ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT among PIONEER SOUTHWEST ENERGY PARTNERS L.P., PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES GP LLC, PIONEER SOUTHWEST ENERGY PARTNERS USA LLC, and PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES USA, INC. dated effective as of
Exhibit 10.5
among
PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES GP LLC,
PIONEER SOUTHWEST ENERGY PARTNERS USA LLC,
and
PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES USA, INC.
dated effective as of
, 2007
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I |
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DEFINITIONS |
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Section 1.1
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Definitions | 1 | ||||
Section 1.2
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Construction | 4 | ||||
ARTICLE II |
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RETENTION OF PIONEER USA; SCOPE OF SERVICES |
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Section 2.1
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Retention of Pioneer USA | 5 | ||||
Section 2.2
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Scope of Services | 5 | ||||
Section 2.3
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Exclusion of Services | 5 | ||||
Section 2.4
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Performance of Services by Affiliates and Third Parties | 5 | ||||
Section 2.5
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Intellectual Property | 5 | ||||
Section 2.6
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Appointment of Independent Accounting Firm and Independent Petroleum Engineer | 5 | ||||
ARTICLE III |
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BOOKS, RECORDS AND REPORTING |
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Section 3.1
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Books and Records | 6 | ||||
Section 3.2
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Audits | 6 | ||||
Section 3.3
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Reports | 6 | ||||
ARTICLE IV |
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PAYMENT AMOUNT |
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Section 4.1
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Administrative Fee. | 6 | ||||
Section 4.2
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Direct Costs | 7 | ||||
Section 4.3
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XXXXX Fee | 7 | ||||
Section 4.4
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Payment Terms. | 7 | ||||
Section 4.5
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Disputed Charges | 8 | ||||
Section 4.6
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Set Off | 8 | ||||
Section 4.7
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Pioneer USA’s Employees | 8 | ||||
Section 4.8
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Approval of Expenses | 9 | ||||
ARTICLE V |
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FORCE MAJEURE |
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Section 5.1
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Force Majeure | 9 | ||||
ARTICLE VI |
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ASSIGNMENTS AND SUBCONTRACTS |
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Section 6.1
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Assignments | 9 | ||||
Section 6.2
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Other Requirements | 10 | ||||
ARTICLE VII |
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TERMINATION |
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Section 7.1
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Termination | 10 | ||||
Section 7.2
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Effect of Termination | 10 |
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ARTICLE VIII |
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CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION |
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Section 8.1
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Nondisclosure | 11 | ||||
Section 8.2
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Permitted Disclosure | 11 | ||||
ARTICLE IX |
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LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION |
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Section 9.1
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Limitation of Liability | 11 | ||||
Section 9.2
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Partnership’s Indemnity | 12 | ||||
Section 9.3
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Limitation of Damages | 12 | ||||
Section 9.4
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Affiliate; Third Parties | 12 | ||||
ARTICLE X |
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GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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Section 10.1
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Choice of Law | 12 | ||||
Section 10.2
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Notice | 12 | ||||
Section 10.3
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Entire Agreement | 13 | ||||
Section 10.4
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Further Action | 13 | ||||
Section 10.5
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Binding Effect | 13 | ||||
Section 10.6
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Creditors | 13 | ||||
Section 10.7
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Effect of Waiver or Consent | 13 | ||||
Section 10.8
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Counterparts | 13 | ||||
Section 10.9
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Invalidity of Provisions | 13 | ||||
Section 10.10
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Amendment or Restatement | 14 | ||||
Section 10.11
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Withholding or Granting of Consent | 14 | ||||
Section 10.12
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Directly or Indirectly | 14 | ||||
Section 10.13
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Laws and Regulations | 14 | ||||
Section 10.14
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Negation of Rights of Limited Partners, Assignees and Third Parties | 14 | ||||
Section 10.15
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No Recourse Against Officers or Directors | 14 | ||||
Section 10.16
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Arbitration | 14 |
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THIS ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT is entered into on, and effective as of , 2007
(the “Effective Date”), among Pioneer Natural Resources GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability
company (the “General Partner”), Pioneer Southwest Energy Partners L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership (the “Partnership”), Pioneer Southwest Energy Partners USA LLC, a Texas limited
liability company (the “Operating Company”), and Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (“Pioneer USA,” and collectively with the General Partner, the Partnership and the
Operating Company, the “Parties” and each, a “Party”).
RECITALS
A. The Partnership is the owner, directly or indirectly, of interests in the Business (as
hereinafter defined);
B. The Partnership Group (as hereinafter defined) requires certain services to operate the
Business and to fulfill other general and administrative functions relating to the Business; and
C. The Partnership Group desires that Pioneer USA provide such services, and Pioneer USA is
willing to undertake such engagement, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company. and Pioneer USA
agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1 Definitions. The following definitions shall be for all purposes, unless
otherwise clearly indicated to the contrary, applied to the terms used in this Agreement.
“AAA” is defined in Section 10.16.
“Administrative Fee” is defined in Section 4.1.
“Advisors” is defined in Section 8.2.
“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the
Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether
through ownership of Voting Securities, by contract or otherwise.
