EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.20
THIS AGREEMENT made effective as of the 1st day of October 2009
BETWEEN:
Ivanhoe Energy Inc. a corporation continued under the laws of the Yukon
Territory, having its principal executive office at Suite 654 – 000
Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and having an office at 19th
Floor, 101-6th Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta T2P 3P4
(the “Company”)
AND:
Xxxxx X. Xxxx
00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
X0X 0X0
00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
X0X 0X0
(the “Executive”)
WHEREAS:
| (A) | the Company is in the business of oil and gas development and production using
proprietary upgrading technology; |
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| (B) | the Company wishes to engage the Executive as President and CEO of Ivanhoe Canada Inc. (“IE
Canada”); |
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| (C) | the parties hereto wish to enter into this Agreement for the purpose of fixing the
compensation and terms applicable to the employment of the Executive during the period hereinafter set out. |
NOW THEREFORE THIS AGREEMENT WITNESSES that the parties hereto, in consideration of the
respective covenants and agreements on the part of each of them herein contained do hereby covenant
and agree as follows:
| 1. | Definitions and Interpretations |
| 1.1 | In this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed thereto: |
“Agreement” means this agreement and all amendments made to it by written agreement
between the Company and the Executive;
“Board” means the board of directors of the Company;
“Business Day” means a day other than Saturday, Sunday or statutory holiday in British
Columbia;
“Business” means the HTLTM business of the company or a company affiliate
and/or any other business in the company or a company affiliate is engaged from time
to time
“Change of Control” means an event occurring after the Commencement Date pursuant to
which:
(a) a merger, amalgamation, arrangement, consolidation, reorganization or transfer
takes place in which securities of the Company having more than 50% of the total
combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting securities are acquired by a
person or persons different from the persons holding those voting securities
immediately prior to such event, and the composition of the Board following such event
is such that the directors of the Company prior to the transaction constitute less
than 50% of the Board membership following the event; or
(b) any person, or any combination of persons acting jointly or in concert by virtue
of an agreement, arrangement, commitment, or understanding acquires, directly or
indirectly, 50% or more of the voting rights attached to all outstanding voting
securities; or
(c) any person or any combination of persons acting jointly or in concert by virtue of
an agreement, arrangement commitment or understanding acquires, directly or
indirectly, the right to appoint a majority of the directors of the Company; or
(d) the Company sells, transfers or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all of
its assets, except that no Change of Control will be deemed to occur if such sale or
disposition is made to a subsidiary or subsidiaries of the Company;
“Affiliate” means one or more entities that directly or indirectly control the
Company, are under common control with the Company, or are Subsidiaries of the
Company;
“Company Affiliate” means each Affiliate and Subsidiary of the Company;
“Compensation Committee” means the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Company;
“Disability” means a physical or mental incapacity of the Executive that has prevented
the Executive from performing the duties customarily assigned to the Executive for one
hundred and eighty (180) days, whether or not consecutive, out of any twelve (12)
consecutive months and that in the opinion of the Board is likely to continue;
“HTL™ Business” means the upgrading of heavy oil or bitumen by the use of the
Company’s patented HTL™ technology, in a field, refinery or research and development
setting so as to improve the quality of heavy oil, bitumen or refinery feed stocks;
“Subsidiary” means an entity that is directly or indirectly controlled by the Company.
