Purchase and Sale Agreement By and Between Bill Barrett CBM LLC as Seller and Storm Cat Energy (USA) Corporation as Buyer Dated Effective July 1, 2006 Wyoming CBM Package Exhibit List
EXHIBIT
10.1
By
and Between
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx CBM LLC
as
Seller
and
Storm
Cat Energy (USA) Corporation
as
Buyer
Dated
Effective July 1, 2006
Wyoming
CBM Package
Exhibit
List
Exhibit
A Leases
and Rights Of Way/WI/NRI
Exhibit
B Xxxxx,
Wellsites and Leases/Allocated Values
Exhibit
C Intentionally
Omitted
Exhibit
D Material
Agreements
Exhibit
E Required
Consents and Preferential Purchase Rights
Exhibit
F Capital
Projects
Exhibit
G Insurance
Coverage
Exhibit
H Hydrocarbon
Sales Contracts/Calls On Production
Exhibit
I Non-Transferable
Governmental Permits
Exhibit
J Imbalance
Volumes
Exhibit
K Assignment,
Xxxx Of Sale And Conveyance
Exhibit
L SCE’s
Officer Certificate
Exhibit
M BBC’s
Officer Certificate
Exhibit
N FIRPTA
Certificate
Exhibit
O Bonds,
Etc. To Be Replaced At Closing
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
|
||
ARTICLE
1 PURCHASE AND SALE
|
1
|
|
1.1
|
Purchase
and Sale.
|
1
|
1.2
|
The
Assets.
|
1
|
1.3
|
Effective
Time.
|
2
|
1.4
|
1031
Exchange.
|
2
|
ARTICLE
2 PURCHASE PRICE
|
3
|
|
2.1
|
Purchase
Price.
|
3
|
2.2
|
Deposit.
|
3
|
2.3
|
Allocation
of the Purchase Price.
|
3
|
2.4
|
Adjustments
to Purchase Price.
|
3
|
A.
Effective
Time Apportionment of Property Expenses.
|
3
|
|
B.
Settlement
Statements.
|
4
|
|
C.
Property
Expenses.
|
4
|
|
D.
Upward
Adjustments.
|
4
|
|
E.
Downward
Adjustments.
|
5
|
|
F.
Well
and Pipeline Imbalance Adjustments.
|
5
|
|
ARTICLE
3 BUYER’S INSPECTION
|
6
|
|
3.1
|
Access
to the Records.
|
6
|
3.2
|
Disclaimer.
|
6
|
3.3
|
Physical
Access to the Leases, Lands and Xxxxx.
|
6
|
3.4
|
SCE’s
Agents.
|
6
|
ARTICLE
4 TITLE MATTERS
|
7
|
|
4.1
|
Definitions.
|
7
|
A.
Defensible
Title.
|
7
|
|
B.
Permitted
Encumbrances.
|
7
|
|
C.
Title
Defect.
|
8
|
|
D.
Title
Defect Value.
|
9
|
|
4.2
|
Purchase
Price Adjustments for Title Defects.
|
9
|
A.
Notices
of Title Defects.
|
9
|
|
B.
Defect
Adjustments.
|
10
|
|
4.3
|
Interest
Additions.
|
10
|
4.4
|
Dispute
Resolution.
|
11
|
4.5
|
Casualty
Loss.
|
11
|
4.6
|
Preferential
Rights and Consents.
|
11
|
A.
Required
Consents.
|
11
|
|
B.
Preferential
Purchase Rights.
|
12
|
|
C.
Exclusive
Remedy.
|
12
|
|
ARTICLE
5 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
|
12
|
|
5.1
|
Definitions.
|
12
|
|
-i-
5.2
|
NEPA
Documents.
|
13
|
5.3
|
Environmental
Liabilities and Obligations.
|
14
|
A.
Assumed
Environmental Liabilities.
|
14
|
|
B.
Retained
Environmental Liabilities.
|
14
|
|
5.4
|
Remedies.
|
14
|
A.
Environmental
Defects less than the Environmental Deductible.
|
14
|
|
B.
Environmental
Defects greater than the Environmental Deductible.
|
14
|
|
5.5
|
Contested
Environmental Defects.
|
15
|
5.6
|
Exclusive
Remedies.
|
15
|
ARTICLE
6 SELLER’S REPRESENTATIONS
|
15
|
|
6.1
|
Company
Representations.
|
16
|
A.
Corporate
Representations.
|
16
|
|
B.
Power
and Authority.
|
16
|
|
C.
No
Violation.
|
16
|
|
6.2
|
Authorization
and Enforceability.
|
16
|
6.3
|
Liability
for Brokers’ Fees.
|
16
|
6.4
|
No
Bankruptcy.
|
16
|
6.5
|
Litigation.
|
16
|
6.6
|
Capital
Projects.
|
16
|
6.7
|
Insurance.
|
17
|
6.8
|
Judgments.
|
17
|
6.9
|
Compliance
with Law.
|
17
|
6.10
|
Material
Agreements.
|
17
|
6.11
|
Governmental
Permits.
|
17
|
6.12
|
Hydrocarbon
Sales Contracts.
|
17
|
6.13
|
Area
of Mutual Interest and Other Agreements; Tax Partnerships.
|
17
|
6.14
|
Imbalance
Volumes.
|
18
|
A.
Gas
Pipeline Imbalances.
|
18
|
|
B.
Wellhead
Gas Imbalances.
|
18
|
|
6.15
|
Records.
|
18
|
ARTICLE
7 BUYER’S REPRESENTATIONS
|
18
|
|
7.1
|
Company
Representations.
|
18
|
A.
Existence.
|
18
|
|
B.
Power
and Authority.
|
18
|
|
C.
No
Violation.
|
19
|
|
7.2
|
Authorization
and Enforceability.
|
19
|
7.3
|
Liability
for Brokers’ Fees.
|
19
|
7.4
|
Litigation.
|
19
|
7.5
|
Securities
Laws.
|
19
|
7.6
|
Financial
Resources.
|
19
|
7.7
|
Records.
|
19
|
7.8
|
Independent
Evaluation.
|
20
|
-ii-
ARTICLE
8 COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
|
20
|
|
8.1
|
Covenants
and Agreements of BBC.
|
20
|
A.
Operations
Prior to Closing.
|
20
|
|
B.
Restriction
on Operations.
|
20
|
|
C.
Notification
of Claims.
|
21
|
|
D.
Existing
Relationships.
|
21
|
|
E.
Consents.
|
21
|
|
F.
Entity
Status.
|
22
|
|
8.2
|
Covenants
and Agreements of SCE.
|
22
|
A.
Entity
Status.
|
22
|
|
B.
Replacement
Bonds and Instruments.
|
22
|
|
8.3
|
Covenants
and Agreements of the Parties.
|
22
|
A.
Confidentiality.
|
22
|
|
B.
Return
of Information.
|
22
|
|
C.
Injunctive
Relief.
|
23
|
|
D.
Cure
Period for Breach.
|
23
|
|
E.
Notice
of Breach.
|
23
|
|
ARTICLE
9 TAX MATTERS
|
23
|
|
9.1
|
Apportionment
of Tax Liability.
|
23
|
9.2
|
Calculation
of Tax Liability.
|
23
|
9.3
|
Tax
Reports and Returns.
|
23
|
9.4
|
Sales
Taxes.
|
24
|
ARTICLE
10 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING
|
24
|
|
10.1
|
BBC’s
Conditions Precedent.
|
24
|
10.2
|
SCE’s
Conditions Precedent.
|
24
|
ARTICLE
11 RIGHT OF TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT
|
25
|
|
11.1
|
Termination.
|
25
|
11.2
|
Liabilities
Upon Termination.
|
25
|
A.
SCE’s
Breach.
|
25
|
|
B.
BBC’s
Breach.
|
25
|
|
C.
Termination
Pursuant to Sections 11.1
|
25
|
|
ARTICLE
12 CLOSING
|
26
|
|
12.1
|
Date
of Closing.
|
26
|
12.2
|
Place
of Closing.
|
26
|
12.3
|
Closing
Obligations.
|
26
|
ARTICLE
13 POST-CLOSING OBLIGATIONS
|
27
|
|
13.1
|
Post-Closing
Adjustments.
|
27
|
A.
Settlement
Statement.
|
27
|
|
B.
Dispute
Resolution.
|
27
|
|
13.2
|
Records.
|
27
|
13.3
|
Transfer
of Operations/Operations After Closing.
|
28
|
13.4
|
Further
Assurances.
|
28
|
|
-iii-
ARTICLE
14 ASSUMPTION AND RETENTION OF OBLIGATIONS AND
INDEMNIFICATION
|
28
|
|
14.1
|
SCE’s
Assumption of Liabilities and Obligations.
|
28
|
14.2
|
BBC’s
Retention of Liabilities and Obligations.
|
28
|
14.3
|
Proceeds
and Invoices for Property Expenses Received After the Settlement
Date.
|
28
|
A.
Proceeds.
|
29
|
|
B.
Property
Expenses.
|
29
|
|
C.
Limitation
as to Time.
|
29
|
|
14.4
|
Indemnification.
|
29
|
A.
BBC’s
Indemnification of SCE.
|
29
|
|
B.
SCE’s
Indemnification of BBC.
|
29
|
|
C.
Release.
|
29
|
|
14.5
|
Procedure.
|
30
|
A.
Coverage.
|
30
|
|
B.
Claim
Notice.
|
30
|
|
C.
Information.
|
30
|
|
14.6
|
Dispute
Resolution.
|
30
|
14.7
|
No
Insurance; Subrogation.
|
32
|
14.8
|
Reservation
as to Non-Parties.
|
32
|
ARTICLE
15 MISCELLANEOUS
|
32
|
|
15.1
|
Expenses.
|
32
|
15.2
|
Notices.
|
32
|
15.3
|
Amendments/Waiver.
|
33
|
15.4
|
Assignment.
|
33
|
15.5
|
Announcements.
|
33
|
15.6
|
Counterparts/Fax
Signatures.
|
33
|
15.7
|
Governing
Law.
|
33
|
15.8
|
Entire
Agreement.
|
33
|
15.9
|
Knowledge.
|
33
|
15.10
|
Binding
Effect.
|
33
|
15.11
|
Survival.
|
33
|
15.12
|
Limitation
on Damages.
|
34
|
15.13
|
No
Third-Party Beneficiaries.
|
34
|
15.14
|
Condition
Precedent.
|
34
|
15.15
|
References,
Titles and Construction.
|
34
|
-iv-
This
Purchase and Sale Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated July 17, 2006, is by and
between Xxxx Xxxxxxx CBM, L.L.C., 0000 00xx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx
00000 (“BBC” or “Seller”) and Storm Cat Energy (USA) Corporation, 0000
00xx,
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 0000 Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx, 00000 (“SCE” or “Buyer”). The transaction
contemplated by this Agreement may be referred to as the “Transaction.” BBC and
SCE may be referred to individually as a “Party” or collectively as the
“Parties.”
RECITALS
A. BBC
owns
and desires to sell its interests in certain oil and gas properties located
in
Sheridan and Xxxxxxxx Counties, Wyoming containing approximately 25,205 gross
mineral acres and 17,030 net mineral acres (the “Assets,” all as more
particularly described in Section 1.2 below).
B. SCE
has
conducted and will conduct an independent investigation of the nature and extent
of the Assets (as defined below) and desires to purchase all of BBC’s interest
in the Assets pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
C. To
accomplish the foregoing, the Parties wish to enter into this
Agreement.
AGREEMENT
In
consideration of the mutual promises contained herein, $100 and other good
and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, SCE and BBC agree as follows:
ARTICLE
1
PURCHASE
AND SALE
1.1 Purchase
and Sale. BBC
agrees to sell and SCE agrees to purchase all of BBC’s right, title and interest
in the Assets, all pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.
1.2 The
Assets. As
used
herein, the term “Assets” refers to all of the BBC’s right, title and interest
in and to the following:
A. The
oil,
gas and/or mineral leases, rights-of-way and other agreements specifically
described in Exhibit A (the “Leases”), the lands described in Exhibit A (the
“Lands”) and the oil, gas and other hydrocarbons (“Hydrocarbons”) attributable
to the Leases or Lands, including without limitation, all oil, gas and/or other
mineral leases, leasehold estates, rights-of-way and easements, all mineral,
royalty, overriding royalty, production payment, reversionary, net profit,
contractual leasehold and other similar rights, estates and interests in the
Leases or Lands, together with all the property and rights incident thereto.
