SUPPLY OF SERVICES AGREEMENT
Exhibit
99.1
THIS SUPPLY OF SERVICES
AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into
with effect from _____ March 2010 the “Effective Date”, between
Imperial Oil and Gas, Inc. a Delaware corporation having an address at Xxxxx
0000, 000-0xx Xxx XX,
Xxxxxxx, XX X0X 0X0 (the “Company”), and Sydney Oil
& Gas, LLC, a Texas Limited Liability Company, having an office at X.X. Xxx
0000, Xxxx Xxxxx, XX 00000 (“the Contractor”), and Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, whereby
Contractor agrees to provide certain services (“the Services”) to the Company.
The Parties to this Agreement are the Company, Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and the
Contractor.
Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx agrees to provide such services and to be bound by this
Agreement as if he had entered into it in his own right as a self employed
contractor in the event that Sydney Oil & Gas, LLC is no longer able to
procure or does not procure the Services for whatever reason and, likewise, the
Company agrees that the Agreement shall continue in full force as if it were a
contract between the Contractor and the Company in the event of the dissolution
of Sydney Oil & Gas, LLC. In such circumstances references to Sydney Oil
& Gas, LLC herein shall be construed as references to the Contractor as a
self employed contractor.
NOW, THEREFORE, in
consideration of the mutual covenants, representations, warranties and
agreements contained herein, and for other valuable consideration, the receipt
and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
ARTICLE
I: Definitions and Interpretations
1.1 Definitions
For
purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the
context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following
respective meanings:
“Base Fee” shall have the
meaning specified in Section 3.1.
“Board of Directors” shall
mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Cause” shall have the meaning
specified in Section 4.3.
“Company” will also include
its subsidiaries, parents and affiliates where it is reasonably logical the use
of the word would include such other entities, and include any successor to its
business and/or substantially all its assets which executes and delivers the
Agreement as provided for in Section 7.4 or which otherwise becomes bound by all
terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law.
“Confidential Information”
shall have the meaning specified in Section 5.1(a).
“Disability” shall mean a
physical or mental condition of one of the Contractors that, in the good faith
judgment of not less than a majority of the Board of Directors, prevents that
individual from being able to perform the services required under this
Agreement. If any dispute arises as to whether a Disability has occurred, or
whether a Disability has ceased and the Contractor is able to resume duties,
then such dispute shall be referred to a licensed physician mutually agreed upon
by the Contractor and the Company, which physician will not be any of the
Contractor’s regular physicians. The Contractor shall submit to such
examinations and provide information as such physician may request and the
determination of such physician as to the Contractor's physical or mental
condition shall be binding and conclusive on the parties. The Company
shall pay the cost of any such physician and examination.
“Dispute” shall have the
meaning specified in Article VI.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Expiration Date” shall have
the meaning specified in Section 2.2.
“Notice of Termination” shall
mean a notice purporting to terminate this Agreement in accordance with Section
4.1, 4.2 or 4.3.
“Person” shall mean and
include an individual, a Partnership, a joint venture, a corporation, a trust
and an unincorporated organization.
“Incentive Fee” shall have the
meaning specified in Section 3.2.
“Term” shall have the meaning
specified in Section 2.2.
“Termination Date” shall mean
the termination date specified in a Notice of Termination delivered in
accordance with this Agreement.
1.2 Interpretations
(a) In
this Agreement, unless a clear contrary intention appears, (i) the words
“herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to
this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other
subdivision, (ii) reference to any Article or Section, means such Article or
Section hereof, (iii) the words “including” (and with correlative meaning
“include”) means including, without limiting the generality of any description
preceding such term, and (iv) where any provision of this Agreement refers to
action to be taken by either 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.
(b) For
the avoidance of doubt this Agreement refers to the provision of certain
services to be provided by the Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx in his capacity as a Contractor
of management services.
(c) The
Article and Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not
affect the construction hereof.