| 1.2 | For the purposes of this Agreement, except as otherwise expressly provided: |
| (a) | “this Agreement” means this Agreement, including any schedules hereto, and not
any particular part, section or other portion hereof, and includes any agreement,
document or instrument entered into, made or delivered pursuant to the terms hereof, as
the same may, from time to time, be supplemented or amended and in effect; |
| (b) | all references in this Agreement to a designated “part”, “section” or other
subdivision or to a schedule are references to the designated part, section or other
subdivision of, or schedule to, this Agreement; |
| (c) | the words “hereof”, “herein”, “hereto” and “hereunder” and other words of similar
import
refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular part, section or other
subdivision or schedule unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires; |
| (d) | the division of this Agreement into parts, sections and other portions and the
insertion of headings are for convenience of reference only and are not intended to
interpret, define or limit the scope, extent or intent of this Agreement or any
provision hereof; |
| (e) | unless otherwise provided herein, all reference to currency in this Agreement are
to lawful money of Canada and al amounts to be calculated or paid pursuant to this
Agreement are to be calculated in lawful money of Canada; |
| (f) | the singular of any term includes the plural and vice versa, and the use of any
term is generally applicable to any gender and, where applicable, a body corporate, firm
or other entity, and the word “or” is not exclusive and the word “including” is not
limiting whether or not non-limiting language (such as “without limitation” or “but not
limited to” or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto; and |
| (g) | all references to “approval”, “authorization”, “consent”, or “direction” in this
Agreement means written approval, authorization consent or direction. |
| 2. | Employment |
The Company hereby employs the Executive and the Executive shall perform services on behalf
of the Company as its employee as provided herein during the Period of Active Employment (as
defined hereinafter defined).
| 3. | Period of Active Employment |
In this Agreement, “Period of Active Employment” shall mean the period beginning on October
1, 2009 and terminating on the date on which the first of the following occurs:
| (a) | the termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company for cause as
provided in Section 15.1 hereof; |
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| (b) | the resignation by the Executive pursuant to Section 15.2; |
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| (c) | the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 15.3 or 15.4; |
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| (d) | the Disablility of the Executive; or |
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| (e) | the death of the Executive. |
| 4. | Capacity and Services |
The Company shall employ the Executive as President and CEO of IE Canada (the “IE Canada
President”), with such appointment to commence as of October 1, 2009 (the “Commencement
Date”). As such, the Executive shall be subject to the supervision of the President and CEO
of the Company and shall perform such duties and have such authority as may from time to time
be assigned, delegated or limited by the President and CEO of the Company. The Executive
shall perform these duties in accordance with the charter documents and by-laws and the rules
and policies of each stock exchange upon which securities of the Company may be listed from
time to time and applicable securities laws. The Executive agrees to comply with the terms
and the spirit
of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Corporate Securities Trading
Policy of the Company, as well as the other policies and codes of the Company in effect from
time to time. A copy of the current policy is included with this Agreement. Subject to any
amendment to these duties by the President and CEO of the Company and/or the Board or
applicable Board
committee, the duties and responsibilities of the IE Canada President shall include those
duties and responsibilities that are customarily carried out by persons holding similar
positions in other oil
and gas companies comparable in size to the Company, including, but
not limited to, the following:
| • | Responsible for the overall direction of the business of IE Canada and for achieving
maximum return on investment capital; |
| • | Act as a key representative in the investment and financial community; |
| • | Coordinate the efforts of other senior staff and work with them to develop and
achieve long term goals; |
| • | Communicate and maintain contact with all segments of the investment community
including brokers, financial institutions, shareholders and investment managers with the
purpose of attracting equity capital and financing; |
| • | Be mentored by the President and CEO of the Company for future succession planning
appointments within the Ivanhoe Energy entities; |
| • | Provide direction and mentoring of staff in the execution of major projects; |
In connection with the Company’s succession planning and performance reviews of the
Executive, the Executive will be considered by the Board for advancement within the Company
upon the Executive completing 12 months, and again upon completing 18 months, with the
Company, any such succession being in the discretion of Board.
| 5. | Place of Employment |
The Executive’s place of work will be the Company’s offices in Calgary, Canada or such other
location as mutually agreed to by the Executive and the President and CEO of the Company, but
the Company may require the Executive to work at any place throughout the world on a
temporary basis.
| 6. | Full Time and Attention |
The Executive shall devote one hundred percent (100%) of the Executive’s business time to the
Executive’s duties hereunder. The Executive may, however, serve as a member of the board of
directors of another company if the Board or an appropriate committee thereof, determines in
its sole discretion that such membership is not adverse to the interests of the Company.
