PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN POGO PRODUCING COMPANY, AS SELLER, AND ENERGY XXI GOM, LLC, AS BUYER
PURCHASE
AND
SALE
AGREEMENT
BY
AND
BETWEEN
POGO
PRODUCING
COMPANY,
AS
SELLER,
AND
ENERGY
XXI GOM, LLC,
AS
BUYER
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE
1 DEFINITIONS
|
1
|
||
ARTICLE
2 SALE AND TRANSFER OF ASSETS; CLOSING
|
19
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||
2.01.
|
Assets
|
19
|
|
2.02.
|
Purchase
Price
|
19
|
|
2.03.
|
Closing
|
20
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|
2.04.
|
Closing
Obligations
|
20
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|
2.06.
|
Assumption
|
27
|
|
2.07.
|
Retained
Liabilities
|
28
|
|
2.08.
|
Imbalances
and Future Delivery/Payment Obligations
|
29
|
|
ARTICLE
3 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
|
31
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||
3.01.
|
Organization
and Good Standing
|
31
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|
3.02.
|
Authority;
No Conflict
|
31
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|
3.03.
|
Bankruptcy
|
33
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|
3.04.
|
Taxes
|
33
|
|
3.05.
|
Legal
Proceedings; Orders
|
33
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|
3.06.
|
Environmental
|
34
|
|
3.07.
|
Equipment
and Personal Property
|
35
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|
3.08.
|
Title
to Properties
|
36
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|
3.09.
|
Brokers
|
36
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|
3.10.
|
Tax
Sharing Agreements
|
36
|
|
3.11.
|
Consents
and Preferential Purchase Rights
|
36
|
|
3.12.
|
Imbalances
and Future Delivery/Payment Obligations
|
36
|
|
3.13.
|
Status
of Leases
|
37
|
|
3.14.
|
Contracts
|
37
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|
3.15.
|
Laws
and Regulations
|
39
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|
3.16.
|
Non-Consent
Operations
|
39
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|
3.17.
|
Xxxxx
|
39
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|
3.18.
|
Outstanding
Capital Commitments
|
40
|
|
3.19.
|
Operation
of Assets Since Effective Time
|
40
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|
3.20.
|
No
Pooling, Unitization, Communitization or Spacing
Orders
|
40
|
i
3.21.
|
Material
Factor
|
41
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|
3.22.
|
No
Encumbrances
|
41
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|
3.23.
|
Assets
|
41
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3.24.
|
No
Orders
|
41
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|
3.25.
|
Insurance
Claims
|
41
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|
3.26.
|
Hurricane
Costs
|
41
|
|
3.27.
|
Legal
Privilege Documents
|
42
|
|
3.28.
|
Investment
Representations
|
42
|
|
3.29.
|
Acknowledgments
Regarding MMS Letter
|
43
|
|
ARTICLE
4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
|
44
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||
4.01.
|
Organization
and Good Standing
|
44
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|
4.02.
|
Authority;
No Conflict
|
44
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|
4.03.
|
Certain
Proceedings
|
45
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|
4.04.
|
Knowledgeable
Investor
|
45
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|
4.05.
|
Securities
Laws
|
45
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|
4.06.
|
Due
Diligence
|
45
|
|
4.07.
|
Basis
of Buyer’s Decision
|
45
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|
4.08.
|
Material
Factor
|
46
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|
4.09.
|
Brokers
|
46
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|
4.10.
|
Buyer's
Parent
|
46
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ARTICLE
5 COVENANTS OF SELLER
|
48
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||
5.01.
|
Access
and Investigation
|
48
|
|
5.02.
|
Operation
of the Assets
|
48
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|
5.03.
|
Insurance
|
50
|
|
5.04.
|
Consent
and Waivers
|
51
|
|
5.05.
|
Notification
|
51
|
|
5.06.
|
Satisfaction
of Conditions
|
51
|
|
5.07.
|
Transition
|
52
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|
5.08.
|
Unaudited
Financial Information
|
52
|
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ARTICLE
6 COVENANTS OF BUYER
|
52
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6.01.
|
Notification
|
52
|
ii
6.02.
|
Limitations
on Sections 5.05 & 6.01
|
53
|
|
6.03.
|
Satisfaction
of Conditions
|
53
|
|
ARTICLE
7 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER’S OBLIGATION TO
CLOSE
|
53
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||
7.01.
|
Accuracy
of Representations
|
53
|
|
7.02.
|
Seller’s
Performance
|
53
|
|
7.03.
|
No
Proceedings
|
54
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|
7.04.
|
No
Orders
|
54
|
|
ARTICLE
8 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SELLER’S OBLIGATION TO
CLOSE
|
54
|
||
8.01.
|
Accuracy
of Representations
|
54
|
|
8.02.
|
Buyer’s
Performance
|
54
|
|
8.03.
|
No
Proceedings
|
55
|
|
8.04.
|
No
Orders
|
55
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|
ARTICLE
9 TERMINATION
|
55
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||
9.01.
|
Termination
Events
|
55
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|
9.02.
|
Effect
of Termination
|
55
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ARTICLE
10 INDEMNIFICATION; REMEDIES
|
56
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10.01.
|
Survival
|
56
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|
10.02.
|
Indemnification
and Payment of Damages by Seller
|
56
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|
10.03.
|
Indemnification
and Payment of Damages by Buyer
|
58
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|
10.04.
|
Time
Limitations
|
59
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|
10.05.
|
Limitations
on Amount--Seller
|
59
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|
10.06.
|
Limitations
on Amount--Buyer
|
60
|
|
10.07.
|
Procedure
for Indemnification--Third Party Claims
|
60
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|
10.08.
|
Procedure
for Indemnification--Other Claims
|
62
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10.09.
|
Extent
of Representations and Warranties
|
62
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|
10.10.
|
Compliance
With Express Negligence Test.
|
63
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|
10.11.
|
Limitations
of Liability
|
63
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ARTICLE
11 TITLE MATTERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
|
64
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||
11.01.
|
Title
Examination and Access
|
64
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|
11.02.
|
Preferential
Purchase Rights
|
64
|
iii
11.03.
|
Required
Consents
|
65
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|
11.04.
|
Defensible
Title
|
66
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|
11.05.
|
Title
Defects
|
67
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|
11.06.
|
Seller’s
Right to Cure
|
68
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11.07.
|
Contested
Title Defects
|
69
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|
11.08.
|
Limitations
on Adjustments for Title Defects
|
70
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|
11.09.
|
Interest
Additions
|
70
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|
11.10.
|
Reconveyance
|
71
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|
11.11.
|
Buyer’s
Environmental Assessment
|
72
|
|
11.12.
|
Environmental
Defect Notice
|
72
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|
11.13.
|
Seller’s
Election with Respect to Environmental Defects
|
72
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|
11.14.
|
Limitation
|
75
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|
11.15.
|
Exclusive
Remedies
|
75
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11.16.
|
Casualty
Loss and Condemnation
|
76
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ARTICLE
12 GENERAL PROVISIONS
|
78
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||
12.01.
|
Records
|
78
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|
12.02.
|
Expenses
|
78
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|
12.03.
|
Notices
|
78
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|
12.04.
|
Jurisdiction;
Service of Process
|
79
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|
12.05.
|
Further
Assurances
|
80
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|
12.06.
|
Waiver
|
80
|
|
12.07.
|
Entire
Agreement and Modification
|
80
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|
12.08.
|
Assignments,
Successors, and No Third-Party Rights
|
80
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|
12.09.
|
Severability
|
81
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|
12.10.
|
Article
and Section Headings, Construction
|
81
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|
12.11.
|
Time
of Essence
|
82
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|
12.12.
|
Governing
Law
|
82
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|
12.13.
|
Counterparts.
|
82
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|
12.14.
|
Waiver
of Texas Deceptive Trade Practices - Consumer Protection
Act
|
82
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12.15.
|
Limited
Arbitration
|
83
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|
12.16.
|
Tax
Deferred Exchange
|
84
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12.17.
|
Press
Release
|
84
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12.18.
|
Confidentiality
|
85
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|
12.19.
|
Financial
Information
|
85
|
iv
EXHIBITS
AND SCHEDULES
Exhibit
“A” Schedule
of Xxxxx
Exhibit
“B” Schedule
of Leases and Contracts
Exhibit
“C-1” Form
of
Assignment of Record
Title and Xxxx of Sale (OCS Leases)
Exhibit
“C-2” Form
of
Assignment of Operating Rights and Xxxx of Sale (OCS Leases)
Exhibit
“C-3” Form
of
Assignment and Xxxx of Sale of Oil, Gas and Mineral Leases (State
Leases)
Exhibit
“D” Seller’s
Disclosure Schedule
Exhibit
“E” Buyer’s
Disclosure Schedule
Exhibit
“F” Form
of
Certificates
Exhibit
“G” Excluded
Third Party-Owned Equipment
Schedule
2.02 Allocation
of Purchase Price
v
This
Purchase and Sale Agreement (this "Agreement")
is
made as of April 24, 2007, by and among Pogo
Producing Company, a
Delaware corporation ("Seller"),
and
Energy XXI GOM, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company (“Buyer”).
RECITALS
Seller
desires to sell, and Buyer desires to purchase, all of Seller’s undivided
interests in certain oil, gas, and mineral properties and related assets and
contracts, for the consideration and on the terms set forth in this
Agreement.
AGREEMENT
For
and
in consideration of the promises contained herein and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged,
the
parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
DEFINITIONS
For
purposes of this Agreement, in addition to other capitalized terms defined
in
this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified or referred
to
in this Article 1 when capitalized:
“AAA”
-
as
defined in Section 12.15.
“AFE”
-
an
“Authority for Expenditure” as customarily used in the oil and gas
industry.
“Affiliate”
- any
Person directly or indirectly controlled by, controlling, or under common
control with, Buyer or Seller, including any subsidiary of Buyer or Seller
and
any “affiliate” of Buyer or Seller within the meaning of Reg. §240.12b-2 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with “control,” as used in this
definition, meaning possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct
or cause the direction of management, policies or action through ownership
of
voting securities, contract, voting trust, or membership in management or in
the
group appointing or electing management or otherwise through formal or informal
arrangements or business relationships.
1
“Aggregate
Environmental Defect Value”
-
as
defined in Section 11.14.
“Aggregate
Title Defect Value”
-
as
defined in Section 11.08.
“Agreed
Interest Rate”
- LIBOR
plus two percent (2%) per annum.
“Allocated
Values”
- the
values assigned among the Assets as set forth on Schedule 2.02.
“Assets”
-
all of
(A) Seller’s Record Title interests, Operating Rights, working interests, net
revenue interests, overriding royalty interests, net profits interests, carried
interests, rights and interests under non-consent or non-participation
provisions of operating or similar agreements, post-payout interests, and any
other interests of a similar nature attributable to the following, except to
the
extent constituting Excluded Assets: (i) the Leases, (ii) the Equipment, (iii)
Hydrocarbons produced after the Effective Time, (iv) the Contracts, (v) the
Claims, (vi) the Surface Rights, (vii) the Suspense Funds; and (vii) the Asset
Records; (B) the Sea Xxxxx condensate removal facilities operated by Devon,
(C)
the South Pass 49 oil pipeline system, (D) the Bonito oil pipeline system,
and
(E) the High Island oil pipeline system.
"Asset
Records"
- All
lease files, land files, well files, gas and oil sales contract files, gas
processing files, division order files, abstracts, title opinions, land surveys,
cores, logs, geological and geophysical information, maps, hazard surveys,
engineering data and reports, production records, reserve studies and
evaluations (insofar as they cover and exist within the boundaries of the
Assets), and other books, records, data, files, maps and accounting records,
in
each case to the extent related to the Assets, or used or held for use in
connection with the ownership, use, maintenance, or operation
thereof.
"Assumed
Liabilities”
-
as
defined in Section 2.06.
“Breach”
-
a
“Breach” of a representation, warranty, covenant, obligation, or other provision
of this Agreement or any instrument delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall
be deemed to have occurred if there is or has been any inaccuracy in or breach
of, or any failure to perform or comply with, such representation, warranty,
covenant, obligation, or other provision.
2
“Business
Day”
-
any day
other than a Saturday, Sunday, or any other day on which commercial banks in
the
United States of America are authorized or required by law or executive order
to
close.
“Buyer’s
Closing Documents”
-
as
defined in Section 4.02(a).
“Buyer’s
Disclosure Schedule”
-
the
disclosure schedule attached as Exhibit
E.
“Buyer
Group”
-
as
defined in Section 10.02.
“Buyer’s
Parent”
- Energy
XXI (Bermuda) Limited, a Bermuda company.
“Casualty
Loss” -
any
loss,
damage or destruction of the Assets that occurs during the period between the
date of this Agreement and Closing for any reason, including any act of God,
fire, explosion, collision, earthquake, windstorm, flood or other casualty,
but
excluding any loss, damage or destruction as a result of depreciation, ordinary
wear and tear and any change in condition of the Assets for production of
Hydrocarbons through normal depletion (which exclusion shall include the
watering-out of any Well, collapsed casing or sand infiltration of any
Well).
"Claims"
- All of
Seller’s right, title and interest in and to any claims, demands, causes of
action, rights of recovery, rights of set-off, rights to refunds and similar
rights against third parties (including, without limitation, (i) claims against
insurers under the insurance policies required to be maintained until Closing
pursuant to Section 5.03, and
(ii)
claims for indemnification and contribution) to the extent related to (a) the
ownership, use, construction, maintenance or operation of the Assets after
the
Effective Time, (b) any damage to the Assets not repaired or replaced prior
to
the Effective Time, (c) the Assumed Liabilities, or any portion thereof, if
any,
including any claims for refunds, prepayments, offsets, recoupment, judgments
and the like, whether received as payment or credit against future liabilities,
in each case to the extent related to the matters covered by clauses (a), (b),
or (c) above; provided, however, that the term "Claims" shall not include (1)
any
claims or causes of action against Seller or any Affiliate of Seller, (2) any
claims or rights against insurers or other third parties for Retained
Liabilities for which Seller is responsible under this Agreement, and (3) any
claims or rights against insurers, other than (I) claims or rights under the
insurance policies required to be maintained until Closing pursuant to Section
5.03 (except for Retained Liabilities), (II) claims or rights with respect
to
the matters referenced in (c) above, and (III) claims or rights referenced
in
Section 11.16.
3
“Closing”
-
as
defined in Section 2.03.
“Closing
Date”
-
as
defined in Section 2.03.
“Commission”
-
the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Confidentiality
Agreement”
-
that
certain Confidentiality Agreement between Buyer and Seller dated March 7,
2007.
“Consent”
- any
approval, consent, ratification, waiver, or other authorization (including
any
Governmental Authorization) from any Person which is required to be obtained
in
connection with the execution or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation
of the Contemplated Transactions.
“Contemplated
Transactions”
-
all of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited
to:
(a)
|
the
sale of the Assets by Seller to
Buyer;
|
(b)
|
the
execution, delivery, and performance of the Instruments of Conveyance
and
all other instruments and documents required under this
Agreement;
|
(c)
|
the
performance by Buyer and Seller of their respective covenants and
obligations under this Agreement;
and
|
(d)
|
Buyer’s
acquisition, ownership, and exercise of control over the
Assets.
|
“Contract”
- any
valid and subsisting contract, agreement, or instrument by which any of the
Assets are bound, or that directly relates to or is otherwise directly
applicable to any of the Assets, only to the extent applicable to the Assets
rather than Seller’s other properties, including but not limited to, operating
agreements, unitization, pooling and communitization agreements, declarations
and orders, joint venture agreements, farmin and farmout agreements, water
rights agreements, platform agreements, production handling agreements,
exploration agreements, participation agreements, exchange agreements,
transportation or gathering agreements, agreements for the sale and purchase
of
Hydrocarbons or processing agreements to the extent applicable to the Assets
or
the production of Hydrocarbons from the Assets, including, without limitation,
those listed on Exhibit
B
that are
valid and subsisting and directly relate to or are otherwise directly applicable
to any of the Assets.
4
“Covered
Liabilities”
-
as
defined in Section 2.06.
“Cure”
-
as
defined in Section 11.06.
“Cure
Notice”
-
as
defined in Section 11.06.
“DTPA”
-
as
defined in Section 12.14.
“Damages”
-
as
defined in Section 10.02.
“Defect
Value”
- as
defined in Section 11.05.
“Defensible
Title”
-
as
defined in Section 11.04.
"De
Minimis
Environmental Defect Cost"
- as
defined in Section 11.14.
"De
Minimis
Title Defect Cost"
- as
defined in Section 11.08.
“Deposit”
-
the
Deposit Shares and $2,027,000 cash.
“Deposit
Shares”
-
3,980,000 common shares, par value $.001, of Buyer’s Parent.
“Effective
Time”
- April
1, 2007, at 7:00 a.m., Central Time.
“Encumbrance”
- any
charge, equitable interest, privilege, lien, mortgage, deed of trust, production
payment, option, pledge, collateral assignment, security interest, right of
first refusal, restriction, encroachment, defect, or irregularity of any
kind.
5
“Environment”
-
soil,
land, surface or subsurface strata, surface waters (including navigable waters,
ocean waters, seabed, streams, ponds, drainage basins, and wetlands),
groundwater, drinking water supply, stream sediments, ambient air (including
indoor air), plant and animal life, and any other environmental medium or
natural resource.
“Environmental
Claim Date”
-
as
defined in Section 11.11.
“Environmental
Condition”
-
any
event occurring or condition existing prior to the Closing Date with respect
to
the Assets, the Environment, or Hazardous Materials Released on or from the
Assets, which causes an Asset to be subject to liability or Remediation under,
or not in compliance with, an Environmental Law.
“Environmental
Defect”
-
an
Environmental Condition discovered by Buyer as a result of any Buyer’s
Environmental Assessment conducted by or on behalf of Buyer pursuant to Section
11.11 of this Agreement.
“Environmental
Defect Notice”
-
as
defined in Section 11.12.
“Environmental
Defect Value”
-
as
defined in Section 11.12.
“Environmental
Law”
-
any
applicable Legal Requirement that requires or relates to:
(a)
|
advising
appropriate authorities, employees, or the public of Releases or
threatened Releases to the
Environment;
|
(b)
|
preventing
or reducing to acceptable levels the Release of Hazardous Materials
to the
Environment;
|
(c)
|
reducing
the quantities, preventing the Release, or minimizing the hazardous
characteristics of Hazardous Materials that are
generated;
|
(d)
|
protecting
natural resources, species, or ecological
amenities;
|
(e)
|
reducing
to acceptable levels the risks inherent in the transportation of
Hazardous
Materials;
|
6
(f)
|
cleaning
up Hazardous Materials that have been Released, preventing the
threat of
Release, or paying the costs of such clean up or
prevention;
|
(g)
|
making
responsible parties pay private parties, or groups of them, for damages
done to their health or the Environment, or permitting self-appointed
representatives of the public interest to recover for injuries done
to
public assets; or
|
(h)
|
protecting
human health, safety and the Environment.
|
“Environmental
Liabilities”
-
any
cost, Damage, expense, liability, obligation, or other responsibility arising
from or under either an Environmental Law or third party claims relating to
the
Environment, Environmental Conditions, or the Release, handling, or use of
Hazardous Materials, and which relates to the Assets or the ownership or
operation of the same.
“Environmental
Material Adverse Effect”
- any
Environmental Liabilities that are reasonably expected to result in Damages
to
Seller or Buyer in an amount exceeding $250,000 per
occurrence, or $1,000,000 in
the
aggregate.
“Environmental
Rejection Notice”
-
as
defined in Section 11.13(b).
“Equipment”
- any
and all
xxxxx, equipment, and facilities located on or used in connection with the
Leases, including, but not limited to, the Xxxxx, pumps, platforms, well
equipment (surface and subsurface), saltwater disposal xxxxx, water xxxxx,
lines
and facilities, sulfur recovery facilities, processing facilities, compressors,
compressor stations, dehydration facilities, treatment facilities, pipeline
gathering lines, flow lines, transportation lines, valves, meters, separators,
tanks, tank batteries, and other fixtures.
“Escrow
Agent”
- Xxxxx
Fargo Bank, National Association, in its capacity as Escrow Agent under the
Escrow Agreement.
“Escrow
Agreement”
- the
Escrow Agreement dated as of the Closing Date among the Escrow Agent, Buyer
and
Seller.
