CONSULTING AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made effective August 15, 2005
AMONGST:
TAG OIL LTD. a company incorporated under the laws of Yukon Territory with business offices at 0000-0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, X0X 0X0
(the “Company”)
AND:
Xxxxx Xxxxx, of 0000 00 Xxxxxx, XX, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, X0X 0X0
(the “Consultant”)
WHEREAS the Company wishes to retain the Consultant to provide certain services and the Consultant has agreed that he shall provide such services to the Company.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants as hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. PROVISION OF SERVICES
1.1 The Company hereby retains the services of the Consultant and the Consultant hereby agrees to provide such services upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement
2. TERM
2.1 Term for Services. The term for the provision of services by the Consultant to the Company will commence on August 15, 2005 and will continue for twelve months (the “Term”) subject to earlier termination by either the Consultant or the Company in accordance with the terms hereof. The Term may be extended thereafter upon the mutual agreement of the parties by written request given by either party providing such extension request is accepted by the other party at least 30 days before the one-year anniversary of this Agreement.
2.2 Prior Agreements. This Agreement will continue in full force and effect during the Term unless terminated in accordance with §6. This Agreement supersedes any prior employment or consulting arrangements or agreements between the Company and the Consultant, and the Consultant acknowledges that no money or severance is owed by the Company to the Consultant as of the date hereof for the previous services of the Consultant.
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3. COMPENSATION
3.1 For services rendered by the Consultant pursuant to this Agreement the Company will pay the Consultant consideration of CAD $84,000 per year. The Consultant agrees to promptly pay all income taxes and CPP related to the remuneration and benefits received in connection with this Agreement and to save harmless the Company and its Officers and Directors in connection with this undertaking.
4. DUTIES
4.1 The Consultant will act as the Company’s Executive Vice President and will provide services to assist in the development of Company’s business by assisting in executing the Company’s business plan, participating in the Company’s financing objectives and shall perform such other duties and assignments as may be from time to time determined by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company. The Consultant shall work from and maintain the Company’s Calgary office of Xxxxx 000-000 00xx Xxxxxx XX, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx.
4.2 Expenses. The Company will reimburse the Consultant for reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by the Consultant on behalf of the Company.
5. FULL TIME SERVICES
5.1 The Consultant will devote substantial full time attention, energies and best efforts to the Company as may be reasonably required but may engage in other business activity outside of normal business hours as long as such activity does not unreasonably interfere, or in any way compete with or conflict with the duties of the Consultant hereunder.
6. TERMINATION
6.1 Termination With Cause. The Company may, at any time, without advance notice to the Consultant, or payment of any compensation in lieu of notice, forthwith terminate the services of the Consultant for cause. The term “cause” means (i) a persistent breach of this Agreement by the Consultant and the Consultant fails to cure the breach within 30 days following written notice of a breach by the Company; or (ii) the existence or occurrence of malfeasance or gross negligence entitling the Company to terminate the Consultant at common law.
6.2 Termination Without Cause. The Company may at any time, upon 60 days advance notice to the Consultant, forthwith terminate the services of the Consultant other than for cause. In the case of termination other than for cause, the Company will be liable to pay the Consultant an amount equal to one-half his annual aggregate salary hereunder. This Agreement will terminate upon the death or disability (incapacity for not less than 45 days) of the Consultant, which termination will be deemed to be “other than for cause”.
6.3 Termination by the Consultant. The Consultant may terminate the provision of its services under this Agreement on not less than 30 days’ notice to the Company, in which case the obligations of the Company will be the same as though the services were terminated for cause.
6.4 Other Claims. The Consultant acknowledges and agrees that the notice and provisions for compensation on termination provided in this Section are fair and reasonable and
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agrees that upon any termination of the Consultant’s services by the Company, or upon any termination of this Agreement by the Consultant, the Consultant will have no action, cause of action, claim or demand against the Company or any other person as a consequence of such termination.
6.5 Resignation, Return of Company Records. On termination hereof for any reason, the Consultant shall immediately resign from and shall return to the Company’s Secretary any records and documents pertaining to the Company, its business, assets and prospects (including potential acquisitions) to the Company immediately on termination hereof without retaining copies of such documents except to the extent required by law. If any record copies are retained Consultant shall identify these to the Board and shall keep them confidential.
7. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND WORK PRODUCT
7.1 The Consultant will not, during the Term or at any time after the termination of his services by the Company, use for himself or others, divulge or convey to others, or aid or abet others to divulge or convey to others, any information or knowledge relating to the properties, prospects and business of the Company, or any of their affiliates, including information relating to financial aspects, employees, properties or prospects and intellectual property in any way obtained by him during his association with the Company or in any way obtained by other employees of the Company, unless (i) such information, knowledge, data or property is properly in the public domain other than through a breach of this Agreement; (ii) the Consultant has received prior authorization by the Company or such use divulgence or conveyance is reasonably necessary in the course of the Consultant’s duties; or (iii) required by law. All intellectual property, resource property prospects and work product conceived or developed by the Consultant during the term hereof belongs to the Company absolutely.
7.2 Notwithstanding anything else in this Agreement, it is expressly acknowledged and understood by the Consultant that all of the work product of the Consultant while employed by the Company hereunder or holding any office in the Company shall belong to the Company absolutely and notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, all documents, correspondence produced by the Consultant during the term of employment hereunder shall be the exclusive property of the Company. The Consultant further agrees to execute without delay or request for further consideration any necessary documents and assurances as may be necessary to transfer all rights to same to the Company. In the event of the termination of the Consultant for any reason hereunder, the Consultant shall promptly turn over to the Company any intellectual property which is evidenced by any physical documentation (whether written, digital, magnetic, electronic or otherwise) or any other of the Company’s assets or property in his possession or under his control.