| 7. | Conflicts of Interest |
The Executive agrees that he shall refer to the President and CEO of the Company all matters
and transactions in which a potential conflict of interest between the Executive and the
Company or a Company Affiliate may arise and shall not proceed with such matters or
transactions until the Board’s express approval thereof is obtained. For purposes of
clarification, this Section 7 is not intended to limit in any way the Executive’s other
fiduciary obligations, to the Company and Company Affiliates which may arise in law or
equity.
| 8. | Base Salary |
The Company will initially pay the Executive the sum of CAD $350,000 per year, payable in
semi-monthly installments, subject to standard payroll and tax deductions, (the “Base
Salary”). The Base Salary shall be subject to annual reviews and, as appropriate in
connection with performance reviews of the Executive, increases as determined by the Board in
its discretion on the advice of
the Compensation Committee of the Board.
| 9. | Benefits |
The Company will provide the Executive and his eligible dependent immediate family members
with the same comprehensive basic medical, extended health & dental, life and dependent life
insurance & long term disability insurance as are available to the other executive officers
of the Company, effective immediately on employment. Until such time as a standardized plan
offering a substantially equivalent benefit to the Executive is instituted by the Company,
the Company will also provide a Canadian Retirement Allowance by payment to the Executive of
CAD$21,000 per calendar year, prorated for the first partial year of employment and payable
to the Executive in semi-monthly installments.
| 10. | Incentive Stock Options |
Subject to all requisite corporate and stock exchange approvals, the Executive will receive
an initial grant of incentive stock options exercisable to purchase up to a total of 500,000
common shares of the Company pursuant to the Company’s Executives’ and Directors’ Equity
Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) at a price per common share determined in accordance with the
terms of the Plan. The Executive’s incentive stock options will vest and become exercisable
in accordance with the following schedule:
(a) Options in respect of an initial 125,000 common shares will become exercisable as of the
first (1st) anniversary of the Commencement Date;
(b) Options in respect of an additional 375,000 common shares will become exercisable as to
125,000 common shares on the second through the fourth anniversaries of the Commencement Date
and;
(c) Subject to earlier termination pursuant to the terms of the Plan, any of the Executive’s
incentive stock options remaining unexercised as of the seventh (7th) anniversary
of the Commencement Date will expire and cease to be exercisable.
In addition to the incentive stock options referred to above, the Executive may also be
eligible to receive, as determined by the Board of Directors in its discretion on the advice
of its Compensation Committee, additional incentive stock option grants from time to time
when the Board’s compensation committee determines that it is appropriate to grant additional
incentive stock options to the Company’s senior executive officers. All such grants will be
made pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of the Plan. In determining such further
grants to the Executive, the Board of Directors, and Compensation Committee shall consider,
among other things, the aggregate options then currently held by the Executive by virtue of
this Agreement or otherwise.
| 11. | Short Term Incentive Plan |
The Executive shall be eligible for an annual bonus award calculated as a percentage of Base
Salary in accordance with the Company’s compensation policy, such bonus award to be as
determined by the Board in its discretion on the advice of the President and CEO of the
Company and the Compensation Committee. The annual bonus award will be based on overall
performance rating and job specific criteria. The bonus award will be a combination of cash
and/or securities of the Company as determined by the Board on the advice of the Compensation
Committee of the Board, and would be payable after the end of the Company’s fiscal year.
| 12. | Long Term Incentive Plan |
The Executive shall be eligible for long term incentive plan awards of a further annual bonus
calculated as a percentage of Base Salary in accordance with the Company’s compensation
policy, such bonus award to be, as determined in connection with performance reviews of the
Executive by the Board in its discretion on the advice of the President and CEO of the
Company
and the Compensation Committee. Any such bonus awards would be payable in the form of
incentive stock options unless otherwise determined by the Board and would be payable at such
time as determined by the Board of Directors.