“Agreement” means this Administrative Services Agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented
or restated from time to time.
“Bbl” means a standard barrel containing 42 United States gallons.
“BOE” means a barrel of oil equivalent and is a standard convention used to express oil and
gas volumes on a comparable oil equivalent basis. Gas equivalents are determined under the relative
energy content method by using the ratio of 6.0 Mcf of gas to 1.0 Bbl of oil or natural gas liquid.
“Business” means the business of the Partnership Group.
“Cause” has the meaning given such term in the Partnership Agreement.
“Change of Control” means, and shall be deemed to have occurred upon, one or more of the
following events: (i) any transaction resulting in the Partnership (or its successor or survivor
by way of merger, consolidation, or some other transaction, or a parent or subsidiary thereof)
ceasing to be an Affiliate of Pioneer; (ii) the limited partners of the Partnership approve, in one
transaction or a series of transactions, a plan of complete liquidation of the Partnership; (iii)
the sale or other disposition by either the General Partner or the Partnership of all or
substantially all of its assets in one or more transactions to any Person other than the General
Partner or an Affiliate of the General Partner; or (iv) a transaction resulting in a Person other
than Pioneer or an Affiliate of Pioneer being the general partner of the Partnership (or its
successor or survivor by way of merger, consolidation, or some other transaction, or a parent or
subsidiary thereof).
“Common Unit” has the meaning given such term in the Partnership Agreement.
“Confidential Information” means non-public information about the disclosing Party’s or any of
its Affiliates’ business or activities that is proprietary and confidential, which shall include,
without limitation, all business, financial, technical and other information, including software
(source and object code) and programming code, of a Party or its Affiliates marked or designated
“confidential” or “proprietary” or by its nature or the circumstances surrounding its disclosure it
should reasonably be regarded as confidential. Confidential Information includes not only written
or other tangible information, but also information transferred orally, visually, electronically or
by any other means. Confidential Information does not include information that (i) is in or enters
the public domain without breach of this Agreement, or (ii) the receiving Party lawfully receives
from a third party without restriction on disclosure and to the receiving Party’s knowledge without
breach of a nondisclosure obligation.
“XXXXX” means the Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies.
“Damages” is defined in Section 9.1.
“Default Rate” means an interest rate (which shall in no event be higher than the rate
permitted by applicable Law) equal to the prime interest rate of the Partnership’s principal lender
or if there is no such lender, the prime rate of Bank of America.
“Dispute” is defined in Section 10.16.
“Effective Date” is defined in the introductory paragraph.
“Environmental Law” means current local, county, state, federal, and/or foreign law (including
common law), statute, code, ordinance, rule, order, judgment, decree, regulation or
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other legal obligation relating to the protection of health, safety or the environment or
natural resources, including, without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response
Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. section 9601 et seq.), as amended, the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. section 6901 et seq.), as amended, the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. section 1251 et seq.), as amended, the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.
section 7401 et seq.), as amended, the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. section 2601 et
seq.), as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. section 651 et seq.), as
amended, the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. section 300(f) et seq.), as amended, analogous
state, tribal or local laws, and any similar, implementing or successor law, and any amendment,
rule, regulation, or directive issued thereunder, including any determination by, or interpretation
of any of the foregoing by, any Governmental Authority that has the force of law.
“Force Majeure” means any cause beyond the reasonable control of a Party, including the
following causes: acts of God, strikes, lockouts, acts of the public enemy, wars or warlike action
(whether actual or impending), arrests and other restraints of government (civil or military),
blockades, embargoes, insurrections, riots, epidemics, landslides, lightning, earthquakes, fires,
sabotage, tornadoes, named tropical storms and hurricanes, floods, civil disturbances, terrorism,
mechanical breakdown of machinery or equipment, explosions, confiscation or seizure by any
government or other public authority and any order of any court of competent jurisdiction,
regulatory agency or governmental body having jurisdiction.
“G&A Services” means those general and administrative services necessary or useful for the
conduct of the business of the Partnership Group, including, but not limited to, accounting,
business development, finance, land, legal, engineering, investor relations, management, marketing,
information technology, insurance, government regulations, communications, regulatory,
environmental and human resources.
“Governmental Approval” means any material consent, authorization, certificate, permit,
right-of-way grant or approval of any Governmental Authority that is necessary for the
construction, ownership and operation of the Business in accordance with applicable Laws.
“Governmental Authority” means any court or tribunal in any jurisdiction or any federal,
state, tribal, municipal or local government or other governmental body, agency, authority,
department, commission, board, bureau, instrumentality, arbitrator or arbitral body or any
quasi-governmental or private body lawfully exercising any regulatory or taxing authority.
“Laws” means any applicable statute, Environmental Law, common law, rule, regulation,
judgment, order, ordinance, writ, injunction or decree issued or promulgated by any Governmental
Authority.
“Mcf” means one thousand cubic feet and is a measure of natural gas volume.
“Parties” is defined in the introductory paragraph.
“Partnership” is defined in the introductory paragraph.
“Partnership Agreement” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership
of the Partnership, as may be amended or restated from time to time.
