PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT by and between TARH E&P HOLDINGS, L.P. AS SELLER AND FOOTHILLS TEXAS, INC. AS BUYER DATED JUNE 21, 2006
by
and between
TARH
E&P HOLDINGS, L.P.
AS
SELLER
AND
FOOTHILLS
TEXAS, INC.
AS
BUYER
DATED
JUNE
21, 2006
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE
1. - DEFINITIONS
|
4
|
ARTICLE
2. - PURCHASE AND SALE
|
5
|
ARTICLE
3. - PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT
|
7
|
ARTICLE
4. - REPRESENTATIONS OF SELLER
|
9
|
ARTICLE
5. - REPRESENTATIONS OF BUYER
|
11
|
ARTICLE
6. - ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND INSPECTIONS
|
12
|
ARTICLE
7. - DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
|
13
|
ARTICLE
8. - TITLE MATTERS
|
14
|
ARTICLE
9. - PREFERENTIAL PURCHASE RIGHTS AND CONSENTS
|
19
|
ARTICLE
10. - ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS
|
20
|
ARTICLE
11. - GENERAL COVENANTS OF SELLER
|
22
|
ARTICLE
12. - COVENANTS OF BUYER
|
23
|
ARTICLE
13. - CLOSING CONDITIONS
|
24
|
ARTICLE
14. - CLOSING
|
25
|
ARTICLE
15. - ADDITIONAL CLOSING OBLIGATIONS
|
26
|
ARTICLE
16. - CASUALTY LOSS AND CONDEMNATION
|
28
|
ARTICLE
17. - DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
|
28
|
ARTICLE
18. - ASSUMPTION OF OBLIGATIONS; INDEMNIFICATION
|
29
|
ARTICLE
19. - ARBITRATION
|
31
|
ARTICLE
20. - MISCELLANEOUS
|
32
|
EXHIBITS
Description
of Leases, Lands and Interests Being Conveyed
|
Exhibit
“A”
|
Description
of Xxxxx and Equipment Being Conveyed
|
Exhibit
“A-1”
|
Assignment
and Xxxx of Sale
|
Exhibit
“B”
|
Certificate
of Non-Foreign Status
|
Exhibit
“C”
|
Supplemental
Agreement
|
Exhibit
“D”
|
2
SCHEDULES
Excluded
Assets
|
Schedule
2.2
|
Allocated
Value
|
Schedule
3.1
|
Litigation
|
Schedule
4.8
|
Consents
/ Preferential Rights
|
Schedule
4.9
|
3
This
Purchase and Sale Agreement (“Agreement”) dated as of June 21, 2006 is between
TARH E&P Holdings, L.P., whose address is 00 Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000,
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000 (“Seller”) and Foothills Texas, Inc. whose address is 0000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxx., Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000 (“Buyer”). Either
Seller or Buyer, as the case may be, are hereinafter referred to as “Party” or
collectively as “Parties.”
In
consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, the
benefits to be derived by each Party hereunder, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
the
Parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1. - DEFINITIONS
1.1. “Agreement”
shall
mean this Purchase and Sale Agreement between Seller and Buyer.
1.2. “Property
or Properties”
shall
mean the assets and properties (except to the extent constituting Excluded
Assets) described in Article
2.1.
1.3. “Closing
Date”
shall be
as defined in Article
14.1.
1.4. “Effective
Time”
shall
mean the time described in Article
2.1.
1.5.
“Excluded
Assets”
shall
mean the items described in Article
2.2.
1.6. “Hydrocarbons”
shall
mean crude oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, condensate, sulphur, natural gas
liquids, drip liquids and other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons (including
CO2),
and
shall also refer to all other minerals of every kind and character which may
be
covered by or included in the Properties.
1.7. “Inventory
Hydrocarbons”
shall
mean all merchantable oil and condensate (for oil and liquids in storage tanks,
being only that oil or liquids physically above the top of the inlet connection
into such tanks) produced from or attributable to the Leases prior to the
Effective Time which have not been sold by Seller and are in storage at the
Effective Time.
1.8. “Leases”
shall
mean, except for the Excluded Assets, the oil, gas and mineral leases and the
leasehold estates created thereby and mineral interests in the lands, as
described on Exhibit
“A”
attached
hereto.
1.9.
“Performance
Deposit”
shall be
as defined in Article
3.2.
1.10.
“Purchase
Price”
shall be
as defined in Article
3.1.
1.11. “Well”
or “Xxxxx” shall
mean all wellbores, both abandoned and unabandoned, including oil xxxxx, gas
xxxxx, injection xxxxx, disposal xxxxx and water xxxxx whether described on
Exhibit
“A-1”
or not.
4
ARTICLE
2. - PURCHASE AND SALE
2.1. The
Properties.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Seller agrees to sell and convey
to Buyer, and Buyer agrees to purchase from Seller, but effective as of 7:00
a.m. Central Time, July 1, 2006,
(the “Effective Time”) all of Seller’s right, title, and interest in and to the
following (the “Properties”):
(a) The
oil,
gas and mineral
leases described on Exhibit
“A”
attached
hereto
and the
leasehold estates created thereby and mineral interests in the lands described
in Exhibit
“A”
attached
hereto (the “Leases”), and the lands covered thereby (the “Land”), together with
corresponding interests in and to all the property and rights incident thereto,
including all rights in any pooled or unitized acreage by virtue of the Land
being a part thereof, all production from the pool or unit allocated to any
such
Land, and all interests in any Xxxxx within the pool or unit associated with
the
Land;
(b) Each
Well
located on the Leases and Land described on Exhibit
“A-1”;
(c) All
of
Seller’s rights in “Equipment” described on Exhibit
“A-1”
and
wherever located on the Land used and useful in the operation, maintenance
and
production of the Xxxxx located on or associated with the Leases (except for
any
Excluded Assets);
(d) To
the
extent transferable by Seller without material restriction under applicable
law
or third-party agreements (without the payment of any funds or consideration)
and subject to the terms of Article
18,
below,
all contracts and contractual rights, obligations, and interests, including
all
farmout and farmin agreements, operating agreements, production sales and
purchase contracts, asset purchase contracts with related indemnity provisions,
saltwater disposal agreements, gas gathering or transportation agreements,
surface leases, division and transfer orders, governmental licenses, permits
and
approvals, and other contracts or agreements covering or affecting any or all
of
the interests described or referred to in this Article
2.1.(d)
(the
“Contracts”);
(e) All
Hydrocarbons, including Inventory Hydrocarbons produced from, attributable
to or
located on the Leases and or in the Gathering System and associated Servitudes
as of the Effective Time attributable to Seller’s interest in the Properties;
(f) All
of
the following described real and personal property:
(i) The
rights, interests and estates created under those certain servitudes, easements,
rights-of-way, privileges, franchises, prescriptions, licenses, leases, permits
and/or other rights described in Exhibit
“A”,
attached hereto and made a part hereof, together with any amendments, renewals,
extensions, supplements, modifications or other agreements related thereto,
and
further together with any other servitudes, easements, rights-of-way,
privileges, prescriptions, franchises, licenses, permits and/or other rights
(whether presently existing or hereafter created and whether now owned or
hereafter acquired by operation of law or otherwise) used, held for use in
connection with, or in any way related to the “Gathering System” (as herein
defined), and/or pipelines transporting gas or natural gas liquids to, from
or
between Gathering Systems (the rights, interests and estates described in this
Article
2.1.(f)(i)
are
herein collectively called the “Servitudes”);
5
(ii) All
pipes, valves, gauges, meters and other measuring equipment, regulators,
extractors, tubing, pipelines, fuel lines, facilities, improvements, fittings,
materials and other improvements, fixtures and/or personal property (whether
now
owned or hereafter acquired by operation of law or otherwise) located on or
under the Servitudes, and/or in or otherwise related to the Lands (the
properties, rights and interests described in this Article
2.1.(f)(ii)
are
herein collectively called the “Gathering Systems”);
(iii) All
of
Seller’s right, title and interest (whether now owned or hereafter acquired by
operation of law or otherwise) in and to all improvements, fixtures, and other
real and/or personal property (including, without limitation, all equipment,
boats, tanks, pipelines, flow lines, gathering lines, compressors, dehydration
units, separators, meters, metering stations, buildings, fittings, pipe, pipe
connector, valves, regulators, drips, storage facilities, absorbers,
dehydrators, and power, telephone and telegraph lines) located on or under,
or
which in any way relate to, the Servitudes and/or the Gathering
Systems;
(g) The
Records as defined in Article
15.4
hereof.
All
of
the above real and personal properties, rights, titles and interests described
in subparagraphs (a) through (g) above, subject to the limitations and terms
expressly set forth herein and in the Exhibit
“A”
attached
hereto, but excluding the Excluded Assets, are hereinafter collectively called
the “Properties” or, individually, a “Property”.
2.2. Excluded
Assets. Seller
specifically excludes from this transaction all reservations and exceptions
listed in Exhibit
“A”
and the
following:
(a) All
vehicles and other transportation equipment, furniture, office supplies
and
equipment, telephones and radio or other telecommunications systems, tools,
store stock, spare parts, and equipment, and any other assets not specifically
used or required in connection with the operation of the
Properties;
(b) computer
equipment, telecommunications equipment, vehicles, tools, pulling machines,
and
other equipment and material temporarily located on the Property;
(c) items
excluded from the Records provided to Buyer before the execution date;
(d) personal
property, fixtures, equipment and facilities located on the Lands, but currently
in use exclusively in connection with the ownership or operation of other
property not included in the Properties;
(e) (i)
all
trade credits, accounts receivable, notes receivable and other receivables
attributable to Seller’s interest in the Properties with respect to any period
of time prior to the Effective Time; (ii) all deposits, cash, checks in process
of collection, cash equivalents and funds attributable to Seller’s interest in
the Properties with respect to any period of time prior to the Effective Time;
and (iii) all proceeds, benefits, income or revenues accruing (and any security
of other deposits made) with respect to the Properties prior to the Effective
Time;
6
(f) all
corporate, financial, and tax records of Seller other than the Records;
(g) all
claims and causes of action of Seller arising from acts, omissions or events,
or
damage to or destruction of, the Properties occurring prior to the Effective
Time;
(h) except
as
otherwise provided in Article
16,
all
rights, titles, claims and interests of Seller relating to the Properties prior
to the Effective Time (i) under any policy or agreement of insurance or
indemnity; (ii) under any bond; or (iii) to any insurance or condemnation
proceeds or awards;
(i) all
Hydrocarbons produced from or attributable to the Properties with respect to
all
periods prior to the Effective Time, together with all proceeds from or of
such
Hydrocarbons, except the Inventory Hydrocarbons;
(j) claims
of
Seller for refund of or loss carry forwards with respect to production, windfall
profit, severance, ad valorem or any other taxes attributable to any period
prior to the Effective Time, or income or franchise taxes;
(k) all
amounts due or payable to Seller as adjustments or refunds under any contracts
or agreements (including take-or-pay claims) affecting the Properties,
respecting periods prior to the Effective Time except to the extent such amounts
are subject to make-up rights out of future production after the Effective
Time;
(l) all
amounts due or payable to Seller as adjustments to insurance premiums related
to
the Properties with respect to any period prior to the Effective
Time;
(m) all
proceeds, benefits, income or revenues accruing (and any security or other
deposits made) with respect to the Properties, and all accounts receivable
attributable to the Properties, prior to the Effective Time;
(n) all
of
Seller’s intellectual property, including, but not limited to,
proprietary
computer
software, patents, trade secrets, copyrights, names, marks and
logos;
(o) all
hedge
obligations and hedge contracts; and
(p) any
item
listed on Schedule
2.2.
