and
(c) Pay
the
Trustee an initial acceptance fee of $1,000 and an annual fee of $3,000 (it
being expressly understood that the Property shall not be used to pay such
fee).
The Company shall pay the Trustee the initial acceptance fee and first year’s
fee at the consummation of the IPO and thereafter on the anniversary of the
Effective Date. The Trustee shall refund to the Company the fee (on a pro
rata
basis) with respect to any period after the liquidation of the Trust Fund.
The
Company shall not be responsible for any other fees or charges of the Trustee
except as may be provided in paragraph 2(b) hereof (it being expressly
understood that the Property shall not be used to make any payments to the
Trustee under such paragraph).
(d) Provide
to the Trustee any letter of intent, agreement in principle or definitive
agreement that is executed prior to April __, 2008 in connection with a Business
Combination; and
(e) In
connection with any vote of the Company's stockholders regarding a Business
Combination, provide to the Trustee an affidavit or certificate of a firm
regularly engaged in the business of soliciting proxies and tabulating
stockholder votes (which firm may be the Trustee) verifying the vote of the
Company's stockholders regarding such Business Combination.
2
3. Limitations
of Liability.
The
Trustee shall have no responsibility or liability to:
(a) Take
any
action with respect to the Property, other than as directed in paragraph
1
hereof and the Trustee shall have no liability to any party except for liability
arising out of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct;
(b) Institute
any proceeding for the collection of any principal and income arising from,
or
institute, appear in or defend any proceeding of any kind with respect to,
any
of the Property unless and until it shall have received instructions from
the
Company given as provided herein to do so and the Company shall have advanced
or
guaranteed to it funds sufficient to pay any expenses incident
thereto;
(c) Change
the investment of any Property, other than in compliance with
paragraph 1(c);
(d) Refund
any depreciation in principal of any Property;
(e) Assume
that the authority of any person designated by the Company to give instructions
hereunder shall not be continuing unless provided otherwise in such designation,
or unless the Company shall have delivered a written revocation of such
authority to the Trustee;
(f) The
other
parties hereto or to anyone else for any action taken or omitted by it, or
any
action suffered by it to be taken or omitted, in good faith and in the exercise
of its own best judgment, except for its gross negligence or willful misconduct.
The Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting upon any
order, notice, demand, certificate, opinion or advice of counsel (including
counsel chosen by the Trustee), statement, instrument, report or other paper
or
document (not only as to its due execution and the validity and effectiveness
of
its provisions, but also as to the truth and acceptability of any information
therein contained) which is believed by the Trustee, in good faith, to be
genuine and to be signed or presented by the proper person or persons. The
Trustee shall not be bound by any notice or demand, or any waiver, modification,
termination or rescission of this agreement or any of the terms hereof, unless
evidenced by a written instrument delivered to the Trustee signed by the
proper
party or parties and, if the duties or rights of the Trustee are affected,
unless it shall give its prior written consent thereto;
(g) Verify
the correctness of the information set forth in the Registration Statement
or to
confirm or assure that any acquisition made by the Company or any other action
taken by it is as contemplated by the Registration Statement; and
(h) Pay
any
taxes on behalf of the Trust Account (it being expressly understood that
the
Property shall not be used to pay any such taxes and that such taxes, if
any,
shall be paid by the Company from funds not held in the Trust
Account).
4. Termination.
This
Agreement shall terminate as follows:
(a) If
the
Trustee gives written notice to the Company that it desires to resign under
this
Agreement, the Company shall use its reasonable efforts to locate a successor
trustee. At such time that the Company notifies the Trustee that a successor
trustee has been appointed by the Company and has agreed to become subject
to
the terms of this Agreement, the Trustee shall transfer the management of
the
Trust Account to the successor trustee, including but not limited to the
transfer of copies of the reports and statements relating to the Trust Account,
whereupon this Agreement shall terminate; provided, however, that, in the
event
that the Company does not locate a successor trustee within ninety days of
receipt of the resignation notice from the Trustee, the Trustee may submit
an
application to have the Property deposited with the United States District
Court
for the Southern District of New York and upon such deposit, the Trustee
shall
be immune from any liability whatsoever that arises due to any actions or
omissions to act by any party after such deposit; or
3
(b) At
such
time that the Trustee has completed the liquidation of the Trust Account
in
accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1(i) hereof, and distributed
the
Property in accordance with the provisions of the Termination Letter, this
Agreement shall terminate except with respect to Paragraph 2(b).