B. Any
oil
and gas xxxxx located on the “Wellsites” described on Exhibit B, (collectively,
the “Xxxxx”), together with all other oil and gas xxxxx and all water, injection
and disposal xxxxx on the Lands or on lands pooled, communitized or unitized
therewith.
-1-
C. All
equipment, fixtures and improvements located on the Leases and Lands and used
in
connection with the production, gathering, treatment, processing, storing,
transportation, sale or disposal of Hydrocarbons or water produced from the
properties and interests described in Section 1.2 A. through B., including
without limitation the Xxxxx, wellhead equipment, pumps, flowlines, gathering
systems, piping, tanks, buildings, treatment facilities, disposal facilities,
compression facilities, and other materials, supplies, equipment, facilities
and
machinery.
D. The
unitization, pooling and communitization agreements, declarations and orders,
if
any, and all permits, including without limitation all water discharge permits
relating to the properties and interests described in Sections 1.2 A.
through C. and to the production of Hydrocarbons, if any, attributable to said
properties and interests, to the extent transferable by Seller.
E. All
material contracts, agreements and instruments, which relate and only insofar
as
they relate, to the properties and interests described in Subsections 1.2
A. through D., and including without limitation those which are described in
Exhibit D (the “Material Agreements”).
F. All
lease
files, land files, well files and contract files relating to the items described
in Sections 1.2.A through E. maintained by BBC, but excluding from the foregoing
those files, records and data subject to unaffiliated third party contractual
restrictions on disclosure or transfer (the “Records”). To the extent that any
of the Records contain interpretations of BBC, SCE agrees to rely on such
interpretations at its own risk.
1.3 Effective
Time. The
purchase and sale of the Assets shall be effective as of July 1, 2006 at
7:00 a.m. Mountain Time (the “Effective Time”).
1.4 0000 Xxxxxxxx.
XXX
reserves the right, at or prior to Closing, to assign its rights under this
Agreement with respect to all or a portion of the Purchase Price, and that
portion of the Assets associated therewith (“1031 Assets”), to a Qualified
Intermediary (“QI”) (as that term is defined in Section 1.1031(k)-1(g)(4)(v) of
the Treasury Regulations) to accomplish this Transaction, in whole or in part,
in a manner that will comply with the requirements of a like-kind exchange
(“Like-Kind Exchange”) pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (“Code”). If BBC so elects, BBC may assign its rights under
this Agreement to the 1031 Assets to the QI. SCE hereby (i) consents to BBC’s
assignment of its rights in this Agreement with respect to the 1031 Assets,
and
(ii) if such an assignment is made, agrees to pay all or a portion of the
Purchase Price into the qualified trust account at Closing as directed in
writing by BBC. BBC and SCE acknowledge and agree that a whole or partial
assignment of this Agreement to a QI shall not release either Party from any
of
its respective liabilities and obligations to each other or expand any such
respective liabilities or obligations under this Agreement. Neither Party
represents to the other that any particular tax treatment will be given to
either Party as a result of the Like-Kind Exchange. The Party not participating
in the Like-Kind Exchange shall not be obligated to pay any additional costs
or
incur any additional obligations in its sale of the Assets if such costs are
the
result of the other Party’s Like-Kind Exchange, and the Party participating in
the Like-Kind Exchange shall hold harmless and indemnify the other Party from
and against all claims, losses and liabilities (including
reasonable
-2-
attorneys’
fees, court costs and related expenses), if any, resulting from such a Like-Kind
Exchange.
ARTICLE
2
PURCHASE
PRICE
2.1 Purchase
Price. The
purchase price for the Assets shall be $30,650,000.00 (the “Purchase Price”). At
Closing, SCE shall pay BBC the Purchase Price, as adjusted pursuant to Section
2.4.
2.2 Deposit.
On
or
before three business days after the execution of this Agreement,
SCE shall pay to BBC in cash, an amount equal to $1,532,500.00 (the “Deposit”).
SCE’s timely payment of the Deposit is a condition precedent to the
effectiveness of this Agreement. Accordingly, if SCE does not pay the Deposit
to
BBC on or before three business days after execution of this Agreement, this
Agreement shall become null and void. BBC shall retain the Deposit in an
interest bearing account. The
Deposit shall be distributed to BBC and credited to the Purchase Price at
Closing, or if this Agreement is terminated, shall be distributed or retained
pursuant to Article 11.
2.3 Allocation
of the Purchase Price. SCE,
after consultation with BBC, has allocated the Purchase Price among the Assets
as set forth on Exhibit B. SCE and BBC agree to use the values so allocated
as
the values for the individual Assets when filing all tax returns. The value
so
allocated to a particular Asset may be referred to as the “Allocated Value” for
that Asset. For purposes of calculating Title Defects, Environmental Defects
or
Interest Additions with respect to a Well, the Allocated Value for the Asset
shall be the sum of the Allocated Values for all interests under the same Well
spacing unit. For purposes of calculating Title Defects or Environmental Defects
or Interest Additions with respect to a Lease, as to Lands not associated with
the spacing unit of a Well and for which an Allocated Value is not set forth
on
Exhibit B (“Non-Wellsite Leasehold”), the Allocated Value for that Asset shall
be the total number of acres in each Lease affected by a Title Defect or
Environmental Defect or Interest Addition multiplied by the value per acre
set
forth on Exhibit B.
2.4 Adjustments
to Purchase Price. All
adjustments to the Purchase Price shall be made (i) according to the factors
described in this Section, (ii) in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles as consistently applied in the oil and gas industry, and
(iii) without duplication.
A. Effective
Time Apportionment of Property Expenses. Seller
and Buyer agree that all revenues, costs and expenses (both operating and
capital), including Property Expenses (as defined below) will be apportioned
between Buyer and Seller as of the Effective Time. Accordingly, Seller shall
be
entitled to any production revenues or other amounts realized from and accruing
to the Assets attributable to the period of time before the Effective Time,
and
shall be liable for the payment of all costs and expenses, including Property
Expenses, attributable to the Assets for the period of time before the Effective
Time, and (ii) Buyer shall be entitled to any production revenues or other
amounts realized from and accruing to the Assets attributable to the period
of
time after the Effective Time, and shall be liable for the payment
of
-3-
all
costs
and expenses including Property Expenses, attributable to the Assets for the
period of time after the Effective Time.
B. Settlement
Statements. The
Purchase Price shall be adjusted at Closing pursuant to a “Preliminary
Settlement Statement” prepared by BBC, submitted to SCE on or before five days
before Closing, for SCE’s comment and review and agreed to by both SCE and BBC.
The Preliminary Settlement Statement shall set forth the Closing Amount and
all
adjustments to the Purchase Price and associated calculations. The term “Closing
Amount” means the Purchase Price, adjusted as provided in this Section using
reasonable estimates as agreed to by the Parties if actual numbers are not
available. After Closing, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted pursuant to
the
Settlement Statement delivered pursuant to Section 13.1.
C. Property
Expenses. For
the
purposes of this Agreement, the term “Property Expenses” shall mean all capital
expenses, joint interest xxxxxxxx, lease operating expenses, lease rental and
maintenance costs, royalties, overriding royalties, leasehold payments, Taxes
(as defined and apportioned as of the Effective Time pursuant to Article 9),
drilling expenses, workover expenses, land, title, geological, geophysical
and
any other exploration or development expenditures chargeable under applicable
operating agreements or other agreements consistent with the standards
established by the Council of Petroleum Accountant Societies of North America
that are attributable to the maintenance and operation of the Assets during
the
period in question.
D. Upward
Adjustments. The
Purchase Price shall be adjusted upward by the following:
1. An
amount
equal to all proceeds (net of royalty and Taxes not otherwise accounted for
hereunder) received and retained by SCE from the sale of all Hydrocarbons
produced from or credited to the Assets prior to the Effective
Time;
2. An
amount
equal to all direct and actual expenses attributable to the Assets, including,
without limitation, the Property Expenses, incurred and paid by BBC that are
attributable to the period after the Effective Time;
3. To
the
extent not covered in the preceding paragraph, an amount equal to all prepaid
expenses attributable to the Assets after the Effective Time that were paid
by
or on behalf of BBC, including without limitation, prepaid drilling and/or
completion costs, applicable insurance costs through Closing, and prepaid
utility charges;
4. An
amount
equal to $100 per BBC-operated well per month, prorated for partial months,
as
BBC’s sole compensation for BBC’s office personnel operating the Assets from the
Effective Time until SCE assumes operations. The $100 per BBC-operated well
per
month amount does not include all direct field expenses that are normally
charged to the field as allowed by XXXXX, such as field pumpers and field
foremen that are BBC employees, and such costs will be apportioned between
the
Parties as of the Effective Time.
5. An
amount
equal to the Interest Addition Adjustment; and
-4-
6. Any
other amount agreed to by SCE and BBC.
E. Downward
Adjustments. The
Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward by the following:
1. Proceeds
received and retained by BBC (net of applicable Taxes and royalties) that are
attributable to production from the Assets after the Effective Time;
2. the
amount of all direct and actual expenses attributable to the Assets, including,
without limitation, the Property Expenses, that remain unpaid by BBC that are
attributable to the period prior to the Effective Time;
3. an
amount
equal to the sum of all Environmental Defect Adjustments;
4. an
amount
equal to the Title Defect Adjustments; and
5. any
other
amount agreed to by SCE and BBC.
F. Well
and Pipeline Imbalance Adjustments. In
addition to the foregoing, the Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward or
upward, as appropriate, by an amount equal to the Inside FERC Price for CIG
for
July 2006 per MMBtu for the well and pipeline gas imbalances existing as of
the
Effective Time.
-5-
ARTICLE
3
BUYER’S
INSPECTION
3.1 Access
to the Records. The
Records. Seller will give Buyer, or Buyer’s authorized representatives, at
Seller’s office and at all reasonable times before the Closing Date, access to
Seller’s records pertaining to the ownership and/or operation of the Properties
(including, without limitation, title files, division order files, and
production, severance and ad valorem tax records), for the purpose of conducting
due diligence reviews contemplated herein. Buyer may make copies of such
records, at its expense, but shall, if Seller so requests, return all copies
so
made if the Closing does not occur; all costs of copying such items shall be
borne by Buyer. Seller shall not be obligated to provide Buyer with access
to
any records or data which Seller considers to be proprietary or confidential
to
it or which Seller cannot provide to Buyer without, in its reasonable opinion,
breaching, or risking a breach of, agreements with other parties, or waiving,
or
risking waiving, legal privilege. Buyer recognizes and agrees that all materials
made available to it in connection with the transaction contemplated hereby,
whether made available pursuant to this section or otherwise, are made available
to it as an accommodation, and without representation or warranty of any kind
as
to the accuracy and completeness of such materials. No warranty of any kind
is
made by seller as to the information supplied to buyer or with respect to
properties to which the information relates, and buyer expressly agrees that
any
conclusions drawn therefrom shall by the result of its own independent review
and judgment.
3.3 Disclaimer.
Except
for the representations contained in this Agreement, BBC makes no representation
of any kind as to the Records or any information contained therein. SCE agrees
that any conclusions drawn from the Records shall be the result of its own
independent review and judgment.
3.4 Physical
Access to the Leases, Lands and Xxxxx. During
reasonable business hours, BBC agrees to grant SCE physical access to the
Leases, Lands and Xxxxx to allow SCE to conduct, at SCE’s sole risk and expense,
on-site inspections and environmental assessments of the Leases, Lands and
Xxxxx. In connection with any such on-site inspections and assessments, SCE
agrees not to interfere with the normal operation of the Leases and Xxxxx and
agrees to comply with all operational and safety requirements of the operators
of the Xxxxx. If SCE or its agents prepares an environmental assessment of
any
Lease, Lands or Well, SCE agrees to keep such assessment confidential and to
furnish copies thereof to BBC. In connection with granting such access, SCE
represents that it is adequately insured and waives, releases and agrees to
indemnify BBC, and its respective directors, officers, shareholders, employees,
agents and representatives against all claims for injury to, or death of,
persons or for damage to property arising as a result of any act or omission
committed by SCE or its employees, agents, contractors or representatives in
conducting SCE’s on-site inspections and environmental assessments of the Leases
and Xxxxx. This waiver, release and indemnity by SCE shall survive termination
of this Agreement.
