UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 8-K

 


 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): October 25, 2017

 


 

Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware

 

001-35512

 

45-3691816

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

of incorporation)

 

 

 

Identification No.)

 

321 South Boston Avenue, Suite 1000
Tulsa, Oklahoma

 

74103

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (918) 947-8550

 

Not Applicable.

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 


 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

o             Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

o             Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o             Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company o

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  o

 

 

 



 

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

On October 25, 2017, Frederic F. Brace notified the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc. (the “Company”) of his intent to resign from his current position as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 1, 2017. Mr. Brace did not resign from the position of President and Chief Executive Officer due to any disagreement with the Company or any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices, and Mr. Brace will remain on the Board.

 

In addition, on October 25, 2017, David J. Sambrooks was appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately upon the resignation of Mr. Brace. The Board also approved an increase in the size of the Board from seven directors to eight directors, and Mr. Sambrooks was appointed to the Board, effective concurrently with his appointment as an executive officer.

 

Mr. Sambrooks, age 59, has over 37 years of experience in the oil and gas exploration and production industry.  Mr. Sambrooks will join Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc. as its President and Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors effective as of November 1, 2017.  Prior to joining Midstates, Mr. Sambrooks served from 2007 to 2016 as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Sabine Oil & Gas, LLC, which was formerly known as NFR Energy LLC (“Sabine”). In his roles at Sabine, Mr. Sambrooks led strategic, financial, operational, business development and organizational efforts.  From 2003 to 2007, Mr. Sambrooks served as Vice President and General Manager of the Southern Division for Devon Energy Corporation (“Devon”), and from 2001 to 2003 served as Vice President and General Manager of Devon’s International Division, where he led strategic, P&L, operational, business development and organizational efforts.  Prior to Devon, Mr. Sambrooks’ career included key leadership and technical roles in domestic and international operations with Santa Fe Energy Resources, Oryx Energy and Sun Oil Company.

 

Mr. Sambrooks currently serves as board president of the non-profit Communities In School of Houston and has served as a board member and volunteer for various other non-profit organizations. Mr. Sambrooks holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and a Masters of Business Administration from The University of Houston.

 

There are no understandings or arrangements between Mr. Sambrooks and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Sambrooks was selected to serve as President and Chief Executive Officer, other than his employment relationship set forth below. Mr. Sambrooks does not have any relationships requiring disclosure under Item 401(d) of Regulation S-K or any interests requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

 

Executive Employment Agreement

 

In connection with the appointment of Mr. Sambrooks as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sambrooks and the Company entered into an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) outlining the terms of his employment as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Pursuant to the Employment Agreement, Mr. Sambrooks’ annual salary will be $600,000 (the “Base Salary”) while serving as President and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Sambrooks will be entitled to participate in any Incentive Plans (as defined in the Employment Agreement) applicable to similarly situated employees of the Company. Additionally, Mr. Sambrooks will be entitled to an annual bonus earned based on performance against objective, reasonably attainable performance criteria determined in good faith by the Board, after consultation with Mr. Sambrooks. The target annual bonus is one hundred percent (100%) of Mr. Sambrooks’ Base Salary and the maximum annual bonus is two hundred percent (200%) of Mr. Sambrooks’ Base Salary (each to be prorated for the number of days Mr. Sambrooks is employed with the Company during the applicable bonus period).

 

The Employment Agreement is effective as of November 1, 2017 (the “Effective Date”), and contains an initial term ending on the third anniversary of the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”). If sixty (60) days’ notice of intent to terminate the Employment Agreement is not given prior to the expiration of the Initial Term, the Employment Agreement will continue past the Initial Term for successive one year terms until either party gives sixty (60) days’ notice that the party intends for the Employment Agreement to terminate at the end of any such one year period.

 

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If Mr. Sambrooks’ employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (as defined in the Employment Agreement) or by Mr. Sambrooks for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement) during the term of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Sambrooks will be entitled to a lump-sum cash payment which will consist of the following items: (i) the Accrued Obligations and Accrued Incentives (each as defined in the Employment Agreement) (ii) an cash payment equal the sum of two times his Base Salary plus the target bonus. Additionally, Mr. Sambrooks will be entitled to continued monthly payment for eighteen (18) months of an amount equal to the cost of medical, dental and vision coverage for him and his family, to vest in the next tranche of time-vested equity incentive awards that would otherwise vest if not for his termination and to vest in a pro rata portion of any performance-based equity incentive awards outstanding on the date of termination.

 

The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such document, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

 

Award of Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units

 

On October 25, 2017, the Board approved long-term incentive awards to Mr. Sambrooks pursuant to the Company’s Management Incentive Plan (the “MIP”) based upon recommendation from the Compensation Committee of the Board. These awards include (i) the grant of 67,889 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) to Mr. Sambrooks pursuant to the form of Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc. Restricted Stock Unit Agreement to be entered into between the Company’s and Mr. Sambrooks (the “RSU Award Agreement”) and (ii) the grant of 135,778 performance stock units (“PSUs”) to Mr. Sambrooks pursuant to the form of Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc. Performance Stock Unit Agreement to be entered into between the Company’s and Mr. Sambrooks (the “PSU Award Agreement”, and together with the RSU Award Agreement, the “Award Agreements”).

 

The RSUs will generally vest in three installments: 1/3 will vest on the one-year anniversary of the award date, an additional 1/3 will vest on the two-year anniversary of the award date and the final 1/3 will vest on the three-year anniversary of the award date. The PSUs will vest, if at all, based on the Company’s total stockholder return for the performance period of October 25, 2017 through October 31, 2020.

 

The RSUs and PSUs are subject to accelerated vesting in the event Mr. Sambrooks’ employment is terminated prior to the vesting date by the Company without “Cause” or by Mr. Sambrooks with “Good Reason” (each, as defined in the MIP) or due to Mr. Sambrooks’ death or disability.

 

The descriptions of the Award Agreements in this Current Report on Form 8-K are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the form of Award Agreements, which are filed as Exhibit 10.2 and Exhibit 10.3 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated by reference into this Item 5.02.

 

Item 7.01                                            Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On October 25, 2017, the Company issued a press release disclosing the management changes described in this Current Report on Form 8-K. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

The information furnished pursuant to this Item 7.01 and Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

Date: October 25, 2017

 

 

By:

/s/ Scott C. Weatherholt

 

 

Scott C. Weatherholt

 

 

Vice President - General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Executive Employment Agreement (the “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of November 1, 2017 (the “ Effective Date ”) by and between MIDSTATES PETROLEUM COMPANY, INC. (the “ Company ”) and David J. Sambrooks (the “ Executive ”).

 

In consideration of the respective agreements and covenants set forth in this Agreement, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties intending to be legally bound agree as follows:

 

AGREEMENTS

 

1.                                       Term .  The Company agrees to employ Executive, and Executive agrees to be employed by the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement for a period (the “ Initial Term ”) commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of such date, unless earlier terminated in accordance with Section 3 .  If neither party gives at least sixty (60) days written notice to the other party that it intends for this Agreement to terminate on such third anniversary, then this Agreement shall continue for successive one year terms (each a “ Renewal Term ”), unless earlier terminated in accordance with Section 3 , until either party gives at least sixty (60) days written notice to the other party that the other party intends for this Agreement to terminate at the end of any such one year period.  The Initial Term and any Renewal Terms shall, together, constitute the “ Term ”.

 

2.                                       Terms of Employment .

 

(a)                                  Position and Duties .

 

(1)                                  During the Term, the Executive shall serve as President and Chief Executive Officer and, in so doing, shall possess the duties and responsibilities consistent with the positions set forth above in a company of the size and nature of the Company, and such other duties, responsibilities, and authority reasonably assigned to the Executive from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ Board ”) or such other officer of the company as shall be designated by the Board.

 

(2)                                  During the Term, the Executive agrees to devote substantially all of his working time to the business and affairs of the Company.  The Executive covenants, warrants and represents that during the course of the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder, Executive shall: (i) devote substantially all of his working time and his reasonable best efforts to the fulfillment of his employment obligations; (ii) exercise the highest degree of fiduciary loyalty and care and the highest standards of conduct in the performance of his duties; and (iii) endeavor to prevent any harm, in any way, to the business or reputation of the Company or its affiliates.

 

(b)                                  Compensation .

 

(1)                                  Base Salary .  During the Term, the Executive shall receive an annualized base salary (“ Base Salary ”), which shall be paid in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company, in an amount equal to Six Hundred Thousand and NO/100 US Dollars ($600,000.00).  The Board (or a committee of the Board, designated by the Board to make

 



 

such decisions), in its sole discretion, may at any time adjust (but not decrease) the amount of the Base Salary as it may deem appropriate, and the term “ Base Salary ,” as used in this Agreement, shall refer to the Base Salary as it may be so adjusted.

 

(2)                                  Bonus, Incentive, Savings, Profit Sharing and Retirement Plans .  For each calendar year ending during the Term beginning with the 2017 calendar year, the Executive shall be paid an annual cash performance bonus (an “ Annual Bonus ”), to the extent earned based on performance against objective, reasonably attainable performance criteria. For purposes of any bonus for the 2017 calendar year, Executive’s Annual Bonus will be prorated to the number of days employed by the Company divided by the number of days in the 2017 calendar year.  The performance criteria for any particular calendar year shall be determined in good faith by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “ Compensation Committee ”), after consultation with the Executive, no later than ninety (90) days after the commencement of the relevant bonus period.  The Executive’s Annual Bonus opportunity for a calendar year shall equal 100% of the Executive’s Base Salary (the “ Target Bonus ”) for that year if target levels of performance for that year are achieved and the Executive’s annual bonus opportunity payable at the achievement of maximum levels shall be 200%.  Furthermore, to the extent that the Compensation Committee establishes threshold, target and maximum (or other similar) ranges or metrics against which Company performance for annual bonuses will be measured, the Executive’s Annual Bonus may be adjusted to reflect the Company’s performance relative to such metrics and/or ranges.  The Executive’s Annual Bonus for a bonus period shall be determined by the Board after the end of the applicable bonus period and shall be paid to the Executive when annual bonuses for that year are paid to other senior executives of the Employer generally, but in no event later than March 15 of the year following the year to which such Annual Bonus relates.  In carrying out its functions under this Section 2(b) , the Compensation Committee shall at all times act reasonably and in good faith.