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“Partnership Group” means the General Partner, the Partnership, the Operating Company and all
of their respective Subsidiaries.
“Person” means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint
venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political
subdivision thereof or other entity.
“Pioneer” means Pioneer Natural Resources Company, a Delaware corporation.
“Pioneer Indemnified Party” means Pioneer, each Affiliate of Pioneer (excluding any member of
the Partnership Group) and each of Pioneer’s and each such Affiliate’s controlling persons,
directors, officers, employees, agents and permitted assigns.
“Pioneer USA Party” is defined in Section 9.1.
“Rules” is defined in Section 10.16.
“Services” is defined in Section 2.2.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (a) a corporation of which more than 50% of
the voting power of shares entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote
in the election of directors or other governing body of such corporation is owned, directly or
indirectly, at the date of determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such
Person or a combination thereof, (b) a partnership (whether general or limited) in which such
Person or a Subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, (i) the general partner or
(ii) a limited partner of such partnership, but, in the case of a limited partner, only if more
than 50% of the partnership interests of such partnership (considering all of the partnership
interests of the partnership as a single class) is owned, directly or indirectly, at the date of
determination, by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination
thereof, or (c) any other Person (other than a corporation or a partnership) in which such Person,
one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or a combination thereof, directly or indirectly, at the
date of determination, has (i) at least a majority ownership interest or (ii) the power to elect or
direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.
“Voting Securities” means securities of any class of a Person entitling the holders thereof to
vote in the election of, or to appoint, members of the board of directors or other similar
governing body of the Person and, with respect to the Partnership, means Common Units.
“VPP” means each of the volumetric production payment agreements pursuant to which Pioneer USA
has sold proved reserves and which require the delivery by Pioneer USA of specified quantities of
oil and gas.
Other terms defined herein have the meanings so given them.
Section 1.2 Construction. Unless the context requires otherwise: (a) any pronoun used in this
Agreement shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter forms, and the singular
form of nouns, pronouns and verbs shall include the plural and vice versa; (b) references to
Articles and Sections refer to Articles and Sections of this Agreement; (c)
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references to Exhibits refer to the Exhibits attached to this Agreement, each of which is made
a part hereof for all purposes; (d) the terms “include”, “includes”, “including” and words of like
import shall be deemed to be followed by the words “without limitation”; (e) the terms “hereof,”
“herein” and “hereunder” refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of
this Agreement; and (f) references to money refer to legal currency of the United States of
America. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
only, and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
RETENTION OF PIONEER USA; SCOPE OF SERVICES
RETENTION OF PIONEER USA; SCOPE OF SERVICES
Section 2.1 Retention of Pioneer USA. The Partnership hereby engages Pioneer USA to perform
the Services, as directed by the General Partner, and to provide all personnel and any facilities,
goods and equipment not otherwise provided by the Partnership Group necessary to perform the
Services. Pioneer USA hereby accepts such engagement and agrees to perform the Services requested
by the General Partner and to provide any personnel, facilities, goods and equipment not otherwise
provided by the Partnership Group, and to provide all employees as may be reasonable and necessary
to perform the Services.
Section 2.2 Scope of Services. The “Services” shall consist of such services the General
Partner determines may be reasonable and necessary to operate the Business, including, without
limitation, any G&A Services and those services described on Schedule I hereto. Pioneer
USA hereby covenants and agrees that the Services will be performed in accordance with (i)
applicable material Governmental Approvals and Laws and (ii) industry standards.
Section 2.3 Exclusion of Services. The General Partner may temporarily or permanently exclude
any particular service from the scope of the Services upon ninety (90) days’ prior notice to
Pioneer USA.
Section 2.4 Performance of Services by Affiliates and Third Parties. The Parties hereby agree
that in discharging its obligations hereunder, Pioneer USA may engage any of its Affiliates or any
qualified third party to perform the Services (or any part of the Services) on its behalf and that
the performance of the Services (or any part of the Services) by any such Affiliate or third party
shall be treated as if Pioneer USA performed such Services itself. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing contained herein shall relieve Pioneer USA of its obligations hereunder.
Section 2.5 Intellectual Property. The General Partner, the Partnership and the Operating
Company hereby grant to Pioneer USA and its Affiliates an irrevocable, royalty-free, non-exclusive
and non-transferable right and license to use, during the term of this Agreement, any intellectual
property provided by the Partnership Group to Pioneer USA or its Affiliates, but only to the extent
such use is necessary for the performance of the Services. Pioneer USA agrees that it and its
Affiliates will utilize such intellectual property solely in connection with the performance of the
Services.
Section 2.6 Appointment of Independent Accounting Firm and Independent Petroleum Engineer.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Parties hereby
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acknowledge and agree that the General Partner shall have the exclusive authority to appoint
an independent registered public accounting firm to audit the financial statements of the
Partnership and an independent petroleum engineer to provide reports to the Partnership relating to
estimates of proved reserves for Securities and Exchange Commission and other reporting purposes.
