RE: Participation Agreement SLICK BEND PROSPECT(S) - DeWitt County, Texas
EXHIBIT
10.1
September
1, 2005
West
Chase Center
0000
Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxx,
Xxxxx 00000
Attn: Xx.
Xxxx Xxxxxxx,
President
RE: |
SLICK BEND PROSPECT(S)
-
XxXxxx County,
Texas
|
Dear
Xx.
Xxxxxxx:
When
accepted by you in the manner provided below, this letter will evidence the
agreement between Southern
Resource Company, A Texas Corporation,
whose
address is P. O. Xxx 0000, Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000-0000, (hereinafter
called
“Seller”) and Falcon
Natural Gas Corp.,
whose
address is West Chase Center, 0000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx., Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx
00000, (hereinafter called “Purchaser”) with respect to Purchaser acquiring from
Seller undivided interests in and to certain Oil, Gas and Mineral Leases
to be
acquired by Seller in the area(s)as shown on the plat attached hereto as
Exhibit
“B”
and made
a part hereof (hereinafter called “Said Leases”), and the participation by
Seller and Purchaser in the acquisition of additional Leases within the AMI,
and
in the drilling of one or more xxxxx on the AMI, in the manner hereinafter
described.
I.
Seller
has identified at least eleven (11) oil and gas prospects in the AMI hereinafter
described, the location of which is identified on Exhibit “B” attached hereto.
Said Leases cover the initial prospect area, which is outlined in Red on
Exhibit
“B.”
Seller
agrees to sell forty-seven
percent (47%)
of 8/8th
working interest in Said Leases to the Purchaser, subject to the terms and
conditions in Said Leases, and the associated trade documents to which Seller
must adhere, more particularly described herein. Seller represents that there
will be no depth restrictions other than those specified in Said Leases (if
any). The working interest in Said Leases offered for sale herein shall be
burdened by its proportionate share of all royalties and overriding royalties
previously reserved by or conveyed to third parties, provided that Purchaser’s
net revenue interest in Said Leases shall be not less than its proportionate
share of 75%, unless the landowner’s royalty equals or exceeds 25%, in which
case Purchaser’s net revenue interest in Said Leases shall be not less than its
proportionate share of 73%. Furthermore,
should Seller enter into a farmout agreement wherein the farmor’s overriding
royalty interest would further reduce the net revenue interest below 73%,
Purchaser will be provided with said farmout agreement for it’s review and
approval of same. Should Purchaser elect not to participate, then the farmout
agreement shall not be part of this Participation Agreement.
II.
The
parties hereto agree to commence operations for the drilling of an exploratory
well (hereinafter called “Initial Test Well”) in search of oil and gas at a
location and a depth as more fully described in this Participation Agreement,
and to conduct such operations with Seller, as Operator, in accordance with
this
Agreement and the Operating Agreement described below. Seller and Purchaser
(hereinafter collectively called “Participants”) agree that all drilling and/or
other oil and gas operations (including operations in the Initial Test Well,
Substitute Well or future “Development” xxxxx) undertaken by them (1) on any
jointly held oil and/or gas interest, including any interests acquired pursuant
to the Area of Mutual Interest (hereinafter called “AMI” and outlined in yellow
on Exhibit
“B”)
provisions provided for below, or (2) on lands pooled with any such lands,
shall, as among the Participants and as to their interests, be conducted
pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Operating Agreement attached
hereto
Exhibit
“D” (The “Operating Agreement”).
The
Operating
Agreement
shall
become effective as of September
1, 2005.
If
there is any conflict between the terms and provisions of this Participation
Agreement and the Operating Agreement, the terms and provisions of this
Agreement shall control. As each subsequent prospect area is identified and
defined, a separate Operating Agreement shall be executed, using the form
attached as Exhibit “D,” modified to reflect the parties participating therein,
their respective percentage interests and the geographical contract area
covered
thereby.
III.