| 13. | Expenses incidental to Employment |
The Company will reimburse the Executive in accordance with its normal policies and practices
for the Executive’s travel and other expenses or disbursements reasonably and necessarily
incurred by the Executive in connection with the performance of his duties under this
Agreement. The Executive will furnish the Company with an itemized account of his expenses
in such form or forms as may reasonably be required by the Company and at such times or
intervals as may be required by the Company.
| 14. | Vacation |
The Executive will be entitled to a paid vacation of five (5) weeks per annum based on a
common anniversary date of January 1. The terms of this Agreement, will be calculated from
the date of commencement of employment set forth in Section 2 herein and prorated for the
first year of employment. This vacation must be taken on dates which do not adversely
compromise the Executive’s performance of his duties under this Agreement.
| 15. | Termination |
15.1 This Agreement and the Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Company summarily
and without notice, payment in lieu of notice, severance payments, benefits, damages or any
sums whatsoever, for any act or omission which constitutes cause under applicable law.
Without limiting the foregoing, any one or more of the following events shall constitute
cause:
(a) the Executive’s appropriation of corporate opportunities for his direct or indirect
benefit or his failure to disclose any material conflict of interest;
(b) the Executive’s failure to disclose material facts concerning his business interests
or employment by other than the Company;
(c) any of the following acts or circumstances of the Executive: fraud, illegality,
breach of statute or regulation, or gross incompetence;
(d) the Executive’s breach of fiduciary duty to the Company;
(e) the Executive’s material breach of this Agreement or gross negligence in carrying
out his duties under this Agreement;
(f) the failure of or refusal by the Executive to follow the reasonable and lawful
directions of the Board or to comply with the policies, rules and regulation of the Company,
(except to the extent that such policies, rules and regulation expressly conflict with the
provisions of this Agreement);
(g) any conduct which would materially impair or prevent the Executive from continuing
as an officer of the Company under applicable corporate or securities laws, or the rules and
policies of any stock exchange or securities market upon which the Company’s shares are
listed from time to time; or
(h) the Executive’s plea of guilty to or conviction of an offence punishable by
imprisonment.
In the event of the early termination of the Agreement pursuant to Section 15.1, the
Executive shall only be entitled to such compensation as would otherwise be payable to the
Executive
hereunder up to and including such date of termination, as the case may be. If the
Company terminates this Agreement for cause under this Section 15.1, all vested incentive
stock options will remain exercisable until the earlier of their respective expiry dates and
the date that is one (1) month from the date that the Executive’s employment terminates, and
all unvested incentive stock options will immediately terminate.
15.2 This Agreement and the Executive’s employment may be terminated on notice by the
Executive to the Company for any reason, or for no reason, upon 90 days written notice of
resignation to the Company. In such event, the Executive will be entitled to payment of Base
Salary and expenses until the date of termination after which notice was given. If the
Executive resigns the Executive’s employment and terminates this Agreement for any reason,
the Company shall have no further obligations or responsibilities hereunder to the Executive,
and nothing herein contained shall be construed to limit or restrict in any way the Company’s
ability to pursue any remedies it may have at law or equity pursuant to the provisions of
this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all of the Executive’s vested incentive stock
options will remain exercisable until the earlier of their respective expiry dates and the
date that is one (1) month from the date that the Executive’s employment terminates, and all
unvested incentive stock options will immediately terminate.
15.3 The Company may terminate this Agreement at any time without cause or upon the
Disability of the Executive. Should the Company terminate the Executive without cause, the
Company will provide the Executive with a lump sum payment of an amount equal to twelve
months payments of the Executive’s Base Salary. The payments provided for in this Section
15.3 shall be inclusive of the Executive’s entitlement to notice and severance pay at common
law or by statute. The Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments under this
agreement, except for payment of any reasonable expense due and owing pursuant to Section 13.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, those of the Executive’s unvested stock options that would
have vested within one year from the date that the Executive’s employment terminates will be
deemed to have vested, and all of the Executive’s unexercised stock options that have vested
or are deemed to have vested will remain exercisable for a period of six (6) months from the
date that the Executive’s employment terminated unless any such options expire earlier in
accordance with their terms. All other unvested stock options will terminate on the date of
termination of the Executive.
