PURCHASE & SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT
10.20
PURCHASE & SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT
The
Parties, as defined below, enter into this Purchase &
Settlement Agreement, effective as of August 6, 2018,
(“Effective Date”), upon the terms and conditions
stated herein.
DEFINITIONS
“Agreement”
means this Settlement Agreement &
Mutual Release.
“Founders”
means Founders Oil & Gas, LLC and all of its parents,
subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, servants, employees, attorneys,
accountants, partners, predecessors, successors and assigns, and
all other persons or entities acting or purporting to act on its
behalf.
“Founders
Operating” means
Founders Oil & Gas Operating, LLC and all of its parents,
subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, servants, employees, attorneys,
accountants, partners, predecessors, successors and assigns, and
all other persons or entities acting or purporting to act on its
behalf.
“Xxxxxxxx”
means Xxxxxxxx Oil Corporation and all
of its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, servants,
employees, attorneys, accountants, partners, predecessors,
successors and assigns, and all other persons or entities acting or
purporting to act on its behalf.
“XxXxxx
Petroleum” means XxXxxx
Petroleum Corporation and all of its parents, subsidiaries,
affiliates, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, accountants,
partners, predecessors, successors and assigns, and all other
persons or entities acting or purporting to act on its
behalf.
“Torchlight” means
Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc. and all of its parents,
subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, servants, employees, attorneys,
accountants, partners, predecessors, successors and assigns, and
all other persons or entities acting or purporting to act on its
behalf.
“Wolfbone”
means Wolfbone Investments, LLC and
all of its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents, servants,
employees, attorneys, accountants, partners, predecessors,
successors and assigns, and all other persons or entities acting or
purporting to act on its behalf.
“Founders
Parties” means Founders
and Founders Operating.
“Partners”
means Xxxxxxxx, XxXxxx Petroleum,
Torchlight, and Wolfbone.
“Project”
means the ownership, management,
operations of the State of Texas oil and gas leases and University
Land Board oil and gas leases covered by the Farmout
Agreement dated September 23, 2015 among Founders, Xxxxxxxx, and
Pandora Energy, LP.
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“All Claims”
means past, present and future actions
and/or causes of action, counter-claims, cross-claims, rights,
claims, demands, costs, liabilities, damages, losses, expenses and
penalties, whether known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected,
liquidated or contingent. Under this definition, “All
Claims” includes, but is not limited to, all claims, demands,
and causes of action of any nature, whether in contract or in tort
or otherwise, or arising under or by virtue of any constitution,
statute, regulation, at common law, or in equity, for past,
present, future, known, and unknown personal injuries, property
damage, and all other losses or damages of any kind, including but
not limited to the following: all actual damages, all exemplary and punitive
damages, all penalties of any kind, all contract damages, all tort
damages, loss of consortium, damage to familial relations, ensuing
death, loss of inheritance, loss of companionship, loss of society
and affection, loss of enjoyment of life, intentional and/or
malicious conduct, actual and/or constructive fraud, statutory
and/or common law fraud, class action suit, misrepresentation of
any kind or character, libel, slander, negligence, gross
negligence, costs, attorney fees, economic loss, and pre-judgment
and post- judgment interests. This definition further includes, but
is not limited to, all elements of damages, all remedies, all
claims, demands, and causes of action that are now recognized by
law or that may be created or recognized in the future in any
manner, including without limitation by constitution, statute,
regulation, or judicial decision.
“Released
Claims” means All Claims,
existing as of the Effective Date, arising out of or relating in
any way, directly or indirectly to the Project, and All Claims
which have been or could have been asserted in the Project or which
arise out of or are in any way connected with the Project. This
definition does not include, and specifically excludes, any claim
that the Parties may have in the future against the other arising
out of any obligation contained in this
Agreement.
“Vendors”
means any and all of the
service and material
suppliers used to drill or provide work or services on the
University Founders A-25 Well.
In
this Agreement, the singular includes the plural, and vice versa;
likewise, the disjunctive includes the conjunctive, and vice
versa.
