SURFACE USE AND DAMAGE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.2
This Surface Use and Damage Agreement (Agreement) is made and entered into effective this
10th day of March 2011, by and between PCY Holdings LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Pure Cycle Corporation, as the owner of the surface of the lands described hereafter whose
addresses is 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 hereinafter referred to as
“Owner”, and Anadarko E&P Company LP, whose address is 0000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000,
Xxxxxx, XX 00000, hereinafter referred to as “Operator”.
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Owner owns the surface estate described on Exhibit “A” attached hereto (the “Lands”)
as well as the mineral estate under the Lands; and
WHEREAS, Owner plans to develop the Lands which plans may include planned communities for
residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial and other development; and
WHEREAS, Operator holds one or more valid oil and gas leases from Owner or from third parties
covering all or portions of the Lands; and
WHEREAS, the parties wish to enter into an agreement concerning the use by Operator of
portions of the Lands for the purposes of drilling, completing, and operating one or more oil and
gas xxxxx on the Lands consistent with Owner’s ownership of the Lands for development.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties
agree as follows:
1. Right of Use. Owner hereby gives and grants to Operator, its agents, employees,
drilling contractors, and related service companies, subject to the terms of this Agreement, the
non-exclusive right to enter upon and use the Lands for the purpose of drilling, completing, and
producing one or more oil and gas xxxxx at legal locations or at such exception locations as are
approved by the Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission (“COGCC”), together with rights-of-way
across the Lands and adjacent lands owned by Owner necessary to construct and maintain one or more
access roads, well sites, tank batteries, and pipelines in connection with the oil or gas xxxxx to
be drilled by Operator upon the Lands, all in accordance with, and subject to the limitations set
forth in, this Agreement. The rights of Operator to use the Lands as set forth herein are
non-exclusive, and Owner reserves the right to use all access roads, and all surface and
sub-surface uses of the Lands, and to grant successive easements on or across the Lands on such
terms and conditions as Owner deems necessary or advisable, provided that Owner’s use and all other
uses authorized by Owner do not unreasonably interfere with the operations of Operator.
2. Notification and Consultation.
(a) Prior to commencing any operations, initiating the drilling of any well or
initiating the conduct of seismic activities on said Lands, Operator shall notify Owner
prior to entry upon the Lands and shall consult with Owner and receive Owner’s consent,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, as to the location of each well, road,
pipeline, power line, tank battery, or other facility to be placed upon or under the Lands.
Such agreed-upon locations shall be known as the “Oil and Gas Operations Areas”. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement with respect to roads and pipelines, all of Operator’s
activities shall be restricted to the Oil and Gas Operations Areas and Owner shall not
occupy any portion of the Oil and Gas Operations Areas for any purpose (except as described
in Section 11), it being specifically agreed that the Oil and Gas Operations Areas are for
the exclusive use of Operator. No gas treatment or gas processing facility shall be placed
on the Lands, other than standard wellsite separation, artificial lift equipment and
dehydration equipment.
(b) To the maximum extent possible, Operator’s access to its Oil and Gas Operations
Areas and the placement of pipelines and power lines (to the extent they are located outside
of the Oil and Gas Operations Areas) will be along the section lines of the Lands. Owner
recognizes that Operator will have to construct access roads, pipelines and power lines from
the section lines of the Lands to the Oil and Gas Operations Areas. The location of such
access roads, pipelines and power lines will be done in consultation with, and subject to
approval by, Owner as required by subparagraph (a) immediately above.
(c) Provided mutually acceptable alternate locations are agreed upon by Owner and
Operator, Owner shall have the right to require Operator to relocate any roads, pipelines,
power lines, or other surface or underground facilities (excluding any well) upon 90 days
prior written notice to Operator in the event that such relocation is necessary to Owner’s
use of the Lands. All relocation expenses will be borne by Owner and Operator will not be
required to move any of its facilities until provision has been made for the payment of such
expenses to the reasonable satisfaction of Operator.
3. Compensation. As compensation for surface damages of Owner’s surface estate,
Operator shall pay to Owner the following:
(a) The sum of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000) per permanently disturbed acre for the
drilling of any well or location of any facilities upon the Lands owned by Owner, and for
the access road across the Lands to the well location, payable prior to commencement of
surface disturbing activities.
(b) The fees and compensation payable by Operator to Owner for the installation and
location and operation of any compressor on the Lands shall be negotiated in good faith by
Owner and Operator under a separate agreement.
(c) Provided Owner is in compliance with this Agreement, Operator agrees that it will
not object, oppose or seek to prevent Owner from (i) obtaining any required permits to
develop the Lands for such residential, commercial, industrial and other uses of any kind as
Owner determines from time to time, or (ii) so developing the Lands, subject to Operator’s
rights under this Agreement. Operator agrees to execute and deliver letters of support of
and non-objection to such development by Owner as may be
requested by Owner from time to time. Likewise, provided Operator is in compliance
with this Agreement, Owner will not oppose any permit application Operator submits to the
COGCC or any state or local entity having jurisdiction of some or all of Operator’s
activities hereunder or under the Oil and Gas Lease of even date so long as said application
or permit is consistent with this Agreement.