3.5 SCE’s
Agents.
To
the
extent that SCE uses agents to conduct its due diligence activities, either
in
BBC’s offices or on the Lands, SCE agrees to (i) make such agents aware of
the terms and conditions set forth in this Article 3 and the confidentiality
provisions of Article 8,
-6-
and
(ii)
ensure that such agents agree to be bound by the terms of this Article 3 and
the
confidentiality provisions of Article 8.
ARTICLE
4
TITLE
MATTERS
4.1 Definitions.
A. Defensible
Title. The
term
“Defensible Title” means such title to the Assets, that, subject to and except
for Permitted Encumbrances: (i) entitles BBC to receive not less than the
net revenue interest (“NRI”) set forth on Exhibit A for the currently
producing formations in each Well and the NRI set forth on Exhibit A for the
Non-Wellsite Leasehold, (ii) obligates BBC to bear costs and expenses
relating to the maintenance, development, operation and the production of
Hydrocarbons from the producing formation in each Well and attributable to
each
Lease in an amount not greater than the working interest (“WI”) set forth in
Exhibit A); and (iii) is free and clear of encumbrances, liens and
defects. If a Well or Non-Wellsite Leasehold is not listed on Exhibits A or
B,
then the deemed Allocated Value for such Well or location is zero. The Parties
acknowledge that (i) BBC may not own 100% of the WI in the Lands covered by
the
Leases, or (ii) the Leases may not cover 100% of the Hydrocarbons or (iii)
BBC
may not own 100% of the applicable drilling and spacing unit. Accordingly,
if
and to the extent that BBC owns less than 100% of the WI in a particular
interest comprising the Assets due to the factors acknowledged in the previous
sentence, BBC’s WI and NRI shall be reduced proportionately.
B. Permitted
Encumbrances. The
term
“Permitted Encumbrances” shall mean:
1. lessors’
royalties, overriding royalties, net profits interests, production payments,
reversionary interests and similar burdens (payable or in suspense) if the
net
cumulative effect of such burdens does not operate to reduce the
NRI;
2. liens
for
Taxes, or assessments not yet due and delinquent or, if delinquent, that are
being contested in good faith in the normal course of business and for which
BBC
shall retain responsibility;
3. all
rights to consent by, required notices to, filings with, or other actions by
federal, state, local or foreign governmental bodies, in connection with the
conveyance of the applicable Asset if the same are customarily obtained after
such conveyance;
4. rights
of
reassignment upon the surrender or expiration of any Lease;
5. the
terms
and conditions of the Material Agreements and all documents of record to the
extent such do not decrease the NRI for the affected Asset or increase the
WI
for such Asset without a corresponding proportionate increase in the NRI for
such Asset;
6. easements,
rights-of-way, servitudes, permits, surface leases and other rights with respect
to surface operations, on, over or in respect of any of the Assets or
any
-7-
restriction
on access thereto that do not materially interfere with the operation of the
affected Asset as has been conducted in the past or materially affect the value
thereof;
7. liens
to
be released in connection with the Closing pursuant to Section 12.3;
8. assignments,
conveyances or transfers of title to federal or State leasehold that have been
properly filed with the appropriate federal or State agency, but which are
pending approval by said agency and such approval is purely administrative;
and
9. materialmen’s,
mechanics’, operators’ or other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of
business incidental to operation of the Assets (i) if such liens and charges
have not been filed pursuant to law and the time for filing such liens and
charges has expired, (ii) if filed, such liens and charges have not yet become
due and payable or payment is being withheld as provided by law, or (iii) if
their validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for
which BBC shall retain responsibility.
C. Title
Defect. The
term
“Title Defect” means any lien, encumbrance, claim or defect in or to real
property title, excluding Permitted Encumbrances, that alone or in combination
with other defects renders the BBC's title to the Asset (i) less than Defensible
Title, and (ii) reduces the Allocated Value of the affected Asset by more than
$20,000.00 (with such amount being the “Individual Title Threshold”) and (iii)
if the Lease in question is part of the Non-Wellsite Leasehold, the Lease,
or
BBC’s title to the Lease, has failed or is likely to fail. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the following shall not be considered Title Defects:
1. defects
in the chain of title, consisting of the failure to recite marital status in
a
document, unless SCE provides reasonable written evidence that such failure
or
omission has resulted in another party claiming title to the relevant
Asset;
2. defects
based on a lack of information or incorrect information in BBC’s
files;
3. defects
arising out of lack of survey;
4. defects
based on failure to record Leases issued by the BLM or any state, or any
assignments of record title or operating rights in such Leases, in the real
property or other county records of the county in which such Asset is located;
provided that such Leases or assignments are properly filed with the applicable
federal or state office;
6. defects
that are uncontrovertibly defensible by possession under applicable statutes
of
limitation for adverse possession or for prescription;
7. defects
based on (i) a gap in BBC’s chain of title in the BLM records as to federal
leases, or in the state’s records as to state leases or in the county records as
to fee leases (subject to subsection 6. above), unless such gap is affirmatively
shown to exist in such records and written evidence of such break in the chain
of title shall be included in a Notice of Title Defects, and provided further,
the consequence of such break in the chain of title must result in
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another
party having a justiciable claim to a portion or all of the affected Asset
or
(ii) lack of a receipt of formal approval by the BLM or State authorities of
previously submitted assignments; and
8. any
defect, other than those described in Section 4.1(D)(1) below, if the net
cumulative effect of such burdens does not operate to render Seller’s title in
any Asset less than Defensible Title.
D. Title
Defect Value. “Title
Defect Value” means the amount by which the Allocated Value of an Asset has been
reduced by a Title Defect. In determining the Title Defect Value, the Parties
intend to include only that portion of the Asset affected by the defect. The
Title Defect Value may not exceed the Allocated Value of the Asset and shall
be
determined by the Parties in good faith taking into account all relevant
factors, including without limitation, the following:
1. If
the
Title Defect is a lien or encumbrance on the Asset created by BBC, BBC shall
have the lien or encumbrance unconditionally released, and consequently, there
shall be no Title Defect Value associated with such lien or encumbrance.
2. If
the
Title Defect is an actual reduction in NRI or any other matter that does not
fall within the matters described in subsection 1, but causes Seller’s title to
be less than Defensible Title, then Seller and Buyer agree to a downward
adjustment equal to the amount determined by multiplying the Allocated Value
for
the affected portion of the Assets by a fraction, the numerator of which is
the
difference between the NRI set forth in Exhibit “A” and the actual NRI, and the
denominator of which is the NRI in Exhibit “A”. If the Title Defect affects
Non-Wellsite Leasehold, then Seller and Buyer agree to a downward adjustment
equal to the amount determined by multiplying the number of Non-Wellsite
Leasehold acres affected by the Title Defect by the allocated value per acre,
as
set forth on Exhibit B.
4.2 Purchase
Price Adjustments for Title Defects.
A. Notices
of Title Defects. SCE
shall
give BBC a written “Title Defects Notice” as soon as possible but no later than
Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time (the “Title Defect Date”).
To be effective, each Title Defect Notice must be in writing and must satisfy
the following conditions precedent: (i) name the affected Asset;
(ii) describe each Title Defect in reasonable detail; (iii) describe
the basis for each Title Defect; (iv) attach Supporting Documentation;
(v) state the Allocated Value of the affected Asset; (vi) state SCE’s
good faith estimate of the Title Defect Value; and (vii) set forth the
computations, upon which SCE’s estimate is based. For the purposes of this
Section, “Supporting Documentation” for a particular Title Defect means if the
basis is derived from any document, a copy of such document (or pertinent part
thereof) or if the basis is derived from any gap in BBC’s chain of title, the
documents preceding and following the gap shall be attached, or in any case
other reasonable written documentation. If such Supporting Documentation is
in
BBC’s possession, SCE agrees to provide a copy of such documentation to BBC, or
alternatively, a location where BBC can obtain such supporting documentation
-
such as a file number etc.
-9-
B. Defect
Adjustments.
1. If
an
Asset is affected by a Title Defect, the Purchase Price will be reduced under
Section 2.4 and as set forth below, unless, at BBC’s election: (i) BBC
cures the Title Defect prior to Closing, (ii) SCE agrees to waive the
relevant Title Defect, (iii) BBC elects on or before Closing to cure such
Title Defect no later than 90 days after Closing; (iv) BBC, with SCE’s
consent, which SCE may withhold in its sole discretion, elects on or before
Closing to indemnify SCE against any loss attributable to the relevant Title
Defect or (v) BBC elects to exclude the affected portion of the Asset from
the
transaction and reduce the Purchase Price by the Allocated Value of such Asset.
The Purchase Price shall be adjusted only if Title Defects that exceed the
Individual Title Threshold exceed 5% of the Purchase Price (the “Title
Deductible”), and then the Purchase Price shall be adjusted only for the amount
exceeding the Title Deductible, with such adjustment being the “Title Defect
Adjustment.” The Title Deductible and the Environmental Deductible are separate
and distinct and operate independently.
2. If
BBC
elects to cure the relevant Title Defect post-Closing, BBC shall assign the
affected Asset to SCE at Closing and the Purchase Price will not be reduced
at
Closing for such Title Defect. If BBC cures the relevant Title Defect to SCE’s
reasonable satisfaction, there shall be no adjustment to the Purchase Price;
subject to the Individual Title Threshold, if BBC does not cure the relevant
Title Defect to SCE’s reasonable satisfaction, the Purchase Price shall be
adjusted by an amount equal to the Title Defect Value attributable to the
applicable Title Defect, such adjustment and payment by BBC to SCE to be made
within 15 days of the determination that the alleged Title Defect will not
be
cured to SCE’s reasonable satisfaction subject to BBC’s right to dispute such
determination in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.4.
4.3 Interest
Additions. Promptly
on discovery, but on or before two days prior to Closing, SCE shall in good
faith notify BBC, or BBC shall in good faith notify SCE, of any additional
interest discovered by that Party that would be an Asset hereunder, but BBC
failed to list as an Asset (with such interest being an “Interest Addition”);
provided however, that the “Value of any Interest Addition” (defined below) must
exceed the Individual Title Threshold. Interest Additions shall include without
limitation, the failure to describe the interest in detail and any interest
that
entitles BBC to receive more than the NRI or obligates BBC to bear costs and
expenses in an amount less than the WI without a proportionate change in NRI.
SCE acknowledges and agrees to comply with the affirmative obligation set forth
in the first sentence of this Section. Each such notice of an Interest Addition
shall be in writing and shall describe the Interest Addition, the estimated
Allocated Value for the Interest Addition, or the amount by which the Allocated
Value of the Asset has been increased by the Interest Addition (“Value of
Interest Addition”), together with the associated computations and supporting
documentation. The Parties shall determine the Value of the Interest Addition
in
good faith in the same manner as provided in Section 4.1.D.2 taking into account
all relevant factors. The Purchase Price shall be increased for only those
Interest Additions that exceed the Individual Title Threshold (with the amount
of such adjustment being the “Interest Addition Adjustment”). Notwithstanding
the foregoing, any net mineral acres delivered by BBC over 17,030 net mineral
acres shall be considered Interest Additions.
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4.4 Dispute
Resolution. The
Parties agree to resolve disputes concerning title matters pursuant to the
Arbitration procedure set forth in Section 14.6.
4.5 Casualty
Loss. After
the
Effective Time and prior to Closing, if a portion of the Assets is destroyed
by
fire or other casualty, or is taken or threatened to be taken in condemnation
or
under the right of eminent domain (with such event being a “Casualty Loss”), SCE
shall purchase the Asset at Closing for the Allocated Value of the Asset reduced
by the estimated cost to repair or replace such Asset (with equipment of similar
utility) up to the Allocated Value thereof (the reduction being the “Net
Casualty Loss”). At its sole option, BBC may elect to cure such Casualty Loss.