For
and
in consideration of Purchaser acquiring an interest in the subject prospect(s),
Purchaser hereby agrees to the following:
1. |
Pay
to Seller
forty-seven percent (47%) of $70,000.00 or thirty-two thousand
nine
hundred and 00/100s dollars ($32,900.00)
representing Purchaser’s proportionate share of the geological
prospect(s) fee
attributable to the initial prospect area. Purchaser shall pay
the
prospect fee for the initial prospect upon the signing of this
Agreement.
Such amount is non-refundable, unless Seller fails, for reasons
other than
circumstances beyond its control, to commence the drilling of the
initial
test well on the initial prospect area on or before June
1, 2006,
in which case, upon (a) the return of such prospect fee, (b) delivery
of
an assignment of Purchaser’s interest in any oil and gas leases for which
it has paid, (c) refund of any lease money advanced by Purchaser
and not
expended, and (d) refund of any dry-hole money paid by Purchaser
(if any)
and not expended, as provided in Article V, paragraph 1, this Agreement
shall be deemed to be terminated, and Seller and Purchaser shall
have no
further obligation, responsibility, or recourse to each other under
this
Agreement; provided that any Operating Agreement covering such
prospect
area shall remain in effect in accordance with its terms, if there
are oil
and gas leases that are jointly owned by the parties; and provided
further
that Seller shall not be obligated to refund any prospect fee,
or
unexpended lease money, or to deliver any assignment of leases
to
Purchaser if Purchaser fails or refuses to participate in the drilling
of
the initial test well on said prospect. Within thirty (30) days
after the
log of the initial test well on the initial prospect, Purchaser
shall be
required to elect whether or not to continue to participate in
the
acquisition of leases and payment of prospect fees for subsequent
prospects in the AMI. If Purchaser elects to continue, it shall
pay to
Seller its forty-seven
percent (47%) of $280,000.00 or one hundred thirty-one thousand
six
hundred and 00/100s dollars ($131,600.00)
representing Purchaser’s proportionate share of the geological
prospect(s) fee
attributable to four additional prospects (if obtainable); provided
that
if Seller notifies Purchaser in writing that Seller has received
a bona
fide written offer from an unrelated third party to participate
in ten
(10) additional prospects, by paying not less than forty-seven
percent (47%)
of
$700,000, on terms that Seller is willing to accept, which offer
shall be
included in Seller’s notice to Purchaser, Purchaser shall be required to
elect whether or not to meet said offer. If Purchaser elects not
to
continue (or fails to make an election, or fails to meet any such
bona
fide third party offer) within said time, Purchaser shall have
no right to
participate in any future development of the AMI, nor any right
to a
refund of monies theretofore paid, and this agreement shall terminate;
provided that Purchaser shall retain all rights in the initial
prospect
area and under the Operating Agreement applicable to that prospect
area.
After initial test xxxxx on such four additional prospects have
been
drilled, Purchaser shall be required to make a further election
whether or
not to participate in up to six (6) additional prospects (if obtainable),
and if so, Purchaser shall be required to pay forty-seven
percent (47%)
of
$420,000, or one hundred ninety-seven thousand four hundred and
no/100
dollars ($197,400.00), representing Purchaser’s proportionate share of the
geological prospect fees attributable to six additional prospects.
If
Purchaser elects not to continue (or fails to make an election)
within
said time, Purchaser shall have no right to participate in any
future
development of the AMI, nor any right to refund of monies theretofore
paid, and this agreement shall terminate; provided that Purchaser
shall
retain all its rights in the prospects in which it has participated,
the
leases for which it has paid its proportionate share, and all rights
under
the Operating Agreements applicable to those prospects. Provided,
that it
shall be a condition precedent to Purchaser’s obligation to make such
elections that Seller shall identify the next four or six prospects
which
it proposes to acquire and the information available to Seller
concerning
the status of such areas, and Seller agrees to use its best efforts
to
acquire leases and/or farmins covering such areas on terms acceptable
to
the parties, if obtainable. Provided further that Seller shall
refund the
prospect fee for any prospect and any unexpended lease money advance
by
Purchaser that Seller does not drill within 120
days
of
Purchaser’s payment of such prospect fee, if the failure to drill is for
reasons other than circumstances beyond its control, and provided
further
that Seller shall not be obligated to refund any prospect fee,
or
unexpended lease money, or to deliver any assignment of leases
to
Purchaser if Purchaser fails or refuses to participate in the drilling
of
the initial test well on any such prospect. Seller agrees to convene
regular meetings of the working interest owners and provide information
to
the working interest owners in an attempt to reach consensus on
the
selection and ranking of prospects.