 

(3)                                  Equity Incentives .  In addition to the compensation set forth in paragraphs 2(b)(1) and 2(b)(2) of this Agreement, the Executive shall be eligible for annual grants of equity-based incentive awards under the Company’s various equity compensation plans (generally referred to as “ Equity Compensation Plans ”) in respect of each fiscal year during the Term, the amount, form and terms of which shall be established by the Compensation Committee; provided that , in respect of fiscal year 2017, such grant shall (i) be made on or within 30 days after the Effective Date, and (ii) consist of one third (1/3) time vested restricted stock units (the “RSUs”) and two thirds (2/3) performance share units)(the “Performance Units”).  The Performance Units and RSUs shall be granted pursuant to an award agreement in substantially the same form as that attached hereto as Exhibits A-1 and A-2 , respectively.

 

(4)                                  Welfare Benefit Plans .  During the Term, and subject to the terms and conditions of applicable plans or programs, the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under the welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to other similarly situated employees of the Company (which may include programs such as salary continuance, medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs), as adopted or amended from time to time (“ Welfare Plans ”).

 

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(5)                                  Perquisites .  During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the benefits described above) such perquisites and fringe benefits appertaining to his position in accordance with any policies, practices, and procedures established by the Board, as amended from time to time.

 

(6)                                  Expenses .  The Executive is authorized to incur reasonable business expenses that, in Executive’s reasonable business judgment, are necessary to carry out his duties for the Company under this Agreement.  Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for such expenses, in accordance with the Company’s standard procedures and policies, for all reasonable travel, entertainment and other expenses incurred in connection with the Company’s business and the performance of his duties hereunder.

 

(7)                                  Vacation .  During the Term, the Executive shall be entitled to five (5) weeks of paid vacation each calendar year, subject to the Company’s standard carryover policy.

 

3.                                       Termination of Employment .

 

(a)                                  Death or Disability .  The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death during the Term.  If the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Term (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), the Company may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 9(c)  of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment.  In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the “ Disability Effective Date ”), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, the essential functions of his position.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean the Executive’s inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months as determined by a medical doctor mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative.

 

(b)                                  Cause .  The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment at any time during the Term for Cause or without Cause.  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Cause ” shall mean (1) a breach by the Executive of the Executive’s obligations under this Agreement, which constitutes nonperformance by the Executive of his obligations and duties hereunder, as determined by the Board, that is not cured within 15 days of the Executive’s receipt of written notice thereof from the Board, (2) commission by the Executive of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful misconduct or breach of fiduciary duty against the Company, (3) a material breach by the Executive of any restrictive covenants contained within this Agreement that is not cured within 15 days after the Executive’s receipt of written notice thereof from the Board, (4) the Executive’s conviction, plea of no contest or nolo contendere, deferred adjudication or unadjudicated probation for any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty, or moral turpitude or causing material harm, financial or otherwise, to the Company, (5) the willful refusal or intentional failure of the Executive to carry out, or comply with, in any material respect, any lawful and material written directive of the Board (of which the Board will give the Executive written notice of and a reasonable opportunity to remedy), (6) the Executive’s unlawful use

 

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(including being under the influence) or possession of illegal drugs, or (7) the Executive’s willful and material violation of any federal, state, or local law or regulation applicable to the Company or its business which adversely affects the Company that is not cured after written notice from the Board.  For purposes of the definition of “ Cause ”, no act or failure to act on the Executive’s part shall be deemed “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.  For purposes of this Agreement, a termination “ without Cause ” shall mean a termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment during the Term at the Company’s sole discretion for any reason other than a termination based upon Cause, death or Disability.

 

(c)                                   Good Reason .  The Executive’s employment may be terminated during the Term by the Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason; provided, however, that the Executive agrees not to terminate his employment for Good Reason unless (i) the Executive has given the Company written notice of his intent to terminate his employment for Good Reason no later than 30 days following the initial existence of the condition that the Executive believes gives rise to his right to terminate his employment for Good Reason, which notice shall specify the facts and circumstances constituting Good Reason, (ii) the Company was given a period of 30 days during which it may remedy the condition (the “ Company Cure Period ”) and, if the condition is remedied during that period, the Executive would no longer have a right to terminate employment for Good Reason based on that occurrence of the condition, (iii) the Company did not remedy the facts and circumstances constituting Good Reason within the Company Cure Period, and (iv) the Executive separates from service on or before the 60th day after the Company Cure Period.  For purposes of this Agreement, “ Good Reason ” shall mean any of the following, but only if occurring without the Executive’s consent: (1) a diminution in the Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus opportunity not otherwise consented to by the Executive, (2) a material diminution in the Executive’s titles, positions, authority, duties, or responsibilities, (3) the relocation of the Executive’s principal office to an area more than 50 miles from its location immediately prior to such relocation, or (4) the failure of the Company to comply with any material provision of the Executive’s employment agreement or equity agreement.  Such termination by the Executive shall not preclude the Company from terminating the Executive’s employment prior to the Date of Termination (as defined below) established by the Executive’s Notice of Termination (as defined below).

 

(d)                                  Notice of Termination .  Any termination by the Company for Cause or without Cause or because of the Executive’s Disability, or by the Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 9(c) .  For purposes of this Agreement, a “ Notice of Termination ” means a written notice which (1) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (2) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (3) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall not be more than 30 days after the giving of such notice).  The failure by the Company or the Executive to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Cause or Good Reason, as applicable shall not waive any right of the Company or the Executive under this Agreement or preclude the Company or the Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Company’s or Executive’s rights under this Agreement.

 

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(e)                                   Date of Termination .  “ Date of Termination ” means (1) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or without Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein pursuant to Section 3(d) , as the case may be, provided that if such date is not also the date of Executive’s “ Separation from Service ” with the Company (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(h)) then the “Date of Termination” shall instead be the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service, or (2) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.

 

4.                                       Obligations of the Company upon Termination .

 

(a)                                  For Cause; Without Good Reason; Other Than for Death or Disability .  If the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment for Cause or the Executive resigns from his employment without Good Reason, and the termination of the Executive’s employment in any case is not due to his death or Disability, the Company shall have no further payment obligations to the Executive or his legal representatives, other than for the payment of: (1) in a cash lump sum within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (or such earlier date as required by applicable law) that portion of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary accrued through the Date of Termination to the extent not previously paid, any expense reimbursement accrued and unpaid, any employee benefits pursuant to the terms of the applicable employee benefit plan, any accrued but unused vacation (the “ Accrued Obligations ”); and (2) and to the extent the Executive’s employment terminates after the end of the applicable fiscal year but before the payment of Executive’s Annual Bonus for such fiscal year, the Executive shall receive the full amount of the Annual Bonus that would have otherwise been payable for such year and any vested amount arising from the Executive’s participation in, or benefits under, any other Incentive Plans (the “ Accrued Incentives ”), which amounts shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of such Incentive Plans.

 

(b)                                  Without Cause; For Good Reason or due to death or Disability .  If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause if the Executive resigns for Good Reason or the Executive’s employment is terminated due to death or Disability, the Company shall have no further payment obligations to the Executive or his legal representatives, other than for payment of: (1) the Accrued Obligations, which shall be payable in a cash lump sum within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (or such earlier date as required by applicable law); (2) the Accrued Incentives, which shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Incentive Plans; (3) subject to Section 4(d)  below, a lump-sum cash payment, to be made on the first normal payroll date following the Release Consideration Period, but no later than March 14 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs (the “ Initial Severance Payment Date ”) in an amount equal to two (2) times the sum of (x) the Executive’s Base Salary and (y) the Executive’s Target Bonus; (4) subject to Section 4(c) below, a lump-sum cash payment equal to a pro rata portion of the Executive’s Annual Bonus for the year of termination, which will be prorated based on the number of days between the beginning of the applicable performance period through the Date of Termination and will be determined based on actual performance and payable at such time as bonuses are generally paid to Company executives, but no later than March 14 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs; and (5) subject to Section 4(d)  and Section 4(e)  below, beginning

 

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on the Initial Severance Payment Date and thereafter in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company, a monthly cash payment equal to the cost of continued medical, dental and vision coverage for the Executive and his spouse and any eligible dependents until the end of the eighteen (18) month period beginning on the Date of Termination (the “ COBRA Payment ”).  Any installments of the COBRA Payment that, in accordance with customary payroll practices, would have typically been made during the Release Consideration Period shall accumulate and shall then be paid on the Initial Severance Payment Date.  The payments described in clause (3), (4), and (5) above shall be referred to collectively as the “ Severance Payments ”.  In addition to the payment obligations described in the preceding sentence, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or if the Executive resigns for Good Reason or terminates due to death or Disability, and subject to Section 4(c)  below, Executive shall be entitled to (1) vest in the next tranche of time-vested equity (including the RSUs) that would otherwise vest but for Executive’s termination and (2) vest in a pro rata portion of any performance-based equity awards (including the Performance Units) outstanding on the date of termination (provided that performance-based equity awards (including the Performance Units) shall only vest subject to the attainment of the performance measures for the applicable performance period) as provided under the terms of the applicable award agreement.

 

(c)                                   Protected Period: Without Cause; For Good Reason . If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, or if the Executive resigns for Good Reason, in each case, at any time during the Protected Period (as defined below), the Company shall have the following payment obligations to the Executive or his legal representatives: (1) payment of the Accrued Obligations in a cash lump-sum within thirty (30) days after the Date of Termination (or such earlier date as required by applicable law); (2) payment of the Accrued Incentives, which shall be payable in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Incentive Plans; (3) subject to Section 4(d)  below, on the Initial Severance Payment Date, payment of a lump sum cash payment in an amount equal to two (2) times the sum of (x) the Executive’s Base Salary and (y) the Executive’s Target Bonus; (4) subject to Section 4(d)  and Section 4(e)  below, a lump-sum cash payment equal to a pro rata portion of the Executive’s Target Bonus for the year of termination, which will be prorated based on the number of days between the beginning of the applicable performance period through the Date of Termination; and (4) subject to Section 4(d)  and Section 4(e)  below, beginning on the Initial Severance Payment Date and thereafter in accordance with the customary payroll practices of the Company, a monthly cash payment equal to the COBRA Payment. The payment enumerated in this clauses (3), (4) and (5) of this Section 4(c) , shall be referred to as the “ CIC Severance Payment ”.  In addition to the payment obligations described in the preceding sentence, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause, or if the Executive resigns for Good Reason, in each case, at any time during the Protected Period (as defined below), subject to Section 4(d)  below, on the Initial Severance Payment Date, all unvested awards granted to the Executive under the MIP shall vest. “ Protected Period ” means the period beginning on the date of a Change in Control (as defined below) and continuing until the one-year anniversary of such Change in Control. “ Change in Control ” shall have the meaning set forth in the MIP; provided that in all events the definition of Change in Control shall be interpreted in a manner that complies with the definition of a change in the ownership or effective control of a corporation, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a corporation, as described in Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of the Treasury Regulations.