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(d) Owner and Operator agree that once the Oil and Gas Operations Areas have been
established in accordance with Section 5 hereof, Owner, with the exception of the setback
requirement of COGCC rule 603.a.(1), shall automatically be deemed to waive the setbacks
provided for in COGCC rules including the setback and other requirements of rules 603.a.(2),
603.b. and 603.e. of the rules and regulations of the COGCC relating to property lines and
high density and designated outside activity areas, as they may be amended from time to
time. Owner further and similarly shall be deemed to waive its right to object to any other
state or local setback requirements or other requirements or regulations that are or become
inconsistent with this Agreement or that would prohibit or interfere with the rights of
Operator, its successors and assigns, to explore for and produce the oil and gas in
accordance with this Agreement. Operator or its successors and assigns may cite the waiver
in this paragraph in order to obtain a location exception or variance under COGCC rules or
from any other state or local governmental body having jurisdiction over the oil and gas
operations contemplated hereby including the City. Once the Oil and Gas Operations Areas
have been established in accordance with Section 5 hereof, Owner agrees not to object to the
use of the surface in the OGOA(s) so long as such use is consistent with this Agreement and
Owner will provide Operator or its successors and assigns with any and all written support
they may reasonably require to obtain permits from the COGCC or any local jurisdiction. In
consideration of the foregoing, Operator waives its rights to object to future development
of the Lands based upon any state or local setback requirement that regulates how close such
future development may encroach upon Operator’s facilities, and further agrees that Owner
may cite the waiver in this paragraph in order to obtain an exception or variance to setback
requirements from any state or local governmental body having jurisdiction over the Lands.
Notwithstanding the waiver by Operator in the immediately preceding sentence, Owner will
comply with those state and local setback requirements the primary purpose of which is
safety rather than aesthetics.
4. Road Construction and Use. Subject to Section 2 above, any roads constructed or
used by Operator on the Lands shall be constructed or used to the following specifications:
(a) To the maximum extent reasonably possible, Operator will use existing roads
designated by Owner for its operations if such use is operationally and economically
feasible in Operator’s judgment reasonably exercised.
(b) The surface of all roadways shall be made of compacted gravel, and shall comply
with all regulations or laws applicable to such roadways. All interior roadways, within the
Oil and Gas Operations Areas, shall not exceed 20 feet in width for vehicles and equipment
other than drilling rigs 30 feet in width for drilling rigs for traveled surface. All
roadways along the section lines of the Lands shall be 30 feet or more in
width for traveled surface. Operator shall control dust from all roadways through the
application of an appropriate dust suppressant. Any roads constructed by Operator shall be
improved as may be necessary and Owner and Operator agree that once surface development
begins, the parties will consult with each other and agree on how the roads used in the
operations of the oil and gas activities will be merged into the development roads.
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(c) If requested by Owner, access to the Lands of Owner from any public road, or from
the land of any adjoining Landowner, shall be controlled by a swinging metal gate in
addition to a cattle guard.
(d) Culverts shall be placed in low areas for proper drainage.
(e) No off-road travel is permitted and particularly no off-road travel which has the
effect of widening the road or area of damage.
(f) The use and construction of roads by Operator on the Lands is a non-exclusive use,
and Owner may allow other parties to use said roads and make a charge therefor. However,
Operator shall have the right to assess other non-agricultural users of the roads (except
for Owner) for their share of maintenance work performed by Operator. Owner shall have no
responsibility for road maintenance.
(g) Operator agrees, if requested by Owner, to place an appropriate sign or signs on
any road designating them as “private roads” and to assist Owner in the control of the use
of such roads by unauthorized users. The size and color of such signs shall be subject to
Owner’s approval.
(h) Owner may lock gates across its private roads, provided that Operator shall have
the right to place its own locks on such gates.
(i) Operator shall maintain existing and newly constructed roads used by Operator to
the extent necessary for Operator’s needs and to the reasonable satisfaction of Owner, which
maintenance may include shaling, ditching, graveling, blading, mowing grass to avoid fire
danger, installing and cleaning cattle guards, and spraying for noxious weeds. This work
shall be done at such reasonable times as Owner shall request.
(j) No roads on the Lands shall be used by Operator for access to lands not subject to
the Lease without a separately negotiated agreement.
