ENDEAVOUR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION 2010 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.3
ENDEAVOUR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
2010 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
2010 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
THIS NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into
by and between Endeavour International Corporation (the “Company”), and [name]
(“Grantee”), an employee of the Company effective as of [date] (the “Date of
Grant”).
WHEREAS, the Company, in order to induce you to enter into and continue to dedicate services
to the Company and to materially contribute to the success of the Company, desires to grant to you
a nonstatutory stock option to purchase the Company’s common stock, par value $.001 per share (the
“Common Stock”), subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, with a view to
increasing your interest in the Company’s welfare and growth;
WHEREAS, the Company adopted the Endeavour International Corporation 2010 Stock Incentive Plan
as it may be amended from time to time (the “Plan”) under which the Company is authorized
to grant nonstatutory stock options to certain employees and service providers of the Company;
WHEREAS, a copy of the Plan has been furnished to you and shall be deemed a part of this
Agreement as if fully set forth herein and the terms capitalized but not defined herein shall have
the meanings set forth in the Plan; and
WHEREAS, you desire to receive such a nonstatutory option to purchase shares of Common Stock
as an inducement for his employment and in connection with his employment with the Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, mutual covenants and agreements contained
herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows:
1. Grant of Nonstatutory Stock Option. Subject to the restrictions, forfeiture
provisions and other terms set forth herein, the Company hereby grants to the Grantee an option
(the “Option” or “Stock Option”) to purchase [number] full shares (the
“Optioned Shares”) of Common Stock at an “Option Price” equal to [exercise price]
per share as of the Date of Grant set forth above in accordance with the terms and conditions set
forth herein and in the Plan.
2. Vesting: Time of Exercise. Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, the
Stock Option shall be vested and exercisable as follows:
(a) With respect to 33.3% of the total shares subject to the Option, the Option shall vest and
become exercisable on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant provided the Grantee is employed
by (or providing services to) the Company or Affiliate on that date;
(b) With respect to 33.3% of the total shares subject to the Option, the Option shall vest and
become exercisable on the second anniversary of the Date of Grant provided the Grantee is employed
by (or providing services to) the Company or Affiliate on that date; and
(c) With respect to 33.4% of the total shares subject to the Option, the Option shall vest and
become exercisable on the third anniversary of the Date of Grant provided the Grantee is employed
by (or providing services to) the Company or Affiliate on that date.
The vested portion of such Option shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share.
3. Vesting on Change in Control. Notwithstanding the provisions in Section 2, on the
date immediately preceding a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in the Plan), the Grantee
shall become 100% vested in the total Optioned Shares hereunder.
4. Term; Forfeiture. In the event of Grantee’s termination of employment with the
Company and its Affiliates (a “Termination of Employment”) for any reason other than for
Cause or Grantee’s death, disability or retirement, the Option outstanding on such date of
Termination of Employment, to the extent vested on such date, may be exercised by Grantee (or, in
the event of Grantee’s subsequent death, by Grantee’s Heir (as defined below)) within three months
following such Termination of Employment, but not thereafter. However, in no event shall the
Option be exercisable after the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Grant Date. To the
extent the Option is not vested on Grantee’s date of Termination of Employment, the Option shall
automatically lapse and be canceled unexercised as of such date.
In the event of Grantee’s Termination of Employment for Cause, as determined by the Committee
in its sole discretion, the Option shall terminate and cease to be exercisable upon such date.
Unless otherwise defined in an employment agreement between Grantee and the Company, “Cause” shall
mean a determination by the Committee that Grantee (a) has engaged in personal dishonesty, willful
violation of any law, rule, or regulation (other than minor traffic violations or similar
offenses), or breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, (b) is unable to satisfactorily
perform, or has failed to satisfactorily perform Grantee’s duties and responsibilities for the
Company or any of its Affiliates, (c) has been convicted of, or plead nolo contendere to, any
felony or a crime involving moral turpitude, (d) has been negligent in, or engaged in willful
misconduct in, the performance of his or her duties, including but not limited to willfully
refusing without proper legal reason to perform his or her duties and responsibilities, (e) has
materially breached any corporate policy or code of conduct established by the Company or any of
its Affiliates as such policies or codes may be adopted or amended from time to time, (f) has
violated the terms of any confidentiality, nondisclosure, intellectual property, nonsolicitation,
noncompetition, proprietary information or inventions agreement, or any other agreement between
Grantee and the Company or any of its Affiliates related to his or her service with the Company or
such Affiliate, or (g) has engaged in conduct that is likely to have a deleterious affect on the
Company or any of its Affiliates or their legitimate business interests, including but not limited
to their goodwill and public image.
