AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER BY AND AMONG DOUBLE EAGLE PETROLEUM CO. DBLE ACQUISITION CORPORATION, AND PETROSEARCH ENERGY CORPORATION DATED AS OF MARCH 30, 2009
Exhibit
2.1
BY
AND AMONG
DOUBLE
EAGLE PETROLEUM CO.
DBLE
ACQUISITION CORPORATION,
AND
PETROSEARCH
ENERGY CORPORATION
DATED AS
OF MARCH 30, 2009
Table of Contents
Page
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ARTICLE
1. REFERENCES AND
DEFINITIONS
|
1
|
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1.1
|
References
and Titles
|
1
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1.2
|
Definitions
|
2
|
ARTICLE
2. THE MERGER
|
13
|
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2.1
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The
Merger
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13
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2.2
|
Effective
Time
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14
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2.3
|
Effect
of the Merger on Constituent Corporations
|
14
|
2.4
|
Articles
of Incorporation and Bylaws of Surviving Corporation
|
14
|
2.5
|
Directors
and Officers of Surviving Corporation
|
14
|
2.6
|
Maximum
Number of Shares of Parent Common Stock to be Issued; Contingent Cash
Consideration; Fractional Shares; Effect on Outstanding Securities of the
Company, Merger Sub
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14
|
2.7
|
Dissenting
Shares
|
17
|
2.8
|
Exchange
Procedures
|
17
|
2.9
|
No
Further Ownership Rights in Company Capital Stock
|
18
|
2.10
|
Lost,
Stolen or Destroyed Certificates
|
18
|
2.11
|
Taking
of Necessary Action; Further Action
|
18
|
ARTICLE
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF
THE COMPANY
|
19
|
|
3.1
|
Organization,
Standing and Power
|
19
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3.2
|
Capital
Structure
|
19
|
3.3
|
Subsidiaries
|
21
|
3.4
|
Authority
|
21
|
3.5
|
SEC
Documents; Financial Statements; Books and Records
|
22
|
3.6
|
Payables;
Receivables
|
23
|
3.7
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
23
|
3.8
|
No
Defaults
|
24
|
3.9
|
Litigation
|
24
|
3.10
|
Conduct
in the Ordinary Course
|
25
|
3.11
|
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities
|
26
|
3.12
|
Complete
Disclosure
|
26
|
3.13
|
Certain
Agreements
|
26
|
3.14
|
Employee
Benefit Plans
|
26
|
3.15
|
Employee
Matters
|
28
|
3.16
|
Major
Contracts
|
28
|
3.17
|
Oil
and Gas Operations
|
29
|
3.18
|
Taxes
|
29
|
3.19
|
Intellectual
Property
|
31
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3.20
|
No
Governmental Regulation
|
31
|
3.21
|
Restrictions
on Business Activities
|
31
|
- i -
Table
of Contents
(continued)
Page
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3.22
|
Title
to Properties
|
30
|
3.23
|
Environmental
Matters
|
31
|
3.24
|
Insurance
|
33
|
3.25
|
Registration
Statement; Proxy Statement
|
33
|
3.26
|
Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
|
34
|
3.27
|
Opinion
of Financial Advisor
|
34
|
3.28
|
Board
Approval
|
34
|
3.29
|
Vote
Required
|
35
|
3.30
|
Personnel
|
35
|
3.31
|
Third-Party
Consents
|
35
|
3.32
|
Product
Warranties; Defects; Liabilities
|
35
|
3.33
|
Related
Party Transactions
|
35
|
3.34
|
Brokers
or Finders; Professional Fees
|
35
|
3.35
|
Imbalances
|
36
|
3.36
|
Preferential
Purchase Rights
|
36
|
3.37
|
No
Tax Partnerships
|
36
|
3.38
|
Royalties
|
36
|
3.39
|
Representations
Complete
|
36
|
ARTICLE 4.REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND
MERGER SUB
|
36
|
|
4.1
|
Organization,
Standing and Power
|
36
|
4.2
|
Authority
|
36
|
4.3
|
SEC
Documents; Financial Statements
|
37
|
4.4
|
Litigation
|
38
|
4.5
|
Brokers
or Finders; Professional Fees
|
38
|
4.6
|
Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
|
38
|
4.7
|
No
Vote Required
|
39
|
4.8
|
Interim
Operations of Merger Sub
|
39
|
4.9
|
Compliance
with Laws
|
39
|
4.10
|
No
Defaults
|
39
|
4.11
|
Conduct
in the Ordinary Course
|
40
|
4.12
|
Absence
of Undisclosed Liabilities
|
40
|
4.13
|
Taxes
|
40
|
ARTICLE
5. CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE
TIME
|
41
|
|
5.1
|
Conduct
of Business of the Company
|
41
|
5.2
|
No
Solicitation
|
43
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ARTICLE
6. ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS
|
45
|
|
6.1
|
Proxy
Statement/Prospectus; Registration Statement; Other Filings; Board
Recommendations
|
45
|
6.2
|
Meeting
of Company Stockholders
|
46
|
- ii -
Table
of Contents
(continued)
Page
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6.3
|
Access to Information
|
47
|
6.4
|
Confidentiality
|
48
|
6.5
|
Expenses
|
48
|
6.6
|
Public Disclosure
|
49
|
6.7
|
Approvals
|
49
|
6.8
|
Notification of Certain
Matters
|
49
|
6.9
|
Voting Agreement/Irrevocable
Proxies
|
49
|
6.10
|
Affiliate Agreement
|
49
|
6.11
|
Indemnification
|
49
|
6.12
|
Reasonable Efforts and Further
Assurances
|
50
|
6.13
|
Listing of Additional
Shares
|
51
|
6.14
|
Notices
|
51
|
6.15
|
Blue Sky Laws
|
51
|
6.16
|
Parent Board of Directors
|
51
|
6.17
|
Working Capital Statement
|
51
|
6.18
|
Section 16 Matters
|
52
|
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ARTICLE
7. CONDITIONS TO THE
MERGER
|
53
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7.1
|
Conditions to Obligations of Each Party to Effect
the Merger
|
53
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7.2
|
Additional Conditions to Obligations of the
Company
|
53
|
7.3
|
Additional Conditions to the Obligations of Parent
and Merger Sub
|
54
|
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ARTICLE
8. SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES
|
55
|
|
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ARTICLE
9. TERMINATION, AMENDMENT AND
WAIVER
|
55
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|
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||
9.1
|
Termination
|
55
|
9.2
|
Effect of Termination
|
56
|
9.3
|
Amendment
|
57
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9.4
|
Extension; Waiver
|
57
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ARTICLE
10. MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
|
57
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|
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10.1
|
Notices
|
57
|
10.2
|
Entire Agreement
|
58
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10.3
|
Further Assurances; Post-Closing
Cooperation
|
58
|
10.4
|
Third Party Beneficiaries
|
58
|
10.5
|
No Assignment; Binding
Effect
|
59
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10.6
|
Headings
|
59
|
10.7
|
Invalid Provisions
|
59
|
10.8
|
Governing Law
|
59
|
10.9
|
Construction
|
59
|
10.10
|
Counterparts
|
59
|
10.11
|
Specific Performance; Remedies
Cumulative
|
59
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10.12
|
Withholding
|
60
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- iii -
LIST OF
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
A
|
Form
of Voting Agreement
|
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Exhibit
B
|
Form
of Articles of Merger
|
|
Exhibit
C
|
Statement
of Non-U.S. Real Property Holding Company Status
|
|
Exhibit
D-1
|
Officer’s
Certificates for Parent and Merger Sub
|
|
Exhibit
D-2
|
Secretary’s
Certificate for Parent and Merger Sub
|
|
Exhibit
E-1
|
Officer’s
Certificate for Company
|
|
Exhibit
E-2
|
Secretary’s
Certificate for Company
|
|
Exhibit
F
|
Form
of Lock-Up
Agreement
|
LIST OF
SCHEDULES
Schedule
1
|
Company
Disclosure Schedule
|
|
Schedule
2
|
List
of Company Warrant Holders
|
|
Schedule
3
|
Parent
Disclosure Schedule
|
|
Schedule
4
|
Working
Capital
Calculation
|
- iv -
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF
MERGER
THIS
AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER (this “Agreement”) is made
and entered into as of March 30, 2009, by and among Double Eagle Petroleum Co.,
a Maryland corporation (“Parent”), DBLE
Acquisition Corporation, a Nevada corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Parent (“Merger
Sub”), and Petrosearch Energy Corporation, a Nevada corporation (the
“Company”).
Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set
forth in Article 1.
RECITALS
A. The
respective Boards of Directors of each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company
believe it is in the best interests of their respective entities and
stockholders that Parent acquire the Company through the merger of Merger Sub
with and into the Company (the “Merger”).
B. The
Boards of Directors of each of Parent, Merger Sub and the Company have approved
the Merger, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
C. Pursuant
to the Merger, among other things, and subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Company, including without limitation, the Common Stock, the Series A 8%
Convertible Preferred Stock and the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of the
Company (collectively, “Company Capital
Stock”), shall be converted into the right to receive shares of Common
Stock of Parent, with a par value of $0.10 per share (“Parent Common
Stock”).
D. As
an inducement to Parent and Merger Sub to enter into this Agreement, certain
officers and directors of the Company have concurrently herewith entered into
Voting Agreements with Parent in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit
A (“Voting
Agreements”) pursuant to which, among other things, such officers and
directors will agree to vote the shares of Company Capital Stock owned by them
in favor of the Merger.
E. The
Company, Parent and Merger Sub desire to make certain representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements in connection with the Merger.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants, promises, representations and
warranties set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,
intending to be legally bound hereby the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1.
REFERENCES
AND DEFINITIONS
1.1 References and
Titles.
References
and Titles. All references in this Agreement to Exhibits, Schedules, Articles,
Sections, subsections and other subdivisions refer to the corresponding
Exhibits, Schedules, Articles, Sections, subsections and other subdivisions of
or to this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise. Titles appearing at
the beginning of any Articles, Sections, subsections or other subdivisions of
this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute any part of this
Agreement, and shall be disregarded in construing the language hereof. The words
“this Agreement,” “herein,” “hereby,” “hereunder” and “hereof,” and words of
similar import, refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular
subdivision unless expressly so limited. The words “this Article,” “this
Section” and “this Subsection,” and words of similar import, refer only to the
Article, Section or subsection hereof in which such words occur. The word “or”
is not exclusive, and the word “including” (in its various forms) means
including without limitation. Pronouns in masculine, feminine or neuter genders
shall be construed to state and include any other gender, and words, terms and
titles (including terms defined herein) in the singular form shall be construed
to include the plural and vice versa, unless the context otherwise requires. As
used in the representations and warranties contained in this Agreement, the
phrase “to the knowledge” of the representing party shall mean that Responsible
Officers of such party, individually or collectively, either (i) know that the
matter being represented and warranted is true and accurate or (ii) have no
reason, after reasonable inquiry, to believe that the matter being represented
and warranted is not true and accurate.
- 1
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1.2 Definitions.
As used
in this Agreement, the following defined terms shall have the meanings indicated
below:
“Accounts”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.6(b).
“Acquisition
Proposal” means any contract, proposal, offer or other indication of interest
(whether or not in writing and whether or not delivered to the stockholders of
the Company) relating to any of the following (other than the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or the Merger): (a) any Business Combination
directly or indirectly involving the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, (b)
the acquisition in any manner, directly or indirectly, of any business or group
of assets that generates 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net revenues,
net income or stockholders’ equity, or assets representing 10% or more of the
book value of the assets of the Target Companies, taken as a whole, or any
license, lease, long-term supply agreement, exchange, mortgage, pledge or other
arrangement having a similar economic effect, in each case in a single
transaction or a series of related transactions, or (c) any direct or indirect
acquisition of beneficial ownership (as defined under Section 13(d) of the
Exchange Act) of 10% or more of the shares of the Company Common Stock, whether
in a single transaction or a series of related transactions.
“Action
or Proceeding” means any action, suit, complaint, petition, claim,
investigation, proceeding, arbitration, litigation or Governmental Entity
investigation, audit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, in law or
in equity, or before any arbitrator or Governmental Entity.
“Affiliate”
means, as applied to any Person, (a) any other Person directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by or under common control with, that Person, (b) any
other Person that owns or controls 10% or more of any class of equity securities
(including any equity securities issuable upon the exercise of any option or
convertible security) of that Person or any of its Affiliates, or (c) any
director, partner, executive officer, or manager of such Person. For the
purposes of this definition, “control” (including with correlative meanings, the
terms “controlling”, “controlled by”, and “under common control with”) as
applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that
Person, whether through ownership of voting securities or by contract or
otherwise.
- 2
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“Aggregate
Cash Consideration” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.6(a)(ii).
“Aggregate
Consideration” means the sum of the (a) Aggregate Fractional Share Cash Amount;
plus (b) the Aggregate Stock Consideration, or if applicable, the Aggregate
Stock Consideration as Adjusted for Parent Stock Price, or if applicable, the
Aggregate Stock Consideration as Adjusted for Working Capital Shortfall; plus
(c) any Aggregate Cash Consideration.
“Aggregate
Fractional Share Cash Amount” means the total amount of cash payable by Parent
to all stockholders of the Company in lieu of fractional shares of Parent Common
Stock.
“Aggregate
Stock Consideration” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.6(a)(i).
“Aggregate
Stock Consideration as Adjusted for Parent Stock Price” has the meaning ascribed
to it in Section 2.6(a)(i).
“Aggregate
Stock Consideration as Adjusted for Working Capital Shortfall” has the meaning
ascribed to it in Section 2.6(a)(iii).
“Agreement”
means this Agreement and Plan of Merger, the Exhibits, the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the Parent Disclosure Schedule and any other Schedules attached
hereto, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time in
accordance with the terms hereof.
“Articles
of Merger” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2.
“Approval”
means any approval, authorization, consent, permit, franchise, grant, license,
easement, certificate, qualification or registration, or any waiver of any of
the foregoing, required to be obtained from or made with, or any notice,
statement or other communication required to be filed with or delivered to, any
Governmental Entity or any other Person.
“Assets
and Properties” of any Person means all assets and properties of every kind,
nature, character and description (whether real, personal or mixed, whether
tangible or intangible, whether absolute, accrued, contingent, fixed or
otherwise and wherever situated), including the goodwill related thereto,
operated, owned, licensed or leased by such Person, including cash, cash
equivalents, investment assets, accounts and notes receivable, chattel paper,
documents, instruments, general intangibles, real estate, equipment, inventory,
goods and Intellectual Property.
“Assumed
Warrants” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.6(e).
“Book-Entry
Shares” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.8(b).
- 3
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“Books
and Records” means, in the case of any Person, all files, documents,
instruments, papers, books and records relating to the business of such Person,
including financial statements, internal reports, Tax returns and related work
papers and letters from accountants, budgets, pricing guidelines, ledgers,
journals, deeds, title policies, minute books, stock certificates and books,
stock transfer ledgers, contracts, Licenses, customer lists, computer files and
programs (including data processing files and records), retrieval programs,
operating data and plans and environmental studies and plans.
“Business
Combination” means, with respect to any Person, (a) any merger, consolidation or
other business combination to which such Person is a party; (b) any sale,
dividend, split or other disposition of any capital stock or other equity
interests of such Person whether outstanding or newly, issued; (c) any tender
offer (including a self tender), exchange offer, recapitalization,
restructuring, liquidation, dissolution or similar or extraordinary transaction;
(d) any sale, dividend or other disposition of all or a material portion of the
Assets and Properties of such Person; or (e) the entering into of any agreement
or understanding, the granting of any rights or options, or the acquiescence of
such Person, with respect to any of the foregoing.
“Business
Day” means a day other than Saturday, Sunday or any day on which banks located
in the State of Colorado are authorized or obligated to close.
“CERCLA”
means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act
of 1980, 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., as amended, and any regulations promulgated
thereunder.
“CERCLIS”
means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability
Information System List.
“Certificates”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.8(b).
“Closing”
means the closing of the transactions contemplated by Section 2.2.
“Closing
Date” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2.
“COBRA”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.14(d).
“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Company”
has the meaning ascribed to it in the forepart of this Agreement.
“Company
Affiliate(s)” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.10.
“Company
Capital Stock” means the Company Common Stock, the Company Series A Preferred
Stock, the Company Series B Preferred Stock and any other class or series of
capital stock of the Company.
“Company
Charter Documents” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
6.2(a).
- 4
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“Company
Common Stock” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.2(a)(ii).
“Company
Contract” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.16.
“Company
Disclosure Schedule” has the meaning ascribed to it in the forepart of Article
3.
“Company
Employee Plans” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.14(a).
“Company
Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated financial statements of the
Company and its subsidiaries (including the related notes) included (or
incorporated by reference) in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, in each case as filed with
the SEC.
“Company
Preferred Stock” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.2(a)(i).
“Company
Proposal” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.2(b).
“Company
Representative” means any director, officer, employee, agent, advisor (including
legal, accounting and financial advisors) or other representative of any of the
Target Companies.
“Company
Reserve Report” means the reserve report as of December 31, 2008, prepared by
the Company, as audited by Xxxxx Xxxxx Company, Petroleum Consultants, and made
available to Parent.
“Company
Returns” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.18.
“Company
SEC Documents” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.5.
“Company
Series A Preferred Stock” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.2(a)(i).
“Company
Series B Preferred Stock” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.2(a)(i).
“Company
Stockholders’ Meeting” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.25.
“Company
Warrants” means all warrants to purchase Company Capital Stock listed on
Schedule 2.
“Company
Warrant Common Stock” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.6(a)(i).
“Confidentiality
Agreement” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.4.
“Defensible
Title” means such right, title and interest that is (a) evidenced by an
instrument or instruments filed of record in accordance with the conveyance and
recording laws of the applicable jurisdiction to the extent necessary to prevail
against competing claims of bona fide purchasers for value without notice, and
(b) subject to Permitted Liens, free and clear of all Liens, claims,
infringements, burdens and other defects.
- 5
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“Effective
Time” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.2.
“Environmental
Law” means any Law relating to (a) emissions, discharges, releases or threatened
releases of Hazardous Materials into the environment, including into ambient
air, soil, sediments, land surface or subsurface, buildings or facilities,
surface water, groundwater, publicly-owned treatment works, septic systems or
land; (b) the generation, treatment, storage, disposal, use, handling,
manufacturing, recycling, transportation or shipment of Hazardous Materials; (c)
occupational health and safety; or (d) the pollution of the environment, solid
waste handling, treatment or disposal, reclamation or remediation activities, or
protection of environmentally sensitive areas; provided, however, that the
term Environmental Law shall not include any Laws relating to plugging and
abandonment obligations and liabilities. The term “Environmental Law” shall
include, but not be limited to the following statutes and the regulations
promulgated thereunder: the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq., the Clean
Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq., RCRA, the Superfund Amendments and
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxx, 00 X.X.X. § 00000 et seq., the Toxic Substances Control
Act, 15 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq., the Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1251
et seq., the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. § 300f et seq., CERCLA, and any
state, county, or local regulations similar thereto.
“ERISA”
has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.14(a).
“ERISA
Affiliate” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.14(a).
“Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and
regulations of the SEC thereunder.
“Exchange
Agent” means Parent’s transfer agent for its common stock or such other
institution as designated by Parent.
“Exchange
Ratio” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.6(a)(i).
“Final
Working Capital” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.17.
“Final
Working Capital Shortfall” means the positive difference, if any, between
$8,750,000 minus the Final Working Capital.
“Financial
Statement Date” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.22(d).
“Fractional
Share Cash Amount” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
2.6(b).
“GAAP”
means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in
effect from time to time.