ARTICLE
3. - PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT
3.1. Purchase
Price.
Subject
to adjustment as set forth below, the Purchase Price for the Properties shall
be
Ten Million Two Hundred Fourteen Thousand One Hundred Thirty Dollars
($10,214,130), as allocated among the Properties and provided in Schedule
3.1,
and to
be paid at Closing in U.S. dollars.
3.2. Performance
Deposit.
Immediately
upon the execution hereof, Buyer shall tender to Seller, by bank wire transfer,
per the instructions of Seller, a Performance Deposit equal to five percent
(5%)
of the Purchase Price. Such Performance Deposit may be increased to ten percent
(10%) of the Purchase Price, as provided in Article
14.1
herein,
and the term “Performance Deposit” as used in this Agreement shall refer to the
amount actually tendered to Seller by Buyer pursuant to this Article
3.2
and
pursuant to Article
14.1.
7
3.3.
Final
Settlement/Purchase Price Adjustments.
Within
ninety (90) days after Closing, Seller shall provide to Buyer, for Buyer’s
concurrence, an accounting (the “Final Settlement Statement”) of the actual
amounts of Seller’s and Buyer’s Credits for the adjustment set out in this
Article
3.3.
Within
thirty (30) days after receipt of such statement from Seller, Buyer shall
deliver to Seller a written report containing all changes with explanations
therefor that Buyer proposes be made to such statement, it being agreed that
Buyer’s failure to deliver such report to Seller within such time period shall
constitute acceptance by Buyer of Seller’s statement (unless failure is a result
of Seller’s failure to provide information, data, etc). Except for the changes
raised by Buyer in its written report, no additional changes to the statement
provided by Seller shall be considered by the Parties. If Buyer has timely
delivered such written report, the Parties shall then undertake to agree on
the
items in dispute and the adjusted Purchase Price no later than thirty (30)
days
after the receipt by Seller of Buyer’s statement of proposed changes. The
Parties shall attempt to resolve any disagreements on a best efforts basis.
In
the event such disagreements cannot be resolved, the matter shall be submitted
to arbitration by either Party pursuant to the provisions of Article
19
hereof.
Following the determination of the adjusted Purchase Price pursuant to this
Article
3.3,
Seller
or Buyer, as the case may be, shall make payment required within five (5)
business days after such final determination. Buyer will prepare any information
reasonably requested by Seller in order for Seller to prepare such statement
or
verify Buyer’s written report.
The
Purchase Price shall be adjusted as follows:
(a) The
Purchase Price shall be adjusted upward by the following (“Seller’s
Credits”):
(1) the
value
of (i) all Inventory Hydrocarbons, such value to be based upon the prevailing
market value for crude oil in effect as of the Effective Time adjusted for
grade
and gravity, less taxes and transportation fees deducted by the purchaser of
such oil, such oil to be measured at the Effective Time by the operators of
the
Properties. and (ii) the value of all of Seller’s unsold inventory of gas plant
products, if any, attributable to the Leases at the Effective Time valued in
the
same manner as if such products had been sold under the contract then in
existence between Seller and the purchaser of such products or, if there is
no
such contract, valued in the same manner as if said products had been sold
at
the posted price for said products;
(2) the
amount of all production expenses, operating expenses, overhead paid by Seller
on the Properties (IT BEING THE INTENT HEREOF THAT on Seller
operated Properties, Seller shall charge such charges as are reasonable and
customary in the industry where such Properties are located), and capital
expenditures (including, without limitation, royalties, overriding royalties,
rentals and other charges, ad valorem, property, production, excise, severance,
and other similar taxes and assessments) attributable to the operation of the
Properties after the Effective Time;
8
(3) an
amount
equal to the sum of any upward adjustments provided elsewhere for in this
Agreement; and
(4) any
other
amount agreed upon by Seller and Buyer in writing prior to Closing.
(b) The
Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward by the following (“Buyer’s
Credits”):
(1) the
total
sales value of all Hydrocarbons sold by the Seller after the Effective Time,
all
of which are attributable to the Properties, and any other monies collected
by
the Seller with respect to the ownership or operation of the Properties after
the Effective Time, expressly provided that Seller will not be required to
pay
any interest on monies collected on behalf of Buyer.
(2) The
amount of any ad valorem, property, production, severance and similar taxes
and
assessments on the Assets measured by production that occurs before the
Effective Time which shall be the obligation of Seller. For clarity, 2006 taxes
based on production occurring in 2005 shall be solely Seller’s obligation. The
parties shall, based on the production that occurred in 2006 and the most
recently available renditions, estimate the 2006 taxes and such amount shall
be
withheld from the Purchase Price payable to Seller at Closing. Any such
estimate, once agreed upon, shall be final;
(3) an
amount
equal to the sum of any downward adjustments provided elsewhere in this
Agreement; and
(4) any
other
amount agreed upon by Seller and Buyer in writing prior to Closing.
(c) Seller
shall prepare and deliver to Buyer, at least five (5) business days prior to
Closing, Seller’s estimate of the adjusted Purchase Price to be paid at Closing,
together with a preliminary statement setting forth Seller’s estimate of the
amount of each adjustment to the Purchase Price to be made pursuant to this
Article
3.3.
ARTICLE
4. - REPRESENTATIONS OF SELLER
4.1. Existence.
Seller
is a limited partnership, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the state of its formation and is duly qualified to do business in the state
in which the Properties are located.
4.2. Authorization.
Seller
has all authority necessary to enter into this Agreement and to perform all
its
obligations hereunder. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
on
its behalf, and at the Closing all documents and instruments required hereunder
will have been duly executed and delivered. This Agreement, and all such
documents and instruments shall constitute legal, valid, and binding obligations
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent
enforceability may be affected by bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, or
similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.
9
4.3. Power.
Subject
to preferential purchase rights and restrictions on assignment of the type
typically found in the oil and gas industry, and to rights to consent described
on Schedule
4.9,
and
subject to, required notices to, and filings with or actions by governmental
entities, Seller’s execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby will not: (i) violate or conflict with
any
provision of its Articles of Organization, or other governing documents; (ii)
result in the breach of any term or condition of, or constitute a default or
cause the acceleration of any obligation under any agreement or instrument
to
which it is a party or by which it is bound; or (iii) violate or conflict with
any applicable judgment, decree, order, permit, law, rule or
regulation.
4.4. Brokers.
Seller
has incurred no liability, contingent or otherwise, for broker’s or finder’s
fees in respect of this transaction, for which Buyer shall have any
responsibility whatsoever.
4.5. Foreign
Person.
Seller
is not a “foreign person” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the “Code”), Section 1445 and 7701 (i.e.,
Seller
is not a nonresident alien, foreign corporation, foreign partnership, foreign
trust, or foreign estate as those terms are defined in the Code and any
regulation promulgated thereunder).
4.6. Conflicts.
Seller’s
execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement does not and will not
conflict with or violate any agreement governing Seller’s business or affairs,
or any agreements or instruments to which Seller may be a party or by which
Seller or any of Seller’s properties are bound, or any law, administrative
regulation or rule or court order, judgment, or decree applicable to Seller
or
to the Properties.
4.7. Bankruptcy.
There
are no bankruptcy, reorganization, or receivership proceedings pending, being
contemplated by, or threatened against Seller.
4.8. Litigation.
Except
as set forth on Schedule
4.8,
there
is neither any claim, dispute, suit, action, investigation or other proceeding
pending before any court or governmental agency against Seller or any of the
Properties, nor to Seller’s knowledge, threatened against Seller or the
Properties, which might diminish the value of or impede the operation of the
Properties, or which challenges or pertains to the execution and delivery of
this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
4.9. Preferential
Rights.
Except
as identified on Schedule
4.9,
which
to the best of Seller’s knowledge, is accurate and complete, for the respective
Leases or Xxxxx, there are no preferential rights of purchase or consents to
assign in favor of third parties with respect to any of the Properties and
no
consents to transfers thereof are required.
4.10. Seller’s
Title.
Seller
has Marketable Title to the Properties and Seller warrants Marketable Title
to
the Properties by, through, and under Seller, but not otherwise. Any discrepancy
in the Seller’s Marketable Title of the interests stated on Exhibit
“A”
shall
only be adjusted pursuant to the provisions of Article
8.3.
10
4.11. Knowledge.
The
phrase “to Seller’s knowledge,” or other similar language which qualifies a
statement as to the knowledge of Seller, will mean that within the actual
present knowledge of a Responsible Officer after due inquiry of appropriate
managerial level personnel, such Responsible Officer has received no verbal
information from an employee of Seller or any written information indicating
that the specific statement so qualified is not accurate. Responsible Officer
is
defined as the President, Chief Operating Officer, and General Counsel of
Seller. Buyer and Seller expressly agree that in no event will any
representation or other statement qualified, to Seller’s knowledge, give rise to
any implication or presumption that a specific inquiry or any inquiry has been
made by any Responsible Officer to confirm or negate the matter being
represented other than as provided herein; and Buyer acknowledges that any
such
representation will be based solely on the actual present knowledge of the
Responsible Officer(s) as described herein above.
ARTICLE
5. - REPRESENTATIONS OF BUYER
5.1. Existence.
Buyer
is
a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under
the
laws of the state of its formation, and, as of the Closing Date, will be duly
qualified to do business in the state(s) in which the Properties are
located.
5.2. Authorization.
Buyer
has all authority necessary to enter into this Agreement and to perform all
its
obligations hereunder. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
on
its behalf, and at the Closing all documents and instruments required hereunder
will have been duly executed and delivered. This Agreement, and all such
documents and instruments shall constitute legal, valid, and binding obligations
enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except to the extent
enforceability may be affected by bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, or
similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally.
5.3. Power.
Subject
to rights to consents by, required notices to, and filings with or actions
by
other governmental entities, Buyer’s execution, delivery, and performance of
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby will not: (i) violate
or
conflict with any provision of its documents of formation or other governing
documents; (ii) result in the breach of any term or condition of, or constitute
a default or cause the acceleration of any obligation under any agreement or
instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound; or (iii) violate
or
conflict with any applicable judgment, decree, order, permit, law, rule or
regulation.
5.4. Brokers.
Buyer
has incurred no liability, contingent or otherwise, for broker’s or finder’s
fees in respect of this transaction, for which Seller shall have any
responsibility whatsoever.