If BBC elects to cure such Casualty Loss, BBC may replace any personal property
that is the subject of a Casualty Loss with equipment of similar grade and
utility. If BBC cures the Casualty Loss, SCE shall purchase the affected Asset
at Closing for the Allocated Value thereof without any Purchase Price Adjustment
for such Casualty Loss. BBC shall retain all rights to receive insurance,
damage, or condemnation payments with respect to a Casualty Loss.
4.6 Preferential
Rights and Consents. To
BBC’s
knowledge, the preferential purchase rights and/or required consents affecting
the Assets are set forth on Exhibit E. To the extent that there are preferential
purchase rights or required consents affecting the Assets, the provisions of
this Section 4.6 shall apply. BBC shall use its reasonable efforts to obtain
all
required consents and to give notices required in connection with preferential
purchase rights prior to Closing. If SCE discovers Assets subject to
preferential purchase rights and/or required consents that are not set forth
on
Exhibit E during the course of SCE’s due diligence activities, SCE shall notify
BBC immediately and BBC shall use its reasonable efforts to obtain such consents
or obtain waivers and to give the notices required in connection with the
preferential rights prior to Closing.
A. Required
Consents. Except
for consents and approvals which are customarily obtained post-Closing, and
those consents which would not invalidate the conveyance of the Assets if a
consent is required to convey an interest in an Asset, (with such consents
being
“Required Consents”), and if a Required Consent to assign any Asset has not been
obtained as of the Closing, then (i) the portion of the Assets for which
such Required Consent has not been obtained shall not be conveyed at the
Closing, (ii) the Allocated Value for that Asset shall not be paid to BBC,
and
(iii) BBC shall use its reasonable efforts to obtain such Required Consent
as promptly as possible following Closing. If such Required Consent has been
obtained as of the Final Settlement Date, BBC shall convey the affected Asset
to
SCE effective as of the Effective Time and SCE shall pay BBC the Allocated
Value
of the affected Asset, reduced by the amount of any net proceeds from the
affected Asset attributable to the period of time after the Effective Time
with
BBC retaining such net proceeds attributable to the period of time after the
Effective Time until the affected Asset is assigned, and with BBC bearing all
attendant Property Costs for the affected Asset accruing during this period
of
time. If such Required Consent has not been obtained as of the Final Settlement
Date, the affected Asset shall be deemed to be an Excluded Asset and BBC shall
retain such Asset and the Purchase Price shall be deemed to be reduced by an
amount equal to the Allocated Value of the particular Asset (with such
adjustment being an “Exclusion Adjustment”). SCE shall reasonably cooperate with
BBC in obtaining any Required Consent including providing assurances of
reasonable financial
-11-
conditions,
but SCE shall not be required to expend funds or make any other type of
financial commitments a condition of obtaining such consent.
B. Preferential
Purchase Rights.
1. If
any
preferential right to purchase any portion of the Assets is exercised and
consummated prior to the Closing Date, that portion of the Assets affected
by
such preferential purchase right shall be excluded from the Assets and the
Purchase Price shall be adjusted downward by an amount equal to the Allocated
Value of such affected Assets without the requirement for SCE to give notice
(with such adjustment being an “Exclusion Adjustment”).
2. If
by
Closing, the time frame for the exercise of such preferential purchase rights
has not expired and BBC has not received notice of an intent not to exercise
or
a waiver of the preferential purchase right, that portion of the Assets affected
by such preferential purchase right shall be included in the Assets and assigned
to SCE at Closing. If such preferential purchase right is exercised, the
provisions of Section 4.6.B.3 shall apply.
3. If
the
affected Asset has been conveyed to SCE at Closing, and a preferential purchase
right affecting the Asset is consummated after Closing, SCE agrees to convey
such affected Asset to the party exercising such preferential purchase right
on
the same terms and conditions under which BBC conveyed such Assets to SCE and
retain all amounts paid by the party exercising such preferential right to
purchase. In the event of such exercise, SCE shall prepare, execute and deliver
a form of conveyance of such Asset to such exercising party, such conveyance
to
be in form and substance as provided in this Agreement, and BBC agrees to hold
harmless and indemnify SCE from any and all liabilities and obligations
associated with such conveyed Asset.
C. Exclusive
Remedy. The
remedies set forth in this Section 4.6 are the exclusive remedies under this
Agreement for exercised preferential purchase rights and required consents
to
assign the Assets.
ARTICLE
5
ENVIRONMENTAL
MATTERS
The
provisions of this Article apply only to the environmental matters associated
with the Assets as the result of oil and gas operations on the
Land.
5.1 Definitions.
For
the
purposes of the Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
“Environmental
Consultant” means a third party consultant reasonably acceptable to SCE and BBC.
“Environmental
Defect” means (a) a condition in, on or under an Asset (including, without
limitation, air, land, soil, surface and subsurface strata, surface water and
ground water) attributable to the period of time prior to the Effective Time
that (i) causes an Asset to be in
-12-
material
violation of an Environmental Law, or (ii) requires Remediation under an
Environmental Law and (b) the cost to remediate the Environmental Defect exceeds
$20,000 per incident or condition, net to Seller’s interest (“Individual
Environmental Threshold”). The Parties agree that each Environmental Defect will
be addressed as a single incident or condition, and that Environmental Defects
will not be aggregated on a per well basis or a per condition basis or
otherwise, and that the term “per incident or condition” in the preceding
sentence shall be interpreted accordingly. The terms and conditions of the
Leases, or NEPA Documents (as defined below), or any restrictions imposed by
any
governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Assets shall not be the
basis for an Environmental Defect, and Buyer accepts the risk of the foregoing
“Environmental
Deductible” means 5% of the Purchase Price.
“Environmental
Defect Notice” means each written notice given by SCE to BBC alleging an
Environmental Defect. To be effective, each Environmental Defect Notice must
be
in writing and must satisfy the following conditions precedent: (i) name
the affected Asset, (ii) describe the condition that causes the Environmental
Defect, (iii) provide reasonable factual substantiation for the
Environmental Defect, and (iv) state the estimated Remediation Cost as
calculated by the Environmental Consultant. To be valid, all Environmental
Defect Notices must be received by BBC on or before Wednesday August 16, 2006
at
5:00 p.m. Mountain Time. For the purpose of the preceding sentence, “factual
substantiation for the Environmental Defect” shall mean reports prepared by, or
the basis of tests performed by the Environmental Consultant.
“Environmental
Defect Value” means the costs to remediate that particular Environmental Defect.
“Environmental
Law” means any law, statute, rule, regulation, code, ordinance or order issued
by any federal, state, or local governmental entity in effect on or before
the
Effective Time regulating or imposing liability or standards of conduct
concerning protection of the environment or human health and safety or the
release or disposal of waste or hazardous materials.
“Remediation”
means actions taken to correct an Environmental Defect or otherwise required
to
remediate in compliance with applicable Environmental Law, as recommended in
writing by the Environmental Consultant.
5.2 NEPA
Documents. The
Assets may be subject to National Environmental Policy Act documents, including
the following: (i) Record of Decision for the Resource Management Plan/Final
Environmental Impact Statement for the Buffalo Resource Area (1985) and
accompanying Draft Environmental Impact Statement (1984) and Final Environmental
Impact Statement (1985); (ii) the Decision Record for the Coal Bed Methane
Environmental Assessment for Western Xxxxxxxx County and Easter Xxxxxxx County,
Wyoming (1990); (iii) the Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan
Amendments for the Powder River Basin Oil and Gas Project (2003) and
accompanying Draft Environmental Impact Statement (2002) and Final Environmental
Impact Statement (2003); (iv) Decision Record, Finding of No Significant Impact,
and Environmental Assessment, (Retrospective) Oil and Gas Leasing in the Buffalo
Field Office (2005); and (v) Environmental Assessment (Prospective) Oil and
Gas
Leasing in the
-13-
Buffalo
Field Office (pending), see
69
Fed.
Reg. 75,336 (Dec. 16, 2004) (collectively, the “NEPA Documents”). Buyer agrees
to take title to the Assets at Closing subject to the terms and conditions
set
forth in the NEPA Documents, and that the terms and conditions set forth in
the
NEPA Documents shall not be the basis for a Title Defect, Environmental Defect,
or other Purchase Price adjustment.
5.3 Environmental
Liabilities and Obligations.
A. Assumed
Environmental Liabilities. Except
for Retained Environmental Liabilities (as defined below), at Closing, Buyer
agrees to assume and pay, perform, fulfill and discharge all liabilities and
obligations related to, and release Seller from all Losses relating to, the
environmental conditions in, on or under the Assets attributable to the period
of time before and after the Effective Time, including without limitation any
and all liability for (i) ground water contamination, (ii) Naturally Occurring
Radioactive Materials, (iii) man-made material fibers, and (iv) the obligation
to plug and abandon all of the xxxxx located on the Lands and reclamation of
existing well sites on the Lands (collectively, the “Assumed Environmental
Liabilities”). If Buyer fails to timely deliver an Environmental Defect Notice
with respect to an Asset, or if the aggregate of all Environmental Defects
is
equal to or less than the Environmental Deductible (as defined in Section
5.1),Buyer shall be deemed to (i) accept the environmental condition(s) in,
on and under that Asset or the Assets, (ii) have waived its right to claim
an Environmental Defect with respect to that particular condition in, on or
under the Assets, and (iii) include the particular environmental
condition(s) as part of the Assumed Environmental Liabilities.
B. Retained
Environmental Liabilities. If
Seller
receives an Environmental Defect Notice for a particular Environmental Defect
and such Environmental Defect Notice is not contested under the provisions
of
Section 5.5, and Seller elects to retain the Assets affected by such
Environmental Defect pursuant to Section 5.4.B, Seller agrees to retain all
claims, cost, expenses, liabilities and obligations accruing or relating to
the
Environmental Defect that was the subject of the Environmental Defect Notice
(the “Retained Environmental Liabilities”). Timely receipt of an Environmental
Defect Notice and verification of the Remediation Costs by the Environmental
Consultant are conditions precedent to Seller’s obligation to retain liability
for Retained Environmental Liabilities.
5.4 Remedies.
A. Environmental
Defects less than the Environmental Deductible. If
the
aggregate Environmental Defect Values of all Environmental Defect Notices timely
delivered to BBC is less than or equals the Environmental Deductible, the
Environmental Defects identified in such notices will not be Retained
Environmental Liabilities; accordingly, BBC will have no obligation hereunder
with respect thereto and SCE agrees to assume, and release BBC from, the
obligations with respect thereto as part of the Assumed Environmental
Liabilities. The Environmental Deductible and the Title Deductible are separate
and distinct and operate independently and each is a deductible and not a
threshold.
B. Environmental
Defects Greater than the Environmental Deductible. If
the
aggregate Environmental Defect Values of all Environmental Defect Notices timely
delivered to
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BBC
exceeds the Environmental Deductible then BBC shall be liable for only that
portion of any Losses attributable thereto which exceeds the Environmental
Deductible. For those Environmental Defects not contested by BBC which aggregate
more than the Environmental Deductible, BBC shall elect one of the following
options: (i) remediate the condition on the affected Assets comprising the
specified Environmental Defect(s) as promptly as practicable (and retain its
obligation to indemnify and defend SCE from any Losses relating to such
Environmental Defects), such remediation to be consistent with Environmental
Laws and subject to the Environmental Deductible; or (ii) at Closing pay SCE
its
estimate of the Environmental Defect Value in excess of the Environmental
Deductible (“Environmental Defect Adjustment”), in which event SCE shall release
BBC from any further Retained Environmental Liability relating to the
Environmental Defects so satisfied or (iii) if the Environmental Defect Value
exceeds the Allocated Value of an Asset, Seller may elect to exclude such Asset
from this Transaction and reduce the Purchase Price by the Allocated Value
of
that Asset.