ARTICLE III
BOOKS, RECORDS AND REPORTING
BOOKS, RECORDS AND REPORTING
Section 3.1 Books and Records. Pioneer USA shall maintain accurate books and records
regarding the performance of the Services and its calculation of the Administrative Fee and any
Direct Costs, and shall maintain such books and records for the period required by applicable
accounting practices or Law.
Section 3.2 Audits. The Partnership shall have the right, upon reasonable notice, and at all
reasonable times during usual business hours, to audit, examine and make copies of the books and
records referred to in Section 3.1. Such right may be exercised through any agent or employee of
the Partnership Group designated in writing by it or by an independent public accountant, engineer,
attorney or other agent so designated. The Partnership shall bear all costs and expenses incurred
in any inspection, examination or audit. Pioneer USA shall review and respond in a timely manner
to any claims or inquiries made by the Partnership regarding matters revealed by any such
inspection, examination or audit.
Section 3.3 Reports. Pioneer USA shall prepare and deliver to the Partnership any reports
provided for in this Agreement and such other reports as the Partnership may reasonably request
from time to time regarding the performance of the Services.
ARTICLE IV
PAYMENT AMOUNT
PAYMENT AMOUNT
Section 4.1 Administrative Fee.
(a) | The Partnership shall on a quarterly basis reimburse Pioneer USA and its Affiliates for their costs in providing the Services (the “Administrative Fee”), pursuant to any methodology determined in accordance with this Section 4.1. Initially and until changed as provided in this Section 4.1, the Administrative Fee will be based on a methodology of determining the Partnership Group’s share, on a per BOE basis, of certain of the general and administrative costs incurred by Pioneer USA and its Affiliates (excluding the Partnership Group). Under this initial methodology, the per BOE cost for Services during any period will be determined by dividing (i) the aggregate United States general and administrative costs of Pioneer USA and its Affiliates (excluding the Partnership Group) during such period, excluding such costs directly attributable to Pioneer USA’s and its Affiliates’ Alaska operations, by (ii) the sum of (x) the United States production during such period of Pioneer USA and its Affiliates (which for the avoidance of doubt includes the production of the Partnership |
6
Group), excluding any production attributable to Pioneer USA’s and its Affiliates’ Alaska operations, plus (y) the volumes delivered under all VPPs during such period. The Administrative Fee will then be determined by multiplying the per BOE costs by the total production of the Partnership during such period. For 2007, it is estimated that the Administrative Fee for the Partnership Group will be $1.08 per BOE of the Partnership Group’s production. The Administrative Fee may be based on amounts estimated by Pioneer USA if actual amounts are not available as determined by Pioneer USA. The Administrative Fee for the quarter containing the Effective Date shall equal the Administrative Fee that would have been payable for the full quarter multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is equal to the number of days from the Effective Date until the end of such quarter and the denominator of which is equal to the number of days in such quarter. | |||
(b) | From time to time, Pioneer USA may propose changes to the methodology of calculating the Administrative Fee. Any change in the methodology of calculation will take effect when the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership Group, consents to such change. The consent of the General Partner will not be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned, so long as the methodology proposed reasonably compensates Pioneer USA and its Affiliates for their costs in providing the Services. | ||
(c) | On an annual basis, commencing with fiscal year 2008, Pioneer USA will review the Administrative Fee charged during the previous twelve month period. The review of the previous twelve month period shall involve a comparison of the final general and administrative expense and production amounts to the amounts used to calculate the Administrative Fee for the previous twelve month period in order to determine if the Partnership was overcharged or undercharged. Any overcharged or undercharged amounts will be reflected as a decrease or increase, respectively, to the Administrative Fee for the then current fiscal quarter. |
Section 4.2 Direct Costs. The Partnership shall reimburse Pioneer USA and its Affiliates for
all third-party expenses that Pioneer USA and its Affiliates incur on behalf of the Partnership
Group, if any (the “Direct Costs”).
Section 4.3 XXXXX Fee. Pioneer USA shall be entitled to retain any XXXXX overhead charges
associated with drilling and operating xxxxx billed in accordance with operating agreements to the
extent that it is the operator of such xxxxx. The Partnership will pay all expenses that are
directly chargeable to xxxxx under operating agreements.
Section 4.4 Payment Terms.