“Exchange
Act”
- the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
7
“Excluded
Assets”
-
the
following assets, which are not covered by the transaction contemplated by
this
Agreement:
(a)
|
(i)
all trade credits, accounts receivable, notes receivable. and other
receivables attributable to the Assets with respect to any period
of time
prior to the Effective Time, (ii) all deposits, cash, checks in process
of
collection, cash equivalents, and funds attributable to the Assets
with
respect to any period of time prior to the Effective Time, and (iii)
funds
attributable to third parties for production of Hydrocarbons prior
to the
Effective Time but suspended or impounded by
Seller;
|
(b)
|
all
corporate, financial, and tax records of Seller, subject to Section
12.01
below;
|
(c)
|
all
claims and causes of action of Seller (other than the Claims) (i)
arising
from acts, omissions, or events, or damage to or destruction of property
occurring prior to the Effective Time, and (ii) affecting any of
the other
Excluded Assets;
|
(d)
|
all
rights, titles, claims, and interests of Seller arising prior to
the
Effective Time (i) under any policy or agreement of insurance or
indemnity, (ii) under any bond, or (iii) to any insurance proceeds
or
awards, except in each case the
Claims;
|
(e)
|
all
Hydrocarbons produced from or attributable to the Assets with respect
to
all periods prior to the Effective Time, excluding all rights and
interests with respect to Imbalances as of the Effective Time, together
with all proceeds from or attributable to such
Hydrocarbons;
|
(f)
|
claims
of Seller for refund of, or loss carry forwards with respect to (i)
production, ad valorem, or any other taxes attributable to any period
prior to the Effective Time, or (ii) income or franchise taxes or
any
other taxes attributable to any of the other Excluded
Assets;
|
(g)
|
all
amounts due or payable to Seller as adjustments or refunds under
any
Contracts, with respect to periods prior to the Effective Time,
specifically including, without limitation, (i) credits, adjustments,
or
refunds under the Deep Water Royalty Relief Act or any other act,
statute,
rule, law, or regulation, and (ii) amounts recoverable from audits
under
operating agreements, but excluding all rights and interests with
respect
to Imbalances as of the Effective
Time;
|
8
(h)
|
all
amounts due or payable to Seller as adjustments to insurance premiums
related to any period prior to the Effective
Time;
|
(i)
|
all
proceeds, benefits, income, or revenues accruing (and any security
or
other deposits made) with respect to (i) the Assets prior to the
Effective
Time, but excluding all rights and interests with respect to Imbalances
as
of the Effective Time; and (ii) any of the other Excluded
Assets;
|
(j)
|
all
legal files; attorney-client communications or attorney work product;
records and documents subject to legal privilege; and auditor’s reports;
provided, however, that Buyer shall be entitled to receive copies
of title
abstracts and title opinions with respect to the Assets and these
copies
(but not the originals) will be included in the Assets, with the
understanding that Seller makes no representation regarding the accuracy
of any such title abstracts or title
opinions;
|
(k)
|
any
seismic, geochemical, and geophysical information and data licensed
by
unaffiliated third parties to
Seller;
|
(l)
|
all
of Seller’s and its Affiliates’ intellectual property, including but not
limited to proprietary computer software, patents, trade secrets,
copyrights, names, marks, and logos, but not including proprietary
seismic, geochemical, and geophysical information and
data;
|
(m)
|
any
pipelines, fixtures, tanks, or equipment located on the Assets that
belong
to third parties (other than Affiliates of Seller), such as lessors
or
purchasers of Hydrocarbons as listed on Exhibit
G;
|
(n)
|
any
Contract the transfer of which to Buyer is prohibited by any bona
fide
third party restriction or Legal Requirement and the necessary consents
to
transfer are not obtained as contemplated by Section 11.03;
and
|
9
(o)
|
any
Surface Rights the transfer of which to Buyer is restricted by any
Legal
Requirement and the necessary authorizations or consents to transfer
under
such Legal Requirement are not
obtained.
|
“Final
Amount”
- as
defined in Section 2.05(c).
“Final
Settlement Date”
-
as
defined in Section 2.05(c).
“Final
Settlement Statement”
-
as
defined in Section 2.05(c).
“Future
Delivery/Payment Obligation”
- any
obligation of Seller (i) under any contract or agreement for the sale of gas
from the Assets containing a take-or-pay, advance payment, prepayment, or
similar provision, or under any gathering, transmission, or any other contract
or agreement with respect to any of the Assets, to gather, deliver, process,
or
transport any gas without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor,
(ii) to deliver any quantities of gas or to pay any penalties or other amounts,
in connection with the violation of any of the terms of any gas contract or
other agreement with shippers with respect to the Assets, or (iii) to pay any
penalties or other payments under any gas transportation or other agreement
as a
result of the delivery of quantities of gas from the Xxxxx in excess of the
contract requirements; provided that Future Delivery/Payment Obligations shall
not include any Imbalances.
“Governmental
Authorization”
-
any
approval, consent, license, permit, registration, variance, exemption, waiver,
or other authorization issued, granted, given, or otherwise made available
by or
under the authority of any Governmental Body or pursuant to any Legal
Requirement.
“Governmental
Body”
-
any:
(a)
|
nation,
state, county, city, town, village, district, or other jurisdiction
of any
nature;
|
(b)
|
federal,
state, local, municipal, foreign, or other
government;
|
(c)
|
governmental
or quasi-governmental authority of any nature (including any governmental
agency, branch, department, official, or entity and any court or
other
tribunal);
|
10
(d)
|
multi-national
organization or body; or
|
(e)
|
body
exercising, or entitled to exercise, any administrative, executive,
judicial, legislative, police, regulatory, or taxing authority or
power of
any nature.
|
“Hazardous
Materials”
- any
(i) chemical, constituents, material, pollutant, contaminant, substance or
waste
that is regulated by any Governmental Body or may form the basis of liability
under any Environmental Law; (ii) asbestos containing material, lead-based
paint, polychlorinated biphenyls, or radon; and (iii) petroleum, Hydrocarbons,
or petroleum products.
"Hurricane
Costs"
- all
costs for the restoration, repair, and/or replacement of all physical damage
to
the Equipment and other tangible property included in the Assets to the extent
such damage is attributable to hurricanes.
“Hydrocarbons”
- oil,
gas, minerals, and other gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons or any combination
of
the foregoing, produced from and attributable to the Leases.
"Imbalances"
-
over-production or under-production or over-deliveries or under-deliveries
with
respect to Hydrocarbons produced from or allocated to the Assets, regardless
of
whether such over-production or under-production or over-deliveries or
under-deliveries arise at the platform, wellhead, pipeline, gathering system,
transportation system, processing plant or other location, including, without
limitation, any imbalances under gas balancing or similar agreements, platform
imbalances under production handling agreements, imbalances under processing
agreements and imbalances under gathering or transportation
agreements.
“Instruments
of Conveyance”
-
the
instruments of conveyance transferring title to the Assets. For each OCS Lease,
Seller and Buyer shall execute, acknowledge, and deliver five (5) originals
of
an Assignment and Xxxx of Sale substantially in the form of Exhibit “C-1,” where
Seller owns Record Title, or Exhibit “C-2,” where Seller owns only Operating
Rights. For all State Leases, Seller and Buyer shall execute, acknowledge,
and
deliver five (5) originals of an Assignment and Xxxx of Sale substantially
in
the form of Exhibit “C-3,” along with such counterpart instruments as may be
required by the relevant Governmental Body, prepared on the form promulgated
by
such Governmental Body. In addition, Seller and Buyer shall execute,
acknowledge, and deliver a general assignment, xxxx of sale and conveyance
covering all Assets, in a
form to
be mutually and reasonably agreed to by Buyer and Seller,
and such
other instruments as may be necessary to convey all of the Assets (including
but
not limited to Assignments of Overriding Royalty) in forms that are mutually
acceptable to the parties. The foregoing Instruments of Conveyance shall contain
a special warranty of title pursuant to which Seller warrants Defensible Title
to the Assets unto Buyer, its successors and assigns with respect thereto,
against every Person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any
part thereof by, through or under Seller or any Affiliate of
Seller.
11
“Interest
Addition”
-
as
defined in Section 11.09.
“Interest
Addition Notice”
-
as
defined in Section 11.09.
“Interest
Addition Rejection Notice”
-
as
defined in Section 11.09.
“Interest
Addition Value”
-
as
defined in Section 11.09.
“IRC”
-
the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any successor law, and regulations issued
by
the IRS pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code or any successor law.
“IRS”
-
the
United States Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency, and, to the
extent relevant, the United States Department of the Treasury.
“Knowledge”
-
an
individual will be deemed to have "Knowledge" of a particular fact or other
matter if such individual is actually aware of such fact or other matter. A
Person (other than an individual) will be deemed to have "Knowledge" of a
particular fact or other matter if any individual who is serving as an officer
or director (other than an officer or director holding a management position
set
forth below with respect to such management position) of such Person has, or
at
any relevant time had, Knowledge of such fact or other matter. Seller will
also
be deemed to have "Knowledge" of a particular fact or other matter if any of
the
individuals who on the date of this Agreement or the Closing Date hold the
following management positions, after due inquiry, has,
or
at any relevant time had, knowledge of such fact or other matter: Executive
Vice
President-Operations; Senior Operations Manager; Manager of Environmental,
Safety & Health; or Manager of Revenue Accounting.
12
“Leases”
-
the
oil, gas, and mineral leases described on Exhibit
B,
together with all interest derived from such leases in or to any pools or units
which include any lands covered by any such leases or all or a part of any
such
leases or include any Xxxxx, including those pools or units shown on
Exhibit
B,
and all
tenements, hereditaments, and appurtenances belonging to such leases and such
pooled areas or units.
“Legal
Requirement”
-
any
federal, state, local, municipal, foreign, international, or multinational
law,
Order, constitution, ordinance, or rule, including rules of common law,
regulation, statute, treaty, or other legally enforceable directive or
requirement.
"LIBOR"
- for
the day in question or the previous banking day if the day in question is not
a
banking day, the interest rate per annum (rounded upward to the nearest whole
multiple of 1/16 of 1% per annum if such rate is not such a multiple) equal
to
the rate per annum at which six (6) months deposits in U.S. Dollars are offered
by the principal office of Barclays Bank in London, England to prime banks
in
the London interbank market at 11:00 A.M. (London time) on such
day.
“MMS”
- the
United States Department of the Interior Minerals Management
Service.
“MitEnergy
Retained Liability”
-
Seller’s contractual liability to pay for Hurricane Costs attributable to the
interests in the Assets of MitEnergy Upstream LLC, pursuant to a contract
between Seller and MitEnergy Upstream LLC.
“Net
Revenue Interest”
- for
any Well or Lease (or the specified zone(s) therein), Seller’s share
of
the Hydrocarbons produced, saved, and marketed therefrom (after satisfaction
of
all royalties, overriding royalties, nonparticipating royalties, net profits
interests, or other similar burdens on or measured by production of
Hydrocarbons).
“Non-Operated
Assets”
- Assets
operated by any Person other than Seller or an Affiliate of Seller.
13
“OCS
Lease”
- a
Lease
of submerged lands under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, issued by the
MMS.
“Operating
Rights”
- with
respect to an OCS Lease, a leasehold interest that is classified by the MMS
as
an “operating rights” interest under its rules and regulations and entitles the
holder to conduct drilling and related operations, but the holder of which
does
not have a contractual relationship with the MMS, and cannot relinquish or
terminate the OCS Lease.
“Order”
-
any
award, decision, injunction, judgment, order, ruling, subpoena, or verdict
entered, issued, made, or rendered by any court, administrative agency, or
other
Governmental Body or by any arbitrator.
“Organizational
Documents”
-
(a) the articles or certificate of incorporation and the bylaws of a
corporation; (b) the articles of organization and regulations of a limited
liability company; (c) the certificate of limited partnership and limited
partnership agreement of a limited partnership; and (d) any amendment to
any of the foregoing.
“Parent
Registration Statement”
- as defined in Section 4.10(b).
“Permitted
Encumbrance”
-
any of
the following: (a) any obligations or duties reserved to or vested in any
municipality or other Governmental Body to regulate any Asset in any manner
including all applicable Legal Requirements, except to the extent any of the
same have been applied or exercised, individually or in the aggregate, in a
manner which operates to reduce Seller’s Net Revenue Interest in a Well below
that shown in Exhibit A or increase Seller’s Working Interest in a Well above
that shown in Exhibit A without a proportionate increase in the Net Revenue
Interest; (b) the terms and conditions of all leases, options, servitudes,
contracts for sale, purchase, exchange, refining or processing of Hydrocarbons,
operating agreements, construction agreements, construction and operation
agreements, participation agreements, shoot-to-earn agreements, exploration
agreements, partnership agreements, processing agreements, plant agreements,
pipeline, gathering, exchange, and transportation agreements, disposal
agreements, permits, licenses, and any other agreements affecting the Assets,
including those set forth as Contracts on Exhibit B attached hereto, but only
to
the extent that they do not, individually or in the aggregate, (i) operate
to
reduce Seller’s Net Revenue Interest in a Well below that shown in Exhibit A or
increase Seller’s Working Interest in a Well above that shown in Exhibit A
without a proportionate increase in the Net Revenue Interest or (ii) except
in
the case of Contracts listed on Exhibit B, adversely affect the ownership and/or
operation of the affected Assets (as currently used or owned) in any material
respect; (c) the Consents identified in Part 3.11 of Seller’s Disclosure
Schedule with respect to which prior to Closing (i) waivers or consents have
been obtained from the appropriate Person, (ii) the applicable period of time
for asserting such rights has expired without any exercise of such rights,
or
(iii) mutually agreed upon arrangements have been made by the parties to allow
Buyer to receive substantially the same economic benefits as if all such waivers
and consents had been obtained;(d) easements, rights-of-way, servitudes,
permits, surface leases, and other similar rights on, over, or in respect of
any
of the Assets, as long as any such encumbrances, individually or in the
aggregate, do not interfere in any material respect with the exploration,
development, or operation of the Assets burdened thereby; (e) lessor’s
royalties, overriding royalties, production payments, net profits interests,
reversionary interests, and similar burdens with respect to a Well if the net
cumulative effect of such burdens does not operate to reduce Seller’s Net
Revenue Interest in such Well below that shown in Exhibit A or increase Seller’s
Working Interest in such Well above that shown in Exhibit A without a
proportionate increase in the Net Revenue Interest, (f) such other defects
or
irregularities of title or Encumbrances as Buyer may have waived in writing
or
which Buyer shall be deemed to have waived pursuant to the provisions of Section
11.05 hereof; and (g) conventional rights of reassignment obligating Seller
to
reassign its interests in any portion of the Leases to a third party in the
event Buyer intends to release or abandon such interest prior to the expiration
of the primary term or other termination of such interest.
14
“Person”
-
any
individual, corporation (including any non-profit corporation), general or
limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust,
association, organization, labor union, or other entity or Governmental
Body.
“Post-Closing
Amount”
- as
defined in Section 2.05(c).
“Post-Closing
Date”
- as
defined in Section 2.05(c).
“Preferential
Purchase Right”
-
any
right or agreement that enables any Person to purchase or acquire any Asset
or
any interest therein or portion thereof as a result of or in connection with
the
execution or delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the Contemplated
Transactions.
15
“Preliminary
Amount”
-
as
defined in Section 2.05(a).
“Proceeding”
-
any
action, arbitration, audit, hearing, investigation, request for information,
litigation, or suit (whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative,
or
informal) commenced, brought, conducted, or heard by or before, or otherwise
involving, any Governmental Body or arbitrator.
“Property
Costs”
-
as
defined in Section 2.05(a).
“Purchase
Price”
-
as
defined in Section 2.02.
“Record
Title”
- with
respect to an OCS Lease, an ownership interest in the OCS Lease that is
classified as a “record title” interest under the rules and regulations of the
MMS and which includes the right to explore for and develop oil, gas, or sulphur
resources, as well as responsibilities for all lease liabilities created or
established during tenure of ownership, and which also includes the right to
relinquish the OCS Lease.
“Registration
Rights Agreement”
- the
Registration Rights Agreement of even date herewith between Buyer’s Parent and
Seller.
“Rejection
Notice”
- as
defined in Section 11.07.
“Release”
- any
pouring, pumping, seeping, spilling, migrating, leaking, placing, discarding,
emptying, abandoning, injecting, discharging, emitting, dumping, burying or
disposing into the Environment of any Hazardous Materials.
“Remediate”
or “Remediation”
-
any
action
or work taken to remove or otherwise remedy an Environmental Condition,
including (i) any survey, site assessment, audit, investigation, inspection,
sampling, analysis, removal, excavation, pump and treat, cleanup, abatement,
corrective action, remediation, disposal, storage, handling, or treatment and
(ii) any action required to bring any Asset or operating
practice or similar course of conduct by Seller or its Affiliates into
compliance with applicable Environmental Laws.
16
“Representative”
- with
respect to a particular Person, any director, officer, employee, agent,
consultant, advisor, or other representative of such Person, including legal
counsel, accountants, and financial advisors.
"Reserve
Report"
- the
reserve report dated December 31, 2006, of Xxxxx Xxxxx with respect to the
Leases and Xxxxx.
"Retained
Assets"
- Any
rights, titles, interests, assets and properties that are originally included
in
the Assets under the terms of this Agreement, but that are subsequently excluded
from the Assets or sale under this Agreement pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement at any time before or after Closing.
"Retained
Liabilities"
- as
defined in Section 2.07.
“Seller’s
Closing Documents”
- as
defined in Section 3.02 (a).
“Seller’s
Disclosure Schedule”
- the
disclosure schedule attached as Exhibit
D.
“Seller
Group”
-
as
defined in Section 10.03.
“State
Lease”
- a
Lease
from any state of the United States of America, or from a Governmental Body
of
any state of the United States of America.
“Seller
Operated Assets”
- Assets
operated by Seller or an Affiliate of Seller.
"Surface
Rights"
-
All
easements, permits, licenses, servitudes, rights-of-way, surface or seabed
leases, and other surface or seabed rights appurtenant to, and used or held
for
use in connection with the Assets.
“Suspense
Funds”
-
Proceeds
of production and associated penalties and interest in respect of any of the
Assets that are payable to third parties and are being held in suspense by
Seller as the operator of such Assets.
“Tax”
-
any tax
(including any income tax, capital gains tax, value-added tax, sales tax,
property tax, severance tax, gift tax, or estate tax), levy, assessment, tariff,
duty (including any customs duty), deficiency, or other fee, and any related
charge or amount (including any fine, penalty, interest, or addition to tax),
imposed, assessed, or collected by or under the authority of any Governmental
Body or payable pursuant to any tax-sharing agreement or any other contract
relating to the sharing or payment of any such tax, levy, assessment, tariff,
duty, deficiency, or fee.
17
“Tax
Return”
-
any
return (including any information return), report, statement, schedule, notice,
form, or other document or information filed with or submitted to, or required
to be filed with or submitted to, any Governmental Body in connection with
the
determination, assessment, collection, or payment of any Tax or in connection
with the administration, implementation, or enforcement of or compliance with
any Legal Requirement relating to any Tax.
“Threatened”
-
a
claim, Proceeding, dispute, action, or other matter will be deemed to have
been
"Threatened" if any demand or statement has been made (orally or in writing)
to
a party or any of its officers, directors, or employees that would lead a
prudent Person to conclude that such a claim, Proceeding, dispute, action,
or
other matter is likely to be asserted, commenced, taken, or otherwise pursued
in
the future.
“Title
Claim Date”
-
as
defined in Section 11.05.
“Title
Defect”
-
any
matter
affecting the Assets that, in the opinion of Buyer, would not give Buyer
Defensible Title, in accordance with Section 11.04 hereof.
“Title
Defect Notice(s)”
-
as
defined in Section 11.05.
“Violation
of Environmental Laws”
-
a
violation of, or the failure to perform any obligation imposed by, an
Environmental Law.
“Xxxxx”
- oil
and gas xxxxx located on the Leases, and more particularly described on
Exhibit
A,
which
Exhibit
A
may also
include possible well locations and exploratory prospects.
“Working
Interest”
- for
any Well (or the specified zone(s) therein) or Lease, that share of costs and
expenses associated with the exploration, maintenance, development and operation
of such Well or Lease that Seller is required to bear and pay.
18
ARTICLE
2
SALE
AND TRANSFER OF ASSETS; CLOSING
2.01. Assets.
Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing, Seller shall
sell
and transfer the Assets to Buyer.
2.02. Purchase
Price.
Subject
to any adjustments that may be made under Section 2.05, the purchase price
(the
"Purchase
Price")
for
the Assets will be
Four Hundred Nineteen Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($419,500,000).
The
Purchase Price for the Assets shall be allocated among the Assets as set forth
in Schedule 2.02 hereto. The amount so allocated to a part of the Assets shall
constitute the Allocated Values for such part of the Assets. Seller and Buyer
agree to be bound by the allocation set forth in Schedule 2.02 for purposes
of
Article 11 hereof. Contemporaneously herewith, (i)
Buyer, Buyer’s Parent and Seller have executed and delivered the Escrow
Agreement, (ii) Buyer’s Parent and Seller have executed and delivered the
Registration Rights Agreement; and (iii) Buyer has delivered to the Escrow
Agent
the cash portion of the Deposit and a scanned copy of the certificate
representing the Deposit Shares issued in the name of Seller, to Seller a
certified copy of resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors of Buyer’s
Parent authorizing Buyer’s Parent’s issuance and delivery of the Deposit Shares,
and to Seller an opinion of Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx regarding Buyer’s Parent
and the Deposit Shares. This Agreement shall not be deemed effective until
the
actions described in the immediately preceding sentence have occurred. Within
two (2) Business Days after the date of execution of this Agreement, Buyer
shall
deliver to the Escrow Agent the certificate representing the Deposit Shares
issued in the name of Seller. If the Closing timely occurs, Buyer and Seller
shall direct the Escrow Agent to return the Deposit to Buyer at Closing. If
the
Closing does not timely occur as a result of the Breach by Buyer of the terms
of
this Agreement and there has been no Breach by Seller of the terms of this
Agreement, Buyer and Seller shall direct the Escrow Agent to deliver the Deposit
to Seller as its sole and exclusive remedy and as liquidated damages (and not
as
a penalty), subject to Seller's additional recourse against Buyer and Buyer's
Parent for any Breach of Section 4.10, the Escrow Agreement, or the Registration
Rights Agreement, and the right to recover attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses
pursuant to Section 12.15 in enforcing Seller's rights in respect of the Deposit
and such other provisions and agreements. If the Closing does not timely occur
for any other reason, Buyer and Seller shall direct the Escrow Agent to return
the Deposit to Buyer. Any interest or other earnings on the Deposit minus any
fees and expenses of the Escrow Agent shall be delivered to the party to whom
the Deposit is delivered to pursuant to the terms set forth herein. If the
Closing does not timely occur as a result of the Breach by Seller of the terms
of this Agreement and there has been no Breach by Buyer of the terms of the
Agreement, Buyer at its option may (a) terminate this Agreement and Seller
shall
be liable to Buyer for all Damages incurred by Buyer arising out of such Breach
and termination not to exceed the actual costs, expenses, and fees incurred
by
Buyer in evaluating, negotiating, entering into, terminating, and enforcing
this
Agreement, plus Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000), or (b) enforce specific
performance of the duties and obligations of Seller under this Agreement.