 

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(d)                                  Release and Compliance with this Agreement .  The obligation of the Company to pay any portion of the amounts due pursuant to Section 4 , with the exception of Accrued Obligations and Accrued Incentives, shall be expressly conditioned on the Executive’s (1) execution (and, if applicable, non-revocation) of the release agreement attached hereto as Exhibit B no later than the 60th day following the Date of Termination (such period, the “ Release Consideration Period ”) and (2) continued compliance with the requirements of Sections 6 and 7 .

 

(e)                                   Section 409A .  The amounts payable pursuant to Section 4 of this Agreement are intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code.  However, if any amounts payable under this Agreement are not exempt from Section 409A of the Code, it is intended that this Agreement be administered in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code to the extent applicable.  To the extent that the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of the Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code as of the Executive’s Date of Termination, no amount that constitutes a deferral of compensation which is payable on account of the Executive’s separation from service shall be paid to the Executive before the date (the “ Delayed Payment Date ”) which is the first day of the seventh month after the Executive’s Date of Termination or, if earlier, the date of the Executive’s death following such Date of Termination.  All such amounts that would, but for this Section 4(e) , become payable prior to the Delayed Payment Date will be accumulated and paid on the Delayed Payment Date.  No interest will be paid by the Company with respect to any such delayed payments.  For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, each payment or amount due under this Agreement shall be considered a separate payment, and the Executive’s entitlement to a series of payments under this Agreement is to be treated as an entitlement to a series of separate payments.  To the extent that any in-kind benefits or reimbursements pursuant to this Agreement are taxable to Executive and constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, any reimbursement payment due to Executive shall be paid to Executive on or before the last day of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the related expense was incurred.  In addition, any such in-kind benefit or reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit and the amount of such benefit or reimbursement that Executive receives in one taxable year shall not affect the amount of such benefit and reimbursements that Executive receives in any other taxable year.

 

5.                                       Excise Taxes .  If the Board determines, in its good faith discretion, that Section 280G of the Code applies to any compensation payable to the Executive, then the provisions of this Section 5 shall apply.  If any payments or benefits to which the Executive is entitled from the Company, any affiliate, any successor to the Company or an affiliate, or any trusts established by any of the foregoing by reason of, or in connection with, any transaction that occurs after the Effective Date (collectively, the “ Payments ,” which shall include, without limitation, the vesting of any equity awards or other non-cash benefit or property) are, alone or in the aggregate, more likely than not, if paid or delivered to the Executive, to be subject to the tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any successor provisions to that section, then the Payments (beginning with any Payment to be paid in cash hereunder), shall be either (a) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total Payments received by the Executive will be one dollar ($1.00) less than three times the Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and so that no portion of such Payments received by the Executive shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, such parachute payments shall be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid application of the excise tax in the following order:  (i) any cash severance

 

7



 

based on a multiple of Base Salary or Annual Bonus, (ii) any other cash amounts payable to the Executive, (iii) benefits valued as parachute payments, and (iv) acceleration of vesting of any equity awards, or (b) paid in full, whichever of (a) or (b) produces the better net after tax position to the Executive (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes).  The determination as to whether any Payments are more likely than not to be subject to taxes under Section 4999 of the Code and as to whether reduction or payment in full of the amount of the Payments provided hereunder results in the better net after tax position to the Executive shall be made by the Board and the Executive in good faith.  If, as a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination hereunder, it is subsequently determined that additional Payments could have been made to the Executive without the imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (an “ Underpayment ”), the Underpayment shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within thirty (30) days after such determination.

 

6.                                       Confidential Information .

 

(a)                                  The Executive acknowledges that the Company has trade, business and financial secrets and other confidential and proprietary information (collectively, the “ Confidential Information ”) which shall be provided to the Executive during the Executive’s employment by the Company.  Confidential information includes, but is not limited to, sales materials, technical information, strategic information, business plans, processes and compilations of information, records, specifications and information concerning customers or venders, customer lists, and information regarding methods of doing business.

 

(b)                                  The Executive is aware of those policies implemented by the Company to keep its Confidential Information secret, including those policies limiting the disclosure of information on a need-to-know basis, requiring the labeling of documents as “confidential,” and requiring the keeping of information in secure areas.  The Executive acknowledges that the Confidential Information has been developed or acquired by the Company through the expenditure of substantial time, effort and money and provides the Company with an advantage over competitors who do not know or use such Confidential Information.  The Executive acknowledges that all such Confidential Information is the sole and exclusive property of the Company.

 

(c)                                   During, and all times following, the Executive’s employment by the Company, the Executive shall hold in confidence and not directly or indirectly disclose or use or copy or make lists of any Confidential Information: except (i) to the extent authorized in writing by the Board; (ii) where such information is, at the time of disclosure by the Executive, generally available to the public other than as a result of any direct or indirect act or omission of the Executive in breach of this Agreement; or (iii) where the Executive is compelled by legal process, other than to an employee of the Company or a person to whom disclosure is reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance by the Executive of his duties as an employee of the Company.  The Executive agrees to use reasonable efforts to give the Company notice of any and all attempts to compel disclosure of any Confidential Information, in such a manner so as to provide the Company with written notice at least five (5) days before disclosure or within one (1) business day after the Executive is informed that such disclosure is being or will be compelled, whichever is earlier.  Such written notice shall include a description of the information to be disclosed, the court, government agency, or other forum through which the disclosure is sought,

 

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and the date by which the information is to be disclosed, and shall contain a copy of the subpoena, order or other process used to compel disclosure.

 

(d)                                  The Executive will take all necessary precautions to prevent disclosure to any unauthorized individual or entity.  The Executive further agrees not to use, whether directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information for the benefit of any person, business, corporation, partnership, or any other entity other than the Company.

 

(e)                                   All equipment, documents or files concerning the Company, including, but not limited to, Company cell phones, desktop and laptop computers, devices (including USB, external hard drives, etc.), keys, access cards, passwords, ID cards, customer data, materials, processes, letters, financial data, Confidential Information, or other written or electronically recorded material (in whatsoever form, format or medium), whether or not produced by the Executive (collectively, “ Company Property ”), belongs to the Company.  Upon termination of employment, the Executive agrees to return to the Company all Company Property.

 

(f)                                    As used in this Section 6 ,  “ Company ” shall include Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc. and any of its affiliates.

 

7.                                       Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation .

 

(a)                                  The Executive acknowledges that the Company shall, during the time that the Executive is employed by Company, (a) disclose or entrust to the Executive, and provide the Executive access to, or place the Executive in a position to create or develop, Confidential Information, (b) place the Executive in a position to develop business goodwill belonging to the Company, and (c) disclose or entrust to the Executive business opportunities to be developed for the Company.  In consideration of the foregoing, as a condition of the Executive’s employment hereunder and in order to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests, including the preservation of its goodwill and Confidential Information, the Executive agrees to the restrictions set forth in this Section 7 .  Executive expressly promises and agrees that he will not (other than for the benefit of the Company pursuant to this Agreement) directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any other person, firm, corporation or other entity (whether as an officer, director, employee, shareholder, consultant, contractor, partner, joint venturer, agent, equity owner or in any capacity whatsoever):

 

(1)                                  during the term of Non-Competition (as defined below), carry on or engage in the business of developing and/or implementing drilling and completion techniques to oil-prone resources in previously discovered yet underdeveloped hydrocarbon trends or in any other business activity that the Company is conducting, or has made material plans to conduct (provided the Executive is aware of such plans) as of the Date of Termination, in each case in Woods or Alfalfa Counties in the State of Oklahoma and any other geographical area in which the Company is actively conducting material business as of the Executive’s Date of Termination (collectively, such area is referred to as the “ Restricted Area ”) and to which the Executive’s duties as an employee of the Company related (a “ Competing Business ”), or

 

(2)                                  during the Term of Non-Solicitation (as defined below) directly hire, attempt to hire, or contact or solicit with respect to hiring any employee or officer of the Company;

 

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provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to prohibit the Executive from (i) conducting any general solicitation not specifically targeted at any such employee or officer and hiring any employee or officer who responds to such general solicitation shall not be deemed a breach of this Section 7, or (ii) soliciting for employment or hiring any employee or officer of the Company who was terminated by the Company.

 

The “ Term of Non-Solicitation ” and “ Term of Non-Competition ” shall each be defined as that term beginning on the Effective Date and continuing until (x) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination, or (y) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or without Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason or without Good Reason, the date that is the one year anniversary of the Date of Termination.

 

(b)                                  Notwithstanding the restrictions contained in Section 7(a) , the Executive or any of the Executive’s affiliates may own an aggregate of not more than 2.0% of the outstanding stock of any class of a Competing Business, if such stock is listed on a national securities exchange or regularly traded in the over-the-counter market by a member of a national securities exchange, without violating the provisions of Section 7(a) , provided that neither the Executive nor any of the Executive’s affiliates has the power, directly or indirectly, to control or direct the management or affairs of any such corporation and is not involved in the management of such corporation.

 

(c)                                   The Executive acknowledges that the geographic boundaries, scope of prohibited activities, and time duration of the preceding paragraphs are reasonable in nature and are no broader than are necessary to maintain the confidentiality and the goodwill of the Company and the confidentiality of its Confidential Information and to protect the other legitimate business interests of the Company.  The Executive further represents and acknowledges that (i) he has been advised by the Company to consult his or her own legal counsel in respect of this Agreement, and (ii) that he has had full opportunity, prior to executing this Agreement, to review thoroughly this Agreement with his counsel.

 

(d)                                  If any court determines that any portion of this Section 7 is invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Section 7 shall not thereby be affected and shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid provisions.  If any court construes any of the provisions of this Section 7 , or any part thereof, to be unreasonable because of the duration or scope of such provision, such court shall have the power to reduce the duration or scope of such provision and to enforce such provision as so reduced.

 

(e)                                   The Executive’s covenants under this Section 7 of the Agreement shall be construed as an agreement independent of any other provision of this Agreement; and the existence of any claim or cause of action of Executive against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of these covenants.

 

(f)                                    As used in this Section 7 , “ Company ” shall include Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc. and any of its affiliates.

 

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8.                                       Mutual Non-Disparagement .  The Executive agrees not to intentionally make, or intentionally cause any other person to make, any public statement that is intended to criticize or disparage the Company, any of its affiliates, or any of their respective officers, managers or directors.  The Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its officers and members of its Board not to intentionally make, or intentionally cause any other person to make, any public statement that is intended to criticize or disparage the Executive.  This Section 8 shall not be construed to prohibit any person from responding publicly to incorrect public statements or from making truthful statements when required by law, subpoena, court order, or the like.