5.5. Bankruptcy.
There
are no bankruptcy, reorganization or receivership proceedings pending, being
contemplated by, or to the actual knowledge of Buyer threatened against
Buyer.
5.6. Experienced
And Knowledgeable Investor.
Buyer
is
an experienced and knowledgeable investor and operator in the oil and gas
business. Except for such representation of Seller set forth herein, prior
to
entering into this Agreement, Buyer was advised by and has relied solely on
its
own expertise and legal, tax, reservoir engineering, and other professional
counsel concerning this Agreement, the Properties and the value
thereof.
11
5.7. Further
Distribution.
Buyer
(i)
is acquiring the Properties for its own account and without a view to the
distribution thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended; (ii) has such knowledge and experience in business, financial, and
oil
and gas matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of
entering into and of carrying out its obligations in connection with the
acquisition of the properties in the manner contemplated herein; (iii) has
received to date all information concerning the Properties and such other
information relating to this Agreement which it requested; and (iv) is able
to
bear the economic risk of its investment in the Properties for an indefinite
period of time. Further, Buyer acknowledges that Seller is relying upon the
representations contained in the foregoing sentence and that absent such
representations that the proposed sale to Buyer would not be entered into and
this Agreement would not be executed and delivered by Seller.
5.8. Litigation.
There is
neither any claim, dispute, suit, action, investigation or other proceeding
pending before any court or governmental agency, nor to Buyer’s knowledge,
threatened, against Buyer which challenges or pertains to the execution and
delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
ARTICLE
6. - ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND INSPECTIONS
6.1. Title
Files.
Promptly
after the execution of this Agreement and until the Closing Date, Seller shall
permit Buyer and its representatives at reasonable times during normal business
hours to examine, in Seller’s offices at their actual location, all abstracts of
title, title opinions, title files, ownership maps, lease files, assignments,
division orders, payout statements and agreements pertaining to the Properties
as requested by Buyer, insofar as the same may now be in existence and in the
possession, custody or control of Seller. Seller makes no warranty of any kind
as to the information so supplied, and Buyer agrees that any conclusions drawn
therefrom are the result of its own independent review and
judgment.
6.2. Other
Files.
Promptly
after the execution of this Agreement and until the Closing Date, Seller shall
permit Buyer and its representatives at reasonable times during normal business
hours to examine, in Seller’s offices at their actual location, all production,
well, regulatory, engineering, seismic, geological, geophysical and geochemical
information, accounting information and other information, files, books,
records, and data pertaining to the Properties as requested by Buyer, insofar
as
the same may be in existence and in the possession, custody or control of
Seller, excepting: (i) economic evaluations; (ii) reserve reports covering
properties other than the Properties that are subject to this Agreement; (iii)
any such information that is subject to attorney/client, work product or other
legal privilege; and (iv) any such information, the disclosure of which is
restricted or prohibited by third party agreement(s). No warranty of any kind
is
made by Seller as to the information so supplied, and Buyer agrees that any
conclusions drawn therefrom are the result of its own independent review and
judgment.
12
6.3. Buyer’s
Confidentiality Obligations.
All
information furnished or disclosed to Buyer pursuant hereto is subject to that
certain Confidentiality Agreement by and between Seller and Buyer.
6.4. Inspections.
Promptly
after the execution of this Agreement and until Closing, Seller, subject to
any
necessary third-party operator approval, shall permit Buyer and its
representatives at reasonable times and at their sole risk, cost and expense,
to
conduct reasonable inspections of the Properties, subject to Article
10
hereof.
ARTICLE
7. - DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
7.1. Information
Provided.
All
of
the information, statistics, summaries, electronic transmissions and facsimiles
furnished by or behalf of Seller herewith or hereunder are furnished or will
be
furnished for Buyer’s use at Buyer’s sole risk. All such information has been
compiled or prepared by Seller based upon its files and records and such
information is believed to be correct, but SELLER MAKES NO REPRESENTATION,
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE ACCURACY, CORRECTNESS, COMPLETENESS, OR THE
ADEQUACY OF SAME AND DOES NOT WARRANT OR GUARANTEE SUCH INFORMATION IN ANY
WAY.
SELLER HAS MADE NO STATEMENTS OR REPRESENTATIONS CONCERNING THE CONDITION OF
THE
PROPERTIES, PRODUCTION RATES, RECOMPLETION OPPORTUNITIES, DECLINE RATES,
GEOLOGICAL OR GEOPHYSICAL DATA OR INTERPRETATIONS, THE QUALITY, QUANTITY OR
RECOVERABILITY OF ANY HYDROCARBON RESERVES, ANY PRODUCT PRICING ASSUMPTIONS,
THE
ABILITY TO SELL OR MARKET ANY HYDROCARBONS AFTER CLOSING, OR THE PRESENT OR
FUTURE VALUE OF THE ANTICIPATED INCOME, OR PROFITS, IF ANY, TO BE DERIVED FROM
THE PROPERTIES. BUYER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SUCH INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION
AND EVALUATION OF THE PROPERTIES AS BUYER SHALL DEEM APPROPRIATE, REALIZING
THAT
SELLER DOES NOT ASSUME AND SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY TO BUYER OR ANY OTHER PARTY
FOR ANY RELIANCE WHICH MAY BE PLACED ON THE INFORMATION, STATISTICS, SUMMARIES,
ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONS OR FACSIMILES FURNISHED TO BUYER. SPECIFICALLY, BUT
WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING: THE DESCRIPTION OF LEASES
INCLUDED IN THE PROPERTIES, THE ACREAGE PURPORTED TO BE CONVERED THEREBY, DEPTH
LIMITATIONS (IF ANY), ROYALTY AND OTHER BURDENS AFFECTING SAME, AND QUANTUM
OF
INTEREST HAVE BEEN DERIVED STRICTLY FROM SELLER’S RECORDS AND SELLER HAS NOT
UNDERTAKEN ANY EXAMINATION OF TITLE TO VERIFY SAME. SELLER WARRANTS TITLE ONLY
TO THE EXTENT EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT AND IN THE CONVEYANCES
DELIVERED PURSUANT HERETO; AND BUYER SHOULD THEREFORE UNDERTAKE SUCH TITLE
EXAMINATION AS IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE PRIOR TO THE "NOTIFICATION DEADLINE" (AS
DEFINED IN ARTICLE
8.2)
AND THE
END OF THE “EXAMINATION PERIOD” (AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE
10.1).
7.2. Regulatory
Status.
OTHER
THAN REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, SELLER
MAKES NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION WHATSOEVER AS TO THE REGULATORY STATUS
OF
THE PROPERTIES, AND BUYER SHOULD SATISFY ITSELF AS TO SUCH MATTERS PRIOR TO
THE
END OF THE “EXAMINATION PERIOD” (AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE
10.1).
13
7.3. No
Warranties.
EXCEPT
AS TO THE SPECIAL WARRANTY OF TITLE CONTAINED IN THE ASSIGNMENT, CONVEYANCE
OF
THE PROPERTIES WILL BE MADE WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR COVENANTS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED
IN FACT OR IN LAW, AS TO TITLE, MERCHANTABILITY, DURABILITY, USE, OPERATION,
FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, CONDITION, SAFETY OF THE PROPERTIES,
COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS OR
OTHERWISE.
7.4. Buyer
Inspection.
BUYER
HEREBY AGREES THAT IT WILL INSPECT THE PROPERTIES, XXXXX, PERSONAL PROPERTY,
AND
EQUIPMENT ASSIGNED AND CONVEYED HEREIN AND THAT IT WILL ACCEPT THE SAME “AS IS,
WHERE IS” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS”.
7.5. Prior
Operations.
Some oil
field production equipment may contain asbestos or naturally occurring
radioactive material (hereinafter referred to as “NORM”). In this regard, Buyer
expressly understands that NORM may affix or attach itself to the inside of
xxxxx, materials and equipment as scale, or in other forms, and that said xxxxx,
materials and equipment located on the Properties or included therein may
contain NORM and that NORM-containing material may be buried or otherwise
disposed of on the Properties. Buyer also expressly understands that special
procedures may be required for the remediation, removal, transportation and
disposal of asbestos and NORM from the Properties where it may be found, and
Buyer, after Closing, assumes all responsibility and liability for or in
connection with assessment, remediation, removal, transportation, and disposal
of any asbestos and NORM and associated activities in accordance with all rules,
regulations and requirements of governmental agencies.
ARTICLE
8. - TITLE MATTERS
8.1. Definitions.
For
purposes hereof, the terms set forth below shall have the meanings assigned
thereto.
(a) “Allocated
Value”
shall
mean the dollar amount allocated to each producing Property as set forth on
Schedule
3.1.
(b) “Marketable
Title”
means,
such title held by Seller that (a) entitles Seller and will entitle Buyer,
after
Closing, to own and receive and retain, without suspension, reduction or
termination, payment of revenues for not less than the net revenue interest
shown on Exhibit
“A”
of all
oil and gas produced, saved and marketed from or attributable to the Well(s)
or
unit indicated through the plugging, abandonment and salvage of such Xxxxx;
(b)
obligates Seller, and will obligate Buyer after Closing as of the Effective
Time, to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development
and operation of such Well(s) or unit(s) through the plugging, abandonment
and
salvage of such Well(s) in an amount not greater than the working interest
of
Seller set forth in Exhibit
“A”
(unless
Seller’s net revenue interest therein is proportionately increased); and (c) the
Properties are free and clear of any liens, burdens or encumbrances of any
kind
or character.
14
(c) “Title
Defect”
shall
mean any matter which causes Seller to not have Marketable Title to any of
the
Properties as of the Closing Date. Title Defect does not include (a) a lien
or
encumbrance in the form of a judgment secured by a supersedeas bond or other
security approved by the court issuing the order (only to the extent Seller
assumes liability, provides alternative collateral and indemnifies Buyer
therefor); or (b) Permitted Encumbrances.
(d) “Title
Defect Property”
shall
mean any Lease or portion thereof burdened by a Title Defect.