(d) For
the avoidance of doubt it is specifically agreed between the Parties that
nothing in this agreement shall be construed as inferring any employment rights
and obligations between the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries and
associates and the Contractor or Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and, as a result, the Company
shall have no obligation or right to make any withholding tax deductions, unless
required to do so by law. Contractor warrants and represents to The Company that
it shall be solely responsible for any income, social security or other taxation
liabilities that are payable on the compensation referred to
herein.
2
ARTICLE
II: Services, Compensation etc.
2.1 Service
Arrangement
The
Company agrees to contract with Contractor to provide the Services of Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx as further described herein, Contractor agrees to procure Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx to provide such services and the Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx agrees to
provide such services.
2.2. Term of Agreement
Unless
sooner terminated pursuant to Article IV, the term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall end on April 1,
2011 (the “Expiration
Date”), subject to extension as herein provided. The Term will
be automatically extended by an additional one (1) year unless one party gives
written notice to the other at least one (1) year before the then effective
Expiration Date indicating that the party does not extend Term of the
Agreement. If the Term is extended (the “Then Effective Term”), then
the Expiration Date will be automatically extended by a corresponding one (1)
year (the “Then Effective
Expiration Date”). The right not to extend the Term and
corresponding Expiration Date is separate from the right to give a Notice of
Termination herein.
2.3 Services
(a) During
the Term of the Agreement, the Contractor shall provide such professional and
related services as are required to maintain and develop the Company’s oil and
gas exploration and development interests or as are reasonably required to
assist the Company in any other way.
(b) During
the Term of the Agreement, the Contractor shall (i) report to the Board of
Directors and (ii) observe and comply with all lawful policies, directions and
instructions of the Board of Directors and the Company that are consistent with
the provisions of this paragraph 2.3.
(c) During
the Term of the Agreement, the Contractor shall (i) devote his business time,
attention, skill and efforts to the faithful and efficient performance of the
provision of the Services as is reasonably required, subject always to a maximum
average time commitment by each Contractor of 20 weeks in any one year (the
“Time Commitment”), to be extended if required, subject to the Contractor’s
availability, in accordance with the provisions of sub-clause (d)
below.
(d) The
Contractor shall maintain outline records of time spent in accordance with this
Agreement for the purposes of compliance with (c) above, which shall show those
days when the Contractor sets aside time to be available for discharging his
responsibly under this Agreement and his activity by broad type. These records
may be requested and reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer from time to time
who on occasion request that further information is included on a prospective
basis, subject to such requests being reasonable and not onerous. In the event
that the Contractor performs additional work, such as specific extra exploration
activities, the Board of Directors may, at their sole discretion, make a further
time based payment to Contractor for the additional time committed by Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx or the Contractor, on either a permanent or temporary (for example
project based) basis. Such further payments may be applied for, in writing to
the Board of Directors, by and at the discretion of the Contractor and the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company at any time.
3
(e) The
Company acknowledges that Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx has other clients and that the
Contractor has other commitments which he needs to attend to. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
and the Contractor agree as follows: (i) that its obligations to provide service
to the Company shall take priority to other commitments, subject always to the
constraints imposed by the Time Commitment and (ii) to not accept any other
client that may create a conflict with services to be provided to the Company
and (iii) to take reasonable steps to resign his role in relation to any client
that may come into conflict with the Company, the Company acknowledges and
accepts that the Contractor’s existing directorships and relationships as
disclosed in Schedule 1 (“Disclosed Relationships”) to this agreement do not
represent an employment conflict and (iv) to accept the decision of the Board of
Directors of the Company as to whether a conflict situation exists and to draw
any client situation to the attention of the Board of Directors if the
Contractor believes that a conflict does or may arise.
(f) During
the currency of this Agreement, the Contractor and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx shall not
knowingly prejudice, in any material respect, the reputation of the Company in
the fields of business in which it is engaged or with the investment community
or the public at large.