 

9.                                       Miscellaneous .

 

(a)                                  Survival and Construction .  Executive’s obligations under this Agreement will be binding upon Executive’s heirs, executors, assigns, and administrators and will inure to the benefit of the Company, its subsidiaries, successors, and assigns.  The language of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against any of the parties.  The section and paragraph headings used in this Agreement are intended solely for the convenience of reference and shall not in any manner amplify, limit, modify, or otherwise be used in the interpretation of any of the provisions hereof.

 

(b)                                  Definitions .  As used in this Agreement, “ affiliate ” means, with respect to a person, any other person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the first person; the term “ control ,” and correlative terms, means the power, whether by contract, equity ownership or otherwise, to direct the policies or management of a person; and “ person ” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

(c)                                   Notices .  All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

If to the Executive :
To the address on file with the Company

 

If to the Company :
Midstates Petroleum Company

Attn: General Counsel
321 South Boston Avenue, Suite 1000
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103

 

or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith.  Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.

 

(d)                                  Enforcement .  If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provision shall be fully severable; this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a portion of this Agreement; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement.

 

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Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision there shall be added automatically as part of this Agreement a provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid and enforceable.

 

(e)                                   Withholding .  The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation as determined by the Company.

 

(f)                                    No Waiver .  No waiver by either party at any time of any breach by the other party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by the other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at any time.

 

(g)                                   Equitable and Other Relief .  The Executive acknowledges that money damages would be both incalculable and an insufficient remedy for a breach of Sections 6 or 7 by the Executive and that any such breach would cause the Company irreparable harm.  Accordingly, the Company, in addition to any other remedies at law or in equity it may have, shall be entitled, without the requirement of posting of bond or other security, to equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance, in connection with a breach of Sections 6 or 7 by the Executive.  In addition to the remedies the Company may have at law or in equity, violation of Sections 6 or 7 herein will entitle the Company at its sole option (i) not to pay any unpaid amount of the Initial Severance Payment, the COBRA Payment or the CIC Severance Payment, as applicable, and (ii) to require repayment of a pro-rated portion of any previously paid Initial Severance Payment, COBRA Payment or CIC Severance Payment, as applicable, with such pro-ration based on the time at which the material breach occurred relative to the remaining period of time of the applicable restrictive covenant that was materially breached.  Such remedies shall not be deemed to be liquidated damages and shall not be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach of this Section 6 or 7 but shall be in addition to all remedies available, at law or in equity, including the recovery of damages from the Executive and his agents.  No action taken by the Company under this Section 9(g)  shall affect the enforceability of the release and waiver of claims executed by the Executive pursuant to Section 4(d) .

 

(h)                                  Complete Agreement .  The provisions of this Agreement constitute the entire and complete understanding and agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof, and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous oral and written agreements, representations and understandings of the parties, which are hereby terminated.  Other than expressly set forth herein, the Executive and Company acknowledge and represent that there are no other promises, terms, conditions or representations (or written) regarding any matter relevant hereto.  This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts.

 

(i)                                      Arbitration .  The Company and the Executive agree to the resolution by binding arbitration of all claims, demands, causes of action, disputes, controversies or other matters in question (“claims”), whether or not arising out of this Agreement or the Executive’s employment (or its termination), whether sounding in contract, tort or otherwise and whether provided by statute or common law, that the Company may have against the Executive or that the Executive may have against the Company or its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates, and each of the foregoing entities’ respective officers, directors, employees or agents in their capacity as such or

 

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otherwise; except that this agreement to arbitrate shall not limit the Company’s right to seek equitable relief, including injunctive relief and specific performance, and damages and any other remedy or relief (including the recovery of attorney fees, costs and expenses) in a court of competent jurisdiction for an alleged breach of Sections 6 or 7 of this Agreement, and the Executive expressly consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the district courts of the State of Oklahoma for any such claims.  Claims covered by this agreement to arbitrate also include claims by the Executive for breach of this Agreement, wrongful termination, discrimination (based on age, race, sex, disability, national origin or any other factor) and retaliation.  The Company and the Executive agree that any arbitration shall be in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act (“ FAA ”) and, to the extent an issue is not addressed by the FAA, with the then-current National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (“ AAA ”) or such other rules of the AAA as applicable to the claims being arbitrated.  If a party refuses to honor its obligations under this agreement to arbitrate, the other party may compel arbitration in either federal or state court.  The arbitrator shall apply the substantive law of the State of Oklahoma (excluding, to the extent applicable, choice-of-law principles that might call for the application of some other state’s law), or federal law, or both as applicable to the claims asserted.  In the event of any breach of this Agreement by the Company, it is expressly agreed that notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the only damages to which the Executive shall be entitled is lost compensation and benefits in accordance with Section 2(b) or 4 .  The arbitrator shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability or formation of this agreement to arbitrate, including any claim that all or part of this Agreement is void or voidable and any claim that an issue is not subject to arbitration.  The parties agree that venue for arbitration will be in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, and that any arbitration commenced in any other venue will be transferred to Tulsa County, Oklahoma, upon the written request of any party to this Agreement.  In the event that an arbitration is actually conducted pursuant to this Section 9(i) , the party in whose favor the arbitrator renders the award shall be entitled to have and recover from the other party all costs and expenses incurred, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert witness fees, and costs actually incurred.  Any and all of the arbitrator’s orders, decisions and awards may be enforceable in, and judgment upon any award rendered by the arbitrator may be confirmed and entered by, any federal or state court having jurisdiction.  All proceedings conducted pursuant to this agreement to arbitrate, including any order, decision or award of the arbitrator, shall be kept confidential by all parties.  THE EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT, BY SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, THE EMPLOYEE IS WAIVING ANY RIGHT THAT THE EMPLOYEE MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL OR, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, A COURT TRIAL OF ANY EMPLOYMENT-RELATED CLAIM THAT THE EMPLOYEE MAY ALLEGE .

 

(j)                                     Survival Sections 6, 7 and 8 of this Agreement shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

(k)                                  Choice of Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Oklahoma without reference to principles of conflict of laws of Oklahoma or any other jurisdiction, and, where applicable, the laws of the United States.

 

(l)                                      Amendment .  This Agreement may not be amended or modified at any time except by a written instrument approved by the Board and executed by the Company and the Executive.

 

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(m)                              Assignment .  This Agreement is personal as to the Executive and accordingly, the Executive’s duties may not be assigned by the Executive.  This Agreement may be assigned by the Company without the Executive’s consent to any entity which is a successor in interest to the Company’s business, provided such successor expressly assumes the Company’s obligations hereunder.

 

(n)                                  Severabilit y.  If an arbitrator or court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of this Agreement (or part thereof) is invalid or unenforceable, then such provision (or part thereof) shall be severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of that provision (or part thereof) shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision (or parts thereof) of this Agreement, and all other provisions (and parts thereof) shall remain in full force and effect

 

(o)                                  Executive Acknowledgment .  The Executive acknowledges that he has read and understands this Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, has not acted in reliance upon any representatives or promises made by the Company other than those contained in writing herein, and has entered into this Agreement freely based on his own judgment.

 

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the authorization from the Board, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

EXECUTIVE :

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David J. Sambrooks

 

David J. Sambrooks

 

 

 

 

 

MIDSTATES PETROLEUM COMPANY, INC. ,

 

 

 

a Delaware corporation

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Alan J. Carr

 

 

 

 

Name:

Alan J. Carr

 

 

 

 

Title:

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

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EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF RSU AND PERFORMANCE SHARE AGREEMENTS

 



 

EXHIBIT B

 

SEPARATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

 

THIS SEPARATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE (the “ Agreement ”) is made as of this       day of            ,      , by and between MIDSTATES PETROLEUM COMPANY, INC., (the “ Company ”) and [EXECUTIVE] (“ Executive ”).

 

WHEREAS, the Company advises Executive to consult with Executive’s own legal counsel before signing this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, Executive formerly was employed by the Company as             ; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company employs Executive pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain Executive Employment Agreement dated as of August [ · ], 2016 between Executive and the Company, (as amended from time to time, the “ Employment Agreement ”) which provides for certain payments and benefits in the event that Executive’s employment is terminated under certain circumstances; and

 

WHEREAS, an express condition of Executive’s entitlement to the payments and benefits under the Employment Agreement is the execution of a general release in the form set forth below; and

 

WHEREAS, Executive and the Company mutually desire to terminate Executive’s employment effective                   ,      (“ Date of Termination ”).

 

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED by and between Executive and the Company as follows:

 

1. (a) To the fullest extent permitted by law, Executive, for and in consideration of the commitments of the Company as set forth in paragraph 5 of this Agreement, and intending to be legally bound, does hereby REMISE, RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE the Company, its affiliates, predecessors, subsidiaries and parents, and their present or former officers, directors, shareholders, employees, and agents, and its and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, and administrators and the current and former trustees or administrators of any pension or other benefit plan applicable to the employees or former employees of the Company (collectively, “ Releasees ”) from all causes of action, suits, debts, claims and demands whatsoever in law or in equity, which Executive ever had, now has, or hereafter may have, whether known or unknown, or which Executive’s heirs, executors, or administrators may have, by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, from any time prior to the date of this Agreement, and particularly, but without limitation of the foregoing general terms, any claims arising from or relating in any way to Executive’s employment relationship with the Company and/or its affiliates, the terms and conditions of that employment relationship, and the termination of that employment relationship, including, but not limited to, any claims arising under the Age Discrimination in

 

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Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and any other claims under any federal, state or local common law, statutory, or regulatory provision, now or hereafter recognized, and any claims for attorneys’ fees and costs; provided, that Executive does not release or discharge the Releasees from (i) any rights to any payments, benefits or reimbursements due to Executive under the Employment Agreement or any equity or other award agreement or otherwise; (ii) any rights of Executive to indemnification under any applicable directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company; (iii) any rights to any vested benefits due to Executive under any employee benefit plans sponsored or maintained by the Company; or (iv) any rights of Executive as a shareholder or equity holder of the Company.  This Agreement is effective without regard to the legal nature of the claims raised and without regard to whether any such claims are based upon tort, equity, implied or express contract or discrimination of any sort.  This release is intended to be a general release, and excludes only those claims expressly set forth herein or that Executive cannot release as a matter of law under any statute or common law.  Executive is advised to seek independent legal counsel if Executive seeks clarification on the scope of this release.

 

(b) To the fullest extent permitted by law, and subject to the provisions of paragraph 10 and paragraph 12 below, Executive represents and affirms that Executive has not filed or caused to be filed on Executive’s behalf any charge, complaint or claim for relief against the Company or any Releasee that would be barred by the terms of this Agreement and, to the best of Executive’s knowledge and belief, no outstanding charges, complaints or claims for relief that would be barred by the terms of this Agreement have been filed or asserted against the Company or any Releasee on Executive’s behalf.  In the event that there is outstanding any such charge, complaint or claim for relief, Executive agrees to seek its immediate withdrawal and dismissal with prejudice.  In the event that for any reason said charge, complaint or claim for relief cannot be withdrawn, Executive shall not voluntarily testify, provide documents or otherwise participate in any investigation or litigation arising therefrom or associated therewith and shall execute such other papers or documents as the Company’s counsel determines may be necessary to have said charge, complaint or claim for relief dismissed with prejudice.  Nothing herein shall prevent Executive from testifying in any cause of action when required to do so by process of law.  Executive shall promptly inform the Company if called upon to testify.