15.4 If a Change of Control (as defined herein) occurs and this Agreement is terminated by
the Company within twelve months of such Change of Control, the Executive shall be entitled
to receive a lump sum payment in an amount equal to twelve monthly payments of the
Executive’s base salary. The payments provided in this section 15.4 shall be inclusive of
the Executive’s entitlement to notice and severance pay at common law or by statute. The
Company shall not be obligated to make any further payments under this agreement, except for
payment of any reasonable expense due and owing pursuant to Section 6. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, all of the Executive’s unexercised stock options, vested or unvested, will be
deemed to have vested and will remain exercisable for a period of six (6) months from the
date that the Executive’s employment terminates unless any such options expire earlier in
accordance with their terms.
15.5 If this agreement is terminated in accordance with Sections 15.3 or 15.4, the benefits
provided to the Executive shall continue for the amount of months of base salary the
Executive is entitled to following the termination of this Agreement or until the Executive
commences alternative employment, whichever occurs first. At the Company’s option, it may
satisfy this obligation by paying to the Executive the cost of providing such benefits, as
determined at the time of the termination of Employment.
15.6 Upon termination or resignation of the Executive’s employment pursuant to this
Agreement, this Agreement and the employment of the Executive shall be wholly terminated with
the exception of Sections 16 to 19 of this Agreement and any other the clauses specifically
contemplated to continue in full force and effect beyond the termination of this Agreement.
For
greater certainties
the payments or other compensation provided for on termination under
Sections 15.3, 15.4 and 15.5 are not cumulative and only one of such Sections will be
operative in the event of a termination.
15.7 The terms set out in this Agreement, provided that such terms are satisfied by the
Company, are in lieu of (and not in addition to) and in full satisfaction of any and all
other claims or entitlements which the Executive has or may have upon the termination of the
Executive’s employment pursuant to this Agreement and the compliance by the Company with
these terms will affect a full and complete release of the Company and its parent and their
respective affiliates, associates, subsidiaries and related companies from any and all claims
which the Executive may have for whatever reason or cause in connection with the Executive’s
employment and the termination of it, other than those obligations specifically set out in
this Agreement. In agreeing to the terms set out in this Agreement, the Executive
specifically agrees to execute a formal release document to that effect and will deliver upon
request appropriate resignations from all offices and positions with the Company and its
parent and their respective affiliated, associated subsidiary or affiliated companies if, as
and when requested by the Company upon termination of the Executive’s employment within the
circumstances contemplated by this Agreement.
| 16. | Confidential Information |
Except in the normal and proper course of the Executive’s duties hereunder, the Executive
will not use, for the Executive’s own account or disclose to anyone else, during or for a
period of three (3) years after the Period of Active Employment, any confidential or
proprietary information or material relating to the Business or the Company, its operations,
or the Business or operations of the Company Affiliates which the Executive obtains by virtue
of Executive’s employment with the Company. Confidential or proprietary information or
material includes, without limitation, the following types of information or material, both
existing and contemplated, regarding the Company or the Company Affiliates: corporate
information, plans, strategies, tactics, policies, resolutions, litigation or negotiations,
financial information, including debt arrangements, equity structure, investors and holdings,
operational and scientific information ,technical information and personnel information,
including personnel lists, resumes, personnel data, organization structure and performance
evaluations, trade secrets, inventions, products, designs, know-how, formulae, methods,
techniques, systems, processes, software, projects, planning data, financial results and any
other information (collectively “Confidential Information”). Any of the foregoing kinds of
information that belong to any other person or company but to which Executive has had access
solely by reason of this employment with the Company but which the Company or a Company
Affiliate has agreed to keep confidential are also Confidential Information.