“Governmental
Action” means any authorization, application, approval, consent, exemption,
filing, license, notice, registration, permit, franchise or other requirement
of, to or with any Governmental Entity.
“Governmental
Entity” means any court, tribunal, arbitrator, authority, agency, bureau, board,
commission, department, official or other instrumentality of the United States,
any foreign country or any domestic or foreign state, county, city or other
political subdivision, and shall include any stock exchange, quotation service
and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
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“Government
Licenses” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.7.
“Hazardous
Materials” means any substance: (a) the presence of which requires investigation
or remediation under any federal, state or local statute, regulation, ordinance,
order, action, policy or common law; (b) that is or becomes defined as
“hazardous waste,” “hazardous substance,” pollutant or contaminant under any
federal, state or local statute, regulation, ordinance, rule, directive or order
or any amendments thereto including, without limitation, CERCLA (42 U.S.C.
Section 9601 et seq.) and/or the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (41
U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq.); (c) that is toxic, explosive, corrosive,
flammable, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic or otherwise
hazardous and is or becomes regulated by any Governmental Entity, agency,
department, commission, board or instrumentality of the United States, the State
of Texas or any political subdivision thereof; (d) that contains gasoline,
diesel fuel or other petroleum hydrocarbons, or any fraction or byproducts
thereof; (e) that contains polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), friable asbestos or
urea formaldehyde foam insulation; (f) radon gas; (g) any chemical, material,
waste or substance regulated by any Governmental Entity under Environmental Law;
(h) any radioactive material, excluding any naturally occurring radioactive
material, and any source, special or byproduct material as defined in 42 U.S.C.
2011 et seq.
“Indebtedness”
of any Person means all obligations of such Person (a) for borrowed money, (b)
evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar instruments, (c) for the
deferred purchase price of goods or services (other than trade payables or
accruals incurred in the ordinary course of business), (d) under capital leases
and (e) in the nature of guarantees of the obligations described in clauses (a)
through (d) above of any other Person.
“Indemnified
Parties” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.11(a).
“Independent
Accountants” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.17.
“Intellectual
Property” shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.19.
“IRS”
means the United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor
entity.
“Law” or
“Laws” means any law, statute, order, decree, consent decree, judgment, rule,
regulation, ordinance or other pronouncement having the effect of law whether in
the United States, any foreign country, or any domestic or foreign state,
county, city or other political subdivision or of any Governmental
Entity.
“Liabilities”
means all Indebtedness, obligations and other liabilities of a Person, whether
absolute, accrued, contingent (or based upon any contingency), known or unknown,
fixed or otherwise, or whether due or to become due.
“License”
means any contract that grants a Person the right to use or otherwise enjoy the
benefits of any Intellectual Property (including without limitation any
covenants not to xxx with respect to any Intellectual Property).
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“Liens”
means any mortgage, pledge, assessment, security interest, lease, lien,
easement, license, covenant, condition, restriction, adverse claim, levy,
charge, option, equity, adverse claim or restriction or other encumbrance of any
kind, or any conditional sale contract, title retention contract or other
contract or agreement to give any of the foregoing, except for any restrictions
on transfer generally arising under any applicable federal or state securities
law.
“Material
Adverse Effect” means:
(a) when
used with respect to the Company, a result or consequence that would (i)
materially adversely affect the financial condition, results of operations,
business, properties or prospects of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as
a whole), or (ii) materially impair the ability of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to own, hold, develop and operate their assets;
provided, however, that
a Material Adverse Effect shall not include any effect or change that arises by
one or more of: (A) the determination that any xxxxx drilled in the
ordinary course of business are or are deemed to be non-commercial, (B) the
determination that any xxxxx perform or are performing below forecast, (C) any
deferral of production resumption or contracting activities in the ordinary
course of business or due to weather related events, (D) production from
existing xxxxx being below production reflected in reserve estimates, (E) labor
shortages in the specialized areas necessary to the respective industry, (F) any
adverse effect or losses resulting from any hedging transactions, (G) changes to
economic, political or business conditions affecting the domestic energy markets
generally, except, in each case, to the extent any such changes or effects
materially disproportionately affect the Company, (H) the occurrence of natural
disasters of any type, (I) changes in market prices, both domestically and
globally, for any carbon-based energy product and any write-down for accounting
purposes of oil and gas reserves as a result of a “ceiling test” or property
impairment to the extent but only to the extent such write-down or property
impairment is directly attributable to changes in market prices of oil or gas,
(J) the announcement or pendency of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, compliance with the terms hereof or the disclosure of the
fact that Parent is the prospective owner of the Company, including any Action
or Proceeding arising from any of the foregoing, (K) the existence or occurrence
of war, acts of war, terrorism or similar hostilities, (L) changes in Laws of
general applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or Governmental
Entities, or (M) changes in the market price of either Parent Common Stock or
Company Common Stock (but not any change underlying such changes in price to the
extent such change would otherwise constitute a Material Adverse
Effect).
(b) when
used with respect to Parent, a result or consequence that would (i) materially
adversely affect the financial condition, results of operations, business,
properties or prospects of the Parent and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole),
or (ii) materially impair the ability of the Parent and its Subsidiaries (taken
as a whole) to own, hold, develop and operate their assets; provided, however, that a
Material Adverse Effect shall not include any effect or change that arises by
one or more of: (A) the determination that any xxxxx drilled in the
ordinary course of business are or are deemed to be non-commercial, (B) the
determination that any xxxxx perform or are performing below forecast, (C) any
deferral of production resumption or contracting activities in the ordinary
course of business or due to weather related events, (D) production from
existing xxxxx being below production reflected in reserve estimates, (E) labor
shortages in the specialized areas necessary to the respective industry, (F) any
adverse effect or losses resulting from any hedging transactions, (G) changes to
economic, political or business conditions affecting the domestic energy markets
generally, except, in each case, to the extent any such changes or effects
materially disproportionately affect Parent, (H) the occurrence of natural
disasters of any type, (I) changes in market prices, both domestically and
globally, for any carbon-based energy product and any write-down for accounting
purposes of oil and gas reserves as a result of a “ceiling test” or property
impairment to the extent but only to the extent such write-down or property
impairment is directly attributable to changes in market prices of oil or gas,
(J) the announcement or pendency of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, compliance with the terms hereof or the disclosure of the
fact that Parent is the prospective owner of the Company, including any Action
or Proceeding arising from any of the foregoing, (K) the existence or occurrence
of war, acts of war, terrorism or similar hostilities, (L) changes in Laws of
general applicability or interpretations thereof by courts or Governmental
Entities, or (M) changes in the market price of either Parent Common Stock or
Company Common Stock (but not any change underlying such changes in price to the
extent such change would otherwise constitute a Material Adverse
Effect).
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“Merger”
has the meaning ascribed to it in the recitals to this Agreement.
“Merger
Sub” has the meaning ascribed to it in the forepart of this
Agreement.
“NRS”
means the Nevada Revised Statutes and all amendments and additions
thereto.
“Notice
of Objection” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.17.
“Oil and
Gas” means oil, condensate, gas, casinghead gas and other liquid or gaseous
hydrocarbons.
“Oil and
Gas Interest(s)” means: (a) direct and indirect interests in and rights with
respect to oil, gas, mineral and related properties and assets of any kind and
nature, including working, royalty and overriding royalty interests, production
payments, operating rights, net profits interests, other non-working interests
and non-operating interests; (b) interests in and rights with respect to Oil and
Gas and other minerals or revenues therefrom and contracts in connection
therewith and claims and rights thereto (including oil and gas leases, operating
agreements, unitization and pooling agreements and orders, division orders,
transfer orders, mineral deeds, royalty deeds, oil and gas sales, exchange and
processing contracts and agreements and, in each case, interests thereunder),
surface interests, mineral fee interests, reversionary interests, reservations
and concessions; (c) easements, rights of way, licenses, permits, leases, and
other interests associated with, appurtenant to, or necessary for the operation
of any of the foregoing; and (d) interests in equipment and machinery (including
well equipment and machinery), oil and gas production, gathering, transmission,
compression, treating, processing and storage facilities (including tanks, tank
batteries, pipelines and gathering systems), pumps, water plants, electric
plants, gasoline and gas processing plants, refineries and other tangible
personal property and fixtures associated with, appurtenant to, or necessary for
the operation of any of the foregoing. References in this Agreement to the “Oil
and Gas Interests of the Company” or “Company’s Oil and Gas Interests” mean the
collective Oil and Gas Interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries. References
in this Agreement to the “Oil and Gas Interests of Parent” or “Parent’s Oil and
Gas Interests” mean the collective Oil and Gas Interests of the Parent and its
Subsidiaries.
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“Operated
Oil and Gas Interests” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.7.
“Option”
means any security, right, subscription, warrant, option, “phantom” stock right
or other contract that gives the right to (a) purchase or otherwise receive or
be issued any shares of capital stock or other equity interests of any Person or
any security of any kind convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for any
shares of capital stock or other equity interests of any Person; or (b) receive
any benefits or rights similar to any rights enjoyed by or accruing to the
holder of shares of capital stock or other equity interests of any Person,
including any rights to participate in the equity, income or election of
directors or officers of any Person.
“Order”
means any writ, judgment, decree, injunction or similar order of any
Governmental Entity or regulatory authority (in each such case whether
preliminary or final).
“Other
Filings” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.1(a).
“Ownership
Interests” means, as applicable: (a) the ownership interests of the Company in
its proved properties, as set forth in the Company Reserve Report; or (b) the
ownership interests of Parent in its proved properties, as set forth in the
Parent Reserve Report.
“Parent”
has the meaning ascribed to it in the forepart of this Agreement.
“Parent
Bank Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of February 26,
2009, among Parent and the other Borrowers identified therein, and Bank of
Oklahoma, N.A., et. al., as lenders.
“Parent
Closing Stock Price” means the average VWAP of the Parent Common Stock over the
20 trading days ending on the third trading day preceding the Closing
Date.
“Parent
Common Stock” has the meaning ascribed to it in Recital C.
“Parent
Companies” means Parent and each of the Parent’s Subsidiaries.
“Parent
Disclosure Schedule” has the meaning ascribed to it in the forepart of the
Article 4.
“Parent
Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated financial statements of
Parent and its subsidiaries (including the related notes) included (or
incorporated by reference) in Parent’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the years
ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008, in each case as filed with the
SEC.
“Parent
Reserve Report” means the reserve report as of December 31, 2008 prepared by
Parent as audited by Netherland, Xxxxxx & Associates, Inc. and provided to
the Company.
“Parent
Returns” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.13.
“Parent
SEC Documents” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 4.3.
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“PBGC”
means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established under
ERISA.
“Permit”
means any license, permit, franchise or authorization.
“Permitted
Liens” means: (a) statutory Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental
charges or levies (i) which are not yet delinquent or (ii) which are
being contested in good faith and adequate reserves have been
maintained as may be required by or consistent with GAAP and, whether reserves
are set aside or not, are listed on the applicable Company Disclosure Schedule;
(b) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, laborers, materialmen,
landlords, vendors, workmen and operators, in each case only to the extent
arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of business or by a written
agreement existing as of the date hereof and necessary or incident to the
exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas properties
and related facilities and assets for sums not yet due or being contested in
good faith and adequate reserves have been maintained as may be
required by or consistent with GAAP; (c) Liens incurred in the ordinary course
of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and
other social security legislation (other than ERISA) that would not and will
not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect on
the Target Companies; (d) deposits of cash or securities to secure the
performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, surety and
appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred
in the ordinary course of business; (e) Liens, easements, rights-of-way,
restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions,
reservations and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of
business or existing on property and not, in any case (i) materially impairing
the value of the assets of any of the Target Companies, (ii) interfering with
the ordinary conduct of the business of any of the Target Companies, or rights
to any of their assets or (iii) increasing the working interest (without a
corresponding increase in net revenue interest) or decreasing the net revenue
interest of the Target Companies reflected in their respective Ownership
Interests; (f) Liens created or arising by operation of law to secure a party’s
obligations as a purchaser of oil and gas; (g) all rights to consent by,
required notices to, filings with, or other actions by Governmental Authorities
to the extent customarily obtained subsequent to closing; (h) farm-out, carried
working interest, joint operating, unitization, royalty, overriding royalty, net
profit interests, sales, area of mutual interest and similar agreements relating
to the exploration or development of, or production from, Hydrocarbon properties
entered into in the ordinary course of business, provided the effect thereof of
any of such in existence on the working and net revenue interests of the Target
Companies has been properly reflected in their respective Ownership Interests;
(i) Liens arising under or created pursuant to the any Company Bank Credit
Agreement, as applicable; (j) Liens described on the Company Disclosure
Schedule; and (k) minor defects and irregularities in title of any property, so
long as such defects and irregularities that do not (i) increase the working
interest (without a corresponding increase in net revenue interest) or decrease
the net revenue interest of the Target Companies that are reflected in their
respective Ownership Interests, (ii) materially impair the value of any of the
assets of the Target Companies, or (iii) interfere with the ordinary conduct of
the business of any of the Target Companies or rights to any of their
assets.
“Person”
means any natural person, corporation, general partnership, limited partnership,
limited liability company or partnership, proprietorship, other business
organization, trust, union, association or Governmental Entity.
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“Pre-Closing
Working Capital” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.17.
“Pre-Closing
Working Capital Statement” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
6.17.
“Proxy
Statement/Prospectus” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.25.
“RCRA”
means the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C § 6901 et seq., as
amended, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
“Registration
Statement” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.25.
“Remaining
Government Licenses” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.7.
“Required
Company Vote” means approval of the Company Proposal by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the holders of the Company’s capital stock.
“Responsible
Officers” means (a) for the Company, Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx and Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxx; and (b) for Parent, Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx and D. Xxxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx.
“Review
Period” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.17.
“SEC”
means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor
entity.
“Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations
promulgated thereunder.
“SOX”
means the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder.
“Subsidiary”
means any Person in which the Company or Parent, as the context requires,
directly or indirectly through Subsidiaries or otherwise, beneficially owns at
least 50% of either the equity interest in, or the voting control of, such
Person, whether or not existing on the date hereof.
“Superior
Proposal” means a bona fide written Acquisition Proposal made by a third party
for at least a majority of the voting power of the Company’s then outstanding
equity securities or all or substantially all of the assets of the Target
Companies, taken as a whole, if the Board of Directors of the Company determines
in good faith (based on, among other things, the advice of its independent
financial advisors and after consultation with outside counsel, and taking into
account all legal, financial, regulatory and other aspects of the Acquisition
Proposal) that such Acquisition Proposal (a) would, if consummated in accordance
with its terms, be more favorable, from a financial point of view, to the
holders of the Company Common Stock than the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (taking into account any amounts payable pursuant to Section 9.2(b) by
the Company); (b) contains conditions which are all reasonably capable of being
satisfied in a timely manner; and (c) is not subject to any financing
contingency or to the extent financing for such proposal is required, that such
financing is then committed.
“Surviving
Corporation” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.1.
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“Target
Companies” means the Company and each of the Company’s
Subsidiaries.
“Tax” or
“Taxes” or “Taxable” each has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
3.18.
“Tax
Authority” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 3.18.
“Third-Party
Consent” means the consent or approval of any Person other than the Target
Companies, any of the Parent Companies or any Governmental Entity.
“Third
Party Expenses” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.5.
“Voting
Agreements” has the meaning ascribed to it in Recital D.
“VWAP”
means for a share of Parent Common Stock as of any date, the dollar
volume-weighted average price for the Parent Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock
Market during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York City time (or such
other time as the NASDAQ Stock Market publicly announces is the official open of
trading), and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York City time (or such other time as
the NASDAQ Stock Market publicly announces is the official close of trading) as
reported by Bloomberg through its “Volume at Price” functions, or, if the
foregoing does not apply, the dollar volume/weighted average price of the Parent
Common Stock in the over-the-counter market on the electronic bulletin board for
the Parent Common Stock during the period beginning at 9:30:01 a.m., New York
City time (or such other time as the NASDAQ Stock Market publicly announces is
the official open of trading) and ending at 4:00:00 p.m., New York City time (or
such other time as the NASDAQ Stock Market publicly announces is the official
close of trading) as reported by Bloomberg, or, if no dollar/volume weighted
average price is reported for the Parent Common Stock by Bloomberg for such
hours, the average of the highest closing bid prices and the lowest closing ask
prices of each of the market makers for the Parent Common Stock as reported in
the “pink sheets” by Pink Sheets LLC (formerly the National Quotation Bureau,
Inc.). All such determinations are to be appropriately adjusted for
any stock dividend, stock split, stock combination or other similar transaction
during the applicable calculation period.
“Working
Capital” as of any date means, on a consolidated basis, the Company’s current
assets minus current liabilities, and shall be calculated in accordance with the
formula set forth on Schedule 4 attached
hereto.
“Working
Capital Adjustment” has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6.17.
ARTICLE
2.
THE MERGER
2.1 The
Merger. At
the Effective Time and subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and the applicable provisions of the NRS, Merger Sub shall be merged
with and into the Company, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall
cease, and the Company shall continue as the surviving corporation and a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Parent. The Company, following the Merger,
is sometimes referred to herein as the “Surviving
Corporation.”
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2.2 Effective
Time.
Unless this Agreement is earlier terminated pursuant to Section 9.1, the closing
of the Merger (the “Closing”) will take
place as promptly as practicable, but no later than two (2) Business Days
following satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article 7, at
the offices of Xxxxxx Xxxxx LLP, 0000 Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000, unless another place or time is agreed to by Parent and the
Company. The date upon which the Closing actually occurs is herein
referred to as the “Closing
Date.” On the Closing Date, the parties hereto shall cause the
Merger to be consummated by filing the Articles of Merger (or like instrument)
in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the “Articles of Merger”)
with the Secretary of State of Nevada in accordance with the relevant provisions
of applicable Law (the date and time of acceptance by the Secretary of State of
the State of Nevada or such later date and time agreed to in
writing by the parties being referred to herein as the “Effective
Time”).
2.3
Effect of
the Merger on Constituent Corporations. At
the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in the
applicable provisions of the NRS, this Agreement and the Articles of
Merger. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject
thereto, at the Effective Time, all the property, rights, privileges, powers and
franchises of Merger Sub and the Company shall vest in the Surviving
Corporation, and all debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions, disabilities
and duties of Merger Sub and the Company shall become the debts, liabilities,
obligations, restrictions, disabilities and duties of the Surviving
Corporation.
2.4 Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws of Surviving Corporation.
(a) At the
Effective Time, the form of Articles of Incorporation of Merger Sub, as in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall become the Articles of
Incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended, as provided
by applicable Law and such Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation; provided, however, that
Article I of the amended and restated Articles of Incorporation of the Surviving
Corporation shall read in its entirety as follows: “The name of the Corporation
is Petrosearch Energy Corporation”.
(b) The form
of Bylaws of Merger Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time,
shall become the Bylaws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended as
provided by such Bylaws, the Articles of Incorporation and applicable
Law.
2.5 Directors and Officers of
Surviving Corporation.
The directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the
directors of the Surviving Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with
the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation. The directors of the Company shall each resign effective
immediately prior to the Effective Time. The officers of Merger Sub
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the officers of the Surviving
Corporation, each to hold office in accordance with the Bylaws of the Surviving
Corporation. The officers of the Company shall each resign effective
immediately prior to the Effective Time.
2.6 Maximum Number of Shares of
Parent Common Stock to be Issued; Contingent Cash Consideration; Fractional
Shares; Effect on Outstanding Securities of the Company, Merger
Sub.