 

(c) Executive does not waive any right to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or participate in an investigation or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, but explicitly waives any right to file a personal lawsuit or receive monetary damages that the EEOC might recover if said charge results in an EEOC lawsuit against the Company or Releasees.  Executive does not waive the right to challenge the validity of this Agreement.

 

2. In consideration of the Company’s agreements as set forth in paragraph 5 herein, Executive agrees to comply with the limitations described in Section 6 and Section 7 of the Employment Agreement.

 

3. Executive further agrees and recognizes that Executive has permanently and irrevocably severed Executive’s employment relationship with the Company, that Executive shall not seek employment with the Company or any affiliated entity at any time in the future, and that the Company has no obligation to employ him in the future.  Effective as of the Date of Termination,

 

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Executive is removed from all boards and committees of the Company and its affiliates on which Executive may have previously served.

 

4. Executive further agrees that Executive will not publicly disparage or subvert the Company or any Releasee, or make any public statement reflecting negatively on the Company, its affiliated corporations or entities, or any of their officers, directors, employees, agents or representatives, including, but not limited to, any matters relating to the operation or management of the Company or any Releasee, Executive’s employment and the termination of Executive’s employment, irrespective of the truthfulness or falsity of such statement.  Company agrees that Company will not, and Company will instruct its officers and directors to not, publicly disparage or subvert Executive or make any public statement reflecting negatively on Executive, including, but not limited to, any matters relating to Executive’s performance, Executive’s employment and the termination of Executive’s employment, irrespective of the truthfulness or falsity of such statement.

 

5. In consideration for Executive’s promises, as set forth herein, the Company agrees to pay or provide to or for Executive the payments and benefits described in the Employment Agreement, the provisions of which are incorporated herein by reference.  Except as set forth in this Agreement, it is expressly agreed and understood that Releasees do not have, and will not have, any obligations to provide Executive at any time in the future with any payments, benefits or considerations other than those recited in this paragraph, or those required by law, other than under the terms of any benefit plans which provide benefits or payments to former employees according to their terms.

 

6. Executive understands and agrees that the payments, benefits and agreements provided in this Agreement are being provided to him in consideration for Executive’s acceptance and execution of, and in reliance upon Executive’s representations in, this Agreement.  Executive agrees that absent execution without revocation of this Agreement containing a release of all claims against the Releasees, Executive is not entitled to the payments and benefits set forth in the Employment Agreement.

 

7. Executive acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement and the Employment Agreement supersede any employment agreement or offer letter Executive has with the Company or any Releasee.  To the extent Executive has entered into any other enforceable written agreement with the Company or any Releasee that contains provisions that are outside the scope of this Agreement and the Employment Agreement and are not in direct conflict with the provisions in this Agreement or the Employment Agreement, the terms in this Agreement and the Employment Agreement shall not supersede, but shall be in addition to, any other such agreement.  Except as set forth expressly herein, no promises or representations have been made to Executive in connection with the termination of Executive’s Employment Agreement, if any, or offer letter, if any, with the Company, or the terms of this Agreement.

 

8. Executive agrees not to disclose the terms of this Agreement or the Employment Agreement to anyone, except Executive’s spouse, attorney and, as necessary, tax/financial advisor.  It is expressly understood that any violation of the confidentiality obligation imposed hereunder constitutes a material breach of this Agreement.

 

4



 

9. Executive represents that Executive does not, without the Company’s prior written consent, presently have in Executive’s possession any records and business documents, whether on computer or hard copy, and other materials (including but not limited to computer disks and tapes, computer programs and software, office keys, correspondence, files, customer lists, technical information, customer information, pricing information, business strategies and plans, sales records and all copies thereof) (collectively, the “ Corporate Records ”) provided by the Company and/or its predecessors, subsidiaries or affiliates or obtained as a result of Executive’s prior employment with the Company and/or its predecessors, subsidiaries or affiliates, or created by Executive while employed by or rendering services to the Company and/or its predecessors, subsidiaries or affiliates.  Executive acknowledges that all such Corporate Records are the property of the Company.  In addition, Executive shall promptly return in good condition any and all Company owned equipment or property, including, but not limited to, automobiles, personal data assistants, facsimile machines, copy machines, pagers, credit cards, cellular telephone equipment, business cards, laptops, computers, and any other items requested by the Company.  As of the Date of Termination, the Company will make arrangements to remove, terminate or transfer any and all business communication lines including network access, cellular phone, fax line and other business numbers.

 

10. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict Executive from: (i) making any disclosure of information required by law; (ii) providing information to, or testifying or otherwise assisting in any investigation or proceeding brought by, any federal regulatory or law enforcement agency or legislative body, any self-regulatory organization, or the Company’s designated legal, compliance or human resources officers; or (iii) filing, testifying, participating in or otherwise assisting in a proceeding relating to an alleged violation of any federal, state or municipal law relating to fraud, or any rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any self-regulatory organization.

 

11. The parties agree and acknowledge that the agreement by the Company described herein, and the settlement and termination of any asserted or unasserted claims against the Releasees, are not and shall not be construed to be an admission of any violation of any federal, state or local statute or regulation, or of any duty owed by any of the Releasees to Executive.

 

12. Executive agrees and recognizes that should Executive breach any of the obligations or covenants set forth in this Agreement, the Company will have no further obligation to provide Executive with the consideration set forth herein, and will have the right to seek repayment of all consideration paid up to the time of any such breach.  Further, Executive acknowledges in the event of a breach of this Agreement, Releasees may seek any and all appropriate relief for any such breach, including equitable relief and/or money damages, attorneys’ fees and costs.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Company fails to perform any material obligation under the Employment Agreement, including, without limitation, the failure of the Company to make timely payments of monies due to Executive under Section 4 of the Employment Agreement, this Release shall be null and void and Executive shall have the right to pursue any and all appropriate relief for any such failure, including monetary damages, attorneys’ fees and costs; provided, that (i) Executive has notified the Company in writing within 30 days of the date of the failure of the Company to perform such material obligation and (ii) such failure remains uncorrected and/or uncontested by the Company for 15 days following the date of such notice.

 

5



 

13. Executive further agrees that the Company shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, without the necessity of proving actual damages, as well as to an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits arising from any violations of this Agreement, which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies to which the Company may be entitled.  The dispute resolution provisions set forth in Section 9(i) of the Employment Agreement apply to any dispute regarding the termination of Executive’s employment, and any dispute related to and/or arising under this Agreement, including without limitation any challenge Executive may make regarding the validity of this Agreement.

 

14. This Agreement and the obligations of the parties hereunder shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Oklahoma.

 

15. The parties agree that this Agreement shall be deemed to have been made and entered into in Tulsa County, Oklahoma.  Jurisdiction and venue in any proceeding by the Company or Executive to enforce their rights hereunder is specifically limited to any court geographically located in Oklahoma.

 

16. Executive certifies and acknowledges as follows:

 

(a) That Executive has read the terms of this Agreement, and that Executive understands its terms and effects, including the fact that Executive has agreed to RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE the Releasees from any legal action arising out of Executive’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that employment relationship; and

 

(b) That Executive has signed this Agreement voluntarily and knowingly in exchange for the consideration described herein, which Executive acknowledges is adequate and satisfactory to him and which Executive acknowledges is in addition to any other benefits to which Executive is otherwise entitled; and

 

(c) That Executive has been and is hereby advised in writing to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement; and

 

(d) That Executive does not waive rights or claims that may arise after the date this Agreement is executed; and

 

(e) That the Company has provided Executive with a period of [twenty-one (21)] or [forty-five (45)] days within which to consider this Agreement, and that Executive has signed on the date indicated below after concluding that this Separation of Employment Agreement and General Release is satisfactory to Executive; and

 

(f) Executive acknowledges that this Agreement may be revoked by him within seven (7) days after execution, and it shall not become effective until the expiration of such seven (7) day revocation period.  In the event of a timely revocation by Executive, this Agreement will be deemed null and void and the Company will have no obligations hereunder.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

6



 

Intending to be legally bound hereby, Executive and the Company executed the foregoing Separation of Employment Agreement and General Release this        day of               ,      .

 

 

 

Witness:

 

[EXECUTIVE]

 

 

 

 

 

MIDSTATES PETROLEUM COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Witness:

 

Name:

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature Page to Separation and Employment Agreement

 


Exhibit 10.2

 

MIDSTATES PETROLEUM COMPANY, INC.

 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

 

PURSUANT TO THE

 

2016 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

(TIME VESTING)

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

Participant:  David J. Sambrooks

 

Grant Date:  November 1, 2017

 

Number of Restricted Stock Units Granted: 67,889

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of the Grant Date specified above, is entered into by and between MIDSTATES PETROLEUM COMPANY, INC., a corporation organized in the State of Delaware (the “ Company ”), and the Participant specified above, pursuant to the Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc. 2016 Long Term Incentive Plan, as in effect and as amended from time to time (the “ Plan ”), which is administered by the Committee (as defined in the Plan); and

 

WHEREAS, it has been determined under the Plan that it would be in the best interests of the Company to grant the Restricted Stock Units (“ RSUs ”) provided herein to the Participant.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby mutually covenant and agree as follows:

 

Incorporation By Reference; Plan Document Receipt .  This Agreement is subject in all respects to the terms and provisions of the Plan (including, without limitation, any amendments thereto adopted at any time and from time to time unless such amendments are expressly intended not to apply to the Award provided hereunder), all of which terms and provisions are made a part of and incorporated in this Agreement as if they were each expressly set forth herein.  Except as provided otherwise herein, any capitalized term not defined in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as is ascribed thereto in the Plan.  The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a true copy of the Plan and that the Participant has read the Plan carefully and fully understands its content.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Award .  The Company hereby grants to the Participant, as of the Grant Date specified above, the number of RSUs specified above.  Except as

 



 

otherwise provided by the Plan, the Participant agrees and understands that nothing contained in this Agreement provides, or is intended to provide, the Participant with any protection against potential future dilution of the Participant’s interest in the Company for any reason, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of the shares of Stock underlying the RSUs, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.

 

Vesting .