(e) “Permitted
Encumbrances”
shall
mean any of the following matters:
(i) Materialman’s,
mechanic’s, repairman’s, employee’s, contractor’s, operator’s, tax, and other
similar liens or charges arising in the ordinary course of business for
obligations that are not delinquent and that will be paid and discharged in
the
ordinary course of business or, if delinquent, that are being contested in
good
faith by appropriate action (to the extent contested, Seller agrees to retain
liability);
(ii) any
liens
or security interests created by law or reserved with respect to the Properties
for royalty, bonus, rental, other payment obligations under the Leases or
created to secure compliance with the terms of the Leases;
(iii) to
the
extent any of the following do not materially diminish the value of, or impair
the conduct of operations on, any of the Properties and do not impair Seller’s
right to receive revenues attributable thereto: any valid, subsisting and
applicable laws, rules and orders of governmental authority;
(iv) to
the
extent any of the following do not materially diminish the value of, or impair
the conduct of operations on, any of the Properties and do not impair Seller’s
right to receive the revenues attributable thereto: (a) easements,
rights-of-way, servitudes, permits, surface leases and other rights in respect
of surface operations, pipelines, grazing, hunting, fishing, logging, canals,
ditches, reservoirs or the like, and (b) easements for streets, alleys,
highways, pipelines, telephone lines, power lines, railways and other similar
rights-of-way, on, over or in respect to property owned or leased by Seller
or
over which Seller owns rights-of-way, easements, permits or
licenses;
(v) all
lessors’ royalties, overriding royalties, net profits interest, carried
interest, production payments, reversionary interests and other burdens on
or
deductions from the proceeds of production if the net cumulative effect of
such
burdens or deductions does not reduce the net revenue interest of Seller in
any
Well affected thereby as reflected in Exhibit
“A”
or
impair the right to receive revenues attributable thereto;
(vi) to
the
extent the same do not operate to reduce the net revenue interest, nor increase
the expense interest (unless Seller’s net revenue interest therein is
proportionately increased), of Seller as reflected in Exhibit
“A”,
nor
impair the right of Seller to receive the revenues attributable thereto:
unitization and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements;
operating agreements; agreements of development; area of mutual interest
agreements; gas balancing or deferred production agreements; processing
agreements; plant agreements; pipeline, gathering and transportation agreements;
injection, repressuring and recycling agreements; carbon dioxide purchase or
sale agreements; salt water or other disposal agreements; seismic or geophysical
permits or agreements; and any and all other agreements which are ordinary
and
customary in the oil, gas, sulphur and other mineral exploration, development
or
extraction business, or in the business of processing of gas and gas condensate
production for the extraction of products therefrom;
15
(vii) conventional
rights of assignment normally actuated by an intent to abandon or release a
Lease and requiring notice to the holder of such rights;
(viii) division
orders and Hydrocarbon sales contracts and contracts for purchase, exchange,
refining or processing of Hydrocarbons terminable without penalty upon no more
than sixty (60) days notice to the purchaser;
(ix) calls
on
or preferential rights to purchase production at prices not less than current
market prices, held by parties other than Seller or its affiliates;
(x) preferential
rights to purchase and required third party consents to assignments and similar
agreements with respect to which waivers or consents are obtained from the
appropriate parties, or the appropriate time period for asserting the rights
has
expired without an exercise of the rights prior to the Closing
Date;
(xi) all
rights to consent by, required notices to, filings with, or other actions by
governmental entities and tribal authorities in connection with the sale or
conveyance of oil and gas leases or interests if they are customarily obtained
subsequent to the sale or conveyance;
(xii)
defects or irregularities of title arising out of events or transactions which
have been barred by limitations;
(xiii) all
other
defects, and irregularities of title affecting the Properties, which
individually or in the aggregate:
(a) are
not
such as to interfere with the operation, value or use of the Properties (or
portion thereof) affected thereby; or
(b) does
not
presently delay the receipt or prevent Seller from receiving its share of the
proceeds of production from any of the units or Xxxxx to which the Leases
relate; or
(c) does
not
presently reduce the interest of Seller with respect to all oil and gas produced
from any unit or Well to which the Leases relate below the “net revenue
interest” or “NRI” set forth in Exhibit
“A”
for such
unit or Well; or
(d) does
not
presently increase Seller’s portion of the costs and expenses relating to the
operations on and the maintenance and development of the lands and depths
included in any unit or Well to which the Leases relate above the “working
interest” or “WI” set forth in Exhibit
“A”
for such
unit or Well.
16
(xiv) any
encumbrance or other matter (whether or not constituting a Title Defect) waived
in writing by Buyer or deemed to be waived in writing by Buyer under
Article
8.2.
.
8.2. Notice
of Title Defect.
Buyer
shall notify Seller in writing (“Defect Notice”), as soon as reasonably
practicable after Buyer has knowledge thereof, and in any event on or before
5:00 p.m., Central Time, five (5) days prior to the Closing Date (the
“Notification Deadline”), of any matter that would constitute a Title Defect
with respect to Seller’s title to any or all of the Properties, in each case
together with an explanation of (a) the nature of such Title Defect, (b) the
Properties (or portions thereof) affected thereby, and (c) Buyer’s proposed
Defect Value (as hereinafter defined) for such Title Defect. Any matter that
would otherwise constitute a Title Defect but which is not specifically raised
in writing (with the explanation as contemplated in the immediately preceding
sentence) by Buyer prior to the Notification Deadline shall conclusively be
deemed waived by Buyer. As used herein, the term “Defect Value” shall mean with
respect to each Title Defect, the reduction in the Allocated Value of the
affected Properties as a result of such Title Defect as determined in
Article
8.5.
Buyer
must notify Seller in writing promptly if Buyer determines that Seller’s NRI or
WI for Properties is greater than that shown on Exhibit
“A”.
8.3. Remedies
for Title Defects.
(a) Buyer
may
request an adjustment to the Purchase Price at any time on or before the fifth
day before the Closing Date, if the adjustment is based on a Title Defect.
Seller may request an upward adjustment to the Purchase Price at any time before
the fifth day before the Closing Date, if Seller’s net revenue interest for the
Property is greater than that shown on Exhibit
“A”.
A
notice requesting an adjustment must be timely and in writing and include
appropriate documentation to substantiate the adjustment, or the claimant will
be deemed to have waived its claim to adjust the Purchase Price for the matter
stated in the notice.
(b) If
either
Party gives notice under the previous section, the Parties will meet and use
their best efforts to agree on the validity of the claim and, if applicable,
the
amount of the adjustment, using the following criteria:
(1) If
the
claim is based on Seller’s owning a different net revenue interest than that
shown on Exhibit
“A”,
then
the adjustment will be the absolute value of the number determined by the
following formula:
Adjustment
= A x (1-[B/C])
A = | Allocated Value for the affected Interest |
B = | Correct net revenue interest for the affected interest |
C
=
|
Net
revenue interest for the affected interest as shown on Exhibit
“A”
|
17
(2) If
the
claim is based on an obligation or burden that is liquidated, the adjustment
will be the sum necessary to remove the obligation or burden from the affected
Property.
(3) If
the
claim is based on an obligation or burden that is not liquidated, but can be
estimated with reasonable certainty, the adjustment will be the sum necessary
to
compensate Buyer on the Closing Date for the adverse economic effect on the
affected Property.
(c) If
the
amount of the adjustment for each Title Defect cannot be determined based on
the
above criteria, and if the Parties cannot otherwise agree on the amount of
an
adjustment or the Parties are unable to agree upon whether a Title Defect
exists, subject to the provisions of Article
8.3.(d)
below,
Seller may, at its sole option and upon written notice to Buyer,
either:
(1) remove
the affected Property from this Agreement and adjust the Purchase Price by
the
Allocated Value for that Property; or
(2) agree
to
indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from any claim resulting from such Title
Defect; or
(3) elect
to
resolve the dispute under the arbitration provisions in this
Agreement.
(d)
Except for the exclusion of a Property, as provided in Article
8.3.(c),
no
adjustment to the Purchase Price for Title Defects shall be made unless and
until the aggregate value of all Title Defects (herein called the “Aggregate
Title Defect Value”) exceeds a threshold of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($250,000.00) and once the threshold is exceeded, the value of all Title Defects
shall be considered in applying this Article
8.
Title
Defects with an agreed individual value of less than Fifteen Thousand Dollars
($15,000.00) shall be considered “Minimal Title Defects” and shall not be
included in the calculation of the Aggregate Title Defect Value. For purposes
of
this section, the cost to cure a Title Defect and the Allocated Value of any
Property excluded under Article
8.3.(c)
above
shall not be considered in determining the value of Aggregate Title Defect
Value.
(e) Seller
may, at its sole option, notify Buyer before the Closing Date that it elects
to
cure some or all of the Title Defects. No price adjustment will be made at
Closing for the Title Defects that Seller elects to cure. If any Title Defect
is
not cured within ninety (90) days after Closing, an adjustment to the Purchase
Price will be calculated under the criteria set forth in this section. Seller
will refund the net amount to Buyer.
8.4. Seller’s
& Buyer’s Right To Terminate. Either
Party shall have the option to terminate this Agreement if the Aggregate Title
Defect Value exceeds five percent (5%) of the Purchase Price. In the event
either Party elects to terminate this Agreement, then Seller shall return the
Performance Deposit to Buyer. In either case, this Agreement shall be deemed
to
be of no further force or effect except for the items specifically set forth
in
Article
17.3.
18
8.5. Allocated
Value.
As
used
in this Agreement, the term “Allocated Value” shall mean, with respect to any
Property the amount set forth on Schedule
3.1
for each
such Property, which Exhibit is attached to and made a part of this Agreement.
The Allocated Value for each Property has been reviewed and agreed to by the
Parties and represents the Parties’ good faith allocation of the value of the
Properties.
ARTICLE
9. - PREFERENTIAL PURCHASE RIGHTS AND CONSENTS
9.1. Actions
and Consents.
(a) Seller
and Buyer agree that each shall use all reasonable efforts to take or cause
to
be taken all such action as may be necessary to consummate and make effective
the transaction provided in this Agreement and to assure that it will not be
under any material corporate, legal, or contractual restriction that could
prohibit or delay the timely consummation of such transaction.
(b) Seller
represents that to the best of Seller’s knowledge, Exhibit A and Schedule
4.9
are
accurate and complete; however, certain preferential purchase rights or rights
of approval or consent may exist with respect to the Properties under the
agreements and Leases shown on Exhibit
“A,”
whether
or not they are correctly listed on Schedule
4.9.
Seller
shall use reasonable efforts to timely notify all holders of (i) preferential
rights, (ii) rights of consent to the assignment, or (iii) rights of approval
to
the assignment of the Properties, and of such terms and conditions of this
Agreement to which the holders of such rights are entitled. Seller shall
promptly notify Buyer if any preferential rights are exercised, any consents
or
approvals denied, or if the requisite period has elapsed without said rights
having been exercised or consents or approvals having been received. If prior
to
Closing, any such preferential rights are timely and properly exercised, or
Seller is unable to obtain a consent or approval prior to Closing and the
failure to secure such consent or approval in advance of Closing would
materially and adversely affect the Property or Properties subject thereto,
the
interest or part thereof so affected shall, if Buyer so elects, be excluded
from
the sale and purchase contemplated hereby and the Purchase Price shall be
reduced by the Allocated Value of such interest or part thereof as provided
in
Schedule
3.1
If any
additional third party preferential rights are discovered after Closing, or
if a
third party preferential rights holder alleges improper notice, then Buyer
agrees to cooperate with Seller in giving effect to any such valid third party
preferential purchase rights. In the event any such valid third party
preferential purchase rights are validly exercised after Closing, Buyer’s sole
remedy against Seller shall be the return by Seller to Buyer of that portion
of
the Purchase Price allocated under Schedule
3.1
to the
portion of the Properties on which such rights are exercised and lost by Buyer
to such third person, plus any expenses incurred by Buyer in connection with
such Properties and re-conveyance thereof.