5. Miscellaneous.
(a) The
Company and the Trustee each acknowledge that the Trustee will follow the
security procedures set forth below with respect to funds transferred from
the
Trust Account. Upon receipt of written instructions, the Trustee will confirm
such instructions with an Authorized Individual at an Authorized Telephone
Number listed on the attached Exhibit C. The Company and the
Trustee
will each restrict access to confidential information relating to such security
procedures to authorized persons. Each party must notify the other party
immediately if it has reason to believe unauthorized persons may have obtained
access to such information, or of any change in its authorized personnel.
In
executing funds transfers, the Trustee will rely upon account numbers or
other
identifying numbers of a beneficiary, beneficiary’s bank or intermediary bank,
rather than names. The Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, liability
or
expense resulting from any error in an account number or other identifying
number, provided it has accurately transmitted the numbers
provided.
(b) This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with
the
laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to conflict of laws.
It may
be executed in several counterparts, each one of which shall constitute an
original, and together shall constitute but one instrument.
(c) This
Agreement contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties
hereto
with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement or any provision
hereof may only be changed, amended or modified by a writing signed by each
of
the parties hereto; provided, however, that no such change, amendment or
modification may be made without the prior written consent of Casimir. As
to any
claim, cross-claim or counterclaim in any way relating to this Agreement,
each
party waives the right to trial by jury.
(d) The
parties hereto consent to the jurisdiction and venue of any state or federal
court located in the City of New York for purposes of resolving any disputes
hereunder.
(e) Any
notice, consent or request to be given in connection with any of the terms
or
provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sent by express
mail or similar private courier service, by certified mail (return receipt
requested), by hand delivery or by facsimile transmission:
If
to the
Trustee, to:
American
Stock Transfer
&
Trust Company
00
Xxxxxx
Xxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Fax
No.:
(000) 000-0000
If
to the
Company, to:
Platinum
Energy Resources, Inc.
3
Paragon
Xxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Attn:
Chief Executive Officer
Fax
No.:
4
in
either
case with a copy to:
Casimir
Capital LP
000
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx, Chief Executive Officer
Fax
No.:
(000) 000-0000
and
Cantor
Xxxxxxxxxx & Co.
000
Xxxx
00xx
Xxxxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxx Xxxxxx, Global Head of Investment Banking
Fax
No.:
(f) This
Agreement may not be assigned by the Trustee without the prior consent of
the
Company.
(g) Each
of
the Trustee and the Company hereby represents that it has the full right
and
power and has been duly authorized to enter into this Agreement and to perform
its respective obligations as contemplated hereunder. The Trustee acknowledges
and agrees that it shall not make any claims or proceed against the Trust
Account, including by way of set-off, and shall not be entitled to any funds
in
the Trust Account under any circumstance.
[REMAINDER
OF PAGE LEFT INTENTIONALLY BLANK]
5
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Investment Management
Trust
Agreement as of the date first written above.
AMERICAN
STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, as Trustee |
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By: | ||
Name: |
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Title: |
PLATINUM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC. | ||
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By: | ||
Name: Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx |
||
Title: Chief Executive Officer |
6
EXHIBIT
A
[Letterhead
of Company]
[Insert
date]
American
Stock Transfer
&
Trust Company
00
Xxxxxx
Xxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Re:
|
Trust Account No. | Termination Letter |
Gentlemen:
Pursuant
to paragraph 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Platinum
Energy Resources, Inc. (“Company”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company (“Trustee”), dated as of October __, 2005 (“Trust Agreement”), this is
to advise you that the Company has entered into an agreement (“Business
Agreement”) with (“Target Business”) to consummate a business combination with
Target Business (“Business Combination”) on or about
[insert date].
The
Company shall notify you at least 48 hours in advance of the actual date
of the
consummation of the Business Combination (“Consummation Date”).