8. SURVIVAL OF COVENANTS
8.1 Except as otherwise specifically provided herein and notwithstanding the termination of the services of the Consultant or termination of this Agreement, the covenants, representations and warranties contained in §7, and §9 hereof will survive such termination and will continue in force and effect for the benefit of the Company for a time period unlimited in duration.
9. NON-COMPETITION COVENANTS OF THE EXECUTIVE
9.1 Definitions. In this Section:
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“Business” means the business carried on by the Company and its affiliates relating to exploration for oil and gas;
“Competitive Business” ” means the direct oil and gas permits, properties or concessions in which the Company is active in the investigation, negotiation , exploration or production of at the time of termination hereof;
“Customer” means any person who has been a customer of the Company or its affiliates at any time within a period of one year prior to the date of termination or expiration of this Agreement;
“Restricted Area” means any claim, concession, prospect or property interest which fall within the definition of a Competitive Business; and
“Restricted Period” means 6 months from the date of termination of this Agreement whether by expiry or voluntary or involuntary termination.
9.2 Non-Competition. The Consultant will not, during the Restricted Period and within the Restricted Area,
(a) directly or indirectly carry on, engage in or participate in, any Competitive Business, as defined above, either alone or in partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any other person;
(b) directly or indirectly assist (as principal, beneficiary, director, shareholder, partner, nominee, executor, trustee, agent, servant, employee, independent contractor, supplier, consultant, lender, guarantor, financier or in any other capacity whatever) any person to carry on, engage in or participate in, a Competitive Business or within the restricted Area ; and
(c) have any direct or indirect interest or concern (as principal, beneficiary, director, shareholder, partner, nominee, executor, trustee, agent, servant, employee, consultant, independent contractor, supplier, creditor or in any other capacity whatever) in or with any person, if any part of the activities of such person consists of carrying on, engaging in or participating in a Competitive Business or within the Restricted Area except holding securities of a public company constituting less than 2% of its outstanding share capital;
9.3 Non-Solicitation. During the Restricted Period and within the Restricted Area, the Consultant will not,
(a) directly or indirectly solicit any Customer;
(b) directly or indirectly assist (whether as principal, beneficiary, servant, director, shareholder, partner, nominee, executor, trustee, agent, employee, independent contractor, supplier, consultant, lender, financier or in any other capacity whatever) any person directly or indirectly to solicit any Customer; or
(c) have any direct or indirect interest or concern (be it as principal, beneficiary, director, shareholder, partner, nominee, executor, trustee, agent, servant, employee,
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consultant, independent contractor, supplier, creditor or in any other capacity whatever) in or with any person if any of the activities of which person consists of soliciting any Customer except holding securities of a public company constituting less than 10% of its outstanding share capital;
if such solicitation would, directly or indirectly, be intended to result in a sale of any product or service to such Customer and is directly or indirectly competitive or potentially competitive with any product or service then produced by the Business;.
9.4 Employees, etc. The Consultant will not during the Restricted Period, directly or indirectly, induce any individual who to his knowledge is then employed by the Company, or any of their subsidiaries, to leave the employ of the Company, or any of their subsidiaries without the prior written consent of the Company.
9.5 Covenants Reasonable. The Consultant agrees that,
(a) the covenants in this Agreement are reasonable in the circumstances and are necessary to protect the Company; and
(b) the breach by him of any of the provisions of this Agreement would cause serious and irreparable harm to the Company, and their shareholders which could not adequately be compensated for in damages in the event of a breach by him of such provisions or an order of injunction being issued against him restraining him from any further breach of such provisions and agrees that such injunction may be issued against him without the necessity of an undertaking as to damages by the Company, or their shareholders; the provisions of this section shall not be construed so as to be in derogation of any other remedy which the Company, or any of their shareholders may have in the event of such a breach.
9.6 Covenants Independent. The existence of any claim or cause of action of the Consultant against the Company, or any of their shareholders will not constitute a defence to the enforcement by the Company, or any of their shareholders of the provisions of this Agreement.
9.7 Invalidity. In the event that any term or provision of this Agreement shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining terms and provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.
9.8 Rights in Addition. The rights and remedies of the Company hereunder are in addition to and not in substitution for any other rights of remedies which they may have at any time against the Consultant, at law or in equity.
10. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
10.1 This Agreement will inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties hereto and their legal representatives, successors and permitted assigns except that no claims may be asserted by the legal representatives, successors and assignees of the Consultant in respect of compensation or other benefits for periods following the death or total incapacity of the Consultant other than those expressly provided for in this Agreement.
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11. NOTICES
11.1 Any notice required or permitted, to be given, under this Agreement will be deemed to have been duly given only if such notice is in writing and is delivered to addresses of the parties hereto first above written. A party may change an address for notices at any time by notice duly given.
12. GOVERNING LAW
12.1 This Agreement is and will be deemed to be made in British Columbia and for all purposes will be governed exclusively by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws prevailing in British Columbia, and the rights and remedies of the parties will be determined in accordance with those laws.
13. SEVERABILITY
13.1 If any provision of this Agreement is at any time unenforceable or invalid for any reason it will be severable from the remainder of this Agreement and, in its application at that time, this Agreement will be construed as though such provision was not contained herein and the remainder will continue in full force and effect and be construed as if this Agreement had been executed without the invalid or unenforceable provision.
14. INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE
14.1 The parties hereto acknowledge that they have each received independent legal advice in relation to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.
| Per: | ||
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| THE CONSULTANT: | ||
| XXXXX XXXXX | ||