5. Oil and Gas Operations Areas. Oil and Gas Operations Areas located on the Lands shall be
limited to no more than ten (10) acres in size during drilling, completion, and reworking
activities, and no more than four (4) acres permanently disturbed in size for producing xxxxx,
including any tank batteries constructed by Operator. On or before one year from the date of this
Agreement, Owner and Operator will select three (3) Oil and Gas Operations Areas on the Lands. If
the three Oil and Gas Operations Areas are not selected on or before the expiration of one year,
the same will be selected pursuant to Section 31 below. If Operator determines
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that the three Oil and Gas Operations selected pursuant to this Section
are not sufficient to maximize production of oil and gas from the Lands, which determination is
based upon an oil and gas engineering analysis prepared by Operator, Operator may propose an
additional Oil and Gas Operations Area to Owner on or before the expiration of the primary term of
the oil and gas lease between the parties of even date herewith. Owner and Operator shall then
engage in good faith negotiations to determine whether the additional Oil and Gas Operations Area
proposed by Operator can be mutually agreed and become an Oil and Gas Operations Area for the
purposes of this Agreement; provided, that any agreement by Owner to allow any such additional Oil
and Gas Operations Area shall be made in its sole and absolute discretion. If Owner and Operator
are not able to reach a mutually acceptable agreement with respect to the proposed additional Oil
and Gas Operations Area, Owner will not be obligated to agree to the creation of any additional Oil
and Gas Operations Areas on the Lands. It is also agreed that Operator shall have no more than two
(2) Oil and Gas Operations Areas in any governmental quarter section of the Lands.
Operator agrees to fence the pits and other dangerous areas and at all times keep its well sites in
good order and free of litter, debris, trash, or spilled hydrocarbons. In the event that Operator
does not encounter commercial quantities of oil, gas, or other hydrocarbons at any well location
and determines the location to be a “dry hole,” Operator shall promptly fill in, smooth over, and
clean up the well site and rights-of-way and shall restore and reseed the area with a seed mix
reasonably approved by Owner after replacing topsoil. All cleanup and restoration activities shall
be completed by Operator as soon as the reserve pit has been allowed to dry so that proper
backfilling can be accomplished. If the reserve pit is not dry within six months of completion of
drilling operations, it shall be pumped dry by Operator and the contents properly disposed of off
the Land pursuant to applicable law. In the event that any well drilled upon the Lands is
completed as a commercial producer of oil and/or gas, Operator shall promptly clean up the well
site location and use only so much of the area as is reasonably necessary for its operations, and
Operator shall restore such well location, reseeding the same with a seed mix specified by Owner,
and Operator shall keep all well site locations neat, orderly, and clean at all times.
6. Pipelines. Subject to Section 2, any pipelines constructed by Operator on the
Lands shall be constructed and maintained to the following specifications:
(a) The top of each pipeline shall be buried at least 48 inches below the surface of
the ground and shall be constructed in such a manner to safely permit Owner to construct
roads and utilities over such pipeline in such locations as may be designated by Owner and
shall be double ditched with soil compaction and restoration of topsoil to the surface.
(b) Operator shall be responsible for backfilling, repacking, reseeding, and
recontouring the surface so as not to interfere with Owner’s present or future agricultural
operations and it’s present or planned future development or other use of the Lands. If
pipeline trenches settle so as to interfere with Owner’s irrigation or ranching activities,
upon request by Owner, Operator shall fill in, repack, and level such trenches.
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(c) The pipelines referred to in this Agreement are limited to and include only those
gathering system pipelines used in connection with xxxxx drilled on the Lands. Operator
shall provide Owner with a plat showing the “as built” length and location of all pipelines
promptly after their installation.
(d) Operator shall not locate and/or construct, or cause to be located and/or
constructed, compressor stations or gas, water or any other transportation pipelines on the
Lands, which activities may only be done by separate written agreement of the parties.
(e) Owner reserves the right to occupy, use, and cultivate the lands affected by such
pipelines, and to grant such rights to others, so long as such use does not interfere with
Operator’s operations. No structures may be built by Owner within fifteen (15) feet of any
pipeline.
(f) The pipelines referred to in this Agreement are limited to and include only those
gathering system pipelines used in connection with xxxxx drilled on the Lands.
(g) If Operator fails to use any pipeline for a period in excess of twenty-four (24)
consecutive months, the pipeline shall be deemed abandoned and Operator shall promptly take
all actions necessary or desirable to clean up and remove the pipeline, or render the
pipeline environmentally safe and fit for abandonment in place, and restore the surface.
All such cleanup and mitigation shall be performed in compliance with all applicable
federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
7. Power Lines. Subject to Section 2 above, any buried or overhead power lines
constructed on the Lands shall be constructed and maintained to the following specifications:
(a) Operator will consult with Owner and with the independent power company supplying
power to Operator with respect to the location of overhead power lines prior to
construction, and shall obtain Owner’s written consent for such locations which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld. Overhead power lines will be constructed so as to cause
the least interference reasonably possible with Owner’s visual landscape and Owner’s
existing and planned future uses of the Lands, and, to the maximum extent reasonably
possible, overhead power lines will be constructed along fence lines or property lines. All
overhead power lines will be located in a manner to minimize or avoid interference with
Owner’s existing or future uses of the Lands. No overhead power line will be located where
it will interfere with Owner’s existing or planned future uses of the Lands planned by Owner
at the time of construction of overhead power lines. Owner shall be entitled to receive
payment from Operator’s electricity provider for overhead power lines.