(g) If
elected or appointed thereto, and only for the duration of such elected term or
appointment, the Contractor shall, as an integral part of and to facilitate the
provision of the Services referred to herein, serve as a director and/or officer
of the Company and any of its subsidiaries and/or in one or more executive
positions of any of such subsidiaries, provided that the Contractor is
indemnified for serving in any and all such capacities on a basis consistent
with that provided by the Company to other directors and executive officers of
the Company or similarly situated executive officers of any such
subsidiaries.
(h) Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx and the Contractor represent that there are no restrictions imposed
upon it or them by any covenants or agreements arising out of any prior
engagement which materially affect its or their ability to provide the services
set forth in this Agreement. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx agrees to indemnify and hold the
Company harmless for any judgment and related costs, including attorney’s fees,
which may be entered against the Company as a result of a breach of any such
covenants or violation of any such restrictions, and agrees that any such breach
or violation shall qualify for “Cause” termination pursuant to Section 4.3
below.
4
ARTICLE
III: Fees and Expenses
3.1 Base Fee
(a) For
services rendered by Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx under this Agreement, the Company shall
pay to Contractor a base monthly fee of up to $15,000.00 USD to be
paid at the end of each month in US dollars. Initially, Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx will receive no base fee until such time as Company has demonstrated a
net income (defined as income net of all payments, liabilities incurred or
disbursements to any party other than the Company’s parent, Imperial Resources,
Inc.) in excess of $100,000.00 per month. Any base fee may be varied
downward or deferred by the decision of the board of the Company and to which
decision Contractor shall not object, to a bank account nominated by Contractor
and maintained in its name.
(b) The
Contractor shall also be granted Overriding Royalty Interests for each lease or
working interest thereof acquired by Company subject to the approval of the
board. The interests will be conveyed using substantially the same
form as illustrated in Schedule 2 attached hereto. Unless written
consent is obtained prior to assignment the Overriding Royalty Interest conveyed
to Contractor shall be six and one half percent of 8/8ths (6.5% of
8/8ths). The interest conveyed shall be proportionately reduced by
the working interest percentage acquired.
3.2 Incentive
Fee
During
the Term, the Parties may agree from time to time to modify this Agreement so as
to engage Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx or Contractor to provide services over and above
those set out in this Agreement and/or to provide incentive to Contactor to add
exceptional value.
3.3 Period of
Absence
The
Company accepts that Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx may from time to time take vacation from
his full time client commitments, including to the Company (Period of Absence).
During such periods Contractor shall ensure that adequate base coverage is
provided by Contractor so as not to prejudice the quality of the overall
service. On no account shall the Contractor take a Period of Absence other than
in accordance with the following: (a) it shall be within the overall average
annual Time Commitment calculation; (b) it shall only exceed 10 consecutive
business days with the prior agreement of the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, which shall not be unreasonably denied.
3.4 Expense
Reimbursement
The Company shall reimburse the
Contractor or Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, which ever incurs the expenses, for all
reasonable travel and other business expenses incurred by its Contractors in the
performance of the Services. Such expenses shall be submitted monthly in arrears
and Contractor shall retain and make available for inspection all supporting
vouchers for the duration of the Agreement. Expense reimbursements shall be made
in line with the principles set out in the Companies policies that apply to its
employees as modified by agreement from time to time made in writing between the
Parties.
5
ARTICLE
IV: Termination
4.1 Termination by Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx may, at any time prior to the Expiration Date, terminate the provision of
the Agreement for any reason by delivering a Notice of Termination to the Board
of Directors. The Notice of Termination shall be effective not less
than 30 days after the date of the notice and state the effective Termination
Date and if none is specified then the Termination Date will be the 30th day
after the date of the Notice of Termination. The Termination Date
under this provision may be beyond the Expiration Date. In the event Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx or Contractor voluntarily terminate this agreement prior to the Then
Effective Expiration Date he shall with thirty (30) days thereof reassign any
overriding royalty interests he may have received, and still
retain, from Company under this agreement during that Then Effective
Term. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx will not be responsible for reassigning any
overriding royalty interests which Contractor may have assigned to
others.