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2
2. |
Pay
to Seller fifty-eight
point seventy-five percent (58.75%)
of
the actual cost of the oil, gas and mineral leases to be acquired
along
with Purchaser’s share of the actual direct cost attributable to the oil
and gas lease acquisition in the initial prospect area which incorporates,
but is not limited to, lease bonus consideration, landmans’ fees, drafting
fees, legal fees, survey fees, etc. Seller will invoice Purchaser
as
leases are acquired, which invoices shall be supported by appropriate
documentation of such actual direct costs. If Purchaser makes the
elections to continue in the program pursuant to paragraph 1, Purchaser
shall pay 58.75% of the actual cost attributable to oil and gas
lease
acquisition in the relevant prospects identified in such elections,
which
are selected and designated as provided herein. The amounts due
and
payable hereunder will be due within thirty
(30)
days receipt of the invoice.
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3.
|
Pay
to Seller fifty-eight
point seventy-five percent
(58.75%)
of
the before casing point costs attributable to the drilling of the
Initial
Test Well to casing point (as hereinafter defined). Before casing
point
(or “Dryhole”) costs are more particularly described in column 173 of the
A.F.E. attached as Exhibit
“C”.
This amount must be received within ten (10) days after notice
has been
given but not more than thirty (30) days prior to commencement
of
operations on the prospect for the Initial Test Well. All operations
after
casing point will be on a prorata working interest basis, as set
out in
Exhibit
“A”
to
the Operating Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Seller
shall not
be required to perform hereunder nor shall Seller be liable for
any cost
or expense (except its 20% after casing point share) for so long
as it is
prevented or delayed from commencing or resuming normal operations
that
are the result from any Federal or state law or any order, rule
or
regulation of any governmental authority, any force majeure, including
but
not limited to, acts of God, inclement weather, floods, strikes,
the
scarcity or inability to obtain or to use equipment or material.
Should
such an event as referenced herein take place and, as a result
thereof,
Seller incurs any cost or expense related thereto, then the total
cost of
such an occurrence or event or will be borne pro-rata by Seller
and
Purchaser.
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4.
|
The
initial test well as it pertains to each prospect contemplated
by this
Agreement may be turnkeyed should the majority of working interest
participants, inclusive of Seller’s interest, elect to do so.
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5.
|
Pay
to Seller forty-seven
percent (47%)
share of the actual costs of completing and equipping said well,
if an
election is made at Casing Point by Purchaser for a completion
attempt.
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6. |
Casing
point, as used herein, is defined as the point at which (a) a subsurface
depth of 7,800-+
feet, or a depth sufficient to test the Xxxxxx Sand Formation as
seen on
the electric log in the Houston Natural Gas, E.L. Xxxxx, et al,
#2 Well
located in the X. X. Xxxxxxx Survey, Abstract 455, in XxXxxx County,
Texas, at subsea (6935’) or its stratigraphic equivalent, which ever is
the lesser depth (which depth is hereinafter called the “Objective Depth”)
has been reached; and (b) first open hole electric log has been
completed
so as to enable the Purchaser to evaluate the likelihood of a successful
completion in the test well’s probable producing
zone.