5.5 Contested
Environmental Defects. If
BBC
contests the existence of an Environmental Defect or the Environmental Defect
Value, BBC shall notify SCE in writing on or before five days after receipt
of
the Environmental Defect Notice (“Rejection Notice”). The Rejection Notice shall
state with reasonable specificity the basis of the rejection of the
Environmental Defect or the Environmental Defect Value. Within 5 business days
of receipt of the Rejection Notice, representatives of SCE and BBC knowledgeable
in environmental matters shall meet and, either (i) mutually agree to reject
the
particular Environmental Defect or (ii) agree on the validity of such
Environmental Defect and the Environmental Defect Value. If the Parties cannot
agree on either options (i) or (ii) in the preceding sentence, the Environmental
Defect and/or the Environmental Defect Value subject to the Rejection Notice
shall be resolved in accordance with the arbitration procedures set forth in
Section 14.6. If BBC fails to timely deliver a Rejection Notice, BBC shall
be
deemed to have accepted the validity of the Environmental Defect and SCE’s
estimate of the Environmental Defect Value, and shall be deemed to have waived
its own option to contest the Environmental Defect pursuant to this Section.
5.6 Exclusive
Remedies. The
rights and remedies granted each Party in this Article, together with the
indemnifications set forth in Article 14 and the rights of each Party to not
close pursuant to Articles 10 and 11 are the exclusive rights and remedies
against the other Party related to any Environmental Defect or other
environmental matters.
ARTICLE
6
SELLER’S
REPRESENTATIONS
The
Parties agreement with respect to Title Matters and Environmental Matters is
set
forth in Articles 4 and 5 respectively, and the provisions of those Articles
set
forth BBC’s representations with respect to Title Matters and Environmental
Matters. Except for Title Matters and Environmental Matters, BBC makes the
following representations as of the execution of this Agreement and as of
Closing:
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6.1 BBC
Representations.
A. Existence.
BBC
is a
limited liability company, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing
under the laws of the State of Texas and is qualified to do business in Wyoming.
B. Power
and Authority. BBC
has
all requisite power and authority to own the Assets, to carry on its business
as
presently conducted to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and each
other document executed or to be executed by BBC in connection with the
Transaction. The execution, delivery, and performance by BBC of this Agreement
and each other document executed or to be executed by BBC in connection with
the
Transaction and the consummation by it of the Transaction have been duly
authorized by all necessary company action of BBC.
C. No
Violation. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement does not (i) create a lien or
encumbrance on the Assets that will remain in existence after Closing, (ii)
violate, or be in conflict with, any provision of BBC’s governing documents, or
any provision of any statute, rule or regulation applicable to BBC or the Assets
or any material lease, contract, agreement, instrument or obligation to which
BBC is a party or by which BBC or the Assets are bound, or (iii) violate, or
be
in conflict with any judgment, decree or order applicable to BBC.
6.2 Authorization
and Enforceability. This
Agreement and each other document executed by BBC in connection with this
Transaction constitutes BBC’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable
in accordance with their respective terms, subject, however, to the effects
of
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws for the
protection of creditors and equitable principles which may limit the
availability of certain equitable remedies (such as specific performance) in
certain instances.
6.3 Liability
for Brokers’ Fees. BBC
has
not incurred any liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokers’ or finders’
fees relating to this Transaction for which SCE shall have any responsibility
whatsoever.
6.4 No
Bankruptcy. There
are
no bankruptcy proceedings pending, being contemplated by or, to the knowledge
of
BBC, threatened against BBC by any third party.
6.5 Litigation.
BBC
has
not received a written claim or written demand notice that has not been resolved
that would adversely affect any of the Assets. There are no actions, suit,
ongoing governmental investigations, written governmental inquiries or
proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of BBC, threatened against BBC or
any
of the Assets, in any court or by or before any federal, state, municipal or
other governmental agency that relate to any of the Assets, or that would affect
the BBC’s ability to execute and deliver this Agreement or to consummate this
Transaction.
6.6 Capital
Projects. Exhibit
F
is a list and description of all xxxxx or other specified capital projects
to
the extent such capital projects will extend beyond the Effective Time, and
associated costs or estimates thereof to the extent such costs or estimates
exceed $25,000 per well or project net to BBC’s interest, may be referred to as
the “Capital Projects.” All costs and
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expenses
incurred by the Parties with respect to the Capital Projects will be apportioned
between the Parties as of the Effective Time, with SCE assuming all
post-Effective Time costs and expenses and BBC retaining all pre-Effective
Time
costs and expenses.
6.7 Insurance.
BBC
maintains, and through the Closing Date will maintain, with respect to the
Assets, the insurance coverage described on Exhibit G.
6.8 Judgments.
There
are
no unsatisfied judgments or injunctions issued by a court of competent
jurisdiction or other governmental agency outstanding against BBC that would
be
reasonably expected to materially interfere with the operation of any of the
Assets, or materially affect the value of any of the Assets, or impair BBC’s
ability to enter into this Agreement or consummate this
Transaction.
6.9 Compliance
with Law. BBC
has
not received a written notice of a material violation of any statute, law,
ordinance, regulation, permit, rule or order of any federal, state, tribal
or
local government or any other governmental department or agency, or any
judgment, decree or order of any court, applicable to the Assets or operations
on the Assets, which remains uncured.
6.10 Material
Agreements. To
the
extent not listed elsewhere in this Agreement and except for the Leases,
Exhibit D is a list of all agreements that are material to the ownership
and operation of the Assets (with such agreements listed on Exhibit D being
the “Material Agreements”).
6.11 Governmental
Permits. To
the
best of BBC’s knowledge, BBC has all governmental licenses, filings and permits
(including, without limitation, permits, licenses, approval registrations,
notifications, exemptions and any other authorizations pursuant to Law)
necessary or appropriate to own and operate the Assets as presently being owned
and operated. BBC has not received written notice of any violations in respect
of any such licenses or permits that remains uncured. Except for those permits
listed on Exhibit I, all such permits are transferable to SCE. All of BBC’s
representations related to governmental licenses, filings and permits
(including, without limitation, permits, licenses, approval registrations,
notifications, exemptions and any other authorizations pursuant to Environmental
Laws) related to Environmental Laws are set forth in Section 5.2. BBC makes
no
representations as to SCE’s ability to obtain permits for future operations.
6.12 Hydrocarbon
Sales Contracts.
Except
for the Hydrocarbon Sales Contracts listed in Exhibit H, no Hydrocarbons are
subject to a sales contract (other than division orders or spot sales agreements
terminable on no more than 30 days notice) and no person has any call upon,
option to purchase or similar rights with respect to the production from the
Assets. Proceeds from the sale of oil, condensate, and gas from the Assets
are
being received in all respects by BBC in a timely manner and are not being
held
in suspense for any reason.
6.13 Area
of Mutual Interest and Other Agreements; Tax Partnerships.
To
BBC’s
knowledge, no Asset is subject to (or has related to it) any area of mutual
interest agreements or any farm-out or farm-in agreement under which any party
thereto is entitled to receive
-17-
assignments
not yet made, or could earn additional assignments after the Effective Time
other than the Xxxxx listed on Exhibit A as having an after payout NRI. No
Asset
is subject to (or has related to it) any tax partnership.
6.14 Imbalance
Volumes.
A. Gas
Pipeline Imbalances. Except
for the gas imbalances reflected on Exhibit J (“Imbalance Volumes”), there do
not exist any gas imbalances (i) which are with gatherers processors, or
transporters (ii) which are associated with the Assets and (iii) where BBC
has
received a quantity of gas prior to the Effective Time for which SCE will have
a
duty after the Effective Time to deliver an equivalent quantity of gas or pay
a
sum of money.
B. Wellhead
Gas Imbalances. Except
for the Imbalances Volumes, there do not exist any gas imbalances relating
either to production from, or at the, wellhead between co-tenants or working
interest owners in a well, unit, or field which are associated with the Assets
where BBC has received any quantity of gas prior to the Effective Time for
which
SCE will have a duty after the Effective Time to deliver an equivalent quantity
of gas or pay a sum of money.
6.15 Records.
BBC
makes
no representations regarding the accuracy of any of the Records, and SCE
expressly agrees that any conclusions drawn therefrom shall be the result of
its
own independent review and judgment.
6.16 Suspense
Accounts. Except
for the suspense accounts identified to SCE in writing on or before the
25th
day
after execution of this Agreement (“Suspense Accounts”), as of May 1, 2006, none
of the BBC interests in the Xxxxx and Hydrocarbons produced from the Assets
were
in suspense and BBC is not holding in suspense for any third party any proceeds
from production from the Xxxxx for which BBC is responsible for making
payment.
ARTICLE
7
BUYER’S
REPRESENTATIONS
SCE
makes
the following representations to BBC as of the execution of this Agreement
and
as of Closing:
7.1 SCE
Representations.
A. Existence.
SCE
is a
corporation, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Colorado and is qualified to do business in Wyoming.
B. Power
and Authority. SCE
has
all requisite power and authority to own the Assets, to carry on its business
as
presently conducted, to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement and each
other document executed or to be executed by SCE in connection with the
Transaction. The execution, delivery, and performance by SCE of this Agreement
and each other document executed or to be executed by SCE in connection with
the
Transaction and the consummation by it of the Transaction have been duly
authorized by all necessary company action of SCE.
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C. No
Violation. The
execution and delivery of this Agreement does not (i) create a lien or
encumbrance on the Assets that will remain in existence after Closing, (ii)
violate, or be in conflict with, any provision of SCE’s governing documents, or
any provision of any statute, rule or regulation applicable to SCE or the Assets
or any material lease, contract, agreement, instrument or obligation to which
SCE is a party or by which SCE or the Assets are bound, or (iii) violate, or
be
in conflict with any judgment, decree or order applicable to SCE.
7.2 Authorization
and Enforceability. The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and this Transaction
have
been duly and validly authorized by all requisite action on behalf of SCE.
This
Agreement and each other document executed by SCE in connection with this
Transaction constitutes SCE’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable
in accordance with their respective terms, subject, however, to the effects
of
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws for the
protection of creditors and equitable principles which may limit the
availability of certain equitable remedies (such as specific performance) in
certain instances.
7.3 Liability
for Brokers’ Fees. SCE
has
not incurred any liability, contingent or otherwise, for brokers’ or finders’
fees relating to this Transaction for which BBC shall have any responsibility
whatsoever.
7.4 Litigation.
There
is
no action, suit, proceeding, claim or investigation by any person, entity,
administrative agency or governmental body pending or, to SCE’s knowledge,
threatened against it before any governmental authority that impedes or is
likely to impede SCE’s ability to consummate this Transaction and to assume the
liabilities to be assumed by SCE under this Agreement, including without
limitation, the Assumed Liabilities.
7.5 Securities
Laws. SCE
is
familiar with the Assets and it is a knowledgeable, experienced and
sophisticated investor in the oil and gas business. SCE understands and accepts
the risks and absence of liquidity inherent in ownership of the Assets. SCE
acknowledges that the Assets are or may be deemed to be “securities” under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and certain applicable state securities
or
Blue Sky laws and that resales thereof may therefore be subject to the
registration requirements of such acts. The Assets are being acquired solely
for
SCE’s own account for the purpose of investment and not with a view to resale,
distribution or granting a participation therein in violation of any securities
laws.
7.6 Financial
Resources. SCE
has
the financial resources available to close this Transaction without financing
that is subject to any contingency.
7.7 Records.
SCE
acknowledges that BBC is making available to it the Records and the opportunity
to examine, to the extent it deems necessary in its sole discretion, all real
property, personal property and equipment associated with the Assets. Except
for
the representations of BBC contained in this Agreement, SCE acknowledges and
agrees that BBC has not made any representations or warranties, express or
implied, written or oral, as to the accuracy or completeness of the Records
or
any other information relating to the Assets furnished or to be furnished to
SCE
or its representatives by or on behalf of BBC, including without limitation
any
estimate with respect to the value of the Assets, estimates or any
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projections
as to reserves and/or events that could or could not occur, future operating
expenses, future workover expenses and future cash flow.