AGREEMENT
For
and in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and agreed to, the
Parties agree as follows:
A.
2018 Payments.
1.
Contemporaneously
with the execution of this Agreement, Xxxxxxxx will pay Founders
Six-Hundred-Twenty-Five Thousand and No/100ths United States
Dollars ($625,000) by electronic transfer; and
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2.
Contemporaneously
with the execution of this Agreement, Wolfbone will pay Founders
Six-Hundred-Twenty-Five Thousand and No/100ths United States
Dollars ($625,000) by electronic transfer.
B.
2019 Payments.
1.
No
later than July 20, 2019, Xxxxxxxx or Torchlight will pay Founders
Six-Hundred-Twenty-Five Thousand and No/100ths United States
Dollars ($625,000) by electronic transfer; and
2.
No
later than July 20, 2019, Wolfbone or XxXxxx Petroleum will pay
Founders Six-Hundred-Twenty-Five Thousand and No/100ths United
States Dollars ($625,000) by electronic transfer.
C.
Default.
In the event the 2019 Payments are not
made by July 25, 2019, the Partners agree to pay interest on any
unpaid balance owed by the respective party, with such interest
being applied to such unpaid balance beginning on July 25, 2019
until paid. The applied interest rate will be 12% per
annum.
D.
Assignment
of Oil & Gas Leases. Within
five business days after the full performance of the obligations
contained in Paragraph A, the Founders Parties will deliver two
fully executed originals of the assignment of oil and gas leases
attached as Exhibits
A and B. The assignments will
be delivered to XxXxxxx Law PC, 0000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000,
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000.
E.
Assignment
of Claims. Within five business days after the full
performance of the obligations contained in Section A, the Founders
Parties will deliver two fully executed originals of the assignment
of claims attached as Exhibit
C. The assignment of claims
will be delivered to XxXxxxx Law PC, 0000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx
000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000.
F.
Assignment
of University Lands Development Unit Agreement 2837.
Within five business days after the
full performance of the obligations contained in Section A, the
Founders Parties will deliver two fully executed originals of an
assignment of development unit agreement which is substantially
similar to the one attached as Exhibit
D. The assignment of
development unit agreement will be delivered to XxXxxxx Law PC,
0000 Xxxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000. The Founders
Parties will reasonably cooperate with Partners to obtain the
necessary consents from University Lands and/or the State of
Texas.
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G.
Mutual Releases & Waivers.
1.
The
Founders Parties RELEASE, ACQUIT, and FOREVER DISCHARGE the
Partners from all Released Claims.
2.
The
Partners RELEASE, ACQUIT, and FOREVER DISCHARGE the Founders
Parties from all Released Claims.
3.
THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RIGHTS AGAINST THE OTHER(S) UNDER
THE TEXAS DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICES-CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT,
SECTION 17.41 et seq., BUSINESS AND COMMERCE CODE, A LAW THAT GIVES
CONSUMERS SPECIAL RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS, AND ANY SIMILAR LAW IN
ANY OTHER STATE TO THE EXTENT SUCH ACT OR SIMILAR LAW WOULD
OTHERWISE APPLY. AFTER CONSULTATION WITH AN ATTORNEY OF THEIR OWN
SELECTIONS, THE PARTIES VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO THIS
WAIVER.
H.
Third
Party Lawsuits In the event one or more members of the Partners
initiate litigation in regards to the Project against any third
party, including but not limited to vendors, contractors and
manufacturers, and if the Founders Parties are then included in any
counter claim or action by such third party due to such initiated
litigation, the member(s) of the Partners which initiated said
litigation agree to pay all reasonable attorney fees which are
incurred by the Founders Parties in connection with such counter
claim or action, up to the amount of $250,000.00, with the Founders
Parties being responsible for any such attorney fees over said
amount. Provided, however, that the indemnity obligations in this
section shall only apply to and cover the claims assigned by
Founders Parties (see Exhibit C) to Partners as part of this
settlement.
I.
Representations and Warranties.
1.