(a) | Pioneer USA shall invoice the Partnership within twenty-five (25) days after the close of each quarter for the actual or estimated amount of the Administrative Fee, plus or minus any adjustments necessary to correct |
7
estimated xxxxxxxx to actual xxxxxxxx. Subject to Section 4.5, all invoices shall be due and payable, in immediately available funds within fifteen (15) days after receipt of each invoice. Upon the request of the Partnership, Pioneer USA shall furnish a reasonable detail of the calculation of the Administrative Fee during any quarter. Pioneer USA has the right to charge the Partnership interest on all past due invoices at the Default Rate. | |||
(b) | The Partnership shall reimburse Pioneer USA or its Affiliates within five (5) days after receipt of an invoice and related support, for Direct Costs incurred by Pioneer USA and its Affiliates. Pioneer USA has the right to charge the Partnership interest on all past due invoices at the Default Rate. |
Section 4.5 Disputed Charges. THE PARTNERSHIP MAY, WITHIN 120 DAYS AFTER RECEIPT OF A CHARGE
FROM PIONEER USA, TAKE WRITTEN EXCEPTION TO SUCH CHARGE, ON THE GROUND THAT THE CHARGE WAS NOT A
CORRECT CALCULATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE AND/OR A REASONABLE COST INCURRED BY PIONEER USA OR
ITS AFFILIATES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SERVICES. THE PARTNERSHIP SHALL NEVERTHELESS PAY PIONEER USA
IN FULL WHEN DUE THE FULL ADMINISTRATIVE FEE AND ANY DIRECT COSTS CHARGED TO PIONEER USA. SUCH
PAYMENT SHALL NOT BE DEEMED A WAIVER OF THE RIGHT OF THE PARTNERSHIP TO RECOUP ANY CONTESTED
PORTION OF ANY AMOUNT SO PAID. HOWEVER, IF THE AMOUNT AS TO WHICH SUCH WRITTEN EXCEPTION IS TAKEN,
OR ANY PART THEREOF, IS ULTIMATELY DETERMINED NOT TO BE A CORRECT CALCULATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE
FEE AND/OR A REASONABLE COST INCURRED BY PIONEER USA OR ITS AFFILIATES IN CONNECTION WITH ITS
PROVIDING THE SERVICES HEREUNDER, SUCH AMOUNT OR PORTION THEREOF (AS THE CASE MAY BE) SHALL BE
REFUNDED BY PIONEER USA TO THE PARTNERSHIP TOGETHER WITH INTEREST THEREON AT THE DEFAULT RATE
DURING THE PERIOD FROM THE DATE OF PAYMENT BY THE PARTNERSHIP TO THE DATE OF REFUND BY PIONEER USA.
Section 4.6 Set Off. In the event that Pioneer USA owes the Partnership a sum certain in an
uncontested amount under any other agreement, then any such amounts may be aggregated and the
Partnership and Pioneer USA may discharge their obligations by netting those amounts against any
amounts owed by the Partnership to Pioneer USA under this Agreement. If the Partnership or Pioneer
USA owes the other party a greater aggregate amount, that Party may pay to the other Party the
difference between the amounts owed.
Section 4.7 Pioneer USA’s Employees. The Partnership shall not be obligated to pay to Pioneer
USA’s or its Affiliates’ employees directly any compensation, salaries, wages, bonuses, benefits,
social security taxes, workers’ compensation insurance, retirement and insurance benefits, training
and other such expenses; provided, however, that the Partnership or the General Partner or its
Affiliates may, at its option, compensate such employees under one or more equity-based incentive
compensation plans for the provision of Services hereunder and the Partnership will reimburse the
General Partner or such Affiliate for the cost incurred for such compensation.
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Section 4.8 Approval of Expenses. Pioneer USA acknowledges that the Audit Committee of the
Board of Directors of the General Partner, or if there is no Audit Committee, the entire Board of
Directors of the General Partner, may at any time review the Administrative Fee, any Direct Costs
and the levels of Services and, as a result, may direct the Partnership to decrease the level of
Services or to dispute a prior invoice pursuant to Section 4.5. In addition to the information
Pioneer USA is obligated to provide pursuant to Section 4.4(a), Pioneer USA shall provide such
other information as reasonably necessary to determine the veracity or appropriateness of any
Administrative Fee or Direct Costs hereunder.
ARTICLE V
FORCE MAJEURE
FORCE MAJEURE
Section 5.1 Force Majeure. A Party’s obligation under this Agreement shall be excused when
and to the extent its performance of that obligation is prevented due to Force Majeure; provided,
however, that a Party shall not be excused by Force Majeure from any obligation to pay money. The
Party that is prevented from performing its obligation by reason of Force Majeure shall promptly
notify the other Parties of that fact and shall exercise due diligence to end its inability to
perform as promptly as practicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Party is not required to
settle any strike, lockout or other labor dispute in which it may be involved; provided, however,
that, in the event of a strike, lockout or other labor dispute affecting Pioneer USA, Pioneer USA
shall use reasonable efforts to continue to perform all obligations hereunder by utilizing its
management personnel and that of its Affiliates.
ARTICLE VI
ASSIGNMENTS AND SUBCONTRACTS
ASSIGNMENTS AND SUBCONTRACTS
Section 6.1 Assignments.