7.8 Independent
Evaluation. In
entering into this Agreement, SCE acknowledges and affirms that it has relied
and will rely solely on the terms of this Agreement and upon its independent
analysis, evaluation and investigation of, and judgment with respect to, the
business, economic, legal, tax or other consequences of this Transaction
including its own estimate and appraisal of the extent and value of the
petroleum, natural gas and other reserves of the Assets, the value of the Assets
and future operation, maintenance and development costs associated with the
Assets. SCE owns and operates other oil and gas properties similar in nature
and
kind to the Assets and is aware of the geologic factors and risks associated
with operating oil and gas xxxxx in the area of the Assets. Accordingly, SCE
assumes the risk of disposal of produced waters from the Xxxxx and the downhole
condition of the Xxxxx. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, BBC
shall not have any liability to SCE or its affiliates, agents, representatives
or employees resulting from any use, authorized or unauthorized, of the Records
or other information relating to the Assets provided by or on behalf of
BBC.
ARTICLE
8
COVENANTS
AND AGREEMENTS
8.1 Covenants
and Agreements of BBC. BBC
covenants and agrees with SCE as follows:
A. Operations
Prior to Closing. From
the
date of execution hereof to the Closing, BBC will operate the Assets in a good
and workmanlike manner and consistent with past practices. BBC agrees to
maintain the insurance now in effect with respect to the Assets through the
date
of Closing. From the date of execution of this Agreement to the Closing Date,
BBC shall pay or cause to be paid its proportionate shares of all Property
Expenses incurred in connection with the ownership or operations of the Assets.
Except for Capital Projects, BBC will timely notify SCE of proposed activities
and major capital expenditures that could reasonably be expected to cost in
excess of $25,000 per activity net to BBC’s interests conducted on the Assets
and will keep SCE timely informed of all material developments affecting any
of
the Assets.
B. Restriction
on Operations. Except
in
the case of an emergency, BBC will promptly inform SCE of all requests for
commitments to expend funds in excess of $25,000 with respect to the Assets.
Without the prior written consent of SCE, BBC shall not:
1. enter
into any new agreements or commitments with respect to the Assets which extend
beyond the Closing;
2. commit
to
or incur any expenditures in excess of $25,000 (net to BBC’s interest) with
respect to any part of the Assets;
3. make
any
nonconsent elections with respect to operations affecting the
Assets;
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4. abandon
any Well or release (or permit to terminate), or modify or reduce its rights
under all or any portion of any of the Leases;
5. modify
or
terminate any of the Material Agreements or waive or relinquish any right
thereunder;
6. agree
to
any renegotiated price, take or other terms under existing gas purchase
agreements;
7. agree
to
any credit or prepayment arrangement that would reduce the share of gas
deliverable with respect to the Assets following the Effective
Time;
8. enter
into any agreement or instrument for the sale, treatment, or transportation
of
production from the Assets (except for sales agreements terminable on no more
than 30 days’ notice);
9. create
any material gas imbalance affecting the Assets;
10. encumber,
sell or otherwise dispose of any of the Assets, other than personal property
that is replaced by equivalent property or consumed in the normal operation
of
the Assets; and
11. except
where necessary in the event of an emergency regarding BBC’s interest in the
Assets, propose (i) the drilling of any additional xxxxx, (ii) the deepening,
plugging back or reworking of any Well, (iii) the conducting of any other
operations which require consent under the applicable operating agreement,
or
(iv) the conducting of any other operations other than the normal operation
of
the existing xxxxx on the Assets.
C. Notification
of Claims. BBC
shall
promptly notify SCE of any suit, action or other written proceeding before
any
court or governmental agency and any cause of action that relates to the Assets
or that might, in BBC’s reasonable judgment, result in impairment or loss of
BBC’s title to any portion of the Assets or the value thereof or that might
hinder or impede the operation of the Leases arising or threatened prior to
the
Closing.
D. Existing
Relationships. Prior
to
the Closing, BBC shall not introduce any new method of management, operation
or
accounting with respect to the Assets and shall use all reasonable efforts
to
preserve its relationships with customers, suppliers, distributors, contractors,
operators, non-operators, royalty owners, and others having business dealings
with it in connection with the Assets.
E. Consents.
For
the
purposes of obtaining the written consents required in this Section 8.1,
SCE designates the person set forth in Section 15.2. Such consents may be
obtained in writing by overnight courier or given by telecopy or facsimile
transmission.
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F. Entity
Status. BBC
shall
maintain its company status from the date hereof until Closing and through
the
Final Settlement to assure that as of the Closing Date and the Final Settlement,
BBC will not be under any material legal or contractual restriction that would
prohibit or delay the timely consummation of this Transaction.
8.2 Covenants
and Agreements of SCE. SCE
covenants and agrees with BBC as follows:
A. Entity
Status. SCE
shall
maintain its corporate status from the date hereof until the Closing Date and
the Final Settlement, and use all reasonable efforts to assure that as of the
Closing Date and the Final Settlement it will not be under any material legal
or
contractual restriction that would prohibit or delay the timely consummation
of
this Transaction.
B. Replacement
Bonds and Instruments. At
Closing, SCE shall provide replacement instruments for each bond or similar
contingent obligation given by BBC securing its, or its contract operator’s,
obligations relating to the Assets, set forth on Exhibit O (collectively, the
“Instruments”). As soon as practical after Closing, SCE (with reasonable
assistance of BBC as requested by SCE) shall use its commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain the release of the Assets and/or BBC from the
Instruments.
8.3 Covenants
and Agreements of the Parties. The
Parties covenant and agree as follows:
A. Confidentiality.
All
data
and information, whether written or oral, obtained from BBC in connection with
this Transaction, including the Records, whether obtained by SCE before or
after
the execution of this Agreement, and data and information generated by SCE
in
connection with this Transaction (collectively, the “Information”), is deemed by
the Parties to be confidential and proprietary to BBC. Until the Closing (and
for a period of two year if Closing should not occur for any reason), except
as
required by law or applicable stock exchange rule and after consulting with
BBC,
SCE and its officers, agents and representatives will hold in strict confidence
the terms of this Agreement, and all Information, except any Information which:
(i) at the time of disclosure to SCE by BBC is in the public domain; (ii) after
disclosure to SCE by BBC becomes part of the public domain by publication or
otherwise, except by breach of this commitment by SCE; (iii) SCE can establish
by competent proof was rightfully in SCE’s possession at the time of disclosure
to SCE by BBC; (iv) SCE rightfully receives from third parties free of any
obligation of confidence; or (v) is developed independently by SCE without
the
Information, provided that the person or persons developing the data shall
not
have had access to the Information.
B. Return
of Information. If
this
Transaction does not close on or before Closing, or such later date as agreed
to
by the Parties, SCE shall (i) return to BBC all copies of the Information in
possession of SCE obtained pursuant to any provision of this Agreement, which
Information is at the time of termination required to be held in confidence
pursuant to Section 8.3.A.; (ii) not utilize or permit utilization of the
Information to compete with BBC; and (iii) destroy any and all notes, reports,
studies or analyses based on or incorporating the Information. The terms of
Section 8.3A., B. and C. shall survive termination of this
Agreement.
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C. Injunctive
Relief. SCE
agrees that BBC will not have an adequate remedy at law if SCE violates any
of
the terms of Sections 8.3A. and/or B. In such event, BBC will have the
right, in addition to any other it may have, to obtain injunctive relief to
restrain any breach or threaten breach of the terms of Sections 8.3.A.
and/or B., or to obtain specific enforcement of such terms.
D. Cure
Period for Breach. If
any
Party believes any other Party has breached the terms of this Agreement, the
Party who believes the breach has occurred shall give written notice to the
breaching Party of the nature of the breach and give the breaching Party
48 hours to cure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Subsection shall not
apply to breach of the Parties’ obligations at Closing and shall not operate to
delay Closing.
E. Notice
of Breach. If
either
BBC or SCE develops or possesses information that leads it to believe that
the
other Party may have breached a representation or warranty under this Agreement,
that Party shall promptly inform the other Party of such potential breach so
that it may attempt to remedy or cure such breach prior to Closing. The
provisions of this Agreement and the various documents and agreements to be
executed and delivered pursuant hereto relating to representations, warranties,
indemnities and agreements of BBC or SCE shall not be altered or modified by
the
Closing or by SCE’s or BBC’s knowledge of any event or SCE’s or BBC’s review of
any documents or other matters except as expressly provided herein to the
contrary.
ARTICLE
9
TAX
MATTERS
9.1 Apportionment
of Tax Liability. “Taxes”
shall mean all ad valorem, property, production, excise, net proceeds, severance
and all other taxes and similar obligations assessed against the Assets or
based
upon or measured by the ownership of the Assets or the production of
Hydrocarbons or the receipt of proceeds therefrom, other than income taxes.
All
Taxes based on or attributable to the ownership of, or based on production
of
hydrocarbons shall be deemed attributable to the period during which such
production occurred, with the exception of severance taxes, which shall be
based
on the date such severance taxes were assessed. All Taxes for all taxable
periods that begin before and end after the Effective Time shall be prorated
between SCE and BBC as of the Effective Time. The apportionment of Taxes between
the Parties shall take place in the Preliminary Statement and Settlement
Statement, using estimates of such Taxes if actual numbers are not available.
Subject to the provisions of Section 14.3, Taxes are considered part of the
Property Expenses.
9.2 Calculation
of Tax Liability. Consistent
with Section 9.1, and based on the best current information available as of
Closing, the proration of Taxes shall be made between the Parties as an
adjustment to the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.4 and thereafter
pursuant to the provision of Section 14.3.
9.3 Tax
Reports and Returns. BBC
agrees to file all tax returns for the period of time prior to the Effective
Time, and SCE agrees to file all tax returns for the period of time after
Effective Time. The Party not filing the return agrees to provide the Party
filing the return
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with
appropriate information which is necessary to file any required tax reports
and
returns related to the Assets. SCE agrees to file all tax returns and reports
applicable to the Assets that are required to be filed after the Closing, and
pay all required Taxes payable with respect to the Assets subject to the
provisions of Sections 9.1 and 14.3.
9.4 Sales
Taxes. SCE
shall
be liable for and shall indemnify BBC for, any sales and use taxes, conveyance,
transfer and recording fees and real estate transfer stamps or taxes that may
be
imposed on any transfer of the Assets pursuant to this Agreement. If required
by
applicable law, BBC shall, in accordance with applicable law, calculate and
remit any sales or similar taxes that are required to be paid as a result of
the
transfer of the Assets to SCE and SCE shall promptly reimburse BBC therefor.
If
BBC receives notice that any sales and/or use taxes are due, BBC shall promptly
forward such notice to SCE for handling.
ARTICLE
10
CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT TO CLOSING
10.1 BBC’s
Conditions Precedent. The
obligations of BBC at the Closing are subject, at the option of BBC, to the
satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions
precedent:
A. All
representations and warranties of SCE contained in this Agreement are true
in
all material respects (considering this Transaction as a whole) at and as of
the
Closing in accordance with their terms as if such representations and warranties
were remade at and as of the Closing. SCE has performed and satisfied all
covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be performed and
satisfied by SCE at or prior to the Closing in all material respects and SCE
shall deliver a certificate to SCE confirming the foregoing;
B. No
order
has been entered by any court or governmental agency having jurisdiction over
the Parties or the subject matter of this Agreement that restrains or prohibits
this Transaction and that remains in effect at the time of Closing; and
C. The
aggregate net reduction to the Purchase Price due to Title Defects, Interest
Additions, Environmental Defects, and reductions based on breaches of
representations and warranties, but excluding reductions for Exclusion
Adjustments does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the Purchase
Price.
10.2 SCE’s
Conditions Precedent. The
obligations of SCE at the Closing are subject, at the option of SCE, to the
satisfaction or waiver at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions
precedent:
A. All
representations and warranties of BBC contained in this Agreement are true
in
all material respects at and as of the Closing in accordance with their terms
as
if such representations were remade at and as of the Closing. BBC has performed
and satisfied all covenants and agreements required by this Agreement to be
performed and satisfied by BBC at or prior to the Closing in all material
respects and BBC shall deliver a certificate to SCE confirming the
foregoing;
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B. No
order
has been entered by any court or governmental agency having jurisdiction over
the Parties or the subject matter of this Agreement that restrains or prohibits
this Transaction and that remains in effect at the time of Closing;
and
C. The
aggregate net reduction to the Purchase Price due to Title Defects, Interest
Additions, Environmental Defects, and reductions based on breaches of
representations and warranties, but excluding reductions for Exclusion
Adjustments does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the Purchase
Price.