In the event of Grantee’s Termination of Employment by reason of death, disability or
retirement, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Option outstanding on such
date of Termination of Employment, to the extent vested on such date may be exercised by
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Grantee or, in the event of Grantee’s death, by the person to whom Grantee’s rights shall pass
by will or the laws of descent and distribution (“Heir”), at any time within the twelve
month period beginning on Grantee’s Termination of Employment, but not thereafter. However, in no
event shall the Option be exercisable after the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Grant
Date. To the extent the Option is not vested on Grantee’s date of Termination of Employment, the
Option shall automatically lapse and be canceled unexercised as of such date. [THIS PROVISION CAN
BE MODIFIED TO PROVIDE FOR VESTING ON ACCOUNT OF CERTAIN TERMINATIONS SUCH AS DEATH, DISABILITY OR
RETIREMENT. THE TIME FRAME FOR EXERCISING A VESTED OPTION MAY ALSO BE MODIFIED]
5. Who May Exercise. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Sections 2, 3
and 4 above, during the lifetime of the Grantee, the Stock Option may be exercised only by the
Grantee, or by the Grantee’s guardian or personal or legal representative (in the event of his or
her Disability or by a broker dealer subject to Section 7 below).
6. No Fractional Shares. The Stock Option may be exercised only with respect to full
shares, and no fractional share of stock shall be issued.
7. Manner of Exercise. Subject to such administrative regulations as the Committee
may from time to time adopt, the Option may be exercised by the delivery of written notice to the
Committee or designated Company representative setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock
with respect to which the Option is to be exercised, the date of exercise thereof (the
“Exercise Date”) which shall be at least three (3) days after giving such notice unless an
earlier time shall have been mutually agreed upon. On the Exercise Date, the Grantee shall deliver
to the Company consideration with a value equal to the total Option Price of the shares to be
purchased, payable to the Company in full in either: (i) in cash or its equivalent, or (ii) subject
to prior approval by the Committee in its discretion, by tendering previously acquired shares of
Common Stock having an aggregate fair market value at the time of exercise equal to the total
Option Price (provided that the shares of Common Stock which are tendered must have been held by
the Grantee for at least six (6) months prior to their tender to satisfy the Option Price), or
(iii) subject to prior approval by the Committee in its discretion, by withholding shares of Common
Stock which otherwise would be acquired on exercise having an aggregate fair market value at the
time of exercise equal to the total Option Price, or (iv) subject to prior approval by the
Committee in its discretion, by a combination of (i), (ii), and (iii) above. Any payment in shares
of Common Stock shall be effected by the surrender of such shares to the Company in good form for
transfer and shall be valued at their fair market value on the date when the Stock Option is
exercised. Unless otherwise permitted by the Committee in its discretion, the Grantee shall not
surrender, or attest to the ownership of, shares of Common Stock in payment of the Option Price if
such action would cause the Company to recognize compensation expense (or additional compensation
expense) with respect to the Option for financial reporting purposes.
The Committee, in its discretion, also may allow the Option Price to be paid with such other
consideration as shall constitute lawful consideration for the issuance of shares of Common Stock
(including, without limitation, effecting a “cashless exercise” with a broker of the Option),
subject to applicable securities law restrictions and tax withholdings, or by any other means which
the Committee determines to be consistent with the Agreement’s purpose and applicable
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law. A “cashless exercise” of an Option is a procedure by which a broker provides the funds
to the Grantee to effect an Option exercise, to the extent consented to by the Committee in its
discretion. At the direction of the Grantee, the broker will either (i) sell all of the shares of
Common Stock received when the Option is exercised and pay the Grantee the proceeds of the sale
(minus the Option Price, withholding taxes and any fees due to the broker) or (ii) sell enough of
the shares of Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option to cover the Option Price,
withholding taxes and any fees due the broker and deliver to the Grantee (either directly or
through the Company) a stock certificate for the remaining shares of Common Stock. Dispositions to
a broker effecting a cashless exercise are not exempt under Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In no
event will the Committee allow the Option Price to be paid with a form of consideration, including
a loan or a “cashless exercise,” if such form of consideration would violate the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act
of 2002 as determined by the Committee in its discretion.
As soon as practicable after receipt of a written notification of exercise and full payment,
the Company shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to or on behalf of the Grantee, in the name of
the Grantee or other appropriate recipient, share certificates for the number of shares of Common
Stock purchased under the Option. Such delivery shall be effected for all purposes when the
Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have deposited such certificates in the
United States mail, addressed to Grantee or other appropriate recipient.