4.2 Termination by the
Company
The Board
of Directors may, at any time six months after the date of this Agreement and
prior to the Expiration Date, terminate the Agreement for any reason by
delivering a Notice of Termination to Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and the
Contractor. The Notice of Termination by the Company shall be
effective not less than 30 days after the date of the notice and state the
effective Termination Date and if none is specified then the Termination Date
will be the 30th day
after the date of the Notice of Termination. The Termination Date
under this provision may be beyond the Expiration Date.
4.3 Termination for
Cause
The Company may terminate the Agreement
for “Cause” upon the giving of a Notice of Termination to Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and
the Contractor, subject to the terms of this sub-part, which shall be effective
immediately. The Notice of Termination for Cause shall state the
basis for the notice. In the event the Company should terminate this agreement
for Cause prior to the Then Effective Expiration Date Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and/or
Contractor shall with thirty (30) days thereof reassign any overriding royalty
interests they may have received from Company under this agreement during that
Then Effective Term. Neither Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx nor Contractor will be
responsible for reassigning any overriding royalty interests which Contractor
may have assigned to others. The Company shall have “Cause” to terminate the
Agreement during the Term of this Agreement, if the Contractor’s actions result
in:
(a) Failure
to materially provide the Services to a reasonable standard after written notice
and reasonable opportunity for cure, all as reasonably determined by the Board
of Directors upon a vote of a majority of its members, such vote not including
any Contractor Partner. Any such notice will allow for a minimum of
one (1) month for the Contractor and/or Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx to cure such failure
from the date of such notice. Any determination of whether the
Contractor has failed to materially perform his duties shall not be based on
performance or the financial condition of the Company or the ability of Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx or the Contractor to effectuate such Company performance or financial
condition.
6
(b) Conviction
of the Contractor of a felony or any crime involving embezzlement or theft
during the Term or any embezzlement or theft from the Company whether or not the
subject of a conviction; or
(c) Serious
willful misconduct by the Contractor, including fraud willful dishonesty or the
substantial breach of any fiduciary duty owed to the Company.
4.4 Resignations
In the event of a termination of this
Agreement the Contractor shall immediately resign any office or directorship in
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Associates which he holds by virtue of
this Agreement or otherwise this contract is to be replaced with a similar
contract under circumstances where at its sole discretion the Board of Directors
shall determine that the Contractor should continue to serve in any office or
directorship.
4.5 Payment in the event of
Termination.
(a) After
the termination of the Agreement for any reason by the Company, including the
inability of Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx to provide services due to disability of the
Contractor, but other than for Cause, the Company shall pay to Contractor the
aggregate of (i) any unpaid Base Fee earned by that Contractor hereunder prior
to the Termination Date and any unreimbursed expenses, plus an amount equal to
the equivalent of the daily per diem rate inherent in the base fee multiplied by
the number of excess days spent prior to the Termination Date over the number of
days in the current annual period spent in excess of the Time Commitment
apportioned on a straight line time basis, AND (ii) an amount, which is to be
regarded as compensation for early termination, equal to the Base Fee which
would otherwise have been due from the Termination Date to the then Expiration
Date of the then Term, if the Expiration Date is after the Termination
Date.
(b) Upon
termination of the Agreement by the Company for Cause the Company shall pay
Contractor the unpaid Base Fee earned through the Termination Date and
unreimbursed, actual expenses incurred by Executive in furtherance of the
Company’s business, subject to any rights of set off for damages to the Company
as it asserts. Except as provided in this agreement or by law, upon
termination for Cause, the Company shall have no further financial obligation to
Executive.