ARTICLE
11
RIGHT
OF TERMINATION AND ABANDONMENT
11.1 Termination.
This
Agreement may be terminated in accordance with the following
provisions:
A. by
BBC if
either BBC’s conditions set forth in Section 10.1 are not satisfied through no
fault of BBC, or are not waived by BBC, as of the Closing Date;
B. by
SCE if
SCE’s conditions set forth in Section 10.2 are not satisfied through no fault of
SCE, or are not waived by SCE, as of the Closing Date; and
C. by
either
Party if the Purchase Price reduction described in either Sections 10.1C. or
10.2C. has occurred and not been waived by both BBC and SCE.
11.2 Liabilities
Upon Termination.
A. SCE’s
Breach If
Closing does not occur because SCE wrongfully fails to tender performance at
Closing or otherwise breaches this Agreement prior to Closing, and BBC is ready
to close, BBC shall retain the Deposit, together with interest thereon, as
liquidated damages. SCE’s failure to close shall not be considered wrongful if
SCE has terminated this Agreement as of right under Section 11.1. The remedy
set
forth herein shall be BBC’s sole and exclusive remedy for SCE’s wrongful failure
to close hereunder and BBC expressly waives any and all other remedies, legal
and equitable, that it otherwise may have had for SCE’s wrongful failure to
Close.
B. BBC’s
Breach If
Closing does not occur because BBC wrongfully fails to tender performance at
Closing or otherwise breaches this Agreement prior to Closing, and SCE is ready
and otherwise able to close, BBC shall return the Deposit, together with
interest thereon, to SCE 15 days after the determination that the Closing will
not occur, and the remedy set forth herein shall be SCE’s sole and exclusive
remedy for BBC’s wrongful failure to close hereunder.
C. Termination
Pursuant to Sections 11.1 If
SCE or
BBC terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 11.1 in the absence of a
breach by the other Party, neither SCE nor BBC shall have any liability to
the
other Party for termination of this Agreement, BBC shall return the Deposit,
together with interest thereon, to SCE immediately after the determination
that
the Closing will not occur.
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ARTICLE
12
CLOSING
12.1 Date
of Closing. The
“Closing” of this Transaction shall be held on or before Wednesday August 30,
2006. The date the Closing actually occurs is called the “Closing
Date.”
12.2 Place
of Closing. The
Closing shall be held at the offices of BBC in Denver, Colorado, at 9:00 a.m.
or
at such other time and place as SCE and BBC may agree in writing.
12.3 Closing
Obligations. At
Closing, the following events shall occur, each being a condition precedent
to
the others and each being deemed to have occurred simultaneously with the
others:
A. BBC
shall
execute, acknowledge and deliver to SCE, an Assignment, Xxxx of Sale and
Conveyance in the form attached as Exhibit K, in sufficient counterparts for
recording in each county where the Assets are located, conveying the Assets
to
SCE as of the Effective Time, with (i) a special warranty of the real property
title by, through and under BBC but not otherwise, and (ii) with all personal
property and fixtures conveyed “AS IS, WHERE IS,” with no warranties whatsoever,
express, implied or statutory.
B. BBC
shall
execute, acknowledge and deliver to SCE, an assignment on the required
governmental forms necessary to convey the Assets to SCE.
C. BBC
and
SCE shall execute and deliver the Preliminary Settlement Statement.
D. SCE
shall
deliver the Closing Amount to the account at the bank designated by BBC in
writing, by wire transfer in immediately available funds, or by such other
method as agreed to by the Parties.
E. SCE
shall
deliver to BBC the Officer Certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, in form
and substance as set forth in Exhibit L.
F. BBC
shall
deliver to SCE the Officer Certificate, dated as of the Closing Date, in form
and substance as set forth in Exhibit M.
G. BBC
shall
execute and deliver to SCE an affidavit of non-foreign status and no requirement
for withholding under Section 1445 of the Code in the form attached as Exhibit
N.
H. SCE
shall
provide evidence that it has provided replacement Instruments as set forth
in
Section 8.2B.
I. BBC
shall
prepare, execute and deliver to SCE appropriate letters-in-lieu of transfer
orders.
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J. SCE
and
BBC shall execute all documents necessary to transfer operations on the BBC
operated Assets to SCE or SCE’s designated operator.
K. BBC
shall
make the Records available for pick up by SCE at Closing to the extent possible,
but in any event, within five business days after Closing.
L. BBC
and
SCE shall take such other actions and deliver such other documents as are
contemplated by this Agreement.
M. BBC
shall
transfer to SCE all Suspense Accounts, if any, being held by BBC on behalf
of
third party payees, and SCE shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless BBC from
any and all Losses attributable to the Suspense Accounts so
transferred.
ARTICLE
13
POST-CLOSING
OBLIGATIONS
13.1 Post-Closing
Adjustments.
A. Settlement
Statement. As
soon
as practicable after the Closing, but in no event later than 90 days after
Closing, BBC, with assistance from SCE’s staff, will prepare and deliver to SCE,
in accordance with customary industry accounting practices, the Settlement
Statement (the “Settlement Statement”) setting forth each adjustment or payment
that was not finally determined as of the Closing and showing the calculation
of
such adjustment and the resulting final purchase price (the “Final Purchase
Price”). As soon as practicable after receipt of the Settlement Statement, but
in no event later than on or before 30 days after receipt of BBC’s proposed
Settlement Statement, SCE shall deliver to BBC a written report containing
any
changes that SCE proposes to make to the Settlement Statement. SCE’s failure to
deliver to BBC a written report detailing proposed changes to the Settlement
Statement by that date shall be deemed an acceptance by SCE of the Settlement
Statement as submitted by BBC. The Parties shall agree with respect to the
changes proposed by SCE, if any, no later than 45 days after receipt of BBC’s
proposed Settlement Statement. The date upon which such agreement is reached
or
upon which the Final Purchase Price is established shall be herein called the
“Settlement Date.” If the Final Purchase Price is more than the Closing Amount,
SCE shall pay BBC the amount of such difference. If the Final Purchase Price
is
less than the Closing Amount, BBC shall pay to SCE the amount of such
difference. Any payment by SCE or BBC, as the case may be, shall be made by
wire
transfer of immediately available funds within 5 days of the Settlement Date.
Any adjustments requiring additional payment by either SCE or BBC shall also
be
made in the same manner.
B. Dispute
Resolution. If
the
Parties are unable to resolve a dispute as to the Final Purchase Price by 45
days after SCE’s receipt of BBC’s proposed Settlement Statement, the Parties
shall submit the dispute to binding arbitration to be conducted pursuant to
Section 14.6.
13.2 Records.
BBC
shall
make the Records available for pick up by SCE at Closing to the extent possible,
but in any event, within five business days after Closing. BBC may retain copies
of the Records and BBC shall have the right to review and copy the
Records
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during
standard business hours upon reasonable notice for so long as SCE retains the
Records. SCE agrees that the Records will be maintained in compliance with
all
applicable laws governing document retention. SCE will not destroy or otherwise
dispose of Records for a period of 4 years after Closing, unless SCE first
gives
BBC reasonable notice and an opportunity to copy the Records to be
destroyed.
13.3 Transfer
of Operations/Operations After Closing. BBC
agrees to transfer possession and physical operations of the Assets to SCE
at
the Closing; provided, however, that BBC does not guaranty that operations
can
be transferred to SCE, and that all transfers of operations will be subject
to
all necessary regulatory approvals. BBC agrees to use its commercially
reasonable efforts to assist SCE in becoming successor operator of the Assets
operated by BBC; provided however, that BBC shall not be required to expend
any
monies assisting SCE in becoming successor operator. BBC agrees to retain the
obligation to distribute the proceeds attributable to July 2006 production
from
the Assets. SCE agrees to assume the obligation to distribute the proceeds
attributable to all production for months after July 2006.
13.4 Further
Assurances. From
time
to time after Closing, BBC and SCE shall each execute, acknowledge and deliver
to the other such further instruments and take such other action as may be
reasonably requested in order to accomplish more effectively the purposes of
this Transaction.
ARTICLE
14
ASSUMPTION
AND RETENTION OF OBLIGATIONS AND INDEMNIFICATION
14.1 SCE’s
Assumption of Liabilities and Obligations. Upon
Closing, and except for Retained Liabilities, SCE shall assume and pay, perform,
fulfill and discharge all claims, costs, expenses, liabilities and obligations
accruing or relating to the owning, developing, exploring, operating or
maintaining of the Assets or the producing, transporting and marketing of
Hydrocarbons from the Assets for the period before and after the Effective
Time,
including, without limitation, (i) the Material Contracts, (ii) the Assumed
Environmental Liabilities whether arising before or after the Effective Time,
(iii) the obligation to plug and abandon all xxxxx and reclaim all well sites
located on the Lands regardless of when the obligations arose, (iv) the make-up
and balancing obligations for gas from the Xxxxx, and (v) any breach of any
representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of SCE contained in this
Agreement (collectively, the “Assumed Liabilities”).
14.2 BBC’s
Retention of Liabilities and Obligations. Upon
Closing, BBC retains all claims, costs, expenses, liabilities and obligations
accruing or relating to (i) the Retained Environmental Liabilities
(ii) any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of
BBC contained in this Agreement, and (iii) the Property Expenses incurred or
attributable to the period of time prior to the Effective Time, subject to
Section 14.3 (collectively, the “Retained Liabilities”).
14.3 Proceeds
and Invoices for Property Expenses Received After the Settlement Date.
After
the
Settlement Date, those proceeds attributable to the Assets received by a Party
or invoices received for or Property Expenses paid by one Party for or on behalf
of the
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other
Party with respect to the Assets which were not already included in the Final
Settlement, shall be settled as follows:
A. Proceeds.
Proceeds
received by SCE with respect to sales of Hydrocarbons produced prior to the
Effective Time shall be remitted or forwarded to BBC. Proceeds received by
BBC
with respect to sales of Hydrocarbons produced after the Effective Time shall
be
forwarded to SCE.
B. Property
Expenses. Invoices
for Property Expenses received by SCE that relate to operations on the Assets
prior to the Effective Time shall be forwarded to BBC by SCE. Invoices for
Property Expenses received by BBC that relate to operations on the Assets after
the Effective Time shall be forwarded to SCE by BBC, or if already paid by
BBC,
invoiced by BBC to SCE.
C. Limitation
as to Time. The
provisions of this Article shall be applicable until December 31, 2006, after
which time, Buyer agrees to assume the obligation to pay all Property Expenses
for the Assets attributable to the period of time before and after the Effective
Time and shall be entitled to retain the proceeds of production attributable
to
the period of time before and after the Effective Time.
14.4 Indemnification.
“Losses”
shall mean any actual losses, costs, expenses (including court costs, reasonable
fees and expenses of attorneys, technical experts and expert witnesses and
the
cost of investigation), liabilities, damages, demands, suits, claims, and
sanctions of every kind and character (including civil fines) arising from,
related to or reasonably incident to matters indemnified against; excluding
however any special, consequential, punitive or exemplary damages, diminution
of
value of an Asset, loss of profits incurred by a Party hereto or Loss incurred
as a result of the indemnified Party indemnifying a third party.
After
the
Closing, the Parties shall indemnify each other as follows:
A. BBC’s
Indemnification of SCE. BBC
assumes all risk, liability, obligation and Losses in connection with, and
shall
defend, indemnify, and save and hold harmless SCE, its officers, directors,
employees and agents, from and against all Losses which arise from or in
connection with (i) the Retained Liabilities, (ii) any matter for which BBC
has
agreed to indemnify SCE under this Agreement, and (iii) any breach by BBC of
this Agreement.
B. SCE’s
Indemnification of BBC. SCE
assumes all risk, liability, obligation and Losses in connection with, and
shall
defend, indemnify, and save and hold harmless BBC, its members, officers,
directors, employees and agents, from and against all Losses which arise from
or
in connection with (i) the Assumed Liabilities, (ii) any matter for which SCE
has agreed to indemnify BBC under this Agreement, and (iii) any breach by SCE
of
this Agreement.