(c) In
the
event one or more Properties or any interest therein is excluded pursuant to
Article
9.1.(b)
because
the same is subject to preferential purchase rights, consents or approvals,
Closing with respect to all other Properties will proceed as provided in this
Agreement, but the Purchase Price delivered to Seller at Closing will be reduced
by the Allocated Value of the excluded Properties or interest. In the event
that
within ninety (90) days after Closing any such preferential purchase right
is
waived or consent or approval is obtained or the time for election to purchase
or to deliver a consent or approval passes (such that under the governing
documents, Seller may sell the affected Property or interest to Buyer), then
Closing will proceed promptly on the same terms set forth herein with respect
to
such Property or interest. If such waivers, consents or approvals are not
received by Seller within the applicable ninety (90) day period, Seller shall
retain such Properties or interests and the Parties shall have no further
obligation with respect thereto.
19
ARTICLE
10. - ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS
10.1. Phase
I Environmental Assessment.
Buyer
shall have the right to conduct an environmental assessment of the Properties
during the period beginning on the date of execution of this Agreement and
ending ten (10) days prior to the Closing Date (the “Examination Period”). The
confidentiality obligations of the confidentiality agreement previously signed
by Buyer
shall be
applicable to all information acquired by Buyer in the course of its
environmental assessment. During normal business hours and after providing
Seller reasonable prior notice of any such activities, Buyer and its
representatives shall be permitted to enter upon the Properties and all
buildings and improvements thereon, inspect the same, review files and generally
conduct such tests, examinations, and investigations as are consistent with
the
American Society for Testing and Materials standard Phase I environmental audit.
Seller will have the right to (i) witness such investigation and (ii) promptly
receive a copy of all results, analyses and reviews. In the event Seller has
conducted a recent Phase I Environmental Assessment Study, the Seller shall
notify Buyer and make the report available to the Buyer during the Examination
Period.
10.2. Phase
II Environmental Assessment.
If as a
result of its Phase I audit, Buyer and its representatives reasonably believe
that a material environmental condition exists that warrants a Phase II
investigation and Buyer desires to conduct such investigation with respect
to
each such circumstance, Buyer agrees to give Seller prompt written notice of
each specific environmental condition including the basis of its belief and
estimated cost of remediation. During a period of seventy-two (72) hours
following receipt of such notice, Seller in its sole discretion shall have
the
right to authorize Buyer to proceed with the Phase II investigation or to
decline to authorize such additional investigation. In the event Seller elects
to authorize the Phase II investigation, the Examination Period and the
Environmental Notice Deadline (as defined below), with respect to the specific
Property or Properties subject to the Phase II investigation, shall be extended
for a period of two (2) weeks. The Parties shall negotiate in good faith as
to
whether a Phase II investigation is warranted. If the Parties can not agree,
then at Seller’s sole option, Seller can decline to authorize the Phase II
investigation and no such investigation shall be permitted and the affected
Property or Properties shall be excluded from the sale and purchase contemplated
hereby. In such event, the Purchase Price shall be reduced by the Allocated
Value of such excluded Property or Properties. Buyer shall furnish Seller copies
of all environmental reports prepared by Buyer or on Buyer's behalf. The final
draft of all such reports shall cover and include only those Properties which
have not been excluded pursuant to this Article
10.2;
provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to prohibit
the disclosure of any matter required to be reported or disclosed by applicable
Environmental Laws (as defined below).
10.3. Environmental
Defect Notice.
Buyer
will notify Seller on
or
before five (5) days before Closing, at 5:00 p.m., Central Time (the
“Environmental Notice Deadline”) of (i) the existence of any environmental
condition on the real property comprising any Property that Buyer reasonably
believes constitutes a violation of Environmental Laws as in effect on the
date
hereof or reduces or interferes with the operation, value or use of such
Property (“Environmental Defect”), and (ii) the estimated cost to remediate or
cure such condition on each individual Property, determined utilizing the most
cost effective and appropriate method of cure or remediation available under
the
circumstances. With respect to any Environmental Defect:
20
(a) Seller
shall have the right, but not the obligation, to undertake such remedial action
as may be required by Environmental Law as currently applied to cure by such
Environmental Defect by sending written notice of its binding commitment to
effectuate such cure and the details and timing of such curative action, and
if
such commitment is reasonably satisfactory to Buyer, the Purchase Price would
not be reduced on account of such Environmental Defect; provided that Seller
remains responsible for such remedial action until such time as Seller has
cured
such Environmental Defect in accordance with Environmental Laws as currently
applied or until such time as Buyer is reasonably satisfied with Seller’s
actions;
(b) Buyer
and
Seller may also, upon mutual agreement of the Parties set the cost to cure
the
Environmental Defect and the Purchase Price shall be reduced by such agreed
costs. In such case, the Buyer shall continue to own such Property and be
responsible for any cure;
(c) Buyer
and
Seller may, upon mutual agreement of the Parties as to the terms and conditions
of any indemnity, elect that Seller indemnify Buyer against all liability,
loss,
cost and expense (including, without limitation, for remediation costs when
and
if such cure is actually undertaken) resulting from such Environmental Defect,
and in such event the Purchase Price will not be reduced on account of such
Environmental Defect; and
(d) If
Buyer
and Seller cannot reach mutual agreement as contemplated in Article
10.3.(a), (b) or (c)
above on
whether a Environmental Defect exists within ten (10) days following the notice
of an Environmental Defect as to any Property, Seller may, at its sole option
and upon written notice to Buyer:
(1) remove
the affected Property from this Agreement and adjust the Purchase Price by
the
Allocated Value for that Property; or
(2) elect
to
resolve the dispute under the arbitration provisions in this
Agreement.
10.4 Seller’s
& Buyer’s Right To Terminate. Either
Party shall have the option to terminate this Agreement if the Aggregate
Environmental Defect Value exceeds five percent (5%) of the Purchase Price.
In
the event either party elects to terminate this Agreement, then Seller shall
return the Performance Deposit to Buyer. In either case, this Agreement shall
be
deemed to be of no further force or effect except for the items specifically
set
forth in Article
17.3.
10.5. Limitations.
Except
for the exclusion of a Property, as provided in Article
10.3.(d),
no
adjustment to the Purchase Price for Environmental Defects shall be made unless
and until the aggregate value of all Environmental Defects (herein called the
“Aggregate Environmental Defect Value”) exceeds a threshold of Two Hundred Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) and once the threshold is exceeded, the value
of
all Environmental Defects shall be considered in applying this Article
10
except
the Minimal Environmental Defects. Environmental Defects with an agreed
individual value of less than Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) shall be
considered “Minimal Environmental Defects” and shall not be included in the
calculation of the Aggregate Environmental Defect Value. For purposes of this
section, the cost to cure an Environmental Defect determined under Article
10.3.(a) or (b)
above
and the Allocated Value of any Property excluded under Article
10.3.(d)
above
shall not be
considered in determining the value of an Environmental Defect.
21
10.6. Environmental
Laws.
As used
herein, the term “Environmental Laws” shall mean any and all laws, statutes,
regulations, rules, orders, ordinances, permits, or determinations of any
governmental authority pertaining to health or conservation or protection of
the
environment, wildlife, or natural resources in effect in any and all
jurisdictions in which the Property is located otherwise having jurisdiction
over the matter, including, without limitation, the Clean Air Act, as amended,
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Safe Drinking Water
Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and
Liability Act (“CERCLA”), as amended, the Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986 (“XXXX”), as amended, the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (“RCRA”), as amended, the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments Acts
of 1984, as amended, the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, and the
Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”), as amended. The terms “hazardous
substance,” “release,” and “threatened release” shall have the meanings
specified in CERCLA; provided, however, that to the extent the laws of the
state
in which the Property is located are applicable and have established a meaning
for “hazardous substance,” “release,” “threatened release,” “solid waste,”
“hazardous waste,” and “disposal” that is broader than that specified in CERCLA
or RCRA and XXXX or OSHA, such broader meaning shall apply with respect to
the
matters covered by such laws.
ARTICLE
11. - GENERAL COVENANTS OF SELLER
11.1. Access
to Records.
During
the Examination Period (as defined in Article
10.1),
Seller
shall grant Buyer access to the Records as defined in Article
15.4
and all
accounting and tax files relating to the Properties during Seller's normal
business hours upon reasonable prior notification, subject to the
confidentiality agreement previously signed by Buyer. The Records and all
accounting and tax files relating to the Properties shall be made available
at
their present location together with suitable office facilities for review
purposes.
11.2. Covenants
of Seller Pending Closing.
(a) From
and
after the Effective Date of this Agreement and until the Closing and subject
to
Article
11.3
and the
constraints of applicable operating and other agreements, Seller shall operate,
manage, and administer the Properties in a good and workmanlike manner
consistent with its past practices and shall carry on its business with respect
to the Properties in substantially the same manner as before execution of this
Agreement, including but not limited to, the maintenance of industry standard
insurance coverage. Seller shall have no responsibility for and shall incur
no
liability for any Losses of any nature suffered or incurred by Buyer arising
out
of or in connection with the rendering of such unless such Losses result from
the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Seller. On Seller operated
Properties, Seller shall charge Buyer, from and after the Effective Date of
this
Agreement, such charges as are reasonable and customary in the industry where
such Properties are located. Seller shall also retain any third-party
administrative and/or operating overhead charges paid with respect to the
Properties during such period. Seller shall use all reasonable efforts to
preserve in full force and effect all Leases, operating agreements, easements,
rights-of-way, permits, licenses, and agreements which relate to the Properties
in which Seller owns an interest, and shall perform all obligations of Seller
in
or under all such agreements relating to the Properties; provided, however,
that
in no event shall Seller incur any liability for the breach of its obligations
under this Article
11.2.(a)
in
excess of the Allocated Value of the Property or Properties subject to or
affected by such breach. Seller shall, except for emergency action taken in
the
face of serious risk of life, property, or the environment (i) submit to Buyer,
for prior written approval, all requests for operating or capital expenditures
and all proposed contracts and agreements relating to the Properties which
involve individual commitments of more than Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00);
(ii) consult with, inform, and advise Buyer regarding all material matters
concerning the operation, management, and administration of the Properties;
(iii) obtain Buyer's written approval prior to voting under any operating,
unit,
joint venture, partnership or similar agreement; and (iv) not approve or elect
to go non-consent as to any proposed well or plug and abandon or agree to plug
and abandon any well without Buyer's prior written approval; (v) shall not
transfer, sell, hypothecate, encumber, or otherwise dispose of any of the
Properties, other than the sale of production in the ordinary course of business
or as required in connection with the exercise by third parties of preferential
rights to purchase any of the Properties; (vi) shall not abandon any xxxxx
or
surrender any Leases (other than as required by law or governmental order or
regulation or in connection with an emergency); (vii) shall not enter into
any
production sale, processing, or treating agreements affecting the Properties
unless it is terminable on no more than thirty (30) days notice. On any matter
requiring Buyer's approval under this Article
11.2.(a),
Buyer
shall respond within fifteen (15) days to Seller's request for approval and
failure of Buyer to respond to Seller's request for approval within such time
shall release Seller from the obligation to obtain Buyer's approval before
proceeding on such matter.