19
2.03. Closing.
The
purchase and sale (the "Closing")
provided for in this Agreement shall take place at the offices of Seller, at
10:00 a.m. (local time) on or before June 1, 2007, or such other time as the
parties may agree upon (the “Closing
Date”).
Subject to the provisions of Articles 9, 10, and 11, failure to consummate
the
purchase and sale provided for in this Agreement on the date and time and at
the
place determined pursuant to this Section 2.03 shall not result in the
termination of this Agreement and shall not relieve any party of any obligation
under this Agreement. Ten (10) Business Days prior to the Closing Date, Seller
will deliver to Buyer a statement setting forth in reasonable detail Seller’s
determination of the Preliminary Amount based upon the best information
available at the time of Closing.
2.04. Closing
Obligations.
At
the
Closing:
(a)
|
Seller
shall deliver (and execute, as appropriate), or cause to be delivered
(and
executed, as appropriate), to
Buyer:
|
(i)
|
the
Instruments of Conveyance;
|
(ii)
|
possession
of the Assets(except the Suspense Funds, which shall be conveyed
to Buyer
by way of a downward adjustment to the Purchase Price as provided
in
Section 2.05(b)(ii)(E));
|
(iii)
|
a
certificate, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit F, executed
by
Seller (a) representing and warranting to Buyer that each of Seller’s
representations and warranties in this Agreement is true and correct
in
all material respects (or, with respect to representations and warranties
qualified by materiality, in all respects) as of the Closing Date
as if
made on the Closing Date (except to the extent any such representation
or
warranty is stated to relate to an earlier date in which case such
representation and warranty was true and correct on and as of such
earlier
date) and (b) representing and warranting to Buyer that Seller has
performed and complied in all material respects with each of the
Seller’s
covenants and conditions in this Agreement prior to or as of the
Closing
Date;
|
20
(iv)
|
a
certificate executed by the secretary or assistant secretary of Seller
certifying as to and attaching the following: (a) true, correct and
complete copies the Seller’s organizational documents (together with any
and all amendments), (b) true, correct, and complete copies of resolutions
of Seller’s board of directors or other managing authority, as
appropriate, authorizing and approving the execution, delivery, and
performance of the Agreement, the Instruments of Conveyance, or other
documents delivered pursuant to this Agreement and (c) the incumbency
for
each officer of Seller executing this Agreement, the Instruments
of
Conveyance, or other documents delivered pursuant to this
Agreement;
|
(v)
|
such
documents as Buyer or counsel for Buyer may reasonably request, including
but not limited to letters-in-lieu of transfer order to purchasers
of
production from the Xxxxx;
|
(vi)
|
the
financial information described in Article 12.19;
and
|
(vii) |
instructions
directing the Escrow Agent to deliver the Deposit to Buyer. The Escrow
Agent's delivery and Buyer’s acceptance of the certificates of the Deposit
Shares shall constitute the Buyer's Parent's repurchase of the Deposit
Shares from Seller, without payment by Buyer's Parent and without
recourse
or warranty whatsoever against Seller.
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21
(b)
|
Buyer
shall deliver (and execute, as appropriate) to
Seller:
|
(i)
|
the
Preliminary Amount by wire transfer to the account(s) specified by
Seller
in written notice given by Seller to Buyer at least ten (10) Business
Days
prior to the Closing Date;
|
(ii)
|
the
Instruments of Conveyance;
|
(iii)
|
a
certificate, in substantially the form set forth in Exhibit F, executed
by
Buyer (a) representing and warranting to Seller that each of Buyer’s
representations and warranties in this Agreement is true and correct
in
all material respects as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing
Date (except to the extent any such representation or warranty is
stated
to relate to an earlier date in which case such representation and
warranty was true and correct on and as of such earlier date) and
(b)
representing and warranting to Seller that Buyer has performed and
complied in all material respects with each of the Buyer’s covenants and
conditions in this Agreement prior to or as of the Closing
Date;
|
(iv)
|
a
certificate executed by the secretary or assistant secretary of Buyer
certifying as to and attaching the following: (a) true, correct and
complete copies the Buyer’s organizational documents (together with any
and all amendments), (b) true, correct and complete copies of resolutions
of Buyer’s board of directors or other managing authority, as appropriate,
authorizing and approving the execution, delivery, and performance
of the
Agreement, the Instruments of Conveyance, or other documents delivered
pursuant to this Agreement and (c) the incumbency for each officer
of
Buyer executing this Agreement, the Instruments of Conveyance, or
other
documents delivered pursuant to this
Agreement;
|
(v)
|
such
other documents as Seller or counsel for Seller may reasonably
request.
|
22
2.05. Allocations
and Adjustments. If
the
Closing occurs:
(a)
|
Notwithstanding
the effective time of the Instruments of Conveyance, Buyer shall
be
entitled to all revenues, production, proceeds, income, and products
from
or attributable to the Assets on and after the Effective Time, and
to all
other income, proceeds, receipts and credits earned with respect
to the
Assets on or after the Effective Time, and shall be responsible for
(and
entitled to any refunds with respect to) all Property Costs attributable
to the Assets and incurred on and after the Effective Time. Seller
shall
be entitled to all revenues, production, proceeds, income, accounts
receivable, and products from or attributable to the Assets prior
to the
Effective Time, and shall be responsible for (and entitled to any
refunds
with respect to) all Property Costs attributable to the Assets and
incurred on or prior to the Effective Time. “Earned” and "incurred,” as
used in this Agreement, shall be interpreted in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles and Council of Petroleum Accountants
Society (XXXXX) standards. “Property
Costs”
shall mean all amounts attributable to the operation and ownership
of the
Assets reasonably incurred in the ordinary course of business and
not in
Breach of this Agreement, but excludes any Damages arising out of
or
resulting from an Environmental Defect identified by or on behalf
of Buyer
pursuant to Article 11, which Environmental Defect commenced prior
to the
Effective Time and for which Environmental Defect Buyer does not
receive a
reduction of the Purchase Price equal to the Environmental Defect
Value.
For purposes of allocating revenues, production, proceeds, income,
accounts receivable, and products under this Section, (i) liquid
hydrocarbons produced into storage facilities will be deemed to be
“from
or attributable to” the Xxxxx when they pass through the pipeline
connecting into the storage facilities into which they are run, and
(ii)
gaseous hydrocarbons and liquid hydrocarbons produced into pipelines
will
be deemed to be “from or attributable to” the Xxxxx when they pass through
the delivery point sales meters on the pipelines through which they
are
transported. In order to accomplish the foregoing allocation of
production, the parties shall rely upon gauging, metering, and strapping
procedures conducted by Seller, with prior notice to Buyer and right
of
Buyer to witness such procedures, on
or about the Effective Time to the extent possible and, unless
demonstrated to be inaccurate, shall utilize reasonable interpolating
procedures to arrive at an allocation of production when exact gauging,
metering, and strapping data is not available on hand as of the Effective
Time. Ad valorem taxes for 2007 shall be prorated on a daily basis,
with
Buyer liable for the portion allocated to the period on and after
the
Effective Time and Seller liable for the portion allocated to the
period
before the Effective Time. If the amount of such taxes for part,
or all,
of the Assets is not available on the Closing Date, proration of
taxes
shall be made on the basis of taxes assessed in the previous year,
with a
subsequent cash adjustment of such proration to be made between Seller
and
Buyer when actual tax figures are available. Property Costs shall
not
include any amounts which constitute or relate to Retained Liabilities.
The "Preliminary
Amount"
shall be the Purchase Price, adjusted as provided in Section 2.05(b),
based upon the best information available at time of the
Closing.
|
23
(b)
|
The
Purchase Price shall be, without
duplication,
|
(i)
|
increased
by the following amounts:
|
(A)
|
the
aggregate amount of all non-reimbursed Property Costs which are
attributable to the period from and after the Effective Time and
which
have been incurred and paid by Seller with respect to the Xxxxx and
Leases;
|
(B)
|
the
aggregate amount of all upward adjustments pursuant to Article
11;
|
(C)
|
any
other upward adjustment mutually agreed upon by the parties;
and
|
(D)
|
the
amount Seller is underproduced as set forth in Part 3.12(a) of Seller’s
Disclosure Schedule times $7.00 per MMBtu (or, with respect to oil
Imbalances, $60.00 per barrel).
|
24
(ii)
|
decreased
by the following amounts:
|
(A)
|
the
aggregate amount of (i) proceeds received by Seller from the sale
of
Hydrocarbons produced from and attributable to the Assets from and
after
the Effective Time for which Buyer is entitled under Section 2.05(a)
and
(ii) other proceeds received with respect to the Assets for which
Buyer
would otherwise be entitled under Section
2.05(a);
|
(B)
|
the
amount of any downward adjustment relating to Title Defects as set
forth
in Article 11;
|
(C)
|
the
aggregate amount of all downward adjustments pursuant to Article
11;
|
(D)
|
Seller’s
share of estimated ad valorem taxes through the Effective Time;
|
(E)
|
the
amount of the Suspense Funds;
|
(F)
|
the
amount of any other downward adjustment mutually agreed upon by the
parties;
|
(G)
|
the
amount Seller is overproduced as set forth in Part 3.12(a) of Seller’s
Disclosure Schedule times $7.00 per MMBtu (or, with respect to oil
Imbalances, $60.00 per barrel); and
|
(H)
|
the
value of Seller’s total Future/Delivery Payment Obligations as set forth
in Part 3.12(c) of Seller’s Disclosure
Schedule.
|
25
(c)
|
Subject
to the arbitration provisions of Article 12.15 as to adjustments
under
Section 2.05(b)(ii)(B) and (c), as soon as practicable after Closing,
but
no later than one hundred eighty (180) days following the Closing
Date,
Seller shall prepare and submit to Buyer, a statement (the “Final
Settlement Statement”)
setting forth each adjustment or payment which was not finally determined
as of the Closing Date and showing the values used to determine such
adjustments to reflect the final adjusted Purchase Price. On or before
sixty (60) days after receipt of the Final Settlement Statement,
Buyer
shall deliver to Seller a written report containing any changes that
Buyer
proposes be made to the Final Settlement Statement. During this sixty
(60)
day period, Buyer shall be given reasonable access to Seller's books
and
records relating to the matters required to be accounted for in the
Final
Settlement Statement, permitted to review the working papers of Seller
relating to the Final Settlement Statement, and given reasonable
access to
the employees of Seller primarily responsible for the preparation
of the
Final Settlement Statement. Seller and Buyer shall undertake to agree
with
respect to the amounts due pursuant to the post-closing adjustment
no
later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the Closing Date (the
“Post-Closing
Date”).
If Seller and Buyer are unable to agree by the Post-Closing Date
as to
adjustment matters not subject to arbitration in accordance with
this
Agreement, Seller and Buyer shall nevertheless adjust the Purchase
Price
to take into account all agreed-upon adjustments at that time. The
Purchase Price, as adjusted on the Post-Closing Date, shall be called
the
“Post-Closing
Amount.”
If (a) the Post-Closing Amount is more than the Preliminary Amount,
Buyer
shall pay to Seller the amount of the difference; or (b) the Post-Closing
Amount is less than the Preliminary Amount, Seller shall pay to Buyer
the
amount of the difference. Such payment, together with interest at
the
Agreed Interest Rate, shall be made within five (5) Business Days
after
the Post-Closing Date by wire transfer to accounts specified by Seller
or
Buyer, as appropriate. For those adjustment matters not subject to
arbitration in accordance with this Agreement, and as to which Seller
and
Buyer are unable to reach agreement by the Post-Closing Date, Seller
shall
select an independent accounting firm in Houston, Texas, from a list
of
two such firms provided by Buyer (neither of which shall be the
independent accounting firm regularly used by Buyer or Seller), which
firm
shall determine the Purchase Price adjustment or payment amount in
accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
The
decision of such independent accounting firm shall be binding on
Seller
and Buyer, and the fees and expenses of such independent accounting
firm
shall be borne one-half (1/2) by Seller and one-half (1/2) by Buyer.
The
date upon which the Purchase Price is established, as provided in
the
preceding sentence, shall be called the “Final
Settlement Date,”
and the final adjusted Purchase Price shall be called the “Final
Amount.”
If (a) the Final Amount is more than the Post-Closing Amount, Buyer
shall
pay to Seller the amount of the difference; or (b) the Final Amount
is
less than the Post-Closing Amount, Seller shall pay to Buyer the
amount of
the difference. Such payment, together with interest at the Agreed
Interest Rate, shall be made within five (5) Business Days of the
Final
Settlement Date by wire transfer to accounts specified by Seller
or Buyer,
as appropriate.
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26
2.06. Assumption.
If
the
Closing occurs, from and after the Closing Date, Buyer shall assume, pay, and
discharge the following liabilities insofar as allocable to the Assets
(“Assumed
Liabilities”):
Any
and
all duties, claims, damages, expenses, fines, penalties, costs (including
attorneys’ fees and expenses), liabilities, and obligations ("Covered
Liabilities") (i) attributable to or resulting from the ownership or operation
of the Assets from and after the Effective Time under any Contract, Governmental
Authorization, or Lease (except for the Retained Liabilities); (ii) imposed
by
any Legal Requirement relating to the Assets, other than any violations of
any
Legal Requirement prior to the Closing Date, (iii) for plugging, abandonment,
and surface restoration of the oil, gas, injection, water, or other xxxxx
located on the lands covered by the Leases, (iv) from any act, omission,
event, condition, or occurrence accruing subsequent to the Effective Time
relating to the Assets (except for the Retained Liabilities), (v) under the
AFE’s listed in Part 3.26 of the Seller’s Disclosure Schedule related to
Hurricane Costs, but only to the extent pertaining to the interest in the Assets
being acquired by Buyer (that is, exclusive of the MitEnergy Retained
Liability), (vi) attributable to the Suspense Funds; and (vii) attributable
to
all Environmental Liabilities relating to the Assets; provided, however, the
provisions of this Section 2.06 shall not relieve Seller from (i) liability
resulting from a material Breach, if any, of its representations, warranties,
or
covenants under this Agreement, as provided in Article 10 or (ii) those
obligations of Seller under Article 11 that continue after the Closing
Date.
27
Liabilities
which constitute liabilities attributable to the Excluded Assets and/or Retained
Assets, as well as Assumed Liabilities attributable to the Assets, shall be
reasonably and fairly apportioned between Assumed Liabilities for which Buyer
is
responsible and liabilities with respect to the Excluded Assets and/or Retained
Assets for which Seller is responsible. The Assumed Liabilities shall not
include any Retained Liabilities.
2.07. Retained
Liabilities.
Seller
shall retain, perform, pay, and discharge the following (collectively "Retained
Liabilities"):
(a)
|
all
Covered Liabilities attributable to or resulting from any claim for
personal injury or death or property damage occurring between the
Effective Time and the Closing Date to the extent Seller has liability
for
such claim and such claim arises out of or is attributable to Seller’s
use, ownership, or operation of the Assets; provided, however, that,
Seller’s obligations under this clause (a) shall not exceed the aggregate
amount of Seller’s insurance coverage with respect to such claims under
the insurance policies required to be maintained until Closing pursuant
to
Section 5.03;
|
(b)
|
any
liability arising prior to the Effective Time with respect to gas
pipeline
Imbalances;
|
(c) |
any
liability arising out of the Proceedings listed in Part 2.07(c) of
Seller’s Disclosure Schedule;
|
(d) |
the
MitEnergy Retained Liability; and
|
(e) |
any
demand, claim, liability, obligation, responsibility, cost (including
cost
of remediation), expenses, fine, penalty, judgment, or settlement
attributable to or arising out of any actual or threatened Release
of
Hazardous Materials at or from real properties offsite of the Assets
where
Seller or any of its Affiliates transported, disposed, or arranged
for the
transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials resulting from
operation
of the Assets.
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28
2.08. Imbalances
and Future Delivery/Payment Obligations.
Should
either party discover any inaccuracy in Parts 3.12(a), 3.12(c), or 3.12(d)
of
Seller’s Disclosure Schedule prior to six (6) months after the Closing, it shall
promptly give the other party notice of such inaccuracy. Either party may assert
one or more claims for an adjustment under this Section by delivering a written
notice of each such claim to the other party prior to six (6) months after
the
Closing or, in the case of Buyer, within five (5) Business Days after Buyer's
receipt of notice of such inaccuracy from Seller as required by this Section
2.08, if later. If it is determined that there is an inaccuracy in the
Imbalances set forth in Part 3.12(a) of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule or in the
Future Delivery/Payment Obligations set forth in Part 3.12(c) of Seller’s
Disclosure Schedule, then (i) if such claim is made before Closing, an
adjustment to the Purchase Price will be made as set forth below or (ii) if
such
claim is made after Closing, a post-Closing adjustment to the Purchase Price
will be made as set forth below (and in the case of a post-Closing adjustment,
the payor will also pay the payee interest at the Agreed Interest Rate on the
amount of the adjustment from the date of Closing to the date of payment):
(a)
Imbalances.
(i)
|
If
Seller’s total net Imbalance reflects that Seller is more overproduced or
less underproduced than as set forth in Part 3.12(a) of Seller’s
Disclosure Schedule, then the Purchase Price shall be reduced by
the net
change in the total Imbalance times $7.00 per MMBtu (or, with respect
to
oil Imbalances, $60.00 per barrel);
or
|
(ii)
|
If
Seller’s total net Imbalance reflects that Seller is more underproduced
or
less overproduced than as set forth in Part 3.12(a) of Seller’s Disclosure
Schedule, then the Purchase Price shall be increased by the net change
in
the total Imbalance times $7.00 per MMBtu (or, with respect to oil
Imbalances, $60.00 per barrel).
|
(b)
Future
Delivery/Payment Obligations.
(i)
|
If
the value of Seller’s total Future Delivery/Payment Obligations is greater
than the value of Seller’s total Future Delivery/Payment Obligations as
set forth in Part 3.12(c) of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule (with gas
delivery obligations being valued at the rate of $7.00 per MMBtu,
oil
delivery obligations being valued at $60.00 per barrel, and penalty
payment obligations being valued at the dollar amount thereof), then
the
Purchase Price shall be reduced by the net change in the value of
Seller’s
total Future Delivery/Payment Obligations;
or
|
29
(ii)
|
If
the value of Seller’s total Future Delivery/Payment Obligations is less
than the value of Seller’s total Future Delivery/Payment Obligations as
set forth in Part 3.12(c) of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule (with gas
delivery obligations being valued at the rate of $7.00 per MMBtu,
oil
delivery obligations being valued at $60.00 per barrel, and penalty
payment obligations being valued at the dollar amount thereof), then
the
Purchase Price shall be increased by the net change in the value
of
Seller’s total Future Delivery/Payment
Obligations.
|
This
Section 2.08 provides the exclusive remedy for any inaccuracies in Parts 3.12(a)
or 3.12(c) of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule. With respect to any claims made
before Closing, an adjustment to the Purchase Price will be made at Closing
in
the manner provided above. With respect to any claims made after Closing,
post-Closing adjustments to the Purchase Price will be made in the manner
provided above. If the Purchase Price is reduced as a result of any such
post-Closing adjustment, Seller will pay to Buyer the amount of such adjustment,
plus interest at the Agreed Interest Rate on the amount of the adjustment from
the date of Closing to the date of payment by Seller. If the Purchase Price
is
increased as a result of any such post-Closing adjustment, Buyer will pay to
Seller the amount of such adjustment, plus interest at the Agreed Interest
Rate
on the amount of the adjustment from the date of Closing to the date of payment
by Buyer. If one or more claims are made under this Section 2.08 post-Closing,
the amount owing with respect to any post-Closing claim will take into account
the other adjustments to the Purchase Price (at Closing and post-Closing) made
pursuant to this Section 2.08. No deductible or limitation of liability
elsewhere in this Agreement shall be applied to reduce Seller’s and Buyer's
respective obligations under this Section 2.08. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.08, no adjustment to the
Purchase Price will be required (i) under Section 2.08(a) if it is
determined that the actual total net Imbalance volumes are within 2% above
or
below those shown in Part 3.12(a) of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule or
(ii) under Section 2.08(b) if it is determined that actual value of
Seller’s total Future Delivery/Payment Obligations are within 2% above or below
the value shown in Part 3.12(c) of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule.
30
ARTICLE
3
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER
Seller
represents and warrants to Buyer, as of the date of this Agreement, as
follows:
3.01. Organization
and Good Standing.Seller
is
a Delaware corporation, duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing
under the laws of the state of Delaware and every state in which it is qualified
to do business, and in each jurisdiction in which the Assets are located, with
full corporate power and authority to conduct its business as it is now being
conducted, and to own or use the properties and assets that it purports to
own
or use. Seller is not a “foreign person” for purposes of Section 1445 or Section
7701 of the IRC.
3.02. Authority;
No Conflict.