The consideration to be paid by Parent in connection with the Merger shall be
the Aggregate Consideration. On the terms and subject to the conditions of this
Agreement, as of the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any
action on the part of Parent or Merger Sub, the Company or the holder of any
shares of the Company Capital Stock or Company Warrants, the following shall
occur:
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(a) Conversion of Company
Capital Stock and Contingent Cash Consideration.
(i) Stock Consideration.
At the Effective Time, each share of Company Capital Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than any shares of
Company Capital Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 2.6(c)) will be
canceled and extinguished and be converted automatically into the right to
receive that number of shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the Exchange
Ratio. The “Exchange Ratio” shall
be equal to the quotient of: (A) the Aggregate Stock Consideration (as defined
below) or, if applicable, the Aggregate Stock Consideration as Adjusted for
Parent Stock Price (as defined below), or, if applicable, the Aggregate Stock
Consideration as Adjusted for Working Capital Shortfall (as defined below),
divided by (B) the sum of (I) the issued and outstanding Company Common Stock as
of March 30, 2009 (41,340,584 shares), (II) the issued and outstanding Series A
Preferred Stock, on an as converted basis (31,974 shares), (III) the issued and
outstanding Series B Preferred Stock, on an as converted basis (20,093 shares),
and (D) shares of Company Common Stock issuable upon exercise of any Company
Warrants outstanding as of the Closing Date (the “Company Warrant Common
Stock”); provided,
however, only the shares of Company Warrant Common Stock that exceed
750,000 shares of Company Common Stock as of the Closing Date shall be included
in the calculation. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Aggregate
Stock Consideration” means 1,792,741 shares of Parent Common Stock; provided, however, if the
Parent Closing Stock Price is greater than $6.25, then the Aggregate Stock
Consideration shall be adjusted to equal $11,000,000 divided by the Parent
Closing Stock Price (the “Aggregate Stock
Consideration as Adjusted for Parent Stock Price”). In no
event shall the Aggregate Stock Consideration as Adjusted for Parent Stock Price
be less than 1,100,000 shares of Parent Common Stock.
(ii) Cash
Consideration. At the Effective Time, if the Parent Closing
Stock Price is below $4.75 per share, an aggregate cash payment, in addition to
the Aggregate Stock Consideration payable pursuant to Section 2.6(a)(i), will be
made to the holders of Company Common Stock receiving Parent Common Stock equal
to (A) $4.75 minus the greater of (I) the Parent Closing Stock Price or (II)
$4.00, multiplied (B) by the Aggregate Stock Consideration (the “Aggregate Cash
Consideration”). If Parent is required to pay any Aggregate
Cash Consideration, then each holder of Company Common Stock shall be entitled
to receive a portion of the Aggregate Cash Consideration equal to (X) the number
of shares of Parent Common Stock that the holder of Company Common Stock is
entitled to receive under Section 2.6(a)(i), multiplied by (Y) $4.75 less the
greater of (I) the Parent Closing Stock Price or (II) $4.00.
(iii) Adjustment to Consideration
for Final Working Capital Shortfall. In the event that there is a Final
Working Capital Shortfall, an adjustment equal to the Final Working Capital
Shortfall shall be made to the consideration set forth in this Section 2.6 as
follows: (A) first as an offset to any Aggregate Cash Consideration set forth in
Section 2.6(a)(ii); or (B) if there is no Aggregate Cash Consideration or the
Final Working Capital Shortfall is greater than the Aggregate Cash Consideration
, then the Aggregate Stock Consideration, or, if applicable, the Aggregate Stock
Consideration as Adjusted for Parent Stock Price, shall be adjusted to equal (I)
$11,000,000 less the Final Working Capital Shortfall, divided by (II)
$11,000,000, and multiplied by (III) the Aggregate Stock Consideration, or if
applicable, the Aggregate Stock Consideration as Adjusted for Parent Stock Price
(the “Aggregate Stock
Consideration as Adjusted for Working Capital Shortfall”).
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(b)
Fractional
Shares. No fractional shares of Parent Common Stock shall be
issued pursuant to the Merger. In lieu of the issuance of any such
fractional share of Parent Common Stock, cash adjustments will be paid to
holders in respect of any fractional share of Parent Common Stock that would
otherwise be issuable. The amount of such adjustment shall be the
product of such fraction of a share of Parent Common Stock multiplied by the
Parent Closing Stock Price (the “Fractional Share Cash
Amount”). No fractional cent shall be payable to any holder of
Company Capital Stock, and the cash payable to any such holder shall be rounded
down to the nearest cent.
(c) Cancellation of Parent-Owned
and Company-Owned Stock. Each share of Company Capital Stock
owned by Parent or the Company or any Subsidiary of Parent or the Company
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be automatically canceled and
extinguished without any conversion thereof and without any further action on
the part of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company.
(d) Capital Stock of Merger
Sub. Each share of Common Stock of Merger Sub, par value $0.10
per share, that is issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective
Time shall be converted into and exchanged for one validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable share of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share of the
Surviving Corporation. From and after the Effective Time, each share certificate
of Merger Sub theretofore evidencing ownership of any such shares shall continue
to evidence ownership of such shares of Common Stock of the Surviving
Corporation.
(e)
Company
Warrants. At the Effective Time, all Company Warrants that are
outstanding as of the Effective Time shall be assumed by Parent (each such
Company Warrant an “Assumed Warrant” and
collectively the “Assumed
Warrants”). Each Assumed Warrant will continue to have, and be
subject to, the same terms and conditions of such Assumed Warrant immediately
prior to the Effective Time (including, without limitation, any repurchase
rights or vesting provisions and provisions regarding the acceleration of
vesting on certain transactions), except that (i) each Assumed Warrant will be
exercisable (or will become exercisable in accordance with its terms) for that
number of whole shares of Parent Common Stock equal to the product of the number
of shares of Company Common Stock that were issuable upon exercise of such
Assumed Warrant immediately prior to the Effective Time multiplied by the
Exchange Ratio, rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares of Parent
Common Stock and (ii) the per share exercise price for the shares of Parent
Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Assumed Warrant will be equal to the
quotient determined by dividing the exercise price per share of Company Common
Stock at which such Assumed Warrant was exercisable immediately prior to the
Effective Time by the Exchange Ratio, rounded up to the nearest whole
cent.
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(f)
Additional Adjustments to
Exchange Ratio. The Exchange Ratio shall be equitably adjusted
to reflect fully the effect of any stock split, reverse split, stock
combination, stock dividend (including any dividend or distribution of
securities convertible into Parent Common Stock or Company Capital Stock),
reorganization, reclassification, recapitalization or other like change with
respect to Parent Common Stock or Company Capital Stock occurring after the date
hereof and prior to the Effective Time.
2.7 Dissenting
Shares. No
stockholders of any Company Capital Stock shall have dissenters’ rights under
the NRS (pursuant to the exemption set forth in Section 92A.390 of the NRS), and
the Company shall not take any action that would allow the stockholders of any
Company Capital Stock to have dissenters’ rights in connection with the
Merger.
2.8 Exchange
Procedures.
(a)
Parent Common Stock;
Cash. On the Closing Date, Parent shall deposit with the Exchange Agent
for exchange in accordance with this Article 2: (i) the Aggregate
Stock Consideration, or if applicable, the Aggregate Stock Consideration as
Adjusted for Parent Stock Price, or if applicable, Aggregate Stock Consideration
as Adjusted for Working Capital Shortfall; (ii) the Aggregate Cash
Consideration, if any; and (iii) the Aggregate Fractional Share Cash
Amount.
(b) Exchange
Procedures. As soon as practicable after the Effective Time,
the Surviving Corporation shall cause to be mailed to each holder of record of a
certificate or certificates who immediately prior to the Effective Time
represented outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock (the “Certificates”)
outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock represented by book-entry (“Book-Entry Shares”)
and whose shares were converted into shares of Parent Common Stock pursuant to
Section 2.6, (i) a letter of transmittal in customary form (which shall specify
that delivery shall be effected, and risk of loss and title to the Certificates
shall pass, only upon delivery of the Certificates to the Exchange Agent or, in
the case of Book-Entry Shares, upon adherence to the procedures set forth
therein, which shall be in such form and have such other provisions as Parent
may reasonably specify); and (ii) instructions for use in effecting the
surrender of the Certificates or, in the case of Book-Entry Shares, the
surrender of such shares, in exchange for certificates or Book-Entry Shares
representing shares of Parent Common Stock and the right to receive any
Aggregate Cash Consideration plus any cash for fractional shares as provided
herein. Upon surrender of a Certificate or Book-Entry Shares for
cancellation to the Exchange Agent or to such other agent or agents as may be
appointed by Parent, together with such letter of transmittal, duly completed
and validly executed in accordance with the instructions thereto, the holder of
such Certificate or Book-Entry Shares shall be entitled to receive in exchange
therefor a certificate or Book-Entry Shares representing the number of whole
shares of Parent Common Stock and any respective pro rata portion of the
Aggregate Cash Consideration, if applicable, plus any respective Fractional
Share Cash Amount pursuant to Section 2.6 to which such holder is entitled
pursuant to Section 2.6, and the Certificate or Book-Entry Shares so surrendered
shall be canceled. Until surrendered, each outstanding Certificate and each
outstanding Book-Entry Share that, prior to the Effective Time, represented
shares of Company Capital Stock will be deemed from and after the Effective
Time, for all corporate purposes, other than the payment of dividends, to
evidence the ownership of the amount of cash and the number of full shares of
Parent Common Stock into which such shares of Company Capital Stock shall have
been so converted.
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(c) Distributions With Respect
to Unexchanged Shares of Company Capital Stock. No
dividends or other distributions with respect to Parent Common Stock declared or
made after the Effective Time and with a record date after the Effective Time
will be paid to the holder of any unsurrendered Certificate or Book-Entry Share
with respect to the shares of Parent Common Stock represented thereby until the
holder of record of such Certificate or such Book-Entry Share shall surrender
such Certificate or, if a Book-Entry Share, completed the letter of transmittal
to the Exchange Agent in accordance with Section 2.8(b). Subject to
applicable Law, following surrender of any such Certificate or Book-Entry Share,
there shall be paid to the record holder of the certificates representing whole
shares of Parent Common Stock issued in exchange therefor, without interest, at
the time of such surrender, the amount of dividends or other distributions with
a record date after the Effective Time theretofore payable with respect to such
whole shares of Parent Common Stock.
(d) Transfers of
Ownership. If any certificate for shares of Parent Common
Stock is to be issued pursuant to the Merger in a name other than that in which
the Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it will be a
condition of the issuance thereof that the Certificate so surrendered will be
properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the Person
requesting such exchange will have paid to Parent or any agent designated by it
any transfer or other Taxes required by reason of the issuance of a certificate
for shares of Parent Common Stock in any name other than that of the registered
holder of the Certificate surrendered, or established to the satisfaction of
Parent or any agent designated by it that such Tax has been paid or is not
payable.
2.9 No Further Ownership Rights
in Company Capital Stock.
All shares of Parent Common Stock issued upon the surrender for exchange of
shares of Company Capital Stock in accordance with the terms hereof (including
any cash paid in respect thereof) shall be deemed to have been issued in full
satisfaction of all rights pertaining to such shares of Company Capital Stock,
and there shall be no further registration of transfers on the records of the
Company of shares of Company Capital Stock that were outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Time. If, after the Effective Time,
Certificates or Book-Entry Shares are presented to the Surviving Corporation for
any reason, they shall be canceled and exchanged as provided in this Article
2.
2.10 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed
Certificates. In
the event any Certificates shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed, the
Exchange Agent shall issue certificates representing such shares of Parent
Common Stock in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificates, upon
the making of an affidavit of that fact by the holder thereof; provided, however, that
Parent or the Exchange Agent may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent
to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed
Certificates to provide an indemnity or deliver a bond in such sum as it may
reasonably direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against Parent
or the Exchange Agent with respect to the Certificates alleged to have been
lost, stolen or destroyed.
2.11 Taking of Necessary Action;
Further Action.
If, at any time after the Effective Time, any further action is necessary or
desirable to carry out the purposes of this Agreement or to vest the Surviving
Corporation with full right, title and possession to all assets, property,
rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company, the officers and
directors of the Surviving Corporation shall be fully authorized to take, and
shall take all such lawful and necessary action.
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ARTICLE
3.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
OF THE COMPANY
The
Company hereby represents and warrants to Parent and Merger Sub that, as of the
date of this Agreement, except as specifically set forth in the disclosure
schedule attached as Schedule 1 hereto
(the “Company
Disclosure Schedule”):
3.1 Organization, Standing and
Power. Each of the Target
Companies is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the Laws of its state of incorporation and has all requisite corporate
power and authority to own, operate and lease its properties and to carry on its
business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted. Each of
the Target Companies is qualified to do business as a foreign corporation, and
is in good standing, under the Laws of all jurisdictions where the nature of its
business requires such qualification and where the failure to be so qualified or
in good standing would have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company. The Company has made available to Parent complete and
correct copies of each of the Target Companies’ (i) Articles of Incorporation
and Bylaws, which Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are in full force and
effect and have not been amended, corrected, restated or superseded in any way;
(ii) minutes of all directors’ and stockholders’ meetings, all of which are
complete and accurate as of the date hereof; (iii) stock certificate books and
all other records of the Target Companies, which collectively correctly set
forth the record ownership of all outstanding shares of capital stock and all
rights to purchase capital stock of the Target Companies, as applicable; and
(iv) form of stock certificates, plans and agreements and rights to purchase
shares of capital stock of any Target Company. Each of the Target
Companies is not in violation, and has not taken any action in violation, of any
provisions of its Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws. Each of the Target
Companies is in possession of all Approvals required by applicable Law to be
obtained and held by it that are necessary to own, lease and operate the
properties it purports to own, operate or lease and to carry on its business as
it is now being conducted.
3.2 Capital
Structure.
(a) The
authorized and issued capital stock of the Company consists of:
(i) Preferred
Stock. 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1.00 par value,
1,000,000 of which have been designated Series A 8% Convertible Preferred Stock
(the “Company Series A
Preferred Stock”), and 100,000 of which have been designated as Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Company Series B Preferred
Stock”, and together with the Company Series A Preferred Stock, the
“Company Preferred
Stock”). There are issued and outstanding 207,833 shares of Company
Series A Preferred Stock and 43,000 shares of Company Series B Preferred
Stock. Each outstanding share of Company Series A Preferred Stock is
convertible into 0.1538461 shares of Company Common Stock, and each outstanding
share of Company Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into 0.4672897 shares
of Company Common Stock.
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(ii) Common
Stock. 100,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, $0.001 par
value (the “Company
Common Stock”), of which, at the date hereof, 41,340,584 shares are
issued and outstanding.
(iii) Options. Except
for the Company Warrants, there are no outstanding Options to acquire shares of
any Company Capital Stock.
(iv) Warrants. There
are Company Warrants issued and outstanding to acquire 777,380 shares of Company
Common Stock. There are no other outstanding Company Warrants to
acquire any other Company Capital Stock.
(v) Other
Rights. There are no other outstanding shares of Company
Capital Stock or any other right to receive or purchase equity securities
or securities convertible, exercisable or exchangeable for equity securities of
the Company.
(b) All
outstanding shares of Company Capital Stock are, and any shares of Company
Capital Stock issuable upon the exercise of any Company Warrants (subject to
receipt of the exercise price as provided therein) will be, validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable and not subject to preemptive rights created by
statute, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws or any agreement to
which the Company is a party or by which the Company may be
bound. All outstanding Company securities have been issued in
compliance with applicable federal and state securities
Laws. Other than as described herein, there are no options, warrants,
calls, conversion rights, commitments or agreements of any character to which
the Company is a party or by which the Company may be bound that do or may
obligate the Company to issue, deliver or sell, or cause to be issued, delivered
or sold, additional shares of the Company’s Capital Stock or that do or may
obligate the Company to grant, extend or enter into any such option, warrant,
call, conversion right, commitment or agreement.
(c) Section
3.2(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list
of the holders of record of outstanding Company Series A Preferred Stock,
Company Series B Preferred Stock, Company Warrants, and the number of such
securities held by each such holder, including the addresses of such
holders. Such Section 3.2(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
identifies the vesting schedule, applicable legends, exercise price and
repurchase rights or other risks of forfeiture of any outstanding security
listed therein.
(d) All
Company Warrants have been issued in accordance with all federal and state
securities Laws. The Company does not have in effect any stock
appreciation rights plan and no stock appreciation rights are
outstanding. None of the outstanding Company Warrants permit any
accelerated vesting or exercisability of those warrants or the shares of Company
Common Stock subject to those warrants by reason of the Merger or any other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and the terms of the outstanding
agreements for the Company Warrants each permit the Parent’s assumption of those
warrants as warrants to purchase Parent Common Stock as provided in Section
2.6(e) of this Agreement, without the consent or approval of the holders of
those warrants, the Company’s stockholders, or otherwise, and without any
accelerated vesting of those Company Warrants or the underlying
shares. True and complete copies of all agreements and instruments
relating to the Company Warrants have been made available to Parent, and such
agreements and instruments have not been amended, modified or supplemented, and
there are no agreements to amend, modify or supplement such agreements or
instruments in any case from the form made available to Parent. No
unvested shares of Company Capital Stock shall vest on an accelerated basis by
reason of the Merger or any transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.
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(e)
Except for any restrictions imposed by applicable state and federal
securities Laws or set forth in Section 3.2(e) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, there is no right of first refusal, co-sale right, right of
participation, right of first offer, registration right option or other
restriction on transfer applicable to any shares of Company Capital
Stock.
(f) The
Company is not a party or subject to any agreement or understanding, and, to the
Company’s knowledge, there is no agreement or understanding between or among any
Persons that affects or relates to the voting or giving of written consent with
respect to any outstanding security of the Company.
(g) The
holders of Company Capital Stock shall not have any dissenters’ rights in
connection with the Merger under the NRS. Neither the Company nor any
Company Representative has taken, or will take, any action that would allow any
holder of Company Capital Stock to be entitled to dissenters’ rights under the
NRS or otherwise in connection with the Merger.
3.3 Subsidiaries.
(a)
The Company has no Subsidiaries except for the corporations and
entities identified in Section 3.3(a) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule.
(b) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has agreed nor is obligated to make nor
is bound by any written, oral or other agreement, contract, subcontract, lease,
binding understanding, instrument, note, option, warranty, purchase order,
license, sublicense, insurance policy, benefit plan, commitment or undertaking
of any nature, as of the date hereof or as may hereafter be in effect under
which it may become obligated to make, any future investment in or capital
contribution to any other Person. Except as set forth in Section 3.3(b) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
directly or indirectly owns any equity or similar interest in or any interest
convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, any equity or similar
interest in, any Person.
3.4 Authority.
(a) Subject
only to the requisite approval of the Merger and this Agreement by the
stockholders of the Company, the Company has all requisite corporate power and
authority to enter into this Agreement, to execute, deliver and perform its
obligations hereunder, and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance
by the Company of its obligations hereunder and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby, have been duly and validly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company’s Board of Directors, and
no other action on the part of the Company’s Board of Directors is required to
authorize the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and
delivered by the Company, and assuming the due authorization, execution and
delivery hereof by Parent and Merger Sub, constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
terms, except as enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, or other
similar Laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and
except that the availability of equitable remedies is subject to the discretion
of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought.
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(b) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not, and the
performance and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not,
conflict with or result in any material violation of any Law applicable to the
Company, its Subsidiaries, its Assets and Properties or its Subsidiaries’ Assets
and Properties, or conflict with or result in any conflict with, breach or
violation of or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both)
under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation, forfeiture or
acceleration of any obligation or the loss of a material benefit under, or
result in the creation of a Lien on any of the Assets and Properties of the
Company or its Subsidiaries pursuant to (i) any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company or its Subsidiaries; or (ii) any Company
Contract to which the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries is a party or
by which the Company, its Subsidiaries, any of its Assets and Properties or any
of its Subsidiaries’ Assets and Properties may be bound or
affected.