22
(b) Seller
shall promptly notify Buyer of any suit, lessor demand action, or other
proceeding before any court, arbitrator, or governmental agency and any cause
of
action which relates to the Properties or which might result in impairment
of
loss of Seller's interest in any portion of the Properties or which might hinder
or impede the operation of the Properties.
11.3. Limitations
on Seller's Covenants Pending Closing.
To
the
extent Seller is not the operator of any of the Properties, the obligations
of
Seller in Article
11.2
concerning operations or activities which normally or pursuant to existing
contracts are carried out or performed by the operator, shall be construed
to
require only that Seller use all reasonable efforts (without being obligated
to
incur any expense or institute any cause of action) to cause the operator of
such Properties to take such actions or render such performance within the
constraints of the applicable operating agreements and other applicable
agreements.
ARTICLE
12. - COVENANTS OF BUYER
12.1. Return
of Data.
Buyer
agrees that if this Agreement is terminated for any reason whatsoever, Buyer
shall, at Seller's request, promptly return to Seller all information and data
furnished by or on behalf of Seller to Buyer, its officers, employees, and
representatives in connection with this Agreement or Buyer's investigation
of
the Properties, and Buyer shall deliver to Seller or destroy all copies,
extracts, or excerpts of such information and data and all documents generated
by Buyer that contain any portion of such information or data.
23
12.2. Indemnity
Regarding Access.
Buyer
agrees to protect, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Seller Group from and
against any and all Losses, as defined in Article
18.1,
in
connection with personal injuries, including death, property damage or damage
to
natural resources arising out of or relating to the access of Buyer, its
officers, employees, and representatives to the Properties and any information
relating thereto as permitted under this Agreement, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH
INJURIES, DEATH, OR DAMAGES ARE CAUSED IN WHOLE OR PART BY THE SOLE, PARTIAL,
CONCURRENT, OR OTHER NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHER FAULT OF SELLER
GROUP, EXCEPT GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SELLER
GROUP.
ARTICLE
13. - CLOSING CONDITIONS
13.1. Seller's
Closing Conditions.
The
obligations of Seller under this Agreement are subject, at the option of Seller,
to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of the following
conditions:
(a) all
representations and warranties of Buyer contained in this Agreement shall be
true in all material respects at and as of the Closing as if such
representations and warranties were made at and as of the Closing, and Buyer
shall have performed and satisfied all agreements required by this Agreement
to
be performed and satisfied by Buyer at or prior to the Closing;
(b) The
execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary
action, corporate, partnership or otherwise, on the part of Buyer;
(c) all
necessary consents of and filings with any state or federal governmental
authority or agency relating to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained, accomplished or waived,
except to the extent that such consents and filings are normally obtained,
accomplished or waived after Closing;
(d) as
of the
Closing Date, no suit, action or other proceeding (excluding any such matter
initiated by Seller) shall be pending or threatened before any court or
governmental agency seeking to restrain Seller or prohibit the Closing or
seeking damages against Seller as a result of the consummation of this
Agreement;
24
(e) the
Closing of the Purchase and Sale Agreement of even date herewith by and between
Seller and Buyer relating to the Goose Creek Field and East Goose Creek Field
Properties.
13.2. Buyer's
Closing Conditions.
The
obligations of Buyer under this Agreement are subject, at the option of Buyer,
to the satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of the following
conditions:
(a) all
representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement shall
be
true in all material respects at and as of the Closing as if such
representations and warranties were made at and as of the Closing, and Seller
shall have performed and satisfied all agreements required by this Agreement
to
be performed and satisfied by Seller at or prior to the Closing;
(b) The
execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary
action, corporate, partnership or otherwise, on the part of the
Seller;
(c) all
necessary consents of and filings with any state or federal governmental
authority or agency relating to the consummation of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall have been obtained, accomplished or waived,
except to the extent that such consents and filings are normally obtained,
accomplished or waived after Closing;
(d) as
of the
Closing Date, no suit, action or other proceeding (excluding any such matter
initiated by Buyer) shall be pending or threatened before any court or
governmental agency seeking to restrain Buyer or prohibit the Closing or seeking
damages against Buyer as a result of the consummation of this
Agreement;
(e)
the
Closing of the Purchase and Sale Agreement of even date herewith by and between
Seller and Buyer relating to the Goose Creek Field and East Goose Creek Field
Properties.
ARTICLE
14. - CLOSING
14.1. Closing.
The
Closing of this transaction (the "Closing") shall be held at the offices of
Seller on August 15, 2006 or at such earlier date or place as the Parties may
agree in writing (herein called "Closing Date"). Time is of the essence and
the
Closing Date shall not be extended unless by written agreement of the Parties;
provided, however, that Buyer may extend the Closing Date to August 31, 2006
by
written notice to Seller on or before August 15, 2006 and the concurrent payment
to Seller, by bank wire transfer per the instructions of Seller, of an amount
sufficient to increase the Performance Deposit to ten percent (10%) of the
Purchase Price. On or before five (5) business days prior to Closing, Buyer
and
Seller shall use their best efforts to provide each other copies of all closing
documents.
25
14.2. Seller's
Closing Obligations.
At
Closing, except to the extent comprising the Excluded Assets, Seller shall
deliver to Buyer the following:
(a) The
Assignment, Xxxx of Sale and Conveyance substantially in the form attached
hereto as Exhibit
“B”
and such
other documents as may be reasonably necessary to convey all of Seller's
interest in the Properties to Buyer in accordance with the provisions
hereof;
(b) A
non-foreign affidavit executed by Seller in the form attached as Exhibit
“C”;
(c) Appropriate
regulatory forms appointing Buyer as Operator for those Properties which Seller
operates;
(d) Copies
of
all third-party waivers, consents, approvals, permits and actions obtained;
and
(e) Letter-in-lieu
of transfer orders in form acceptable to Seller and Buyer.
14.3. Buyer's
Closing Obligations.
At
Closing, Buyer shall deliver to Seller by wire transfer in immediately available
funds to an account designated by Seller, the Purchase Price (less the
Performance Deposit).
14.4. Joint
Closing Obligations.
Both
Parties at Closing shall execute the Supplemental Agreement attached hereto
as
Exhibit
“D”,
and a
Settlement Statement evidencing the amount actually wire transferred and all
adjustments to the Purchase Price taken into account at Closing. All events
of
Closing shall each be deemed to have occurred simultaneously with the other,
regardless of when actually occurring and each shall be a condition precedent
to
the other.
ARTICLE
15. - ADDITIONAL CLOSING OBLIGATIONS
15.1. Suspended
Funds.
Within
ninety (90) days after Closing, Seller shall provide to Buyer a listing showing
all proceeds from production attributable to the Properties that are currently
held in suspense and shall transfer to Buyer all suspended proceeds. After
such
transfer, and to the extent of such transferred funds, Buyer shall be
responsible for proper distribution of all the suspended proceeds to the parties
lawfully entitled to them, and hereby agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold
harmless Seller from and against any and all Losses arising out of or relating
to Buyer's retention or distribution of such legally suspended proceeds. Seller
shall retain liability as to the suspended accounts prior to the Effective
Time
to the extent such suspended proceeds are not transferred to Buyer.
26
15.2. Receipts
and Credits.
Subject
to the terms hereof and except to the extent same have already been taken into
account as an adjustment to the Purchase Price, all monies, proceeds, receipts,
credits, and income accruing to the Properties (a) for the period subsequent
to
the Effective Time, shall be the sole property and entitlement of Buyer, and,
to
the extent received by Seller, Seller shall fully disclose, account for, and
transmit same to Buyer promptly, and (b) for the period prior to the Effective
Time, shall be the sole property and entitlement of Seller and, to the extent
received by Buyer, Buyer shall fully disclose, account for, and transmit same
to
Seller promptly.
15.3. Signs.
Seller
shall have the option to remove Seller's name and signs from the operated
Properties or to require Buyer to do so. Buyer hereby grants Seller a right
of
access to remove Seller's signs and name from all xxxxx and facilities on the
Properties or to confirm that Buyer has done so. If there are any remaining
Seller signs and name on the Properties within thirty (30) days of Closing,
Buyer shall promptly, but no later than required by applicable rules and
regulations or forty-five (45) days thereafter, whichever is earlier, remove
any
remaining signs and references to Seller and shall erect or install all signs
complying with any applicable governmental rules and regulations, including
but
not limited to, those showing Buyer as operator of the Properties.
15.4. Records.
All
files, permits, records, documentation, and data of Seller relating to (or
evidencing) Seller's ownership or rights, in or operation of the Properties
or
other rights and interests described herein, including, but not limited to,
seismic or other geological information and data, lease files, land files,
well
files, contract files, production sales agreements files, division order files,
title opinions and abstracts, governmental filings, production reports,
production logs, core sample reports, and land maps, as such data is assembled
and maintained in the normal course of business, collectively, the "Records",
excluding any such data that is proprietary, privileged, or that Seller is
prohibited from conveying (which data shall be identified in writing by
description and the reason for withholding such information by notice delivered
at the time the Records are delivered) will be, as soon as is reasonably
possible after, but not later than fifteen (15) days after Closing, delivered
to
Buyer at Seller's offices. Seller will be entitled to retain a copy of the
Records. Buyer agrees to use reasonable efforts to maintain the Records for
five
(5) years after Closing. Buyer shall provide Seller and its representatives
reasonable access to and the right to copy the Records (at Seller's sole
expense), but the access to the Records shall be limited to the Seller’s need to
defend itself in legal proceedings or in State or Federal Tax issues. If Buyer
decides to destroy any Records prior to the expiration of the five (5) years,
it
will so notify Seller and Seller shall have the right to instead obtain such
files at its sole expense. To the extent not obtained or satisfied as of
Closing, Seller agrees to continue to use all reasonable efforts, but without
any obligation to incur any cost or expense in connection therewith, and to
cooperate with Buyer's efforts to obtain for Buyer access to files, records
and
data relating to the Property in the possession of third parties.
15.5. Letters-in-Lieu.
Seller
shall prepare, execute and deliver, upon Closing, letters-in-lieu of transfer
orders, directing that all proceeds of production from the Properties, which
have heretofore been paid to Seller, shall be paid to the account of Buyer
effective as of and after the date of Closing.
27
15.6. Not
Used.
15.7. Certain
Post Closing Actions.
Effective
upon Closing, Seller shall (i) resign as operator of any of the Properties,
which Seller is the Operator of; (ii) provide Buyer well transfer permits;
and
(iii) use its best efforts to have Buyer elected as Operator of the Properties
that Seller operated.