The obligations of Executive under this section will survive the termination of Executive’s
engagement for any reason or no reason, will be applicable regardless of any actual or
alleged breach of this Agreement by Company, and will continue for a period of three (3)
years from the end of the Period of Active Employment. The obligations of Executive under
this section are in addition to, and not in limitation of or preemption of, all other
obligations of confidentiality which Executive may have to Company or Company Affiliate under
applicable law, including but not limited to the application of the fiduciary duties of
Executive.
Notwithstanding the preceding, “Confidential Information” shall not include information which
is or becomes publicly known, except for any such information that becomes publicly known
because of disclosure by the Executive in violation of this Agreement. It shall not be a
breach of the confidentiality obligations hereof for Executive to disclose Confidential
Information where, but only to the extent that, such disclosure is required by law or
applicable legal process, provided in such case the Executive shall (i) give the earliest
notice possible to Company that such disclosure is or may be required, and (ii) cooperate in
protecting such confidential or proprietary nature of the
Information which must so be disclosed.
| 17. | Return of Property and Documents |
The Executive agrees that all documents or property of any nature pertaining to activities of
the Company and to the Company Affiliates, including Confidential Information, in the
Executive’s possession now or at any time during the Period of Active Employment, are and
shall be the property of the Company and/or a Company Affiliate, and that all such documents
and all copies of them shall be surrendered to the Company whenever requested by the Company.
This provision shall survive termination of this Agreement.
| 18. | Business Opportunities and Company Related Developments |
| 18.1 | Any business opportunities related to the business of the Company which become known to the
Executive during the Period of Active Employment hereunder must be fully disclosed and made
available to the Board by the Executive and the Executive agrees not to take or omit to take
any action if the result would be to divert from the Company any opportunity which is within
the scope of its Business as known to the Executive from time to time. |
| 18.2 | Executive will promptly disclose and assign, in writing, to the Company any inventions,
improvements, or discoveries, methods, developments, software, and works of authorship,
whether patentable or not, which are made, conceived, or improved by Executive, solely or
jointly with others, during Executive’s employment hereunder, either during normal working
hours, or outside of normal working hours (“Company Related Developments”) that (A) use
equipment, supplies, facilities, trade secret information, or other Confidential Information
of Company or any Company Affiliate, or (B) directly relate, at the time of conception,
development, reduction to practice, or use, to the Rapid Thermal Pyrolysis
(“RTPTM”) technology of the Company or a Company Affiliate (the “Technology”), or
to actual research or development related to the Technology, or to the Company or a Company
Affiliate, or (C) that result directly from any work performed by Executive for Company or a
Company Affiliate. |
| 18.3 | Upon request, the Executive will assist the Company and its nominees in every proper way at
Company’s expense (and without additional compensation to Executive), both during Executive’s
employment by the Company and thereafter, to obtain and retain for Company’s sole benefit
patent protection for any and all Company Related Developments, which will remain the property
of Company, its successors, assigns, or nominees, whether patented or not, and, for that
purpose, upon written request by and at the expense of Company, Executive will within thirty
(30) days following a request therefore execute any and all documents relating thereto that
are deemed necessary by Company to the extent such request is reasonable. All such Company
Related Developments will be subject to the provision of section 16 (regarding Confidential
Information). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that, after termination of
Executive’s engagement, Executive incurs expenses, provides services, or otherwise assists
Company or its nominees at such Party’s request, Company shall compensate Executive therefor,
with such compensation to be reasonably agreed upon by Executive and Company. The obligations
of Executive and Company under this Section 18.3 will survive the termination of Executive’s
engagement for any reason or no reason, will be applicable regardless of any actual or alleged
breach of this Agreement by Company, and will continue indefinitely. |
| 19 | Acknowledgements regarding Enforceability of Agreement Terms |
| 19.1 | The Executive acknowledges that, in connection with the Executive’s employment by the
Company, the Executive will receive or will become eligible to receive substantial benefits
and compensation. The Executive acknowledges that the Executive’s employment by the Company
and all compensation and benefits and potential compensation and benefits to the Executive
from such employment shall be conferred by the Company upon the Executive only because and on
condition of the Executive’s willingness to commit the Executive’s best efforts and loyalty
to the Company, including protecting the Company’s right to have its Confidential Information
protected |
and abiding by the confidentiality, non-competition and other provisions herein.