(a)
|
The
execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement and the
Contemplated Transactions have been duly and validly authorized by
all
necessary corporate action on the part of Seller. This Agreement
has been
duly executed and delivered by Seller and at the Closing all instruments
executed and delivered by Seller at or in connection with the Closing
shall have been duly executed and delivered by Seller. This Agreement
constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of Seller,
enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms, except as
such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy or other similar
laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and
by
general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability
is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). Upon the execution
and
delivery by Seller of the Instruments of Conveyance at the Closing,
such
Instruments of Conveyance shall constitute legal, valid, and binding
transfers and conveyances of the Assets. Upon the execution and delivery
by Seller of any other documents at the Closing (collectively with
the
Instruments of Conveyance, the "Seller’s
Closing Documents"),
Seller’s Closing Documents shall constitute the legal, valid, and binding
obligations of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with
their
respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy or other similar laws affecting the rights
and
remedies of creditors generally and by general principles of equity
(regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law). Except as set forth in Part 3.02 of Seller’s
Disclosure Schedule, Seller has the absolute and unrestricted right,
power, authority, and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement
and
Seller’s Closing Documents, and to perform its obligations under this
Agreement and Seller’s Closing
Documents.
|
31
(b)
|
Except
as set forth in Part 3.02 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, neither
the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Seller nor the
consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions
by
Seller shall, directly or indirectly (with or without notice or lapse
of
time):
|
(i)
|
contravene,
conflict with, or result in a violation of (A) any provision of the
Organizational Documents of Seller, or (B) any resolution adopted
by the
board of directors or the stockholders of
Seller;
|
(ii)
|
contravene,
conflict with, or result in a violation of, or give any Governmental
Body
or other Person the right to challenge any of the Contemplated
Transactions, to terminate, accelerate, or modify any terms of, or
to
exercise any remedy or obtain any relief under, any Contract or agreement
or any Legal Requirement or Order to which Seller, or any of the
Assets,
may be subject;
|
32
(iii)
|
contravene,
conflict with, or result in a violation of any of the terms or
requirements of, or give any Governmental Body the right to revoke,
withdraw, suspend, cancel, terminate, or modify, any Governmental
Authorization that relates to the
Assets;
|
(iv)
|
result
in the imposition or creation of any Encumbrance upon or with respect
to
any of the Assets.
|
3.03. Bankruptcy.
There
are
no bankruptcy, reorganization, or arrangement proceedings being contemplated
by
Seller or, to the Knowledge of Seller, pending or Threatened against
Seller.
3.04. Taxes.
Seller
has filed or caused to be filed all Tax Returns that it has been or was required
to file, either separately or as a member of a consolidated group, pursuant
to
applicable Legal Requirements. All Tax Returns filed by (or that include on
a
consolidated basis) Seller are true, correct, and complete. Seller has paid
all
Taxes that have become due pursuant to those Tax Returns or otherwise, or
pursuant to any assessment received by Seller, to the extent not being contested
in good faith without, to the Knowledge of Seller, any lien for Taxes having
been filed or recorded against any of the Assets. Seller does not have any
Knowledge of any Threatened Tax assessment against it except as disclosed in
Part 3.04 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule. To the Knowledge of Seller,
except as disclosed in Part 3.04 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, none of
the Assets were bound as of the Effective Time and/or will be bound following
the Closing by any tax partnership agreement of or binding upon Seller or its
assigns affecting any of the Assets.
3.05. Legal
Proceedings; Orders.
(a)
|
Except
as set forth in Part 3.05 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, there is no
pending Proceeding against Seller or any of its
Affiliates:
|
(i)
|
that
relates to or may affect any of the Assets;
or
|
(ii)
|
that
challenges, or that may have the effect of preventing, delaying,
making
illegal, or otherwise interfering with, any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
|
(b)
|
Except
as set forth in Part 3.05 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, to Seller’s
Knowledge: (1) no Proceeding of the type referenced in Section 3.05
(a)
has been Threatened, (2) no event has occurred nor does any circumstance
exist that may give rise to or serve as a basis for the commencement
of
any such Proceeding, and (3) no basis exists for any claim by any
employee
of Seller or any other person under any Legal Requirement for which
Buyer
could become liable as a successor or
otherwise.
|
33
(c)
|
Except
as set forth in Part 3.05 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, there is no
Order adversely affecting the use or ownership of the Seller Operated
Assets, and to Seller’s Knowledge, the Non-Operated Assets, to which
Seller, or any of the Assets, is
subject.
|
(d)
|
Except
as
set forth in Part 3.05 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, there is no Order
or Proceeding restraining, enjoining, or otherwise prohibiting or
making
illegal the consummation of the Contemplated Transactions or which,
if
determined adversely to Seller, could result in a material diminution
of
the benefits contemplated by this Agreement or the Contemplated
Transactions.
|
3.06. Environmental.
(a)
|
To
the Knowledge of Seller, except as set forth in Part 3.06 of Seller’s
Disclosure Schedule, or except as would not have an Environmental
Material
Adverse Effect, there are no Violations of Environmental Laws that
arise
from events occurring at or conditions existing on the Assets during
the
period Seller owned the affected Assets, which have not been corrected
or
Remediated and all applicable fines or penalties paid in full under
the
requirements of any Governmental Body having
jurisdiction.
|
(b)
|
To
the Knowledge of Seller, except as set forth in Part 3.06 of Seller’s
Disclosure Schedule, there are no Environmental Liabilities that
arise
from events occurring at or conditions existing on the Assets during
the
period Seller owned the affected Assets, except as would not have
an
Environmental Material Adverse
Effect.
|
34
(c)
|
Except
as set forth in Part 3.06 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule or except as
would not have an Environmental Material Adverse Effect, all Governmental
Authorizations required under applicable Environmental Laws that
are
necessary to the operation of the Seller Operated Assets or, to the
Knowledge of Seller, any other Assets, have been obtained and are
in full
force and effect, and Seller has operated the Seller Operated Assets
in
compliance with such Permits.
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(d)
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Except
as set forth in Part 3.06 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, or except as
would not have an Environmental Material Adverse Effect, neither
Seller
nor any of its Affiliates has received any notifications of any
Proceedings pending or, to the Knowledge of the Seller, threatened
against
Seller or the Assets and alleging that Seller or the Assets are in
violation of or otherwise subject to liability under applicable
Environmental Law.
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(e)
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Except
as would not have an Environmental Material Adverse Effect, there
has been
no claim asserting liability for exposure of any Person or property
to
Hazardous Materials in connection with the
Assets.
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(f)
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Seller
either has made, or will, immediately after the execution of this
Agreement, make available to Buyer all environmental assessment,
investigatory, and audit reports, studies, analyses, and correspondence
(other than correspondence that exists solely in electronic form)
relating
to the Assets that are in the possession or control of Seller or
any of
its Affiliates and addressing Releases or threatened Releases,
Remediations, Environmental Liabilities, Environmental Conditions,
or
Violations of Environmental Laws.
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3.07. Equipment
and Personal Property.
(a)
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Except
as set forth in Part 3.07(a) of the Seller's Disclosure Statement,
all
Equipment (i) is in an operable state of repair adequate to maintain
normal operations and (ii) is suitable for the purposes for which
such
Equipment is being used. Seller has all material easements, rights
of way,
licenses, and Governmental Authorizations necessary to access, construct,
operate, maintain, and repair the Equipment in material compliance
with
all Legal Requirements. Except to the extent included in the Assets,
neither Seller nor any Affiliate of Seller owns any gathering systems,
downstream transportation systems, or gas processing facilities in
or
through which any Hydrocarbons are gathered, transported, or
processed.
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35
(b)
|
Subject
to and without limiting Section 3.07(a), to the extent the Assets
constitute personal property or fixtures, Seller expressly disclaims
and
negates (a) any implied or express warranty of merchantability, (b)
any
implied or express warranty of fitness for a particular purpose,
(c) any
implied or express warranty of conformity to models or samples of
materials, and (d) any other warranty of any nature, express or implied,
except as expressly provided herein, and all such Assets are to be
conveyed "As Is" and "Where Is," with all
faults.
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3.08. Title
to Properties.
On
the
Closing Date, Seller shall convey to Buyer Defensible Title to the Assets.
Seller has delivered or made available to Buyer all items in its possession
that
would be relevant in the determination as to whether Seller has the ability
to
convey Defensible Title to the Assets.
3.09. Brokers.
Seller
has not incurred any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for
broker’s or finder’s fees with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement other than obligations that are the sole responsibility of
Seller.
3.10. Tax
Sharing Agreements.
There
are
no tax sharing agreements or any other contract relating to the sharing or
payment of any Tax for which Buyer will have any liability in connection with
the Contemplated Transactions.
3.11. Consents
and Preferential Purchase Rights.
Except
with respect to the MMS approvals, Part 3.11 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule
sets forth all Consents and Preferential Purchase Rights.
3.12. Imbalances
and Future Delivery/Payment Obligations.
Except
as
set forth in Part 3.12(a) of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, there are no
Imbalances as of the Effective Time. To Seller's Knowledge, the current status
of Imbalances is as set forth in Part 3.12(b) of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule.
Except as set forth in Part 3.12(c) of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, there are
no Future Delivery/Payment Obligations as of the Effective Time. Except as
set
forth in Part 3.12(d) of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, no Future
Delivery/Payment Obligations are attributable to the period after the Effective
Time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement,
Seller makes no representation or warranty with respect to gas pipeline
Imbalances, which, pursuant to Section 2.07, constitute Retained Liabilities.
36
3.13. Status
of Leases.
(i) To
Seller’s Knowledge, the
Leases have been maintained according to their terms, in compliance with the
agreements to which the Leases are subject; (ii) all royalties (other than
royalties held in suspense), delay rentals, and other payments due under the
Leases which are Seller Operated Assets (and to Seller’s Knowledge with respect
to the other Leases) have been properly and timely paid and all conditions
necessary to keep the Leases in force have been fully performed by Seller and
each other Person that is a party thereto; (iii) to Seller’s Knowledge, except
as shown on the Exhibits hereto, and without expanding or enlarging any warranty
of title given elsewhere herein, the Leases are presently in force and effect
as
to all water bottoms and depths; and (iv) neither Seller nor, to Seller’s
Knowledge, any other party to any Lease has received notice or threat of any
claim or action seeking to terminate, cancel, rescind, or procure a judicial
reformation of any Lease or any provisions thereof or seeking the release of
any
Lease (or portion thereof). Each
Lease is a legal, valid and binding agreement, enforceable in accordance with
its terms, of Seller and of each other Person that is a party thereto, and,
except as set forth in Part 3.13 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, there is no,
and Seller has not received notice of any, breach or default (nor is it aware
of
any condition or event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would
constitute a breach or default) thereunder.
3.14. Contracts.
(a)
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Set
forth on Part 3.14 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule (and segregated in Part
3.14 among the below categories) is a true, complete, and correct
description of each contract, agreement, lease, or similar arrangement
which is included in the Assets (or by which any of the Assets is
bound)
and which:
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(i)
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is
between Seller and any Affiliate of
Seller;
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37
(ii)
|
is
a contract for the sale, purchase, processing, or transportation
of any
Hydrocarbons or any other Assets, except those Hydrocarbon sales,
purchase, processing or transportation agreements which can be terminated
by Seller and its assigns upon not more than forty-five (45) days
notice
without penalty or detriment to Seller and its
assigns;
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(iii)
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creates
a purchase option, right of first refusal, call, or preferential
purchase
right on any Hydrocarbons;
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(iv)
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creates
any area of mutual interest or similar provision with respect to
the
acquisition by Seller or its assigns of any interest in any Hydrocarbons,
land or asset, or contains any restrictions on the ability of Seller
or
its assigns to compete with any other
Person;
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(v)
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is
a participation, partnership, joint venture, farmout, farmin, or
similar
agreement;
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(vi)
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creates
or evidences any Preferential Purchase Right or
Consent;
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(vii)
|
evidences
an obligation in excess of $250,000.00 to pay a deferred purchase
price of
property, except accounts payable arising in the ordinary course
of
business;
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(viii)
|
evidences
a lease or rental of any land, building or other improvements or
portion
thereof, excluding Leases; or
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(ix)
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is
necessary to own and operate the Assets in the manner that they were
owned
and operated on the date of this Agreement or that creates any material
obligation related to the Assets.
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(b)
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Seller
has made available to Buyer true, complete, and correct copies of
all
Contracts and Leases (together with all amendments and supplements
to such
Contracts and Leases and all waivers of any terms thereof) listed
on
Exhibit B and/or Part 3.14 of Seller’s Disclosure
Schedule.
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38
(c)
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Except
as set forth on Parts 3.02 and 3.14 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, and
except where the failure would not have a material adverse effect
on the
operations or value of the Assets, taken as a whole, (1) each Contract
is
in full force and effect and constitutes a legal, valid, and binding
agreement, enforceable in accordance with its terms, of each party
thereto; (2) there are no violations or breaches of any Contract
or
existing facts or circumstances which upon notice or the passage
of time
or both will constitute a violation or breach thereof; (3) no notice
of
the exercise or attempted exercise of premature termination, price
reduction, market-out or curtailment of any Contract has been received
by
Seller or any Affiliate of Seller nor, to the Knowledge of Seller,
any
other party to such Contract; (4) no notice has been received by
Seller or
any Affiliate of Seller nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, any other
party
to such Contract, that any party thereto intends not to honor its
obligations under any Contract; and (5) Seller nor, to the Knowledge
of
Seller, any other party to such Contract, is not participating in
any
discussions or negotiations regarding modification of any
Contract.
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(d)
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Except
as set forth in Part 3.11 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, the Contracts
are freely assignable without the Consent of third
parties.
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3.15. Laws
and Regulations.
Except
as
set forth in Part 3.15 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, (a) the Seller Operated
Assets are, and the operation of the Seller Operated Assets is, and to the
Knowledge of Seller, the Non-Operated Assets are, and the operation of the
Non-Operated Assets is, in compliance in all material respects with the
provisions and requirements of all Legal Requirements (other than requirements
of Environmental Laws which are governed by Section 3.06 rather than this
Section); and (b) Seller has in effect all Governmental Authorizations necessary
for it to own, lease, or operate the Assets and to carry on its business with
respect to the Assets, and there has occurred no default under any such
Governmental Authorization. Seller has not received any notice that it, its
Affiliates or any such operator is, in default (or with the giving of notice
or
lapse of time or both, would be in default) under any such Governmental
Authorization.
3.16. Non-Consent
Operations.
Seller
has not elected not to participate in any operation or activity proposed with
respect to the Assets which could result in any of Seller’s interest in any
Assets becoming subject to a penalty or forfeiture as a result of such election
not to participate in such operation or activity, except to the extent reflected
in the Net Revenue Interests and Working Interests set forth in Exhibit
A.
3.17. Xxxxx. To
the
Knowledge of Seller, all Xxxxx have been drilled and completed within the limits
permitted by all applicable Leases, contracts, and pooling or unit agreements,
and by Legal Requirements. To the Knowledge of Seller, no Well is subject to
penalties on allowables after the Effective Time because of any overproduction
or any other violation of Legal Requirements. Except as set forth in Part 3.17
of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, there are no xxxxx, platforms, or other
Equipment located on the Seller Operated Assets, and to the Knowledge of Seller,
on the Non-Operated Assets, that: (i) Seller is currently obligated by any
Legal
Requirement or contract to currently plug and abandon; (ii) are subject to
exceptions to a requirement to plug and abandon issued by a Governmental Body;
or (iii) have been plugged and abandoned in a manner that does not comply in
all
material respects with Legal Requirements.
39
3.18. Outstanding
Capital Commitments.
To
Seller’s Knowledge, as of the Effective Time and as of the date of this
Agreement, there were and are no outstanding AFEs or other commitments to make
capital expenditures which are binding on Seller or the Assets and which Seller
reasonably anticipates will individually require expenditures by the owner
of
the Assets after the Effective Time in excess of $250,000.00, other than those
shown on Part 3.18 of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule.
3.19. Operation
of Assets Since Effective Time.
From
the
Effective Time until the date of this Agreement, Seller (a) has conducted the
business with respect to the Assets only in the ordinary course of business,
(b)
has conducted such business in the manner required under Section 5.02(a)(i)
through (iv) had such provisions been applicable during such period, and (c)
has
not taken any action for which consent or waiver by Buyer would have been
required under Section 5.02(b)(ii), (v), (vi), (vii) or (viii) had such
provisions been applicable during such period.
3.20. No
Pooling, Unitization, Communitization or Spacing Orders.
Seller
represents and warrants that no pooling, unitization, communitization, or
spacing orders or agreements have been entered or promulgated after the
Effective Time, and Seller has not received any notice of any proposed pooling,
unitization, communitization or spacing orders or agreements, with respect
to
the Assets that would cause any change to Seller’s Net Revenue Interests or
Working Interests as set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
40
3.21. Material
Factor.
Seller
acknowledges that Seller's representations under this Article are a material
inducement to Buyer to enter into this Agreement and close the Contemplated
Transactions with Seller.
3.22. No
Encumbrances.
Except
as
set forth in Part 3.22 of the Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, there are no
Encumbrances affecting the interests of Seller in the Assets.
3.23. Assets.
The
Assets include all of the interests of Seller and its Affiliates in the
properties included in the Assets.
3.24. No
Orders.
Except
as
set forth in Part 3.24 of the Seller’s Disclosure Schedule, neither Seller, its
Affiliates, nor, to the Knowledge of Seller, the operator of any Asset is
subject to any Order with respect to any Asset other than Orders that are
generally applicable to offshore oil and gas operators or that would not have
an
Environmental Material Adverse Effect.
3.25. Insurance
Claims.
Part
3.25
of the Seller’s Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of all claims
made by Seller under insurance policies during the five (5) year period
preceding the execution of this Agreement with respect to operations of, or
damage or destruction to, the Assets.
3.26. Hurricane
Costs.
All
physical damage to the Equipment and other tangible property included in the
Seller Operated Assets has been restored, repaired, and replaced. Part 3.26(a)
of the Seller’s Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of all
outstanding AFE’s for Hurricane Costs. To Seller’s Knowledge, there are no cost
overruns expected with respect to such AFE’s except as set forth on Part 3.26(b)
of the Seller’s Disclosure Schedule.
41
3.27. Legal
Privilege Documents.
Part
3.27
of the Seller’s Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of all records,
documents, and other materials regarding the Assets that were not provided
to
Buyer as a result of being subject to legal privilege or which constitute
Excluded Assets by virtue of being subject to legal privilege.
3.28. Investment
Representations.
(a)
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Seller
has (i) the ability to bear the economic risks of ownership of the
Deposit
Shares which may be delivered to Seller under the terms of the Agreement
and (ii) the knowledge and experience in financial and business matters
necessary for evaluating the merits and risks of investing in Deposit
Shares;
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(b)
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Seller
has had such opportunity as it has deemed appropriate to ask questions
of
and receive answers from persons acting on behalf of Buyer’s Parent and
Buyer concerning Buyer’s Parent, Buyer and the Contemplated Transactions
in order to make an informed investment decision with respect to
the
Deposit Shares;
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(c)
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Seller
would not be acquiring the Deposit Shares under the terms and conditions
of the Escrow Agreement as a result of or after any advertisement,
article, notice or other communication published in any newspaper,
magazine or similar media or broadcast over television or radio or
presented at any seminar or
meeting;
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(d)
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Seller
is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities
Act”);
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42
(e)
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Seller
would be acquiring the Deposit Shares upon the terms and conditions
set
forth in the Escrow Agreement for investment and for Seller’s own account
and not with the current view to, or for resale in connection with,
any
distribution;
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(f)
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Seller
understands that the Deposit Shares have not been registered under
the
Securities Act or under any state securities or blue sky laws, and,
as a
result, are subject to substantial restrictions on transfer subject,
however, to the provisions of the Registration Rights
Agreement;
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(g)
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Seller
acknowledges that appropriate legends will be placed on the certificates
representing the Deposit Shares indicating the restrictions on transfer
of
the Deposit Shares, but such legends shall be subject to removal
upon
registration under the circumstances described in the Registration
Rights
Agreement or as otherwise provided by law;
and
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(h)
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Seller
acknowledges that the Deposit Shares must be held indefinitely unless
subsequently registered under the Securities Act and any applicable
state
securities or blue sky laws, whether pursuant to the Registration
Rights
Agreement or otherwise, or sold or otherwise transferred pursuant
to
exemptions from registration under the Securities Act and/or such
state
securities laws.
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3.29. Acknowledgments
Regarding MMS Letter.
Buyer
acknowledges the disclosure by Seller of that certain letter dated February
5,
2007, from Xxxxx Xxxxx, Regional Director of the MMS, to Seller, pertaining
to
Seller’s compliance performance. The Parties acknowledge that such letter could
be interpreted to be applicable to several of the representations and warranties
contained in this Article 3. Buyer agrees that the disclosure of such letter
in
Part 3.15 of the Disclosure Schedule constitutes adequate disclosure in
connection with any other representation and warranty in this Article 3 to
which
such letter might be interpreted to be applicable.
43
ARTICLE
4
REPRESENTATIONS
AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
Buyer
represents and warrants to Seller, as of the date of this Agreement, as
follows:
4.01. Organization
and Good Standing. Buyer
is
duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of
Delaware and
in
every state in which it is qualified to do business, and in each jurisdiction
in
which the Assets are located.
4.02. Authority;
No Conflict.
(a)
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This
Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of
Buyer,
enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms, except as
such
enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy or other similar
laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors generally and
by
general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability
is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). Upon the execution
and
delivery by Buyer of the Instruments of Conveyance and any other
documents
executed and delivered by Buyer at the Closing (collectively, the
"Buyer’s
Closing Documents"),
the Buyer’s Closing Documents shall constitute the legal, valid, and
binding obligations of Buyer enforceable against Buyer in accordance
with
their respective terms, except as such enforceability may be limited
by
applicable bankruptcy or other similar laws affecting the rights
and
remedies of creditors generally and by general principles of equity
(regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law). Buyer has the absolute and unrestricted right,
power, authority, and capacity to execute and deliver this Agreement
and
the Buyer’s Closing Documents, and to perform its obligations under this
Agreement and the Buyer’s Closing
Documents.