ARTICLE
16. - CASUALTY LOSS AND CONDEMNATION
If,
prior
to the Closing, all or any portion of the Properties is destroyed by fire or
other casualty or if any portion of the Properties shall be taken by
condemnation or under the right of eminent domain (all of which are herein
called "Casualty Loss" and limited to property damage or taking only), Buyer
and
Seller must agree prior to Closing either (i) to delete that portion of the
Properties which is subject to the Casualty Loss from the Properties, and the
Purchase Price shall be reduced by the Allocated Value as set out in
Schedule
3.1,
or (ii)
for Buyer to proceed with the purchase of such Properties, notwithstanding
any
such destruction or taking (without reduction of the Purchase Price) in which
case Seller shall pay, at the Closing, to Buyer all sums paid to Seller by
third
parties by reason of the destruction or taking of such Properties and shall
assign, transfer and set over unto Buyer all insurance proceeds received by
Seller as well as all of the right, title and interest of Seller in and to
any
claims, causes of action, unpaid proceeds or other payments from third parties
arising out of such destruction or taking; provided, however, if the value
of
that portion of the Properties affected by the Casualty Loss, not to exceed
that
Allocated Value in Schedule
3.1,
exceeds
five percent (5%) of the Purchase Price, Buyer and Seller shall each have the
right to terminate this Agreement upon written notification to the other, the
transaction shall not close, the Buyer’s Performance Deposit shall be refunded,
and thereafter neither Buyer nor Seller shall have any liability or further
obligations to the other hereunder. Prior to Closing, Seller shall not
voluntarily compromise, settle or adjust any amounts payable by reason of any
Casualty Loss without first obtaining the written consent of Buyer.
ARTICLE
17. - DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
17.1. Seller's
Remedies.
Upon
failure of Buyer to comply herewith by the Closing Date, as it may be extended
in accordance herewith, Seller, at its sole option, may retain the Performance
Deposit as a liquidated damage and not as a penalty, and terminate this
Agreement, as Seller's sole and exclusive remedies for such default, all other
remedies (except as expressly retained in Article17.3)
being
expressly waived by Seller. Notwithstanding any provision hereof to the
contrary, Seller may retain the Performance Deposit as a liquidated damage
only
in the event the transaction contemplated by this Agreement is terminated due
solely to the breach hereof by Buyer in the absence of any material breach
hereof by Seller.
17.2. Buyer's
Remedies.
Upon
failure of Seller to comply herewith by the Closing Date, as it may be extended
in accordance herewith, Buyer, at its sole option, may (i) enforce specific
performance, or (ii) terminate this Agreement, as Buyer's sole and exclusive
remedies for such default, all other remedies (except as expressly retained
in
Article
17.3)
being
expressly waived by Buyer. In the event Buyer elects to terminate this Agreement
as set forth above, Seller shall immediately return the Performance Deposit
to
Buyer.
28
17.3. Other
Remedies.
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, termination of this Agreement shall not release Buyer from it's
obligations under Article
6.3
(and the
confidentiality agreements referenced therein) and such other portions of this
Agreement as are necessary to the enforcement and construction of Article
6.3.
17.4. Effect
of Termination.
In
the
event of termination of this Agreement under this Article
17,
the
transaction shall not close and neither Buyer nor Seller shall have any further
obligations, remedies, liabilities, rights or duties to the other hereunder,
except as expressly provided herein.
ARTICLE
18. - ASSUMPTION OF OBLIGATIONS; INDEMNIFICATION
18.1. Definitions.
As used
in this Agreement:
(a) "Losses"
means any liabilities, losses, claims, demands, causes of action, costs and
expenses (including, but not limited to, court costs and reasonable attorneys'
fees and other costs and expenses incident to proceedings or investigations
respecting, or the prosecution or defense of a claim) of every kind and
character.
(b) “Environmental
Claims” shall mean all liabilities, obligations, expenses, (including, without
limitation, all attorneys’ fees), fines, penalties, costs, claims, suits or
damages (including natural resource damages) of any nature, including personal
injury, diminution in property value, illness, disease, or wrongful death,
associated with the Properties, whether arising before or after the Effective
Time, and attributable or resulting from: (i) pollution or contamination of
soil, surface water, groundwater or air, on the Properties and any other
contamination of or adverse effect upon the environment, (ii) underground
injection activities and waste disposal, (iii) clean-up responses, remedial,
control or compliance costs, including the required cleanup or remediation
of
spills, pits, ponds or lagoons, including any subsurface or surface pollution
caused by such spills, pits, ponds, or lagoons, (iv) noncompliance with
applicable land use, permitting, surface disturbance, licensing or notification
requirements, and (v) violation of any Environmental Law and/or any federal,
state or local environmental land use law.
(c) "Seller
Group" means Seller and its officers, directors, contractors, agents and
employees.
(d) "Buyer
Group" means Buyer and its officers, directors, contractors, agents and
employees.
29
18.2. Assumptions
of Contracts.
The
sale
of the Properties is and will be made subject to the Leases and Contracts to
which the Properties are presently subject. Buyer shall assume and be
responsible for all obligations relating to performance of the Leases and
Contracts, whether or not recorded, as of and after the Effective Time. Seller
shall be responsible during the time of its ownership for all obligations
relating to performance of the Leases and Contracts, whether or not recorded,
prior to the Effective Time.
18.3.
Imbalances.
There
are
no gas imbalances.
18.4. Buyer's
General Indemnity.
Buyer
shall, on the date of Closing, agree (and upon the delivery to Buyer of the
Assignment shall be deemed to have agreed) (a) to assume, and to timely pay
and
perform, all duties, obligations and liabilities relating to the ownership
and
operation of the Properties, as accrued or which otherwise arose after the
Effective Time, and (b) to indemnify and hold the Seller Group harmless from
and
against any and all Losses arising out of or otherwise relating to (i) the
breach by Buyer of any representation, warranty or covenant herein set forth,
or
(ii) the ownership and/or operation of the Properties, regardless whether the
same accrued or otherwise arose before or after the Effective Time.
18.5. Buyer's
Environmental Indemnity.
Buyer
hereby agrees to release, indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Seller Group
from and against all Losses (including but not limited to any civil fines,
penalties, expenses, and costs of clean-up or remediation) brought by any and
all persons, including, but not limited to, Buyer's and Seller's employees,
agents, or representatives and also any private citizens, persons, or
organizations and any agency, branch, or representative of federal, state,
tribal, or local government, on account of any Environmental Claims. It is
expressly understood and agreed that the terms of this Article
18.5
shall
control over any conflicting or contradicting terms or provisions contained
in
this Agreement, except as to the indemnities, if any, provided under
Article
10.3.(c).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the indemnity in
this
Article
18.5
shall
not apply to any Property excluded under any provision hereof; provided,
however, such indemnities shall apply for the limited period of time, if any,
Buyer has undertaken the operation of a Property and, in which case, Buyer's
indemnity shall be applicable only to Losses arising solely from Buyer's
operations during such limited period of operation.
18.6. Buyer's
Plugging Liability.
Buyer
shall properly plug and abandon at Buyer's expense all Xxxxx herein assigned
and
shall restore the surface at Buyer's expense and in accordance with the
applicable Lease provisions, surface use agreements and state and federal rules
and regulations pertaining to the plugging and abandoning of such xxxxx and
the
restoration of such surface. Buyer shall indemnify, defend, and hold Seller
Group harmless from and against all Losses as a result of Buyer's failure to
comply with the provisions of this section.
30
18.7. Indemnification
Procedures.
In
the
event that any claim for which a Party providing indemnification (the
"Indemnifying Party") would be liable to the other Party (the "Indemnified
Party") is asserted against or sought to be collected by any third person,
the
Indemnified Party shall promptly notify the Indemnifying Party of such claim,
specifying the nature of such claim and the amount of the estimated amount
thereof to the extent then feasible (which estimate shall not be conclusive
of
the final amount of such claim) (the "Indemnity Claim Notice"). The Indemnifying
Party shall have thirty (30) days from its receipt of the Indemnity Claim Notice
(the "Indemnity Notice Period") to notify the Indemnified Party (i) whether
or
not it disputes its liability to the Indemnified Party hereunder with respect
to
such claim, and (ii) if it does not dispute such liability, whether or not
it
desires, at its sole cost and expense, to defend the Indemnified Party against
such claim; provided however, that the Indemnified Party is hereby authorized
prior to and during the Indemnity Notice Period to file any motion, answer
or
other pleading, submission or document which it shall deem necessary or
appropriate to protect its interests. In the event that the Indemnifying Party
notifies the Indemnified Party within the Indemnity Notice Period that it does
not dispute such liability and desires to defend against such claim, then the
Indemnifying Party shall have the right to defend such claim by appropriate
proceedings, which proceedings shall be promptly settled or prosecuted to a
final conclusion, in such a manner as to avoid any risk of the Indemnified
Party
becoming subject to liability. If the Indemnified Party desires to participate
in, but not control, any such defense or settlement, it may do so at its own
cost and expense. If the Indemnifying Party elects not to defend against such
claim for which it is liable, whether by not giving timely notice as provided
above or otherwise, the Indemnified Party shall have the right but not the
obligation to defend against such claim, and the amount of any resulting Losses
(including, without limitation, court costs and attorneys' fees) incurred by
the
Indemnified Party in connection with such defense, shall be conclusively deemed
to be the liability of the Indemnifying Party hereunder.
18.8. Assignment
of Indemnity.
Neither
Party’s indemnifications, covenants, representations and warranties are
assignable and all such obligations will terminate as to any Property upon
the
sale of such Property by Buyer to a third party, or as to any Party upon any
sale, merger or other change in ownership or control. This Article
18.8
shall
not apply to a sale or transfer by a Party to any entity which is affiliated
with that Party.
ARTICLE
19. - ARBITRATION
19.1.
Selection
of Arbitrators.
Any
controversy or failure to agree between the Parties hereto arising under this
Agreement and not resolved by agreement shall be determined by a board of
arbitration upon notice of submission given by either Party to the other, which
notice shall name a qualified, impartial, and independent arbitrator; provided,
however, the following matters shall not be subject to arbitration: (a) any
matter that requires the agreement of the Parties under the terms of this
Agreement, and the right of either Party to apply to a court of competent
jurisdiction for a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, or
other equitable relief to preserve the status quo or prevent irreparable harm,.
Within ten (10) days after the receipt of a notice requiring arbitration, the
other Party shall name a qualified, impartial and independent arbitrator, or
failing to do so, the Party giving notice shall name the second. Within
twenty-five (25) days after sending the original notice of submission the two
(2) arbitrators so appointed shall name the third qualified, independent
arbitrator, or failing to do so, the third arbitrator may be appointed by the
Senior Judge (in service) of the United States District Court serving Houston,
Texas.
31
19.2. Determination.
The
arbitrators selected to act hereunder shall be qualified by a minimum of twenty
(20) years experience in the oil and gas industry to pass on the particular
question in dispute. The arbitrators shall promptly hear and determine (after
due notice of hearing and giving the Parties a reasonable opportunity to be
heard) the questions submitted, and shall render their decision within sixty
(60) days after appointment of the third arbitrator. If within said period
a
decision is not rendered by the board, or majority thereof, new arbitrators
may
be named and shall act hereunder at the election of either Buyer and Seller
in
like manner as if none has been previously named. The arbitrators shall settle
all disputes in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act and the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, to the extent that
such rules do not conflict with the terms of such Act or the terms of this
Agreement. Any arbitration hearing shall be held in Houston, Xxxxxx County,
Texas.