(c) Upon
termination of the Agreement by Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx (and for this purpose the death
of the Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx shall be regarded as Termination by Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx with Notice given from the date of the Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx’x
death) the Company shall pay Contractor any unpaid Base Fee earned hereunder
prior to the Termination Date and any unreimbursed expenses, plus an amount
equal to the equivalent of the daily per diem rate inherent in the base fee
multiplied by the number of excess days spent prior to the Termination Date over
the number of days in the current annual period spent in excess of the Time
Commitment apportioned on a straight line time basis.
7
ARTICLE
V: Confidential Information and Non-Competition
5.1 Confidential
Information
(a) Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx and the Contractor recognize that the services to be performed
hereunder are special, unique, and extraordinary and that, by reason of the
Agreement, the Contractor and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx may acquire Confidential
Information concerning the operation of the Company, the use or disclosure of
which would cause the Company substantial loss and damages which could not be
readily calculated and for which no remedy at law would be
adequate. Accordingly, the Contractor and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
agree with the Company that they will not (directly or indirectly) at any time,
whether during or after the Term, (i) knowingly use for an improper personal
benefit any Confidential Information that the Contractor may learn or has
learned by reason of the Agreement with the Company or (ii) disclose any such
Confidential Information to any Person except (A) in the performance of Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx’x obligations to the Company hereunder, (B) as required by applicable
law, (C) in connection with the enforcement of Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx’x rights under
this Agreement, (D) in connection with any disagreement, dispute or litigation
(pending or threatened) between the Contractor or Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and the
Company or (E) with the prior written consent of the Board of
Directors. As used herein, “Confidential Information”
includes information with respect to the operation and performance of the
Company, its investments, portfolio companies, products, services, facilities,
product methods, research and development, trade secrets and other intellectual
property, systems, patents and patent applications, procedures, manuals,
confidential reports, product price lists, customer lists, financial
information, business plans, prospects or opportunities (including, as
applicable, all of the foregoing information regarding the Company's past,
current and prospective portfolio companies); provided, however, that such term,
shall not include any information that (x) is or becomes generally known or
available other than as a result of a disclosure by the Contractor or (y) is or
becomes known or available to the Contractor on a nonconfidential basis from a
source (other than the Company) that, to the Contractor's knowledge, is not
prohibited from disclosing such information to the Contractor by a legal,
contractual, fiduciary or other obligation to the Company.
(b) The
Contractor and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx each confirm that all Confidential Information
is the exclusive property of the Company. All business records,
papers and documents kept or made by the Contractor or Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx during
the Term relating to the business of the Company shall be and remain the
property of the Company at all times. Upon the request of the Company
at any time, the Contractor and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx shall promptly deliver to the
Company, and shall retain no copies of, any written materials, records and
documents made or coming into the Contractor’s or Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx’x possession
during the Term concerning the business or affairs of the Company other than
personal materials, records and documents (including notes and correspondence)
of the Contractor not containing proprietary information relating to such
business or affairs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Contractor
and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx shall be permitted to retain copies of, or have access to,
all such materials, records and documents relating to any disagreement, dispute
or litigation (pending or threatened) between them and the Company.
8
5.2 Non-Competition
(a) Within
the Term of the Agreement and for a period of one year thereafter (such period
being the “Restricted
Period”), the Contractor and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx shall not, unless the
Contractor and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx fully discloses and receives the prior written
consent of the Board of Directors, own a material interest in, manage, operate,
join, control, lend money or render financial or other assistance to or
participate in or be connected with, as an officer, employee, Contractor,
stockholder, consultant or otherwise, any Person that competes with the Company
in owning, operating or managing any oil and gas interest or any other business
actively being pursued by or developed by the Company during the
Term..