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7. |
Seller
agrees, upon request of Purchaser, to establish a separate,
interest-bearing account, designated by the well name, and not
commingled
with Seller’s own funds, to hold the monies advanced by Purchaser and
other working interest owners for dry-hole and/or completion costs,
and to
use such funds only for purposes authorized under this
Agreement.
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3
IV.
Seller
hereby agrees to assign to Purchaser an undivided forty-seven
percent (47%)
of 8/8th
working interest in and of Said Leases upon execution of this Agreement and
payment of Purchaser’s share of the geologic prospect fee and leasehold
acquisition costs from the initial prospect. The assignment shall be in the
form
attached hereto as Exhibit “E,” and shall be without warranty, express or
implied, except as to claims arising by, through or under Seller. If Purchaser
elects to continue in the program as provided in Article III, paragraph 1
above,
subsequent assignments shall be made to Purchaser as additional leases are
acquired, and the costs thereof are invoiced to and paid by Purchaser.
Seller
shall provide for Purchaser’s review upon written request prior to the spudding
of the Initial Test Well (or any well completed by this Agreement), copies
of
the drillsite title information, oil and gas leases, easements, surface use
agreements and any other documents or agreements relative to the title to
the
Slick Bend Prospect(s) which are within the possession or control of Seller.
Should
Seller, after the date of this Agreement, obtain contractual rights to seismic
data pertaining to the Prospect Area, Seller agrees to provide Purchaser,
its
representatives, heirs and assigns, with access to and the right to review
such
data. However, the costs attributable to the acquisition of such seismic
data
will be borne by Purchaser as to forty-seven
percent (47%)
of the
actual costs associated with such acquisition. It should be understood that,
in
the event Purchaser does not become party to the associated licensing agreement
pertaining to such acquisition, Purchaser cannot retain or possess the seismic
tapes or original data. Seller agrees to afford Purchaser the opportunity
to
become such licensee, if Purchaser so desires.
V.
Seller
and Purchaser agree to the following terms for the drilling of the Initial
Test
Well to test each individual Prospect contemplated by this
Agreement:
1.
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Seller
has agreed, and does hereby agree, to the drilling of the Initial
Test
Well to test the initial prospect contemplated by this Agreement
as to
Purchaser’s interest at an approximate location mutually agreeable to the
majority working interest participation, inclusive of Seller’s interest. A
surveyed drillsite location will be provided once the survey is
in the
possession of Seller. If Purchaser elects to continue in the program
pursuant to Article III, paragraph 1, as each subsequent prospect
is
presented to Purchaser, Purchaser shall make its election whether
or not
to participate in the drilling of an initial test well thereon,
and if it
does not so elect, Purchaser shall forfeit all right, title and
interest
in all oil and gas lease(s) covering that specific prospect and
shall have
no right to participate in the drilling or development of such
prospect;
provided that Purchaser must elect to participate in the drilling
of an
initial test well on the second prospect area in order to be entitled
to
continue to participate in the drilling of subsequent test xxxxx
in the
AMI; and provided further that Purchaser’s failure to participate in an
initial test well after participating in the initial test well
for the
second prospect area shall not affect its right to participate
in initial
test xxxxx on subsequent prospects. If Purchaser elects to participate,
and pays its agreed share of the costs associated therewith, Seller
shall
commence or cause to be commenced the drilling of said well(s),
and
continue thereafter with due diligence and in a good and workmanlike
manner to drill same of the Objective Depth; but shall not be obligated
to
do so if in Seller’s opinion, there is insufficient working interest
participation, or for any other reason, provided that Seller shall
refund
to Purchaser any dry-hole costs theretofore paid by Purchaser,
and shall
assign to Purchaser its undivided forty-seven
percent (47%)
interest in all leases in such prospect area in which Purchaser
has
participated, and refund any lease money advanced by Purchaser
and not
expended. In such event Purchaser, at its option, may withdraw
from
participating by giving Seller written notice, at which point this
Agreement will terminate. Once the reimbursement of the drilling
monies,
assignment of leasehold interests and refund of any unexpended
lease money
referenced herein have taken place, this Agreement shall be deemed
to be
terminated as to such prospect area, and Seller and Purchaser shall
have
no further obligation, responsibility, or recourse to each other
under
this Agreement as to such area; provided that any Operating Agreement
covering such prospect area shall remain in effect in accordance
with its
terms.