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(b)
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Except
as disclosed to Seller on Part 4.02 of Buyer’s Disclosure Schedule,
neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer nor
the
consummation or performance of any of the Contemplated Transactions
by
Buyer shall give any Person the right to prevent, delay, or otherwise
interfere with any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
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(c)
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Except
with respect to the MMS Approvals, or as disclosed to Seller on Part
4.02
of Buyer’s Disclosure Schedule, Buyer is not and shall not be required to
give any notice to or obtain any Consent from any Person in connection
with the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation
or
performance of any of the Contemplated
Transactions.
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44
4.03. Certain
Proceedings.
There
is
no pending Proceeding that has been commenced against Buyer that challenges,
or
may have the effect of preventing, delaying, making illegal, or otherwise
interfering with, any of the Contemplated Transactions. To Buyer’s Knowledge, no
such Proceeding has been Threatened.
4.04. Knowledgeable
Investor.
Buyer
is
an experienced and knowledgeable investor in the oil and gas business. Prior
to
entering into this Agreement, Buyer was advised by its own legal, tax, and
other
professional counsel concerning this Agreement, the Contemplated Transactions,
the Assets, and their value, and it has relied solely thereon and on the
representations and obligations of Seller in this Agreement and the documents
to
be executed by Seller in connection with this Agreement at Closing. Buyer is
acquiring the Assets for its own account and not for distribution.
4.05. Securities
Laws.
The
solicitation of offers and the sale of the Assets by Seller have not been
registered under any securities laws. Buyer represents that at no time has
it
been presented with or solicited by or through any public promotion or any
form
of advertising in connection with this transaction. Buyer represents that it
intends to acquire the Assets for its own benefit and account and that it is
not
acquiring the Assets with the intent of distributing fractional, undivided
interests that would be subject to regulation by federal or state securities
laws, and that if it sells, transfers, or otherwise disposes of the Assets
or
fractional undivided interests therein, it shall do so in compliance with
applicable federal and state securities laws.
4.06. Due
Diligence.
Without
limiting or impairing any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement
of
Seller contained in this Agreement and the Seller's Closing Documents, or
Buyer's right to rely thereon, Buyer represents that it has performed, or shall
perform before the Closing, such review and due diligence with respect to the
Assets, which includes reviewing well data and other files in performing
necessary evaluations, assessments, and other tasks involved in evaluating
the
Assets as it deems necessary to enable it to make an informed decision to
acquire the Assets under the terms of this Agreement.
4.07. Basis
of Buyer’s Decision.
Buyer
represents that by reason of its knowledge and experience in the evaluation,
acquisition, and operation of oil and gas properties, Buyer has evaluated the
merits and the risks of purchasing the Assets from Seller, and has formed an
opinion based solely on Buyer’s knowledge and experience, Buyer’s due diligence
and Seller’s representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained in
this Agreement and Seller’s Closing Documents, and not on any other
representations or warranties by Seller. Buyer represents that it has not relied
and shall not rely on any statements by Seller or its representatives (other
than those representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of Seller
contained in this Agreement and Seller’s Closing Documents) in making its
decision to enter into this Agreement or to close this transaction.
45
4.08. Material
Factor.
Buyer
acknowledges that Buyer's representations under this Article are a material
inducement to Seller to enter into this Agreement and close the Contemplated
Transactions with Buyer.
4.09. Brokers.
Buyer
has
not incurred any obligation or liability, contingent or otherwise, for broker’s
or finder’s fees with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
other than obligations that are the sole responsibility of Buyer.
4.10. Buyer's
Parent.
With
respect to Buyer's Parent:
(a)
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Buyer's
Parent is a company duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing
under the laws of Bermuda and every state in which it is qualified
to do
business, with full power and authority to conduct its business as
it is
now being conducted and to own or use the properties and assets that
it
purports to own or use.
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(b)
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The
authorized, issued and outstanding capital of Buyer's Parent is as
described in Buyer's Parent's registration statement on Form S-1
(File No.
333-140916), declared effective by the Commission on or about April
6,
2007 (the "Parent Registration Statement"). Parent has no options,
warrants or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for
or with
any of Parent's common shares or other securities except as described
in
the Parent Registration Statement. The forms of memorandum of association
and bye-laws attached as exhibits to the Parent Registration Statement
and
provided to counsel for Seller reflect the true and complete copies
of
such instruments, including all amendments and as in effect on the
date
hereof.
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46
(c)
|
The
Deposit Shares have been duly and validly issued to Seller for valid
consideration, and the Deposit Shares are fully paid, non-assessable
common shares of Buyer's Parent. The Deposit Shares have been duly
registered in the name of Seller, with no stop orders or other
restrictions on transfer, except for the terms of the Escrow
Agreement.
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(d)
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Buyer's
Parent has the absolute and unrestricted right, power, authority,
and
capacity to issue the Deposit Shares to Seller. Buyer's Parent has
obtained all necessary consents, including without limitation the
consent
of its board of directors, required for the issuance and delivery
of the
Deposit Shares to Seller, and no consent of any shareholders or other
third parties is required for such issuance or delivery. Buyer's
Parent's
issuance and delivery of the Deposit Shares and execution, delivery
and
performance of the Registration Rights Agreement will not contravene,
conflict with, or result in a violation of any provision of its memorandum
of association or bye-laws, or any resolution adopted by the board
of
directors or the shareholders of Buyer's Parent; or contravene, conflict
with, or result in a violation of, or give any Governmental Body
or other
Person the right to challenge such issuance and delivery, to terminate,
accelerate, or modify any terms of, or to exercise any remedy or
obtain
any relief under, any material Contract or agreement or any Legal
Requirement or Order to which Buyer's Parent may be subject. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the "Termination Date"
under
Bye-Law 49 of Buyer's Parent's Bye-Laws has occurred and there are,
as of
the date of this Agreement, no restrictions on Buyer's Parent nor
rights
of shareholders or other Persons arising under such Bye-Law
49.
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(e)
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Buyer,
on behalf of Buyer's Parent, acknowledges the issuance of the Deposit
Shares, agrees that Seller shall not be required to give the notice
described in Bye-Law 50.1, and further agrees that Seller shall not
be
deemed in default as described in Bye-Law 50.3 as a result of Seller's
holdings of the Deposit Shares.
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(f)
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The
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-140916), including
the
exhibits thereto, declared effective
by
the Commission on or about April 6, 2007 (the “Registration Statement”),
at the time the Registration Statement was declared effective by
the
Commission, did not include an untrue statement of a material fact
or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to
make the statements therein not
misleading.
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47
ARTICLE
5
COVENANTS
OF SELLER
5.01. Access
and Investigation.
Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Seller shall (a) afford Buyer
and its Representatives full and complete access during normal business hours
to
Seller’s personnel, properties, contracts, books and records, and other
documents and data, (b) furnish promptly Buyer and its Representatives with
copies of all such contracts, books and records, and other existing documents
and data as Buyer and its Representatives may reasonably request (and upon
Buyer’s request use reasonable efforts to obtain the consent of third party
operators to give Buyer and its Representatives reasonable access to similar
information with respect to Assets not operated by Seller or an Affiliate of
Seller), (c) make available to Buyer immediately after the date of this
Agreement all environmental assessment, investigatory, and audit reports,
studies, analyses, and correspondence (other
than correspondence that exists solely in electronic form)
relating
to the Assets that are in the possession or control of Seller or any of its
Affiliates, addressing Releases or threatened Releases, Remediations,
Environmental Liabilities, Environmental Conditions, or Violations of
Environmental Laws, and (d) furnish promptly to Buyer and its Representatives
with such additional financial, operating, and other data and information as
Buyer may reasonably request;
PROVIDED
THAT, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT AND IN THE SELLER'S CLOSING
DOCUMENTS, SELLER MAKES NO WARRANTY, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES
AS
TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE DOCUMENTS, INFORMATION, BOOKS, RECORDS,
FILES, AND OTHER PERTINENT DATA THAT IT MAY PROVIDE TO
BUYER.
5.02. Operation
of the Assets.
(a)
|
Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Seller shall conduct
the
business relating to the Assets only in the ordinary course of
business.
By way of example, and not as a limitation, during such period,
Seller
shall use commercially reasonable efforts
to:
|
(i)
|
maintain
the Assets and operate the Assets or cause the Assets to be operated
in
the ordinary course of business;
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48
(ii)
|
pay
or cause to be paid all bonuses and rentals, royalties, overriding
royalties, shut-in royalties, and minimum royalties and development
and
operating expenses, current taxes, and other payments incurred with
respect to the Assets except (i) royalties held in suspense as a
result of
title issues and that do not give any third party a right to cancel
an
interest in an Asset and (ii) expenses or royalties being contested
in
good faith and for which adequate reserves have been provided, unless
the
nonpayment of such contested expenses or royalties could result in
the
loss of a Lease, in which case Seller will notify Buyer and obtain
Buyer’s
approval prior to withholding such
payment;
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(iii)
|
maintain
the personal property comprising part of the Assets in at least as
good a
condition as it is on the date hereof, subject to ordinary wear and
tear;
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(iv)
|
safeguard
and maintain confidential all records of a nonpublic nature (including
without limitation geological and geophysical data and maps and
interpretations thereof) that relate to the Assets;
and
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(v)
|
keep
Buyer reasonably informed regarding current and proposed activities
and
operations relating to the Assets.
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(b)
|
Similarly,
between the date of this Agreement and Closing, Seller shall not,
without
Buyer’s consent:
|
(i)
|
take
any action that would cause its representations or warranties under
this
Agreement to be materially incorrect as of the Closing Date except
in the
ordinary course of business;
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49
(ii)
|
abandon
any Asset (except the abandonment of producing leases not capable
of
producing in paying quantities after the expiration of their primary
terms);
|
(iii)
|
commence,
propose, or agree to participate in any single operation with respect
to
the Xxxxx or Leases with an anticipated cost in excess of $250,000
except
for emergency operations;
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(iv)
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elect
to participate in any single operation proposed by a third party
with
respect to the Xxxxx or Leases with an anticipated cost in excess
of
$250,000, except for emergency
operations;
|
(v)
|
terminate,
cancel or materially amend or modify any Contract or
Lease;
|
(vi)
|
waive
any right of material value under any Contract or
Lease;
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(vii)
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sell,
lease, encumber, or otherwise dispose of all or any portion of any
Assets,
except sales of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business under
Hydrocarbon sales agreements which meet the requirements of paragraph
(viii) below or which are listed in Part 3.14(a)(ii) of Seller’s
Disclosure Schedule; or
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(viii)
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enter
into any new production sales, processing, gathering, or transportation
agreement with respect to the Xxxxx not terminable by Buyer without
penalty after Closing on forty-five (45) days notice or
less.
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5.03. Insurance.
(a)
|
Seller
shall maintain in force during the period from the date of this
Agreement
until Closing, all of Seller’s excess liability, workers compensation,
auto liability, property and casualty, and well control insurance
policies
in the amounts and with the coverages currently maintained by Seller
covering the Assets and the Retained Assets.
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50
(b)
|
Notwithstanding
subparagraph (a) above, the daily pro-rated annual premiums for insurance
that accrue after the Effective Time and are attributable to the
insurance
coverage for the period after the Effective Time until the Closing
will
constitute Property Costs. Buyer shall not be responsible for, and
Property Costs shall not include, any minimum or minimum earned premiums
in excess of the daily pro-rated annual premiums attributable to
such
insurance coverage.
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5.04. Consent
and Waivers.
Seller
agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain prior to Closing written
waivers of all Preferential Purchase Rights and all waivers and Consents
necessary for the transfer of the Assets to Buyer; provided that in the event
Seller is unable to obtain all such waivers and Consents after using such
reasonable efforts, such failure to satisfy shall not constitute a Breach of
this Agreement.
5.05. Notification.
Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Seller shall promptly notify
Buyer in writing if Seller obtains Knowledge of any fact or condition that
causes or constitutes a Breach, in any material respect, of any of Buyer’s
representations and warranties as of the date of this Agreement, or if Seller
obtains Knowledge of the occurrence after the date of this Agreement of any
fact
or condition that would (except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement)
cause or constitute a Breach, in any material respect, of any such
representation or warranty had such representation or warranty been made as
of
the time of occurrence or discovery of such fact or condition. During the same
period, Seller shall promptly notify Buyer if Seller obtains Knowledge of the
occurrence of any Breach, in any material respect, of any covenant of Seller
in
this Article 5 or of the occurrence of any event that may make the satisfaction
of the conditions in Article 7 impossible or unlikely. The covenants set forth
in this Section 5.05 are subject to the limitations set forth below in Section
6.02.
5.06. Satisfaction
of Conditions.
Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Seller shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to cause the conditions in Article 7 to be satisfied;
provided that in the event Seller is unable to satisfy such conditions after
using such commercially reasonable efforts, such failure to satisfy shall not
constitute a Breach of this Agreement; provided further, however, the foregoing
shall not constitute a waiver of Seller’s Breach of any of the other provisions
of this Article 5 or any other Breach of this Agreement.
51
5.07. Transition.
Seller
will cooperate with Buyer in arranging an orderly transition of the operatorship
of the Seller Operated Assets to Buyer as of the Closing Date. Within five
(5)
days after the execution of this Agreement, Seller will provide Buyer (i) a
list
of all contractors and suppliers providing services or supplies in connection
with the Seller Operated Assets and (ii) a complete inventory of all Equipment
and other personal property owned and/or leased by Seller or its Affiliates
and
used in connection with the operation of the Seller Operated Assets. Seller
will
keep Buyer fully and promptly advised of all activities and operations
concerning the Seller Operated Assets. From time to time as requested by Buyer,
Seller will meet with Buyer concerning operations of the Seller Operated Assets
and the steps necessary to complete an orderly transition of the operatorship
of
the Seller Operated Assets as of the Closing Date.
5.08. Unaudited
Financial Information.
Within
five (5) Business Days after the execution of this Agreement, Seller will
provide Buyer with unaudited statements of revenue and direct operating
expenses, including production volumes, of the Assets for the three month
periods ended September 30, 2003, December 31, 2003, March 31, 2004, June 30,
2004, September 30, 2004, December 31, 2004, March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005,
September 30, 2005, December 31, 2005, March 31, 2006, June 30, 2006, September
30, 2006, December 31, 2006, and March 31, 2007. Within ninety (90) days after
the Closing, Seller will provide Buyer with unaudited statements of revenue
and
direct operating expenses, including production volumes, of the Assets for
the
period April 1, 2007, to the Closing Date.
ARTICLE
6
COVENANTS
OF BUYER
6.01. Notification.
Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Buyer shall promptly notify
Seller in writing if Buyer obtains Knowledge of any Breach, in any material
respect, of any of Seller’s representations and warranties as of the date of
this Agreement, or if Buyer obtains Knowledge of an occurrence after the date
of
this Agreement that would (except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement)
cause or constitute a Breach, in any material respect, of any such
representation or warranty had such representation or warranty been made as
of
the time of occurrence or discovery of such fact or condition. During the same
period, Buyer shall promptly notify Seller if Buyer obtains Knowledge of the
occurrence of any Breach, in any material respect, of any covenant of Buyer
in
this Article 6 or of the occurrence of any event that may make the satisfaction
of the conditions in Article 8 impossible or unlikely.
52
6.02. Limitations
on Sections 5.05 & 6.01.
Should
there be any dispute as to whether a party had Knowledge that a representation
or warranty of the other party had been Breached or would be Breached in any
material respect or that any covenant or agreement of the other party had been
Breached in any material respect, the burden of proof regarding such party’s
Knowledge shall be on the party claiming that Knowledge existed. There shall
be
no Breach of the covenants in Section 5.05 or Section 6.01 as a result of a
party’s failure to report a Breach of any representation or warranty or a Breach
of any covenant or agreement of which it had Knowledge if the party subject
to
the Breach also had Knowledge thereof prior to Closing.
6.03. Satisfaction
of Conditions.
Between
the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, Buyer shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to cause the conditions in Article 8 to be satisfied;
provided that in the event Buyer is unable to satisfy such conditions after
using such commercially reasonable efforts such failure to satisfy shall not
constitute a Breach of this Agreement; provided further, however, the foregoing
shall not constitute a waiver of Buyer's Breach of any of the other provisions
of this Article 6 or any other Breach of this Agreement.
ARTICLE
7
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO BUYER’S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
Buyer's
obligation to purchase the Assets and to take the other actions required to
be
taken by Buyer at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to
the
Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by
Buyer, in whole or in part):
7.01. Accuracy
of Representations.
All
of
Seller’s representations and warranties in this Agreement must have been
accurate in all material respects (or, with respect to representations and
warranties qualified by materiality, in all respects) as of the date of this
Agreement, and must be accurate in all material respects (or, with respect
to
representations and warranties qualified by materiality, in all respects) as
of
the Closing Date as if made on the Closing Date.
7.02. Seller’s
Performance.
(a)
|
All
of the covenants and obligations that Seller is required to perform
or to
comply with pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
must
have been duly performed and complied with in all material
respects.
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53
(b)
|
Seller
must deliver, or be prepared to deliver, each document required to
be
delivered by it pursuant to
Section 2.04.
|
7.03. No
Proceedings.
Since
the
date of this Agreement, there must not have been commenced or Threatened against
Seller, or against any Affiliates thereof, any Proceeding (other than by Buyer
or an Affiliate of Buyer) seeking to restrain, enjoin or otherwise prohibit
or
make illegal, or seeking to recover material damages on account of, any of
the
Contemplated Transactions.
7.04. No
Orders.
There
shall be no Order of any Governmental Body having appropriate jurisdiction
restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein.
ARTICLE
8
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO SELLER’S OBLIGATION TO CLOSE
Seller’s
obligation to sell the Assets and to take the other actions required to be
taken
by Seller at the Closing is subject to the satisfaction, at or prior to the
Closing, of each of the following conditions (any of which may be waived by
Seller, in whole or in part):
8.01. Accuracy
of Representations.
All
of
Buyer’s representations and warranties in this Agreement must have been accurate
in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement, and must be accurate
in all material respects as of the Closing Date as if made on the Closing
Date.
8.02. Buyer’s
Performance.
(a)
|
All
of the covenants and obligations that Buyer is required to perform
or to
comply with pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing
must
have been duly performed and complied with in all material
respects.
|
(b)
|
Buyer
must deliver, or be prepared to deliver, each document required to
be
delivered by it pursuant to
Section 2.04.
|
54
8.03. No
Proceedings.
Since
the date of this Agreement, there must not have been commenced or Threatened
against Buyer, or against any Affiliates thereof, any Proceeding (other than
by
Seller or an Affiliate of Seller) seeking to restrain, enjoin or otherwise
prohibit or make illegal, or seeking to recover material damages on account
of,
any of the Contemplated Transactions.
8.04. No
Orders. There
shall be no Order of any Governmental Body having appropriate jurisdiction
restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the consummation of the
transactions contemplated herein.
ARTICLE
9
TERMINATION
9.01. Termination
Events.
This
Agreement may, by written notice given prior to or at the Closing, be
terminated:
(a)
|
by
either Buyer or Seller if a material Breach of any provision of this
Agreement has been committed by the other party and such Breach has
not
been waived in writing or cured;
|
(b)
|
by
mutual written consent of Buyer and
Seller;
|
(c)
|
by
either Buyer or Seller if the Closing has not occurred (other than
as a
result of a Breach by the party seeking to terminate this Agreement)
on or
before June 30, 2007, or such later date as the parties may agree
upon in
writing;
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(d)
|
by
Buyer if the conditions in Article 7 have not been satisfied on or
before
June 30, 2007;
|
(e)
|
by
Seller if the conditions in Article 8 have not been satisfied on
or before
June 30, 2007; or
|
(f)
|
as
provided in Article 11.
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9.02. Effect
of Termination.
Each
party's rights of termination under Article 11 are in addition to the rights
it
may have under this Article 9. If this Agreement is terminated pursuant to
Section 9.01, all further obligations of the parties under this Agreement shall
terminate, but such termination shall not impair nor restrict (a) the rights
of
either party against the other with respect to the Deposit, or under Article
10
and (b) the right of Buyer to recover any Damages incurred by it arising out
of
any Breach by Seller of this Agreement and the termination of this Agreement
as
a result thereof.
55
ARTICLE
10
INDEMNIFICATION;
REMEDIES
10.01. Survival. All
representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements contained in this
Agreement shall survive the Closing and continue for one (1) year following
the
Closing Date (or, if termination of this Agreement occurs under Article 9,
then
one (1) year following the termination under Article 9, in the case of Sections
10.02(c), 10.03(c) and 10.03(d) only), except:
(a)
|
those
contained in Section 3.06 shall terminate on the Closing, those contained
in Section 3.08 (other than for matters arising between the Title
Claim
Date and the Closing) shall terminate on the Title Claim Date, and
those
contained in Section 3.08 for matters arising between the Title Claim
Date
and the Closing shall terminate three (3) months after the Closing
Date;
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(b)
|
if
another survival period for making a claim is expressly provided
in the
underlying covenant, agreement, representation, or warranty, then
such
other survival period shall apply with respect to such specific covenant,
agreement, representation, or
warranty;
|
(c)
|
the
indemnities contained in this Article 10 shall survive the Closing
and
continue in accordance with their respective terms set forth below
in this
Article 10; and
|
(d)
|
the
representations, warranties, covenants, and agreements in Article
12 and
in Sections 3.01, 3.02, 3.09, 3.10, 4.01, and 4.09 shall continue
indefinitely.
|
10.02. Indemnification
and Payment of Damages by Seller.