(c)
No Approval is required to be obtained by the Company in
connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the
Company or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby, except the requisite approval of the Merger and this Agreement by the
stockholders of the Company and the Approvals set forth in Section 3.4(c) of the
Company Disclosure Schedule.
3.5 SEC Documents; Financial
Statements;
Books and Records. The Company has filed
with the SEC all forms and other documents (including exhibits and other
information incorporated therein) required to be filed by it since January 1,
2007 (the “Company SEC
Documents”). As of their respective dates, the Company SEC Documents
complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act and SOX, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of
the SEC thereunder applicable to such Company SEC Documents, and none of the
Company SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. The Company Financial Statements were prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved
(except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited
statements, as permitted by Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the SEC) and fairly
present, and the financial statements to be filed by the Company with the SEC
after the date of this Agreement will fairly present, in accordance with
applicable requirements of GAAP (in the case of the unaudited statements,
subject to normal, recurring adjustments), the consolidated financial position
of the Target Companies as of their respective dates and the consolidated
results of operations, the consolidated cash flows and consolidated changes in
stockholders’ equity of the Target Companies for the periods presented therein;
each of such statements (including the related notes, where applicable)
complies, and the financial statements to be filed by the Company with the SEC
after the date of this Agreement will comply, with applicable accounting
requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with
respect thereto; and each of such statements (including the related notes, where
applicable) has been, and the financial statements to be filed by the Company
with the SEC after the date of this Agreement will be, prepared in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved, except as indicated
in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by
Form 10-Q. The books and records of the Target Companies have been, and are
being, maintained in accordance with GAAP and any other applicable legal and
accounting requirements and reflect only actual transactions. Xxx, Xxxxxxxx
& Xxxxxxx, L.L.P is an independent public accounting firm with respect to
the Company and has not resigned or been dismissed as independent public
accountants of the Company.
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3.6 Payables;
Receivables.
(a)
Section 3.6(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth an
aging of accounts payable of the Company in the aggregate and by creditor (for
the periods 0-30 days, 30-90 days and greater than 90 days, if applicable) as of
February 28, 2009.
(b) Section
3.6 (b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth an aging of accounts
receivable of the Company in the aggregate and by debtor (for the periods 0-30
days, 30-90 days and greater than 90 days as of February 28, 2009); provided however, that
disclosure of debts owed by any single debtor that, in the aggregate, do not
exceed $1,000 need
not be included. All accounts and notes receivable (the “Accounts”) reflected
on the Company Financial Statements are, taken as a whole, (i) valid, genuine
and existing; (ii) subject to no defenses, setoffs or counterclaims; and (iii)
current (not more than ninety (90) days past due) and collectable in the
ordinary course of business, net of reserves less any applicable trade
discounts. Except for Permitted Liens or as set forth in Section
3.6(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Person has any Lien on such
Accounts or any part thereof; no agreement for deduction, free goods, discount
or other deferred price or quantity adjustment has been made with respect to any
of such Accounts; and to the Company’s knowledge, no customer of the Company
with an Account balance exceeding $10,000 is involved in voluntary or
involuntary bankruptcy proceedings or is otherwise insolvent or has notified the
Company that such customer will not pay its Account.
3.7 Compliance with
Laws.
Each of the Target Companies is in compliance and has conducted its business and
operations, with respect to the Oil and Gas Interests for which any of the
Target Companies is the operator (the “Operated Oil and Gas
Interests”), so as to comply with all applicable Laws. Each of
the Target Companies is in compliance and has conducted its business and
operations, other than with respect to the Operated Oil and Gas Interests, so as
to comply with all applicable Laws, except where the failure to have so complied
or conducted such business would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company. There are no Orders (whether rendered by a court or
administrative agency or by arbitration) and, to the Company’s knowledge, no
basis currently exists for any Orders against the Company, its Subsidiaries, any
of its Assets and Properties or any of its Subsidiaries’ Assets and Properties,
and none are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company,
threatened. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has
received any written or oral notice from any Governmental Entity of any
violation of Laws that has not been resolved. Each of the Target
Companies has all permits, licenses, orders, authorizations, registrations,
concessions, certificates, approvals and other instruments of any Governmental
Entity (the “Government Licenses”)
(each of which is in full force and effect) necessary for the conduct of its
Operated Oil and Gas Interests, and each of the Target Companies is in
compliance with the terms, condition, limitations, restrictions, standards,
prohibitions, requirements and obligations of such Government
Licenses. Each of the Target Companies has all Government Licenses
(each of which is in full force and effect) (the “Remaining Government
Licenses”) necessary for the conduct of its business, not including the
Operated Oil and Gas Interests, except where the failure to have, or to have
maintained in full force and effect, any such Remaining Governmental License
would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company, and each of the Target
Companies is in compliance with the terms, conditions, limitations,
restrictions, standards, prohibitions, requirements and obligations of such
Remaining Government Licenses, except where the failure to be in compliance
would not have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. Each of the
Target Companies has made all filings and registrations and the like necessary
or required by Law to be filed by such Target Company to conduct its Operated
Oil and Gas Interests. Each of the Target Companies has made all
filings and registrations and the like necessary or required by Law to be filed
by such Target Company to conduct its business other than its Operated Oil and
Gas Interests, except where the failure to have so filed would not have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company. There is not now pending, or,
to the Company’s knowledge, is there threatened, any Action or Proceeding
against any Target Company before any Governmental Entity with respect to the
Government Licenses for the Operated Oil and Gas Interests, nor is there any
issued or outstanding written or oral notice, order or complaint with respect to
the violation by any Target Company of the terms of any such Government License
or any rule or regulation applicable thereto. There is not now pending, or, to
the Company’s knowledge, is there threatened, any Action or Proceeding against
any Target Company before any Governmental Entity with respect to the Remaining
Government Licenses, nor is there any issued or outstanding written or oral
notice, order or complaint with respect to the violation by any Target Company
of the terms of any Remaining Government License or any rule or regulation
applicable thereto, which if resolved adversely to any Target Company would have
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
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3.8 No
Defaults. Neither the Company nor
any of its Subsidiaries is, and has not received oral or written notice that it
is or would be with the passage of time (x) in violation of any provision of its
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; or (y) in default or violation of (a) any
term, condition or provision of any Order applicable to it, or (b) any term or
condition of any agreement, note, mortgage, indenture, contract, lease,
instrument, Law or Permit to which it is a party or by which the Company, its
Subsidiaries or their respective Assets and Properties may be bound and there
does not exist, to the knowledge of the Company, any facts that constitute an
event of default on the part of the Company or its Subsidiaries under any of the
foregoing.
3.9 Litigation. There is no Action or
Proceeding pending or, to the Company’s knowledge, threatened against the
Company, its Subsidiaries, any of the Company or its Subsidiaries’ officers,
employees or directors that could have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company. Except as disclosed in Section 3.9 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, there is no Action or Proceeding by the Company or its Subsidiaries
pending or which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries intends to
initiate. The Company has not been advised by its legal counsel that
any basis exists for any Action or Proceeding against the Company or any of its
officers, employees or directors that could have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Company.
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3.10 Conduct in the Ordinary
Course.
Since December 31, 2008, the Company has conducted its business in the ordinary
course and there has not occurred:
(a) Any
Material Adverse Effect on the Company not reflected in the Company Financial
Statements, including any Liabilities or obligations, other than changes in the
ordinary course of business;
(b) Any
damage, destruction or loss, whether covered by insurance or not, that
individually or in the aggregate would have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company;
(c) Any
declaration, setting aside or payment or other distribution in respect of any
Company Capital Stock, or, except as set forth in Section 3.10(c) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other
acquisition of any Company Capital Stock by the Company;
(d) Any
approval or action to put into effect any general increase in any compensation
or benefits payable to any class or group of employees of any Target Company,
any increase in the compensation or benefits payable or to become payable by any
Target Company to any of its directors, officers or employees or any bonus,
service award, percentage compensation or other benefit paid, granted or accrued
to or for the benefit of any employee, the adoption of any amendment to the
exercisability or vesting of any employee stock warrants or option (including
any of the Company Warrants) or the vesting of any unvested shares of Company
Common Stock or, except as set forth in Section 3.10(c) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, the authorization of any cash payments in exchange for such
options or unvested shares, or the adoption of any other amendment in any
employee benefit plan or compensation commitment or any severance agreement or
employment contract to which any employee is a party;
(e) Any Lien
created or suffered by any Target Company with respect to any of its Assets and
Properties, except Permitted Liens;
(f)
Any (A) incurrence, assumption or guarantee by any Target
Company of any debt for borrowed money other than trade indebtedness incurred in
the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (B) waiver or
compromise by it of a valuable right or of a debt owed to it greater than
$10,000; (C) satisfaction or discharge of any Lien or payment of any obligation
by it, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice; (D) issuance or sale of any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for debt securities of any Target Company; or (E) issuance or sale
of options or other rights to acquire from any Target Company, directly or
indirectly, debt securities of any Target Company or any securities convertible
into or exchangeable for any such debt securities;
(g)
Any entry into, amendment of, relinquishment, termination or
nonrenewal by any Target Company of any contract, lease, commitment or other
right or obligation other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice and with a contractual value of less than
$10,000;
(h) Any
transfer or grant of a right of any Target Company’s Intellectual Property other
than non-exclusive licenses granted in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice;
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(i) Any
resignation or termination of employment of any employee; and, except as set
forth in Section 3.10(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company does
not know of the impending resignation or termination of employment of any such
employee;
(j) Any
making of any loan, advance or capital contribution to, or investment in, any
Person other than advances made in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice of the Company; or
(k) Any
agreement or arrangement made by the Company to take any action which, if taken
prior to the date hereof, would have made any representation or warranty set
forth in this Section 3.10 untrue or incorrect as of the date when
made.
3.11 Absence of Undisclosed
Liabilities. There are no
liabilities of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever,
whether accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise,
which would be required to be disclosed in a balance sheet (or in the notes
thereto) prepared in accordance with GAAP that, individually or in the aggregate
have had, or are reasonably likely to have, or result in, a Material Adverse
Effect on the Company, other than (a) liabilities disclosed in the Company
Financial Statements; and (b) liabilities under this Agreement or disclosed
herein.
3.12 Complete
Disclosure. The copies of all
instruments, agreements, other documents and written information delivered by
the Company or its professional advisors to Parent or its counsel and
accountants are and will be complete copies (as contained in the Books and
Records) as of the date of delivery thereof.
3.13 Certain
Agreements. Except as set forth on
Section 3.13 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and
delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will:
(a)
result in any payment (including, without limitation,
severance, unemployment compensation, golden parachute, bonus or otherwise)
becoming due to any employee, former employee or service provider of the Company
under any Company Employee Plans (defined below in Section 3.14) or
otherwise;
(b)
materially increase any compensation or other benefits payable under
any Company Employee Plans; or
(c)
result in the acceleration of the time of payment or vesting
of any such benefits including the Company Warrants and any other instrument
evidencing capital stock issued to any service provider of the
Company. Except as set forth on Section 3.13 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, no payment or benefit that will be made by the Company to
any employee prior to, at time of, or after Closing, will be characterized as an
“excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the
Code.
3.14 Employee Benefit
Plans.
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(a) Section
3.14(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists, with respect to the Company,
any Subsidiary of the Company and any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) that is treated as a single employer with the Company (an “ERISA Affiliate”)
within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code, (i) all
employee benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”)), (ii) each
loan to a non-officer employee, loans to officers and directors, (iii) any stock
option, stock purchase, phantom stock, stock appreciation right, supplemental
retirement, severance or termination pay, medical, dental, vision care,
disability, sick pay, vacation, holiday or sabbatical pay, employee relocation,
cafeteria benefit (Code Section 125) or dependent care (Code Section 129), life
insurance or accident insurance plans, programs or arrangements, (iv) all bonus,
pension, profit sharing, savings, deferred compensation or incentive plans,
programs or arrangements, (v) other fringe or employee benefit plans, programs
or arrangements that apply to senior management of the Company and that do not
generally apply to all employees, and (v) any current or former employment or
executive compensation or severance agreements, written or otherwise, as to
which unsatisfied obligations of the Company of greater than $10,000 remain for
the benefit of, or relating to, any present or former employee, consultant or
director of the Company (collectively, the “Company Employee
Plans”).
(b) The
Company has made available to Parent a copy of each of the Company Employee
Plans. The Company has no Company Employee Plans that are subject to
ERISA reporting requirements and has no Company Employee Plans that are intended
to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.
(c) Each
Company Employee Plan has been administered in accordance with its terms and in
compliance with the requirements prescribed by any and all statutes, rules and
regulations (including ERISA and the Code), and the Company and each Subsidiary
have performed all obligations required to be performed by them under each
Company Employee Plan. No suit, administrative proceeding, action or
other litigation has been brought, or to the knowledge of the Company is
threatened, against or with respect to any Company Employee Plan.
(d) With
respect to each Company Employee Plan, the Company and each of its Subsidiaries
have complied with (i) the applicable health care continuation and notice
provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) and the
regulations (including proposed regulations) thereunder, (ii) the applicable
requirements of the Family Medical and Leave Act of 1993 and the regulations
thereunder, and (iii) the applicable requirements of the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the regulations (including
proposed regulations) thereunder.
(e) Except as
set forth on Section 3.14(e) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (i)
entitle any current or former employee or other service provider of the Company
or any Company Subsidiary to severance benefits or any other payment, except as
expressly provided in this Agreement; or (ii) accelerate the time of payment or
vesting (including any Company Warrant), or increase the amount of compensation
due any such employee or service provider. No payment or benefit that
will or may be made or provided by the Company to any current or former employee
or other service provider of the Company will constitute an “excess parachute
payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code.
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(f) The
Company does not currently maintain, sponsor, participate in or contribute to,
nor has it ever maintained, established, sponsored, participated in, or
contributed to, any pension plan (within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA)
that is subject to Part 3 of Subtitle B of Title I of ERISA, Title IV of ERISA
or Section 4.12 of the Code.
(g) No Target
Company or other ERISA Affiliate is a party to, or has made any contribution to
or otherwise incurred any obligation under, any “multiemployer plan” as defined
in Section 3(37) of ERISA.
3.15 Employee
Matters. Each
of the Target Companies is in compliance with all applicable Laws respecting
employment, discrimination in employment, terms and conditions of employment,
wages, hours and occupational safety and health and employment practices, and is
not engaged in any unfair labor practice. Each of the Target
Companies has withheld all amounts required by Law or by agreement to be
withheld from the wages, salaries, and other payments to employees; and is not
liable for any arrears of wages or any taxes or any penalty for failure to
comply with any of the foregoing. None of the Target Companies is
liable for any payment to any trust or other fund or to any governmental or
administrative authority, with respect to unemployment compensation benefits,
social security or other benefits or obligations for employees (other than
routine payments to be made in the normal course of business and consistent with
past practice). There are no pending claims against any Target
Company for any amounts under any workers compensation plan or policy or for
long term disability. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
has any obligations under COBRA with respect to any former employees or
qualifying beneficiaries thereunder. There are no strikes or labor
disputes or controversies pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries, threatened, between the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and
any of their respective employees, which controversies have or would reasonably
be expected to result in an Action or Proceeding before any agency, court or
tribunal, foreign or domestic. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor
union contract nor does the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries know of any
activities or proceedings of any labor union to organize any such
employees. No employees of the Company have given notice to the
Company, nor is the Company otherwise aware, that any such employee intends to
terminate his or her employment with the Company, except as disclosed in Section
3.10(i) of the Company Disclosure Schedule.
3.16 Major
Contracts.
(a) As of the
date of this Agreement, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a
party to or bound by any contract, arrangement, commitment or understanding
(whether written or oral) that (i) is a “material contract” (as described in
Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC) to be performed after the date of
this Agreement that has not been filed or incorporated by reference, if so
required, in the Company SEC Documents, or (ii) except as disclosed in Section
3.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, materially restricts the conduct of
any line of business by the Company. Each contract, arrangement,
commitment or understanding of the type described in clause (i) of this Section
3.16(a), whether or not set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule or in the
Company SEC Documents, is referred to herein as a “Company Contract”
(for purposes of clarification, each “material contract” (as such term is
defined in Item 601(b)(10) of Regulation S-K of the SEC) to be performed after
the date of this Agreement, whether or not filed with the SEC, is a Company
Contract).
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(b) (i) Each
Company Contract is valid and binding on the Company and any of its Subsidiaries
that is a party thereto, as applicable, and in full force and effect (subject to
the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization,
moratorium and other similar Laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights
generally, and general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law)); (ii) the Company and each of its Subsidiaries has in all
material respects performed all obligations required to be performed by it to
date under each Company Contract, except where such noncompliance, either
individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company; and (iii) neither the Company nor any of
its Subsidiaries has received written notice of the existence of any event or
condition that constitutes, or, after notice or lapse of time or both, will
constitute, a material default on the part of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries under any such Company Contract, except where such default, either
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
3.17 Oil and Gas
Operations.
(a) All xxxxx
included in the Oil and Gas Interests of the Company have been drilled and (if
completed) completed, operated and produced in accordance with generally
accepted oil and gas field practices and in compliance in all respects with
applicable oil and gas leases and applicable Laws, rules and regulations, except
where any failure or violation could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect on the Company; and
(b) Proceeds
from the sale of Oil and Gas produced from the Company’s Oil and Gas Interests
are being received by the Target Companies in a timely manner and are not being
held in suspense for any reason (except in the ordinary course of
business).