(b) The
Contractor and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx have carefully read and considered the
provisions of this Section 5.2 and, having done so, agree that the restrictions
set forth in this Section 5.2 (including the
Restricted Period, scope of activity to be restrained and the geographical
scope) are fair and reasonable and are reasonably required for the protection of
the interests of the Company, its officers, directors, employees, creditors and
shareholders. The Contractors understand that the restrictions
contained in this Section 5.2 may limit their and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx’x ability to
engage in a business similar to the Company's business, but acknowledges that
Contractor will receive sufficiently high remuneration from the Company
hereunder to justify such restrictions.
(c) During
the Restricted Period, the Contractor and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx shall not, whether
for their own account or for the account of any other Person (excluding the
Company), intentionally (i) solicit, endeavor to entice or induce any employee
or contractor of the Company to terminate the Executive's employment or
contractors contract with the Company or accept employment with anyone else or
(ii) interfere in a similar manner with the business of the Company including
its contracting parties, customers or clients, suppliers, creditors and
financiers.
(d) In
the event that any provision of this Section 5.2 relating to the Restricted
Period or the areas of restriction shall be declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to exceed the maximum time period or areas such court deems
reasonable and enforceable, the Restricted Period or areas of restriction deemed
reasonable and enforceable by the court shall become and thereafter be the
maximum time period and/or areas.
5.3 Injunctive
Relief
Xxxxxx X.
Xxxxxx and the Contractor acknowledge that a breach of any of the covenants
contained in this Article V may result in material irreparable injury to the
Company for which there is no adequate remedy at law, that it will not be
possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and that, in the event
of such a breach, any payments remaining under the terms of this Agreement shall
cease and the Company shall be entitled to obtain a temporary restraining order
or a preliminary or permanent injunction restraining the Contractor and Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx from engaging in activities prohibited by this Article V or such other
relief as may be required to specifically enforce any of the covenants contained
in this Article V. Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx agrees to and hereby does submit
to in personal jurisdiction before each and every such court for that
purpose.
9
ARTICLE
VI: Dispute Resolution
6.1 Disputes
In the event a dispute shall arise
between the parties as to whether the provisions of this Agreement have been
complied with (a “Dispute”), the parties agree
to resolve such Dispute in accordance with the following procedure:
(a) A
meeting shall be held promptly between the parties, attended (in the case of the
Company) by one or more individuals with decision-making authority regarding the
Dispute, to attempt in good faith to negotiate a resolution of the
Dispute.
(b) If,
within 10 days after such meeting, the parties have not succeeded in negotiating
a resolution of the Dispute, the parties agree to submit the Dispute to
mediation in accordance with the Commercial Mediation Rules of the American
Arbitration Association except that Disputes with regard to the existence of a
Disability shall be resolved in accordance with the definition of the term
“Disability”
above.
(c) The
parties will jointly appoint a mutually acceptable mediator, seeking assistance
in such regard from the American Arbitration Association if they have been
unable to agree upon such appointment within 10 days following the 10-day period
referred to in clause (b) above.
(d) Upon
appointment of the mediator, the parties agree to participate in good faith in
the mediation and negotiations relating thereto for 15 days.
(e) If
the parties are not successful in resolving the Dispute through mediation within
such 15-day period, the parties agree that the Dispute shall be settled by
arbitration in accordance with the Expedited Procedures of the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.
(f) The
fees and expenses of the mediator/arbitrators shall be borne solely by the
non-prevailing party or, in the event there is no clear prevailing party, as the
mediator/arbitrators deem appropriate.
(g) Except
as provided above, each party shall pay its own costs and expenses (including,
without limitation, attorneys' fees) relating to any mediation/arbitration
proceeding conducted under this Article
VI.
(h) All
mediation/arbitration conferences and hearings will be held in the greater New
York City area.