Except
as
otherwise limited in this Article 10, from and after the Closing (or before
or
after the Closing in the case of Section 10.02(c) below) Seller shall defend,
indemnify, and hold harmless Buyer and its respective Representatives,
stockholders, controlling persons, and Affiliates (collectively, the
"Buyer
Group")
for,
and shall pay to the Buyer Group the amount of, any loss, liability, demand,
judgment, settlement, fine, penalty, expense, cost, Remediation cost or expense,
attorneys fees and expenses, claim, or damage, whether or not involving a
third-party claim (collectively, "Damages"),
arising from:
(a)
|
any
Breach of any representation or warranty made by Seller in this
Agreement,
or in any certificate delivered by Seller pursuant to this
Agreement;
|
56
(b)
|
any
Breach by Seller of any covenant or obligation of Seller in this
Agreement;
|
(c)
|
any
claim by any Person for brokerage or finder's fees or commissions
or
similar payments based upon any agreement or understanding alleged
to have
been made by any such Person with Seller (or any Person acting on
its
behalf) in connection with any of the Contemplated
Transactions;
|
(d)
|
any
Retained Liabilities;
|
(e)
|
the
use, ownership, or operation of the Assets by Seller or any Affiliate
of
Seller prior to the Effective Time, except to the extent assumed
by Buyer
as Assumed Liabilities;
|
(f)
|
the
use, ownership, or operation of the Excluded
Assets;
|
(g)
|
the
use, ownership, or operation of the Retained Assets;
or
|
(h)
|
Seller’s
or its agents’, contractors’ or employees’ performance of (or failure to
perform) the Remediation work pursuant to Section 11.13(a) or their
presence on the Assets in connection with such Remediation
work,
WHETHER
OR NOT BASED UPON STRICT LIABILITY OR CAUSED BY THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT
NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE) OF BUYER GROUP, OR ANY PERSON
OR
ENTITY, UNLESS SUCH INJURY WAS OCCASIONED SOLELY BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE
OR INTENTIONAL TORT OF BUYER OR ANY OFFICER, DIRECTOR, OR EMPLOYEE
OR
AGENT OF BUYER.
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57
Except
for Buyer's termination rights under Articles 9 and 11 of this Agreement and
the
special warranty of title in the Instruments of Conveyance, the remedies
provided in this Article 10 (if Closing occurs) and Section 2.02 (if Closing
does not occur) are Buyer's and Buyer Group's exclusive remedies for Seller's
Breaches. Seller’s obligations under Section 10.02(g) are not intended to cover,
and shall not release Buyer Group from, any obligations and responsibilities
that any member of Buyer Group may have (i) as owner of the Assets from and
after the Effective Time or (ii) as a participating party in any non-consent
or
similar operation in which a member of Seller Group does not participate from
and after the Effective Time.
10.03. Indemnification
and Payment of Damages by Buyer.
Except
as
otherwise limited in this Article 10, from and after the Closing (or before
or
after the Closing in the case of Sections 10.03(c) and 10.03(d) below) Buyer
shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless Seller and its Representatives,
stockholders, controlling persons, and Affiliates (collectively, the
"Seller
Group")
for,
and shall pay to Seller Group the amount of any Damages arising
from:
(a)
|
any
Breach of any representation or warranty made by Buyer in this Agreement
or in any certificate delivered by Buyer pursuant to this
Agreement;
|
(b)
|
any
Breach by Buyer of any covenant or obligation of Buyer in this
Agreement;
|
(c)
|
any
claim by any Person for brokerage or finder's fees or commissions
or
similar payments based upon any agreement or understanding alleged
to have
been made by any such Person with Buyer (or any Person acting on
its
behalf) in connection with any of the Contemplated Transactions;
or
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(d)
|
any
loss, liability, claim, damage or suit which any of Buyer's employees
or
agents or their heirs, executors, or assigns may assert against Seller,
based upon injury to person, including death or to property, arising
in
any manner whatsoever from any inspections of Seller’s property prior to
Closing, WHETHER
OR NOT BASED UPON STRICT LIABILITY OR CAUSED BY THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT
NEGLIGENCE (WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE) OF SELLER, OR ANY PERSON OR
ENTITY,
UNLESS
SUCH INJURY WAS OCCASIONED SOLELY BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE
OR
INTENTIONAL TORT OF SELLER OR ANY OFFICER, DIRECTOR, OR EMPLOYEE
OR AGENT
THEREOF;
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58
(e)
|
the
use, ownership, or operation of the Assets from and after the Effective
Time, excluding any Damages arising from any Retained Liabilities;
and
|
(f)
|
the
Assumed Liabilities.
|
Except
for Seller’s termination rights under Articles 9 and 11 of this Agreement, the
remedies provided in this Article 10 (if Closing occurs) and Section 2.02 (if
Closing does not occur) are Seller's and Seller Group’s exclusive remedies for
Buyer's Breaches. Buyer's indemnities under Sections 10.03(e) and (f) are
subject and subordinate to any claims for indemnity that Buyer may have against
Seller pursuant to Section 10.02(a) or 10.02(b). Buyer’s obligations under
Sections 10.03(e) and (f) are not intended to cover, and shall not release
Seller Group from, any obligations and responsibilities that any member of
Seller Group may have as owner of the Excluded Assets from and after the
Effective Time.
10.04. Time
Limitations.
Neither
Seller nor Buyer shall have any liability (for indemnification or otherwise)
with respect to any Breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or
agreement under this Agreement unless, during the survival period set forth
in
Section 10.01 with respect to such representation, warranty, covenant, or
agreement, the other party notifies the Breaching party of a claim specifying
the factual basis of that claim in reasonable detail to the extent then known
by
the party asserting such claim. Claims for indemnity under Sections 10.02(a),
10.02(b), 10.02(d), 10.02(e), 10.03(a), 10.03(b), and 10.03(d) with respect
to
the Breach of any representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement may only
be
made during the survival period set forth in Section 10.01 with respect to
the
particular representation, warranty, covenant, or agreement as to which a claim
of Breach is being made. The parties' respective indemnity obligations under
Section 10.02(c), 10.02(d), 10.02(f), 10.02(g), 10.02(h), 10.03(c), 10.03(e),
and 10.03(f) shall
survive indefinitely.
10.05. Limitations
on Amount--Seller.
If
the
Closing occurs, Seller shall have no liability under Section 10.02 until the
total of all Damages indemnified thereunder exceeds one percent (1%) of the
Purchase Price, and then Seller shall be liable for the entire amount of such
Damages, not to exceed, however, fifteen percent (15%) of the Purchase Price.
Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in the Agreement,
no
limit on liability under this Section and no deductible or liability threshold
under this Agreement shall be applied to reduce Seller’s obligations under
Section 10.02 with respect to Sections 2.02, 2.05, 2.08, 3.01, 3.02, 3.07(b),
3.09, 3.10, 3.12 (in regard to Part
3.12(d) of Seller’s Disclosure Schedule),
3.20,
5.02, 5.03, 10.02(c), 10.02(d), 10.02(f), 10.02(g), 10.02(h), 12.01, 12.02,
12.05, and 12.16 or Article 11. Seller's liability for a breach of Section
3.08
for matters arising between the Title Claim Date and the Closing shall be
subject to the deductibles and limitations to the extent made applicable under
Section 11.08 rather than this Section.
59
10.06. Limitations
on Amount--Buyer.
If
the
Closing occurs, Buyer shall have no liability under Section 10.03 until the
total of all Damages indemnified thereunder exceeds one percent (1%) of the
Purchase Price, and then Buyer shall be liable for the entire amount of such
Damages, not to exceed, however, fifteen percent (15%) of the Purchase Price.
Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything to the contrary in the Agreement,
no
limit on liability under this Section and no deductible or liability threshold
under this Agreement shall be applied to reduce Buyer’s obligations under
Section 10.03 with respect to Sections 2.02, 2.05, 2.08, 4.01, 4.09, 10.03(c),
12.02, and 12.05.
10.07. Procedure
for Indemnification--Third Party Claims.
(a)
|
Promptly
after receipt by an indemnified party under Section 10.02 or 10.03
of a
claim for Damages or notice of the commencement of any Proceeding
against
it, such indemnified party shall, if a claim is to be made against
an
indemnifying party under such Section, give notice to the indemnifying
party of the commencement of such claim. The failure of any indemnified
party to give notice of a claim as provided in this Section 10.07
shall
not relieve the indemnifying party of its obligations under this
Article
10 except to the extent such failure results in insufficient time
being
available to permit the indemnifying party to effectively defend
against
the claim or otherwise prejudices the indemnifying party’s ability to
defend against the claim.
|
60
(b)
|
If
any Proceeding referred to in Section 10.07(a) is brought against
an
indemnified party and it gives notice to the indemnifying party of
the
commencement of such Proceeding, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled
to participate in such Proceeding and, to the extent that it wishes
(unless (i) the indemnifying party is also a party to such Proceeding
and
the indemnified party determines in good faith that joint representation
would be inappropriate, or (ii) the indemnifying party fails to provide
reasonable assurance to the indemnified party of its financial capacity
to
defend such Proceeding and provide indemnification with respect to
such
Proceeding), to assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party and, after notice
from
the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to
assume
the defense of such Proceeding, the indemnifying party shall not,
as long
as it diligently conducts such defense, be liable to the indemnified
party
under this Article 10 for any fees of other counsel or any other
expenses
with respect to the defense of such Proceeding, in each case subsequently
incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense
of such
Proceeding. If the indemnifying party assumes the defense of a Proceeding,
no compromise or settlement of such claims may be effected by the
indemnifying party without the indemnified party's consent unless
(A)
there is no finding or admission of any violation of Legal Requirements
or
any violation of the rights of any Person and no effect on any other
claims that may be made against the indemnified party, and (B) the
sole
relief provided is monetary damages that are paid in full by the
indemnifying party, and (C) the indemnified party shall have no liability
with respect to any compromise or settlement of such claims effected
without its consent.
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(c)
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Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if an indemnified party determines in good faith that
there
is a reasonable probability that a Proceeding may adversely affect
it or
its Affiliates other than as a result of monetary damages for which
it
would be entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, the indemnified
party may, by notice to the indemnifying party, assume the exclusive
right
to defend, compromise, or settle such Proceeding, but the indemnifying
party shall not be bound by any determination of a Proceeding so
defended
or any compromise or settlement effected without its consent (which
may
not be unreasonably withheld).
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61
10.08. Procedure
for Indemnification--Other Claims.
A
claim
for indemnification for any matter not involving a third-party claim may be
asserted by notice to the party from whom indemnification is
sought.
10.09. Extent
of Representations and Warranties.
(a)
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EXCEPT
AS AND TO THE EXTENT EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
SELLER'S
CLOSING DOCUMENTS, SELLER MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES
WHATSOEVER, AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR
ANY
REPRESENTATION, WARRANTY, STATEMENT OR INFORMATION MADE OR COMMUNICATED
(ORALLY OR IN WRITING) TO BUYER (INCLUDING ANY OPINION, INFORMATION
OR
ADVICE WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO BUYER BY ANY AFFILIATE OR
REPRESENTATIVE OF SELLER OR BY ANY INVESTMENT BANK OR INVESTMENT
BANKING
FIRM, ANY PETROLEUM ENGINEER OR ENGINEERING FIRM, SELLER’S COUNSEL OR ANY
OTHER AGENT, CONSULTANT OR REPRESENTATIVE). WITHOUT LIMITING THE
GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT AS AND TO THE EXTENT EXPRESSLY
SET
FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SELLER'S CLOSING DOCUMENTS, SELLER
EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM AND NEGATES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY,
EXPRESS,
IMPLIED, AT COMMON LAW, BY STATUTE, OR OTHERWISE RELATING TO (A)
THE TITLE
TO ANY OF THE ASSETS, EXCEPT THAT SELLER EXPRESSLY WARRANTS THAT
THE
LEASES ARE FREE AND CLEAR OF ALL LIENS, SECURITY INTERESTS, ENCUMBRANCES
OR DEFECTS IN TITLE, EXCEPT PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES, (B) THE CONDITION
OF
THE ASSETS (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS
WARRANTY
OF MERCHANTABILITY, OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR OF
CONFORMITY
TO MODELS OR SAMPLES OF MATERIALS), IT BEING DISTINCTLY UNDERSTOOD
THE
ASSETS ARE BEING SOLD “AS IS,” “WHERE IS” AND “WITH ALL FAULTS AS TO ALL
MATTERS,” (C) ANY INFRINGEMENT BY SELLER OF ANY PATENT OR PROPRIETARY
RIGHT OF ANY THIRD PARTY, (D) ANY INFORMATION, DATA, OR OTHER MATERIALS
(WRITTEN OR ORAL) FURNISHED TO BUYER BY OR ON BEHALF OF SELLER
(INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION, IN RESPECT OF GEOLOGICAL AND ENGINEERING DATA,
THE
EXISTENCE OR EXTENT OF OIL, GAS, OR THE MINERAL RESERVES, THE
RECOVERABILITY OF SUCH RESERVES, ANY PRODUCT PRICING ASSUMPTIONS,
AND THE
ABILITY TO SELL OIL OR GAS PRODUCTION AFTER CLOSING), AND (E) THE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITION AND OTHER CONDITION OF THE ASSETS AND ANY
POTENTIAL LIABILITY ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE
ASSETS.
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62
(b)
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Buyer
acknowledges and affirms that it has made its own independent
investigation, analysis, and evaluation of the Contemplated Transactions
(including Buyer’s own estimate and appraisal of the extent and value of
Seller’s Hydrocarbon reserves attributable to the Assets and an
independent assessment and appraisal of the environmental risks associated
with the acquisition of the Assets). Buyer acknowledges that in entering
into this Agreement it has relied on the aforementioned investigation
and
the representations and warranties of Seller contained in this Agreement
and the Seller’s Closing Documents. Buyer
hereby irrevocably covenants to refrain from, directly or indirectly,
asserting any claim, or commencing, instituting, or causing to be
commenced, any Proceeding of any kind against Seller, or any Affiliate
thereof, alleging facts contrary to the foregoing acknowledgment
and
affirmation; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 10.09(b)
shall prevent the assertion of a claim for indemnification and/or
payment
of damages as provided for in Section 10.02.
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10.10. Compliance
With Express Negligence Test. THE
PARTIES AGREE THAT THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE INDEMNIFYING PARTY TO INDEMNIFY THE
INDEMNIFIED PARTY SHALL BE WITHOUT REGARD TO THE NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY
OF THE INDEMNIFIED PARTY, WHETHER THE NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY IS ACTIVE,
PASSIVE, JOINT, CONCURRENT, OR SOLE.The
foregoing is a specifically bargained for allocation of risk among the parties,
which the parties agree and acknowledge satisfies the express negligence rule
and conspicuousness requirement under Texas law.
10.11. Limitations
of Liability.
In
no
event shall Seller or Buyer ever be liable to the other for any consequential,
special, indirect, exemplary, or punitive damages relating to or arising out
of
the Contemplated Transactions; provided, however, that any consequential,
special, indirect, exemplary, or punitive damages recovered by a third party
(including a Governmental Body, but excluding any Affiliate of any party)
against a party entitled to indemnity pursuant to this Article 10 shall be
included in the Damages recoverable under such indemnity.
63
ARTICLE
11
TITLE
MATTERS AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
11.01. Title
Examination and Access.
Buyer
may
make or cause to be made at its expense such examination as it may desire of
the
title of Seller to the Assets. For such purposes, Seller shall (a) give to
Buyer
and its Representatives full access at any reasonable time to all of the files,
records, contracts, correspondence, computer output and data files, maps, data,
reports, plats, abstracts of title, lease files, well files, unit files,
division order files, production marketing files, title opinions, title files
and title records, title insurance policies, ownership maps, surveys, and any
other information, data, records, and files that Seller has (or has access
to)
relating in any way to the title to the Assets, the past or present operation
thereof, and the marketing of production therefrom, except, however, where
restricted by license agreements or other agreements or contracts with a
non-affiliated third party; (b) furnish to Buyer all other information in the
possession of or available to Seller with respect to the title to the Assets
as
Buyer may from time to time reasonably request, except to the extent that Seller
is prohibited therefrom by any agreement or contract to which it is a party
or
of which it is a beneficiary with a non-affiliated third party; and (c)
authorize Buyer and its representatives to consult with attorneys, abstract
companies, and other Representatives of Seller, whether utilized in the past
or
presently, concerning title-related matters with respect to the Assets. Seller
shall advise Buyer in writing of any restrictions, constraints or prohibition
on
the right of Seller to provide and disclose to Buyer all data and information
herein provided, and Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to attempt
to remove such restrictions, constraints, or prohibition or to obtain the
consent to provide and disclose such data and information to Buyer.
11.02. Preferential
Purchase Rights.
Within
five (5) Business Days following the execution of this Agreement, Seller shall
provide all notices necessary to comply with or obtain the waiver of all
Preferential Purchase Rights which are applicable to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement prior to the Closing Date. To the extent any
such
Preferential Purchase Rights are
exercised by any holders thereof, or waivers thereof
are not
obtained prior to the Closing Date, then the Assets subject to such Preferential
Purchase Rights shall not be sold to Buyer and shall be excluded from the Assets
and sale under this Agreement. The Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward
by
the Allocated Value of the Assets so excluded. If any holder of a Preferential
Purchase Right applicable to this transaction initially elects to exercise
that
preferential right, but subsequently refuses or elects not to consummate the
purchase under the preferential right (whether such failure occurs before or
after the Closing Date), or if, after the Closing, the time period for a holder
to exercise such a Preferential Purchase Right expires, the parties agree that
Buyer shall purchase such interests covered by the preferential right in
accordance with Allocated Value thereof (subject to the adjustments pursuant
to
Section 2.05) and the closing of such transaction shall take place on a date
designated by Seller not more than one hundred eighty (180) days after the
Closing Date.
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11.03. Required
Consents.
Within
five (5) Business Days following the execution of this Agreement, Seller shall
initiate all procedures required to comply with or obtain all Consents and
the
waiver of maintenance of uniform provisions required for the transfer of the
Assets. If Seller shall fail to obtain any Consent or waiver of maintenance
of
uniform interest provision required for the transfer of any Asset, Seller’s
failure shall be handled as follows:
(a)
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If
the holder of the right to consent or party to a maintenance of uniform
interest provision affirmatively refuses to consent or waive prior
to
Closing, such refusal shall be considered a Title Defect under this
Article and the Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward by the
Allocated
Value of the affected Asset.
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(b)
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Except
for approvals from Governmental Bodies normally received subsequent
to
assignment, if Seller reasonably believes a Consent or waiver will
be
obtained within a reasonable period of time subsequent to Closing,
the
Asset shall be held by Seller for the benefit of Buyer after Closing
and
Seller shall provide Buyer with the economic benefits thereof until
such
Consent or waiver is received or until one hundred eighty (180) days
after
the Closing, if later, and Buyer shall pay for the Asset at the Closing
in
accordance with this Agreement as though the Consent or waiver had
been
obtained. If Seller obtains the Consent or waiver within one hundred
eighty (180) days after the Closing, then Seller shall deliver conveyances
of the Asset to Buyer. If the Consent or waiver is not obtained or
is
affirmatively refused within one hundred eighty (180) days after
the
Closing, Seller shall promptly pay to Buyer an amount equal to the
Allocated Value of the affected Asset (less any net revenues (revenues
net
of Property Costs) received by Buyer in connection with such Asset)
plus
interest on such amount from the Closing Date until paid at the Agreed
Interest Rate, and Seller’s holding for the benefit of Buyer shall
thereupon terminate.
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65
11.04. Defensible
Title.
On
the
Closing Date, Seller shall convey to Buyer Defensible Title to the Assets.
As
used herein, the term “Defensible
Title”
shall
mean, as to the Assets, that title which is filed, recorded, or otherwise
referenced of record in the records of the applicable Governmental Body in
a
manner which under applicable Legal Requirements constitutes constructive notice
of ownership of such Asset to third parties acquiring an interest in or an
encumbrance against such Asset, and which:
(a) |
Entitles
Seller, as to each Well (or the specified zone(s) therein), to
receive and retain without suspension, reduction or termination,
not less
than the Net Revenue Interest set forth for such Well (or the specified
zone(s) therein) in Exhibit
A,
through the plugging, abandonment, and salvage of such Well (or
the
specified zone(s) therein), except for any decrease (i) caused
by orders
of the appropriate regulatory body having jurisdiction over the
Well that
are promulgated after the Effective Time that concern pooling,
unitization, communitization, or spacing matters; or (ii) caused
by Buyer,
its successors or
assigns;
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(b) |
Obligates
Seller, as to each Well (or the specified zone(s) therein),
to
bear not more than the Working Interest set forth for such Well
(or the
specified zone(s) therein) in Exhibit
A,
through the plugging, abandonment, and salvage of such Well (or
the
specified zone(s) therein), except for any increase (i) caused
by Buyer,
its successors or assigns; (ii) that also results in the Net Revenue
Interest associated with the Well being proportionately increased;
or
(iii) caused by orders of the appropriate regulatory body having
jurisdiction over the Well that are promulgated after the Effective
Time
that concern pooling, unitization, communitization, or spacing
matters;
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(c) |
Is
free and clear of all Encumbrances except for Permitted Encumbrances;
and
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66
(d) |
In
the
case of Assets other than Xxxxx (such as pipeline interests and
undeveloped leasehold interests), entitles Seller to the ownership
interest reflected in Exhibit
A.