3.18 Taxes. Except as
otherwise provided for or identified in Section 3.18 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule:
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All Tax
returns, statements, reports and forms (including without limitation estimated
Tax returns and reports and information returns and reports) required to be
filed with any Tax authority with respect to any taxable period ending on or
before the Closing Date, by or on behalf of any of the Target Companies
(collectively, the “Company Returns”),
have been or will be properly completed and filed when due (including any
extensions of such due date), and all amounts shown to be due thereon on or
before the Closing Date (other than Taxes that are not yet due and payable or
that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which
adequate reserves have been established in the applicable financial statements)
have been or will be paid on or before such date. The Company
Financial Statements fully accrue all actual and contingent liabilities for all
unpaid Taxes with respect to all periods (or portions of such periods) through
December 31, 2008 and the Target Companies have not and will not incur any Tax
liability greater than $10,000 more than the amount reflected on the Company
Financial Statements (whether or not reflected as payable on any Tax return that
has been filed) with respect to such periods (or portions of such
periods). The Target Companies have not and will not incur any Tax
liability for periods (or portions of periods) after December 31, 2008 through
the Closing Date other than in the ordinary course of business. The
Target Companies have withheld and paid to the applicable financial institution
or Tax authority all amounts required to be withheld. The Target
Companies have not been granted any extension or waiver of the limitations
period applicable to any Company Returns. There is no claim, audit,
action, suit, proceeding, or investigation now pending or, or to the Company’s
knowledge, threatened against or with respect to any Target Company in respect
of any Tax or assessment. No notice of deficiency or similar document
of any Tax authority has been received by the Company, and there are no
liabilities for Taxes (including liabilities for interest, additions to Tax and
penalties thereon and related expenses) with respect to the issues that have
been raised (and are currently pending) by any Tax authority that could, if
determined adversely to any Target Company, adversely affect the liability of
any Target Company for Taxes. Neither the Company nor any person on
behalf of the Company has entered into or will enter into any agreement or
consent pursuant to Section 341(f) of the Code. None of the Target
Companies is a party to any joint venture, partnership or other arrangement or
contract that could be treated as a partnership for federal income tax
purposes. There is no agreement, contract or arrangement to which any
Target Company is a party that could, individually or collectively, result in
the payment of any amount or the provision of any benefit that would not be
deductible by reason of Section 404 of the Code. None of the Target
Companies is a party to or bound by any Tax indemnity, Tax sharing or Tax
allocation agreement (whether written or unwritten or arising under operation of
federal Law as a result of being a member of a group filing consolidated Tax
returns, under operation of certain state Laws as a result of being a member of
a unitary group, or under comparable Laws of other states or foreign
jurisdictions) that includes a party other than a Target Company nor does any
Target Company owe any amount under any such agreement. The Company
has previously provided or made available to Parent true and correct copies of
all the Company Returns filed through the date of this Agreement. The
Company will make available to Parent all Company Returns filed after the date
of this Agreement, all work papers with respect to Company Returns, and all Tax
opinions and memoranda with respect to Taxes owed or potentially owed by the
Company, all other Tax data and documents reasonably requested by
Parent. Except as may be required as a result of the consummation of
the transactions set forth herein, none of the Target Companies has been and or
will be required to include any material adjustment in Taxable income for any
Tax period (or portion thereof) pursuant to Section 481 or 263A of the Code or
any comparable provision under state or foreign Tax Laws as a result of
transactions, events or accounting methods employed prior to the consummation of
the transactions set forth herein. For purposes of this Agreement, the following
terms have the following meanings: “Tax” (and, with
correlative meaning, “Taxes” and “Taxable”) means any
and all taxes including, without limitation, (i) any net income, alternative or
add-on minimum tax, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, ad valorem,
transfer, franchise, profits, value added, net worth, license, withholding,
payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, property,
environmental or windfall profit tax, custom, duty or other tax governmental fee
or other like assessment or charge of any kind whatsoever, together with any
interest or any penalty, addition to tax or additional amount imposed by any
Governmental Entity (a “Tax Authority”) responsible for the imposition of any
such tax (domestic or foreign), (ii) any liability for the payment of any
amounts of the type described in (i) as a result of being a member of an
affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary group for any Taxable period or as
the result of being a transferee or successor and (iii) any liability for the
payment of any amounts of the type described in (i) or (ii) as a result of any
express or implied obligation to indemnify any other person.
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3.19 Intellectual
Property. There
are no material trademarks, trade names, patents, service marks, brand names,
computer programs, databases, industrial designs, copyrights or other intangible
property (the “Intellectual
Property”) that are necessary for the operation, or continued operation,
of the business of Company or any of its Subsidiaries or for the ownership and
operation, or continued ownership and operation, of any of their Assets and
Properties, for which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries do not hold valid
and continuing authority in connection with the use thereof. Except as set forth
in Section 3.19 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the businesses of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, as presently conducted, do not conflict with,
infringe or violate any intellectual property rights of any other Person, except
where any such conflict, infringement or violation could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
3.20 No Governmental
Regulation. Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation under the
Federal Power Act, the Interstate Commerce Act, the Investment Company Act of
1940 or any state public utilities Laws.
3.21 Restrictions on Business
Activities. There is no
agreement, judgment, injunction, order or decree binding upon any Target Company
or that has or could reasonably be expected to have the effect of prohibiting or
impairing any business practice of any Target Company, any acquisition of
property by any Target Company, or the continuation of the business of any
Target Company as currently conducted or as currently proposed to be
conducted.
3.22 Title to
Properties.
(a) Oil and Gas
Interests. The Company and its Subsidiaries (individually or
collectively) have Defensible Title to the Oil and Gas Interests of the Company
included or reflected in the Company’s Ownership Interests. Each Oil and Gas
Interest included or reflected in the Company’s Ownership Interests entitles the
Target Companies (individually or collectively) to receive not less than the
undivided net revenue interest set forth in (or derived from) the Ownership
Interests of the Company of all Oil and Gas produced, saved and sold from or
attributable to such Oil and Gas Interest, and the portion of the costs and
expenses of operation and development of such Oil and Gas Interest through
plugging, abandonment and salvage of such Oil and Gas Interest, that is borne or
to be borne by the Target Companies (individually or collectively) is not
greater than the undivided working interest set forth in (or derived from) the
Company’s Ownership Interests (unless such increase is accompanied by a
proportional increase in the associated net revenue interest).
(b)
Real
Property. Other than Oil and Gas Interests (to the extent
characterized as “real property” under applicable state Law), none of the Target
Companies owns any real property.
(c)
Leases
Schedule. All of the existing real property leases of the
Target Companies (excluding Oil and Gas Interests) are listed in Section 3.22(c)
of the Company Disclosure Schedule and have been made available previously to
Parent.
(d) Title to
Assets. Except for title to any Intellectual Property, which
is covered by Section 3.19 above, and title to Oil and Gas Interests, which is
covered in Section 3.22(a) above, each of the Target Companies has good and
marketable title to all of its properties, interests in properties and assets,
real and personal, reflected in the Company Financial Statements or acquired
after the date of the most recent Company Financial Statements (the “Financial Statement
Date”) (except properties, interests in properties and assets sold or
otherwise disposed of since the Financial Statement Date in the ordinary course
of business consistent with past practice), or with respect to leased Assets and
Properties (excluding Oil and Gas Interests), free and clear of all Liens of any
kind or character, except Permitted Liens.
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(e) Tangible Personal
Property. Each of the Target Companies is in possession of and
has good title to, or has valid leasehold interests in or valid rights under
contract to use, all tangible personal Assets and Property (not including any
Oil and Gas Interests) used in the conduct of its business, including all
tangible personal Assets and Property (not including any Oil and Gas Interests)
reflected on the Company Financial Statements and tangible personal Assets and
Property acquired since the Financial Statement Date, other than Assets and
Property disposed of since such date in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice. All such tangible personal Assets and Property
(not including any Oil and Gas Interests) are free and clear of all Liens,
except Permitted Liens, and are adequate and suitable in all material respects
for the conduct by the Target Companies of their businesses as presently
conducted, and are in good working order and condition in all material respects,
ordinary wear and tear excepted, and the use of such tangible personal Assets
and Property (not including any Oil and Gas Interests) complies in all material
respects with all applicable Laws.
3.23
Environmental
Matters. Except as would
not be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on the
Company:
(a)
Each of the Target Companies has conducted its business
and operated its Assets and Properties, and is conducting its business and
operating its Assets and Properties, in compliance with all Environmental
Laws;
(b) None of
the Target Companies has been notified orally or in writing by any Governmental
Entity or other third party that any of the operations or Oil and Gas Interests
of any of the Target Companies is the subject of any investigation or inquiry by
any Governmental Entity or other third party that pertain or relate to (i) any
remedial action is needed to respond to a release or threatened release of any
Hazardous Material or to the improper storage or disposal (including storage or
disposal at offsite locations) any Hazardous Material, (ii) violations of any
Environmental Law, or (iii) personal injury or property damage claims relating
to a release or threatened release of any Hazardous Material;
(c) None of
the Target Companies and, to the knowledge of the Company, no other Person has
filed any written notice under any federal, state or local Law indicating that
(i) any of the Target Companies is responsible for the improper release into the
environment, or the improper storage or disposal, of any Hazardous Material
(including storage or disposal at offsite locations), or (ii) any Hazardous
Material is improperly stored or disposed of upon any property currently or
formerly owned, leased or operated by any of the Target Companies;
(d) None of
the Target Companies has any liability in excess of $50,000 per occurrence or
series of related occurrences or $100,000 in the aggregate in connection with
(i) the release or threatened release into the environment at, beneath or on any
property now or previously owned, leased or operated by any of the Target
Companies, (ii) any obligations under or violations of Environmental Laws, or
(iii) the use, release, storage or disposal of any Hazardous
Material;
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(e) None of the
Target Companies has received any oral or written claim, complaint, notice,
inquiry or request for information involving any matter which remains unresolved
with respect to any alleged violation of any Environmental Law or regarding
potential liability under any Environmental Law relating to operations or
conditions of any facilities or property (including off-site storage or disposal
of any Hazardous Material from such facilities or property) currently or
formerly owned, leased or operated by any of the Target Companies;
(f) No
property now or previously owned, leased or operated by any of the Target
Companies is listed on the National Priorities List pursuant to CERCLA or on the
CERCLIS or on any other federal or state list as sites requiring investigation
or cleanup;
(g) To the
knowledge of the Company, none of the Target Companies is transporting, has
transported, or is arranging or has arranged for the transportation of any
Hazardous Material to any location that is listed on the National Priorities
List pursuant to CERCLA, on the CERCLIS, or on any similar federal or state list
or that is the subject of federal, state or local enforcement actions or other
investigations that may lead to claims in excess of $1,000,000 per occurrence or series
of related occurrences, or $5,000,000 in the aggregate against any of the Target
Companies for removal or remedial work, contribution for removal or remedial
work, damage to natural resources or personal injury, including claims under
CERCLA;
(h) To the
knowledge of the Company, none of the Target Companies owns or operates any
underground storage tanks or solid waste storage, treatment and/or disposal
facilities;
(i) To
the knowledge of the Company, no friable asbestos, asbestos containing materials
or polychlorinated biphenyls are present on or at any property or facility
owned, leased or operated by any of the Target Companies, other than the gas
processing plants and associated gathering systems listed on the Company
Disclosure Schedule;
(j) None
of the Target Companies is operating, or required to be operating, any of its
properties or facilities under any compliance or consent order, decree or
agreement issued or entered into under, or pertaining to matters regulated by,
any Environmental Law;
(k) The Company
has provided or made available to Parent copies of all environmental audits,
assessments and evaluations of any of the Target Companies or any of their
Assets or Properties; and
(l) With
respect to Permits under Environmental Laws, (i) all such Permits, required to
be obtained by any Target Company under Environmental Laws that are necessary to
the operations of each of the Target Companies have been obtained and are in
full force and effect, and the Company has not been advised by its legal counsel
that any basis exists for the revocation or suspension of any such Permits or
other Approvals; (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, no Environmental Laws impose
any obligation upon Parent or Merger Sub, as a result of any transaction
contemplated hereby, requiring prior notification to any Governmental Entity of
the transfer or any Permit or other Approval that is necessary to the operations
of the Target Companies; (iii) all facilities constructed by each Target Company
were constructed and have been operated in accordance with the representations
and conditions made or set forth in the Permit applications and the Permits for
the Target Companies, in each case where a Target Company is the named holder of
the Permit; and (iii) each of the Target Companies’ facilities that is operated
by a Target Company has at all times been operated in material compliance with
such Permits and at the production levels or emission levels specified in such
Permits.
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3.24 Insurance. Section 3.24 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule lists all insurance policies and fidelity bonds
covering the assets, business, equipment, properties, operations, employees,
officers and directors of each Target Company, including the amounts of coverage
under each such policy and bond of each Target Company. Each policy
listed in Section 3.24 of the Company Disclosure Schedule is valid and binding
and in full force and effect. The insurance policies listed in Section 3.24 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, (i) in light of the business, operations and
Assets and Properties of the Target Companies are, in the reasonable opinion of
the Company, in amounts and have coverage that are reasonable and customary for
Persons engaged in similar businesses and operations and having similar Assets
and Properties; and (ii) are in amounts and have coverage as required by any
contract to which any Target Company is a party or by which any of its Assets
and Properties is bound. None of the Target Companies has been
refused any requested coverage and no material claim made by any Target Company
has been denied by the underwriters of such policies or bonds. All
premiums payable under all such policies and bonds have been paid, and the
Target Companies are otherwise in full compliance with the terms of such
policies and bonds (or other policies and bonds providing substantially similar
insurance coverage). There is no claim pending or, to the knowledge
of the Company, threatened under any such policies or bonds. The
Company does not know of any threatened termination of, the invalidation of any
coverage of or material premium increase with respect to, any of such
policies. The Surviving Corporation shall continue to be entitled to
the benefit or each insurance policy or bond upon the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby.
3.25 Registration Statement;
Proxy Statement. None
of the information supplied or to be supplied by the Company specifically for
inclusion or incorporation by reference in (i) the registration statement on
Form S-4 to be filed with the SEC by Parent in connection with the issuance of
the Parent Common Stock in or as a result of the Merger (the “Registration
Statement”) will, at the time the Registration Statement becomes
effective under the Securities Act, contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they are made, not misleading; and (ii) the proxy
statement/prospectus to be filed with the SEC by the Company pursuant to Section
6.1(a) hereof (the “Proxy
Statement/Prospectus”) will, at the dates mailed to the stockholders of
the Company or at the times of the stockholders meeting of the Company (the
“Company Stockholders’
Meeting”) in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and as
of the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order
to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
are made, not misleading. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus will comply as to form
in all material respects with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the Company makes no representation or warranty with respect to any
information supplied by Parent or Merger Sub that is contained in any of the
foregoing documents.
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3.26 Disclosure Controls and
Procedures. Since January 1,
2007, the Company has had in place “disclosure controls and procedures” (as
defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) of the Exchange Act) designed and
maintained to ensure in all material respects that:
(a)
transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific
authorizations,
(b)
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for
assets,
(c) access to
assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific
authorization,
(d) the
recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at
reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences,
(e) all
information (both financial and non-financial) required to be disclosed by the
Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the rules and forms of the SEC, and
(f)
all such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management
as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to
make the certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer of the Company required under the Exchange Act with respect to such
reports. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures ensure that
information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed with
the SEC under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported
within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
3.27 Opinion of Financial
Advisor. The
Company has been advised by its financial advisor, Xxxxxxxxxx Securities, Inc.,
that in its opinion, as of the date of this Agreement, the Exchange Ratio is
fair to the stockholders of the Company from a financial point of view, a signed
copy of which has been, or when available promptly will be, delivered to
Parent.
3.28 Board
Approval. The
Company’s Board of Directors, at a meeting duly called and held, duly adopted
resolutions (a) determining that this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby are advisable to, and in the best interests of, the Company
and the stockholders of the Company; (b) approving this Agreement and the
transactions contemplated hereby; (c) resolving to recommend adoption of this
Agreement and approval of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated
hereby by the stockholders of the Company; and (d) directing that the adoption
of this Agreement and the approval of the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated hereby be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for consideration
in accordance with this Agreement, which resolutions, as of the date of this
Agreement, have not been subsequently rescinded, modified or withdrawn in any
way.
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3.29 Vote
Required. The
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes that holders of the outstanding
shares of Company Common Stock and the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock
and the Series B Preferred Stock, voting together with the Company Common Stock,
are entitled to vote with respect to the Merger is the only vote of the holders
of any class or series of the Company’s capital stock necessary to approve this
Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated hereby.
3.30 Personnel. Section
3.30 of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists the names of all current
directors, officers and employees of the Company, setting forth the job title
of, and salary (including bonuses and commissions) payable to each such
Person. Except as set forth in Section 3.30 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, the employment of each of the Company’s employees
is “at will.” Other than personnel in discrete field operations
related to the Oil and Gas Interests, the Company has no agreement with any
independent contractors or consultants. Except as set forth in
Section 3.30 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company does not have any
obligation (i) to provide any particular form or period of notice prior to
termination, or (ii) to pay any of such employees any severance benefits in
connection with their termination of employment or service. In
addition, no severance pay will become due to any of the Company employees under
the Company agreement, plan or program as a result of the transactions set forth
in this Agreement.
3.31 Third-Party
Consents. Except as set
forth under Section 3.31 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no Approval is
needed from any third party in order to effect the Merger or any of the other
transactions contemplated hereby or to ensure that the Company’s rights under
any contract, license, agreement, permit, approval or other rights remain in
full force and effect after the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby.
3.32 Product Warranties; Defects;
Liabilities. Each product
manufactured, sold, licensed, leased, or delivered by the Company has been in
conformity with all applicable contractual commitments and all express and
implied warranties, if any.
3.33 Related Party
Transactions. No employee,
officer or director of the Company or member of his or her immediate family is
indebted to the Company, nor is the Company indebted (or committed to make loans
or extend or guarantee credit) to any of them (other than for accrued but unpaid
salary, bonus or travel expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice). Except as set forth in Section 3.33
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, to the Company’s knowledge, none of such
Persons has any direct or indirect ownership interest in any firm or corporation
with which the Company is affiliated or with which the Company has a business
relationship, or any firm or corporation that competes with the Company, except
that the employees, officers or directors of the Company and members of their
immediate families may own stock in publicly traded companies that may compete
with the Company. Except as set forth in Section 3.33 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, no member of the immediate family of any officer or
director of the Company is directly interested in any material contract or
agreement with the Company.
3.34
Brokers or Finders;
Professional Fees. Except
as set forth in Section 3.34 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no agent,
broker, investment banker or other Person is, or will be, entitled to any
broker’s or finder’s fee or any other commission or similar fee in connection
with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
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3.35 Imbalances. The
Oil and Gas Interests of the Company do not have and are not burdened by an
aggregate net overproductive or underproductive imbalance or transportation
imbalance, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company.
3.36 Preferential Purchase
Rights. None
of the Oil and Gas Interests of the Company are subject to any preferential
purchase or similar right which would become operative as a result of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
3.37 No Tax
Partnerships. The Oil and Gas
Interests of the Company are not subject to any tax partnership agreement or
provisions requiring a partnership income tax return to be filed under
Subchapter K of Chapter 1 of Subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
3.38
Royalties. The
Target Companies have paid all royalties, overriding royalties and other burdens
on production due by the Target Companies with respect to the Oil and Gas
Interests of the Company, the non payment of which could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
3.39 Representations
Complete. None of the
representations or warranties made by the Company in this Agreement or the
agreements contemplated hereby, nor any document, written information,
statement, financial statement, schedule (including the Company Disclosure
Schedule), certificate (including any stockholder certificate) or exhibit
prepared and furnished or to be prepared and furnished by the Company or its
representatives to Parent or Merger Sub pursuant hereto or thereto in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, contains or will contain
any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits or will omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements or facts contained herein or
therein not misleading.
ARTICLE
4.
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT AND MERGER SUB
Parent
and Merger Sub hereby represent and warrant to the Company that, as of the date
of this Agreement, except as set forth in the Parent Disclosure Schedule
attached as Schedule
3 (“Parent
Disclosure Schedule”):
4.1 Organization,
Standing and Power. Each of Parent and Merger Sub is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of incorporation. Each of Parent and Merger Sub
has the corporate power to own its properties and to carry on its business as
now being conducted and as proposed to be conducted and is duly qualified to do
business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which the failure to be
so qualified and in good standing would have a Material Adverse Effect on the
Parent. Neither Parent nor Merger Sub is in violation of any of the
provisions of its Articles of Incorporation, or Bylaws or equivalent
organizational documents.
4.2 Authority.
(a) Parent and
Merger Sub have all requisite corporate power and authority to enter into this
Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on the part of Parent and Merger Sub. This Agreement has been duly
executed and delivered by Parent and Merger Sub and, assuming valid execution
and delivery by the Company, constitutes the valid and binding obligation of
Parent and Merger Sub.
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(b) The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not, and the
performance and consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not,
conflict with or result in any material violation of any Law applicable to
Parent, its Subsidiaries, its Assets and Properties or its Subsidiaries’ Assets
and Properties, or conflict with or result in any conflict with, breach or
violation of or default (with or without notice or lapse of time, or both)
under, or give rise to a right of termination, cancellation, forfeiture or
acceleration of any obligation or the loss of a material benefit under, or
result in the creation of a Lien on any of the Assets and Properties of Parent
or its Subsidiaries pursuant to (i) any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Parent or its Subsidiaries; or (ii) the Parent Bank
Credit Agreement or any other contract to which Parent or any of Parent’s
Subsidiaries is a party or by which Parent, its Subsidiaries, any of its Assets
and Properties or any of its Subsidiaries’ Assets and Properties may be bound or
affected.