 

Subject to the provisions of Sections 3(b) - 3(e) hereof, the RSUs subject to this Award shall become vested as follows, provided that the Participant has not incurred a Termination prior to each such vesting date:

 

Vesting Date

 

Percentage of RSUs

 

Twelve-Month Anniversary of Award Date

 

33.33

%

Two-Year Anniversary of Award Date

 

33.33

%

Three-Year Anniversary of Award Date

 

33.34

%

 

 

For purposes of this Agreement, “ Award Date ” means the date upon which Participant began working for the Company.  There shall be no proportionate or partial vesting in the periods prior to each vesting date and all vesting shall occur only on the appropriate vesting date, subject to the Participant’s continued service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on each applicable vesting date.

 

Termination Without Cause, due to death or Disability; Resignation for Good Reason .  In the event of the Participant’s Termination by the Company without Cause, due to the Participant’s death or Disability or by the Participant for Good Reason (each, a “ Qualifying Termination ”), Participant shall be entitled to vest in the next tranche of time-vested RSUs that would otherwise vest but for Executive’s termination.

 

Change in Control .  All unvested RSUs shall become fully vested upon the occurrence of a Qualifying Termination on or within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control.

 

Committee Discretion to Accelerate Vesting .  In addition to the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate vesting of the RSUs at any time and for any reason.

 

Forfeiture .  Subject to the terms of this Section 3 , all unvested RSUs (taking into account any vesting that may occur upon the Participant’s Termination in accordance with Section 3(b) hereof) shall be immediately forfeited upon the Participant’s Termination for any reason.

 

2



 

Delivery of Shares .

 

General .  Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b)  hereof, within ten (10) days following the applicable vesting date of the RSUs the Participant shall receive the number of shares of Stock that correspond to the number of RSUs that have become vested on the applicable vesting date, less any shares withheld by the Company pursuant to Section 8 hereof.

 

Blackout Periods . If the Participant is subject to any Company “blackout” policy or other trading restriction imposed by the Company on the date such distribution would otherwise be made pursuant to Section 4(a)  hereof, such distribution shall be instead made on the earlier of (i) the date that the Participant is not subject to any such policy or restriction and (ii) the later of (A) the end of the calendar year in which such distribution would otherwise have been made and (B) a date that is immediately prior to the expiration of two and one-half months following the date such distribution would otherwise have been made hereunder.

 

Dividends; Rights as Stockholder .  Cash dividends on the number of shares of Stock issuable hereunder shall be credited to a dividend book entry account on behalf of the Participant with respect to each RSU granted to the Participant; provided that such cash dividends shall not be deemed to be reinvested in shares of Stock and shall be held uninvested and without interest and paid in cash at the same time that the shares of Stock underlying the RSUs are delivered to the Participant in accordance with the provisions hereof.  Stock dividends on shares of Stock shall be credited to a dividend book entry account on behalf of the Participant with respect to each RSU granted to the Participant; provided that such stock dividends shall be paid in shares of Stock at the same time that the shares of Stock underlying the RSUs are delivered to the Participant in accordance with the provisions hereof.  Except as otherwise provided herein, the Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Stock covered by any RSU unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such shares.

 

Non-Transferability .  The RSUs, and any rights and interests with respect thereto, issued under this Agreement and the Plan shall not be sold, exchanged, transferred, assigned, pledged, encumbered or otherwise disposed of or hypothecated in any way by the Participant (or any beneficiary of the Participant who holds the RSUs as a result of a Transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution), other than in accordance with the provisions of Section 10(a) of the Plan.

 

Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Venue .  All questions arising with respect to the provisions of this Agreement shall be determined by application of the laws of Delaware, without giving any effect to any conflict of law provisions thereof, except to the extent Delaware state law is preempted by federal law. The obligation of the Company to sell and deliver Stock hereunder is subject to applicable laws and to the approval of any governmental authority required in connection with the authorization, issuance, sale, or delivery of such Stock. The Company and the Participant shall irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submit in any proceeding relating to the Plan or this Agreement, or for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof (a “ Proceeding ”), to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, the court of the United States of America for the Northern District of Oklahoma, and appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals from any of the foregoing, and agree that all claims in respect of any such Proceeding shall be heard and determined in such Oklahoma State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court, (b) consent that any such Proceeding may and shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that the Company and the Participant may now

 

3



 

or thereafter have to the venue or jurisdiction of any such Proceeding in any such court or that such Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agree not to plead or claim the same, (c) waive all right to trial by jury in any Proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to the Plan or this Agreement, (d) agree that service of process in any such Proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party, in the case of a Participant, at the Participant’s address shown in the books and records of the Company or, in the case of the Company, at the Company’s principal offices, attention General Counsel, and (e) agree that nothing in the Plan shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

Withholding of Tax .  The Company may require the Participant to pay to the Company (or the Company’s Subsidiary if the Participant is an employee of a Subsidiary of the Company), an amount the Company deems necessary to satisfy its (or its Subsidiary’s) current or future obligation to withhold federal, state or local income or other taxes that the Participant incurs as a result of the Award. With respect to any required tax withholding, the Participant may (a) direct the Company to withhold from the shares of Stock to be issued to the Participant under this Agreement, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state, local and foreign taxes of any kind (including, but not limited to, the Participant’s FICA and SDI obligations) which the Company, in its sole discretion, deems necessary to be withheld or remitted to comply with the Code and/or any other applicable law, rule or regulation with respect to the RSUs (such amount, in the aggregate, the “ Withholding Obligation ”), which determination will be based on the shares’ Fair Market Value at the time such determination is made; (b) deliver to the Company shares of Stock sufficient to satisfy the Withholding Obligation, based on the shares’ Fair Market Value at the time such determination is made; or (c) deliver cash to the Company sufficient to satisfy the Withholding Obligation. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall withhold shares of Stock otherwise deliverable to the Participant hereunder in order to pay the Participant’s income and employment taxes due upon vesting of the RSUs, but only to the extent permitted by applicable accounting rules so as not to affect accounting treatment.

 

Legend .  The Company may at any time place legends referencing any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates, if any, representing shares of Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement.  The Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates, if any, representing shares of Stock acquired pursuant to this Agreement in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this Section 9 .

 

Securities Representations .  This Agreement is being entered into by the Company in reliance upon the following express representations and warranties of the Participant.  The Participant hereby acknowledges, represents and warrants that:

 

The Participant has been advised that the Participant may be an “affiliate” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in this connection the Company is relying in part on the Participant’s representations set forth in this Section 10 .

 

If the Participant is deemed an affiliate within the meaning of Rule 144 of the Securities Act, the shares of Stock issuable hereunder must be held indefinitely unless an

 

4



 

exemption from any applicable resale restrictions is available or the Company files an additional registration statement (or a “re-offer prospectus”) with regard to such shares of Stock and the Company is under no obligation to register such shares of Stock (or to file a “re-offer prospectus”).

 

If the Participant is deemed an affiliate within the meaning of Rule 144 of the Securities Act, the Participant understands that (i) the exemption from registration under Rule 144 will not be available unless (A) a public trading market then exists for the Stock of the Company, (B) adequate information concerning the Company is then available to the public, and (C) other terms and conditions of Rule 144 or any exemption therefrom are complied with, and (ii) any sale of the shares of Stock issuable hereunder may be made only in limited amounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of Rule 144 or any exemption therefrom.

 

Entire Agreement; Amendment .  This Agreement, together with the Plan, contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior agreements or prior understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties relating to such subject matter.  This Agreement may be amended the Board or by the Committee at any time (a) if the Board or the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that amendment is necessary or advisable in light of any addition to or change in any federal or state, tax or securities law or other law or regulation, which change occurs after the Grant Date and by its terms applies to the Award; or (b) other than in the circumstances described in clause (a) or provided in the Plan, with the Participant’s consent.

 

Notices .  All notices required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing and personally delivered or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed to be delivered on the date on which it is actually received by the person to whom it is properly addressed, in the case of a Participant, at the Participant’s address shown in the books and records of the Company or, in the case of the Company, at the Company’s principal offices, attention General Counsel. Any person entitled to notice hereunder may waive such notice in writing.

 

No Right to Employment .  Any questions as to whether and when there has been a Termination and the cause of such Termination shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.  Nothing in this Agreement confers upon you the right to continue in the employ of or performing services for the Company or any Subsidiary, or interfere in any way with the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate your employment or service relationship at any time, subject to any employment agreement or other service agreement in effect between the Company and the Participant.

 

Transfer of Personal Data .  The Participant authorizes, agrees and unambiguously consents to the transmission by the Company (or any Subsidiary) of any personal data information related to the RSUs awarded under this Agreement for legitimate business purposes (including, without limitation, the administration of the Plan).  This authorization and consent is freely given by the Participant.

 

Compliance with Laws .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the issuance of the RSUs (and the shares of Stock upon settlement of the RSUs) pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state, or foreign law with respect to such securities and with the requirements of any stock exchange or

 

5



 

market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. No Stock will be issued hereunder if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state, or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, Stock will not be issued hereunder unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), is at the time of issuance in effect with respect to the shares issued or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issued may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to the Award will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such shares of Stock as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained. As a condition to any issuance hereunder, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect to such compliance as may be requested by the Company. From time to time, the Board and appropriate officers of the Company are authorized to take the actions necessary and appropriate to file required documents with governmental authorities, stock exchanges, and other appropriate Persons to make shares of Stock available for issuance.

 

Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Plan to the contrary, the RSUs are intended to be exempt from the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent.

 

Binding Agreement; Assignment .  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be binding upon, and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and assigns.  The Participant shall not assign any part of this Agreement without the prior express written consent of the Company, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

Headings .  The titles and headings of the various sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement.

 

Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

Further Assurances .  Each party hereto shall do and perform (or shall cause to be done and performed) all such further acts and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as either party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the Plan and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereunder.

 

Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, but such provision shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

6



 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

7



 

By signing below, the Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of the RSUs issued on the Grant Date indicated above, which have been issued under the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.

 

MIDSTATES PETROLEUM COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Kim Harding

 

 

Title:

Vice President — Human Resources and Administration

 

 

 

 

 

Accepted by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David J. Sambrooks

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confirmation of Receipt by Company:

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

8


Exhibit 10.3

 

MIDSTATES PETROLEUM COMPANY, INC.