(b) Subject to compliance with any guidelines and policies of the power provider,
within two months after a well has been placed on production, all power lines constructed by
or for Operator downstream of the independent power company’s meters shall be buried, and
all power line trenches shall be fully reclaimed and reseeded to the reasonable satisfaction
of Owner. Buried power lines shall be installed at least 48 inches
below the surface of the ground, and shall be constructed in such a manner to safely
permit Owner to construct roads and utilities over such power line in such locations as may
be designated by Owner.
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(c) Operator agrees that it will not construct overhead power lines that will interfere
with irrigation in those portions of the Lands which are developed or are being irrigated or
cultivated or which may, in the future, be developed or irrigated or cultivated or which are
fallow as part of a crop rotation or management program.
8. Operations. Operator’s operations on the Lands shall be conducted according to the
following specifications:
(a) Operator shall at all times keep its well sites and road rights-of-way safe and in
good order, free of noxious weeds, litter and debris, and shall spray for noxious weeds upon
reasonable demand by Owner as required by the rules of the COGCC.
(b) Operator shall rehabilitate, restore, reclaim, and reseed all disturbed areas
caused by Operator’s operations within six (6) months after termination of construction
activities on such sites, unless inclement weather prevents such rehabilitation and
restoration within that time period or within such other time as provided in the then
applicable rules of the COGCC.
(c) All cattle guards and fences installed by Operator shall be kept clean and in good
repair and will become the property of Owner when Operator ceases ownership of its oil and
gas lease covering that portion of the Lands.
(d) Operator shall not permit the release or discharge of any toxic or hazardous
chemicals or wastes on the Lands. Any spill of oil, grease, solvents, chemicals, or
hazardous substances on the Lands which are reportable to regulatory authorities under
applicable law or regulations shall be immediately (within 24 hours) reported to Owner by
telephone, fax, or e-mail, to be followed by copies of written notices which Operator has
filed with regulatory authorities within five (5) business days after such filing.
(e) Operator shall remove only the minimum amount of vegetation necessary for the
construction of roads, well locations, and other facilities. Topsoil shall be conserved
during excavation, stockpiled and reused as cover on disturbed areas to facilitate regrowth
of vegetation.
(f) Operator shall use reasonable efforts to assure that construction or routine
maintenance activities will not be performed during periods when the soil is too wet to
adequately support construction equipment. Once a well is completed, Operator shall also
access the Lands with heavy trucks and tankers as may be necessary for the efficient
operation of the Lease taking into account the levels of production from xxxxx drilled on
the Lease; it being understood that access will be more frequent earlier in the production
process. Once development of the surface has started, Owner and Operator will consult
with one another to determine if changes need to be made with respect to heavy truck
and tanker access taking into account then current and anticipated levels of production from
the Lease and the safe and efficient use of the surface development.
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(g) All surface facilities not subject to safety requirements shall be painted
Operator’s colors, which shall blend with the natural color of the landscape.
(h) No living quarters shall be constructed upon the Lands, except that drilling crews
and geologists or service personnel may use temporary “dog houses” during drilling,
completion, or reworking activities.
(i) Operator shall not fence any access roads without the prior consent of Owner.
(j) Operator shall construct stock-tight fences for both sheep and cattle around any
dangerous areas, including any pits where Operator drills xxxxx.
(k) Operator and its employees, agents, and contractors shall leave all gates located
on the Lands as they found them; gates found closed are to be closed; gates found open are
to be left open.
(l) None of Operator’s employees, agents, or contractors, or any other person under the
direction or control of Operator shall be permitted to carry firearms or any other weapon on
the Lands and such persons shall not hunt, fish, or engage in recreational activities on the
Lands. No dogs will be permitted on the Lands at any time. Operator will notify all of its
contractors, agents, and employees that no dogs, firearms, weapons, hunting, fishing, or
recreational activities will be allowed on the Lands. None of Operator’s employees, agents,
or contractors, or any other persons under the direction or control of Operator, shall
possess or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while on the Lands. Further,
Operator and its employees, agents, or contractors, or any other person under the direction
or control of Operator shall not cut or transport firewood, cut Christmas trees or remove
pine nuts, artifacts and other non oil and gas materials from the Lands.
(m) Operator shall conduct operations and activities on the Lands in accordance with,
and shall strictly comply with all existing local, state, and federal laws, rules, and
regulations. Operator shall also obtain any permit, consent, license, or other
authorization required by law or by any governmental authority having jurisdiction.
(n) Operator shall take all reasonable steps to prevent fire and to promptly extinguish
fire, including, but not limited to, maintaining a fire extinguisher, shovel, and bucket in
each service vehicle entering upon the Lands. Operator shall fully and promptly compensate
Owner for all damages caused by fire arising out of Operator’s operations, including,
without limitation, any charges incurred by Owner for fire suppression and the replacement
of fences and other property damaged or destroyed by fire.