10
(i) In
the event there is any disputed question of law involved in any arbitration
proceeding, such as the proper legal interpretation of any provision of this
Agreement, the arbitrators shall make separate and distinct findings of all
facts material to the disputed question of law to be decided and, on the basis
of the facts so found, express their conclusion of the question of
law. The facts so found shall be conclusive and binding on the
parties, but any legal conclusion reached by the arbitrators from such facts may
be submitted by either party to a court of law for final determination by
initiation of a civil action in the manner provided by law. Such
action, to be valid, must be commenced within 20 days after receipt of the
arbitrators' decision. If no such civil action is commenced within
such 20-day period, the legal conclusion reached by the arbitrators shall be
conclusive and binding on the parties. Any such civil action shall be
submitted, heard and determined solely on the basis of the facts found by the
arbitrators. Neither of the parties shall, or shall be entitled to,
submit any additional or different facts for consideration by the
court. In the event any civil action is commenced under this
paragraph (i), the party who prevails or substantially prevails (as determined
by the court) in such civil action shall be entitled to recover from the other
party all costs, expenses and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the
prevailing party in connection with such action and on appeal.
(j) Except
as limited by paragraph (i) above, the parties agree that judgment upon the
award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court of competent
jurisdiction. In the event legal proceedings are commenced to enforce
the rights awarded in an arbitration proceeding, the party who prevails or
substantially prevails in such legal proceeding shall be entitled to recover
from the other party all costs, expenses and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred
by the prevailing party in connection with such legal proceeding and on
appeal.
(k) Except
as provided above, (i) no legal action may be brought by either party with
respect to any Dispute and (ii) all Disputes shall be determined only in
accordance with the procedures set forth above.
ARTICLE
VII: Miscellaneous
7.1 Assignability
The
obligations of Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx hereunder are personal to the Contractor and may
not be assigned or delegated by Contractor or transferred in any manner
whatsoever, nor are such obligations subject to involuntary alienation,
assignment or transfer. The Company shall have the right to assign
this Agreement and to delegate all rights, duties and obligations hereunder as
provided in Section 4, provided always that it will continue to be liable for
the obligations of the assignee in the event of default by the
assignee.
7.2 Notices
All
notices and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in
writing and addressed (i) if to the Company, addressed at its principal office
address or such other address as it may have designated by written notice to the
Executive for purposes hereof, directed to the attention of the CEO with a copy
to the Secretary of the Company and (ii) if to Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx] or its
Contractors, at its principal office location written above for the attention of
its Managing Member, or to such other address as may have designated to the
Company in writing for purposes hereof. Each such notice or other
communication shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered to the
receiving party by recognized international courier company such as Federal
Express to the address referred to above where such delivery requires signature
as proof of delivery by the receiving party.
11
7.3 Severability
The
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement,
which shall remain in full force and effect.
7.4 Successors: Binding
Agreement
(a) The
Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase,
merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business
or assets of the Company, by agreement in form and substance reasonably
acceptable to Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, expressly to assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be
required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure
of the Company to obtain such agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such
succession shall be a breach of this Agreement.
(b) This
Agreement and all rights of Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and/or the Contractor hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx and by the
Contractor’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributes, devisees and legatees. If the Xxxxxx
X. Xxxxxx should die while any amounts would be payable to Contractor hereunder
if the Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx had continued to live, all such amounts, unless
otherwise provided herein, shall be paid, in an amount calculated in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement, to the Contractor. For the avoidance of doubt
the Company and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx agrees that such payments will be made in this
manner.
7.5 Amendments and
Waivers
No
provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such
waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by
Contractor and the Company. No waiver by either party hereto at any
time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or in compliance with, any
condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party
shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at
the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
7.6 Entire Agreement,
Termination of Other Agreements
This
Agreement is an integration of the parties' agreement and no agreement or
representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the
subject matter hereof have been made by either party that are not set forth
expressly in this Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any and all previous
agreements, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject
matter hereof between the parties.
12
7.7 Governing
Law
THE
VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT SHALL
BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS CONFLICT
OF LAWS PROVISIONS.
7.8 Counterparts
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the
same instrument.
[Signature
page follows]
13
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the
parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the date first above
written.