Founders Parties’
Representations and Warranties. Founders Parties warrant and represent to the
Partners that:
i.
They
are authorized to enter into this Agreement, and each person
executing this Agreement, individually or on behalf of an entity,
has the authority to do so; and
ii.
They
are the owner of all of their respective Released Claims; there are
no other parties with an interest in all or any of their respective
Released Claim(s); and that none of their respective Released
Claims have been assigned to any third-party, nor is any such
assignment pending.
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iii.
As
of the Effective Date, to the best of their knowledge they have not
entered into any settlement agreement or waiver of any Released
Claims with any of the Vendors.
iv.
As of the Effective
Date, to the best of their knowledge there are no Released Claims
or litigation pending which impair or otherwise adversely affect
the Project.
v.
As of the Effective Date, to the best of their
knowledge there are no material liens or encumbrances which
impair or otherwise adversely affect the Project.
vi.
As of the Effective
Date, to the best of their knowledge they are not in default under
any contract or agreement with any of the Vendors or third-parties
pertaining to the Project.
vii.
To
the best of their knowledge, during the time Founders Operating
served as operator for the University Founders A-25 Well, until
March 1, 2018, all invoices due and owing to any Vendors or
third-parties which pertain to services rendered or work performed
for the Project have been paid.
2.
Partners’ Representations
and Warranties. Partners
warrant and represent to Founders Parties that:
i.
They
are authorized to enter into this Agreement, and each person
executing this Agreement, individually or on behalf of an entity,
has the authority to do so; and
ii.
They
are the owner of all of their respective Released Claims; there are
no other parties with an interest in all or any of their respective
Released Claim(s); and that none of their respective Released
Claims have been assigned to any third-party, nor is any such
assignment pending.
J.
Non-Reliance.
The Parties hereby declare and
represent that in making this Agreement, they rely wholly upon
their respective judgment, belief, and knowledge of their
respective liabilities and that this Agreement is executed and made
without any reliance upon any statement or representation of any
other Party or of any other Party’s
representative.
K.
Non-admission
of Liability. It is hereby agreed that the fact that the Parties
have entered into this Agreement does not constitute an admission
of any liability as to any conduct or claim related to the Project
or which could or should have been asserted in legal proceeding
arising out of the Project by any Party to this Agreement, such
liability being expressly denied.
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L.
Controlling
Law.
The Parties agree that this Agreement
shall be governed, construed, and applied in accordance with the
laws of the State of Texas applicable to contracts between Texas
residents that are to be wholly performed in Texas, without regard
to choice of law or conflicts of law principles of Texas or any
other jurisdiction.
M.
Forum
Selection Clause & Attorney Fees. The Parties agree that all disputes arising under
this Agreement shall be brought solely in the Judicial District
Court of Xxxxxx County, Texas. A party who prevails in defending or
prosecuting any legal proceeding related to this Agreement is
entitled to recover its reasonable attorney’s fees and all
costs of such proceeding.
N.
Entire
Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire, final
agreement of the Parties on all matters related in any way to the
Project and the Released Claims, and it fully supersedes and
replaces any and all prior agreements or understandings, written or
oral, between or among the Parties related to the Project in any
way.
O.
Multiple
Counterparts. This Agreement
may be executed in multiple counterparts by the undersigned and all
such counterparts so executed shall together be deemed to
constitute one final agreement, as if one document had been signed
by all parties hereto; and each such counterpart shall be deemed to
be an original, binding the Party subscribed thereto, and multiple
signature pages (including faxes or other electronic delivery of
signature pages) affixed to a single copy of this Agreement shall
be deemed to be a fully executed original Agreement. It
shall be sufficient in making proof of this Agreement to produce or
account for a facsimile or PDF copy of an executed counterpart of
this Agreement.
P.
Fees &
Costs. It is further agreed and understood that except as
set forth in this Agreement, each Party has no claim against the
other for any costs or fees it may have incurred, and that each
Party shall pay its own taxable costs, expenses of litigation and
legal fees. For the avoidance of doubt, this section does not apply
to any legal proceeding for the enforcement of this
Agreement.