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(o) Operator shall conduct dust suppression in such areas and at such times as Owner
shall reasonably request as long as the dust being suppressed is the result of Operator’s
operations.
(p) Operator will drill no closer than 200 feet from any spring or water well now
existing on the leased premises without the Owner’s prior written consent.
(q) Operator will place no facility upon the surface of the leased premises closer than
200 feet from any house or barn without prior written consent. In addition, Operator will
use good faith efforts to minimize the aesthetic and noise impact of the equipment located
in any OGOA and any of its other equipment located on the leased premises, which efforts
will include screening any such equipment and other improvements on the leased premises as
may be reasonably requested by the Lessor.
(r) Production tanks to be installed by the Operator on the leased premises shall be
industry standard low profile tanks.
(s) Operator shall use reasonable efforts to conduct its operations so as to cause the
least damage reasonably to the surface as a result of muddy conditions.
9. Limitation on Rights. The Lands may not be used in connection with operations on
other premises not owned by Owner without Owner’s written consent.
10. Produced Water. With respect to any water produced from xxxxx drilled on the
Lands in connection with the production of oil, gas, or other hydrocarbons, Operator agrees to
reinject produced water or haul the same away from the Lands and properly dispose of such produced
water off the Lands. Operator shall not construct evaporation pits for produced water, but may
have a small “emergency pit” during drilling, completion, or reworking operations for produced
water purposes.\
11. Dry Hole / Water. Operator’s use of water shall be governed by the applicable
provisions of the Oil and Gas Lease between the parties. In the event that Operator discovers water
during its drilling operations, Operator shall advise Owner of the location and quantity thereof.
In the event Operator elects to abandon a well (either a “dry hole” or upon cessation of production
from a producing well), Operator will give Owner forty-five (45) days written notice of the
opportunity to take over any abandoned well and convert the well to a water well. If Owner elects
in writing to take over the abandoned well and convert the well to a water well, then Owner will
assume all liability and costs associated with the well thereafter, and both parties shall execute
any and all documents necessary to provide that the water in the well shall become the property and
the responsibility of Owner. If Owner does not elect to take over an abandoned well within such
45-day period, Operator shall plug and abandon the well as required by applicable law and
regulations and reclaim the well site as provided herein. Owner shall be entitled to locate a
water well within each Oil and Gas Operations Area so long as such water well is located with the
express consent of Operator (not to be unreasonably withheld), is as far from Operator’s activities
within such Oil and Gas Operations Area as is practicable, is in
compliance with any applicable COGCC rules and other governing rules and does not materially
interfere with Operator’s operations.
Surface Use and Damage Agreement
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12. Seismic Operations. Seismic operations are expressly authorized by the Lease and
this Agreement. Operator will notify Owner prior to the commencement of such operations and will
pay Owner seven dollars and fifty cents ($7.50) for each acre disturbed by such operations on the
Land. Lessee shall not conduct any seismic or geophysical operations whatsoever when surface
conditions are not relatively dry. At all times, Lessee shall use reasonable efforts to conduct
its seismic operations so as to cause the least damage reasonably possible to the surface.
13. Extraordinary Damages. The compensation provided for herein is acknowledged by
Owner as sufficient and in full satisfaction for damages and use of the Lands caused or created by
the reasonable and customary entry, rights-of-way, and operation and use of roads and well sites,
but do not include damage to livestock, buildings, or improvements, or injuries to persons. This
Agreement does not relieve Operator from liability due to Operator’s negligence or due to spills or
discharges of any hydrocarbon or toxic substance or hazardous chemicals or wastes, or from leaks or
breaks in Operator’s pipelines. Damage to or loss of livestock shall be paid for by Operator at
the higher of market value or replacement cost.
14. Reclamation and Reseeding.
(a) Each area of surface disturbance affected by drilling or subsequent operations to
be commenced within twelve (12) months, shall be reclaimed as early and nearly as
practicable to their original condition or the final land use designated by Owner and shall
be maintained to control dust and minimize erosion to the extent practicable all at
Operator’s expense. The areas being reclaimed shall be ripped and recontoured to conform to
existing grade.
(b) As to crop land on the Lands, if subsidence occurs, Operator will add weed free
topsoil to the depression and the land affected will be re-leveled to its original contour
as practicable. As to non-crop land on the Lands, the disturbed area shall be revegetated
at Operator’s expense to its pre- disturbance condition as nearly as is practicable.
(c) To the extent required by applicable regulations, all chemicals, foreign
substances, pit liners, contaminated soil and trash and unnecessary equipment shall be
removed from the Oil and Gas Operations Areas within a reasonable time after such material
and equipment is no longer needed for Operator’s operations hereunder or pursuant to the
lease of even date.
(d) The reclamation operations in the immediately preceding three subsections shall be
completed by Operator within six (6) months (weather permitting) of the completion of any
well in each Oil and Gas Operations Area.