IMPERIAL OIL AND GAS, INC. | |||
|
BY:
|
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: Chairman of the Board of Directors | |||
SYDNEY OIL & GAS, LLC | |||
|
BY:
|
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |||
Title: Managing Member | |||
XXXXXX X. XXXXXX, INDIVIDUALLY | |||
|
BY:
|
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx | |
Name: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx |
14
Schedule
1
Disclosed
Relationships
The
following are corporations which I am currently acting as a transactional
attorney or have acted in that capacity within the past two years in which the
acquisition of mineral interests or working interests was
involved. There are many others companies which I have represented in
a litigation capacity which would have no effect upon my interests as an officer
of Imperial Oil & Gas, Inc.
Attorney
for XxXxx Oil & Gas, Inc.
Attorney
for XxXxx Energy, Inc.
Attorney
for Pinion Exploration, LLP
Attorney
for Star of Texas Mineral Resources, LLC
Attorney
for Xxxx Xxxxxx
Attorney
for Legion Land and Exploration, Inc.
Attorney
for Strata Exploration, Inc.
I am also
a managing member of Calypso Exploration Limited, LLC which is currently
inactive.
I will
also have a 15% membership interest in Mara Energy, LLC.
15
Schedule
2
ASSIGNMENT
OF OVERRIDING ROYALTY INTEREST
State:
County:
Assignor:
|
Imperial
Oil & Gas, Inc.
|
Assignee:
|
Sydney
Oil & Gas, LLC
|
Effective
Date:
Assignor, named above, owns working
interest in the Oil and Gas Lease (the "Lease") on lands located in the county
and state named above (the "Lands"). The Lease and Lands are
described in Exhibit "A" to this Assignment.
For adequate consideration, Assignor
assigns, transfers, and conveys to Assignee an overriding royalty interest in
all of the oil and gas produced, saved and marketed from the Lease equal to 6.5%
of 8/8 (the "Override").
The Override shall be free and clear of
all costs and expenses. However, the Override shall bear and pay its
proportionate part of all applicable taxes. The Override shall be
proportionately reduced if it is determined the Lease covers less than 100% of
the mineral estate in the Lands, or Assignor owns less than 100% of the
Lease.
Should the Lease be renewed or extended
as to all or a part of the Lands, the Override shall be effective as to the
renewed or extended Lease. Assignor reserves the right to pool the
Lease and the Lands with other leases and lands without the consent or joinder
of Assignee, and the Override shall be proportionately reduced in accordance
with such pooling.
This Assignment is made without
warranty, express or implied, and its terms and provisions shall be binding on
and inure to the benefit of Assignor and Assignee and their respective heirs,
legal representatives, successors, and assigns.
The Override assigned to Assignee shall
be limited to production of oil and gas, meaning liquid and gaseous hydrocarbon
substances and gaseous substances of whatever nature, inclusive of substances in
solution or held in suspension which are necessarily produced along with or as
incidental by-products of the production of oil or gas.
This Assignment is executed by Assignor
as of the date of acknowledgment of Assignor's signature below, but shall be
effective as of the Effective Date stated above.
Assignor
Imperial
Oil & Gas, Inc
|
||
|
||
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, CEO |
16
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
STATE
OF TEXAS
|
§
|
§
COUNTY
OF XXXXXX
|
§
|
This instrument was acknowledged before
me on ______________, 20___ by Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Chief Executive
Officer of Imperial Oil and Gas, Inc, a Delaware corporation, on behalf of said
corporation.
|
||
Notary
Public, State of Texas
|
||
|
Printed
Name:
|
|
Commission
Expires:
|
17
Exhibit
"A"
To that
Assignment of Overriding Royalty Interest dated ___________, 20__
between
Imperial Oil & Gas, Inc., Assignor and Sydney Oil & Gas, LLC,
Assignee
Description
of Lease and Lands
18