If the Grantee fails to pay for any of the shares of Common Stock specified in such notice or
fails to accept delivery thereof, then the Option and right to purchase such shares of Common Stock
may be forfeited by the Company.
8. Nonassignability. The Stock Option is not assignable or transferable by the
Grantee except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic
relations order that would qualify as a qualified domestic relations order as defined in Section
414(p) of the Code, if such provision were applicable to the Stock Option.
9. Rights as Stockholder. The Grantee will have no rights as a stockholder with
respect to any shares covered by the Stock Option until the issuance of a certificate or
certificates to the Grantee for the Optioned Shares. The Optioned Shares shall be subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement regarding such shares. Except as otherwise provided in
Section 10 hereof, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record
date is prior to the issuance of such certificate or certificates.
10. Dispute Resolution.
(a) Arbitration. All disputes and controversies of every kind and nature between any
parties hereto arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or the transactions described
herein as to the construction, validity, interpretation or meaning, performance, non-performance,
enforcement, operation or breach, shall be submitted to arbitration pursuant to the following
procedures:
(i) After a dispute or controversy arises, any party may, in a written notice delivered
to the other parties to the dispute, demand such arbitration. Such notice
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shall designate the name of the arbitrator (who shall be an impartial person) appointed
by such party demanding arbitration, together with a statement of the matter in controversy.
(ii) Within 30 days after receipt of such demand, the other parties shall, in a written
notice delivered to the first party, name such parties’ arbitrator (who shall be an
impartial person). If such parties fail to name an arbitrator, then the second arbitrator
shall be named by the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA”). The two
arbitrators so selected shall name a third arbitrator (who shall be an impartial person)
within 30 days, or in lieu of such agreement on a third arbitrator by the two arbitrators so
appointed, the third arbitrator shall be appointed by the AAA. If any arbitrator appointed
hereunder shall die, resign, refuse or become unable to act before an arbitration decision
is rendered, then the vacancy shall be filled by the method set forth in this Section for
the original appointment of such arbitrator.
(iii) Each party shall bear its own arbitration costs and expenses. The arbitration
hearing shall be held in Houston, Texas at a location designated by a majority of the
arbitrators. The Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association shall
be incorporated by reference at such hearing and the substantive laws of the State of Texas
(excluding conflict of laws provisions) shall apply.
(iv) The arbitration hearing shall be concluded within ten (10) days unless otherwise
ordered by the arbitrators and the written award thereon shall be made within fifteen (15)
days after the close of submission of evidence. An award rendered by a majority of the
arbitrators appointed pursuant to this Agreement shall be final and binding on all parties
to the proceeding, shall resolve the question of costs of the arbitrators and all related
matters, and judgment on such award may be entered and enforced by either party in any court
of competent jurisdiction.
(v) Except as set forth in Section 12(b) below, the parties stipulate that the
provisions of this Section shall be a complete defense to any suit, action or proceeding
instituted in any federal, state or local court or before any administrative tribunal with
respect to any controversy or dispute arising out of this Agreement or the transactions
described herein. The arbitration provisions hereof shall, with respect to such controversy
or dispute, survive the termination or expiration of this Agreement.
No party to an arbitration may disclose the existence or results of any arbitration hereunder
without the prior written consent of the other parties; nor will any party to an arbitration
disclose to any third party any confidential information disclosed by any other party to an
arbitration in the course of an arbitration hereunder without the prior written consent of such
other party.
(b) Emergency Relief. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 12 to the contrary,
any party may seek from a court any provisional remedy that may be necessary to protect any rights
or property of such party pending the establishment of the arbitral tribunal or its determination
of the merits of the controversy or to enforce a party’s rights under Section 12.
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11. Grantee’s Representations. Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereof, the
Grantee hereby agrees that he will not exercise the Stock Option granted hereby, and that the
Company will not be obligated to issue any shares to the Grantee hereunder, if the exercise thereof
or the issuance of such shares of Common Stock shall constitute a violation by the Grantee or the
Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority or Company
policies, or the rules of the stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or traded. Any
determination in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The
obligations of the Company and the rights of the Grantee are subject to all applicable laws, rules,
and regulations, rules of the stock exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or traded and
policies of the Company.