 

PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

 

PURSUANT TO THE

 

2016 LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

(PERFORMANCE VESTING)

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

Participant:  David J. Sambrooks

 

Grant Date:  November 1, 2017

 

Target Number of Performance Stock Units Granted: 135,778

 

*  *  *  *  *

 

THIS PERFORMANCE STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”), dated as of the Grant Date specified above, is entered into by and between MIDSTATES PETROLEUM COMPANY, INC., a corporation organized in the State of Delaware (the “ Company ”), and the Participant specified above, pursuant to the Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc. 2016 Long Term Incentive Plan, as in effect and as amended from time to time (the “ Plan ”), which is administered by the Committee (as defined in the Plan); and

 

WHEREAS, it has been determined under the Plan that it would be in the best interests of the Company to grant the Performance Stock Units (“ PSUs ”) provided herein to the Participant.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby mutually covenant and agree as follows:

 

1.                                       Incorporation By Reference; Plan Document Receipt .  This Agreement is subject in all respects to the terms and provisions of the Plan (including, without limitation, any amendments thereto adopted at any time and from time to time unless such amendments are expressly intended not to apply to the Award provided hereunder), all of which terms and provisions are made a part of and incorporated in this Agreement as if they were each expressly set forth herein.  Except as provided otherwise herein, any capitalized term not defined in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as is ascribed thereto in the Plan.  The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a true copy of the Plan and that the Participant has read the Plan carefully and fully understands its content.  In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

2.                                       Grant of Performance Stock Unit Award .  The Company hereby grants to the Participant, as of the Grant Date specified above, the number of PSUs specified above.  Except as

 



 

otherwise provided by the Plan, the Participant agrees and understands that nothing contained in this Agreement provides, or is intended to provide, the Participant with any protection against potential future dilution of the Participant’s interest in the Company for any reason, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of the shares of Stock underlying the PSUs, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.

 

3.                                       Vesting .

 

(a)                                  Subject to the provisions of Sections 3(b) - 3(h) hereof, the PSUs subject to this Award shall vest, or be forfeited, at the conclusion of the Performance Period if, and to the extent, the Performance Conditions (each, as defined below) are satisfied; provided the Participant remains employed by the company through the conclusion of the Performance Period.

 

(i)                                      For purposes of this Agreement, “ Performance Period ” shall mean the period commencing on October 25, 2017 and ending on October 31, 2020.

 

(ii)                                   For purposes of this Agreement, “ Performance Conditions ” shall mean, with respect to 50% of the PSUs subject to this Award, the Company’s cumulative total shareholder return “TSR” and with respect to the remaining 50% of the PSUs subject to this Award, the Company’s “Relative TSR” (each, as defined below) as follows:

 

 

 

Actual TSR for the
Performance Period

 

Vesting Level as % of
one-half (1/2) of
Target Number of
PSUs

 

Relative TSR for the
Performance Period

 

Vesting Level as %
of one-half (1/2)
Target Number of
PSUs

 

Maximum

 

25% or Greater Compounded Annual Growth Rate

 

120

%

Top 5% or Better in Relative TSR to Peer Group

 

120

%

Target

 

20% or Greater Compounded Annual Growth Rate

 

100

%

Top 33.3% or Better in Relative TSR to Peer Group

 

100

%

Threshold

 

15% Compounded Annual Growth Rate

 

50

%

Top 50% or Better in Relative TSR to Peer Group

 

50

%

Below Threshold

 

Less Than 15% Compounded Annual Growth Rate

 

0

%

Less Than 50% of Relative TSR to Peer Group

 

0

%

 

(b)                                  To the extent that actual TSR or Relative TSR for the Performance Period is between specified vesting levels, the portion of the PSUs that shall become vested based on actual TSR and Relative TSR performance shall be determined on a pro rata basis using straight line interpolation; provided that the maximum portion of the PSUs that may

 

2



 

become vested based on actual cumulative TSR or Relative TSR for the Performance Period shall not exceed 120% of the Target Number of PSUs.

 

(c)                                   Certain Definitions .

 

(i)                                      For purposes of this Agreement, “ TSR ” shall mean the change in the value of Stock over the Performance Period, taking into account both Stock price appreciation and the reinvestment of dividends.  The beginning and ending Stock prices will be based on a 20-day average Stock price.  TSR will be calculated on a compound annualized basis over the Performance Period.

 

(ii)                                   For purposes of this Agreement, “ Relative TSR ” shall mean the percentile rank of the Company’s TSR compared to the TSR of the Peer Group over the performance period.  If any of the companies in the peer group are no longer publicly traded at the end of the Performance Period due to bankruptcy, they will continue to be included in the Relative TSR calculation by force ranking them at the bottom of the array.  If any companies are no longer publicly traded due to acquisition, they will be excluded from the calculation.

 

(iii)                                For purposes of this Agreement, “ Peer Group ” shall mean the following: Approach Resources, Inc.; Bill Barrett Corporation; Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc.; Clayton Williams Energy, Inc.; Comstock Resources, Inc.; Goodrich Petroleum Corporation; Halcon Resources Corporation; Jones Energy, Inc.; Magnum Hunter Resources; Matador Resources Company; Parsley Energy, Inc.; PDC Energy, Inc.; Penn Virginia Corporation; RSP Permian, Inc.; Sanchez Energy Corporation; Stone Energy Corporation; and SilverBow Resources, Inc.

 

(d)                                  Termination Without Cause, due to death or Disability; Resignation for Good Reason .  In the event of the Participant’s Termination by the Company without Cause, due to the Participant’s death or Disability or by the Participant for Good Reason (each, a “ Qualifying Termination ”), Participant shall be eligible to receive, subject to the satisfaction of all applicable performance-based vesting conditions, a pro-rata portion of the PSUs, based on actual performance and prorated based on the number of days during the Performance Period during which the Participant was an employee of the Company.

 

(e)                                   Change in Control .

 

(i)                                      Committee Discretion to Adjust Awards .  Upon a Change in Control the Committee, acting in its sole discretion without the consent or approval of the Participant, may affect one or more of the following alternatives: (A) accelerate the vesting of all or a portion of the PSUs, (B) cancel all PSUs and pay to the Participant an amount of cash, shares of stock, or a combination thereof equal to the Change in Control Price for each share subject to the Target Number of PSUs, (C) provide for the assumption or substitution or continuation of PSUs by the successor company or a parent or subsidiary of the successor company, (D) certify the extent to which the Performance Conditions have been achieved prior to the conclusion of the Performance Period based on all information reasonably available to the Committee

 

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prior to the Change in Control, or (E) make such adjustments to PSUs then outstanding as the Committee deems appropriate to reflect such Change in Control; provided , however , that the Committee may determine in its sole discretion that no adjustment is necessary to PSUs then outstanding.

 

(ii)                                   Termination of Employment.  All unvested PSUs shall become immediately and fully vested at the Target Number of PSUs set forth above upon the occurrence of a Qualifying Termination on or within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control.

 

(f)                                    Committee Discretion .  In addition to the foregoing, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, (i) accelerate vesting of the PSUs at any time and for any reason and (ii) reduce the number of shares of Stock otherwise deliverable in respect of PSUs following the conclusion of the Performance Period based on the Committee’s assessment of overall Company performance or other factors the Committee deems appropriate to take into consideration.

 

(g)                                   Forfeiture .  Subject to the terms of this Section 3 , all unvested PSUs (taking into account any vesting that may occur upon the Participant’s Termination in accordance with Section 3(d)  and Section 3(e)  hereof) shall be immediately forfeited upon the Participant’s Termination for any reason.

 

4.                                       Delivery of Shares .

 

(a)                                  General .  Following the conclusion of the Performance Period the Committee shall certify the extent to which the Performance Conditions have been achieved and the extent to which the PSUs shall vest hereunder.  Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b)  and Section 4(c)  hereof, following the Committee’s certification and within sixty (60) days following the conclusion of the Performance Period the Participant shall receive the number of shares of Stock that correspond to the number of PSUs that have become vested, less any shares of Stock withheld by the Company pursuant to Section 7 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a Qualifying Termination in accordance with Section 3(e)  hereof and subject to the provisions of Section 4(b)  and Section 4(c)  hereof, the Participant shall receive the number of shares of Stock that correspond to the number of PSUs that have become vested, less any shares of Stock withheld by the Company pursuant to Section 7 hereof, within ten (10) days following the Participant’s Qualifying Termination.  For the avoidance of doubt, any portion of the PSUs that do not become vested in accordance with this Section 4(a)  will be forfeited following the conclusion of the Performance Period.

 

(b)                                  Administrative Provisions .  Any portion of the PSUs that does not become vested in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be automatically forfeited and cancelled for no value without any consideration being paid therefor and otherwise without any further action of the Company whatsoever.  The Committee shall in good faith make all determinations necessary or appropriate to determine whether the performance vesting conditions hereunder have been satisfied.  The Committee’s determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all parties, absent manifest error or bad faith.

 

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(c)                                   Blackout Periods . If the Participant is subject to any Company “blackout” policy or other trading restriction imposed by the Company on the date such distribution would otherwise be made pursuant to Section 4(a)  hereof, such distribution shall be instead made on the earlier of (i) the date that the Participant is not subject to any such policy or restriction and (ii) the later of (A) the end of the calendar year in which such distribution would otherwise have been made and (B) a date that is immediately prior to the expiration of two and one-half months following the date such distribution would otherwise have been made hereunder.

 

(d)                                  Dividends; Rights as Stockholder .  Cash dividends on the number of shares of Stock issuable hereunder shall be credited to a dividend book entry account on behalf of the Participant with respect to each PSU granted to the Participant; provided that such cash dividends shall not be deemed to be reinvested in shares of Stock and shall be held uninvested and without interest and paid in cash at the same time (and to the same extent) that the shares of Stock underlying the PSUs are delivered to the Participant in accordance with the provisions hereof.  Stock dividends on shares of Stock shall be credited to a dividend book entry account on behalf of the Participant with respect to each PSU granted to the Participant; provided that such stock dividends shall be paid in shares of Stock at the same time (and to the same extent) that the shares of Stock underlying the PSUs are delivered to the Participant in accordance with the provisions hereof.  Except as otherwise provided herein, the Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Stock covered by any PSU unless and until the Participant has become the holder of record of such shares.

 

5.                                       Non-Transferability .  The PSUs, and any rights and interests with respect thereto, issued under this Agreement and the Plan shall not be sold, exchanged, transferred, assigned, pledged, encumbered or otherwise disposed of or hypothecated in any way by the Participant (or any beneficiary of the Participant who holds the PSUs as a result of a Transfer by will or by the laws of descent and distribution), other than in accordance with the provisions of Section 10(a) of the Plan.