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(e) Unless Owner otherwise agrees in writing or unless otherwise provided in the rules
of the COGCC, within six (6) months after termination of any of Operator’s operations on the
Lands, Operator, as final reclamation, shall fully restore and level the surface of the
lands affected by such terminated operations as near as possible to the contours which
existed prior to such operations. Operator shall use water bars and other measures as
appropriate to prevent erosion and non-source pollution.
(f) Each well shall be plugged and abandoned by Operator in accordance with the
applicable law upon permanent cessation of production. Weather permitting, within ninety
(90) days following the plugging and abandonment of each well, all surface equipment and
surface appurtenances shall be removed by Operator from the Lands and all unreclaimed and/or
unrevegetated areas previously disturbed by Operator’s operations shall be reclaimed by
Operator at its expense and in accordance with the standards set out in above.
(g) At least 30 days prior to reclamation of road(s) constructed by Operator for its
operations or any portion thereof, Operator shall provide Owner written notice of such
roadway reclamation, which shall include a plat of the portion of the road(s) to be
reclaimed. During the period prior to reclamation, Owner may elect to retain any such
portion of the road(s) for Owner’s use by giving written notice to Operator and the COGCC.
Upon receipt of Owner’s election to retain such portion of the road(s), Operator shall blade
the Road(s) into good and passable condition, and shall thereafter be relieved of its
obligation to maintain and/or reclaim such portion of the Road(s).
15. Indemnification. No party shall be liable for, or be required to pay for,
special, punitive, exemplary, incidental, consequential or indirect damages to any other party for
activities undertaken within the scope of this agreement.
Except as to claims arising out of pollution or environmental damage (which claims are
governed by paragraph 16 below) or out of other provisions of this Agreement (which claims shall be
governed by the terms of this Agreement), each party shall be and remain responsible for all
losses, claims, damages, demands, suits, causes of action, fines, penalties, expenses and
liabilities, including without limitation attorneys’ fees and other costs associated therewith (all
of the aforesaid herein referred to collectively as “Claims”), arising out of or connected with
each such party’s ownership or operations or activities on the Lands, no matter when asserted,
subject to applicable statutes of limitations. Each such party shall release, defend, indemnify and
hold the other parties, their officers, directors, employees, agents and contractors, successors
and assigns, harmless against all such Claims. This provision does not, and shall not be construed
to, create any rights in persons or entities not a party to this Agreement, nor does it create any
separate rights in parties to this Agreement other than the right to be indemnified for Claims as
provided herein. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, Operator shall
compensate Owner for any damage, loss, or claim which Owner sustains because Operator did not act
as a reasonable and prudent operator.
Surface Use and Damage Agreement
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Upon the assignment or conveyance of a party’s entire interest in the Lands, that party shall
be released from its indemnification provided above, for all actions or occurrences happening after
such assignment or conveyance.
16. Environmental Indenmity. The provisions of paragraph 15 above, except for the
first paragraph thereof, shall not apply to any environmental matters, which shall be governed
exclusively by the following:
“Environmental Claims” shall mean all Claims asserted by governmental bodies or other third
parties for pollution or environmental damage of any kind, arising from operations on or ownership
of the Lands or ownership of the oil and gas leasehold interest, whichever is applicable, and all
cleanup and remediation costs, fines and penalties associated therewith, including but not limited
to any Claims arising from Environmental Laws or relating to asbestos or to naturally occurring
radioactive material. Environmental Claims shall not include the costs of any remediation
undertaken voluntarily by any party, unless such remediation is performed under the imminent threat
of a Claim by a governmental body or other third party;
“Environmental Laws” shall mean any laws, regulations, rules, ordinances, or order of any
governmental authority(ies), which relate to or otherwise impose liability, obligation, or
standards with respect to pollution or the protection of the environment, including but not limited
to, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended
(42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. §§ 6901
et seq.), the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §§ 466 et seq.), the Safe Drinking Water Act (14 U.S.C. §§
1401-1450), the Hazardous Material Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. §§ 1801 et seq.), the Clean Air
Act, and the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 2601-2629); and
Operator shall protect, indemnify, and hold harmless Owner from any failure to comply with any
Environmental Law or any Environmental Claims relating to the Land or the Lease that arise out of
Operator’s ownership and operation on the Land and its ownership and operation of any pipeline
easement or right-of-way on the Land. Owner shall fully protect, defend, indemnify and hold
harmless Operator from any and all Environmental Claims relating to the Land that arise out of
Owner’s operations on the Land. This indemnity specifically covers the completion or fracturing or
refracturing of any well drilled by Operator on the leased premises or lands pooled or unitized
therewith.
17. Exclusion From Indemnities and Notice. The indemnities of the parties herein
shall not cover or include any amounts which the indemnified party is actually reimbursed by any
third party. The indemnities in this Agreement shall not relieve any party from any obligations to
third parties.