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11.05. Title
Defects. Buyer
shall notify Seller in writing of Title Defects (“Title
Defect Notice(s)”)
no
later than 5:00 p.m. Central Time on the seventh (7th)
Business Day prior to the Closing Date (the “Title
Claim Date”).
The
Title Defect Notice shall state with reasonable specificity: (i) the Asset
affected;
(ii) the particular Title Defect claimed; (iii) Buyer’s good faith estimate of
the amount the Title Defect reduces the Allocated Value of the affected Asset
(such amount being the “Defect
Value”);
and
(iv) appropriate documentation, if any, substantiating Buyer’s claim. Without
limiting Section 3.08 or the Instruments of Conveyance, Buyer shall conclusively
be deemed to have waived any Title Defects not asserted by a Title Defect Notice
no later than 5:00 p.m. Central Time on the Title Claim Date. For all Title
Defects asserted in Title Defect Notices, Seller shall have the option of (a)
curing the Title Defect, (b) contesting the Title Defect or Buyer’s good faith
estimate of the Defect Value, (c) adjusting the Purchase Price downward by
Buyer’s good faith estimate of the Defect Value, subject to the limitations set
forth below, or (d) excluding the affected Asset and reducing the Purchase
Price
by the Allocated Value thereof. Seller shall notify Buyer in writing of its
election no more than four (4) Business Days following its receipt of a Title
Defect Notice, and Seller's failure to make an election shall be deemed an
election under clause (c) of the preceding sentence.
The
Defect Value shall be determined pursuant to the following guidelines, where
applicable:
(a) |
if
the Title Defect is that the actual Net Revenue Interest attributable
to
any Well (or the specified zone(s) therein) is less than that stated
in
Exhibit A, then the Defect Value is the product of the Allocated
Value of
such Asset, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
difference between the Net Revenue Interest set forth in Exhibit
A and the
actual Net Revenue Interest, and the denominator of which is the
Net
Revenue Interest stated in Exhibit A;
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(b) |
if
the Title Defect results from Seller having a greater Working Interest
in
a Well (or the specified zone(s) therein) than the Working Interest
specified therefor in Exhibit A, without a corresponding increase in
the Net Revenue Interest, the Defect Value shall be equal to the
present
value (discounted at 10% compounded annually) of the increase in
the costs
and expenses forecasted in the Reserve Report with respect to such
Well
(or the specified zone(s) therein) for the period from and after
the
Effective Time which is attributable to such increase in Seller’s Working
Interest;
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67
(c) |
if
the Title Defect results from the existence of a lien, security interest,
pledge or collateral assignment, the Defect Value shall be an amount
sufficient to fully discharge such lien, security interest, pledge
or
collateral assignment;
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(d) |
if
the Title Defect results from any matter not described in
paragraphs (a), (b) or (c) above, the Defect Value shall be an amount
equal to the difference between the value of the Well(s) (or the
specified
zone(s) therein) or other Asset with such Title Defect and the value
of
the Well(s) (or the specified zone(s) therein) or other Asset without
such
Title Defect (taking into account the Allocated Value of the affected
Asset);
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(e) |
if
a Title Defect is not effective or does not affect a Well (or the
specified zone(s) therein) or other Asset throughout the entire productive
life of such Well (or the specified zone(s) therein) or other Asset,
such
fact shall be taken into account in determining the Defect
Value.
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In
no
event, however, shall the total of the Defect Values related to a particular
Asset exceed the Allocated Value of such Asset.
11.06. Seller’s
Right to Cure. If
Seller
elects to cure a Title Defect, then Seller shall so notify Buyer in writing
within four (4) Business Days after receipt of the particular Title Defect
Notice (“Cure
Notice”).
Seller shall either cure the Title Defect to the reasonable satisfaction of
Buyer (“Cure”),
or if
Seller is unable to Cure such Title Defect within sixty (60) days after receipt
of the Title Defect Notice, adjust the Purchase Price downward by Buyer’s good
faith estimate of the Defect Value set forth in the Title Defect Notice, subject
to the limitations set forth below.
If
Seller
elects to cure a Title Defect but is unable to do so prior to Closing, Seller
shall convey the affected Asset to Buyer and Buyer shall pay for the affected
Asset at Closing in accordance with this Agreement as though the Title Defect
had been Cured; however, if Seller is unable to Cure the Title Defect within
sixty (60) days after receipt of the Title Defect Notice, then Seller, at its
sole option, shall either (a) adjust the Purchase Price downward by the Defect
Value of that particular Title Defect, or (b) elect to have Buyer reconvey
the
affected Asset to Seller, whereupon the Purchase Price shall be adjusted
downward by the Allocated Value of the affected Asset, less any net revenues
(revenues net of Property Costs) received by Buyer in connection with the
affected Asset.
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11.07. Contested
Title Defects. If
Seller
contests the existence of a Title Defect or Buyer’s good faith estimate of the
Defect Value, then Seller shall so notify Buyer in writing no more than five
(5)
Business Days after Seller’s receipt of the Title Defect Notice (“Rejection
Notice”).
The
Rejection Notice shall state with reasonable specificity the basis of Seller’s
rejection of the Title Defect or of Buyer’s good faith estimate of the Defect
Value. Within thirty (30) days after Buyer’s receipt of the Rejection Notice,
representatives of Buyer and Seller, knowledgeable in title matters, shall
meet
and, within seven (7) days after such meeting, either: (i) agree to mutually
reject the particular Title Defect, or (ii) agree on the validity of such Title
Defect and the Defect Value, in which case Seller shall have sixty (60) days
after the date of such agreement within which to Cure such Title Defect and
failing such Cure, to adjust the Purchase Price as provided above. If the
parties cannot agree on either options (i) or (ii) in the preceding sentence,
the Title Defect or the Defect Value subject to the Rejection Notice shall
be
submitted to arbitration in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section
12.15. For any Title Defect asserted by Buyer in a Title Defect Notice by the
Title Claim Date, if Seller fails to timely deliver a Rejection Notice or a
Cure
Notice, or, if applicable, to notify Buyer that Seller elects to exclude the
affected Asset and reduce the Purchase Price by the Allocated Value thereof,
then Seller shall be deemed to have accepted the validity of the Title Defect
and Buyer’s good faith estimate of the Defect Value, and the Purchase Price
shall be adjusted downward by an amount equal to the Defect Value of the Title
Defect.
In
the
event a contested Title Defect cannot be resolved prior to Closing, Seller
shall
convey the affected Asset to Buyer and Buyer shall pay for the Asset at Closing
in accordance with this Agreement as though there were no Title Defect; however,
if the Title Defect contest results in a determination that a Title Defect
exists, and Seller elects not to Cure or is unable to Cure the Title Defect
within sixty (60) days after such determination, then
Seller, at its sole option, shall either (a) adjust the Purchase Price downward
by the Defect Value of that particular Title Defect, or (b) elect to have Buyer
reconvey the affected Asset to Seller, whereupon the Purchase Price shall be
adjusted downward by the Allocated Value of the affected Asset, less any net
revenues (revenues net of Property Costs) received by Buyer in connection with
the affected Asset.
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11.08. Limitations
on Adjustments for Title Defects. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Sections 11.04, 11.05, 11.06, and 11.07, Seller is obligated
to adjust the Purchase Price to account for Title Defects only if the aggregate
Defect Value of all Title Defects that Seller has agreed to pay pursuant to
Sections 11.05 or 11.06 or which are resolved pursuant to Section 11.07 (the
“Aggregate
Title Defect Value”)
exceeds a deductible (not a threshold) equal
to
Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars
($500,000.00).
If the
Defect Value for any single Asset is less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars
($100,000.00) ("De
Minimis
Title
Defect Cost"),
such
value shall not be considered in calculating the Aggregate Title Defect Value.
The aggregated Defect Value(s) for any Asset shall never exceed the Allocated
Value of such Asset. If the sum of (i) the Aggregate Title Defect Value
(including any unresolved disputed Title Defects and any uncured Title Defects,
whether or not Seller has elected to attempt to cure), plus (ii) the Aggregate
Environmental Defect Value (including any unresolved disputed Environmental
Defects and any uncured Environmental Defects, whether or not Seller has elected
to attempt to cure), plus (iii) the aggregate value of Assets requiring consent
to assign for which a consent has not been obtained by the Closing Date, plus
(iv) in connection only with Buyer’s election to terminate, the aggregate value
of Assets subject to preferential purchase rights that have not been waived
by
the Closing Date, plus (v) in connection only with Buyer’s election to
terminate, the aggregate costs to repair or replace any portion of the Assets
subject to a Casualty Loss or condemnation that occurs after the date of this
Agreement and prior to the Closing and any other Damages related thereto,
exceeds twenty percent (20%) of the unadjusted Purchase Price, either Buyer
or
Seller may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the other, and
neither party shall thereafter have any further rights or obligations hereunder;
provided, however, that the amounts covered by clause (iv) of this sentence
shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining if Seller has a
right to terminate this Agreement. Any claim by Buyer for Seller's Breach of
Section 3.08 for matters arising between the Title Claim Date and the Closing,
shall be subject to the limitations of this Section, however, in applying such
limitations, the Defect Value of all Title Defects under this Article 11 shall
be aggregated with the amounts claimed by Buyer for Seller's Breach of Section
3.08 for matters arising between the Title Claim Date and the Closing. Buyer's
claims for Breach by Seller of Section 5.02 shall not be subject to the
limitations of this Section.
11.09. Interest
Additions. If
Seller
discovers an increase in the Net Revenue Interest shown on Exhibit A with
respect to an Asset that is free of Title Defects (an “Interest
Addition”),
then
Seller shall, from time to time and without limitation, have the right to give
Buyer written notice of such Interest Additions (“Interest
Addition Notice”),
as
soon as practicable but not later than the Title Claim Date, stating with
reasonable specificity the Asset affected, the particular Interest Addition
claimed, and Seller’s good faith estimate of the amount the additional interest
increases the value of the affected Asset over and above that Asset’s Allocated
Value (“Interest
Addition Value”).
The
Interest Addition Value shall be determined by multiplying the Allocated Value
of the subject Well (or the specified zone(s) therein) by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the increase in the Net Revenue Interest in such Well
(or
the specified zone(s) therein) over the Net Revenue Interest specified therefor
in Exhibit A, and the denominator of which is the Net Revenue Interest specified
for such Well (or the specified zone(s) therein) in Exhibit A. Seller shall
conclusively be deemed to have waived any additional interest not asserted
by an
Interest Addition Notice on or before the Title Claim Date. If Buyer agrees
with
the existence of the Additional Interest and Seller’s good faith estimate of the
Interest Addition Value, then the Purchase Price shall be adjusted upward by
the
amount of the Interest Addition Value. If Buyer contests the existence of the
Interest Addition or Seller’s good faith estimate of the Interest Addition
Value, then Buyer shall so notify Seller in writing within five (5) Business
Days after Buyer’s receipt of the Interest Addition Notice (“Interest
Addition Rejection Notice”).
The
Interest Addition Rejection Notice shall state with reasonable specificity
the
basis of Buyer’s rejection of the Additional Interest or of Buyer’s good faith
estimate of the Interest Addition Value. Within ten (10) days after Seller’s
receipt of the Interest Addition Rejection Notice, representatives of Buyer
and
Seller, knowledgeable in title matters, shall meet and either (a) agree to
mutually reject the Interest Addition in which case Seller shall waive the
Interest Addition, or (b) agree on the validity of such Interest Addition and
the Interest Addition Value, in which case the Purchase Price shall be adjusted
upward accordingly. If the parties cannot agree on either option (a) or (b)
in
the preceding sentence, the Interest Addition subject to the Interest Addition
Rejection Notice shall be submitted to arbitration in accordance with the
procedures set forth in Section 12.15. If Buyer fails to timely deliver an
Interest Addition Rejection Notice, Buyer shall be deemed to have accepted
the
validity of the Interest Addition and Seller’s good faith estimate of the
Interest Addition Value, and Seller shall be entitled to an upwards Purchase
Price adjustment as described above. Buyer
shall also promptly furnish Seller with written notice of any Interest Addition
which is discovered by any of Buyer’s or any of its Affiliate’s employees, title
attorneys, landmen, or other title examiners while conducting Buyer’s title
review, due diligence, or investigation with respect to the Assets.
70
11.10. Reconveyance. If
the
Purchase Price is adjusted downward by one hundred percent (100%) of the
Allocated Value of any Asset, Buyer shall, at Seller’s sole option to be
exercised no later than sixty (60) days after such Purchase Price adjustment,
reconvey to Seller the Asset (effective as of the Effective Time). In connection
with such reconveyance, Buyer shall pay Seller all revenues received by Buyer
with respect to such reconveyed Assets and Seller shall reimburse Buyer for
all
Property Costs paid by Buyer with respect to such reconveyed
Assets.
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11.11. Buyer’s
Environmental Assessment.
Beginning
on the date of this Agreement and ending seven (7) Business Days prior to the
Closing Date (the “Environmental
Claim Date”),
Buyer
shall have the right, at its sole cost, risk, and expense, to conduct an
environmental assessment of the Assets. During normal business hours and after
providing Seller reasonable prior notice of any such activities, Buyer and
its
representatives shall be permitted to enter upon the Assets operated by Seller
and all buildings and improvements thereon, inspect the same, review all of
Seller’s files and records (other than those for which Seller has an
attorney-client privilege) relating to the Assets and generally conduct tests,
examinations, and investigations.
Seller
will have the right to (i) observe such investigation and (ii) promptly receive
a copy of all results, analyses, and reviews, except for such information for
which Buyer has an attorney-client privilege. All information obtained or
reviewed by Buyer shall be maintained confidential by Buyer.
11.12. Environmental
Defect Notice. Buyer
shall notify Seller in writing of any Environmental Defect (“Environmental
Defect Notice(s)”)
no
later than 5:00 p.m. Central Time on the Environmental Claim Date. The
Environmental Defect Notice shall state with reasonable specificity: (i) the
Asset affected; (ii) a complete description of the Environmental Defect claimed;
(iii) Buyer’s good faith estimate of the cost of Remediation of such
Environmental Defect (the “Environmental
Defect Value”);
and
(iv) appropriate documentation substantiating Buyer’s claim. Without limiting
Section 3.06, Buyer shall conclusively be deemed to have waived any
Environmental Defect not asserted by an Environmental Defect Notice by 5:00
p.m.
Central Time on the Environmental Claim Date.
11.13. Seller’s
Election with Respect to Environmental Defects. For
any
Environmental Defect asserted in an Environmental Defect Notice, Seller, in
its
sole discretion, shall
have the
option of (i) Remediating the Environmental Defect, (ii) contesting the
existence of the Environmental Defect or the Environmental Defect Value, (iii)
paying the Environmental Defect Value as an adjustment to the Purchase Price
subject to the limitations set forth below, or (iv) excluding the affected
Asset
and reducing the Purchase Price by the Allocated Value thereof. Seller shall
notify Buyer in writing of its election no more than five (5) days following
its
receipt of an Environmental Defect Notice, and Seller's failure to make an
election shall be deemed an election under clause (iii) of the preceding
sentence.
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(a)
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If
Seller elects to Remediate an Environmental Defect, Seller shall
give
written notice of such an election to Buyer no more than five (5)
Business
Days after receipt of the Environmental Defect Notice, together with
Seller’s proposed plan and timing for such Remediation, and Seller shall
remain liable for all Damages arising out of or in connection with
such
Environmental Defect until such time as the Remediation is
completed.
If
Seller elects the option set forth in this clause (a), Seller shall
implement such Remediation in a manner which is in compliance with
all
Legal Requirements and applicable Environmental Laws in a prompt
and
timely fashion for the type of Remediation. Seller's proposed plan
and
timing for such Remediation shall be subject to Buyer's approval
which
shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, however,
Buyer may withhold approval of any Remediation that is reasonably
estimated to take more than one hundred twenty (120) days to complete.
If
Buyer does not approve Seller's proposed plan and timing for such
Remediation in accordance with the foregoing and the parties do not
agree
on a mutually acceptable plan and timing for such Remediation within
ten
(10) Business Days after Buyer's receipt of Seller's proposed plan
and
timing for such Remediation, then Buyer shall have the option to
remove
and exclude the Assets subject to such Remediation (together with
other
Assets which are appurtenant thereto) from the "Assets" and upon
such
election the Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward by one hundred
percent (100%) of the Allocated Value of the Assets so removed and
excluded from the "Assets." If such election by Buyer occurs after
the
Closing Date, the removed and excluded Assets shall be reconveyed
by Buyer
to Seller (effective as of the Effective Time), and the Purchase
Price
shall be reduced by the Allocated Value of the affected Asset. In
connection with such reconveyance, Buyer shall pay Seller all revenues
received by Buyer with respect to such reconveyed Assets and Seller
shall
reimburse Buyer for all Property Costs paid by Buyer with respect
to such
reconveyed Assets.
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(b)
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If
Seller in good faith contests the existence of an Environmental Defect
or
the Environmental Defect Value, then Seller shall so notify Buyer
in
writing no more than five (5) Business Days after receipt of the
Environmental Defect Notice (“Environmental
Rejection Notice”).
The Environmental Rejection Notice shall state with reasonable specificity
the basis of Seller’s rejection of the Environmental Defect or the
Environmental Defect Value. Within ten (10) days of Buyer’s receipt of the
Environmental Rejection Notice, representatives of Buyer and Seller,
knowledgeable in environmental matters, shall meet and, within twenty
(20)
days after Buyer’s receipt of such Environmental Rejection Notice, either:
(i) agree to mutually reject the particular Environmental Defect
Notice,
or (ii) agree on the validity of such Notice including the Environmental
Defect Value, in which case Seller shall have ten (10) days after
the date
of such agreement within which to elect in writing to Remediate the
Environmental Defect pursuant to Section 11.13(a) above or to adjust
the Purchase Price downward by the Environmental Defect Value, subject
to
the limitations set forth below. If Buyer and Seller cannot agree
on
either options (i) or (ii) in the preceding sentence, the dispute
shall be
submitted to arbitration in accordance with the procedures set forth
in
Section 12.15. In such case, Seller shall have five (5) Business
Days
following the final decision of the arbitration panel to notify Buyer
in
writing of its election to Remediate the Environmental Defect or
to adjust
the Purchase Price.
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(c)
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If
a contested Environmental Defect cannot be resolved prior to Closing,
Seller shall retain the affected Asset and the Purchase Price shall
be
reduced by the Allocated Value thereof. After the Closing, if Buyer
and
Seller agree on the Environmental Defect Value of the affected Asset,
or
if the Environmental Defect Value is subsequently determined by final
decision of the arbitration panel as provided above, then Buyer shall
purchase the affected Asset for the Allocated Value less the agreed
or
determined Environmental Defect Value (unless Seller elects to Remediate
the Environmental Defect, in which case Buyer shall purchase the
affected
Asset for the full Allocated Value thereof, and Seller shall Remediate
the
Environmental Defect in accordance with Section 11.13(a) above),
and the
closing of such transaction shall take place on a date designated
by
Seller not more than one hundred eighty (180) days after the Closing
Date.
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(d)
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If
the Purchase Price is adjusted pursuant to this Section 11.13, or
if Buyer
waives an Environmental Defect pursuant to this section or otherwise,
Buyer shall assume all losses associated with its respective interest
in
the Assets relating to such Environmental
Defect(s).
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11.14. Limitation. Notwithstanding
the provisions of Sections 11.12 and 11.13, no adjustment to the Purchase Price
for Environmental Defect Values shall be made unless and until the aggregate
value of all Environmental Defect Values (the “Aggregate
Environmental Defect Value”)
exceeds a deductible (not a threshold)
equal to Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).
If the
Environmental Defect Value with respect to any single Environmental Defect
is
less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) ("De
Minimis
Environmental Defect Cost"), such cost shall not be considered in calculating
the Aggregate Environmental Defect Value. If the sum of (i) the Aggregate Title
Defect Value (including any unresolved disputed Title Defects and any uncured
Title Defects, whether or not Seller has elected to attempt to cure), plus
(ii)
the Aggregate Environmental Defect Value (including any unresolved disputed
Environmental Defects and any uncured Environmental Defects, whether or not
Seller has elected to attempt to cure), plus (iii) the aggregate value of Assets
requiring consent to assign for which a consent has not been obtained by the
Closing Date, plus (iv) in connection only with Buyer’s election to terminate,
the aggregate value of Assets subject to preferential purchase rights that
have
not been waived by the Closing Date, plus (v) in connection only with Buyer’s
election to terminate, the aggregate costs to repair or replace any portion
of
the Assets subject to a Casualty Loss that occurs after the date of this
Agreement and prior to the Closing and any other Damages related thereto,
exceeds twenty percent (20%) of the unadjusted Purchase Price, either Buyer
or
Seller may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to the other, and
neither party shall thereafter have any further rights or obligations hereunder;
provided, however, that the amounts covered by clause (iv) of this sentence
shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining if Seller has a
right to terminate this Agreement.
11.15. Exclusive
Remedies. The
rights and remedies granted each party in this Agreement are the exclusive
rights and remedies against the other party related to any Environmental
Condition, or losses related thereto. EACH
PARTY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL OTHER RIGHTS AND REMEDIES WHICH IT MAY HAVE
UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AGAINST THE OTHER PARTY REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITIONS, WHETHER FOR CONTRIBUTION, INDEMNITY OR OTHERWISE, REGARDLESS OF
THE
FAULT OR NEGLIGENCE OF THE CLAIMING PARTY, INCLUDING STRICT OR STATUTORY
LIABILITY OF THAT PARTY UNDER ANY APPLICABLE LAW.