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2.
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The
initial test well on each prospect or any substitute therefor,
shall (if
the Seller and Purchaser agree) be drilled and logged on a turnkey
or day
work basis at the sole cost, risk and expense of the Seller. If
the
parties do not agree to conduct the operations on a turnkey basis,
Seller
shall conduct such operations on an actual cost basis and Purchaser
shall
be responsible for its 58.75% share thereof. Operator firmly agrees,
in
its operations, to abide by and fully comply with all State and
Federal
laws and regulations, together will all rules and regulations of
any
governmental agency having jurisdiction of the area or field in
which such
operations are performed.
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3.
|
In
connection with the drilling of each test well in which it participates,
Purchaser shall have full and complete access to the location,
xxxxxxx
floor, drillers’ logs, electrical logs, cores and any and all information
gained by the drilling of such test xxxxx, and shall receive sufficient
notice twenty four (24) hours prior to any testing, logging, or
coring in
order to have a representative present during each such operations
and
such notice, together with any progress drilling reports to be
given to
Purchaser or such representative as Purchaser may from time to
time
designate, at the above address or at such location or address
as
Purchaser may hereafter furnish.
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4. |
Seller
will be relieved of its turnkey obligations (if turnkey operations
are
conducted) as specified herein upon successful acquisition of the
first
open hole electric log from surface through the Objective
Depth.
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5.
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All
operations on any well on any prospect after the Initial Test Well
on that
prospect shall be conducted on a non-promoted basis, Purchaser
paying only
its forty
seven percent (47%)
share of the actual costs thereof, unless Purchaser and Seller
agree to
conduct such operations on a turnkey or other basis.
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4
VI.
The
liabilities of the parties hereto shall be several and not joint, and each
party
shall be responsible only for its proportionate share of the costs and
liabilities incurred. It is not the purpose or intention of the parties hereto
to create any partnership, tax partnership, joint venture, mining partnership,
association, agency or any such relationship among the parties, whereby one
party is held liable for the acts or omissions of the other party, and neither
this Participation Agreement, the Joint Operating Agreement (Exhibit
“D”
attached) nor the operations conducted hereunder shall be construed or
considered as creating any such relationship.
VII.
Seller
will maintain insurance more particularly described in Exhibit
“D”
to the
Joint Operating Agreement, Purchaser shall bear its proportionate share of
the
costs of such insurance (inclusive of deductibles if it is necessary to utilize
said insurance). With the exception of minimum limits set by state and federal
regulators, Purchaser may elect not to be covered by and of Seller’s insurance
coverage provided for in the joint account by providing Operator with written
notice and certificate of insurance, wherein Purchaser grants Operator/Seller
with a waiver of subrogation, and is added as an additional insured to
Purchaser’s policy(s).
VIII.
This
letter agreement may not be amended except by an instrument in writing signed
by
all of the parties hereto.
IX.
The
Seller makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to
the
quality, accuracy, completeness or materiality of any information pertaining
to
the prospect or associated well information disclosed to Purchaser in
determining his/its decision on whether or not to participate in this prospect.
The Purchaser expressly acknowledges the inherent risks associated with the
acquisition, processing and interpretation of any geological, geophysical
and
engineering data, and that any reliance on or use of any such information
provided or produced by Seller is at the sole risk of Purchaser. The Seller,
its
Affiliated Companies, their officers, directors and employees, shall have
no
liability whatsoever with respect to the use of or reliance upon any information
received by the Purchaser from
Seller pertaining to the lands more particularly described in Exhibit “A” or
“A-1” to the Joint Operating Agreement.