If a Claim is asserted against a party for which the other party would be liable under the
provisions of this Agreement, it is a condition precedent to the indemnifying party’s obligations
hereunder that the indemnified party give the indemnifying party written notice of such Claim
setting forth all particulars of the Claim, as known by the indemnified party, including a copy of
the Claim (if it is a written Claim). The indemnified party shall make a good faith effort to
notify
the indemnifying party within five days of receipt of a Claim and shall affect such notice in
all events within such time as will allow the indemnifying party to defend against such Claim.
Surface Use and Damage Agreement
12
18. Release. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Operator releases and waives and
discharges Owner and, if applicable, Owner’s officers, directors, employees, agents, successors,
and assigns from any and all liability for personal injury, death, property damage, or otherwise
arising out of Operator’s or its agents’ operations under this Agreement or Operator’s use of
Owner’s property, unless such injury, death, or property damage is the result of Owner’s negligent
acts or omissions or those of its members, officers, directors, employees, agents, successors, and
assigns.
19. Inspections and Reports. Operator and its authorized agents and representatives
shall have access to the Oil and Gas Operations Areas, and to the surface location of any well
drilled outside of the Lands that is or will be drilled into the Lands, and shall have the right to
witness and observe all operations conducted thereon, including the drilling, logging, testing,
casing, completing, Directional Surveying, and plugging and abandonment of any well thereon. Upon
reasonable advance notice, Owner shall have the right to inspect Operator’s records with respect to
such operations to verify Operator’s compliance with this Agreement. Owner shall maintain the
confidentiality of all such information for so long as such information is not publicly available.
Owner shall indemnify, defend and save and hold harmless Operator from and against any claims and
liabilities for damage to property or injury to persons arising out of the acts or omissions of
Owner or its agents or representatives in connection with such inspections, except to the extent
such claim or liability is attributable to the negligence or willful misconduct of Operator or its
contractors.
20. Designated Contact Person. Operator and Owner will each from time to time
designate an individual, with appropriate 24-hour telephone and fax numbers, who is to be the
primary contact person for discussions and decisions concerning matters related to this Agreement.
Current contact information is as follows:
| Owner: | Pure Cycle Corporation Attn: Xxxx Xxxxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxx, XX 00000 Phone: 000-000-0000 Fax: (000) 000-0000 E-mail: xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
|||
| Operator: | Anadarko E&P Company LP 0000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 Xxxxxx, XX 00000-0000 Attn: Land Manager |
Surface Use and Damage Agreement
13
21. Assignment. This Agreement shall run with the Lands and shall be assigned by
Operator in connection with any assignment of Operator’s oil and gas leasehold rights under all or
a portion of the lands described on Exhibit “A”.
22. Enforcement Costs. If either party defaults under this Agreement, the defaulting
party shall pay all costs and expenses, including a reasonable attorney’s fee, incurred by the
non-defaulting party in enforcing this Agreement, with or without litigation.
23. Insurance. Operator’s parent, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, elects to
self-insure its subsidiaries’ common law and assumed liability, including those under this
Agreement, for bodily injury and/or property damage to third parties in connection with accidents
arising out of its operations, but only to the extent of those liabilities assumed herein.
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation insures its subsidiaries’ excess liability with insurance covering
all operations and attaching over its self-insurance retention. Such excess insurance coverage
shall list Owner as an additional insured and Anadarko Petroleum Corporation shall furnish a
certificate of such insurance to Owner upon Owner’s request. Anadarko Petroleum Corporation’s
self-insurance for its subsidiaries’ liabilities will respond to the same extent as if an insurance
policy had been purchased naming Owner as an additional insured, but only to the extent of those
liabilities assumed herein. Any limitations of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation’s self-insurance for
its subsidiaries shall not limit Operator’s obligations to Owner as provided in this Agreement or
the Lease. In the event of an assignment or transfer of this Agreement, the assignee or transferee
shall be required to provide insurance coverage that is reasonably acceptable to Owner before Owner
shall be required to consent to such assignment.
24. As is/Where is. Operator acknowledges that it is aware of all natural and manmade
hazards on the Lands. Operator takes the Lands subject to all such hazards, as is, where is.
25. Recording. Owner and Operator will jointly execute a Memorandum of this Agreement
for the purpose of placing third parties on notice of this Agreement. The parties understand and
agree that the Memorandum of this Agreement and any amendments thereto will be recorded in Arapahoe
County, Colorado at the sole cost and expense of Operator.
26. Conflicts. In the event of any conflict between this Agreement and any Oil and
Gas Lease that covers the Lands, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall control.
27. Binding Effect. This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of
the successors and assigns of the parties.
28. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be considered an original for all purposes, with the same effect as if the signatures
thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
29. Term. This Agreement shall continue until the termination of the Oil and Gas
Lease between Operator and Owner covering the Lands, at which time this Agreement shall
terminate. All of Operator’s obligations and liabilities under this Agreement shall survive the
termination of the said Oil and Gas Lease.