C. Release.
SCE
shall
be deemed to have released BBC at the Closing from any Losses for which SCE
has
agreed to indemnify BBC hereunder, and BBC shall be deemed to have released
SCE
at the Closing from any Losses for which BBC has agreed to indemnify SCE
hereunder.
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14.5 Procedure.
The
indemnifications contained in Section 14.4 shall be implemented as
follows:
A. Coverage.
Such
indemnity shall extend to all Losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified
Party.
B. Claim
Notice. The
Party
seeking indemnification under the terms of this Agreement (“Indemnified Party”)
shall submit a written “Claim Notice” to the other Party (“Indemnifying Party”)
which shall list the amount claimed by an Indemnified Party, the basis for
such
claim, with supporting documentation, and list each separate item of Loss for
which payment is so claimed. The amount claimed shall be paid by the
Indemnifying Party to the extent required herein within 30 days after receipt
of
the Claim Notice, or after the amount of such payment has been finally
established, whichever last occurs.
C. Information.
If
the
Indemnified Party receives notice of a claim or legal action that may result
in
a Loss for which indemnification may be sought under this Agreement (a “Claim”),
the Indemnified Party shall give written notice of such Claim to the
Indemnifying Party as soon as is practicable. If the Indemnifying Party or
its
counsel so requests, the Indemnified Party shall furnish the Indemnifying Party
with copies of all pleadings and other information with respect to such Claim.
At the election of the Indemnifying Party made within 60 days after receipt
of
such notice, the Indemnified Party shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume
control of such Claim (to the extent only that such Claim, legal action or
other
matter relates to a Loss for which the Indemnifying Party is liable), including
the determination of all appropriate actions, the negotiation of settlements
on
behalf of the Indemnified Party, and the conduct of litigation through attorneys
of the Indemnifying Party’s choice, which counsel shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Indemnified Party; provided, however, that any settlement
of
the claim by the Indemnifying Party may not result in any liability or cost
to
the Indemnified Party without its prior written consent. If the Indemnifying
Party elects to assume control, (i) any expense incurred by the Indemnified
Party thereafter for investigation or defense of the matter shall be borne
by
the Indemnified Party and (ii) the Indemnified Party shall give all reasonable
information and assistance, other than pecuniary, that the Indemnifying Party
shall deem necessary to the proper defense of such Claim. In the absence of
such
an election, the Indemnified Party will use its best efforts to defend, at
the
Indemnifying Party’s expense, any claim, legal action or other matter to which
such other Party’s indemnification under this Article 14 applies until the
Indemnifying Party assumes such defense. If the Indemnifying Party fails to
assume such defense within the time period provided above, the Indemnified
Party
may settle the Claim, in its reasonable discretion at the Indemnifying Party’s
expense. If such a Claim requires immediate action, both the Indemnified Party
and the Indemnifying Party will cooperate in good faith to take appropriate
action so as not to jeopardize defense of such Claim or either Party’s position
with respect to such Claim.
14.6 Dispute
Resolution. The
Parties agree to resolve all “Disputes” concerning this Agreement pursuant to
the provisions of this section, such disputes to include without limitation
(i) the existence and scope of a Title Defect or Interest Addition,
(ii) the Title Defect Value of that portion of the Asset affected by a
Title Defect, (iii) the Value of an Interest Addition, (iv) the
adequacy of BBC’s Title Defect curative materials, (v) the existence of
an
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Environmental
Defect, (vi) the Environmental Defect Value, (vii) the adequacy of any
remediation actions take with respect to an Environmental Defect, (viii) the
Imbalance Volumes, or (ix) disputes concerning a Claim or amount to be paid
by
an Indemnifying Party. The Parties agree to submit all Disputes to binding
arbitration in Denver, Colorado, such arbitration to be conducted as follows:
The arbitration proceeding shall be governed by Colorado law and shall be
conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American
Arbitration Association (“AAA”), with discovery to be conducted in accordance
with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and with any disputes over the scope
of discovery to be determined by the “Arbitrators.” The arbitration shall be
before a single arbitrator chosen by the mutual agreement of the Parties
involved in the matter to be arbitrated, or if no such agreement can be reached
within 10 days, a three-person panel of neutral arbitrators, consisting of
one
person picked by each side, and the two arbitrators so selected picking the
third (with the panel so picked being the “Arbitrators”). The Arbitrator(s)
shall conduct a hearing no later than 60 days after submission of the matter
to
arbitration, and the Arbitrator(s) shall render a written decision within 30
days of the hearing. At the hearing, the Parties shall present such evidence
and
witnesses as they may choose, with or without counsel. Adherence to formal
rules
of evidence shall not be required but the arbitration panel shall consider
any
evidence and testimony that it determines to be relevant, in accordance with
procedures that it determines to be appropriate. Any award entered in the
arbitration shall be made by a written opinion stating the reasons and basis
for
the award made and any payment due pursuant to the arbitration shall be made
within 15 days of the decision by the Arbitrator(s). The final decision shall
be
binding on the Parties, final and non-appealable, and may be filed in a court
of
competent jurisdiction and may be enforced by any Party as a final judgment
of
such court. Each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses of the arbitration,
provided, however, that the costs of employing the Arbitrator(s) shall be borne
50% by the BBC and 50% by the SCE.
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14.7 No
Insurance; Subrogation. The
indemnifications provided in this Agreement shall not be construed as a form
of
insurance. SCE and BBC hereby waive for themselves, their respective successors
or assigns, including, without limitation, any insurers, any rights to
subrogation for Losses for which each of them is respectively liable or against
which each respectively indemnifies the other, and, if required by applicable
policies, SCE and BBC shall obtain waiver of such subrogation from their
respective insurers.
14.8 Reservation
as to Non-Parties. Nothing
herein is intended to limit or otherwise waive any recourse SCE or BBC may
have
against any non-Party for any obligations or liabilities that may be incurred
with respect to the Assets.
ARTICLE
15
MISCELLANEOUS
15.1 Expenses.
All
fees,
costs and expenses incurred by SCE or BBC in negotiating this Agreement or
in
consummating this Transaction shall be paid by the Party incurring the same,
including, without limitation, engineering, land, title, legal and accounting
fees, costs and expenses.
15.2 Notices.
All
notices and communications required or permitted under this Agreement shall
be
in writing and addressed as set forth below. Any communication or delivery
hereunder shall be deemed to have been made and the receiving Party charged
with
notice when received whether by (i) personal delivery, (ii) telecopy or
facsimile transmission, (iii) mail or (iv) overnight courier. All notices shall
be addressed as follows:
If
to
BBC:
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx CMB, L.L.C.
0000
00xx
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 8202
Attention:
Hunt Walker
Telephone:
000.000.0000
Fax:
000.000.0000
If
to
SCE:
Storm
Cat
Energy (USA) Corporation
0000
00xx
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx,
Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attention:
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Telephone:
000.000.0000
Fax:
000.000.0000
Any
Party
may, by written notice so delivered to the other Parties, change the address
or
individual to which delivery shall thereafter be made.
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15.3 Amendments/Waiver.
Except
for waivers specifically provided for in this Agreement, this Agreement may
not
be amended nor any rights hereunder waived except by an instrument in writing
signed by the Party to be charged with such amendment or waiver and delivered
by
such Party to the Party claiming the benefit of such amendment or
waiver.
15.4 Assignment.
If
either
Party assigns all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement, such Party shall remain responsible for all of its obligations under
this Agreement, including without limitation, its indemnity obligations. No
such
assignment or obligation shall increase the burden on the non-assigning Party
or
impose any duty on the non-assigning Party to communicate with or report to
any
transferee, and the non-assigning Party may continue to look to the assigning
Party for all purposes under this Agreement.
15.5 Announcements.
BBC
and
SCE shall consult with each other with regard to all press releases and other
announcements issued after the date of execution of this Agreement and prior
to
the Closing Date concerning this Agreement or this Transaction and, except
as
may be required by applicable laws or the applicable rules and regulations
of
any governmental agency or stock exchange, SCE or BBC shall not issue any such
press release or other publicity without the prior written consent of the other
Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
15.6 Counterparts/Fax
Signatures. SCE
and
BBC may execute this Agreement in any number of counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original instrument, but all of which together shall
constitute but one and the same instrument. The Parties agree that facsimile
signatures are binding.
15.7 Governing
Law. This
Agreement and this Transaction and any arbitration or dispute resolution
conducted pursuant hereto shall be construed in accordance with, and governed
by, the laws of the State of Colorado.
15.8 Entire
Agreement. This
Agreement constitutes the entire understanding among the Parties, their
respective members, shareholders, officers, directors and employees with respect
to the subject matter hereof, superseding all written or oral negotiations
and
discussions, and prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject
matter. Each Exhibit and Schedule attached to this Agreement is incorporated
into this Agreement.
15.9 Knowledge.
The
“knowledge of a Party” shall mean for purposes of this Agreement, the actual,
conscious knowledge of the Party at the time the assertion regarding knowledge
is made. If the Party is a limited liability company, or corporation, or other
entity other than a natural person, such actual, conscious knowledge must be
on
the part of the person having supervising management authority over the matters
to which such knowledge pertains.
15.10 Binding
Effect. This
Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Parties
hereto, and their respective successors and assigns.
15.11 Survival.
The
representations set forth in Sections 6.1 through 6.4, and Sections 7.1 through
7.8 shall survive without limitation as to time. The representations made
in
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Section
6.14 shall survive for a period of 90 days following Closing. The remaining
representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement, except those
relating to BBC’s special warranty of title as described herein, shall not
survive the Closing. Except for representations that survive, as set forth
above, a claim for a breach of a representation or warranty must be made on
or
before Closing. Delivery of the Assignment, Xxxx of Sale and Conveyance at
the
Closing will not constitute a merger of this Agreement with such
Assignment.
15.12 Limitation
on Damages. The
Parties shall not have any liability to each other for consequential, special,
punitive or exemplary damages arising out of or related to a Party’s breach of
any provision of this Agreement.
15.13 No
Third-Party Beneficiaries. This
Agreement is intended to benefit only the Parties hereto and their respective
permitted successors and assigns. There are no third party beneficiaries to
this
Agreement.
15.14 Condition
Precedent. A
condition precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement is signature by
both
SCE and BBC. Unless and until both SCE and BBC have executed this Agreement,
the
Agreement will not be legally binding.
15.15 References,
Titles and Construction.
A. All
references in this Agreement to articles, sections, subsections and other
subdivisions refer to corresponding articles, sections, subsections and other
subdivisions of this Agreement unless expressly provided otherwise.
B. Titles
appearing at the beginning of any of such subdivisions are for convenience
only
and shall not constitute part of such subdivisions and shall be disregarded
in
construing the language contained in such subdivisions.
C. The
words
“this Agreement”, “this instrument”, “herein”, “hereof”, “hereby”, “hereunder”
and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
particular subdivision unless expressly so limited.
D. Words
in
the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa,
unless the context otherwise requires. Pronouns in masculine, feminine and
neutral genders shall be construed to include any other gender.
E. Unless
the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise provided herein, the terms
defined in this Agreement which refer to a particular agreement, instrument
or
document also refer to and include all renewals, extensions, modifications,
amendments or restatements of such agreement, instrument or document, provided
that nothing contained in this subsection shall be construed to authorize such
renewal, extension, modification, amendment or restatement.
F. Examples
shall not be construed to limit, expressly or by implication, the matter they
illustrate.
-34-
G. The
word
“or” is not intended to be exclusive and the word “includes” and its derivatives
mean “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative
expressions.
H. No
consideration shall be given to the fact or presumption that one party had
a
greater or lesser hand in drafting this Agreement.
I. All
references herein to “$” or “dollars” shall refer to U.S. Dollars.
REMAINDER
OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.
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The
Parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the Effective
Time.
SELLER:
Xxxx
Xxxxxxx CBM, L.L.C.
By:
/s/ Huntington X.
Xxxxxx
Name: Huntington
X. Xxxxxx
Title:
Sr. Vice President - Land
Date:
July 17, 2006
BUYER:
Storm
Cat Energy (USA) Inc.
By:
/s/ J. Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
J.
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx,
President
and Chief Executive Officer
Date:
July 17, 2006
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