The
Parties agree that, to the extent required by the applicable law to be
operative, the disclaimers of certain warranties contained in this Participation
Agreement and associated Joint Operating Agreement are “conspicuous” disclaimers
for the purposes of any applicable law, rule or order. All information provided
or produced by Seller is presented by the Seller to the Purchaser without
representations, recourse, covenant, or warranty of any kind, and the Seller,
does hereby expressly disclaims all representations and warranties of any
kind
including without limitation warranties of title, whether express, implied,
or
statutory. WITHOUT LIMITATION OF THE GENERALITY OF THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING
SENTENCE, SELLER EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS AND NEGATES (A) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS
WARRANTY OF THE MERCHANTABILITY, (B) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF FITNESS
OF A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND (C) ANY IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTY OF CONFORMITY
TO
MODELS OR SAMPLES OF MATERIALS.
5
X.
If
any
provision of this letter agreement shall be held illegal or invalid, this
Participation Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal
or
invalid provision had not been contained herein.
XI.
The
provisions hereof constitute the complete agreement of the parties hereto
with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede and extinguishes all previous
agreements, whether written or oral, with respect to the lands described
herein.
XII.
This
Participation Agreement is made and entered into in Texas, is performable
in
Nueces County, Texas, and is governed by the laws of the State of Texas.
The
exclusive venue of any action arising hereunder is in Nueces County,
Texas.
XIII.
This
agreement is made subject to all valid, applicable Federal State and local
laws,
rules, orders and regulations of any duly constituted Federal State or local
regulatory body of authority having jurisdiction thereof, and all development
and other operations hereunder shall be in conformity therewith.
XIV.
The
provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of and are binding upon the
parties
hereto, their respective heirs, successors and assigns.
If
the
terms and conditions of this Participation Agreement are satisfactory and
set
forth your understanding of our agreement, please so indicate by executing
and
returning the enclosed original of this Participation Agreement. If there
is a
conflict in the language between this Agreement and the Joint Operating
Agreement, this Agreement shall prevail.
Yours Very Truly, | ||
SOUTHERN RESOURCE COMPANY, | ||
A Texas corporation | ||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
President
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||
ACCEPTED
AND AGREED to this the 28th
day of November, 2005.
By: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx | |||
Xxxx Xxxxxxx, President Tax
ID #: 00-0000000
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6
EXHIBIT
“A”
ATTACHED
HERETO AND MADE A PART OF THAT CERTAIN PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT DATED SEPTEMBER
1, 2005, BY AND BETWEEN SOUTHERN RESOURCE COMPANY, A TEXAS CORPORATION, and
FALCON NATURAL GAS CORP..
1.
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Lands
Subject to this
agreement:
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All
Oil,
Gas and Mineral Leases and associated documents outlined more particularly
in
Exhibit “A-1” attached hereto and made a part of this Participation Agreement
(said exhibit shows no Leases at the present time because none have yet been
acquire, and said exhibit shall be amended as Said Leases are
acquired)
2.
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Restrictions,
if any, as to Depth or
Formations:
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None
other than those specified in the Oil & Gas Leases attached hereto as
Exhibit “A-1”.
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3.
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Percentages
and Address of the Parties to this
Agreement:
|
Southern Resource Company, et al
P. O. Xxx 0000
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
53% Working Interest
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|
Falcon Natural Gas Corp.
West Chase Center
0000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx, #000
Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
47% Working Interest
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||
4.
|
Oil
and Gas Leases Subject to this
Agreement:
|
The
leases subject to this Agreement are outlined in RED on
Exhibit “B.” The Area of Mutual Interest (“AMI”) is outlined in
yellow
on
Exhibit “B” attached hereto and made a part hereof.
|
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx | |||
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, President | Xxxx Xxxxxxx, President | |||
SOUTHERN RESOURCE COMPANY, | FALCON NATURAL GAS CORP. | |||
A TEXAS CORPORATION |