Surface Use and Damage Agreement
14
30. Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed under the laws of the State of
Colorado.
31. Dispute Resolution. In the event of any dispute, disagreement or controversy
arising out of, relating to or connected with this Agreement including but not limited to the
location of any well, surface sites or facilities, access roads and pipelines, the Parties shall
use reasonable, good faith efforts to settle such dispute or claim through negotiations with each
other. If such negotiations fail to produce a mutually acceptable resolution to the matter in
dispute, the Parties will submit the same to non-binding mediation before a sole mediator. The
mediation will be conducted by the Judicial Arbiter Group, Inc., 0000 Xxxxx Xx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxx,
XX 00000 (“JAG”). The matter in dispute will be submitted to mediation within fifteen (15) days of
a written demand for mediation from one Party to the other. If the mediation is not successful,
the matter in dispute shall be submitted for final reconciliation by a sole arbitrator to be chosen
by the Parties from the pool of arbitrators at JAG by no later than thirty (30) days of a written
demand for arbitration from one Party to the other (or such other time as may be agreed to by the
Parties). The demand for arbitration and the response thereto shall concisely state the matter(s)
in dispute, the position of the Party with respect to such matter(s) and the Party’s proposed
resolution of the same.
(a) During any negotiations conducted pursuant to this Agreement, the Parties will
keep and maintain a record of all issues upon which agreement has been reached. To narrow
and focus the issues that may need to be resolved in an arbitration proceeding, each of the
submittals by the Parties shall include all points that have been agreed to by the Parties
during their negotiations.
(b) Any proceeding before the arbitrator shall be conducted in accordance with the
Uniform Arbitration Act then currently in effect. The purpose of the arbitrator’s role is to
produce a final decision of any matter submitted for arbitration to which the Parties’
herein agree to be bound. The place of arbitration shall be at the offices of JAG in Denver,
Colorado.
(c) The JAG arbitrator shall, ideally, be possessed of demonstrated experience in
matters pertaining to the law of oil and gas development, and, at a minimum, Colorado law of
real property governing the use and enjoyment of surface and subsurface estates. If the
Parties cannot reach agreement on the choice of JAG arbitrator within ten (10) days of the
original demand for arbitration (or such other time as may be agreed to by the Parties),
they shall abide by the assignment of JAG arbitrator made by the JAG Administrator.
(d) For any matter requiring judicial resolution in connection with the arbitration,
including the enforcement of any award, enforcement of this agreement to arbitrate, or
injunctive relief to preserve the status quo pending
arbitration, the Parties agree to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State District
Court of Arapahoe County, Colorado.
Surface Use and Damage Agreement
15
(e) If the subject matter of the arbitration is location of one or more of the three
(3) Oil and Gas Operations Areas, the award in arbitration will provide Operator with Oil
and Gas Operations Areas that are technically and economically feasible for the production
of oil and gas from the Lands, taking into account the objections of the owner.
(f) The Parties shall share equally in the cost of retaining the services of JAG for
any mediation or arbitration conducted hereunder and each shall be solely responsible for
its own costs and expenses of preparing for and pursuing any mediation or arbitration. With
the exception of converting any arbitration award into a judgment, the prevailing Party for
any matter requiring judicial resolution in connection with the arbitration shall be
entitled to recover reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees from the non-prevailing Party.
DATED as of the year and date first above written.
| OWNER: | ||||
| PCY HOLDINGS LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pure Cycle Corporation |
||||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx
|
|||
| Title: Manager | ||||
| OPERATOR: | ||||
| ANADARKO E&P COMPANY LP | ||||
By:
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxx | |||
| Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxx | ||||
| Title: Agent & Attorney-in-Fact | ||||
Surface Use and Damage Agreement
16
STATE OF COLORADO
|
) | |||||
| ) | ss. | |||||
COUNTY OF
|
) |
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 10th day of March, 2011,
by Xxxx X. Xxxxxxx as Manager of PCY Holdings LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pure Cycle
Corporation.
Witness my hand and official seal.
[S E A L]
|
||
| Notary Public | ||
| My Commission Expires: |
STATE OF COLORADO
|
) | |||||
| ) | ss. | |||||
COUNTY OF
|
) |
The foregoing instrument was acknowledged before me this 10th day of March, 2011,
by Xxxxx X. Xxxx as Agent & Attorney-in-Fact for Anadarko E&P Company LP.
Witness my hand and official seal.
[S E A L]
|
||
| Notary Public | ||
| My Commission Expires: |
Surface Use and Damage Agreement
17
EXHIBIT A
To
Surface Use and Damage Agreement
[Description of Lands]
To
Surface Use and Damage Agreement
[Description of Lands]
Township 4 South, Range 65 West, 6th P.M.
Section 4: SE/4 except lot 29 (of Montclair Gardens)
Section 10: NW/4 and E/2
Section 4: SE/4 except lot 29 (of Montclair Gardens)
Section 10: NW/4 and E/2
Surface Use and Damage Agreement
18