(a) | Without the prior consent of Pioneer USA, none of the Partnership or the other members or the Partnership Group may sell, assign, transfer or convey any of its rights, or delegate any of its obligations, under this Agreement to any Person. | ||
(b) | Without the prior consent of the Partnership, Pioneer USA may not sell, assign, transfer or convey any of its rights, or delegate any of its obligations, under this Agreement to any Person, other than the delegation of performance of Services to an Affiliate of Pioneer USA or a qualified third party as permitted by Section 2.4 and the sale, assignment, transfer or conveyance of its rights hereunder to any such Affiliate. | ||
(c) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, a merger shall not be deemed to be an assignment and a transfer of the rights and an assumption of the obligations under this Agreement in connection with the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of a Party shall not be deemed an assignment of such rights or obligations of such Party to this Agreement. |
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Section 6.2 Other Requirements. Subject to the other provisions hereof:
(a) | All materials and workmanship used or provided in performing the Services shall be in accordance with applicable specifications and standards. | ||
(b) | Pioneer USA shall exercise reasonable diligence to obtain the most favorable terms or warranties available from vendors, suppliers and other third parties, and where appropriate, Pioneer USA shall assign such warranties to the Partnership. | ||
(c) | In rendering the Services, Pioneer USA shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability, and shall, to the extent applicable, comply with the equal employment opportunity clauses promulgated under Executive Order 11246, The Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(d) | Pioneer USA agrees to exercise reasonable diligence to ensure that, during the term of this Agreement, it shall not employ unauthorized aliens as defined in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, or any successor law. |
ARTICLE VII
TERMINATION
TERMINATION
Section 7.1 Termination.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the General Partner is removed
as general partner of the Partnership under circumstances where Cause does not exist and Common
Units held by the General Partner and its Affiliates are not voted in favor of such removal, this
Agreement may immediately thereupon be terminated by Pioneer USA. This Agreement may also be
terminated immediately by any Party upon a Change of Control. Any termination under this Section
7.1(a) shall become effective immediately upon delivery of the notice first described in this
Section 7.1(a).
(b) In addition to Section 7.1(a), either Party may terminate this Agreement at any time by
giving notice of such termination to the other Party. Any termination under this Section 7.1(b)
shall become effective ninety (90) days after delivery of such notice, or such later time (not to
exceed the first anniversary of the delivery of such notice) as may be specified by the terminating
Party.
(c) Articles VIII, IX and X of this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement.
Section 7.2 Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is terminated in accordance with Section
7.1(a) or 7.1(b), all rights and obligations under this Agreement shall cease except for
10
(a) obligations that expressly survive termination of this Agreement, (b) liabilities and
obligations that have accrued prior to such termination, including the obligation to pay any
amounts that have become due and payable prior to such termination, and (c) the obligation to pay
any portion of the Administrative Fee or any Direct Costs that have accrued prior to such
termination, even if such amounts have not become due and payable at that time.
ARTICLE VIII
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Section 8.1 Nondisclosure. Each of Pioneer USA and the Partnership Group agrees that (i) it
will not disclose to any third party or use any Confidential Information disclosed to it by the
other except as expressly permitted in this Agreement, and (ii) it will take all reasonable
measures to maintain the confidentiality of all Confidential Information of the other Party in its
possession or control, which will in no event be less than the measures it uses to maintain the
confidentiality of its own information of similar type and importance.
Section 8.2 Permitted Disclosure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Party may disclose
Confidential Information (i) to the extent required by a court of competent jurisdiction or other
governmental authority or otherwise as required by law, including without limitation disclosure
obligations imposed under the federal securities laws, provided that such Party has given the other
Party prior notice of such requirement when legally permissible to permit the other Party to take
such legal action to prevent the disclosure as it deems reasonable, appropriate or necessary, or
(ii) to its consultants, legal counsel, Affiliates, accountants, banks and other financing sources
and their advisors (collectively, the “Advisors”); provided that each Advisor that receives
Confidential Information pursuant to this Section 8.2 agrees to be bound by the provisions of
Section 8.1.
ARTICLE IX
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION
Section 9.1 Limitation of Liability. Neither Pioneer USA nor any of its controlling persons,
directors, officers, employees, agents and permitted assigns (each, a “Pioneer USA Party”) shall
have any liability to the Partnership Group for any losses, damages, claims, demands, causes of
action, judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, injury, liability, cost or expense, including
court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees and expert fees and expenses (“Damages”), arising out of
or relating in any way to this Agreement, whether such Damages arise on account of the furnishing
of Services hereunder, the failure to furnish Services hereunder, or otherwise, and whether or not
such Damages were caused by the negligence of the Pioneer USA Party, including the Pioneer USA
Party’s sole negligence and whether sounding in contract, tort, statute or otherwise; provided,
however, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to Damages caused by a Pioneer USA Party if
there has been a final decision determining that such Pioneer USA Party acted in bad faith or
engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge
that the conduct was unlawful. No Affiliate of Pioneer USA shall have any liability to the
Partnership Group on account of any Damages suffered by the Partnership Group arising out of or
relating in any way to this Agreement, whether or not such Damages were caused by their bad faith,
negligence and/or gross
11
negligence, including their sole negligence and/or sole gross negligence, or their fraud,
willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, their knowledge that the conduct was
unlawful.
Section 9.2 Partnership’s Indemnity. The Partnership agrees to indemnify, defend and hold
harmless each Pioneer Indemnified Party from and against any and all Damages arising out of or
relating in any way to this Agreement, whether such Damages arise on account of the furnishing of
Services hereunder, the failure to furnish Services hereunder, or otherwise, and whether or not
such Damages were caused by the negligence of any Pioneer Indemnified Party, including the Pioneer
Indemnified Party’s sole negligence; provided, however, that the foregoing limitation shall not
apply to Damages caused by a Pioneer Indemnified Party if there has been a final decision
determining that such Pioneer Indemnified Party acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud, willful
misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge that the conduct was
unlawful.