(c)
Other than the approval of the Board of Directors of Parent received prior
to the execution of this Agreement, no Approval is required to be obtained by
Parent in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by Parent or the consummation by Parent of the transactions
contemplated hereby.
4.3
SEC Documents;
Financial Statements. Parent has filed
with the SEC all forms and other documents (including exhibits and other
information incorporated therein) required to be filed by it since January 1,
2007 (the “Parent SEC
Documents”). As of their respective dates, the Parent SEC Documents
complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act and SOX, as the case may be, and the rules and regulations of
the SEC thereunder applicable to such Parent SEC Documents, and none of the
Parent SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading. The Parent Financial Statements were prepared in
accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved
(except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited
statements, as permitted by Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the SEC) and fairly
present, and the financial statements to be filed by the Parent with the SEC
after the date of this Agreement will fairly present, in accordance with
applicable requirements of GAAP (in the case of the unaudited statements,
subject to normal, recurring adjustments), the consolidated financial position
of the Parent Companies as of their respective dates and the consolidated
results of operations, the consolidated cash flows and consolidated changes in
stockholders’ equity of the Parent Companies for the periods presented therein;
each of such statements (including the related notes, where applicable)
complies, and the financial statements to be filed by the Parent with the SEC
after the date of this Agreement will comply, with applicable accounting
requirements and with the published rules and regulations of the SEC with
respect thereto; and each of such statements (including the related notes, where
applicable) has been, and the financial statements to be filed by the Parent
with the SEC after the date of this Agreement will be, prepared in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied during the periods involved, except as indicated
in the notes thereto or, in the case of unaudited statements, as permitted by
Form 10-Q. The books and records of the Parent Companies have been, and are
being, maintained in accordance with GAAP and any other applicable legal and
accounting requirements and reflect only actual transactions. Xxxx + Associates
LLP is an independent public accounting firm with respect to the Parent and has
not resigned or been dismissed as independent public accountants of the
Parent.
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4.4 Litigation. There
is no Action or Proceeding pending against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries or,
to the knowledge of Parent, threatened against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries
or any of its or their respective officers, employees or directors that could
prevent, enjoin, alter or materially delay any of the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement; that could have a material adverse effect on the ability of
Parent to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or that
could have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent. There is no judgment,
decree or order against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries, or, to the knowledge
of Parent, any of their respective directors or officers (in their capacities as
such), that would prevent, enjoin, alter or materially delay any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement; that would have a material adverse
effect on the ability of Parent to consummate the transactions contemplated by
this Agreement; or that could have a Material Adverse Effect on
Parent.
4.5 Brokers or Finders;
Professional Fees. Except
as set forth in Section 4.5 of the Parent Disclosure Schedule, no agent, broker,
investment banker or other firm or Person is, or will be, entitled to any
broker’s or finder’s fee or any other commission or similar fee in connection
with any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
4.6 Disclosure Controls and
Procedures. Since
January 1, 2007, the Parent has had in place “disclosure controls and
procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-14(c) and 15d-14(c) of the Exchange Act)
designed and maintained to ensure in all material respects that
(a)
transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or
specific authorizations,
(b)
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for
assets,
(c)
access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general
or specific authorization,
(d) the
recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at
reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences,
(e) all
information (both financial and non-financial) required to be disclosed by
Parent in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the rules and forms of the SEC, and
(f) all
such information is accumulated and communicated to Parent’s management as
appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make
the certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of
Parent required under the Exchange Act with respect to such reports. Parent’s
disclosure controls and procedures ensure that information required to be
disclosed by Parent in the reports filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the SEC’s rules and forms.
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4.7
No
Vote Required. No
vote of the holders of outstanding shares of the Parent Common Stock is
necessary in order to approve this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions
contemplated hereby, and the approval thereof by the Board of Directors of
Parent is the only approval necessary for the Company to enter into this
Agreement and undertake the Merger and the transactions contemplated
herein.
4.8 Interim Operations of Merger
Sub. Merger
Sub was formed solely for the purpose of engaging in the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and has not engaged in any business or activity
(or conducted any operations) of any kind, entered into any agreement or
arrangement with any Person or incurred, directly or indirectly, any liabilities
or obligations, except in connection with its incorporation, the negotiation of
this Agreement, the Merger and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
4.9 Compliance with
Laws. Parent is in
compliance and has conducted its business and operations so as to comply with
all applicable Laws, except where the failure to have so complied or conducted
such business would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Parent. There are no Orders (whether rendered by a court or
administrative agency or by arbitration) and, to Parent’s knowledge, no basis
currently exists for any Orders against Parent, its Subsidiaries, any of its
Assets and Properties or any of its Subsidiaries’ Assets and Properties, and
none are pending or, to the knowledge of Parent, threatened, the existence or
imposition of which would have a Material Adverse Effect on
Parent. Neither Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries has received any
oral or written notice from any Governmental Entity of any violation of Laws
that has not been resolved. Parent has all Government Licenses (each
of which is in full force and effect) necessary for the conduct of its business,
except where the failure to have, or to have maintained in full force and
effect, any such Government License would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Parent. Parent and each of its Subsidiaries is in compliance with the
terms, conditions, limitations, restrictions, standards, prohibitions,
requirements and obligations of such Government Licenses, except where the
failure to be in compliance would not have a Material Adverse Effect on
Parent. Parent and each of its Subsidiaries has made all filings and
registrations and the like necessary or required by Law to be filed by Parent or
such Subsidiary to conduct its business, except where the failure to have so
filed would not have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent. There is
not now pending, or, to Parent’s knowledge, is there threatened, any Action or
Proceeding against Parent or any of its Subsidiaries before any Governmental
Entity with respect to the Government Licenses, nor is there any issued or
outstanding written notice, order or complaint with respect to the violation by
Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of the terms of any Government License or any
rule or regulation applicable thereto, which if resolved adversely to Parent or
any such Subsidiary would have a Material Adverse Effect on Parent.
4.10 No
Defaults. Neither Parent nor
any of its Subsidiaries is, and has not received oral or written notice that it
is or would be with the passage of time (x) in violation of any provision of its
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; or (y) in default or violation of (a) any
term, condition or provision of any Order applicable to it, or (b) any term or
condition of any agreement, note, mortgage, indenture, contract, lease,
instrument, Law or Permit to which it is a party or by which Parent, its
Subsidiaries or its respective Assets and Properties may be bound if such
violation or default would cause a Material Adverse Effect on
Parent.
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4.11 Conduct in the Ordinary
Course. Since December 31,
2008, Parent has conducted its business in the ordinary course and there has not
occurred:
(a) Any
Material Adverse Effect on Parent not reflected in Parent Financial Statements,
including any Liabilities or obligations, other than changes in the ordinary
course of business;
(b) Any
damage, destruction or loss, whether covered by insurance or not, that
individually or in the aggregate would have a
Material Adverse Effect on Parent; or
(c) Any
agreement or arrangement made by Parent to take any action which, if taken prior
to the date hereof, would have made any representation or warranty set forth in
this Section 4.10 untrue or incorrect as of the date
when made.
4.12 Absence of Undisclosed
Liabilities. There are no
liabilities of Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any kind whatsoever, whether
accrued, contingent, absolute, determined, determinable or otherwise, which
would be required to be disclosed in a balance sheet (or in the notes thereto)
prepared in accordance with GAAP that, individually or in the aggregate have
had, or are reasonably likely to have, or result in, a Material Adverse Effect
on Parent, other than (a) liabilities disclosed in the Parent Financial
Statements; and (b) liabilities under this Agreement or disclosed
herein.
4.13 Taxes. Except
as have not had or could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on the Parent:
All Tax
returns, statements, reports and forms (including without limitation estimated
Tax returns and reports and information returns and reports) required to be
filed with any Tax authority with respect to any taxable period ending on or
before the Closing Date, by or on behalf of any of the Parent Companies
(collectively, the “Parent Returns”),
have been or will be properly completed and filed when due (including any
extensions of such due date), and all amounts shown to be due thereon on or
before the Closing Date (other than Taxes that are not yet due and payable or
that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which
adequate reserves have been established in the applicable financial statements)
have been or will be paid on or before such date. The audited
consolidated financial statements of the Parent Companies of even date with the
Company Financial Statements (the “Parent Financial Statements”) fully accrue
all actual and contingent liabilities for all unpaid Taxes with respect to all
periods (or portions of such periods) through December 31, 2008 and the Parent
Companies have not and will not incur any Tax liability materially in excess of
the amount reflected on the Parent Financial Statements (whether or not
reflected as payable on any Tax return that has been filed) with respect to such
periods (or portions of such periods). The Parent Companies have not
and will not incur any Tax liability for periods (or portions of periods) after
December 31, 2008 through the Closing Date other than in the ordinary course of
business. The Parent Companies have withheld and paid to the
applicable financial institution or Tax authority all amounts required to be
withheld. The Parent Companies have not been granted any extension or
waiver of the limitations period applicable to any Parent
Returns. There is no claim, audit, action, suit, proceeding, or
investigation now pending or, or to Parent’s knowledge, threatened against or
with respect to any Parent Company in respect of any Tax or
assessment. No notice of deficiency or similar document of any Tax
authority has been received by Parent, and there are no liabilities for Taxes
(including liabilities for interest, additions to Tax and penalties thereon and
related expenses) with respect to the issues that have been raised (and are
currently pending) by any Tax authority. There is no agreement,
contract or arrangement to which any Parent Company is a party that could,
individually or collectively, result in the payment of any amount or the
provision of any benefit that would not be deductible by reason of Section 404
of the Code. None of the Parent Companies is a party to or bound by
any Tax indemnity, Tax sharing or Tax allocation agreement (whether written or
unwritten or arising under operation of federal Law as a result of being a
member of a group filing consolidated Tax returns, under operation of certain
state Laws as a result of being a member of a unitary group, or under comparable
Laws of other states or foreign jurisdictions) that includes a party other than
a Parent Company nor does any Parent Company owe any amount under any such
agreement. The Parent has previously provided or made available to
Company true and correct copies of all the Parent Returns filed through the date
of this Agreement. The Parent will make available to Company all
Parent Returns filed after the date of this Agreement, all work papers with
respect to Parent Returns, and all Tax opinions and memoranda with respect to
Taxes owed or potentially owed by the Parent, all other Tax data and documents
reasonably requested by the Company. Except as may be required as a
result of the consummation of the transactions set forth herein, none of the
Parent Companies has been and or will be required to include any material
adjustment in Taxable income for any Tax period (or portion thereof) pursuant to
Section 481 or 263A of the Code or any comparable provision under state or
foreign Tax Laws as a result of transactions, events or accounting methods
employed prior to the consummation of the transactions set forth
herein.
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ARTICLE
5.
CONDUCT PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE
TIME
5.1
Conduct of
Business of the Company. During the period
from the date of this Agreement and continuing until the earlier of the
termination of this Agreement and the Closing, the Company agrees (unless Parent
shall give its prior consent in writing) to carry on its business in the
ordinary course consistent with past practice, to pay its Liabilities and Taxes
when due consistent with the Company’s past practices, to pay or perform other
obligations when due consistent with the Company’s past practices (other than
Liabilities, Taxes and other obligations, if any, contested in good faith
through appropriate proceedings), and, to use its reasonable commercial efforts
and institute all policies to preserve intact its present business organization,
keep available the services of its present officers and key employees and
preserve its present relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors,
licensors, licensees, independent contractors and other Persons having business
dealings with it, all with the express purpose and intent of preserving
unimpaired its goodwill and ongoing businesses at the Effective Time. Except as
expressly contemplated by this Agreement, none of the Target Companies shall,
without the prior written consent of Parent, take, or agree in writing or
otherwise to take, any of the following actions:
(a) (i) amend
its Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws or other organizational documents; (ii)
adjust, split, combine or reclassify any of its outstanding capital stock; (iii)
declare, set aside or pay any dividends or other distributions (whether payable
in cash, property or securities) with respect to its capital stock; (iv) issue,
sell or agree to issue or sell any securities or other equity interests,
including its capital stock, any rights, options or warrants to acquire its
capital stock, or securities (other than shares of Company Common Stock issued
pursuant to the exercise of any Company Warrants outstanding on the date of this
Agreement); (v) purchase, cancel, retire, redeem or otherwise acquire any of its
outstanding capital stock or other securities or other equity interests; (vi)
merge or consolidate with, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets
to, any other Person (other than the Merger); (vii) liquidate, wind-up or
dissolve (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution); or (viii) enter into any
contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect to any of the
foregoing;
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(b) (i)
acquire any corporation, partnership or other business entity or any interest
therein (other than interests in joint ventures, joint operation or ownership
arrangements or tax partnerships acquired in the ordinary course of business);
(ii) sell, lease or sublease, transfer or otherwise dispose of or mortgage,
pledge or otherwise encumber any Oil and Gas Interests of the Company, or any
other assets that have an aggregate value in excess of $50,000 at the time of
such sale, lease, sublease, transfer or disposition (except that this clause
shall not apply to the sale of Oil and Gas in the ordinary course of business);
(iii) farm-out any Oil and Gas Interest of the Company or interest therein; (iv)
sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber
any securities of any other Person (including any capital stock or other
securities or equity interest in any Company Subsidiary); (v) make any loans,
advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any Person (other than
advances in the ordinary course of business); (vi) enter into any Company
Contract or any other agreement not terminable by any of the Target Companies
upon notice of 90 days or less and without penalty or other obligation; or (vii)
enter into any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect to
any of the foregoing;
(c) (i) incur
any indebtedness for borrowed money; (ii) make any capital expenditure in excess
of $10,000 for any individual item or $50,000 in the aggregate, except if the
expenditure relates to a currently existing obligation of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries (all of which are disclosed in Section 3.3(a) of the Disclosure
Schedule) or is necessary to protect human life, property or the environment in
the event of an emergency; (iii) assume, endorse (other than endorsements of
negotiable instruments in the ordinary course of business), guarantee or
otherwise become liable or responsible (whether directly, contingently or
otherwise) for the liabilities or obligations of any other Person; or (iv) enter
into any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect to any of
the foregoing;
(d)
knowingly engage in any practice, knowingly take any action or
knowingly permit by inaction any of the representation and warranties contained
in Article 3 to become untrue;
(e)
voluntarily resign, transfer or otherwise
relinquish any right it has as of the date of this Agreement, as operator of any
Oil and Gas Interest of the Company, except as required by Law, regulation or
contract.
(f) (i)
enter into, or otherwise become liable or obligated under or pursuant to: (1)
any employee benefit, pension or other plan (whether or not subject to ERISA),
(2) any other stock option, stock purchase, incentive or deferred compensation
plan or arrangement or other fringe benefit plan, or (3) any consulting,
employment, severance, termination or similar agreement with any Person; (ii)
amend or extend any such plan, arrangement or agreement referred to in clauses
(1), (2) or (3) of clause (i); (iii) except for payments made pursuant to any
agreement or arrangement described in the Company Disclosure Schedule, grant, or
otherwise become liable for or obligated to pay, any severance or termination
payment, bonus or increase in compensation or benefits (other than payments,
bonuses or increases that are mandated by the terms of agreements existing as of
the date hereof) to, or forgive any indebtedness of, any employee or consultant
of any of the Target Companies; or (iv) enter into any contract, agreement,
commitment or arrangement to do any of the foregoing; or
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(g)
Create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any of its
assets, except for Permitted Liens.
(h) The Target
Companies will (i) keep and maintain accurate books, records and accounts; (ii)
maintain in full force and effect the policies or binders of insurance described
in the Company Disclosure Schedules; (iii) pay all Taxes, assessment and other
governmental charges imposed upon any of their Assets or Properties or with
respect to their business, income or assets before any penalty or interest
accrues thereon; (iv) pay all material claims (including claims for labor,
services, materials and supplies) that have become due and payable and that by
Law have or may become a Lien upon any of the Assets or Properties prior to the
time when any penalty or fine shall be incurred with respect thereto or any such
Lien shall be imposed thereon; (v)comply in all material respects with the
requirements of all applicable Laws and orders of any Governmental Entity,
obtain or take all Governmental Actions necessary in the operation of their
businesses, and comply with and enforce the provisions of all Company Contracts,
including paying when due all rentals, royalties, expenses and other liabilities
relating to their businesses or assets; provided, however, that the
Company will not be in violation of this Section 5.1(h) if any of the Target
Companies incurs obligations for penalties and interest in connection with gross
production Tax reporting in the ordinary course of business; and provided further, however,
that the Target Companies may contest the imposition of any such Taxes,
assessments and other governmental charges, any such claim, or the requirements
of any applicable Law or order or any Company Contract if done so in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and if adequate reserves are established in
accordance with GAAP.
(i) The
Target Companies will at all times preserve and keep in full force and effect
their corporate existence and rights and franchises material to their
performance under this Agreement, except where the failure to do so would not
have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company.
(j) The
Target Companies will operate, maintain and otherwise deal with the Oil and Gas
Interests of the Company in accordance with good and prudent oil and gas field
practices and in accordance with all applicable oil and gas leases and other
contracts and agreements and all applicable Laws.
5.2
No
Solicitation.
(a) From
the date of this Agreement until the first to occur of the Effective Time and
the termination of this Agreement in accordance with Article 9, except as
specifically permitted in Section 5.2(c), Section 5.2(e) or Section 5.2(f)(ii),
the Company shall not, nor shall it authorize or permit any of the Company
Subsidiaries or the Company Representatives to, directly or indirectly: (i)
solicit, initiate or knowingly encourage any inquiries, offers or proposals that
constitute, or are reasonably likely to lead to, any Acquisition Proposal; (ii)
engage in discussions or negotiations with, furnish or disclose any information
or data relating to the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries to, or in
response to a request therefor, give access to the properties, assets or the
books and records of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries to, any Person that
has made or, to the knowledge of the Company, may be considering making any
Acquisition Proposal or otherwise in connection with an Acquisition Proposal;
(iii) grant any waiver or release under any standstill or similar contract with
respect to any Company Common Stock or any properties or assets of the Company
or the Company Subsidiaries; (iv) approve, endorse or recommend any Acquisition
Proposal; (v) enter into any agreement in principle, arrangement, understanding
or contract relating to any Acquisition Proposal; or (vi) take any action to
exempt or make not subject to any state takeover statute or state Law that
purports to limit or restrict Business Combinations or the ability to acquire or
vote shares, any Person (other than Parent and the Parent Subsidiaries) or any
action taken thereby, which Person or action would have otherwise been subject
to the restrictive provisions thereof and not exempt therefrom.
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(b) Except as
specifically permitted in Section 5.2(c) and Section 5.2(d), the Company shall,
and shall cause each of the Company Subsidiaries and instruct the Company
Representatives to, immediately cease any existing solicitations, discussions,
negotiations or other activity with any Person being conducted with respect to
any Acquisition Proposal on the date hereof. The Company shall promptly inform
the Company Representatives who have been engaged or are otherwise providing
assistance in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement of
the Company’s obligations under this Section 5.2.