Q.
Joint
Drafting. The Parties
agree that this Agreement was drafted jointly and that this
Agreement shall not be construed against any Party because of a
Party’s involvement in drafting this Agreement.
R.
Non-Waiver.
No exercise or failure to exercise or delay by any Party in
exercising any right or remedy under this Agreement shall
constitute a waiver by such Party of such right or remedy in any
other instance or any other right or remedy.
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S.
Amendment &
Modification. Any amendment or modification to this
Agreement must be in writing and executed by the
Parties.
T.
No
Assignments. No obligation or right arising under this
Agreement may be assigned or delegated by any Party without the
express written consent of the other Parties.
U.
Future
Documents. The Parties shall perform any and all acts and
execute and deliver any and all documents that may be or become
necessary and proper to give effect to and carry out the terms
hereof.
V.
No Third-Party
Beneficiary. Any agreement to perform any obligations herein
contained, express or implied, shall be only for the benefit of the
Parties and their respective heirs, successors, executors,
administrators, assigns and legal representatives, and such
agreements and obligations shall not inure to the benefit of the
obligees of any indebtedness of any other party, whatsoever, it
being the intention of the Parties that no one shall be deemed to
be a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement.
W.
Binding
Effect. The Parties
may plead this Agreement in an action, suit, or other proceeding,
for mandatory injunction or otherwise, to enforce the terms of this
Agreement or the Agreed Judgment. The Parties may also plead this
Agreement as a full and complete defense to, and may use this
Agreement as the basis for, an injunction against any action, suit
or other proceeding which may be instituted, prosecuted or
attempted by the other Party, or by the other Party’s
respective representatives, agents, executors, administrators,
decedents, trustees, beneficiaries, successors, heirs, attorneys
and assigns, in contravention or breach of this
Agreement.
X.
Severability.
Each part of this Agreement is intended to be severable. If any
term, covenant, condition or provision violates any applicable law
or is declared illegal, invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in
part, by a court of last resort, such provision shall be enforced
to the greatest extent permitted by law, and such a declaration
shall not affect the legality, validity or enforceability of the
remaining parts of this Agreement, all of which shall remain in
full force and effect.
Y.
Review by
Counsel. The Parties have had sufficient opportunity to read
this Agreement and to consult with legal counsel of their choosing
regarding the meaning and effect of this Agreement and its rights
and liabilities under it. Accordingly, each Party and signatory to
this Agreement has entered into it freely, voluntarily and without
duress.
Z.
Survival of
Representations and Warranties. For a period of two years from the
Effective Date, the representations and warranties provided for in
Section I of this Agreement shall survive the close of the
assignments described in Sections D and E and shall be deemed
covenants running with the lands associated with the Project,
binding on the Founders Parties and the Partners, but not their
respective heirs, successors and assigns.
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AA.
Public
Announcements. Except
for the filing of record the assignments of oil and gas leases
attached in Exhibits A and B, the press release attached as
Exhibit
E, and except as required by law or regulation, neither the
Founders Parties or the Partners shall issue any news release,
public announcement, or other form of publicity concerning this
Agreement, or the transactions contemplated by it, without
obtaining the prior written approval of the other, which approval
will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.
INTENTIONALLY
BLANK---SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW
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AGREED
AND EXECUTED as of the Effective Date:
Founders Oil & Gas, LLC
By:
/s/ Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
President
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Founders Oil & Gas Operating, LLC
By:
/s/ Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxx
President
|
Xxxxxxxx Oil Corporation
By:
/s/ Xxxx
Xxxx
Xxxx
Xxxx
CEO
|
Torchlight Energy Resources, Inc.
By:
/s/ Xxxx
Xxxx
Xxxx
Xxxx
CEO
|
Wolfbone Investments, LLC
By:
/s/ Xxxx
XxXxxx
Xxxx
XxXxxx
CEO
|
XxXxxx Petroleum Corporation
By:
/s/ Xxxx
XxXxxx
Xxxx
XxXxxx
CEO
|
|
|
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