Section 9.3 Limitation of Damages. If the Partnership Group suffers Damages arising out of or
relating in any way to this Agreement, which Damages were caused, as determined by a final
decision, by Pioneer USA’s (or any Affiliate of Pioneer USA pursuant to Section 9.4) bad faith,
fraudulent activities, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, knowledge that the
conduct was unlawful, Pioneer USA’s sole liability to the Partnership Group shall be to properly
perform the Services in question at no additional cost to the Partnership Group and to pay the
Partnership Group for any and all direct damages suffered by the Partnership Group.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or at Law and in equity, in no event
shall Pioneer USA be liable for punitive, special, indirect, incidental or consequential damages
(including, without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption or any
other loss) arising from or relating in any way to any claim made under this Agreement or regarding
the provision of or the failure to provide Services, even if Pioneer USA had been advised or was
aware of the possibility of such damages.
Section 9.4 Affiliate; Third Parties. If Pioneer USA uses the personnel of its Affiliates to
provide Services, Pioneer USA shall be responsible for the acts and omissions of such personnel to
the extent provided in this Agreement; provided, however, that Pioneer USA will not be responsible
unless such conduct has been determined by a final decision that such personnel acted in bad faith
or engaged in fraud, willful misconduct or, in the case of a criminal matter, acted with knowledge
that the conduct was unlawful.
ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 10.1 Choice of Law. This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws of
the State of Texas, excluding any conflicts-of-law rule or principle that might refer the
construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the laws of another state.
Section 10.2 Notice. All notices, requests or consents provided for or permitted to be given
pursuant to this Agreement must be in writing and must be given by depositing same in the United
States mail, addressed to the Person to be notified, postpaid, and registered or certified with
return receipt requested or by delivering such notice in person or by telecopier or telegram to
such Party. Notice given by personal delivery or mail shall be effective upon actual
12
receipt. Notice given by telegram or telecopier shall be effective upon actual receipt if
received during the recipient’s normal business hours, or at the beginning of the recipient’s next
business day after receipt if not received during the recipient’s normal business hours. All
notices to be sent to a Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be sent to or made at the address
set forth below or at such other address as such Party may stipulate to the other Parties in the
manner provided in this Section 10.2.
0000 X. X’Xxxxxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Phone: (000) 000-0000
Fax: (000) 000-0000
Attention: General Counsel
Section 10.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the Parties
relating to the matters contained herein, superseding all prior contracts or agreements, whether
oral or written, relating to the matters contained herein.
Section 10.4 Further Action. In connection with this Agreement and all transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, each Party agrees to execute and deliver such additional documents
and instruments and to perform such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to
effectuate, carry out and perform all of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Agreement and
all such transactions.
Section 10.5 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the Parties hereto and their heirs, executors, administrators, successors, legal representatives
and permitted assigns.
Section 10.6 Creditors. None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be for the benefit of,
or shall be enforceable by, any creditor of the Partnership.
Section 10.7 Effect of Waiver or Consent. No waiver or consent, express or implied, by any
Party to or of any breach or default by any Person in the performance by such Person of its
obligations hereunder shall be deemed or construed to be a consent or waiver to or of any other
breach or default in the performance by such Person of the same or any other obligations of such
Person hereunder. Failure on the part of a Party to complain of any act of any Person or to declare
any Person in default, irrespective of how long such failure continues, shall not constitute a
waiver by such Party of its rights hereunder until the applicable statute of limitations period has
run.
Section 10.8 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, all of which
together shall constitute an agreement binding on all the Parties hereto, notwithstanding that all
such Parties are not signatories to the original or the same counterpart. Each Party shall become
bound by this Agreement immediately upon affixing its signature hereto.
Section 10.9 Invalidity of Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement or the application
thereof to any Person or circumstance shall be held invalid or unenforceable to any extent, the
remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to other Persons
13
or circumstances shall not be affected thereby and shall be enforced to the greatest extent
permitted by law.
Section 10.10 Amendment or Restatement. This Agreement may be amended or restated only by a
written instrument executed by each of the Parties; provided, however, that after the completion of
the Partnership’s initial public offering of common units representing limited partner interests,
the Partnership may not, without the prior approval of the conflicts committee of the board of
directors of the General Partner or, if there is no such committee, the independent members of such
board of directors, agree to any amendment or modification of this Agreement that the General
Partner determines will adversely affect the holders of such Common Units. The Parties hereto
agree that, for purposes of this Section 10.10, any material change in the nature, quantity or
duration of the Services to be provided under this Agreement shall constitute a modification of
this Agreement.
Section 10.11 Withholding or Granting of Consent. Each Party may, with respect to any consent
or approval that it is entitled to grant pursuant to this Agreement, grant or withhold such consent
or approval in its sole and uncontrolled discretion, with or without cause, and subject to such
conditions as it shall deem appropriate.
Section 10.12 Directly or Indirectly. Where any provision of this Agreement refers to action
to be taken by any Party, or which such Party is prohibited from taking, such provision shall be
applicable whether such action is taken directly or indirectly by such Party, including actions
taken by or on behalf of any Affiliate of such Party.