 

6.                                       Governing Law; Jurisdiction and Venue .  All questions arising with respect to the provisions of this Agreement shall be determined by application of the laws of Delaware, without giving any effect to any conflict of law provisions thereof, except to the extent Delaware state law is preempted by federal law. The obligation of the Company to sell and deliver Stock hereunder is subject to applicable laws and to the approval of any governmental authority required in connection with the authorization, issuance, sale, or delivery of such Stock. The Company and the Participant shall irrevocably and unconditionally (a) submit in any proceeding relating to the Plan or this Agreement, or for the recognition and enforcement of any judgment in respect thereof (a “ Proceeding ”), to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located in Tulsa County, Oklahoma, the court of the United States of America for the Northern District of Oklahoma, and appellate courts having jurisdiction of appeals from any of the foregoing, and agree that all claims in respect of any such Proceeding shall be heard and determined in such Oklahoma State court or, to the extent permitted by law, in such federal court, (b) consent that any such Proceeding may and shall be brought in such courts and waives any objection that the Company and the Participant may now or thereafter have to the venue or jurisdiction of any such Proceeding in any such court or that such Proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agree not to plead or claim the same, (c)

 

5



 

waive all right to trial by jury in any Proceeding (whether based on contract, tort or otherwise) arising out of or relating to the Plan or this Agreement, (d) agree that service of process in any such Proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy of such process by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such party, in the case of a Participant, at the Participant’s address shown in the books and records of the Company or, in the case of the Company, at the Company’s principal offices, attention General Counsel, and (e) agree that nothing in the Plan shall affect the right to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware.

 

7.                                       Withholding of Tax .  The Company may require the Participant to pay to the Company (or the Company’s Subsidiary if the Participant is an employee of a Subsidiary of the Company), an amount the Company deems necessary to satisfy its (or its Subsidiary’s) current or future obligation to withhold federal, state or local income or other taxes that the Participant incurs as a result of the Award. With respect to any required tax withholding, the Participant may (a) direct the Company to withhold from the shares of Stock to be issued to the Participant under this Agreement, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state, local and foreign taxes of any kind (including, but not limited to, the Participant’s FICA and SDI obligations) which the Company, in its sole discretion, deems necessary to be withheld or remitted to comply with the Code and/or any other applicable law, rule or regulation with respect to the PSUs (such amount, in the aggregate, the “ Withholding Obligation ”), which determination will be based on the shares’ Fair Market Value at the time such determination is made; (b) deliver to the Company shares of Stock sufficient to satisfy the Withholding Obligation, based on the shares’ Fair Market Value at the time such determination is made; or (c) deliver cash to the Company sufficient to satisfy the Withholding Obligation. Without limiting the foregoing, the Company shall withhold shares of Stock otherwise deliverable to the Participant hereunder in order to pay the Participant’s income and employment taxes due upon vesting of the PSUs, but only to the extent permitted by applicable accounting rules so as not to affect accounting treatment.

 

8.                                       Legend .  The Company may at any time place legends referencing any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates, if any, representing shares of Stock issued pursuant to this Agreement.  The Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates, if any, representing shares of Stock acquired pursuant to this Agreement in the possession of the Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this Section 8 .

 

9.                                       Securities Representations .  This Agreement is being entered into by the Company in reliance upon the following express representations and warranties of the Participant.  The Participant hereby acknowledges, represents and warrants that:

 

(a)                                  The Participant has been advised that the Participant may be an “affiliate” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in this connection the Company is relying in part on the Participant’s representations set forth in this Section 9 .

 

(b)                                  If the Participant is deemed an affiliate within the meaning of Rule 144 of the Securities Act, the shares of Stock issuable hereunder must be held indefinitely unless an exemption from any applicable resale restrictions is available or the Company files an additional registration statement (or a “re-offer prospectus”) with regard to such shares of

 

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Stock and the Company is under no obligation to register such shares of Stock (or to file a “re-offer prospectus”).

 

(c)                                   If the Participant is deemed an affiliate within the meaning of Rule 144 of the Securities Act, the Participant understands that (i) the exemption from registration under Rule 144 will not be available unless (A) a public trading market then exists for the Stock of the Company, (B) adequate information concerning the Company is then available to the public, and (C) other terms and conditions of Rule 144 or any exemption therefrom are complied with, and (ii) any sale of the shares of Stock issuable hereunder may be made only in limited amounts in accordance with the terms and conditions of Rule 144 or any exemption therefrom.

 

10.                                Entire Agreement; Amendment .  This Agreement, together with the Plan, contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior agreements or prior understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties relating to such subject matter.  This Agreement may be amended the Board or by the Committee at any time (a) if the Board or the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that amendment is necessary or advisable in light of any addition to or change in any federal or state, tax or securities law or other law or regulation, which change occurs after the Grant Date and by its terms applies to the Award; or (b) other than in the circumstances described in clause (a) or provided in the Plan, with the Participant’s consent.

 

11.                                Notices .  All notices required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing and personally delivered or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall be deemed to be delivered on the date on which it is actually received by the person to whom it is properly addressed, in the case of a Participant, at the Participant’s address shown in the books and records of the Company or, in the case of the Company, at the Company’s principal offices, attention General Counsel. Any person entitled to notice hereunder may waive such notice in writing.

 

12.                                No Right to Employment .  Any questions as to whether and when there has been a Termination and the cause of such Termination shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee.  Nothing in this Agreement confers upon you the right to continue in the employ of or performing services for the Company or any Subsidiary, or interfere in any way with the rights of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate your employment or service relationship at any time, subject to any employment agreement or other service agreement in effect between the Company and the Participant.

 

13.                                Transfer of Personal Data .  The Participant authorizes, agrees and unambiguously consents to the transmission by the Company (or any Subsidiary) of any personal data information related to the PSUs awarded under this Agreement for legitimate business purposes (including, without limitation, the administration of the Plan).  This authorization and consent is freely given by the Participant.

 

14.                                Compliance with Laws .  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the issuance of the PSUs (and the shares of Stock upon settlement of the PSUs) pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to compliance with all applicable requirements of federal, state, or foreign law with respect to such securities and with the requirements of any stock exchange or

 

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market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. No Stock will be issued hereunder if such issuance would constitute a violation of any applicable federal, state, or foreign securities laws or other law or regulations or the requirements of any stock exchange or market system upon which the Stock may then be listed. In addition, Stock will not be issued hereunder unless (a) a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), is at the time of issuance in effect with respect to the shares issued or (b) in the opinion of legal counsel to the Company, the shares issued may be issued in accordance with the terms of an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Act. The inability of the Company to obtain from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority, if any, deemed by the Company’s legal counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any shares subject to the Award will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue such shares of Stock as to which such requisite authority has not been obtained. As a condition to any issuance hereunder, the Company may require the Participant to satisfy any qualifications that may be necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation and to make any representation or warranty with respect to such compliance as may be requested by the Company. From time to time, the Board and appropriate officers of the Company are authorized to take the actions necessary and appropriate to file required documents with governmental authorities, stock exchanges, and other appropriate Persons to make shares of Stock available for issuance.

 

15.                                Section 409A . Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Plan to the contrary, the PSUs are intended to be exempt from the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and shall be limited, construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent.

 

16.                                Binding Agreement; Assignment .  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be binding upon, and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and assigns.  The Participant shall not assign any part of this Agreement without the prior express written consent of the Company, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

 

17.                                Headings .  The titles and headings of the various sections of this Agreement have been inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement.

 

18.                                Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

19.                                Further Assurances .  Each party hereto shall do and perform (or shall cause to be done and performed) all such further acts and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as either party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes of this Agreement and the Plan and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereunder.

 

20.                                Severability .  If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof, but such provision shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had never been included herein.

 

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[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

 

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By signing below, the Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of the PSUs issued on the Grant Date indicated above, which have been issued under the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.

 

MIDSTATES PETROLEUM COMPANY, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

Kim Harding

 

 

Title:

Vice President — Human Resources and Administration

 

 

 

 

 

Accepted by:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David J. Sambrooks

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confirmation of Receipt by Company:

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 

10


Exhibit 99.1

 

 

321 SOUTH BOSTON AVENUE, SUITE 1000

TULSA, OKLAHOMA 74103

 

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE ISSUANCE

 

MIDSTATES PETROLEUM ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF

DAVID J. SAMBROOKS AS PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,

AND BOARD MEMBER

 

TULSA, Okla. ( BUSINESS WIRE) — Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc. (NYSE: MPO) (“Midstates” or the “Company”) today announced that the Board of Directors (“Board”) has appointed David J. Sambrooks as President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board, effective November 1, 2017.  Mr. Sambrooks succeeds the Company’s current President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jake Brace, who will continue to serve on the Company’s Board.

 

Mr. Sambrooks has over 37 years of experience in the energy industry.  Most recently he served as the President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Sabine Oil & Gas, LLC (which was formerly known as NFR Energy LLC) from 2007 to 2016.  In his roles at Sabine, Mr. Sambrooks led strategic, financial, operational, business development and organizational efforts.  Mr. Sambrooks previously served as Vice President and General Manager of the Southern Division for Devon Energy Corporation as well as Vice President and General Manager of Devon’s International Division from 2001 to 2007.  Prior to Devon, Mr. Sambrooks’ career included key leadership and technical roles in domestic and international operations with Santa Fe Energy Resources, Oryx Energy and Sun Oil Company.

 

Mr. Sambrooks holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and a Masters of Business Administration from The University of Houston. Mr. Sambrooks serves as board president of the non-profit Communities in School of Houston and has served as a board member and volunteer for various non-profit organizations.

 

Alan Carr, Chairman of the Board of Midstates commented, “On behalf of our Board of Directors, we are extremely pleased to welcome David as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Midstates Petroleum.  We conducted an extensive search for the right person to lead our strong technical and financial teams and are confident that David’s vast industry experience and track record of operational excellence at other exploration and production companies make him the ideal fit to lead the next phase of our Company.”

 



 

Mr. Sambrooks remarked, “I am very excited to join Midstates, and I believe we have an excellent platform for value growth.  Our large core position in the Mississippian Lime generates significant cash flow, we have very low net debt, and we have an experienced and talented staff.  These attributes allow us many options for growing and increasing the value of Midstates.  I am eager to begin working with Midstates’ management team, all of our employees, and our shareholders to lead us through the next chapter of the Midstates’ story, which I believe will be one of significant value creation.  My wife Lisa and I look forward to becoming part of the Tulsa community.”

 

Mr. Carr added, “The Board also wants to thank Jake Brace for his strong leadership, dedication and guidance, as both CEO and a member of Midstates’ Board over the past two and half years.  Due in large part to his efforts, Midstates is a company that is well-positioned for the future.”

 

About Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc.

 

Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc. is an independent exploration and production company focused on the application of modern drilling and completion techniques in oil and liquids-rich basins in the onshore U.S. The Company’s operations are currently focused on oilfields in the Mississippian Lime play in Oklahoma and the Anadarko Basin in Texas and Oklahoma.

 

*********

 

Contact:

 

Midstates Petroleum Company, Inc.

 

 

Jason McGlynn, Investor Relations, (918) 947-4614

 

Jason.McGlynn@midstatespetroleum.com