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11.16. Casualty
Loss and Condemnation.
(a)
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If
after the date of execution of this Agreement and prior to the Closing
any
part of the Assets suffers a Casualty Loss or if any part of the
Assets is
taken in condemnation or under the right of eminent domain or if
proceedings for such purposes are pending or Threatened, Seller shall
promptly give Buyer written notice of such occurrence, including
reasonable particulars with respect thereto, and this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any such destruction,
taking, proceeding, or threat, subject to Sections 11.08 and
11.14.
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(b)
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With
regard to a Casualty Loss or condemnation occurring after the date
of
execution of this Agreement, without Buyer’s prior consent, no insurance
or condemnation proceeds shall be committed or applied by Seller
to
repair, restore, or replace a lost, damaged, destroyed or taken portion
of
the Assets if the cost to repair, restore, or replace a lost, damaged,
destroyed or taken portion of the Assets is projected to exceed $50,000.
To the extent such proceeds are not committed or applied by Seller
prior
to the Closing Date in accordance with this Section 11.16(b), Seller
shall
at the Closing pay to Buyer all sums paid to Seller by reason of
such
loss, damage, destruction or taking, less any reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by Seller in collecting such proceeds. In addition
and
to the extent such proceeds have not been committed or applied by
Seller
in accordance with this Section 11.16(b), in such repair, restoration,
or
replacement, Seller shall transfer to Buyer, at Closing, without
recourse
against Seller, all of the right, title, and interest of Seller in
and to
any unpaid insurance or condemnation proceeds arising out of such
loss,
damage, destruction or taking, less any reasonable costs and expenses
incurred by Seller in collecting such proceeds. Any such funds which
have
been committed by Seller for repair, restoration, or replacement
as
aforesaid shall be paid by Seller for such purposes or, at Seller’s
option, delivered to Buyer upon Seller’s receipt from Buyer of adequate
assurance and indemnity that Seller shall incur no liability or expense
as
a result of such commitment.
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76
(c)
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If
and to the extent any portion of the loss attributable to a Casualty
Loss
occurring after the date of execution of this Agreement and before
Closing
is not covered by insurance (such uncovered portion of the Casualty
Loss
being referred to in this Section as an "uninsured loss"), Buyer
and
Seller shall attempt to agree on the value of the uninsured Casualty
Loss
on or before the date five (5) days after Buyer receives written
notice of
the Casualty Loss. If the parties are not able to agree on such value
within such 5-day period, the value shall be determined by an independent
casualty adjuster, experienced in determining casualty losses in
matters
similar to the disputed Casualty Loss, who shall be selected by Seller
from a list of three (3) such independent casualty adjusters that
is
provided to Seller by Buyer. Said independent casualty adjuster shall
be
selected by Seller within five (5) days of the written receipt by
Seller
of Buyer’s written listing of independent casualty adjusters and shall
provide both Seller and Buyer with a complete and documented report
as to
his findings within ten (10) Business Days after being selected by
Seller.
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For
purposes of this Section, the value of the uninsured Casualty Loss shall be
equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate reduction in Allocated Value of the
affected Assets resulting from the uninsured Casualty Loss, if such affected
Assets are not repaired, or (ii) the amount required to repair the affected
portion of the Assets to its condition immediately preceding the occurrence
of
the Casualty Loss plus any other Damages which may be suffered on account of
such Casualty Loss. The Purchase Price shall be reduced by the amount of the
value of such an uninsured Casualty Loss as finally determined pursuant to
this
Section, and if such final determination is not available on the scheduled
Closing Date, Closing shall not be delayed, but rather, the amount paid at
Closing shall be reduced by the value of the uninsured Casualty Loss estimated
in good faith by Buyer, and the difference between such good faith estimate
and
the value finally determined pursuant hereto shall be included as part of the
final adjustments to be made after Closing as contemplated by Section
2.05.
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ARTICLE
12
GENERAL
PROVISIONS
12.01. Records.
Buyer
shall be entitled to all original records and documents relating to the Assets,
including but not limited to land and lease files, division of interest computer
printouts, contract files, well files, and copies of well logs; excluding,
however, those records that Seller is prohibited by law or contract from
disclosing to Buyer. Seller, at Seller’s expense, shall deliver such records to
Buyer (FOB Seller’s office) within thirty (30) days after Closing. Buyer shall
retain such records for at least seven (7) years beyond the Closing Date.
Seller, at Seller’s expense, shall be entitled to retain copies of such records
as Seller may desire, provided that Seller shall maintain such records in
confidence in accordance with Section 12.18 for as long as they retain copies
of
such records. After Closing, Seller, at Seller’s expense, shall be entitled to
obtain from Buyer, at reasonable business hours and upon prior notice to Buyer,
copies of such records, as reasonable and necessary for tax purposes or in
connection with any Proceeding or threatened Proceeding against
Seller.
12.02. Expenses.
Except
as
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement each party to this Agreement
shall bear its respective expenses incurred in connection with the preparation,
execution, and performance of this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions,
including all fees and expenses of agents, representatives, counsel, and
accountants.
12.03. Notices.
All
notices, consents, waivers, and other communications under this Agreement must
be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when (a) delivered
by
hand (with written confirmation of receipt), (b) sent by fax (with written
confirmation of receipt), provided that a copy is mailed by registered mail,
return receipt requested, (c) sent by electronic mail with receipt acknowledged,
or (d) when received by the addressee, if sent by a nationally recognized
overnight delivery service (receipt requested), in each case to the appropriate
addresses and fax numbers set forth below (or to such other addresses and fax
numbers as a party may designate by notice to the other party):
Buyer:
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Energy
XXI GOM, LLC
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0000
Xxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Fax:
000-000-0000
Phone:
000-000-0000
Attention:
X. Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx III
E-mail: xxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
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Seller:
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|
Pogo
Producing Company
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Xxxx
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
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Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
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Fax: 000.000.0000
Phone:
000.000.0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx, General Counsel
E-mail: xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
with
a
copy to:
Xxxxxxxx
& Xxxxxx LLP
000
Xxxx,
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Fax:
000.000.0000
Phone: 000.000.0000
Attention: Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxx
E-mail:
xxxxxxx.xxxx@xxxxx.xxx
12.04. Jurisdiction;
Service of Process. WITHOUT
LIMITING THE PARTIES AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE IN SECTION 12.15, ANY ACTION OR
PROCEEDING SEEKING A TEMPORARY OR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION TO ENFORCE ANY
PROVISION OF, OR BASED ON ANY RIGHT ARISING OUT OF, THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
CONTEMPLATED TRANSACTIONS MUST BE BROUGHT AGAINST ANY OF THE PARTIES IN THE
COURTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS, COUNTY OF XXXXXX, OR, IF IT HAS OR CAN ACQUIRE
JURISDICTION, IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT
OF
TEXAS (HOUSTON DIVISION), AND EACH OF THE PARTIES CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION
OF SUCH COURTS (AND OF THE APPROPRIATE APPELLATE COURTS) FOR SUCH LIMITED
PURPOSE IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING AND WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO VENUE
LAID
THEREIN FOR SUCH LIMITED PURPOSE. PROCESS IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING REFERRED
TO IN THE PRECEDING SENTENCE MAY BE SERVED ON ANY PARTY ANYWHERE IN THE
WORLD.
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12.05. Further
Assurances.
The
parties agree (a) to furnish upon request to each other such further
information, (b) to execute, acknowledge and deliver to each other such
other documents, and (c) to do such other acts and things, all as the other
party may reasonably request for the purpose of carrying out the intent of
this
Agreement and the documents referred to in this Agreement.
12.06. Waiver.
The
rights and remedies of the parties to this Agreement are cumulative and not
alternative. Neither the failure nor any delay by any party in exercising any
right, power, or privilege under this Agreement or the documents referred to
in
this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of such right, power, or privilege,
and
no single or partial exercise of any such right, power, or privilege shall
preclude any other or further exercise of such right, power, or privilege or
the
exercise of any other right, power, or privilege. To the maximum extent
permitted by applicable law, (a) no claim or right arising out of this
Agreement or the documents referred to in this Agreement can be discharged
by
one party, in whole or in part, by a waiver or renunciation of the claim or
right unless in writing signed by the other party; (b) no waiver that may
be given by a party shall be applicable except in the specific instance for
which it is given; and (c) no notice to or demand on one party shall be
deemed to be a waiver of any obligation of such party or of the right of the
party giving such notice or demand to take further action without notice or
demand as provided in this Agreement or the documents referred to in this
Agreement.
12.07. Entire
Agreement and Modification.
This
Agreement supersedes all prior agreements between the parties with respect
to
its subject matter and constitutes (along with the documents referred to in
this
Agreement) a complete and exclusive statement of the terms of the agreement
between the parties with respect to its subject matter. This Agreement may
not
be amended except by a written agreement executed by Buyer and Seller. No
representation, promise, inducement, or statement of intention with respect
to
the subject matter of this Agreement has been made by any party which is not
embodied in this Agreement together with the documents, instruments, and
writings that are delivered pursuant hereto, and none of the parties shall
be
bound by or liable for any alleged representation, promise, inducement. or
statement of intention not so set forth.
12.08. Assignments,
Successors, and No Third-Party Rights.
Neither
party may assign any of its rights under this Agreement without the prior
written consent of the other party (which consent may be granted or denied
at
the discretion of the other party), and in the event of such consent, such
assignment nevertheless shall not relieve such party of any of its obligations
under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party.
Subject to the preceding sentences, this Agreement shall apply to, be binding
in
all respects upon, and inure to the benefit of the successors and permitted
assigns of the parties. Nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement
shall
be construed to give any Person other than the parties to this Agreement or
any
other agreement contemplated herein (and the Buyer Group and Seller Group who
are entitled to indemnification under Article 10), any legal or equitable right,
remedy, or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of
this Agreement. This Agreement, any other agreement contemplated herein, and
all
provisions and conditions hereof and thereof are for the sole and exclusive
benefit of the parties to this Agreement and such other agreements (and the
Buyer Group and Seller Group who are entitled to indemnification under Article
10), and their respective successors and assigns.
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12.09. Severability.
If
any
provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any court of
competent jurisdiction, the other provisions of this Agreement shall remain
in
full force and effect. Any provision of this Agreement held invalid or
unenforceable only in part or degree shall remain in full force and effect
to
the extent not held invalid or unenforceable.
12.10. Article
and Section Headings, Construction.
The
headings of Sections and Articles in this Agreement are provided for convenience
only and shall not affect its construction or interpretation. All references
to
"Section" or "Article" refer to the corresponding Section or Article of this
Agreement. Unless expressly provided to the contrary, “hereunder,” “hereof,’
“herein,” and words of similar import are references to this Agreement as a
whole and not any particular Section or other provision of this Agreement.
Each
definition of a defined term herein shall be equally applicable both to the
singular and the plural forms of the term so defined. All words used in this
Agreement shall be construed to be of such gender or number, as the
circumstances require. Unless otherwise expressly provided, the word "including"
does not limit the preceding words or terms. Each
of
Seller and Buyer has had substantial input into the drafting and preparation
of
this Agreement and has had the opportunity to exercise business discretion
in
relation to the negotiation of the details of the transactions contemplated
hereby. This Agreement is the result of arm’s-length negotiations from equal
bargaining positions. It is expressly agreed that this Agreement shall not
be
construed against any party, and no consideration shall be given or presumption
made, on the basis of who drafted this Agreement or any particular provision
hereof or who supplied the form of Agreement.
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12.11. Time
of Essence.
With
regard to all dates and time periods set forth or referred to in this Agreement,
time is of the essence.
12.12. Governing
Law. This
Agreement and the relationship of the parties with respect to the Contemplated
Transactions shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas without regard
to conflicts of laws principles, except that the law of another jurisdiction
shall apply to this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions insofar as
this
Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions cover or relate to a part of the
Assets for which it is mandatory that the law of another jurisdiction, wherein
or adjacent to which such part of the Assets are located, shall
apply.
12.13. Counterparts.
This
Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall
be
deemed to be an original copy of this Agreement and all of which, when taken
together, shall be deemed to constitute one and the same agreement.
12.14. Waiver
of Texas Deceptive Trade Practices - Consumer Protection
Act.
Buyer’s
rights and remedies with respect to this transaction and with respect to all
acts or practices of Seller, past, present, or future, in connection with this
transaction shall be governed by legal principles other than the Texas Deceptive
Trade Practices - Consumer Protection Act, V.C.T.A. BUS & COMM Xxx.
§ 17.41 et seq. (the “DTPA”), or any similar statute of any jurisdiction
that may be applicable to the transactions contemplated hereby. Buyer hereby
unconditionally waives the applicability of the DTPA, or any similar statute,
to
this transaction and any and all rights, duties, or remedies that might be
imposed by the DTPA, or any similar statute, provided, however, Buyer does
not
waive Section 17.555 of the DTPA. Buyer represents, warrants, and acknowledges
that it is purchasing the Assets for commercial or business use. Buyer further
acknowledges, represents, and warrants that Buyer has knowledge and experience
in financial and business matters that enables it to evaluate the merits and
the
risks of a transaction such as this and that Buyer is not in a significantly
disparate bargaining position with Seller. Buyer expressly acknowledges and
recognizes that the price for which Seller has agreed to sell the Assets and
perform its obligations under the terms of this Agreement has been predicated
upon the inapplicability of the DTPA, or any similar statute, and this waiver
of
the DTPA, and any similar statute, by Buyer. BUYER
FURTHER RECOGNIZES THAT SELLER, IN DETERMINING TO PROCEED WITH ENTERING INTO
THIS AGREEMENT, HAS EXPRESSLY RELIED ON THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION
12.14.
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12.15. Limited
Arbitration.
It
is
agreed, as a severable and independent arbitration agreement separately
enforceable from the remainder of this Agreement, that all disputes under
Sections 11.01 through 11.15 shall be finally and exclusively submitted to,
and
determined by, binding arbitration. Any disputes under Sections 2.05(c) and
11.16 shall be resolved as provided in such sections. Any other disputes,
controversies or claims that may arise among the parties arising out of or
in
any way relating to this Agreement shall be subject to litigation in
any
court of competent jurisdiction in Xxxxxx County, Texas, with such courts to
be
the exclusive forum for any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement
that is subject to litigation. The
arbitration proceedings shall be held in Houston, Texas. The arbitration shall
be conducted before a single arbitrator pursuant to the
then
current Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association
(the “AAA”).
The AAA
shall appoint an independent arbitrator who does not have any financial interest
in the dispute, controversy or claim or bear any relationship to either party
and who maintains such independence throughout the arbitration proceedings.
The
arbitrator must be a licensed and practicing attorney (including any attorney
practicing in-house for a company, with an outside law firm, as a solo
practitioner, or as a professional arbitrator) or a retired judge of a state or
federal court. If the arbitrator should die, withdraw or otherwise become
incapable of serving, or refuse to serve, a successor arbitrator shall be
selected and appointed in the same manner as the original
arbitrator. In
the
event of any conflict between the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA and
the provisions of this Section 12.15, the provisions of this Section 12.15
shall
govern and control. The
arbitrator shall apply the laws of the State of Texas (without regard to
conflict of law rules) to the dispute, controversy, or claim, except that the
law of another jurisdiction shall apply to this Agreement and the Contemplated
Transactions insofar as this Agreement and the Contemplated Transactions cover
or relate to a part of the Assets for which it is mandatory that the law of
another jurisdiction, wherein or adjacent to which such part of the Assets
are
located, shall apply. To the extent that they are not inconsistent with the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the AAA, evidentiary questions shall be governed
by the Texas Rules of Evidence. The
arbitration shall proceed in the absence of a party who, after due notice,
fails
to answer or appear; provided, however, that an award shall not be made solely
on the default of a party, but the arbitrator shall require the party who is
present to submit such evidence as the arbitrator may determine is reasonably
required to make an award. The arbitrator’s award shall be in writing and shall
set forth findings and conclusions upon which the arbitrator based the award.
The prevailing party in the arbitration shall be entitled to recover its
reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses incurred in connection with the
arbitration, as determined by the arbitrator. Consequential,
indirect, special, exemplary or punitive damages shall not be allowed except
those payable to third parties (and permitted under Section 10.11) for which
liability is allocated among the parties by the arbitration award. Any award
pursuant to the arbitration shall be final and binding upon the parties and
judgment on the award may be entered in any federal, state, or international
court having jurisdiction, or application may be made to such court for a
judicial confirmation of the award and an order and judgment enforcing the
same,
as the case may be. The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination
of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section shall not prevent
any party from seeking temporary or preliminary injunctive relief from a court
of competent jurisdiction under appropriate circumstances; provided, however,
such action shall not constitute a waiver of the provisions of this
Section.
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12.16. Tax
Deferred Exchange.
If
Seller
so requests, Buyer agrees to cooperate with Seller in a tax-deferred exchange
described in Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Buyer shall not be obligated to enter into any
agreement or to consent to an assignment of Seller’s rights or obligations
hereunder which may have the effect of (i) impairing the title to the Assets,
(ii) increasing Buyer’s obligations or liability hereunder or resulting in any
additional cost, expense, or liability to Buyer; or (iii) requiring Buyer to
execute a purchase agreement for the purchase of the exchange property or to
take record title to the exchange property. Seller hereby agrees to indemnify,
defend, and hold Buyer harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses,
claims, damages, losses, or liabilities (including, without limitation,
reasonable attorney fees and costs) incurred by Buyer in connection with any
exchange transaction or transactions or the performance by Buyer of its
obligations pursuant to this Section.
12.17. Press
Release.
Until
two
(2) years after the Closing Date, neither Buyer nor Seller shall make any press
release or other public announcement respecting this Agreement or the
Contemplated Transactions without the consent of the other party, which shall
not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed, unless the party desiring
to make the release or other announcement determines that the release or other
announcement is appropriate to comply with any Legal Requirement or stock
exchange rule; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent Buyer
or
Seller from recording the Instruments of Conveyances delivered at Closing or
from complying with any disclosure requirements of Governmental Bodies that
are
applicable to the transfer of the Assets from Seller to Buyer.
In the
event that any party wishes or is required to make a press release or other
public announcement respecting this Agreement or the Contemplated Transactions
that is subject to the restrictions of this Section, such party will provide
the
other with a draft of the press release or other public announcement for review
at least five (5) Business Days prior to the time that such press release or
other public announcement is to be made. The parties will attempt in good faith
to expeditiously reach agreement on such press release or other public
announcement and the contents thereof. Failure to provide comments back to
the
other party within five (5) Business Days of receipt of the draft release or
announcement will be deemed consent to the public disclosure of such press
release or other public announcement and the content thereof. If the proposed
press release or other public announcement contains any information required
to
be kept confidential under Section 12.18, the withholding of consent by the
other party shall not be deemed to be unreasonable.
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12.18. Confidentiality.
Each
party shall keep confidential, and cause its Affiliates and instruct its
officers, directors, employees and advisors to keep confidential, all terms
and
provisions of this Agreement, except (a) as required by Legal Requirements
or
any standards or rules of any stock exchange to which such party or any of
its
Affiliates is subject, (b) for information which is available to the public
on
the Closing Date, or thereafter becomes available to the public other than
as a
result of a breach of this Section, (c) to the extent required to be disclosed
in connection with complying with or obtaining a waiver of any Preferential
Purchase Right or Consent, and (d) to the extent that such party must disclose
the same in any court or arbitration proceedings brought by it to enforce its
rights hereunder. This Section shall not prevent Buyer or Seller from recording
the Instruments of Conveyances delivered at Closing or from complying with
any
disclosure requirements of Governmental Bodies that are applicable to the
transfer of the Assets from Seller to Buyer. The covenant set forth in this
Section shall terminate two (2) years after the Closing Date.
12.19. Financial
Information.
Seller
will exercise its reasonable best efforts to provide disclosures required by
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 69 - Disclosures
about Oil and Gas Producing Activities
for the
twelve month periods ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 to Buyer in draft
form on or before May 26, 2007. At Closing, Seller shall deliver to Buyer,
in a
form reasonably acceptable to Buyer, disclosures required by Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 69 - Disclosures
about Oil and Gas Producing Activities
for the
twelve month periods ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004. Seller will
exercise its best efforts to provide Buyer with audited statements of revenue
and direct operating expenses of the Assets for the twelve month periods ended
December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, including all required disclosures necessary
for inclusion of the financial statements in a Registration Statement, Form
8-K,
Form 10-K or other filings with the Commission made by the Buyer including
disclosures required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 69
-
Disclosures
about Oil and Gas Producing Activities.
Buyer
will retain the independent accountant to perform the audit work on the
statements of revenue and direct operating expenses of the Assets. Buyer
will reimburse Seller for all reasonable costs and expenses that Seller incurs
with respect to preparing such financial information.
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Seller
will assist Buyer related to any matters surrounding the inclusion of the
audited statements of revenues and direct operating expenses of the Assets
in a
Registration Statement, Form 8-K, Form 10-K or other filings with the Commission
including consents from the Sellers independent accountants related to the
inclusion of the audited statements in any filing made by the Buyer with the
Commission, access to the Sellers independent accountants audit work papers
by
the Buyers independent accountants and management representation letters
provided by the Seller to the independent accountants.
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as
of
the date first written above.
SELLER:
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POGO
PRODUCING COMPANY
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By: | ||
Name:
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Title: |
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BUYER:
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ENERGY
XXI GOM, LLC
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By: | ||
Name:
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Title: |
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