Pursuant
to Section 2(e) of the Trust Agreement, we are providing you with [an affidavit]
[a certificate] of ________________, which verifies the vote of the Company's
stockholders in connection with the Business Combination. In accordance with
the
terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby authorize you to commence liquidation
of
the Trust Account to the effect that, on the Consummation Date, all of funds
held in the Trust Account will be immediately available for transfer to the
account or accounts that the Company shall direct on the Consummation
Date.
On
the
Consummation Date (i) counsel for the Company shall deliver to you written
notification that (a) the Business Combination has been consummated and (b)
the
provisions of Section 11-51-302(6) and Rule 51-3.4 of the Colorado
Statute
have been met, and (ii) the Company shall deliver to you written instructions
with respect to the transfer of the funds held in the Trust Account
(“Instruction Letter”). You are hereby directed and authorized to transfer the
funds held in the Trust Account immediately upon your receipt of the counsel’s
letter and the Instruction Letter, in accordance with the terms of the
Instruction Letter. In the event that certain deposits held in the Trust
Account
may not be liquidated by the Consummation Date without penalty, you will
notify
the Company of the same and the Company shall direct you as to whether such
funds should remain in the Trust Account and distributed after the Consummation
Date to the Company. Upon the distribution of all the funds in the Trust
Account
pursuant to the terms hereof, the Trust Agreement shall be
terminated.
In
the
event that the Business Combination is not consummated on the Consummation
Date
described in the notice thereof and we have not notified you on or before
the
original Consummation Date of a new Consummation Date, then the funds held
in
the Trust Account shall be reinvested as provided in the Trust Agreement
on the
business day immediately following the Consummation Date as set forth in
the
notice.
A-1
Very truly yours, | ||
PLATINUM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Chairman of the Board |
||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Chief Executive Officer |
||
Affirmed: | ||
[DIRECTORS TO BE LISTED HERE] |
A-2
EXHIBIT
B
[Letterhead
of Company]
[Insert
date]
American
Stock Transfer
&
Trust Company
00
Xxxxxx
Xxxx
Xxx
Xxxx,
Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Re:
|
Trust Account No. | Termination Letter |
Gentlemen:
Pursuant
to paragraph 1(i) of the Investment Management Trust Agreement between Platinum
Energy Resources, Inc. (“Company”) and American Stock Transfer & Trust
Company (“Trustee”), dated as of October __, 2005 (“Trust Agreement”), this is
to advise you that as a result of the Company’s inability to effect a Business
Combination with a Target Company within the time frame specified in the
Company’s prospectus relating to its IPO, the Board of Directors of the Company
has voted to dissolve and liquidate the Company. Attached hereto is a copy
of
the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company relating
thereto, certified by the Secretary of the Company as true and correct and
in
full force and effect.
In
accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, we hereby (a) certify to
you
that the provisions of Section 11-51-302(6) and Rule 51-3.4 of the
Colorado
Statute have been met and (b) authorize you, to commence liquidation of the
Trust Account. In connection with this liquidation, you are hereby authorized
to
establish a record date for the purposes of determining the stockholders
of
record entitled to receive their per share portion of the Trust Account.
The
record date shall be within ten (10) days of the liquidation date, or as
soon
thereafter as is practicable. You will notify the Company in writing as to
when
all of the funds in the Trust Account will be available for immediate transfer
(“Transfer Date”) in
accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Amended and Restated
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. You shall commence distribution
of
such funds in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement and the Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and you shall oversee
the distribution of the funds. Upon the payment of all the funds in the Trust
Account, the Trust Agreement shall be terminated.
Very truly yours, | ||
PLATINUM ENERGY RESOURCES, INC. | ||
|
|
|
By: | ||
Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Chairman of the Board |
||
By: | ||
Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Chief Executive Officer |
||
Affirmed: | ||
[DIRECTORS TO BE LISTED HERE] |
B-1
EXHIBIT
C
AUTHORIZED
INDIVIDUAL(S)
|
AUTHORIZED
|
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FOR
TELEPHONE CALL BACK
|
TELEPHONE
NUMBER(S)
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Company:
|
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Platinum
Energy Resources, Inc. 3
ParagonXxxxxxxx,
Xxx Xxxxxx 00000
Attn:
Chief Executive Officer
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[Telephone]
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Trustee:
|
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American
Stock Transfer
&
Trust Company
00
Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxx
Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attn:
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx, Chairman
|
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[Telephone]
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C-1