19.3. Decision
Binding.
The
decision of the arbitrators, or the majority thereof, made in writing shall
be
final, binding and non-appealable upon the Parties hereto as to the questions
submitted, and Buyer and Seller will abide by and comply with such decision
and,
if necessary, may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction. The law
governing all such disputes shall be the laws of the State of Texas,
including, without limitation, the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in
the
State of Texas,
as the
same may be amended from time to time, but without regard to conflicts of laws
principles. The fees and expenses of the arbitrator shall be shared one-half
by
Seller and one-half by Buyer, except that each Party shall bear the compensation
and expenses of its own counsel, witnesses, and employees. Any payment to be
made as the result of any dispute resolved by arbitration hereunder shall be
accomplished pursuant to the Final Settlement Statement, with the final payments
due thereunder being deferred until the arbitrator has rendered its decisions
on
all matters to be resolved by arbitration hereunder.
ARTICLE
20. - MISCELLANEOUS
20.1. Amendment.
The
Agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed by the
Party to be charged with such amendment and delivered by such Party to the
Party
claiming the benefit of such amendment.
20.2. Gender.
References
made in this Agreement, including use of a pronoun, shall be deemed to include
where applicable, masculine, feminine, singular or plural, individuals,
partnerships, or corporations. As used in this Agreement, "person" shall mean
any natural person, corporation, partnership, trust, estate, or other
entity.
20.3. Entire
Agreement.
This
Agreement and the Supplemental Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit
“D”,
incorporated herein by reference, constitute the entire understanding among
the
Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, superseding all negotiations,
prior discussions, and prior agreements and understandings relating to such
subject matter.
32
20.4. Survival.
Except
for the indemnification obligations contained herein the survival of which
is
set forth in Article
18,
all of
Seller’s representations and warranties contained in this Agreement shall not
survive the Closing.
20.5. Severability.
If
a
court of competent jurisdiction determines that any clause or provision of
this
Agreement is void, illegal, or unenforceable, the other clauses and provisions
of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and the clauses and
provisions which are determined to be void, illegal, or unenforceable shall
be
limited so that they shall remain in effect to the extent permissible by
law.
20.6. Public
Announcements.
The
Parties hereto agree that prior to Closing, prior to making any public
announcement or statement with respect to the transaction contemplated by this
Agreement, the Party desiring to make such public announcement or statement
shall consult with the other Party hereto and exercise its best efforts to
(i)
agree upon the text of a joint public announcement or statement to be made by
both of such Parties; or (ii) obtain written approval of the other Party hereto
to the text of a public announcement or statement to be made solely by Seller
or
Buyer, as the case may be. Nothing contained in this paragraph shall be
construed to require either Party to obtain approval of the other Party hereto
to disclose information with respect to the transaction contemplated by this
Agreement to any state or federal governmental authority or agency to the extent
(i) required by applicable law or by any applicable rules, regulations or orders
of any governmental authority or agency having jurisdiction; or (ii) necessary
to comply with disclosure requirements of the New York Stock Exchange or other
recognized exchange or over the counter, and applicable securities
laws.
20.7. Filing
and Recording of Assignments, etc.
Buyer
shall be solely responsible for all filings and recording of assignments and
other documents related to the Properties and for all fees connected therewith,
and upon request Buyer shall advise Seller of the pertinent recording data.
Seller shall not be responsible for any loss to Buyer because of Buyer's failure
to file or record documents correctly or promptly. Buyer shall promptly file
all
appropriate forms, declarations or bonds with federal and state agencies
relative to its assumption of operations and Seller shall cooperate with Buyer
in connection with such filings.
20.8. Further
Assurances and Records.
(a) After
the
Closing each of the Parties will execute, acknowledge and deliver to the other
such further instruments, and take such other action, as may be reasonably
requested in order to more effectively assure to said Party all of the
respective properties, rights, titles, interests, estates, and privileges
intended to be assigned, delivered or inuring to the benefit of such Party
in
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
33
(b) Buyer
shall comply with all current and subsequently amended applicable laws,
ordinances, rules, and regulations applicable to the Properties and shall
promptly obtain and maintain all permits required by governmental authorities
in
connection with the Properties.
20.9. Notices.
Except
as
otherwise expressly provided herein, all communications required or permitted
under this Agreement shall be in writing and any communication or delivery
hereunder shall be deemed to have been duly given and received when actually
delivered to the address of the Parties to be notified as set forth below and
addressed as follows:
If
to
Seller, as follows:
TARH
E&P Holdings, LP
00
Xxx
Xxxxxxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx, President
Phone:
(000) 000-0000
Fax:
(000)
000-0000
If
to
Buyer, as follows:
Foothills
Texas, Inc.
0000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxx., Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxx X. Tower, Chief Executive Officer
Phone:
(000) 000-0000
Fax:
(000)
000-0000
Provided,
however, that any notice required or permitted under this Agreement will be
effective if given verbally within the time provided, so long as such verbal
notice is followed by written notice thereof in the manner provided herein
within twenty-four (24) hours following the end of such time period. Any Party
may, by written notice so delivered to the other, change the address to which
delivery shall thereafter be made.
20.10. No
Guarantee of Operations.
Buyer
understands that operation of all or part of the Properties may be subject
to
operating agreements or other contracts governing the election or appointment
of
an Operator. Seller does not warrant or represent that Buyer will become
Operator of any of the Properties, but Seller does agree to use its best efforts
and to assist Buyer in being elected as Operator.
34
20.11. Incidental
Expenses.
Buyer
shall bear and pay (i) all state or local government sales, transfer, gross
proceeds, or similar taxes incident to or caused by the transfer of the
Properties to Buyer, (ii) all documentary, transfer and other state and local
government taxes incident to the transfer of the Properties to Buyer; and (iii)
all filing, recording or registration fees for any assignment or conveyance
delivered hereunder. Each Party shall bear its own respective expenses incurred
in connection with the negotiation and Closing of this transaction, including
its own consultants' fees, attorneys' fees, accountants' fees, and other similar
costs and expenses.
20.12. Antitrust
Laws.
If
the
Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of 0000 (xxx "XXX Xxx") is
applicable to this transaction, then each Party shall have the responsibility
for filing with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice
their
respective notifications and reports and any supplemental information which
may
be reasonably requested in connection with the HSR Act, which reports and
notifications and supplemental information will comply in all material respects
with the requirements of the HSR Act.
20.13. Waiver.
Any
of
the terms, provisions, covenants, representations, warranties or conditions
hereof may be waived only by a written instrument executed by the Party waiving
compliance. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the
failure of any Party at any time or times to require performance of and
provision hereof shall in no manner affect such Party's right to enforce the
same. No waiver by any Party or any condition, or of the breach of any term,
provision, covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Agreement,
whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed
to be or construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such condition
or
breach or a waiver of any other condition or of the breach of any other term,
provision, covenant, representation or warranty.
20.14. Binding
Effect: Assignment.
All
the
terms, provisions, covenants, obligations indemnities, representations,
warranties and conditions of this Agreement shall be enforceable by the Parties
hereto and their respective successors and assigns. The rights of each Party
under this Agreement are personal to that Party and may not be assigned or
transferred to any other Party, firm, corporation or other entity, without
the
prior, express and written consent of the other Party and such consent may
be
withheld for any reason, including convenience. Any attempt to assign this
Agreement over the objection or without the express written consent of the
other
Party shall be absolutely void. Seller may condition its consent to assign
this
Agreement on Buyer providing Seller with an appropriate guarantee of its
assignee's performance. Subject to the provisions of Article
18.8
hereof,
in the event Buyer sells or assigns all or a portion of the Properties, this
Agreement shall remain in effect between Buyer and Seller as to all the
Properties regardless of such assignment.
20.15. Taxes.
(a) In
the
event the Parties agree that Section 1060 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended, requires the filing of IRS Form 8594, the Parties will confer and
cooperate in the preparation and filing of their respective forms to reflect
a
consistent reporting of the agreed upon allocation.
35
(b) Seller
shall be responsible for and shall pay all taxes attributable to or arising
from
the ownership or operation of the Properties prior to the Effective Time. Buyer
shall be responsible for and shall pay all taxes attributable to or arising
from
the ownership or operation of the Properties after the Effective Time. Any
Party
which pays such taxes for the other Party shall be entitled to prompt
reimbursement upon evidence of such payment. Each Party shall be responsible
for
its own federal income taxes, if any, as may result from this
transaction.
(c) If
this
transaction is determined to result in state sales or transfer taxes, Buyer
shall be solely responsible for any and all such taxes due on the Properties
acquired by Buyer by virtue of this transaction. If Buyer is assessed such
taxes, Buyer shall promptly remit same to the taxing authority. If Seller is
assessed such taxes, Buyer shall reimburse Seller for any such taxes paid by
Seller to the taxing authority.
20.16. Audits.
It
is
expressly understood and agreed that Seller retains its right to receive its
proportionate share of the proceeds from any audits relating to activities
prior
to the Effective Time.
20.17. Governing
Law.
THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS
OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, WITHOUT REGARD TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS
OTHERWISE APPLICABLE TO SUCH DETERMINATIONS.
20.18. Time
is of Essence. Time
is
of the essence with respect to performance of this Agreement.
20.19. Exhibits
and Schedules.
All
Exhibits and Schedules attached to this Agreement, and the terms of those
Exhibits and Schedules which are referred to in this Agreement, are made a
part
hereof and incorporated herein by reference.
20.20. Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and each and every
counterpart shall be deemed for all purposes to be one (1)
agreement.
20.21.
Section
1031 Exchange.
Buyer
agrees that Seller shall have the right at any time prior to Closing to assign
all or a portion of its rights under this Agreement to a Qualified Intermediary
(as that term is defined in Section 1.1031(k)-1(g)(4)(v) of the Treasury
Regulations) in order to accomplish the transaction in a manner that will
comply, either in whole or in part, with the requirements of a like-kind
exchange pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended. If Seller assigns its rights under this Agreement for this purpose,
Buyer agrees to consent to Seller’s assignment of such rights and pay the
Purchase Price into a qualified escrow or qualified trust account at Closing,
as
directed in writing. Seller and Buyer agree that Seller’s assignment of its
rights under this Agreement, in whole or in part, to a Qualified Intermediary,
shall not release either party from any of their respective liabilities and
obligations to each other under this Agreement, and Buyer shall not be obligated
to pay any additional costs or incur any additional obligations in the
acquisition of the Properties.
36
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first
above written but effective the Effective Time.
SELLER:
TARH
E&P Holdings, LP
By:_/s/
Xxxx Gieselman_______
Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
Secretary
BUYER:
Foothills
Texas, Inc.
By:_/s/
Xxxxxx X. Tower______
Xxxxxx
X.
Tower
Chief
Executive Officer
37