12. Grantee’s Acknowledgments. The Grantee represents that he or she is familiar with
the terms and provisions of this Agreement, and hereby accepts this Option subject to all the terms
and provisions thereof. The Grantee hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all
decisions or interpretations of the Committee, the Company or the Board, as appropriate, upon any
questions arising under this Agreement.
13. Law Governing. This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Texas (excluding any conflict of laws rule or principle of
Texas law that might refer the governance, construction, or interpretation of this agreement to the
laws of another state).
14. No Right to Continue Service or Employment. Nothing herein shall be construed to
confer upon the Grantee the right to be employed or to provide services to the Company, its
affiliates or any parent or subsidiary or their affiliates, whether as an employee or as a
consultant or as a director of the Board, or interfere with or restrict in any way the right of the
Company or any of the other foregoing entities to discharge the Grantee as an employee, consultant
or director of the Board at any time.
15. Legal Construction. In the event that any one or more of the terms, provisions,
or agreements that are contained in this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the invalid,
illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement shall not affect any other term, provision,
or agreement that is contained in this Agreement and this Agreement shall be construed in all
respects as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement had never been
contained herein.
16. Covenants and Agreements as Independent Agreements. Each of the covenants and
agreements that is set forth in this Agreement shall be construed as a covenant and agreement
independent of any other provision of this Agreement. The existence of any claim or cause of
action of the Grantee against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall
not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants and agreements that are
set forth in this Agreement.
17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any and all other prior
understandings and agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and constitute the sole and only agreements between the parties with
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respect to the said subject matter. All prior negotiations and agreements between the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof are merged into this Agreement. Each party to this
Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or
otherwise, have been made by any party or by anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not
embodied in this Agreement and that any agreement, statement or promise that is not contained in
this Agreement shall not be valid or binding or of any force or effect.
18. The Plan. This Agreement is subject to all terms, conditions, limitations and
restrictions contained in the Plan
19. Parties Bound. The terms, provisions, and agreements that are contained in this
Agreement shall apply to, be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and permitted successors and
assigns, subject to the limitation on assignment expressly set forth herein.
20. Modification. No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or
binding upon the parties unless the change or modification is in writing and signed by the parties.
21. Headings. The headings that are used in this Agreement are used for reference and
convenience purposes only and do not constitute substantive matters to be considered in construing
the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
22. Gender and Number. Words of any gender used in this Agreement shall be held and
construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular number shall be held to include
the plural, and vice versa, unless the context requires otherwise.
23. Independent Legal and Tax Advice. Grantee acknowledges that the Company has
advised Grantee to obtain independent legal and tax advice regarding entering into this Agreement,
the grant and exercise of the Option and the disposition of any shares of Common Stock acquired
thereby.
24. Notice. Any notice required or permitted to be delivered hereunder shall be
deemed to be delivered only when actually received by the Company or by the Grantee, as the case
may be, at the addresses set forth below, or at such other addresses as they have theretofore
specified by written notice delivered in accordance herewith:
(a) Notice to the Company shall be addressed and delivered as follows:
Endeavour International Corporation
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Corporate Secretary
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
Attention: Corporate Secretary
(b) Notice to the Grantee shall be addressed and delivered as set forth on the
signature page.
25. Tax Requirements.
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(a) Tax Withholding. The Company shall have the power and the right to deduct or
withhold, or require the Grantee to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy the
amount of federal, state, and local taxes, domestic or foreign, required by law or regulation to be
withheld with respect to any taxable event arising as a result of the Agreement and this Option.
(b) Share Withholding. With respect to tax withholding required upon any taxable
event arising as a result of this grant, the Company may, at the sole discretion of the Board or
Committee, satisfy the withholding requirement, in whole or in part, by withholding shares of
common stock having a fair market value on the date the tax is to be determined equal to the
statutory total tax which could be imposed on the transaction. Any fraction of a share of common
stock required to satisfy such obligation shall be disregarded and the amount due shall instead be
paid in cash by the Grantee. The Grantee may request that such tax withholding be satisfied by
payment in cash by the Grantee to the Company or withholding from other compensation payable to the
Grantee at such time the tax withholding is due. All such requests shall be made in writing,
signed by the Grantee, and shall be subject to any restrictions or limitations that the Committee,
in its discretion, deems appropriate.
[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly
authorized officer, and the Grantee, to evidence his consent and approval of all the terms hereof,
has duly executed this Agreement, effective as of the date first written above.
| COMPANY: ENDEAVOUR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION |
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| By: | ||||
| Name: | ||||
| Title: | ||||
| GRANTEE: |
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| [name] | ||||