(c)
Notwithstanding anything in this
Section 5.2 or elsewhere in this Agreement to the contrary, prior to obtaining
the Required Company Vote, nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Company
or its Board of Directors from:
(i) after
the date of this Agreement, engaging in discussions or negotiations with, or
furnishing or disclosing any information or data relating to, the Company or any
of the Company Subsidiaries or, in response to a request therefor, giving access
to the properties, assets or the books and records of the Company or any of the
Company Subsidiaries to, any Person who has made a bona fide written and
unsolicited Acquisition Proposal after the date hereof if the Company’s Board of
Directors determines that such Acquisition Proposal is reasonably likely to
result in a Superior Proposal, but only so long as (x) the Company’s Board of
Directors has acted in good faith and determined (A) after consultation with its
financial advisors, that such Acquisition Proposal is reasonably likely to
result in a Superior Proposal and (B) after consultation with its outside legal
counsel, that the failure to take such action is reasonably likely to result in
a breach of its fiduciary obligations to the Company and the stockholders of the
Company under applicable Laws; and (y) the Company (A) enters into a
confidentiality agreement with such Person on terms and conditions no more
favorable to such Person than those contained in the Confidentiality Agreement
and (B) has previously disclosed or concurrently discloses or makes available
the same information to Parent as it makes available to such Person in
accordance with Section 5.2(d); and
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(ii) subject
to compliance with Section 5.2(c)(i), entering into a definitive agreement with
respect to a Superior Proposal (and taking any action under any state takeover
Law in connection with such Superior Proposal), but only so long as the
Company’s Board of Directors, acting in good faith has (I) approved such
definitive agreement, (II) determined, after consultation with its financial
advisors, that such bona fide written and unsolicited Acquisition Proposal
constitutes a Superior Proposal, and (III) determined, after consultation with
its outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action is reasonably
likely to result in a breach of its fiduciary obligations to the Company and the
stockholders of the Company under applicable Laws, and (B) the Company
terminates this Agreement pursuant to, and after complying with all of the
provisions of, Sections 9.1(g) and 9.2(b).
(d) If the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or the Company Representatives
receives a request for information from a Person who has made an unsolicited
bona fide written Acquisition Proposal involving the Company and the Company is
permitted to provide such Person with information pursuant to this Section 5.2,
the Company will provide to Parent a copy of the confidentiality agreement with
such Person promptly upon its execution and provide to Parent a list of, and
copies of, the information provided to such Person concurrently with its
delivery to such Person and promptly provide Parent with access to all
information to which such Person was provided access, in each case only to the
extent not previously provided to Parent.
(e) The Board
of Directors of the Company shall not (i) approve, endorse or recommend, or
propose to approve, endorse or recommend, any Superior Proposal or (ii) enter
into any agreement in principle or understanding or a contract relating to a
Superior Proposal, unless the Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to, and
after complying with all of the provisions of, Sections 9.1(g) and
9.2(b).
(f)
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 5.2 or elsewhere in
this Agreement, (i) the Board of Directors of the Company shall be permitted to
disclose to the stockholders of the Company a position with respect to an
Acquisition Proposal required by Rule 14e-2(a), Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A
or Rule 14d-9 promulgated under the Exchange Act, (ii) the Board of Directors of
the Company may withdraw, modify or amend its recommendation of the Merger and
this Agreement by the Board of Directors of the Company at any time if it
determines, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, that the failure
to take such action is reasonably likely to result in a breach of its fiduciary
obligations to the Company and the stockholders of the Company under applicable
Laws, and (iii) the Board of Directors of the Company may take any action
described in Section 5.2(a)(iii) or (vi) if it determines, after consultation
with its outside legal counsel, that the failure to take such action is
reasonably likely to result in a breach of its fiduciary obligations to the
Company and the stockholders of the Company under applicable Laws.
ARTICLE
6.
ADDITIONAL
AGREEMENTS
6.1
Proxy Statement/Prospectus;
Registration Statement; Other Filings; Board
Recommendations.
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(a) As
promptly as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, the Company and
Parent shall prepare, and file with the SEC, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, and
Parent shall prepare and file with the SEC the Registration Statement in which
the Proxy Statement/Prospectus shall be included as a prospectus. Each of Parent
and the Company shall provide promptly to the other such information concerning
its business and financial statements and affairs as, in the reasonable judgment
of the providing party or its counsel, may be required or appropriate for
inclusion in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement, or
in any amendments or supplements thereto, and to cause its counsel and auditors
to cooperate with the other’s counsel and auditors in the preparation of the
Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Registration Statement. Each of the Company
and Parent shall respond to any comments of the SEC, and shall use its
respective commercially reasonable efforts to have the Registration Statement
declared effective under the Securities Act as promptly as practicable after
such filing, and the Company shall cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be
mailed to its stockholders at the earliest practicable time after the
Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC. As promptly as
practicable after the date of this Agreement, each of the Company and Parent
shall prepare and file any other filings required to be filed by it under the
Exchange Act, the Securities Act or any other Federal, foreign or Blue Sky or
related Laws relating to the Merger and the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (the “Other
Filings”). Each of the Company and Parent shall notify the other promptly
upon the receipt of any comments from the SEC or its staff or any other
government officials and of any request by the SEC or its staff or any other
government officials for amendments or supplements to the Registration
Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any Other Filing or for additional
information and shall supply the other with copies of all correspondence between
such party or any of its representatives, on the one hand, and the SEC or its
staff or any other government officials, on the other hand, with respect to the
Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Merger or any Other
Filing. Each of the Company and Parent shall cause all documents that it is
responsible for filing with the SEC or other regulatory authorities under this
Section 6.1(a) to comply in all material respects with all applicable
requirements of Law. Whenever any event occurs that is required to be set forth
in an amendment or supplement to the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the
Registration Statement or any Other Filing, the Company or Parent, as the case
may be, shall promptly inform the other of such occurrence and cooperate in
filing with the SEC or its staff or any other government officials, and/or
mailing to stockholders of the Company, such amendment or
supplement.
(b) The Proxy
Statement/Prospectus shall include the recommendation of the Board of Directors
of the Company in favor of adoption and approval of this Agreement and approval
of the Merger (subject to the terms of Section 6.2 hereof).
6.2 Meeting of Company
Stockholders.
(a) Promptly
after the date hereof, the Company shall take all action necessary in accordance
with the NRS and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as may be amended, and
Bylaws, as may be amended (the “Company Charter
Documents”) to convene the Company Stockholders’ Meeting to be held as
promptly as practicable, for the purpose of voting upon this Agreement and the
Merger. Subject to the terms of Section 6.2(c) hereof, the Company shall use its
commercially reasonable efforts to solicit from its stockholders proxies in
favor of the adoption and approval of this Agreement and the approval of the
Merger and shall take all other action necessary or advisable to secure the vote
or consent of its stockholders required by the rules of the NRS to be obtained.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the
Company may adjourn or postpone the Company Stockholders’ Meeting to the extent
necessary to ensure that any necessary supplement or amendment to the
Prospectus/Proxy Statement is provided to the Company’s stockholders in advance
of a vote on the Merger and this Agreement or, if as of the time for which the
Company Stockholders’ Meeting is originally scheduled (as set forth in the
Prospectus/Proxy Statement) there are insufficient shares of Company Common
Stock represented (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum
necessary to conduct the business of the Company Stockholders’ Meeting. The
Company shall ensure that the Company Stockholders’ Meeting is called, noticed,
convened, held and conducted, and that all proxies solicited by the Company in
connection with the Company Stockholders’ Meeting are solicited, in compliance
with the NRS, the Company Charter Documents, and all other applicable legal
requirements. The Company’s obligation to call, give notice of, convene and hold
the Company Stockholders’ Meeting in accordance with this Section 6.2(a) shall
not be limited to or otherwise affected by the commencement, disclosure,
announcement or submission to the Company of any Acquisition
Proposal.
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(b) Subject to
the terms of Section 6.2(c) hereof: (i) the disinterested members of the Board
of Directors of the Company shall unanimously recommend that the Company’s
stockholders vote in favor of and adopt and approve this Agreement and the
Merger at the Company Stockholders’ Meeting (the “Company Proposal”);
(ii) the Prospectus/Proxy Statement shall include a statement to the effect that
the Board of Directors of the Company has recommended that the Company’s
stockholders vote in favor of and adopt and approve the Company Proposal; and
(iii) neither the Board of Directors of the Company nor any committee thereof
shall withdraw, amend or modify, or propose or resolve to withdraw, amend or
modify in a manner adverse to Parent, the recommendation of the Board of
Directors of the Company in favor of the Company Proposal. For
purposes of this Agreement, said recommendation of the Board of Directors shall
be deemed to have been modified in a manner adverse to Parent if said
recommendation shall no longer be unanimous by the disinterested members of the
Board of Directors.
(c)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in
this Agreement shall prevent the Board of Directors of the Company from
withholding, withdrawing, amending or modifying its recommendation in favor of
the Merger and the Company Proposal if (i) a Superior Proposal (as defined in
Section 5.2 hereof) is made to the Company and is not withdrawn; (ii) neither
the Company nor any of its representatives shall have violated any of the
restrictions set forth in Section 5.2 hereof; and (iii) the Board of Directors
of the Company concludes in good faith, after consultation with its outside
counsel, that, in light of such Superior Proposal, the withholding, withdrawal,
amendment or modification of such recommendation is required in order for the
Board of Directors of the Company to comply with its fiduciary duties to the
Company and the Company’s stockholders under applicable Law; provided, however, that prior
to any commencement thereof the Company shall have given Parent at least seventy
two (72) hours notice thereof and the opportunity to meet with the Company and
its counsel.
6.3 Access to
Information.
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(a) Between
the date of this Agreement and the earlier of the Effective Time or the
termination of this Agreement, upon reasonable notice, the Company shall (i)
give Parent, Merger Sub and their respective officers, employees, accountants,
counsel, financing sources and other agents and representatives full access,
during business hours, to all buildings, offices, and other facilities and to
all Books and Records of the Company, whether located on the premises of the
Company or at another location; (ii) permit Parent and Merger Sub to make such
inspections as they may require; (iii) cause its officers to furnish Parent and
Merger Sub such financial, operating, technical and product data, and other
information with respect to the business and Assets and Properties of the
Company as Parent and Merger Sub from time to time may reasonably request,
including financial statements and schedules; (iv) allow Parent and Merger Sub
the opportunity to interview such employees and other personnel and Affiliates
of the Company with the Company’s prior written consent, which consent shall not
be unreasonably withheld or delayed; and (v) assist and cooperate with Parent
and Merger Sub in the development of integration plans for implementation by
Parent and the Surviving Corporation following the Effective Time; provided, however, that no
investigation pursuant to this Section 6.3(a) shall affect or be deemed to
modify any representation or warranty made by the Company herein. Materials
furnished to Parent pursuant to this Section 6.3(a) may be used by Parent for
strategic and integration planning purposes relating to accomplishing the
transactions contemplated hereby.
(b) Between
the date of this Agreement and the earlier of the Effective Time or the
termination of this Agreement, upon reasonable notice, the Parent shall (i) give
the Company and its respective officers, employees, accountants, counsel,
financing sources and other agents and representatives full access, during
business hours, to all buildings, offices, and other facilities and to all Books
and Records of the Parent and Merger Sub, whether located on the premises of the
Parent or at another location; (ii) permit the Company to make such inspections
as it may require; (iii) cause its officers to furnish the Company such
financial, operating, technical and product data, and other information with
respect to the business and Assets and Properties of the Parent and Merger Sub
as the Company from time to time may reasonably request, including financial
statements and schedules; and (iv) allow the Company the opportunity to
interview such employees and other personnel and Affiliates of the Parent with
the Parent’s prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed; provided,
however, that no investigation pursuant to this Section 6.3(b) shall
affect or be deemed to modify any representation or warranty made by the Parent
or Merger Sub herein.
6.4 Confidentiality. The parties
acknowledge that Parent and Company have previously executed a Mutual
Non-Disclosure and Non-Circumvention Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2008
(the “Confidentiality
Agreement”), which Confidentiality Agreement shall continue in full force
and effect in accordance with its terms.
6.5 Expenses. Subject to Section
9.2(b) of this Agreement, whether or not the Merger is consummated, all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with the Merger including all legal, accounting,
financial, advisory, consulting and all other fees and expenses of third parties
(“Third Party
Expenses”) incurred by a party in connection with the negotiation and
effectuation of the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby, shall be the obligation of the respective party incurring
such fees.
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6.6
Public Disclosure.
Unless otherwise
required by applicable Law (including federal and state securities Laws) prior
to the Effective Time, no disclosure (whether or not in response to any inquiry)
of the existence of any subject matter of, or the terms and conditions of, this
Agreement shall be made by the Company unless approved by Parent prior to
release, acting reasonably; provided, however, that the
Company shall be permitted to disclose to its customers and other working
interest owners in the Company’s Oil and Gas Interests those terms and
conditions that have been previously disclosed by Parent or the Company in any
public announcement or press release.
6.7 Approvals. Each of Parent and
the Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts required to obtain all
Approvals required of it from Governmental Entities to consummate the Merger,
and the Company shall use all commercially reasonable efforts required to obtain
Approvals from or under any of the Company Contracts or other agreements as may
be required in connection with the Merger (all of which Approvals with respect
to the Company are set forth in the Company Disclosure Schedule), so as to
preserve all rights of and benefits to the Company thereunder and Parent shall
provide the Company with such assistance and information as is reasonably
required to obtain such Approvals.
6.8 Notification of Certain
Matters. The Company shall
give prompt notice to Parent, and Parent shall give prompt notice to the
Company, of (i) the occurrence or non-occurrence of any event, the occurrence or
non-occurrence of which is likely to cause any representation or warranty of the
Company, Parent or Merger Sub, respectively, contained in this Agreement to be
untrue or inaccurate at or prior to the Closing Date; and (ii) any failure of
the Company, Parent or Merger Sub, as the case may be, to comply with or satisfy
any covenant, condition or agreement to be complied with or satisfied by it
hereunder; provided, however,
that the delivery of any notice pursuant to this Section 6.8 shall not
limit or otherwise affect any remedies available to the party receiving such
notice.
6.9 Voting Agreement/Irrevocable
Proxies. The Company shall
cause Xxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx to execute and deliver to Parent a Voting Agreement (including
Irrevocable Proxy) in the form of Exhibit A hereto
concurrently with the execution of this Agreement.
6.10 Affiliate
Agreement. Section 6.10 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of those
persons who may be deemed to be, in the Company’s reasonable judgment,
“affiliates” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 145 promulgated under the
Securities Act (each, a “Company Affiliate”
and collectively, the “Company Affiliates”).
The Company shall provide Parent with such information and documents as Parent
reasonably requests for purposes of reviewing such list. Parent shall be
entitled to place appropriate legends on the certificates evidencing any Parent
Common Stock to be received by a Company Affiliate pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, and to issue appropriate stop transfer instructions to the transfer
agent for the Parent Common Stock, consistent with the terms of any applicable
Lock-Up Agreement.
6.11 Indemnification
(a) From and
after the Effective Time, Parent shall assume, and shall cause the Surviving
Corporation to fulfill and honor in all respects, the obligations of the Company
pursuant to any indemnification agreements between the Company and its directors
and officers in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time (the “Indemnified Parties”)
and any indemnification provisions under the Company Charter Documents as in
effect on the date hereof. The Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the
Surviving Corporation will contain provisions with respect to exculpation and
indemnification that are at least as favorable to the Indemnified Parties as
those contained in the Company Charter Documents as in effect on the date
hereof, which provisions will not be amended, repealed or otherwise modified for
a period of six (6) years from the Effective Time in any manner that would
adversely affect the rights thereunder of individuals who, immediately prior to
the Effective Time, were directors, officers, employees or agents of the
Company, unless such modification is required by applicable Law.
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(b) At or
prior to the Effective Time, Parent will purchase a policy of directors’ and
officers’ insurance, or a “tail” policy under the Company’s existing directors’
and officers’ insurance policy, in either case that (i) provides a minimum
coverage level of $10,000,000, (ii) has an effective term of six (6) years from
the Effective Time, (iii) covers only those persons who are currently covered by
the Company’s directors’ and officers’ insurance policy in effect as of the date
hereof and only for actions and omissions occurring on or prior to the Effective
Time, and (iv) contains terms and conditions (including, without limitation,
coverage amounts) that are no less favorable in the aggregate than the terms and
conditions of the Company’s existing directors’ and officers’ insurance policy
in effect as of the date hereof; provided, however, that in no
event shall the Parent or the Surviving Corporation be required to expend
pursuant to this Section 6.11(b) more than an amount per year equal to 150% of
current annual premiums paid by the Company for such insurance and, in the event
the cost of such coverage shall exceed that amount, the Parent or the Surviving
Corporation shall purchase as much coverage as possible for such
amount.
(c) This
Section 6.11 is intended for the irrevocable benefit of, and to grant third
party rights to, the Indemnified Parties and shall be binding on all successors
and assigns of Parent, the Company and the Surviving Corporation. Each of the
Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to enforce the covenants contained in this
Section 6.11.
(d) In the
event that Parent or the Surviving Corporation or any of its successors or
assigns (i) consolidates with or merges into any other Person and shall not be
the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or
merger or (ii) transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its Assets and
Properties to any Person, then, and in each such case, proper provision shall be
made so that the successors and assigns of Parent and the Surviving Corporation,
as the case may be, assume the obligations set forth in this Section
6.11.
6.12 Reasonable Efforts and
Further Assurances. Each of the
parties to this Agreement shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to
effectuate the transactions contemplated hereby and to fulfill and cause to be
fulfilled the conditions to closing under this Agreement; provided, however, that
Parent shall not be obligated to consent to or accept any divestiture or
operational limitation in connection with the Merger or to make any material
payment or material commercial concession to any third party as a condition to
obtaining any required Third-Party Consent or approval of any third
party. Each party hereto, at the reasonable request of another party
hereto, shall execute and deliver such other instruments and do and perform such
other acts and things as may be necessary or desirable for effecting completely
the consummation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby.
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6.13 Listing of Additional
Shares. Prior to the
Effective Time, Parent shall file with the NASDAQ Stock Market a Notification
Form for Listing of Additional Shares with respect to the shares of Parent
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Company Capital Stock in the Merger
and upon exercise of the Assumed Warrants.
6.14 Notices. The Company shall
give all notices and other information required to be given to the employees of
the Company under any employment agreement or other applicable Law in connection
with the transactions provided for in this Agreement.
6.15 Blue Sky
Laws. Parent shall take such
steps as may be necessary to comply with the securities and blue sky Laws of all
jurisdictions that are applicable to the issuance of the Parent Common Stock in
connection with the Merger. The Company shall use its best efforts to
assist Parent as may be necessary to comply with the securities and blue sky
Laws of all jurisdictions that are applicable in connection with the issuance of
Parent Common Stock.
6.16 Parent Board of
Directors. At the Effective
Time, Parent shall cause one additional Director as selected by the then
existing members of the Company’s Board of Directors, and approved by Parent
(such approval not to be unreasonably withheld), to be elected to the board of
directors of Parent. This individual will have experience in the oil
and gas industry apart from any oil and gas industry experience that he or she
may have had as an employee or director of the Company. Parent shall
nominate that individual for election for a one year term by Parent’s
stockholders at the Parent’s 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If
a Company director candidate is not identified and accepted by Parent by March
31, 2009, then the director candidate will not be accepted or appointed to the
Parent’s board of directors until after Parent’s 2009 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, at which time the director candidate will be so accepted and
appointed, and Parent will nominate that individual for election to a one year
term by the Parent’s stockholders at Parent’s 2010 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders.