Section 10.13 Laws and Regulations. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the
contrary, no Party shall be required to take any act, or fail to take any act, under this Agreement
if the effect thereof would be to cause such Party to be in violation of any applicable law,
statute, rule or regulation.
Section 10.14 Negation of Rights of Limited Partners, Assignees and Third Parties. Except as
set forth in Article IX, the provisions of this Agreement are enforceable solely by the Parties,
and no limited partner, member, or assignee of the Partnership or other Person shall have the
right, separate and apart from the Partnership, to enforce any provision of this Agreement or to
compel any Party to comply with the terms of this Agreement.
Section 10.15 No Recourse Against Officers or Directors. For the avoidance of doubt, the
provisions of this Agreement shall not give rise to any right of recourse against any officer or
director of any member of the Partnership Group or any Pioneer Indemnified Party.
Section 10.16 Arbitration. Any claim, counterclaim, demand, cause of action, dispute, or any
other controversy arising out of or relating in any way to this Agreement or to the subject matter
of this Agreement or to any relationship created thereby (each a “Dispute”) shall be resolved by
binding arbitration. A Dispute must be resolved through arbitration regardless of whether the
Dispute involves claims that this Agreement is unlawful, unenforceable, void or voidable or
involves claims sounding in tort, contract, statute or common law. This Section 10.16 shall be
binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the Parties and their Affiliates, the Partnership
Group and the Pioneer Indemnified Parties. The validity, construction and
14
interpretation of this agreement to arbitrate, and all other procedural aspects of the
arbitration conducted pursuant hereto, shall be decided by the arbitral tribunal. Any arbitration
under this Agreement shall be administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) and
conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules (the “Rules”) of the AAA in existence
at the time of the arbitration. In resolving any Dispute, the arbitral tribunal shall refer to the
governing law as specified in Section 10.1 of this Agreement. The arbitral tribunal shall not be
empowered to award exemplary, punitive, indirect, consequential, remote, speculative, treble,
multiple or special damages, and the Parties and their Affiliates, the Partnership Group and the
Pioneer Indemnified Parties waive any right they may have to recover such damages from one another.
The arbitral tribunal shall not be empowered to decide any dispute ex aequo et xxxx or amiable
compositeur. The seat (or legal place) and venue of the arbitration shall be in Dallas, Texas.
The arbitration shall be conducted in the English language.
The Dispute shall be decided by a panel of three neutral arbitrators. The claimant or
claimants shall nominate an arbitrator at the time of service of a request for arbitration. The
respondent or respondents shall nominate an arbitrator at the time of service of the response to
the request for arbitration. If the claimant(s) or respondent(s) fail to appoint an arbitrator,
then that arbitrator shall be appointed in accordance with the Rules. The two appointed arbitrators
shall together agree upon a third arbitrator to recommend to the AAA to chair the arbitration. If
the two party-appointed arbitrators are unable to agree upon an arbitrator within 15 days of the
respondent’s appointment of an arbitrator, then the chairman shall be chosen according to the
Rules. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if two or more respondents have interests with regard to a
Dispute that are not completely common, then all arbitrators shall be appointed in accordance with
the Rules and not by nomination or appointment by the Parties. Any arbitration award may be
enforced by the courts sitting in Dallas, Texas or any other court of competent subject matter
jurisdiction (including any jurisdiction in which a Party holds or keeps assets). Any action to
challenge, vacate or set aside the award in whole or in part must be brought in the courts sitting
in Dallas, Texas. The Parties and their Affiliates, the Partnership Group and the Pioneer
Indemnified Parties agree to waive any objections they may have to personal jurisdiction, venue or
forum non-conveniens for any action brought to enforce the award in the courts sitting in Dallas,
Texas or any other jurisdiction where a party against which enforcement of the award is sought
holds or keeps assets.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on, and effective as of, the
Effective Date.
PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES GP LLC |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
PIONEER SOUTHWEST ENERGY PARTNERS L.P. |
||||
By: | Pioneer Natural Resources GP LLC, its General Partner |
|||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
PIONEER SOUTHWEST ENERGY PARTNERS USA LLC |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
PIONEER NATURAL RESOURCES USA, INC. |
||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
[Signature Page to Administrative Services Agreement]
Schedule I
Services Provided by Pioneer USA
to the Partnership Group
to the Partnership Group
1. | Accounting | |
2. | Audit | |
3. | Business Development | |
4. | Financial Services | |
5. | Real Property | |
6. | Legal | |
7. | Operations/Reservoir Engineering/Geology/Geophysics | |
8. | Investor Relations | |
9. | Management and Corporate Development | |
10. | Risk Management | |
11. | Commercial and Marketing | |
12. | Information Technology | |
13. | Insurance Services | |
14. | Government Regulations Compliance | |
15. | Securities and Exchange Commission Reporting | |
16. | Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Compliance | |
17. | Treasury | |
18. | Tax | |
19. | Communications | |
20. | Human Resources | |
21. | Administrative Services |
Schedule I — 1