| 19.2 | The Executive understands the Executive’s duties and obligations as set forth in this
Agreement and agrees that such duties and obligations would not unduly restrict or curtail the
Executive’s legitimate efforts to earn a livelihood following any termination of the
Executive’s employment with the Company. The executive agrees that the restrictions contained
in this Agreement are reasonable and valid and all defenses to the strict enforcement thereof
by the Company are waived by the Executive. The Executive further acknowledges that
irreparable damage would result to the Company if the restrictive covenants in this Agreement
are not specifically enforced, and agrees that the Company shall be entitled to any
appropriate legal, equitable, or other remedy, including injunctive relief, in respect of any
failure or continuing failure to comply with the restrictive provisions contained in this
Agreement. |
| 19.3 | If any court determines that any provision contained in this Agreement including, without
limitation, a restrictive covenant or any part thereof is unenforceable because of the
duration or geographical scope of the provision or for any other reason, the duration or scope
of the provision, as the case may be, shall be reduced so that the provision becomes
enforceable and, in its reduced form, the provision shall then be enforceable and shall be
enforced. |
| 19.4 | The Executive acknowledges that damages would be an insufficient remedy for a breach by him
of this Agreement and agrees that the Company may apply for and obtain any relief available to
it in a court of law or equity, including injunctive relief, to restrain breach or threat of
breach of this Agreement by the Executive or to enforce the covenants contained therein and,
in particular, the covenants contained in Sections 16, 17, and 18 of this Agreement, in
addition to rights the Company may have to damages arising from said breach or threat of
breach. |
| 20. | Representations and Warranties |
| 20.1 | The Executive represents and warrants to the Company that the execution and performance of
this Agreement will not result in or constitute a default, breach, or violation, or an event
that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would be a default, breach, or violation, of any
understanding, agreement or commitment, written or oral, express or implied, to which the
Executive is currently a party or by which the Executive or Executive’s property is currently
bound. |
| 20.2 | The Executive shall defend, indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any liability,
expense, or claim (including solicitor’s fees incurred in respect thereof) by any person in
any way arising out of, relating to, or in connection with any incorrectness or breach of the
representations and warranties in Section 20.1. |
| 20.3 | The Executive acknowledges that a breach of Section 20.1 by the Executive shall entitle the
Company to terminate the Executive’s employment and this Agreement for cause. |
| 20.4 | The Company shall defend, indemnify and hold the Executive harmless from any liability,
expense or claim (including solicitor’s fees incurred in respect thereof) in any way arising
out of, relating to, or in connection with his performance of services for the Company, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The Company shall make reasonable efforts to
ensure that the Executive shall fully participate as a covered insured under the Company’s
directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy with respect to the Period of Active
Employment. |
| 21. | Governing Law |
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Province
of British Columbia and the laws of Canada applicable in that Province and shall be treated,
in all respects, as a British Columbia contract.
| 22. | Entire Agreement |
This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to
the relationship between the Company and the Executive and supersedes all prior arrangements
and agreements, whether oral or in writing between the parties hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof. there are no conditions, warranties, representation or other
agreements between the parties in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement
(whether oral or written, express or implied, statutory or otherwise) except as specifically
set out in this Agreement.
| 23. | Amendments |
No amendment to or variation of the terms of this Agreement will be effective or binding upon
the parties hereto unless made in writing and signed by both of the parties hereto.