6.17 Working Capital
Statement. Within
five (5) Business Days before the scheduled Closing Date, Company will prepare,
or cause to be prepared, and deliver to Parent an unaudited statement (the
“Pre-Closing Working
Capital Statement”), which shall set forth the Company’s calculation of
Working Capital as of the date five (5) Business Days before the scheduled
Closing Date (the “Pre-Closing Working
Capital”). The Pre-Closing Working Capital Statement shall be
prepared in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with Company’s
preparation of its consolidated balance sheet and in accordance with the formula
set forth on Schedule
4 attached hereto. Upon receipt from the Company, Parent shall
have two (2) Business Days to review the Pre-Closing Working Capital Statement
(the “Review
Period”). If Parent disagrees with Company’s computation of the
Pre-Closing Working Capital, Parent may, on or prior to the last day of the
Review Period, deliver a notice to Company (the “Notice of
Objection”), which sets forth its objections to Company’s calculation of
Pre-Closing Working Capital; provided, however, that the
Notice of Objection shall include only objections based on (i) non-compliance
with the standards set forth in Schedule 4 or in this
Section 6.17 for the preparation of the Pre-Closing Working Capital Statement
and (ii) mathematical errors in the computation of the Pre-Closing Working
Capital. Any Notice of Objection shall specify those items or amounts with which
Parent disagrees, together with a detailed written explanation of the reasons
for disagreement with each such item or amount, and shall set forth Parent’s
calculation of the Pre-Closing Working Capital based on such objections. To the
extent not set forth in the Notice of Objection, Parent shall be deemed to have
agreed with Company’s calculation of all other items and amounts contained in
the Pre-Closing Working Capital Statement. Unless Parent delivers the Notice of
Objection to Company within the Review Period, Parent shall be deemed to have
accepted Company’s calculation of Pre-Closing Working Capital and the
Pre-Closing Working Capital Statement shall be final, conclusive and binding. If
the Parent delivers the Notice of Objection to the Company within the Review
Period, the Parent and the Company shall, during the two (2) days following such
delivery or any mutually agreed extension thereof, use their commercially
reasonable efforts in good faith to reach agreement on the disputed items and
amounts in order to determine the amount of Pre-Closing Working
Capital. In the event of any unresolved, good faith dispute, then the
Parent and the Company shall split the difference equally and reduce the
Pre-Closing Working Capital by 50% of the total disputed amount; provided, however, if such
disputed amount equals or exceeds $250,000 and the parties are unable to resolve
the dispute, then the parties agree to extend the Closing Date for a period of
thirty (30) days and submit the calculation of the Pre-Closing Working Capital
to a mutually agreeable independent public accounting firm (the “Independent
Accountants”) for resolution applying the principles, policies and
practices referred to in this Section 6.17 and Schedule
4. If issues are submitted to the Independent Accountants for
resolution, Parent and the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the
Independent Accountants such work papers and other documents and information
relating to the disputed issues as the Independent Accountants may request and
are available to that party or its agents and shall be afforded the opportunity
to present to the Independent Accountants any material relating to the disputed
issues and to discuss the issues with the Independent Accountants. The
determination by the Independent Accountants, as set forth in a notice to be
delivered to both Parent and the Company within fifteen (15) Business Days of
the submission to the Independent Accountants of the issues remaining in
dispute, shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties and shall be used
in the calculation of the Final Working Capital. Parent and the
Company will each bear fifty percent (50%) of the fees and costs of the
Independent Accountants for such determination. “Final Working
Capital” means the Pre-Closing Working Capital (i) as shown in the
Pre-Closing Working Capital Statement delivered by Company to Parent pursuant to
this Section 6.17, if no Notice of Objection with respect thereto is timely
delivered by Parent to the Company; or (ii) if a Notice of Objection is so
delivered, (A) as agreed by the Parent and Company pursuant to this Section
6.17, or (B) in the absence of such agreement, (I) as calculated in accordance
with this Section 6.17 if the disputed amount is less than $250,000, or (II) as
determined by the Independent Accountants, if the disputed amount is equal to or
greater than $250,000.
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6.18 Section 16
Matters. Prior
to the Closing Date, Parent and the Company, and their respective Boards of
Directors, shall use their commercially reasonable efforts to take all actions
to cause any dispositions of Company Common Stock (including derivative
securities with respect to Company Common Stock) or acquisitions of Parent
Common Stock (including derivative securities with respect to Parent Common
Stock) resulting from the transactions contemplated hereby by each individual
who is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange
Act to be exempt from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act under Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act in accordance with the terms and conditions
set forth in that certain No-Action Letter, dated January 12, 1999, issued by
the SEC to Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP.
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ARTICLE
7.
CONDITIONS
TO THE MERGER
7.1
Conditions to
Obligations of Each Party to Effect the Merger. The respective
obligations of each party to this Agreement to effect the Merger shall be
subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing of the following
conditions:
(a)
Governmental and
Regulatory Approvals. Approvals from any Governmental Entity
(if any) necessary for the consummation of the Merger shall have been
obtained.
(b)
No Injunctions or Regulatory
Restraints; Illegality. No temporary restraining order,
preliminary or permanent injunction or other Order issued by any court of
competent jurisdiction or Governmental Entity or other legal or regulatory
restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the Merger shall be in
effect; nor shall there be any action taken, or any Law or Order enacted,
entered, enforced or deemed applicable to the Merger or the other transactions
contemplated by the terms of this Agreement that would prohibit the consummation
of the Merger or which would permit consummation of the Merger only if certain
divestitures were made by Parent or if Parent were to agree to limitations on
its business activities or operations. No Governmental Entity shall
have notified either party to this Agreement that it intends to commence
proceedings to restrain or prohibit the transactions contemplated hereby or
force rescission, unless such Governmental Entity shall have withdrawn such
notice and abandoned any such proceedings prior to the time which otherwise
would have been the Closing Date.
(c)
Stockholder
Approval. The Merger shall have been approved by the requisite
vote of the Company’s stockholders in accordance with the NRS and the Company’s
Charter Documents.
(d) Securities Law
Matters. The Registration Statement shall have been declared effective by
the SEC under the Securities Act and shall be effective at the Effective Time,
and no stop order suspending such effectiveness shall have been issued, no
action, suit, proceeding or investigation by the SEC to suspend such
effectiveness shall have been initiated and be continuing, and all necessary
approvals under state securities Laws relating to the issuance or trading of the
Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger shall have been
received.
(e) Stock Exchange
Listing. The shares of Parent Common Stock to be issued in the Merger and
upon exercise of the Company Warrants shall have been authorized for listing on
the NASDAQ Stock Market, subject to official notice of issuance.
7.2 Additional Conditions to
Obligations of the Company. The obligations of
the Company to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by
this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior to the Closing
of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived, in writing,
exclusively by the Company:
(a) Representations and
Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties made by
Parent and Merger Sub in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all
material respects (if not qualified by materiality) and in all respects (if
qualified by materiality) when made and on and as of the Closing Date as though
such representation or warranty was made on and as of the Closing Date; provided, however, that any
representation or warranty made as of a specified date earlier than the Closing
Date shall also have been true and correct in all material respects (if not
qualified by materiality) and in all respects (if qualified by materiality) on
and as of such earlier date.
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(b) Performance. Parent
and Merger Sub shall have performed and complied in all material respects with
each agreement, covenant and obligation required by this Agreement to be so
performed or complied with by Parent or Merger Sub on or before the Closing
Date.
(c) Officers’
Certificates. Parent and Merger Sub shall have delivered to
the Company certificates, dated the Closing Date and executed by their
respective President and/or Chief Financial Officers, substantially in the forms
set forth in Exhibit
D-1 hereto, and certificates, dated the Closing Date and executed by the
Secretary of Parent and Merger Sub, substantially in the forms set forth in
Exhibit D-2
hereto.
(d) No Material Adverse
Change. From the date of this Agreement through the Closing, there shall
not have occurred any change in the condition (financial or otherwise),
operations, business, properties or prospects of any of Parent Company that
would have or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on
the Parent.
(e)
Borrowing
Base. The Parent Bank Credit Agreement shall have a revolving
credit facility in full force and effect with a borrowing base thereunder of not
less than $40 million.
(f)
Parent
Closing Stock Price. The Parent Closing Stock Price shall not
be less than $3.00.
7.3 Additional Conditions to the
Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub. The obligations of
Parent and Merger Sub to consummate the Merger and the other transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction at or prior
to the Closing of each of the following conditions, any of which may be waived,
in writing, exclusively by Parent:
(a) Representations and
Warranties. Each of the representations and warranties made by
the Company in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects
(if not qualified by materiality) and in all respects (if qualified by
materiality) when made and on and as of the Closing Date as though such
representation or warranty was made on and as of the Closing Date, without
regard to any updated disclosure set forth on the Company Disclosure Schedule
after date hereof; provided,
however, that any representation or warranty made as of a specified date
earlier than the Closing Date shall also have been true and correct in all
material respects (if not qualified by materiality) and in all respects (if
qualified by materiality) on and as of such earlier date.
(b) Performance. The
Company shall have performed and complied with in all material respects each
agreement, covenant and obligation required by this Agreement to be so performed
or complied with by the Company on or before the Closing Date.
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(c)
Officers’
Certificates. The Company shall have delivered to Parent a
certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed by its President and Chief
Financial Officer, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-1 hereto,
and a certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed by the Secretary of the
Company, substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit E-2
hereto.
(d) No Material Adverse
Change. From the date of this Agreement through the Closing, there shall
not have occurred any change in the condition (financial or otherwise),
operations, business, properties or prospects of any of the Target Companies
that would have or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect
on the Company.
(e) Third Party
Consents. Parent shall have been furnished with evidence
satisfactory to it that the Company has obtained the Approvals listed in Section
3.31 of the Company Disclosure Schedule except for those Approvals that Parent
has identified in writing to the Company that it will not require to be
received.
(f)
Lock-Up
Agreements. Parent shall have received an executed Lock-Up
Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit F for each of
the stockholders set forth in Section 7.3(f) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule.
(g) FIRPTA
Compliance. The executed statement in the form of Exhibit C hereto for
purposes of satisfying Parent’s obligations under Treasury Regulation Section
1.1445-2(c)(3) shall have been delivered by the Company to Parent and shall
continue to be in full force and effect.
ARTICLE
8.
SURVIVAL
OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Notwithstanding
any right of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company (whether or not exercised) to
investigate the affairs of Parent, Merger Sub or the Company (whether pursuant
to Section 6.3 or otherwise) or a waiver by Parent or the Company of any
condition to Closing set forth in Article 7, each party shall have the right to
rely fully upon the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the
other party contained in this Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant
to this Agreement. None of the representations or warranties contained in this
Agreement or in any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall
survive the consummation of the Merger.
ARTICLE
9.
TERMINATION,
AMENDMENT AND WAIVER
9.1 Termination. Except as provided
in Section 9.2 below, this Agreement may be terminated and the Merger abandoned
at any time prior to the Effective Time:
(a) by
mutual agreement of the Company, Parent and Merger Sub;
(b) by Parent,
Merger Sub or the Company if: (i) the Effective Time has not occurred before
5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) on August 31, 2009; provided, however, that the
right to terminate this Agreement under this clause 8.1(b)(i) shall not be
available to any party whose failure to fulfill any obligation hereunder has
been the cause of, or resulted in, the failure of the Effective Time to occur on
or before such date or if such party is otherwise in breach of this Agreement or
any other condition contemplated hereby; (ii) there shall be a final
nonappealable Order of any Governmental Entity in effect preventing consummation
of the Merger; or (iii) there shall be any Law or Order enacted, promulgated or
issued or deemed applicable to the Merger by any Governmental Entity that would
make consummation of the Merger illegal;
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(c) by
Parent and Merger Sub, if there shall be any action taken, or any Law or Order
enacted, promulgated or issued or deemed applicable to the Merger, by any
Governmental Entity or regulatory authority, that would: (i) prohibit
Parent’s or the Merger Sub’s ownership or operation of all or any portion of the
business of the Company or (ii) compel Parent or Merger Sub to dispose of or
hold separate all or a portion of the Assets and Properties of the Company as a
result of the Merger;
(d) by Parent,
if there has been a material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or
agreement contained in this Agreement on the part of the Company and the Company
has not cured such breach within five (5) business days after notice of such
breach is delivered to the Company; provided, however, that, no
cure period shall be required for a breach that by its nature cannot be
cured;
(e) by the
Company if there has been a material breach of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement on the part of Parent or
Merger Sub and Parent has not cured such breach within five (5) business days
after notice of such breach is delivered to the Parent; provided, however, that no
cure period shall be required for a breach that by its nature cannot be
cured;
(f)
by Parent or the Company, if the Company Proposal shall not have
been approved by the requisite votes of the Company’s stockholders in accordance
with the NRS at the Company Stockholder Meeting or by written
consent;
(g) by
the Company, if the Company has received a Superior Proposal in accordance with
Section 5.2(c) and paid the termination fee to Parent in accordance with Section
9.2(b); or
(h) by
the Company, if the Parent Closing Stock Price is less than $3.00 per
share.
9.2
Effect of
Termination.
(a) In
the event of a valid termination of this Agreement as provided in Section 9.1,
this Agreement shall forthwith become void and, subject to Section 9.2(b), there
shall be no liability or obligation on the part of Parent, Merger Sub, the
Company, or their respective officers, directors or stockholders or Affiliates;
provided, however, that
each party shall remain liable for any breaches of this Agreement prior to its
termination; and provided
further, however, that the provisions
of Sections 6.5, 6.6, and 9.2 and of Article 10 shall remain in full force and
effect and survive any termination of this Agreement.
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(b) In the
event of a termination of this Agreement by Parent pursuant to Section 9.1(d) or
by the Company pursuant to Section 9.1(g), the Company shall pay to Parent a
termination fee in the amount of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars
($300,000).
9.3 Amendment. Except as is
otherwise required by applicable Law after the stockholders of the Company
approve the Merger and this Agreement, this Agreement may be amended by the
parties hereto at any time by execution of an instrument in writing signed on
behalf of each of the parties hereto.
9.4 Extension;
Waiver. At any time prior
to the Effective Time, Parent, Merger Sub and the Company may, to the extent
legally allowed, (a) extend the time for the performance of any of the
obligations of the other party hereto; (b) waive any inaccuracies in the
representations and warranties made to such party contained herein or in any
document delivered pursuant hereto; and (c) waive compliance with any of the
agreements, covenants or conditions for the benefit of such party contained
herein. Any agreement on the part of a party hereto to any such extension or
waiver shall be valid only if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on
behalf of such party.
ARTICLE
10.
MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
10.1 Notices. All notices,
requests and other communications hereunder must be in writing and will be
deemed to have been duly given only if delivered personally against written
receipt or by facsimile transmission against facsimile confirmation or mailed by
prepaid first -class certified mail, return receipt requested, or mailed by
overnight courier prepaid, to the parties at the following addresses or
facsimile numbers:
If to
Parent or Merger Sub to:
Double
Eagle Petroleum Co.
0000
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Chief
Financial Officer
with a
copy to:
Xxxxxx
Xxxxx LLP
0000
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx
0000
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Xxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, Esq.
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If to the
Company to:
Petrosearch
Energy Corporation
000
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxx
000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
Attn: Chief
Financial Officer
with a
copy to:
Akin Gump
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx & Xxxx LLP
0000
Xxxxxxxxx, 00xx
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Telephone
No.: (000) 000-0000
Facsimile
No.: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Xxxxx
X. Xxxx III, Esq.
All such
notices, requests and other communications will (i) if delivered personally to
the address as provided in this Section, be deemed given upon delivery; (ii) if
delivered by facsimile transmission to the facsimile number as provided for in
this Section, be deemed given upon facsimile confirmation; (iii) if delivered by
mail in the manner described above to the address as provided for in this
Section, be deemed given on the earlier of the third Business Day following
mailing or upon receipt; and (iv) if delivered by overnight courier to the
address as provided in this Section, be deemed given on the earlier of the first
Business Day following the date sent by such overnight courier or upon receipt
(in each case regardless of whether such notice, request or other communication
is received by any other Person to whom a copy of such notice is to be delivered
pursuant to this Section). Any party from time to time may change its
address, facsimile number or other information for the purpose of notices to
that party by giving notice specifying such change to the other party
hereto.
10.2 Entire
Agreement. This Agreement
supersedes all prior discussions and agreements between the parties with respect
to the subject matter hereof and thereof and contains the sole and entire
agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof
and thereof.
10.3 Further Assurances;
Post-Closing Cooperation.. At any time or
from time to time prior to the Closing, the parties shall execute and deliver to
the other party such other documents and instruments, provide such materials and
information and take such other actions as the other party may reasonably
request to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
otherwise to cause the other party to fulfill its obligations under this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each party agrees
to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause the conditions to its and the
other party’s obligations to consummate the Merger to be satisfied.
10.4
Third Party
Beneficiaries. The terms and
provisions of this Agreement are intended solely for the benefit of each party
hereto and their respective successors or permitted assigns, and it is not the
intention of the parties to confer third-party beneficiary rights, and this
Agreement does not confer any such rights upon any other Person other than any
Person entitled to indemnity under Section 6.11.
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10.5 No Assignment; Binding
Effect. Neither this
Agreement nor any right, interest or obligation hereunder may be assigned (by
operation of Law or otherwise) by any party without the prior written consent of
the other party and any attempt to do so will be void. Subject to the
preceding sentence, this Agreement is binding upon, inures to the benefit of and
is enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors and
assigns.
10.6 Headings. The headings and
table of contents used in this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of
reference only and do not define or limit the provisions hereof.
10.7 Invalid
Provisions. If any provision
of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any
present or future Law, and if the rights or obligations of any party hereto
under this Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected thereby, (a)
such provision will be fully severable, (b) this Agreement will be construed and
enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never
comprised a part hereof, (c) the remaining provisions of this Agreement will
remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by the illegal, invalid
or unenforceable provision or by its severance herefrom and (d) in lieu of such
illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there will be added automatically
as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar
in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be
possible.
10.8 Governing
Law. This Agreement
shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic Laws of the
State of Maryland, without giving effect to any choice of Law or conflict of Law
provision or rule (whether of the State of Maryland or any other jurisdiction)
that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the
State of Maryland.
10.9
Construction. The parties
hereto agree that this Agreement is the product of negotiation between
sophisticated parties and individuals, all of whom were represented by counsel,
and each of whom had an opportunity to participate in and did participate in,
the drafting of each provision hereof. Accordingly, ambiguities in
this Agreement, if any, shall not be construed strictly or in favor of or
against any party hereto but rather shall be given a fair and reasonable
construction without regard to the rule of contra preferentum.
10.10 Counterparts. This Agreement
may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which will be deemed an
original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same
instrument.
10.11 Specific Performance;
Remedies Cumulative. The parties
hereto agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the
provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their
specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is agreed that the
parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of
this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof in
any court of the United States or any state having jurisdiction, this being in
addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity. All
remedies, either under this Agreement or by Law or otherwise afforded, will be
cumulative and not alternative.
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10.12 Withholding. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in this Agreement, the Exchange Agent and Parent shall be entitled
to take any steps necessary to withhold any amounts required by Law to be
withheld from the transfer and distribution of shares and cash pursuant to this
Agreement.
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, Parent, Merger Sub and Company have caused this Agreement to be
signed by their duly authorized representatives, all as of the date first
written above.
DOUBLE
EAGLE PETROLEUM CO.
|
PETROSEARCH
ENERGY CORPORATION
|
By: /s/ Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
By: /s/
Xxxxx Xxxxxxx
|
Name: Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
Name: Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
Title: Chief
Financial Officer
|
Title: Chief
Financial Officer
|
DBLE
ACQUISITION CORPORATION
|
|
By: /s/ Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
|
Name: Xxxxxx
Xxxxxx
|
|
Title: Chief
Financial Officer
|
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