| 24. | Assignment |
This Agreement is not assignable by the Executive. This Agreement is assignable by the
Company to any other company which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control
with the Company. The Company shall also have the right to assign this Agreement to any
successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase amalgamation, arrangement, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company provided only that the Company must first require the successor to expressly assume
and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the
Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. The Executive
by the Executive’s signature hereto expressly consents to such assignment. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and
permitted assigns and the Executive and his heirs, executors and administrators.
| 25. | Severability |
Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
shall, as to that jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of the prohibition or
unenforceability and shall be severed from the balance of this Agreement, all without
affecting the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or
enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
| 26. | Headings |
The division of this Agreement into Sections and the insertion of headings are for
convenience or reference only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this
Agreement.
| 27. | Time of Essence |
Time shall be of the essence in all respects of this Agreement.
| 28. | Rights and Waivers |
| 28.1 | All rights and remedies of the parties are separate and cumulative, and none of them, whether
exercised or not, shall be deemed to be to the exclusion of any other rights or remedies or
shall be deemed to limit or prejudice any other legal or equitable rights or remedies or shall
be deemed to limit or prejudice any other legal or equitable rights or remedies which either
of the parties may have. |
| 28.2 | Any purported waiver of any default, breach or non-compliance under this Agreement is not
effective unless in writing and signed by the party to be bound by the waiver. No waiver
shall be
inferred from or implied by any failure to act or delay in acting by a party in respect of
any default, breach or non-observance or by anything done or omitted to be done by the other
party. The |
waiver by a party of any default, breach or non-compliance under this Agreement
shall not operate as a waiver of that party’s rights under the Agreement in respect of any
continuing or subsequent default, breach or non-observance (whether of the same or any other
nature).
| 29. | Executive Acknowledgements |
The Executive acknowledges that agrees that he has had, or has had the opportunity to
obtain, independent legal advice concerning the interpretation and effect of this Agreement
in connection with the execution of this Agreement and has read this Agreement in its
entirety, understands its contents and is signing this Agreement freely and voluntarily,
without duress or undue influence from any party. The Executive has received a fully executed
counterpart copy of this Agreement.
| 30. | Notice |
Any notice required or permitted to be made or given under this Agreement to either party
shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given if delivered personally, by electronic
transmission, or if sent by prepaid registered mail to the intended recipient of such notice
at their respective addresses set forth below or to such other address as may, from time to
time, be designated by notice given in the manner provided in this Section:
in the case of Company:
00xx Xxxxx, 000-0xx Xxxxxx XX
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
X0X 0X0
Attention: Vice President, Human Resources
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx
X0X 0X0
Attention: Vice President, Human Resources
with a copy to:
Suite 654 – 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention: Corporate Secretary
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention: Corporate Secretary
in the case of the Executive:
Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxx
00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
00000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
Any notice delivered to the party to whom it is addressed shall be deemed to have been given
and received on the day it is so delivered or, if such day is not a business day, then on the
next business day following any such day. Any notice mailed shall be deemed to have been
given and received on the 10th business day following the date of mailing. In the case of
facsimile transmission, notice is deemed to have been given or served on the party to whom it
was sent at the time of dispatch if, following transmission, the sender receives a
transmission confirmation report or, if the sender’s facsimile machine is not equipped to
issue a transmission confirmation report, the recipient confirms in writing that the notice
has been received. In the case of e-mail transmission, notice is deemed to have been given or
served on the party to whom it was sent at the time of dispatch if, following transmission,
the recipient confirms in writing that the notice has been received.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and shall become operative when each party has
executed and delivered at least one counterpart.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the day and year
first above written.
SIGNED on behalf of Ivanhoe Energy Inc. on November 10, 2009
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
|
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
|||
Executive Co Chairman, President
|
Director | |||
& Chief Executive Officer
|
Chairman Compensation and Benefits Committee |
SIGNED by the Executive on October 20, 2009:
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxx
|
